Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)

By: Constance Barker

Narrated by: Angel Clark

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lily and her aunts, Essie and Hildie, along with their man friends, Toe and Harvey, find themselves in all sorts of predicaments, including murder right in their own shop, the Coffee Cabana. Follow along as shenanigans turn into crimes and the hot java never stops flowing.

©2105 Constance Barker (P)2015 Constance Barker

A fun set of stories!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

I really enjoyed the Sweet Home Mystery Series. This book is the first three stories in the series which aren’t intertwined but do build on one another so they can be read independently. The characters are fun (although Lily, admittedly, needs to get some more self-esteem) and the stories are fun and interesting and the book is well written.

The only complaint that I had which kept it from being a full 4 star book (and they don’t let you do half stars) is that the first two books in the story don’t have a building story where the characters run around finding clues trying to lead you to who’s done it (or misdirecting the reader). The author does a good job of keeping you guessing who-done-it but then something big happens and we find out who the killer is. However in the third story (which is a bit longer then the first two) she does to a good job of doing this so maybe she’s hit her stride. Either way I think if you enjoy cozy mysteries this would be a good addition to your library.

Ms. Clark did a great job with the narration with great timing and distinguishing all the characters. She really helps bring the story to life!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I didn't care for the story.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator was acceptable, but the story wasn't worth listening until the end.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I haven't decided what book to listen to next.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Angel Clark?

Perhaps.

What character would you cut from Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)?

Most of them, I found them to be irritating people.

A Great Series

What made the experience of listening to Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3) the most enjoyable?

I struggle with narrator's voice but once I got past it, I really enjoyed the series. I didn't realize until about mid way through the first book that I recognized the cat Mr. Pickles from another book. I looked at my history and realized that I had already listened to and rated the 2nd book in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)?

The aunts and their shenigagians.

What about Angel Clark’s performance did you like?

Her voice is really loud and boisterous and it is hard at times not to cringe when you are wearing ear buds because of voice volumn can increase. She does perform the characters well though, once you get used to her loud tone.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtsey of AudiobookBlast.

Coffee, enough said!

I would have finished this book in one session, if life didn't get in the day. The characters evolved so much during the story. The narrator was great as well, really brought the story to life!

Great Series!

Any additional comments?

Great Book!
This is a great book; this is the first three books in the Sweet Home Mystery series written by Constance Barker and narrated by Angel Clark. This is great boxed set, when I started listening to it I didn’t want to stop until the end. Lily and her aunts, Essie and Hildie along with their man friends, Toe and Harvey, find themselves in all kinds of predicaments including someone murdered in their own shop. They put their sleuthing skills to the test!

The narrator Angel Clark did a great job with this book. She did a great job with the different voices of each character in this book. It was very easy to listen to in one sitting and I didn’t want to stop listening until the end.

If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery with great characters then you need to listen to this book. I am looking forward to listening to the next book by this author and narrator.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Surprised at the depth of these novellas

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this to someone who likes cozy mysteries.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)?

None of these three books had real highs or low moments for me. Nothing really stood out.

Have you listened to any of Angel Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, Angel Clark was a new to me narrator. I initially found her voice a bit harsh, I got used to it, but every once and a while she'd say something that reminded me of that impression. She did have a good range of voices. There were a lot of characters and she had a voice for them all.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. I think I may have briefly laughed once, but I wouldn't really say this was a humorous series though pretty light hearted.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy from Audiobook Blast in exchange for my honest review. I really liked that while Lily was the main character, everyone had a big role and they all interacted together. I reviewed a book recently were it occurred to me part way through that the character never interacted with anyone, it was strange. Not the case here. The other characters aren't just window dressing.

These are novella length so you shouldn't expect as complicated a mystery as a full length book, but I thought the author really used her limited words to the maximum. They felt like full length reads as I listened. The mysteries were as complicated as many full length cozies I read.

The romance (which isn't and shouldn't be a big part of cozy mysteries) aspect was weak. There's no interaction beyond a suspect/witness and the cop in books 1 and 2, but in book 3, Lily was hoping for an "I love you, but would settle for a kiss"?!? That seemed a bit out of place.

Sweet Home Cozy

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."
I love cozies! These three were particularly good and most enjoyable. Well written, the kind of cozy that has just enough intrigue to keep you guessing.
The narration was good. The 'voice' I loved most was that of the cantankerous aunt Essie.

Fun Read

Thought these 3 short stories were cute. Must be a really small town Lily and her Aunts always around for the murders. Narrator was excellent to bring out all the characters with her voices. I recommend it to anyone who likes quick and amusing books as worth the listening. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast. Thanks

creamed cabana

What made the experience of listening to Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3) the most enjoyable?

whoever voiced it i think her names angel wow is all i have to say

What did you like best about this story?

is saying teh entire story bad lol

Which character – as performed by Angel Clark – was your favorite?

again is saying all of them bad she just had that voice

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

have whoever voiced it lead the movie

Good & Cozy

I really enjoy cozy mysteries so this one was right up my ally. It is funny and intriguing. If you like cozies these are cheap and a fun listen. Essie is my favorite character.