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There are currently 30 member reviews
for Making Friends Can Be Murder
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Elizabeth D. (Apple Valley, MN)
You'll Never Believe It!
I had a hard time rating this book. I enjoyed much about it and looked forward to getting back to reading it when I had to step away. I liked the variety of viewpoints throughout the story as well as the incorporation of text messages and video transcripts. I thought the pace was good, with the story moving along enough to keep me engaged. Chapter endings kept me interested, but I didn't feel every one was a cliffhanger.
Characters, though there were a number of them featured, were developed well - I especially enjoyed the minor characters of 39 and 44: they seemed real, recognizable, and fun. The premise of a group of people all named Sarah Jones was a unique way of bringing characters together, and while it wasn't an especially diverse group (other than in age), Minnesota isn't an especially diverse state (I live here), and they seemed like a group with which I'd enjoy spending time.
Where I ran into trouble was suspending my disbelief. First, the coincidences in the book were too convenient and numerous for my reading tastes. Second, I couldn't help thinking of the phrase loose lips sink ships to describe one character's passing information back to the group - I just felt like she treated a situational relationship rather casually. And third, I didn't fully understand or connect with the main Sarah Jones motivations/behaviors towards the end of the story. I don't want to say more than that in case of spoilers.
I think the highlights of the book were the relationships between the Sarah's and interesting, fleshed out back story of investigations. If you're willing to overlook some convenient plot coincidences, I think you would enjoy the book. And despite my reservations, I would enjoy another book with these characters to hear what they're up to in the future.
There are themes on grief, drugs, reckoning with one's past, rehabilitation, forgiveness, friendship, ageism, mother-daughter relationships, sibling relationships, trust, and starting a new path in life, though some of these are touched upon lightly.
Shout out to the cover artist, I love the cover!
Many thanks to Book Browse and Berkley for a review copy of the book!
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Charity M. (Herndon, VA)
Fun, cozy mystery
Fun, cozy mystery that's perfect for curling up under a blanket on a chilly day or a long plane ride. I loved the characters and the way their different personalities shone through. The ending was almost too neat and tidy, but it added to the cozy mystery vibe.
All in all, a fun, light-hearted read for anyone who enjoys a mystery.
