Official Review: I went to Palm Springs and all I got was...

[TheBookMaven]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "I went to Palm Springs and all I got was three dead blondes" by Anne Stinnett.]

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This book is a comedic mystery by Anne Stinnett. It follows Evin Hart and her loyal dog Gulliver as she heads back home to regroup after a failed relationship and a fire that destroyed her apartment. Evin heads to what is supposed to be her mother’s empty house. Instead, Evin discovers her stepfather, Jack, has been staying there. In an effort to help her stepfather fix things with her mother, Evin begins to run into trouble and dead bodies that appear linked to Jack. She then gets involved in trying to figure out what is going on.

This book is an entertaining read, filled with sarcastic humor. I personally enjoyed the sarcasm, and even laughed aloud a time or two. If you do not enjoy that kind of humor though, this book may not be for you because it is a constant presence. The sense of humor played along very well with the characters. The author gave them distinct personalities and quirks that made the dialogue between them flow realistically. I enjoyed the humor of Evin’s character, but her mother’s personality and quest to follow the practice of telling the Absolute Truth was my favorite.

There were a few parts in the story where the transitions between sections seemed a little jumpy, but not so that I was turned off the story. I also felt like Evin’s past that led up to her coming back home could have had a little more detail. The fire that led her to coming back home to Palm Springs is mentioned only briefly in the beginning, but then is referred back to several times throughout the book. I think if it is going to be referred to several times, some details in the beginning of the story would have helped it seem like a more impactful moment for the character as the start of the events that led her to come home. As an overall impression, I think the characters could have used a little more depth. According to the author, this is the beginning of a series, so maybe the characters will develop a little more as the series continues.

I would give this book a three out of four star rating. I enjoy books like this that are lighthearted, humorous, and entertaining, but this book was not one that I absolutely could not put down. I think that with a few more details and a little more suspense, it would have been even better and I would have given a higher rating. I would recommend this book for someone looking for something fun to read, and should a series develop, I would read the rest of the series.

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