Review & Giveaway: The Day Job Is Murder by Carolyn Arnold

Series: McKinley Mysteries #1
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.
Source: pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 22, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Smashwords*  | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:

For Sean McKinley, working in Albany PD Homicide is great except for one thing - he's in love with his partner Sara Cain. And even though she feels the same way about him, she convinced him they should just remain friends. Two years later, nothing has changed. Yet, during the course of a murder investigation, when Sean finds out an old friend has died, it results in something that has the potential to change his life - and Sara's - forever. It goes to prove one unexpected act of kindness has the power to ripple throughout the years and bring happiness...even when The Day Job is Murder. 

My Thoughts:

Carolyn Arnold has been on my radar for a few years. I have a couple of unread books in her Madison Knight mystery series but somehow I was unaware of her cozy mystery series, McKinley Mysteries.

"The Day Job is Murder" is a quick. light read that's just right for when you're waiting at the doctor's office or you want something light. It's under a hundred pages and is a fast read. It reminded a little bit of the 1980s TV show, "Hart to Hart". That was about a husband and wife who solved mysteries for fun and a was a fun, frothy show. In "The Day Job is Murder", Sean and Sara are not married but they are police partners who are attracted to each other. They have put their feelings aside to focus on their careers but those feelings keep bubbling up and are harder and harder to ignore.

The romance was light and despite their relationship moratorium, was nearly angst free. Sean was more fleshed out than Sara, due in part to the fact that most of the book is told from his perspective. There were sparks between them but given the short length of the story, their romance felt rushed. The mystery was intriguing but again, it felt rushed. The answer seemingly came out of nowhere though it did a nice job of paying homage to Sherlock Holmes.

"The Day Job is Murder" blended murder and romance along with a side helping of the Golden Rule in action, with some good consequences. It's a sweet, uplifting story with pleasant characters and a happy ending in a bite-sized format. Pick up a copy for the next time you want short and sweet.

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