Little Shop of Homicide

A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery, Book 1

By: Denise Swanson

Narrated by: Maia Guest

Dev Sinclair is the happy new owner of the old-fashioned shop in her small Missouri town. But if she doesn't focus on finding the killer of her ex's fiance, this five-and-dime owner may find herself serving 25 to life.

©2012 Denise Swanson Stybr (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Another Good Murder Mystery from Denise Swanson

What did you love best about Little Shop of Homicide?

I like the mystery setting of the small midwestern town; much like Swanson's Scumble River series, I like the setting and the characters-especially single gal Devereaux, who lives with her quirky grandmother, and owns the local dime store.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Little Shop of Homicide?

Don't tune out after the murder is "solved"-the ending is a doozy!

Which character – as performed by Maia Guest – was your favorite?

Devereaux will be every reader's favorite character-she is trying to start her life again in her home town after her stint working for a crooked investment backer in the city. And she is making a go of it, even with family baggage that doesn't easily go away in a small town. She really finds herself in a pickle, and has to rally all of her resources to solve the mystery of who killed her ex-boyfriend's fiancee!

Fun listen

This book was fun to listen to, but provided a good mystery too. I look forward to listening to other books in this series.

Overall enjoyable

What's not to love about a murder mystery, perfect yet imperfect main character and her potential hot new love. Looking forward to the next book.

Proof that a narrator can make or break a book...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an interesting story, if a little predictable. If you enjoy this genre then you will likely enjoy this read as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Character development was a little weak beyond the main character but the story here is in the mystery not the characters themselves. The role of the Deputy US Marshall could have been developed to a much greater extent and added considerably to the book.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was by far the weakest part of the book. Too many of the male characters sounded weak and even effeminate and the best friend character, supposedly a hot young thing sounds like she is dying of emphysema. I found the narration grating at times and detracted from the story itself.

Fun and Lighthearted Mystery

If you could sum up Little Shop of Homicide in three words, what would they be?

READ FOR FUN!!! Had to write this because the leading review was total sour grapes! If I hadn't listened to the sample I probably would have passed on this perfectly delightful light summer reading mystery. It flows nicely and keeps you interested in the characters, her writing is good, not overly sappy or melodramatic (something often found in lighter reads). This book just tickled me pink, I bought the second one before I even found out whodunit!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake Del Vecchio is well written, not the perfect 'knight in shining armor' but a total good guy with his own flaws - very well written and developed.