A Northwest Cozy Mystery (Northwest Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)

Things are just sooo perfect. After divorce, Dee Dee (sweet name) moves from her perfect home on Mercer Island to her almost as perfect parent's home on Bainbridge Island where nobody seems to know her even though she and ex husband used to spend lots if time there with her parents. And nobody seems to know her parents, who lived there for decades. Be that as it may, everyone she meets turns out to be perfect for helping her new catering business, from Tammy an d her diner, to Susan as her assistant, to Leo and his perfect gelato, to raff the printer, to Milo the designer of her business website which is so perfect it reduces her to ecstasy, and finally to her perfect new boyfriend Jake who provides her with the perfect dog for her and who surreptitiously implants a homing device on the dog to know where is at all times, so he can arrive at the perfect time to prevent her getting shot. The only people who were not perfect were the police who were pictured as too stupid to to discover any of the numerous suspects in the victim's murder -- something only the perfect caterer- turned- perfect-detective could do. Like I said, sickeningly sweet. Oh yeah, and you get the perfect carpenter's perfect recipes!!! No more of this banal work for me.

I enjoy cozy mysteries, and I don't expect great literary works, but this one was just bad. It read like a script from a forgettable TV series wherein the characters announce their feelings, intentions and history with almost no prompt in virtually every scene. The characters and the plot have no nuance or subtlety, and there was nothing interesting about any of it. The basic elements of a fun and lighthearted story and series are present, yet this book feels like a first draft rather than a completed piece.

This was exciting! A divorce, then a move, a new business, then murder, a new dog, life on an island and a ferry boat ride to get to Seattle, romance. Then a happy ending, it's what happens in between all of the above that makes it a good cozy reader!

Fantastic book to a new series!! Every single book that Dianne Harman has written, I have LOVED! She is amazing! I love all of her stories, all of the characters, and I especially love all of her audiobooks! I highly recommend this book, as well as all her others...you will not be disappointed! Thank you!

This was exciting! A divorce, then a move, a new business, then murder, a new dog, life on an island and a ferry boat ride to get to Seattle, romance. Then a happy ending, it's what happens in between all of the above that makes it a good cozy reader!

I was disappointed in this book. It was an okay read, but the plot-line was rushed--especially at the end. The story skipped around a lot so the author could fit all the possible suspects into the story. It was an implausible plot with completely undeveloped characters. I was also surprised at how the main character went about getting a dog--shelters not even mentioned, buying a dog without even thinking about a breed that might suit her lifestyle and getting a dog listed in the paper without even thinking about the characteristics of that breed. I probably won't read another book from this author.

This novel's main character is DeeDee Wilson, who is recently-divorced, and is starting a catering business on Bainbridge Island, Washington. On her first catered dinner, a dinner guest is murdered. The novel progresses until the murder is solved by DeeDee. DeeDee reminds me of Nancy Drew as an adult. The novel describes wonderful dishes and several recipes are included after the end of the novel. Several places are described in Seattle including Pike's Market and Pioneer Square. We love traveling to Bainbridge Island for shopping and eating. This was a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more books written by Dianne Harman.

Too many technical glitches for me to settle in and just enjoy the book. For example, she has a Husky dog that she lets run on the beach, and who plays fetch. Anyone who knows Huskies knows that wouldn't happen. The rest is too pat and not well researched - she decides on a whim to open a catering service, no license, no food-safe training, and using her own pots and pans, even though she rented a commercial space. She moves into a house that has not been inhabited for years, and the house is perfectly fine - No plumbing issues or raccoons in the attic. Just not well developed and detailed.

Thin premise, unbelievable situations. The main character made me want to slap her, with her single-minded vapidity. Or maybe slap all the other characters. She would go interrogate people, jumping in, asking probing questions after barely saying hello, and they would just... Answer her! She would strike up conversations with other people, and get their life story poured out in seconds. Really?? On the plus side, it was a short book, so I finished it quickly. I kept hoping it would get better. About 70% into it, it either started getting worse, or my patience finally snapped.

This latest series is sure to be a good one.
Plenty of suspense and tension keep your eyes glued to the page.
The setting of Bainbridge Island along with the new characters , Dee Dee, a caterer and Jake ,a private detective.
Balto,Dee Dee's Husky adds to the book with his guard skills.
This new series is for anyone that lives cozy mysteries.

