Book obtained from: Library audio book [2012]
Description: This is #18 in the Claire Malloy mystery series [I've read this one and one other]. In this book, Claire has recently married and is searching for a new home. She finds the perfect house, which of course is implicated in a murder.
Plot: Claire falls in love with “the perfect house,” but while the real estate agent is showing it to her, the agent disappears. Claire goes in search of the owner, and discovers the house is the subject of a family feud. If she wants to buy the house, she'll have to solve the feud.
Characterization: The characters are well-rounded and have individual personalities. Claire and her daughter Caron are many times whiny, which is understandable for Caron since she's 17. Not so much for Claire.
Setting: Arkansas. Nicely described, I was able to picture every scene.
Other: The audio book was narrated by Rachael Warren and she did a nice job.
Overall: I think this book went on a little too long. Cutting 2-3 chapters would have been an improvement. I did figure out whodunnit about half-way thru the book, and it did seem to drag thereafter.
Grade: B-
Book obtained from: Library e-book [2014]
Description: Willow Chance is a 12yo child genius, trying to make her way in the world. When her adoptive parents die in a car crash, she is once again orphaned, with an uncertain future.
Plot: Willow finished a state test in 17 minutes and achieved a perfect score, which everyone believed was because she cheated. She is therefore sent to the school counselor, who isn't able to do much for her because of his own personal issues. Later, her adoptive parents both die, and Willow is taken in by the single mother of a new friend. Together, they keep one step ahead of social services and try to make a new life for all of them.
Characterization: The characters are well developed for a middle grade novel, with individual personalities.
Setting: Bakersfield California. Nicely described, I was able to picture every scene.
Other: This is a middle grade novel. Very diverse. I liked how each character was unique, which doesn't always happen, especially with middle grade books.
Overall: This book has a literary feel, and despite the sad beginning, it is positive and uplifting.
Grade: B+
Book obtained from: Library audio book [2013]
Description: This is #19 in the Claire Malloy mystery series. In this book, Claire decides to volunteer as a tutor at the literacy center, helping adults who are learning English. Unfortunately, one of the more abrasive students is killed.
Plot: Claire tries to sign up as a tutor for adults learning English, but misses the mandatory training meeting. Instead, she's conscripted to serve on the board of directors, where she learns of some questionable activities regarding the Literacy Center, and stumbles upon a murder. I didn't figure out whodunnit until almost the very end of the book.
Characterization: The characters are well-rounded and have individual personalities. Claire can be a little whiny. Her daughter Caron, a high school senior, is really obnoxious and if she was my daughter, I would definitely have a problem co-existing with her.
Setting: Arkansas. Nicely described, I was able to picture every scene.
Other: The audio book was narrated by Meredith Mitchell and she did a nice job.
Overall: This is the first book of this series that I have read.
Grade: B+
Book obtained from: Library audio book [2014]
Description: Defense attorney Andy Carpenter's accountant Sam receives a call from a high school friend Barry, who needs help. Sam is delayed in getting to his friend's house, and Barry leaves on a private plane without him. The plane crashes, Barry's wife is accused of murdering him, and Andy takes the case.
Plot: Andy defends Barry's wife. Things don't look so good, but a twist takes the case in a new direction. There is a sub-plot that becomes related to the main plot later in the story. The sub-plot was a little distracting at first, because listening on audio didn't give me any visual clues that a new chapter was addressing the sub-plot. At first the two plots seem unrelated and when a sub-plot chapter began, it took me a few seconds to realize it was the sub-plot.
Characterization: Andy Carpenter is wise-cracking and really funny. I think I laughed at least 2-3 times in each chapter. He has a very dry sense of humor. The other characters all have individual personalities and add quite a bit to the story.
Setting: New Jersey. Nicely described, I was able to picture every scene.
Other: The audio book was narrated by Grover Gardner and he definitely added to Andy's characterization. Great narrator!
Overall: This is the eleventh book in this series. All have a dog in them. Even the dogs have individual, well-developed personalities.
Grade: A-
