Review by valeriejane -- Bad Karma by Debi Chestnut
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Review by valeriejane -- Bad Karma by Debi Chestnut
[Following is a volunteer review of "Bad Karma" by Debi Chestnut.]
Bad Karma is a novel by Debi Chestnut. This is the first book in the Zoey Callaway Mystery series. The story is written in the first person, where we hear firsthand how Zoey applies her researching skills to prove her uncle was murdered and that there is a serial killer in town. If you like quirky mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then you might enjoy this book. This mystery is best suited for a younger audience as it has a simple plot and does not contain any profanity or suggestive content. However, the plot includes mature topics such as kidnapping, murder, and skeletons, and therefore, the book is unsuited for preteens.
The story begins when Zoey receives a call from the local Hope Harbor police notifying her of the untimely passing of her beloved uncle. When the coroner’s report states that the cause of death is an accident, Zoey is skeptical. She suspects foul play and is determined to prove her uncle was murdered. The lackadaisical attitude of the police department is the catalyst for Zoey to launch her own investigation. Thinking that her uncle’s death had something to do with a missing person case, Zoey uses her skills as an information professional to search for answers. She discovers evidence that the police department overlooked and is convinced that there is a serial killer in Hope Harbor. As a result, Zoey is in grave danger and she has no idea who she can trust.
I liked that the book started quickly and almost instantly, I became intrigued. The book progresses quite rapidly. We meet Zoey and the various police personnel involved in the case. We encounter some of the people from the town and their pets. I enjoyed the antics of Karma, the cat. And I definitely liked Atlas, the German Sheppard. I once had the same breed of dog, and he was extremely intelligent too.
What I didn’t like about the book was the absence of evidence to help the reader figure out who the murderer was. We know there is a killer, but we don’t have enough details to attempt to unravel the mystery alongside Zoey. When I found out who the killer was, it struck me as random and ill-conceived.
Initially, I appreciated the small-town atmosphere of the storyline, but soon I realized the book was not going to become any more complicated than the first few chapters. Eventually, I became bored with the methodology of the story; where Zoey frequently finds clues by accident. I prefer a complex mystery with well-developed characters. Moreover, I enjoy mysteries with sophisticated vocabulary and complicated subplots. For me, both the writing and storyline were too simple. Consequently, I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. Nevertheless, some readers may enjoy an uncomplicated, simplistic mystery. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the book appears well-edited, as I did not find any grammatical errors.
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Bad Karma
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bad Karma is a novel by Debi Chestnut. This is the first book in the Zoey Callaway Mystery series. The story is written in the first person, where we hear firsthand how Zoey applies her researching skills to prove her uncle was murdered and that there is a serial killer in town. If you like quirky mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then you might enjoy this book. This mystery is best suited for a younger audience as it has a simple plot and does not contain any profanity or suggestive content. However, the plot includes mature topics such as kidnapping, murder, and skeletons, and therefore, the book is unsuited for preteens.
The story begins when Zoey receives a call from the local Hope Harbor police notifying her of the untimely passing of her beloved uncle. When the coroner’s report states that the cause of death is an accident, Zoey is skeptical. She suspects foul play and is determined to prove her uncle was murdered. The lackadaisical attitude of the police department is the catalyst for Zoey to launch her own investigation. Thinking that her uncle’s death had something to do with a missing person case, Zoey uses her skills as an information professional to search for answers. She discovers evidence that the police department overlooked and is convinced that there is a serial killer in Hope Harbor. As a result, Zoey is in grave danger and she has no idea who she can trust.
I liked that the book started quickly and almost instantly, I became intrigued. The book progresses quite rapidly. We meet Zoey and the various police personnel involved in the case. We encounter some of the people from the town and their pets. I enjoyed the antics of Karma, the cat. And I definitely liked Atlas, the German Sheppard. I once had the same breed of dog, and he was extremely intelligent too.
What I didn’t like about the book was the absence of evidence to help the reader figure out who the murderer was. We know there is a killer, but we don’t have enough details to attempt to unravel the mystery alongside Zoey. When I found out who the killer was, it struck me as random and ill-conceived.
Initially, I appreciated the small-town atmosphere of the storyline, but soon I realized the book was not going to become any more complicated than the first few chapters. Eventually, I became bored with the methodology of the story; where Zoey frequently finds clues by accident. I prefer a complex mystery with well-developed characters. Moreover, I enjoy mysteries with sophisticated vocabulary and complicated subplots. For me, both the writing and storyline were too simple. Consequently, I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. Nevertheless, some readers may enjoy an uncomplicated, simplistic mystery. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the book appears well-edited, as I did not find any grammatical errors.
******
Bad Karma
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Worldlines by Adam Guest