Love the idea of this series, especially as there is not a lot of well-known fiction that takes place in the PNW (outside of vampires). Really wish the characters, outside of the main character, had a chance for further development before they make the seemingly incomprehensible leap in logic that is the crux of the story. Love the time spent developing the feel of Bainbridge - feels accurate and colorful - but almost stopped reading and certainly stopped trusting the author's local cred when she called the market "Pike's" Place Market. It's a small but significant distinction that any local writer would know - it is Pike Place Market, on Pike Place (the street).

Very well written!!! It was a great read. I am interested to read more of your work. Your writing style is riveting. Keep it coming.

https://www.the store.com/gp/aw/d/B01N7KUQBT/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1490381425&sr=1-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=twisted+tales

Good morning,
I hope all is well. If you get a chance, I wanted to know can you download my book of short stories and leave a review on the store? It is four short stories that I combined together. The stories consist of thrillers, suspense, mystery, and crime. I would love to hear your feedback on it. The book is $1. Your support is really appreciated.

Twisted Tales by Barry Battle

Okay, it is Pike Place Market not Pike's Place ... and that's not the most likely place to pick up your Copper River Salmon. Chocolate chip cookies for a dog ... from an experienced god owner? The plot does not flow rather one has a series of vignettes and a conclusion reached totally by accident. Not impressive. although it was a bit fun to see Seattle from the perspective of an outsider.

Will not read another book by this author. Harman tries way too hard to emulate Carolyn G. Hart with little to no success. Main subject is super sad and depressed one day over her divorce and literally the next day she decides that she's a) going to get a dog, and b) open up a catering company? Naturally, she immediately lands a booking with no advertising whatsoever and picks up a dog (and a new boyfriend) within the next 24 hours. And once the victim is killed, she immediately decides that with no information, skills, prior experience, she's going to plunge in and solve the case by bumbling around and asking questions. New boyfriend decides that he's going to put a GPS tracker on her new dog (since new dog goes everywhere with her suddenly) and she's not upset or freaked out by the level of stalkery?!?

Complete waste of two hours that I'll never get back.

After the last couple Cedar Bay books, I was hoping I wouldn't be wasting my time with this book. Well, I wasn't. I liked this book a lot, and was happy to find that the characters were interesting and not totally transparent. The characters, plotting, and dialog were all so much better than Cedar Bay. I'm looking forward to reading the next Northwest Cozy Mystery, and seeing what DeeDee, Jake, and Balto get into.

Dee Dee knows that murder is not the normal welcome to a new community. However, she finds that life after divorce has a lot of surprises. Starting a new catering business leads her into a murder investigation that she thinks that she must solve. The plot and characters are very interesting, and I highly recommend it.

It's pretty quickly obvious this California author had little, if any, experience being in the Seattle area and misspelling one of the three local places mentioned in the book was annoying. Story was entertaining but quite short and predictable. Good for passing time while waiting for an appointment.

A quick, enjoyable read; just what you expect from a cozy mystery. The author's writing is good. She doesn't make any glaring geographical references. I do wonder, though, where she actually lives, because everyone in western Washington knows that Copper River salmon comes from Alaska, not British Columbia.

I would've given 5 stars if it weren't for one reason: making light of a fake service/therapy dog. I've worked with service dog trainers and have learned about the problems being faced by legitimate service dogs. For instance, eating any food while on the job is a big no-no. I haven't read any other of the author's books so I don't know if this does get addressed.

Dianne, I have read all of your cozy mysteries, but I think A Northwest Cozy is going to out do all the others! Wonderful adventure with newly divorced DeeDee, who starts a catering service. As DeeDee settles into Bainbridge Island and her new life murder happens, she finds a friend in Jake and furry friend Balto.
Can't wait for more adventures with these characters.

Good Reading!!!!

Easy, fast paced story with light romance, a dog and a dead body. What's not to like? Recommend for an afternoon or evening by the fire in your favorite reading chair. Enough interesting suspects with possible motives to keep the reader interested. I like how people easily opens up to DeeDee. I like her drive and positive nature.

Dee Dee meets Jake and buyers one of his dogs, Balto. Divorce, moving to a new area, starting a business and a murder in the first month of moving is a twist and turn emotionally for Dee Dee. With the help of Balto and Jake she tries to salvage her business and the few friends she has made. To know the outcome read the book. Waiting for the second story to be published.

There's a typo in the first sentence of Chapter 1--I will admit, I thought it might be a warning, but I ignored it. Dumb me. Won't waste any more time on these books. The dialogue is clunky, characters frumpy and boring (where are these names coming from? "DeeDee", "Roz", "Tammy Lynn"--is this like the divorced middle aged women's club???) I could go on about how I wasted my time and money, but instead I implore you to not make the same mistake. SKIP THIS DUD!

