Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

Rose Gardner Mystery, Book 1

By: Denise Grover Swank

Narrated by: Shannon McManus

The first book of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling series!

"Though much of the book is light-hearted and occasionally outright hilarious, the author sneaks in a few home truths along the way that will hit you where it counts, like how even someone’s best intentions can box you in." (Everybody Needs a Little Romance blog)

"This was one of those books that I kept telling myself one more page, then I need to put it down. Instead I found myself tearing through the book instead, needing to know the outcome." (Just Jump Book Reviews)

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa, instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted 24 years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: 28 things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number 15 - do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty of secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want, and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry, after all.

©2011 Denise Grover Swank (P)2020 Denise Grover Swank

started ok then became torture

seemed ok to start and seemed to have a good storyline, but as it went on the holes in the story and just contradicting cry tough girl became annoying. I will not be reading the next book

Great book

This was a great story. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The narrator is great too.

Too much crying and whining

I realize the protagonist found out tragic things, but if I wanted Jodi Picoult I would have gotten it. Very little humor is in this book and I am partial to Jana Deleon and Janet Evanovich. Also, some of the details of the investigation don’t follow any rules. Why is she able to sleep in the murder house? It would be cordoned off until investigation was done. Also, her bail was never set so she goes about her business despite that. Also, her lawyer is not very hands-on and only spoke with her twice. I couldn’t get past chapter 18.

Fun Listen

If you're looking for a low energy but sweet story, this is it. Hard not to really like the characters and the good guys are really good and of course the bad guys are really bad. Throw in a sweet rescue dog and you have it all.

Must read!! (again)

This is my favorite series EVER! I am reading/listening to it for the second time and just like the first time I read it, i find myself having a hard time turning the book off, the whole just one more page would be true if I was actually reading instead of listening. This series has everything, one minute im laughing (out loud), the next sitting on the edge of my seat in fear of what Rose has gotten herself into, and anticipation of how she is going to get herself out of it, the next thing you know your crying with her either tears of joy or heartbreak. Ms. Swank is an awesome writer, but with this series she really pulled out all the stops. I dont know if she ever reads these reviews but in case she does I'd like to say Thank You! I'm an on call hospice nurse and drive (usually at night) to the homes of patients with urgent needs. Your books have gotten me through a lot of rough nights. Im sure you work hard writing books for our entertainment, please know that this hospice nurse appreciates it more than you know.