Scan barcode
jmj697mn's review
5.0
Really fun. I loved that almost everyone seemed suspicious, although I did have the bad guy pegged after reading less than half. I adored the setting, which made everything slightly creepier. Will definitely read the next one.
iamabibliophile's review
4.0
One of the better Cozies I've read lately. Excellent writing and a solid story with great well thought out characters. I would have given it 5 stars had I not figured solved the main mystery as well as the sub-mystery by page 90.
foxinabox's review
1.0
I read this for a mystery book club. I can't believe it won an award. It read like bad teen lit and the plot was completely predictable albeit in a new setting (Egypt). That might be a bit harsh - perhaps it's good teen lit and I'm just not a fan of teen lit. The tale itself was not a bad yarn but the romantic subplot and teenaged girl cattiness was overwhelming for me.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot wait to read more of this series! Not many books grab me like this one did, especially cozy mysteries. I love them, but many can be like a handful of candy, sweet and easily devoured.
There are many mysteries going within this book and it could have become confusing with another, less-skilled writer, but Janice Hamrick has a talent. Good writing and keeping the threads from getting tangled.
Nicely done, Janice Hamrick, nicely done!
There are many mysteries going within this book and it could have become confusing with another, less-skilled writer, but Janice Hamrick has a talent. Good writing and keeping the threads from getting tangled.
Nicely done, Janice Hamrick, nicely done!
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
I was home sick from work and this was the closest book. It wasn't a bad mystery and the characters were decent. The discussion of Egypt was really enjoyable, especially since I like to read Elizabeth Peters' Peabody series. It was obvious to me who the responsible party was and I had a hard time understanding why Jocelyn didn't catch on sooner. But then, I didn't have to deal with all of those people either (too bad nobody did Jerry in). My friends have traveled on tours in Europe but I haven't. I might consider one for a place like Egypt, but I think it would get on my nerves, even if there weren't any murders. I did get a chuckle out of the references to sisters from Utah, especially since I finished reading it on my flight to Utah (where I will be seeing my sisters). Since the series focuses on Jocelyn and her cousin Kyla and their relationship drove me nuts, I probably won't go out of my way to hunt down any more, but if one came my way I would read it.
diannel_04's review against another edition
4.0
Jocelyn has always wanted to go to Egypt (something I can completely relate to). Now that she is divorced she and her cousin, Kyla, are doing just that. Having been to Egypt myself I found the descriptions absolutely perfect. I remember not being able to bring my camera into the Cairo Museum and how I was absolutely awestruck at my first glimpse of Abu Simbel. Sure, the romance was predictable but so what? You know that this is what you are going to get with a cozy. Sure I had the mystery figured out pretty quickly but for me that's not unusual for me. Overall, this is one of the best books I've read in a while and it made me nostalgic want to sit in a little alleyway sip some strong coffee and smoke a hookah.
booksenvogue's review against another edition
5.0
I am pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was-dare I say it-"cozy". Pheeeew, I've never used that word before. And yet it fits. This was without a doubt, so clean it squeaked of normalcy. No paranormal what so ever and I still liked it! My only complaint is I suspected the true villains at least one chapter before Jocelyn.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
3.0
Really loved the theme - all the Egypt references and descriptions of the tours. The mystery was ok. I figured both parts before the ending. The protagonist and her sidekick Kyla were ok but I really thought some of their actions were a little off. The romantic story ending felt weak to me. Overall, I gave it three stars and I might read another in the series to see how the characters develop.
ashleighbsb's review against another edition
4.0
Texas high school teacher Jocelyn and her cousin Kyla have always been interested in Ancient Egypt, so when presented the opportunity to spend her spring break touring the Great Pyramids, Jocelyn isn't about to say no. She's not even going to let the death of one of her more annoying companions ruin her trip. But, when strange things keep happening to their group, Jocelyn begins to wonder if the trip was really worth it.
Unlike most cozy mysteries, this book begins with the murder on page one. For me, this was a definite turn-off. When reading mysteries, I like to have a chance to know my characters before someone dies.
I believe it was also possible that I knew the name of the victim before the name of the main character (although I have already returned the book to the library, so I cannot be certain). With such a large cast, I had a very difficult time remembering who was who and sometimes felt I knew everyone else's name better than the main character. While I understand that there were many people in the tour group, and it wouldn't feel realistic to have a small group, I think introducing them all in the first chapter was a little overwhelming. I would have liked to have only a few introduced at a time, and maybe referring to them by more than just their name at times would have probably helped.
As a result of the large, confusing cast, I had a very difficult time getting into the book. The first chapter was twenty-nine pages long (while other chapters were less than ten) and was not very engaging. However, I pushed myself to read through it and eventually found myself more engaged in the story. I managed to figure out the whodunit long before the main character although, as I said before, it was difficult to keep everyone straight. I did have a few characters that I didn't suspect but I couldn't figure out why they were acting strange. Everything was explained nicely at the end, perhaps a little too conveniently, although with this specific situation, I'm not exactly sure if there was another way to explain everything without create plot holes.
Overall, I liked the premise of the book, but thought it fell short a little on the execution.
Unlike most cozy mysteries, this book begins with the murder on page one. For me, this was a definite turn-off. When reading mysteries, I like to have a chance to know my characters before someone dies.
I believe it was also possible that I knew the name of the victim before the name of the main character (although I have already returned the book to the library, so I cannot be certain). With such a large cast, I had a very difficult time remembering who was who and sometimes felt I knew everyone else's name better than the main character. While I understand that there were many people in the tour group, and it wouldn't feel realistic to have a small group, I think introducing them all in the first chapter was a little overwhelming. I would have liked to have only a few introduced at a time, and maybe referring to them by more than just their name at times would have probably helped.
As a result of the large, confusing cast, I had a very difficult time getting into the book. The first chapter was twenty-nine pages long (while other chapters were less than ten) and was not very engaging. However, I pushed myself to read through it and eventually found myself more engaged in the story. I managed to figure out the whodunit long before the main character although, as I said before, it was difficult to keep everyone straight. I did have a few characters that I didn't suspect but I couldn't figure out why they were acting strange. Everything was explained nicely at the end, perhaps a little too conveniently, although with this specific situation, I'm not exactly sure if there was another way to explain everything without create plot holes.
Overall, I liked the premise of the book, but thought it fell short a little on the execution.
cleocleveland's review against another edition
4.0
Fun cozy (but not too twee) mystery with a lot of cool Egyptian travelogue.