Valentine Murder

I greatly enjoyed the honesty of characterization in this older cozy mystery - instead of many of the cozy mysteries today that oversimplify the "goodness" of many characters or almost cartoonishly villainize the bad guys, this small town is filled with imperfect characters who are more realistic. There are some old-fashioned and downright wrong mindsets shared in here such as the homophobia toward a gay man on the board that dared to live in the same house with his boyfriend, and this is brought up numerous times without appology. The main character herself has a discussion with her husband, Bill, who irregularly pops up, on how he seems like a nice guy but they do not "support or approve" of his current lifestyle. A friend and show more respected town member, an elderly spinster of a retired librarian, makes a dismissive comment of the first victim stating the murder of that "creature" did the board a favor.

While some overlook prologues, this one was lengthy and interesting to me. Told through the point of view of the victim, Bitsy, she is honest on how annoying librarian work can be. I sub to the Librarian forum on Reddit and see these similar thoughts expressed with librarians resentful to do story hour that they don't want to because of lack of staff, budgetary woes, disagreements with controlling board decisions and overlords, parents who don't watch their kiddos, bitterness and jealousy with other librarians - especially the older ones. This was covered in the prologue and I identified it with what librarians go through, Meier writes well with getting her points across and makes the characters lively.

The mystery was good as we unravel suspects without obvious clues slammed into us by the author. Unfortunately the ending showdown is a bit cheesy and silly but ah well. This series also takes the non-traditional route of a cozy where the series opens with a woman married with children - this sixth book is well into the development of the fourth child she had with current husband. A mother of four as the lead is an interesting one also, between baking cupcakes, teenagers with potential eating disorders brewing who drain cell phones during storms, kids addicted to the new computer technology -- the scenes with teasing a possible child predator and the husband showing her how easy it is to access porn -- well, an interesting book that does not feel false. Curious on more of the series. show less

Lucy is now a library board member and on her way to her first meeting. The meeting gets delayed, due to murdered librarian. Yes, Lucy has found another body, and now she must find the person who killed Bitsy. Bitsy was not a favorite person among the townspeople, but certainly not hated enough for someone to kill. This story leads Lucy on a merry chase. It involves stolen property, gambling, lottery tickets, lying, deceitful business practices, and more. Oh, and don’t forget murder. It’s a well thought-out mystery, and not only is Lucy in the thick of things, so is her family. It’s another great story by Leslie Meier.

I’ve been enjoying some of Leslie Meier’s backlist of cozy mysteries set in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. In this one, mother of four Lucy Stone must figure out who is behind the murder of local librarian Bitsy, while trying not to become a target herself. The Valentine’s Day theme and cold, snowy blizzards made for a fun winter treat.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

I didn't like the character of Miss Tilley at all. It beggared belief that Lucy Stone would get emotional enough to shed tears for the former. This is not progress. This is back to square one. I was aware that the writer tried to work out an unusual climax to this story. Also the balancing act between the investigation and the private life of the amateur sleuth lay anchored at a place where the focus on family life is less considered. I just think that further loss of that factor would not make me a happy bunny. I may lose interest in what, in my opinion, made this series attractive.

My thoughts veered on the practical and the episodic shenanigans of Mr and Mrs Stone. Lucy had confessed in the previous book that she enjoys marital bliss show more more and more rarely. Yet in this book it seemed, it was hinted, that the couple took the initiative equally. I think this is dishonest and makes the growing up of the souls peopling Tinker's Cove, a side note.

Lucy Stone started as a strong character in this book. Her troubles were less formidable in this book. I think her best point here is her interaction with her 4 year old daughter Zoe. It is safe to say that she is not developing her detective side. She will remain a mom and a woman - though for how long in her early forties, I don't know. There has been a two year gap for the last three books. Lucy may well reach her mid fifties by book nineteen. I have fresh doubts now, and I do wish feverishly that the future tomes do not take a turn for the worse. I cannot believe I read this book in one day. That must mean something about the quality of the book, no? Not all is lost. Not yet. show less

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com

Lucy, in addition to being a busy mom of four, and an occasional freelance feature writer for the local newspaper, is now a member of the board of directors at the town's library. She is one of seven directors, and imagine her horror, on the very first day of her new duties, when the librarian, Bitsy Howell is murdered. The detective on the case, Lieutenant Horowitz, is certain that one of the directors is responsible for Bitsy's death. She met Hororwitz before and as he knows of her propensity to get involved, he strictly warns her to leave things to the police.

Over the past few years, several cases have arisen involving the gruesome act of murder, and Lucy show more was right in the thick of things with the very intent of solving them, which she did admirably. Things will be no different this time - she will not wait around for the police. She intends on finding the murderer as soon as possible, despite being commanded by the detective to stay out of it.

Per usual Lucy Stone style, Lucy knows just who to talk to and just what questions to ask. She is superb when it comes to digging to the bottom of matters. All the while playing sleuth, she is living a real life with relationships and situations that cannot be ignored. I especially love her role as a mother - it brings to much to an already well-written story and series.

However, I want to mention two things that kept me from giving this more than four stars. For one thing, the parents were quite lax with their computer and there was no internet safety for their children. Also, while running to the store, she left her four-year-old Zoe in the car in order to avoid an argument over what the little one might want her to buy. (Actually, she left Zoe in the car alone one other time come to think of it.) While the story may be set in small-town Maine, real dangers (well, fictionalized, but real, you know?) do exist and I feel that these matters weren't handled right. Also, a small thing irritated me - ten-year-old Sarah is in the 3rd grade? Hopefully just an editing error.


As with all connected series and books, familiar characters are back. We don't see as much as one of my favorites in this book, however, Barney Culpepper, but with 24 books in this series, I do hope to see him more. Ms. Tilley remains as cantankerous as ever, but I still feel a bit of patience for her. Bill, Lucy's husband, is growing on me. Then, of course, there is the mystery of the murder. It is handled well and efficiently, with enough twists and turns to keep the story at a fast pace. With only a handful of suspects, it was great fun trying to pinpoint the murderer. For an enjoyable and quick read for lovers of cozy mysteries, even with the problems in the story, be sure to pick up this next installment in the series. I am looking forward to reading Christmas Cookie Murder next. show less

This was very clearly written in the 1990s. It felt very dated with cultural references while reading and the LGBTQ plus opinions were hard. The story was OK, but I got really taken out of it because of the outdated setting.

'Could not" finish.Author needs to get out of the house more and into the real world.I knew this would be a "light" mystery,but the protagonist is immature and irresponsible,no character development and sloppy plot.
Too many good books to read to waste anymore time on this one.