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Margaret S. (Lincoln, NE)
Fun, fun, fun
This book is so entertaining that I didn't want to put it down. Set in LA, the characters are stereo type cinema types gone haywire— a gre at movie star is now an attorney. The unlikely crew of characters set out to solve a murder. Need I say more? It's great fun reading this book.
Carol C. (Troy, NY)
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant
I truly enjoyed this cozy mystery! Written from the perspective of Olivia, the "just okay assistant," it chronicles her efforts to help her enigmatic employer determine whether a death was suicide or murder - and thus prove her worth as an apprentice detective. There are enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing as to what happened, and in the process, we learn a lot about Olivia, and almost nothing about the "world's greatest detective.
This, I hope, indicates more adventures are to come, and further clues as to the detective's life and backstory Merritt will be revealed. Perhaps that's the biggest
…more mystery of the book.... (less)Take a murder mystery party but add two women detectives and you have the making of a murder mystery 2.0. The characters of the 2 women detectives pit an older, seasoned but cranky woman with a younger, aspiring detective-in-training. It's a clash of the generations bonded by a trial apprenticeship of the younger woman who finds it difficult to communicate with her renowned mentor.
I felt that the "murder mystery" was formulaic of many murder stories where there are a slew of potential perpetrators. The story works through all the family members who encircled the victim and a few outer circle friends. Is the
…more ending a surprise? Not really, and it's a story I found tough to hang with initially but grew on me mostly due to the younger woman's voice and her perspective. What if you get the chance to work with the best in the field but find that person to be brilliant and insufferable? (less)Really liked this modern who dun it and the dynamic duo of Aubrey Merritt and Emily Blunt! The mystery was intriguing but not too violent and the quirkiness of the main characters really kept me engaged in the story line and trying to stay ahead of the mystery. I hope this is the first in a series of mysteries starring these strong women heros!
Holly B. (Phoenix, AZ)
We Can't All Be the World's Greatest Detective
Aubrey Merritt makes detective work look easy. In fact, she's so good at her work that that she's in demand and needs to take on an assistant to help her get everything done. Enter Emily Blunt, a young news fact-checker who is tying to make her rent and prepare for a wedding to her equally poor fiancée. She thinks she has no chance at working with Aubrey Merritt, but applies anyway. Not only is she hired, but Emily manages to outlast Merritt's prior two assistants by a month when the famous detective invites her on a detecting trip to the Wild Goose resort on Lake Champlain.
The death of matriarch Victoria
…more Summersworth casts a shadow on her stepchildren, workers in the resort, accountant, and recent romantic interest. Olivia knows that she must prove herself to the brilliant detective, but her instincts need some honing. After several botched detecting moves, Olivia finds herself in over her head.
This who-done-it is a slow burn with many characters and suspects, twists, and confounding storylines. The action is believable with only one cliched instance of a hiding character accidentally making a noise that gives them away—a pet peeve of mine. Aside from that, I enjoyed the narrative and character development of the family, but I wished for more relationship building between Olivia and Merritt. Aubrey Merritt is a tough nut and while she does have a soft spot for her protege, she is a critical parent figure to Olivia where she could be more of a mentor.
Still, there is some redemption at the end of the book that is worth the wait and the possibility of another book with the pair continuing to strengthen their working relationship. I would read a sequel to follow their adventures. (less)First of all, I love the title of this book! It definitely drew me in and made me want to find out more. I also enjoyed the fact that both of the main characters were women. And the dynamic between them (older, cranky boss and younger, insecure assistant) was well-developed. While the plot was fairly standard, the character development places it a cut above other mysteries. I'm hoping there will be further Merritt/Blunt adventures!
Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)
Loved it
I was surprised to see that this book was 400 pages. It flew by. A two day read for me. I loved the female lead roles. Dynamic and powerful. I loved the setting. Makes me want to head too the east coast. I also didn't figure out until it was revealed who the killer was. I had ideas but I couldn't have said with any confidence. I hope this is the star of a series because I will keep reading.
Barbara E. (Rockville, MD)
More than okay
I thoroughly enjoyed this clever and witty mystery. Ollie, the self-proclaimed "just okay" assistant, is impulsive, sharp, and utterly relatable, while the great detective is brilliant, enigmatic, and delightfully condescending. The mystery itself is intricate, with a satisfying resolution, but the true highlight is the evolving dynamic between the two lead characters. Told from Ollie's perspective, the story allows us to experience her missteps and insights firsthand, making for an engaging and immersive read.
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