Blown Away
A Kite Shop Mystery, Book #1
By Clover Tate
ISBN#9780425283547
Author Website: www.angelamsanders.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
In the all-new Kite Shop Mystery series set in the beach-side community of Rock Point, Oregon, kite shop owner Emmy Adler gets swept up in a murder investigation.
Emmy is finally living her dream. She’s moved to the coastal town of Rock Point, Oregon, and is starting a kite business. Strings Attached features her own unique designs, inspired by everything from Picasso to Matisse’s colorful cutouts. Her spirits are soaring sky-high the morning of the grand opening until she stumbles upon a dead man washed up on the beach.
The body belongs to local chef Miles Logan, and the gash across his chest indicates he s been murdered. The sheriff suspects Emmy’s best friend, Avery, who used to date the chef. Emmy is sure Avery would never hurt anyone, but her pal doesn’t have an alibi for the night of the murder. With Avery’s freedom and the fate of her kite shop up in the air, Emmy takes it upon herself to follow the string of clues and solve the murder before the real killer takes flight. (Goodreads)
Review:
Blown Away is the first book in the new Kite Shop Mystery series, and, unfortunately, I am not uplifted by what I read.
Emmy has followed her dream to the coastal town of Rock Point, Oregon, to open her own kite shop. As an artist, she creates custom kites as well as carries more traditional offerings. She is all set for her grand opening when she and her dog Bear discover local chef Miles Logan, who was obviously murdered, washed up on the beach. Eyes quickly turn to Emmy’s best friend/roommate Avery as the prime suspect. She and Miles have a recent romantic history, and the clues that are piling up do nothing to help Avery’s case. Emmy, confident that Avery is indeed innocent, does all she can to find the real perpetrator.
Blown Away is not a bad cozy mystery; it simply failed to live up to my expectations. The coastal tourist town setting is quite nice and sounds like someplace I would like to visit. With all its local color, stores and restaurants, I am sure I would enjoy spending a few relaxing days there. That said, there is a bit of unbelievability to the town (yes, I know that most cozy “towns” are not the most realistic settings), but I just could not come to terms that a small town could sustain, not one, but two kite shops. Perhaps I just cannot get that excited about kites.
Readers are introduced to a variety of characters that inhabit Rock Point. However, with the exception of retired teacher turned artist Stella and loyal friend Dave, I never really warmed up to any of them. I especially have trouble with our protagonist Emmy. Her blind devotion to Avery is understandable since they have known each other a long time and are quite close, but that loyalty feels a little unjustified as the story progresses and Avery keeps secrets (to her own detriment). Emmy has good intentions but comes across a bit self-righteous, has little regard for what other people think, does not think things through, and is quick to lose her temper…with everyone. And then she wonders why no one seems to like her very much? I found her to be an inept amateur sleuth who bumbled along until the truth presented itself. Is she meant to be funny?
Blown Away moves along at a steady, quick clip and is an easy, light read. The resolution of the mystery is what saves the story for me. The murderer’s motives and final revelations make it all somewhat worthwhile. I am not sure I will seek out the next book in the series when it becomes available. An unappealing protagonist and my lack of interest in the kite theme leave me wanting more. Much more.
