This was a fun book to read. I am at that stage of my life where reading about small towns, small not so complicated stories helps eases the burdens we live with at the moment. The story was a typical cozy, the mystery was uncomplicated and we just peeled back layers of Zachary's life as the story went on. But because this was so simple, it made me think about a lot of different things apart from the actual story and I appreciate the book for giving me some mind chow.

I think the biggest learning for me from this book was that we tend to live our lives governed by our mistakes. And it's only at the end do we think that we could have lived life much better if only we had the courage. And I think that happens to even the best of us. We tend to make our mistakes much bigger than they are and not celebrate our wins at all. This makes it seem like we're living a military life, one where we don't enjoy or appreciate the little things. And it's only at the end do we sit up and think about our life.

I'm definitely up for reading more books in the series and discovering more of Serenity. I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended. .

This is the first book in the TJ Jensen Mystery series and it was enjoyable. We meet TJ, her family and her friends. When TJ's friend Zachary Collins is found dead in his house, it is initially ruled a natural death. When TJ finds an open bottle of scotch, she has questions. Zachary has not had a drink in years, and then finding out that he has changed his will and sold his house to developers, she knows something is not right. It takes TJ some hustling and convincing to get the police to open an investigation, but with the help of the local doctor/coroner, he finally does. I enjoyed seeing how TJ interacts with her half-sisters that she is now the guardian of, as well as the guest at the lodge owned by her father. Throw in a local Halloween/Pumpkin festival for some holiday spirit and you have a fun cozy mystery.

Pumpkins in Paradise
(TJ Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery #1)
by Kathi Daley

Kindle Edition, 286 pages
Published September 6th 2016 by Henery Press (first published September 25th 2013)




Goodreads synopsis:
Between volunteering for the annual pumpkin festival and coaching her girls to the state soccer finals, high school teacher Tj Jensen finds her good friend Zachary Collins dead in his favorite chair. When the handsome new deputy closes the case without so much as a “why” or “how,” Tj turns her attention from chili cook-offs and pumpkin carving to complex puzzles, prophetic riddles, and a decades-old secret she seems destined to unravel. 


***

3.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Tj Jensen Paradise Lake mystery series.

The first half of this book was not my favorite. I was screaming in my head to show not tell us what is going on. There were a lot of places where characters said what happened instead of seeing the action unfold. They were relating the past of Deputy Dylan Caine at one point and I found myself wishing for a flashback instead of what was presented to us.

I wish the characterization had been a bit more developed as well. I understand that this is the first book in a series and you can only do so much but I was left wanting more.

The second half of the book was much better. It just flew. As soon as Tj and Deputy Dylan began talking more, things started to happen. I was sort of confused as to who the love interest might be since it seemed to waffle between a few options. My money is on Dylan Caine. Always good to have a cop in your pocket when you need one, especially one who actually likes you.

This book was full of possibilities and I liked the world and how the mystery unfolded. I almost wish there was a book before this one relating all the history of Zachary Collins. That seemed to be the character with the richest backstory and he was already dead when the book opened.

Not my favorite but I have hope for better in future books.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

This has to be the most poignant cozy I have ever read. The characters were so richly developed and the interactions between TJ, our main character and her friend Zachary the town recluse. They have an unusual relationship that starts early in her life and is cut too short. TJ must put the clues of an old mystery together to learn who ended his life too soon. A cast of characters who kept me wondering who was the guilty party and why there were so many strangers in town. TJ is a unique character, with a huge heart and a much bigger weight on her shoulders than most young high school teachers/coaches. Raising her half sisters who are less than half her age with the assistance and support of her Dad and Granddad (neither of which are not related to the girls). Not sure how she finds time for everything but she seems to make it work. Very interested in seeing how this series develops over time.

What a delightful, fun and great mystery is found in Pumpkins in Paradise A TJ Jensen Mystery by Kathi Daley. It is a great cozy mystery with fun believable characters and the best setting in a small town and lake resort in the mountains.
This is the first book in the TJ Jensen series and well worth the reading. I think that when you can picture yourself in the town, or can relate to the characters it makes the book more fun to read and this book is like that. There is believable suspects and more than just one so that it makes you read to the end to figure out who the culprit is and why they commit the murder. You have just a enough romance to make it interesting and some emotional situations that add to the book. This is one of those books that you pick up and want to read straight through because you get so caught up in it.