She is so done with this town!

Mira had high hopes for her relationship with Johnny Leeson but they crashed and burned. Now she is finished with Battle Lake and moving back to the city. All she has to do is resign from the newspaper, hire a new head librarian, find new house sitters, and pack. Nothing is ever that simple in this town. A new preacher is riling up the town, someone is brutally murdered, and Mayor Kennie is going off the rails. Ok, maybe she will have to straighten out a few things before she can leave.

Jess Lourey is brilliant! She creates characters that have me laughing one minute and crying the next. Mira is a perfect heroine with her flaws, her emotional traumas, her addictions, and her humanity. This is a good mystery with humor and suspense. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I love this Murder by Month series and Mira is one of my favorite cozy mystery characters. This was a cute, light read with some good suspense and tension.

This is a reissue of a cozy mystery originally published in 2018. It definitely withstands the test of time. Mira is the reluctant town librarian who gets caught up in murder mysteries every 6 weeks or so. The book jacket synopsis is enough to get started on this wacky adventure. Mira's smart mouth should keep you entertained. My favorite line is describing someone as banana pants.

The Murder by Month series follow Mira, professional librarian, amateur investigator. In the last several books we had more rom-com, this one takes on a more somber theme with a religious group being the antagonist.
I enjoyed it, some laughs some more serious notes. If you're very religious I could see this one upsetting folks, it does take a stab at organized religion and cult like behaviors. Little less cozy than some mysteries, but easily fits in that category.

I loved this book overall, for me there was great suspense and tension as I followed Mira's journey into danger once again hoping she comes out alive!

I truly adored this book.

Mira James is the head (and only) librarian in Battle Creek. She’s also a local columnist and amateur sleuth. When religious zealots move into and seemingly take over Battle Creek over night, followed by the death of a local cheerleader (who worked in the library), Mira knows something isn’t right. She’s hellbent on leaving Battle Creek and all the trouble it’s caused her behind but can she really do that in good faith realizing who she might be leaving it to?

This book is hilarious, filled with an exciting cast of characters from Mrs. Berns the frisky fake gun totting grandma to Kennie the loud as life Mayor of Battle Creek. The close knit small town vibes make me feel all cozy inside, even though this is also a murder mystery. If you’re looking for a fun easy but engaging read, this book is definitely for you. The author has quite the grasp of humorous similes and metaphors. It’s the first Murder Of The Month book I’ve read but I’ll definitely be reading all of them ASAP! Thanks to Netgalley for ARC 💕

This book was laugh out loud funny! I absolutely love the main character, Mira, and the way that she solves murders. Battle Lake, Minnesota is the perfect setting for this cozy mystery. You will not be disappointed by this book or this series. This is book 4 in her Monthly Murder Series. Thank you for the chance to read this.

Not as great as the other ones. Lot of drunk detectives, religion, and just seemed a bit messier than the other books.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for my DRC in exchange for my honest review.

August Moon by Jess Lourey
Pub date: 08 Jun 2008
Pub date: 30 Jul 2024
• Billed as humor and hijinks mystery but not so much here
• Not sure if she was trying to be funny or serious, but I prefer authors who stay away from religion and political issues, and this story is about religion and prejudice
• Consists of juvenile tropes, made up words, poor grammar, and nonsense phrases
• Newer edition has some editorial revisions, thank goodness-for example:
"prostate" [sic] form lying on a bed
• Author needs to learn the differences between singular and singular possessive, plural and plural possessive cases along with other grammar and punctuation issues
• Not my idea of sarcasm and wit
• If you enjoy reading light stupidity, this is the book for you

Another winner in this fun and clever series. The plot is more complex than it appears and the final resolution is dramatic and shocking, with a bit more doubt than usual that Mira will actually make it out alive! As ever, the story within the story is impeccable, with Battle Lake’s odd ensemble of characters all dealing with various sub-plots which are as intriguing as they are amusing. Mira’s character growth continues to emerge with dark corners, adding depth to the way in which the reader understands her perspectives and responses.