For The Birds by Denise Grover Swank
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Series: Rose Gardner Investigations #2
Released July 11, 2017
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Rose Gardner is trying to build a new normal. One that leaves the Fenton County crime world—including James “Skeeter” Malcom, the current king—behind. Her best friend and roommate is a big part of that effort, but Neely Kate is busy building her own life anew. She disappeared for a few days, scaring the spit out of Rose—which is why Rose finds it impossible to deny her when she suggests they look for a missing parrot. Neely Kate pretends she’s only interested in the reward money, but Rose doesn’t believe it for a minute, especially after she discovers they’ll be working with a cranky private investigator known as Kermit the Hermit. Rose sees it for what it is: another bid for them to become private investigators.
If nothing else, it’s a good distraction…until one of James’s nemeses, Buck Reynolds comes calling for help. James’s brother has gone missing, and Reynolds is number one on the crime king’s suspect list. Only, according to him, he’s innocent.
Rose had promised herself she was through with the crime world, but however angry she is with James, she wants to see his brother safe. Besides, can she really say no when she might be the only one who can keep order in the county?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Rose Gardner series has long been one of my favorites and the writing is still wonderful, but I think this series might have jumped the shark with For the Birds. It’s almost as if the story is confused as to what it is. Is it a romance novel? Is it a mystery novel? Because the first half was all romance and the second half was all mystery. It wasn’t as woven through as it has been in the past.
I really did enjoy the mystery arc of this story that is why I gave this story four stars, the mystery aspect was on point. But I feel like the romance in this story has become a joke and that it’s being written to be catered to what the readers want, and in this case, it has made the romance in this story become a joke to me.
Part of me wants to go forward with this series because the mystery and the suspense in this story are captivating. The other part of me is ready to give up because the relationship jumping in this story is just completely unneeded and drives me INSANE!
I’ll try the next story, but if changes aren’t made… this might be the end of the series for me. Check out my review for Family Jewels the first book in Rose Gardner Investigations.
This one of those authors I keep meaning to read – thanx for sharing your review