Series: Organized Mysteries #1
Format Read: Kindle book
Source: from the author in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 21, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble Nook | Barnes & Noble paperback | Smashwords
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Blurb from goodreads:
Organization expert Kate McKenzie is on track to make her new business, STACKED IN YOUR FAVOR, a hit in small-town Vermont. But when her first client, the wealthy Amelia Nethercutt, is found dead, the job takes a decidedly sinister turn.
Kate thought she and her family were making a fresh start in her husband's hometown, but she quickly learns that small towns can hold big secrets. When her first client is poisoned just after Kate leaves her mansion, she knows she's gotten off to a bad start. But things only get worse when the police find Kate's fingerprints on the murder weapon, suddenly putting her in the position of suspect number one. The stopwatch is ticking for Kate to prove she had nothing to do with the murder, and the odds are further stacked against her when items stolen from the Nethercutt mansion start showing up in the McKenzie home. Now, Kate must trust her methodical skills and expert eye to sort out who is trying to frame her and to find the real killer before she's organized right into a jail cell.
“Ritter writes like a seasoned veteran, and you will not believe how helpful these organizational tips are!”
- Gemma Halliday, New York Times Bestselling author
Bea's Thoughts:
This book appealed to me because I am a hoarder, and a procrastinator; I could really use someone like Kate in my daily life. Seriously, I could. I also wondered though how likable Kate would be as people I know in real life and some that I've read about have been holier-than-thou about organization. Happily, Kate is not and she feels like someone I might know and want to be friends with as well being willing to listen to her advise. Ames shares tips with us throughout the book; some I rolled my eyes at while others I plan to try.
While Kate is competent and capable when it comes to her work, in her personal life, she has doubts: is she spending enough time with her twins, why didn't her husband tell her that his boss is also an ex-girlfriend, can she open up enough to take a casual friendship deeper and make it stronger, among other concerns. She and her family have recently moved to her husband's hometown and she's having trouble making friends, she's not naturally gregarious but hides parts of herself. She has become friendly with her next door neighbor Meg though who helps her try to clear her name, and they share a sense of humor:
The mysteries are cleverly done with several twists and red herrings. The actual murderer took me by surprise, I didn't see it coming but the hints were there. The story moves along at a good clip and events happen in a reasonable time frame. Ames fleshes out the world and the characters, even temporary ones and sets up a rival for Kate, which didn't thrill me. I'm not a fan of the practice of giving the lead an ongoing rival or villain. Valerie is a business rival, fine, but the relationship is antagonistic. Just because they're business rivals doesn't mean they have to snipe at each other nor engage in sabotage. Still, Ames does go beyond stereotypes and I'm curious to see how it plays out in future books. I enjoyed spending time with Kate and found the story to be believable, unlike some cozy mysteries. How well the series maintains believability remains to be seen but I'm looking forward to finding out.
"Organized for Murder" is fun, enjoyable, engaging, and a good start to the series.
Ritter Ames lives in a small town in the middle of America, but spends each day globe trotting the art world from her laptop, with her cat riding shotgun and Pandora blasting from the speakers. COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES is her first full-length fiction. A second cozy mystery series, starting with ORGANIZED FOR MURDER will be released by Gemma Halliday Publishing in January 2014. She tries to blog regularly at http://ritterames.wordpress.com/ and uses her Pinterest boards at http://www.pinterest.com/ritterames/ to capture great places and ideas she wants to use in both series. Follow her blog and boards to learn more about Ritter and her upcoming books.
While Kate is competent and capable when it comes to her work, in her personal life, she has doubts: is she spending enough time with her twins, why didn't her husband tell her that his boss is also an ex-girlfriend, can she open up enough to take a casual friendship deeper and make it stronger, among other concerns. She and her family have recently moved to her husband's hometown and she's having trouble making friends, she's not naturally gregarious but hides parts of herself. She has become friendly with her next door neighbor Meg though who helps her try to clear her name, and they share a sense of humor:
"I hate when you're realistic."
"I'm always realistic. Does that mean you always hate me?"
"You know what I mean."
The mysteries are cleverly done with several twists and red herrings. The actual murderer took me by surprise, I didn't see it coming but the hints were there. The story moves along at a good clip and events happen in a reasonable time frame. Ames fleshes out the world and the characters, even temporary ones and sets up a rival for Kate, which didn't thrill me. I'm not a fan of the practice of giving the lead an ongoing rival or villain. Valerie is a business rival, fine, but the relationship is antagonistic. Just because they're business rivals doesn't mean they have to snipe at each other nor engage in sabotage. Still, Ames does go beyond stereotypes and I'm curious to see how it plays out in future books. I enjoyed spending time with Kate and found the story to be believable, unlike some cozy mysteries. How well the series maintains believability remains to be seen but I'm looking forward to finding out.
"Organized for Murder" is fun, enjoyable, engaging, and a good start to the series.
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About the author -
Ritter Ames lives in a small town in the middle of America, but spends each day globe trotting the art world from her laptop, with her cat riding shotgun and Pandora blasting from the speakers. COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES is her first full-length fiction. A second cozy mystery series, starting with ORGANIZED FOR MURDER will be released by Gemma Halliday Publishing in January 2014. She tries to blog regularly at http://ritterames.wordpress.com/ and uses her Pinterest boards at http://www.pinterest.com/ritterames/ to capture great places and ideas she wants to use in both series. Follow her blog and boards to learn more about Ritter and her upcoming books.
Find Ritter Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritter.ames
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RitterAmes
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ritterames/
Follow the tour: http://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/books-currently-on-tour/organized-for-murder-by-ritter-ames/
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There are two giveaways. One is a tour wide giveaway and one is specific to the blog. Enter using the rafflecopters below. Please read my Giveaway Policy.
Thanks so much for inviting me here today and for the review and great feedback. I really appreciate the opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteI love cozy mysteries!!! Hmmm I wonder what the secrets are in this small town. This book sounds like I would love it. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Mary. Yes, small towns are great for secrets, and make cozy mysteries just that much more fun :)
DeleteI really enjoyed this book.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that, Yvonne! So, if you win do I need to send a copy of Counterfeit Conspiracies? :) Thanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteNice review
ReplyDeleteIt really was a good one, wasn't it? Love when good reviews give me that extra insight before I purchase.
Deletethanx for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to read it!!!
Good luck! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThis does sound exciting.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the drawing, Mary!
DeleteThis is on my list! I've heard great things about it!
ReplyDeleteNice to know the book is getting talked about, Alicia. Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteThis sounds like a fun mystery with an unusual twist. I really do try to be organized myself but sometimes the loose ends get away from me for a while. Eventually it all gets sorted out.
ReplyDeleteI think we all can use some fine-tuning on this subject, and it tends to be even more in the forefront around the start of spring each year. Thanks so much for stopping by, Carl!
DeleteBoth the giveaway ebooks sound interesting from the title! I hope to win! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love a good cozy mystery so I'm going to be adding this to the TBR pile :)
ReplyDelete-Kimberly @ Turning the Pages