I love this series and this author. Good stories, well written and always entertaining. I also love the sweet romance between Jake and Dee Dee. I love his protective nature and his supportive attitude toward Dee Dee. And for the foodies, recipes come with the stories as well. Good food, good mystery, good life. And I love island life.

This book initially captured me because of the setting in the Pacific NW where I live. It surprised me in the most pleasant way. A beautifully written story full of well-developed characters. I will for sure check out other books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt like real people I would like to know. The setting of the story and description made book more enjoyable. The actual murderer was a surprise, clues kept me guessing. I highly recommend this book.

The main character DeeDee is making a lot of life changes. She finds her new life becoming derailed by a murder. Poison is suspected. She must find the murderer so her new catering company can be cleared.

The Hallmark mystery-movie channel has made a cottage industry of women who seem to be better than law enforcement at solving murders. This story fits right in there, but the determined amateur detective is a caterer instead of baker, librarian, florist, antiques dealer, etc. Oddly enough, four people in the story feel murder is the only way to solve their problem. Is that how it really is today?
Not being up on all the new categories, I thought “cozy” also meant “clean”, but the protagonist’s sister is moving in with her boyfriend. Cozy, indeed.

This book is deserving of 3.5 stars but it does not round to 4 stars, in my opinion. So 3 it is.

While overall it is a good start to a series, I almost quit after the first chapter. One thing that bothered me, totally insignificant to the plot - she did not notice her dog was eating her chocolate chip cookies? I know, trivial. But so wrong on multiple levels!

What can I say, the entire story line is slow and completely unbelievable. The main character is determined to clear her name for a murder she's not a suspect in. There's no depth to any of the characters.

Not quite up to A. Christie but a good beginning. I liked the premise of introducing the subjects and theirs reasons for wanting to murder the victim.

The characters need to be tightened up, but still I liked the story.

If you like a taught thriller, this isn't it. I realize this was supposed to be a romance, but it fell flat there too. Very elementary. Even the local descriptions, which I was looking forward to, weren't that accurate or exciting. Sorry.

Quick read. Characters underdeveloped and story line rushed. Several red herrings that could have been expanded into a compelling and intriguing story but it failed to materialize. Ok read to pass a couple of hours but not memorable and probably won't read any more of the author's writing.

Not quite up to A. Christie but a good beginning. I liked the premise of introducing the subjects and theirs reasons for wanting to murder the victim.

The characters need to be tightened up, but still I liked the story.

If you like a taught thriller, this isn't it. I realize this was supposed to be a romance, but it fell flat there too. Very elementary. Even the local descriptions, which I was looking forward to, weren't that accurate or exciting. Sorry.

Fantastic book to a new series!! Every single book that Dianne Harman has written, I have LOVED! She is amazing! I love all of her stories, all of the characters, and I especially love all of her audiobooks! I highly recommend this book, as well as all her others...you will not be disappointed! Thank you!

I love this series and this author. Good stories, well written and always entertaining. I also love the sweet romance between Jake and Dee Dee. I love his protective nature and his supportive attitude toward Dee Dee. And for the foodies, recipes come with the stories as well. Good food, good mystery, good life. And I love island life.

I read this book because I have read many of Diane's books and always enjoy them. Because I have been to Bainbridge Island the title caught my eye. I knew where she was visiting and the Sound is very beautiful and relaxing just as she describes it. A fun read.

I liked this book because it takes place on an island and has dogs in it. I also enjoyed it because it has a lot of background about the Island and the culture. It is one of those books where you could curl up with a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate and just get lost in reading.

Thin premise, unbelievable situations. The main character made me want to slap her, with her single-minded vapidity. Or maybe slap all the other characters. She would go interrogate people, jumping in, asking probing questions after barely saying hello, and they would just... Answer her! She would strike up conversations with other people, and get their life story poured out in seconds. Really?? On the plus side, it was a short book, so I finished it quickly. I kept hoping it would get better. About 70% into it, it either started getting worse, or my patience finally snapped.

This novel's main character is DeeDee Wilson, who is recently-divorced, and is starting a catering business on Bainbridge Island, Washington. On her first catered dinner, a dinner guest is murdered. The novel progresses until the murder is solved by DeeDee. DeeDee reminds me of Nancy Drew as an adult. The novel describes wonderful dishes and several recipes are included after the end of the novel. Several places are described in Seattle including Pike's Market and Pioneer Square. We love traveling to Bainbridge Island for shopping and eating. This was a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more books written by Dianne Harman.