OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Can I Kill Him Now?" by Kathleen Hering.]

Kathleen Hering presents the first book in her Quirky Mystery series. Can I Kill Him Now? is a novel that combines mystery with a generous dose of humor.

Ellie and Clarke divorced after she discovered evidence that he was buying chocolates for another woman. The moving van came to cart away the last of Clarke’s possessions. Ellie happily loads more heavy items into the truck after the driver tells her that Clarke will pay for the move by the pound! The house looks empty, and Ellie thinks she finally has weeded Clarke out of her life. Trish, her neighbor and best friend, offers to host a divorce party for her.

All too soon, the bloom is off the rose. Clarke went missing, and his dead body turned up under a pile of mulch at Ellie’s garden shop. Ellie quickly emerges as the prime suspect. Wasn’t she overheard spreading the idea that she wanted to kill Clarke? If she can prove her innocence, will she fertilize the suspicion already directed towards her daughter? Can Ellie and Trish cultivate their investigative skills to thin out some of the suspects?

Kathleen Hering offers readers an entertaining novel with a superb balance between mystery and humor. You will find yourself chuckling as you turn the pages to try to uncover the culprit. Hering teases several different suspects until the surprise ending reveals the truth.

This quirky mystery occurs in Oregon. The author did a thorough job of researching the area and beautified the story with precise descriptions of the flowering plants endemic to this area. These descriptions of the beauties of nature contrasted with the difficulties and frustration Ellie felt as she dealt with her divorce.

The third-person omniscient point of view worked well for this story. The author helps the reader understand the reasoning of all the possible suspects. Each character reveals their suspicions of whom they perceive to be the guilty party.

I enjoyed the friendship between Ellie and Trish. We all wish for a friend like Trish. These two friends laugh and cry, vent, connive and comfort each other. I also delighted in the choice of the characters’ names. Bambi and Bunny provide ample material for delightful puns. I couldn’t find anything I disliked about this book. The author kept me laughing and guessing about the antagonist all the way to the end.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The editing of the book was well done, and there were only a few misspelled words that did not affect the reading flow. Adult readers in the mood for a lighthearted read will be rewarded with an intriguing mystery and some stress-relieving laughter. Readers who are sensitive to stories that deal with divorce might not enjoy this book.

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Can I Kill Him Now?
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Like kdstrack's review? Post a comment saying so!

I truly yearn to read this book or a book very much like it! Thank you for the recommendation!

Jessacardinal wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 09:44 I truly yearn to read this book or a book very much like it! Thank you for the recommendation!

I think you'll enjoy it. There is enough mystery to keep you intrigued and also humor to keep you laughing. This was a very fun book to review. Thanks for stopping by!

I love this kind of book! When everything's getting annoying and not working, grab a book like this, laugh and enjoy...suddenly everything's okay again. Can't say I'm thrilled with the title, though.

I read one like this called Red Delicious Death, many others too. I've noticed that many of these light, women's murder mysteries have to deal with growing things, anyone else noticed that? Gardens, greenhouses, orchards. I'm soon supposed to start the garden at my son's farm, does this mean I'll be suspected of murder?!

Amanda Deck wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 10:58 I love this kind of book! When everything's getting annoying and not working, grab a book like this, laugh and enjoy...suddenly everything's okay again. Can't say I'm thrilled with the title, though.

I read one like this called Red Delicious Death, many others too. I've noticed that many of these light, women's murder mysteries have to deal with growing things, anyone else noticed that? Gardens, greenhouses, orchards. I'm soon supposed to start the garden at my son's farm, does this mean I'll be suspected of murder?!

I have to admit that this is the first book I have read from this type of genre. I enjoyed the good mystery mixed with humor. I'll have to watch for the running theme of growing things. Hope you gardening efforts are productive and that you don't dig up any surprises.

This sounds like the perfect book to read when I need something light. Thanks for the great review.



In response to Amanda Deck's question; I hope not. : )

Chrystal Oaks wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 12:07 This sounds like the perfect book to read when I need something light. Thanks for the great review.



In response to Amanda Deck's question; I hope not. : )

Hope you will enjoy it. Thanks for commenting.

The quirkiness of this appeals to me, and I love the title. Thanks for your excellent review.

I do love quirky mysteries like this. Poor Ellie! She's just getting her life together, and now she's a suspect. I really want to read this! Thanks.

Cecilia_L wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 13:17 The quirkiness of this appeals to me, and I love the title. Thanks for your excellent review.

I was hooked just from reading the blurb. Hope you like the book. Thanks for commenting.

kandscreeley wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 14:54 I do love quirky mysteries like this. Poor Ellie! She's just getting her life together, and now she's a suspect. I really want to read this! Thanks.

The author does make it easy to sympathize with Ellie. I couldn't stop laughing when she was "packing" the truck! I think you will enjoy the rest of her journey. Thanks for commenting!

Is really like a perfect book, poor Ellie will love to read it

hope myself will get the copy of this book to get amazing content inside the book

cap5 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2019, 05:58 hope myself will get the copy of this book to get amazing content inside the book

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the book.

I laughed wen I saw the book's title and had to read your review. The plot sounds great, and I love detailed descriptions. This is definitely going on my want to read shelf. Great review!