Murder, Mystery and Dating Mayhem (The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives, #1) by D. E. Haggerty

 

The author sent me an advanced reader’s copy (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.

 

My rating:  4.4  of  5  stars

Plot
(by Goodreads)

My name is Izzy. I drink too much, am clumsier than a newborn foal, and my brain-to-mouth filter often malfunctions. My daredevil husband killed himself in a parachuting accident five years ago and my best friend Jack has decided it’s time I jump back in the dating pool. He’s perfectly happy to throw me in if I don’t listen. Just when things in the dating world start to heat up, my grandma dies. Only her knitting group of Jessica Fletcher wannabes is sure it’s murder. I’m not convinced but I’m always up for a bit of excitement as long as it doesn’t lead to a night in jail. Well, more than one night anyway. Will I miss my chance at love because I’m chasing imaginary killers? Did someone really kill grandma or am I and my merry band of geriatric thieves imagining things?

 

Genre(s):  Suspense, Romance, Humour

Series:  The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives, #1

Length:  155 pages

Release Date:  2015-03-01

 

Teaser

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Sufficiently fortified, I turn to the man again and notice him watching me. He raises an eyebrow. “I tried that trick earlier,” he says, tilting his head towards the bar, “but the bartender didn’t seem impressed with my assets.” I look him up and down. “You look pretty hot to me,” I say and then slap my hand over my mouth when I realize my comment probably sounded like some lame pick-up line. “Sorry.” Is it possible for my face to spontaneously burst into flames? “Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain can stop it.”

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My Opinion

This book focuses on Izzy, widowed for five years, being thrown into a speed-dating session by her best friend Jack.

With Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem, D. E. Haggerty has created an expertly worded and very funny suspense story with a romantic touch. The story comprises a broad variety of characters with sufficient depth, hilarious moments and interesting interactions to solve the case of the dead grandma. I had a great time reading Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem – it is a very fun read. I was drawn into the story right away, chuckling about the cute gray-haired knitting detectives and their ways, cheering Izzy on, trying to find the culprit and hoping that Izzy really gets her man. I must confess that I do not really like the cover’s colour – I am more into greenish, blackish and bluish shades.

This is for you if you like female amateur sleuths, stubborn women, hilarious situations as well as a great combination of (cozy) suspense, humour and romance.

A funny and suspenseful book and/or series to read again.

Recommended!

In brief:

Writing	Great
Plot	Some twists
Mood	Suspenseful, light-hearted
Pace	Steady
Characters	Developed
Violence	No violence
Sexual content	No sexual content (some hints)
POV	First person

 

About the author

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. I’m leaning towards somewhere I can learn to surf even though the hubby thinks that’s a less than sound way to decide where to live. Although I’ve been a military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between playing tennis, running much slower than I would like, trying to adopt every stray dog within a 5-mile radius, traveling to exotic new locales, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, addictively watching new movies and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my sixth book.

 

Connect with the Author:

Website:  http://dehaggerty.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/denaehaggerty

Amazon:  D. E. Haggerty

Amazon (US):  buy link

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Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem?  Or – if you did not yet read Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

My question for you cinephiles:
If Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem was filmed – who should direct it, who could you imagine as actors?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

 

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Review: Jack Gets His Man by D. E. Haggerty