MyBookandMyCoffee
Posted August 8, 2012
Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction ~ Book Review
“Well, gracious me! This book made my week! Excellent plot. This is a murder mystery (with romance and humor) I wouldn’t mind reading over and over again. It’s that good!” – Ara of My Book and My Coffee
“If things get any better, I may have to hire someone to help me enjoy it.” ;)
This is an advance copy given by the author to me in exchange for an honest review. Well, I’m so happy to know that this is just the first book in Goose Pimple Junction mysteries. This first book is just so grand, it makes me want to know the other mysteries and mayhem that are about to surface in Goose Pimple Junction ;)
Basically, the book is about the seventy-five-year-old unsolved murder. I was actually curious as to how they would solve such a thing. How would they know who dunnit? The killer or ‘perp’ is probably dead by now, or would be dead any day now. How can Tess (the protagonist in this book) solve the murder? Or is it even solvable? And will it still matter? How will we know the details from 1935? Anyway, these were the questions that went around my mind while preparing to read the novel. I was really excited and curious to see how it will all be presented.
And boy, I was not disappointed – not one bit, not one tee-nincey bit. ;)
As you know, I really can’t reveal anything here. I would love to as I want to share how good the book is, but I’ll leave it for your curious nose to find out! So, let’s talk about the different time settings. I'll call it that, yes. The author did a really good job in presenting two sets of time, the one from the 1930s and the present time (which is 2010 in the book). I was never ever confused on what’s going on, and what ‘time’ it happened. You’ll know what I mean. The author made sure that her readers are aware about the 1935 happenings, how it is and will be significant to the present time scenario, and how it will connect to the chapter they are at. It’s absolutely captivating. I am pointing this out as I’ve read some books before (way before I started blogging and reviewing) that tried to encompass different time settings in their book, but failed to do so, in my opinion, of course.
The southern humor. Oh goodness me, this book is full of that. It definitely made me laugh, not just once, but a lot of times. Oh, the punch lines. Yes, I’ll call them punch lines coz they are so funny. Let me share my scenario: I am reading a murder mystery novel in PDF form, so I am in front of my computer. But you’ll see me laughing my-you-know-what off. You see where I am going with this? I’m basically laughing, alone, in front of my computer. Weird? My two-year-old son just looks at me, and laughs as well. My smile is that contagious to him, I think. That or he is laughing at me for being weird at the time.Seriously, there were a lot of times, while reading this book, that I found myself scared the first minute then laughing hard the next. And in some chapters, I was laughing then blushing as I find Tess and Jackson (love interest) to be soooo right for each other. You gotta love a book that can do these to you. Plus, I love, love a good mystery. So this book is definitely one of my favorites now.
About the mystery. Solving a seventy-five-year-old murder is not a piece of cake. And you’d think that no one will really care if someone is about to look into it, and try to solve it. Well, it’s going to be a bumpy ride for Tess. That’s all I can say.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MCArvanitis
Posted January 11, 2013
A real thriller, a 75 year old unsolved murder, a mystery trunk key, crooked politicians, murderers - Tess Tremaine finds all this in the southern town she moved to where she finds genuine friends with quaint southern charm. But she had to learn the language. Oh yes, there is some romance built in the plot too. Great read. Author Amy Metz brings enjoyment and humor to her readers.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers Favorite
"Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction" by Amy Metz is a funny mystery story about a small southern town. The story hops back and forth from the present day to 1930s with ease. Tess Tremaine has moved to Goose Pimple Junction after a messy divorce to start life in what she thinks is a quiet little town. Tess finds a key to a trunk while remodeling her new home and her adventures begin. She gets a job in the local bookstore where she meets many of the local residents. Among them are young Pickle, Louetta the book store owner, Henry Clay, Willie and Jackson Wright the mystery writer and good looking love interest. The importance of the trunk key is soon evident as we go back in time to 1930 and learn the story of a bank robbery and murders. In 2011 someone wants the key and will stop at nothing to get it. As Tess and Jack try to solve the mystery they are faced with all sorts of dangerous situations.
"Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction" has southern charm, southern humor, mystery, danger and a cast of characters with personality. Amy Metz goes back and forth from the 1930s to 2011 without confusion. Metz has loaded the book with southern speak that takes a little getting used to but adds charm and reality to the story. The story will keep you guessing and changing your mind as to who the bad guys are, right up to the surprise conclusion. "Murder & Mayhem" is a funny, southern style mystery that no one should pass up. This is a good book and Amy Metz has given us a winner.
