This is the 2nd book in the Gray Whale Inn series, following Murder on the Rocks. That first book was pretty good, this one not so much.It is not a crime for an author to write an annoying lead character nor is it a crime for an author to write an emotionally weak lead character. But is a real shame for an author to write a lead character who is both annoying and weak and who doesn’t mature even the least little bit during the scope of the tale. And the character of Natalie Barnes was not this way in the first novel.First, the simpering way that the author has Natalie handle, or shall I say, not handle the ex-fiancé was infuriating. His motivations were so clear and his continued two-timing was so obvious. And yet the author has Natalie waver, over and over, because of financial issues and hormones, mostly hormones. And she’s 39 years old, not some wide-eyed twenty-something just starting out in the world. She could not, for the life of her, say “No.” The best she could mutter was, “No, I think.”And speaking of the phrase “for the life of her,” the author always has Natalie going out without informing anyone as to where she is going and/or going out without appropriate weather gear. This lead character owns a business, a B&B, and yet she never tells anyone where she is going or how she can be reached while she is gone. And the author always sends her out in the cold or in the rain or in imminent poor weather conditions without a jacket. The author has her constantly choosing to stay out after dark with no lights or even a flashlight. And when the author has her realize these poor choices with an “I should have” or an “I ought to” comment, Natalie still doesn’t turn around and correct her mistakes even though she lives on a small island and could be doing the right thing within minutes. Frankly, she only survives two attempts on her life because of the writer’s devices, not because she hasn’t yet reached TSTL status.However, to give credit, the murder mystery part of the storyline was exciting and the author did not give up the identity of culprit until the very end. For that reason, my rating is a 3 rather than a 2.Fortunately, I got this book on sale as a Kindle Daily Deal. If I choose to give the 3rd book in the series a chance, it will only be because it, too, is on sale.
This book falls into the category of comforting read. I first found Karen MacInerney through her book Murder on the Rocks, the first book in the Gray Whale Inn Mysteries; but I have found myself coming back for more because of the enjoyable feel it left me with. There is just something about island living and the formed friendships and irritating acts of others that bring me back to see what they are up to next.Just when life is starting to get back to normal on Cranberry Island, developers have decided that a section of the land would make a perfect location for a new subdivision. The Gray Whale Inn’s proprietor, Natalie Barnes does not like the idea, but what can she do; that is until her friend is found dead, the sheriff calls it suicide, but Natalie knows there is more to it. Does the subdivision have something to do with it, or are there more goings on that Natalie has to get to the bottom of.Being a cozy mystery, the actual killing of named characters is not what drives this book. It is the location, the community and the inhabitants of Cranberry Island; each part takes on its own personality. You still have to pay close attention as to why each person does what they do, but for the most part, the story has a comforting flow that takes you down a path to a somewhat obvious conclusion but still satisfying at the same time.
What do You think about Dead And Berried (2007)?
I read the second book in the Gray Whale Inn Mysteries series right after reading the first. I thought it would help to remember all the characters introduced in the first and I found the first to be a good basic mystery. This might have been a mistake. Dead and Berried, while still full of interesting and fun characters, suffers from some lazy plot devices and dull subplots. The first problem is that the second book is set to take place only months after the first book. I think that would have been fine if both books didn't have a plot about someone wanting to develop part of the island that might destroy it's natural beauty. In the first book the development would have affected terns and in the second book the development would affect cranberry bogs. Even though different that idea is too similar to have on a small island just months apart. The second problem is the lame subplot of the former boyfriend. While it was nice to get a little background on Natalie, our inn owner and amateur sleuth, the former boyfriend plot didn't really move the mystery along and that whole plotting device is kind of old and may play better in the werewolf romances that the author writes.I would like to give this book 2 1/2 stars but Goodread doesn't do half stars. I'm giving it three stars mostly for the strong characterizations of the island folk, the introduction of a nicely thought out "ghost story", and some chilling scenes involving Natalie and the murderer. Oh, and the muffin recipe.
—Goose
If you enjoyed the first book in the series, Murder on the Rocks, you will not be disappointed in the 2nd installment. Dead and Berried continues in the same fashion that makes this series so delightful. Lovable characters, even the kitties, make the reader want to visit this quaint town and stay at the bed-and-breakfast. You can almost taste the delicious food. I cannot wait to try some of the recipes. The plot is not complicated, but there is still some suspense which some cozy mysteries do not possess. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, be sure to pick up this series. I am sure you will fall in love with it like I did. I will certainly continue reading more of the series.
—Betsy
Well, it was very poorly written in that there were so many mistakes (things repeated for example) and every single action of making a brownie was printed verbatim, etc. I thought I would go nuts. Unfortunately I pretty much have to finish a book when I start it. This was one of the cheapo books from Amazon and I thought it might be okay. No. There was never any common sense applied -- there was a murderer after this girl and she thought nothing of putting herself in harms way over and over. Why would you want to read about someone that stupid? In addition, her cheating fiancee returns to woo her back, but he never pays any attention to her -- and yet, she still considers his offer of marriage. Huh? I should really give this one star -- but here is the thing -- despite its really awful everything, it was readable, and I finished it wondering what was going to happen! Ya gotta give the author credit for that. (But take a hint, edit your books before you publish them!)
—Lisa
