Fiddle Dee Death

Rating:
Summary: Home again
Review: Did you ever go to a movie that was acclaimed by critics only to mumble to yourself, "Why on earth did I pay to see that?". You shake your head and wonder where do critics come up with these acclaims.

That is precisely how I felt reading this murder mystery novel. It was hard enough to figure out the characters, I still don't really know who 'I said' is! There were so many characters in and out of the story I got dizzy. Needless to say the characters are less than one dimensional. The writing is a novelists nightmare. There are no emotions involved. All you get are Cissy said, Margaret Ann 'said', I said, he said, blah, blah, blah, for about fifty characters. If I see one more said, I'll scream.

I couldn't really find a plot other than a murder and I'm not certain who was murdered. I should read it again, but NO THANK YOU!

HOW DO REVIEWS AND CRITICS COME UP WITH THEIR REVIEWS? DO THEY READ THE BOOKS?

Rating:
Summary: Fiddle Dee Silly
Review: Fiddle Dee Death is pretty fiddle dee silly, but hey, the world needs more silly. This cozy mystery is every bit as charming as Miss Scarlett, but if you're sitting there asking, "Scarlett who?" you'd better skip this one. It would be way too Southern for you. It's a quick fun read, but strictly girl stuff.

Rating:
Summary: lovely mystery cosy
Review: Huh? Don't know who "I" is...don't know who got killed...Huh?

Rating:
Summary: A mystery with a Southern flair
Review: I've heard that being Southern is all about having a sense of place. That said, there's no question about "Fiddle Dee Death" being well-grounded with deep Southern roots and contemporary Southern energy and flair. The things that really matter -- family and relationships -- give this little mystery its edge. If you're looking for a richly constructed and fun whodunit, "Fiddle Dee Death" is the ticket.

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps Mam should be telling this story
Review: If Lindsey Fox is the main character in Fiddle Dee Death, she deserves to have a larger part in the book. Her cousins, Mam and Bonnie, get most of the good lines, leaving poor Lindsey looking as dull as dishwater. This leaves the reader wondering why Lindsey was chosen to tell the story. Her relationship with Will is bereft of any emotional depth and seems tacked on in order to fill space. The murder victim gets my sympathy because none of the characters seem to care that he's dead...other than the three(Nancy Drew wannabe)cousins desiring credit for solving the mystery.

Rating:
Summary: lovely mystery cosy
Review: Not a book to improve your mind but a lovely little journey to the south with a mystery and some interesting women. Will be looking for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it...
Review: Of all the genres I usually read, cozy mysteries rarely come across my nightstand. Fiddle Dee Death was recommended by a friend, since she knows I'm a Southern girl too, and I'm really glad she did.

I have an admittedly short attention span with books and if they don't hook me by page 3, I'm finished. FDD certainly had me hooked with the colorful characters and authentic Southern feel, plus an interesting mystery with enough red herrings to keep me guessing as to who the killer was (and it really is a surprise!). The dialogue is snappy with funny, rapid fire banter that you would expect between close friends and family. I had to watch where I read the book, because some passages had me laughing out loud (much to the perterbation of my fellow diners at the local restaurant).

I really connected with the cousins. Lindsey reminds me a Southern version of Stephanie Plum, sans big hair and exploding cars, of course. She's a smart, likable narrator and is the perfect match for the outgoing Mam and down-to-earth Bonnie. In reading, I felt like I was one of group.

I had a little trouble keeping some of the secondary characters straight, but it didn't hurt the book's charm and appeal. I'm hoping there is a second book coming out ... I'd love to see where the authors take the cousins next!