DelSheree
Posted October 5, 2012
Tess is ready to start over. A messy divorce didn't send her running, but it did push her to start looking out for herself. And boy, is she going to need it! What seemed like a small, quiet town quickly gets stirred up by Tess's arrival when she inadvertently uncovers secrets that may have been better left in the past.
Tess Tremaine is a fun character. She's not twenty, perky, or perfect. She's a realistic character that women will be able to relate to. It was fun to ride along on Tess's adventure. Seeing Goose Pimple through her eyes made the small town experience even more enjoyable. Jackson was an enjoyable character as well. There is some trepidation about whether or not to like him, but that made the possibility for romance between Jackson and Tess even more agonizing.
The romance in particular was great. I was on the fence in the beginning because of small town rumors and gossip, but at the same time I was still kind of rooting for them to be together. It was an enjoyable mix. Even once I was sure about Jackson, there was never a dull moment for them. Every time they got close to admitting their interest for real, something managed to interrupt the moment. I have to agree with Metz on the decision to remove the sex. I read both versions, and nothing was taken away by creating a story even younger mystery readers could enjoy. The romance was good, but the mystery is the main focus.
So, on to the mystery! I love that so much of this story came from true events. It adds a whole other layer to the story knowing that many of these tragedies really happened. The dual timeline was a great way to show what happened in the original story, and what was going on decades later to uncover the secrets. The mystery itself was never solved in real life, but that didn't stop Metz from coming up with a great ending that wrapped everything up. I felt like her ending could have been straight out news clippings as well. Throughout the story the mystery was handled well, also. I was kept guessing about who all was involved for the most part. Some characters I figured were involved because of their general scumminess, but the main players where kept secret very well.
There were only a few areas that gave me trouble, and they were fairly minor. As much as I enjoyed the slang and colloquialisms, at times they were a little too much. During some of the more fast paced sections I didn't want to slow down and interpret. The other issue was with the dual story line. I enjoyed seeing both sides, but I didn't feel like the stories always matched up as well as they could have. Sometimes information was given away in one story line, and then retold in the other. I thought the use of the dual stories could have been put to somewhat better advantage if they had played off one another more. The present day story could have mentioned a secret, and then left the reader hanging until the past timeline picked up, creating more suspense and shock. When certain stories were covered in both it seemed a little repetitive at times.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. The mystery was well done with no holes, the characters were relatable and fun, and the romance kept you turning the pages just as much as trying to figure out who was terrorizing Tess did.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, it's a fun read that will have you laughing, then turn around and have you wringing your hands over Tess and Jackson.
dwgodbyDG
Posted September 23, 2012
This is a very adventurous, funny, entertaining southern style book. With many southern drawl sayings I found myself eagerly looking for the next humorous antidote. I found myself laughing out loud no less than three times in the first couple of pages and couldn't wait to continue on this exciting journey.
Tess is a very inquisitive character and finds herself in the midst of trouble from the beginning of a new move to Goose Pimple Junction. While she has published one book, it is here she meets nine time published author Jackson Wright. Jack finds Tess terribly attractive and someone that he desires to draw the attention of in his direction. It doesn't take long for this to happen, yet in the midst of this budding romance, there is a murder that needs to be looked into from many years prior.
When one is in a small town and everyone seems to know everyone it makes it even more difficult to believe that someone you have known all your life could be involved in a 70+ year old murder. While Jack and Tess try to find new information to undercover this historical murder, there are new developments that occur trying to throw them off the scent.
Then there is the ever talking and energetic Lou that owns the bookstore that Tess is soon hired to work in. She goes a mile a minute, yet has such sweet southern charm one can't help to be drawn to her. There is also the local diner where everyone seems to meet including two elderly men that try to outdraw each other with their tongues and quick quips each day.
This is certainly a book that I have enjoyed from beginning to end. Whether I had just a few minutes to spare and could read a few pages or sit for a longer period of time, I found myself laughing, enjoying and excited to return to the next page of adventure. This is the first time I have read Amy Metz's material, but I certainly hope not the last. I can't wait for more adventurous books from this great author.
Without a question it is a 5 of 5 star book.
