Dakota Cassidy is on the blog today with the first in her Lemon Layne Mystery series, narrated by Hollie Jackson. Please read on for my review of
Prawn of the Dead
From the title alone, you know that you are into a story with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, but Cassidy doesn’t skimp on the twists, turns or misdirection on the way to find the solution. Lemon Layne lives in Washington state and runs a convenience store / barbeque joint, but really (yes really really) fancies herself a detective. She’s got a pet monkey named Jessica Fletcher, a best friend who is, if possible, even more outrageous than Lemon in Coco, and she’s got a mystery on her hands. See, her mother’s ex-boyfriend is dead, found in the store’s bathroom after a bash on the head, and not only is her mother a suspect, but Cabbie (a conspiracy theorist) is convinced this is the start of the zombie apocalypse. Confused yet? Oh there is more, and the story just adds barely-there plausibility to fantastical fantasy options, even as Lemon is slowly digging through the questions to find the murderer.
Oh she has plenty of missteps, and she doesn’t always ask the right questions and often jumps ahead of the actual clues by several steps, but the balance of crazy funny with actual clues, the frustration (and attraction) with the town cop Justice (also Lemon’s friend) and a small town overrun with Zombie hunters, a mail-order bride, several suspects and plenty of intrigue all around (including a secret that Lemon is desperate to hide) the story is a fun and funny romp, sure to please readers who like lighter cozies and those who appreciate a collection of quirky and often hilarious characters.
Narration for this story is provided by Hollie Jackson, and I have to say that her voice and the youthful lightness of her tone is near perfect for this story. Her voice is particularly well-suited to characters in their mid-20’s, who have a bit of ‘different’ to them, and Lemon fits that bill perfectly. Jackson presents the story cleanly. Distinction between characters is evident yet subtle, her narration style focuses on presenting a story that is smooth to follow, gives readers moments for a laugh, and never overplays any of the roles. A listen that is perfect during a commute or just for relaxing, I’m ready for the next.
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4
Title: Prawn of the Dead (A Lemon Layne Mystery Book 1)
Author: Dakota Cassidy
Series: Lemon Layne Mystery #1
Also in this series: Play That Funky Music White Koi
Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery, Humor elements, Small Town
Narrator: Hollie Jackson
Published by: Tantor Audio
ISBN: 1541456270
Published on: 27 June, 2017
Format:Audiobook
Source: Tantor Audio
Pages: 208
Audio Length: 5 Hours: 33 minutes
Rated:
Get Your Copy: Amazon ♦ Barnes&Noble ♦ iTunes ♦ Kobo ♦ IndieBound ♦ Book Depository ♦Audible ♦Tantor Audio
USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author Dakota Cassidy serves up conspiracy, suspects, bedlam, and murder in Prawn of the Dead, Book one in the Lemon Layne Mystery series.
My name is Lemon Layne, and if asked to describe myself, like maybe on a dating site (which is never gonna happen), I'd have to go with best convenience store/barbecue joint owner in the Pacific Northwest. I live in the tiny tourist town of Fig Harbor, Washington with my adorably neurotic best friend, Coco Bellinski, my a-little-left- of-center (read totally out there) mom, May, and my troublemaking pet monkey, Jessica Fletcher.
Oh, and last but certainly not least, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool amateur sleuth. Yep. I'm literally incapable of resisting a good mystery. No matter how great or small, I love to stick my nose into...er, help solve a crime. From the mysterious disappearance of Ho Hos in my store, to a lost piece of jewelry, I'm always ready to put on my Sherlock Holmes cap (I really do have one. Got it when I was eight).
When I find my mother's ex-boyfriend murdered in our convenience store bathroom with a piece of his skull missing, and my mom's a suspect in a murder investigation, my mystery solving goes from zero to a hundred. To really make matters worse, the town's local conspiracy theorist and official doomsday prepper, Cappie somehow finds out the victim isn't just missing a piece of his skull--he's missing a piece of his brain!
And that's when off the wall Cappie starts spreading word the zombie apocalypse has officially arrived in our tiny burg. Total chaos ensues and I have to pick my way through everything from weekend warrior zombie hunters to medical mysteries in order to catch a killer!
A copy of this title was provided via Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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