My review
This was a cute book to read, a combination of chick-lit and cozy, perfect for the Saturday afternoon.
The story goes thus, Terri finds a diamond necklace in the attic, she wants to give it to the rightful owners, hence goes in search of them. In due course, she finds herself entrusted with getting to the bottom of a murder and locating the right charity for the necklace to go to.
The book started at the right place, I liked Terri. She was a quiet high school librarian, separated from her husband since the past 6 months, lacking in self confidence (the initial part had jiggly, chubby used often) AND having the next door hunk and PI Ryder liking her. She checked all the boxes for me. Ryder too plucked a couple of my heart strings with his protectiveness. Then came best friend, Melanie, who was totally awesome with her enthusiasm and fun craziness.
My first book by author, D. E. Haggerty, though her thirteenth, had me smiling in places imagining the hottie next door neighbor Ryder, running shirtless. I liked Melanie’s antics, she kept the story going.
But this was a cozy mystery not romance or chick-lit, and things started niggling me. The main character, Terri, did not want to play detective, it’s the best friend, Melanie, who did. And Terri hardly did the sleuthing, which frustrated me. Ryder, as a too quick boyfriend with sudden overly loving endearments (without a single date, he goes ‘baby’ too many times) along with his anger and overbearing ways where he forbids her to go, kind of grated on me. I needed a bit of surprise in the plot too.
The vibe of the book felt great, the warmth between Terri and Melanie was cherishing. I loved their contrasting characters. The book could be read in 2 hours, and had some fun moments. This was a good mind cleanser between my thrillers.
I received a copy of the book by the author, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating : 3 stars
About the Author
I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances, to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin.
A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.
Author Contact Details
Website: http://dehaggerty.wordpress.com
Blog: https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/category/mymusings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dehaggerty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dehaggerty/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.E.-Haggerty/e/B00ECQBURU/
Newsletter signup: http://eepurl.com/bbmdj9
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DEHaggerty/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/
Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-e-haggerty
Email: dena@dehaggerty.com
Book blurb
What do you do with a diamond no one wants? You can’t keep it. Or can you?
While cleaning her ex-husband’s effects out of the attic, Terri finds an exquisite diamond pendant necklace. She’s determined to return the necklace to its proper owner, but the owner was brutally killed, a murder which remains unsolved, and her heirs want nothing to do with the diamond. Terri embarks upon a journey researching charities to which she can donate the diamond. When her research becomes dangerous, Terri contemplates solving the murder herself. Her best friend, Melanie, jumps feet first into investigating the murder, but her neighbor, Ryder, doesn’t want Terri exposed to any danger. Ryder, to Terri’s surprise, also wants to be more than neighbors with Terri. Luckily, he’s prepared to take any measure necessary to keep her safe because someone is determined to stop her inquiries.
Join Terri on her quest to find a home for the diamond, which may result in the unveiling of a murderer – if she survives long enough.
Book Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finders-Keepers-Reluctant-Detectives-Book-ebook/dp/B07DSWRXMM/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/842204
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finders-not-keepers-de-haggerty/1128930568?
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/finders-not-keepers
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40545654-finders-not-keepers
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/finders-not-keepers/id1407230191?mt=11
33 Responses
Ahh I love mind cleansers. Lol! Great review
I’ve read and enjoyed this author before. I like her sense of humor
I agree. It was cute
Well, sometimes a mind cleanser is pretty much all you need. Sounds like a nice enough back, but considering my to read list is way too long already anyway, I’m gonna give this one a pass. As always this was a wonderful review though 😊
I can’t afford too many books, so most of the suggestions I read are a pass too.. Understandable
Wow! The author had such an interesting path to realizing her true calling!
I agree… When are you writing your book, Jee
No plans yet! Haha Doubt I ever will! Don’t wanna be laughed at 😅What about you, Shalini? You write really well!
So far, no plans Jee. I have no story in my heart which demands to be written. When it does, I will write 😘❤️🤷🏻
❤️❤️
he goes ‘baby’ too many times… Hahahahaha
Cute cover and sound like a fun read. But your niggles would niggle me too.
From the beginning he babies her… Possessive much??
Yeah…. Lol. Some concern is nice but let’s not get carried away dude. 😄
True… He is not my kinda man 😂😂😂😂
🤔🤔😄😄😄
I am not a big fan of overbearing males and women who accept it. Still sounds cute though. Nice review Shalini.
Cute but needs more, at least for me!
Your reviews are always short and to the point and I love that! I want to adopt a similarly short and succinct format but I ALWAYS end up needing to write ALL my thoughts on a book 😓 I don’t like the same issues you had with the book. I really appreciate the author bio being written in the 1st person! Every author nowadays write their OWN bio in 3RD PERSON with attempts at humor and trying to come off as relatable, and it just GETS ON MA NERVES.
Hahaha thanks ghost. But have you thought that maybe just maybe, I don’t have many thoughts… Duhhh… 😉😉😂😂😂😂
Thank you. Your words warm my heart.
Lolll 😂 or maybe you just know the deal breakers that readers are concerned about! 😘
Hahaha yeah maybe
❤️
Well balanced review, Shalini. I like how you pointed out what worked and what didn’t for you. The niggles you mentioned would also bother me too especially the baby thing lol and the MC not wanting the do the sleuthing. Glad you still liked the book though.
I liked the cuteness in the plot, rest could have been slightly tweaked. For me, I need main character to be wee bit more active. 😁🤷🏻
Hmmm, mind cleanser. I like that.
A sense of humor sometimes make up for the little things that niggle too.
But i wonder, why couldn’t she keep the diamonds? she could, you know, pawn it if it was too much… Im curious.
Hahaha yes. But she was honest and her conscience didn’t allow it
Ah, the conscience. It can nag really loud, huh?
Mine does..
Thanks, Shalini, for taking the time to read and review. This book was indeed meant to be a light, fun read. The next book in the series is more serious (and a second chance romance so no unwarranted ‘baby’). Thanks for sharing!
I would love to read your next book. This was cute in the first half
Thanks. I’ll get to work on making the 2nd half better!
You are awesome Dena❤️
Thank you for taking the time to comment here, Dena. I loved your understanding and the space you gave me to express my point if view.
It is always an honor when an author comments on my post. ♥️♥️
I totally get that. I hate it when I take the time to review a book the author requested I review and then she doesn’t bother responding 🙁