Rita33
Posted September 3, 2012
I just love books that go back over time, not necessarily time travel mind you. Murder and Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction fits the bill nicely as Tess attempts to solve a crime from 75 years earlier (see what I mean by goes back over time.) Of course this book spoke to the Southern woman in me as well. I simply could not put it down and wanted to know who dunnit. This book has it all: mystery, murder, and romance. It is simply a must read.
The author provide me a copy of the book in order to facilitate my review.
Barb-TheReadingCafe
Posted August 25, 2012
This book was a wonderful, such a joy to read. I haven’t laughed so
hard in a long time! Life in the small town of Goose Pimple Junction,
TN is lively as it is mysterious. Actually, the community is fairly
sedate. Little to no crime at all, people living it up at the Silly
Goose for an evening out or the more customary setting of the local
diner for sweet tea and conversation. Life is simple…until writer, Tess
Tremaine moves in to the neighborhood. To be fair, trouble found her,
but you’ll figure that out, “lickety split”, when you unravel the
mystery of the Hobb murder. Recently divorced after 26 years of
marriage, Tess picks herself up and launches into Phase II of her life.
Although she tries to quietly observe the townspeople, Tess is thrust
into the lives of several prominent characters and has to adapt to her
environment. Most significantly is fellow writer, Jackson Wright.
Unsurprising, he’s handsome, witty and intelligent…all the
characteristics Tess is determined to ignore. She swore never to get
involved again. But he’s so dang appealing! Perhaps never should be
“not so soon”? The parallel story of the murder of John Hobb (a real
event!) is the foundation for the present-day mystery and Ms. Metz tells
it in such a nuanced manner, the vacillation between 1932 and 2010
drifts effortlessly. Adjusting to her newly independent life and
wanting to integrate herself into Pimple Junction, Tess gets a P/T job
at the local bookstore. Unable to sleep one evening, Tess decides to
finalize the move-in by scraping off old wallpaper in her bedroom.
Picking up dozens of shredded pieces, Tess has to extract the smaller
scraps from under a vent on the floor. Along with the bits comes a
peculiar key labeled “trunk”. Tess approaches her boss, Louetta Hobb,
who happens to be the youngest child of the original homeowners. If Lou
wasn’t impressed by its discovery, and even encouraged Tess to use it as
a good luck charm instead, why does Tess’ house suddenly get ransacked?
Someone DOES care. Ms. Metz enlightens us with the details of a bank
robbery and subsequent unresolved murder of John Hobb (Louetta and her 3
siblings’ father), while Tess and Jack investigate the mystery. These
two suffer break-ins, an actual mugging and become the unsuspecting
victims of a stalker’s plan to keep the truth buried. It’s sooo good!!!
Aside from the budding love story between Jack and Tess, Ms. Metz
describes a slice of life so charming; I highlighted many colloquialisms
on my Kindle! Please indulge me as they’re laugh out loud funny and
spot-on descriptive. A casual greeting is “Hireyew”. When you’re
meeting someone formally, there’s the expression, “We’ve howdied, but we
ain’t shook yet.” Insults were some of my favorites! When Jack became
jealous of a potential suitor of Tess’, he discouraged her interest by
saying, “He’s about as handy as a back pocket on a shirt.” There were
some great put-downs, too! “The only thing that would make him dumber
is if he was bigger”; “Jesus loves him, but he’s the only one”; “That
child was so ugly, her mama used to borrow a baby to take to church on
Sunday.” Just delightful! I was swept away by Metz’ many metaphors and
I am elated to hear there is more to this series. Enticed by a mystery,
riveted to the swoon-worthy romance and tickled by the “countrified”
life, I was thoroughly entertained on all levels. This review was
done by Carmen (The Reading Cafe.)
sweetmyrrh
Posted August 25, 2012
My favorite books are always the ones where I want to spend time with
the characters, hang around with them, and escape reality. Murder and
Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction fills that need in great style. Yes,
there was/is some murder, and also a little mayhem, but nothing
upsetting enough to keep you from continuing your visit. Author Amy Metz
has written a clever, witty book, with endearing characters. Of course
Jack and Tess are the main interests, but I have to confess a great
fondness for Pickle! I also enjoyed the interweaving of the present and
past-time stories, and the final resolution. I must admit that I
fingered the wrong person as the bad guy. When I was done this book, I
didn't want to leave Goose Pimple, and I will definitely be happy to
join this gang on their next adventure.
Overview