Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem [review]

murder-mystery-and-dating-mayhem-by-d-e-haggerty

[Synopsis]

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?

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[My Review]

Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem is a fun easy read that certainly provides some escapism, despite the storyline revolving around an unsolved murder. It all feels pretty light-hearted though, so whatever mood you’re in, you needn’t worry about it being too heavy-going.
It’s really great to see a bit older protagonist featured, and I really like Izzy, the main character, and also Jack. They both seem like great characters – though Jack is a bit forceful at times with Izzy, in my opinion, especially at the start pf the novel with the speed dating. I get that he had her best interests at heart but sometimes it feels a bit much to me – good job I’m not Izzy then, I guess – but most of the other characters do seem quite likeable. Saying that, I don’t hugely like her boyfriend, Noel – he seems to be trying far too hard to be an ‘alpha’ male and ‘protect’ Izzy whilst calling her ‘baby’ constantly which got on my nerves a bit… sorry, rant over!
Overall, though, the story is fun and easy to read. It flows along pretty well and there aren’t any points where I felt the narrative is moving too slowly. The writing is informal and light-hearted; even the more serious issues are dealt with a quite easy-going, carefree tone which made it pretty easy to read. Izzy’s tone of voice is very casual and centres mostly on an ‘interior monologue’ kind of style, conveying most of what she’s thinking at every given moment. At times this can be a little grating; she uses some annoying exclamations and phrases which felt a bit much for me at times, as well as a lot of American colloquialisms (which is fair enough as she is an American character, I know!). However she is an amusing character to find out more about and the mystery element of the story helped draw me, particularly in the second half of the book.
Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem is a quick, fun read with plenty of comical moments. It feels like a nice change from the many thrillers I’ve been getting through recently, and is a nice bit of escapism, too!

[Rating: 3.5/5]

* Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review *

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