Customer Reviews

French Polished Murder (A Daring Finds Mystery)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

French Polished Murder (A Daring Finds Mystery)
Funny, fast paced and delightful! Dyce Daring is a character I can't read enough about. I literally burst out in laughter reading this book. (Note: people *will* look at you if you're giggling and break out in a belly laugh in a doctor's waiting room) I had the great good luck to be reading this a week after having the same thing happen, in the same office, while reading the first book in the series, "Dipped, Stripped and Dead." Now I have a reputation, too :-) If anything, "French Polished Murder" is even funnier *and* more of a nail biter. The interactions among Dyce, her toddler son, her boy friend and her (male) bff from high school are fun an touching and true to life -- for at least some definitions of 'true.' I wish I could find Goldport, Colorado, because it sure sounds like a town I'd love to visit. I *want* to browse Dyce's parents' bookstore, and have her father talk me *out* of buying one of his books. I'd volunteer to do a 'ride along' with these policemen any day or night of the week! The main problem I have with "French Polished Murder" is that I want the *next* book in the series, *now*! However, I most certainly have the gifts picked out for mother's day, my sisters'-in-law birthdays, and my bff, just for being my bff. Thank you, Elise Hyatt, for two (so far!) of the most pleasurable reading experiences I've had in years!

I just finished "French Polish Murder" and I'm ready for the 3rd book in this series. These stories are just that good. While I didn't LOL with this one like I did the first in the series, I still found the book pretty amusing. The thing I like about the main character, Dyce, is that she is 'real.' She's a struggling single mom who is just a bit mouthy, has a toddler son that is cute but not too sacharine. You get the idea. And I adore her bff, Ben.

*** SPOILER *** My only complaint with this book was all the time spent on the rats. While I can appreciate that Dyce didn't want to kill the baby rodents (I'm sure I'd feel the same way), rats/mice skeeve me out so I couldn't really appreciate their cuteness factor. But the rest of the story was top-notch. I loved the premise of the 100-year-old murder case and I didn't guess the killer's identity until just before the reveal. So all-in-all, a great summer read. Take it to the beach with you. You won't be disappointed!

I read a lot of books and a lot of genres. Mysteries are my favorites, all kinds of them. But this series is truly unique. The writer is wacky, inventive and still spins a good mystery. I, too, as other reviewers have mentioned, found my self laughing out loud, from the first pages all the way through the last few (on how to french polish). Perhaps because I have done furniture refinishing and I have also had cats, the heroines trials with both struck me as particularly amusing.Her young son E reminds of one of dear boys I used to babysit. I can't wait for this authors next book!!!!!

I thought this second book in the series was stronger than the first, which I also enjoyed. My only complaint is that the author is very "wordy," with some sentences running six or seven lines. While I appreciate the effort to help us understand the characters and situation better, it can sometimes be difficult to read. Minor issue aside, the mystery storyline is unique and entertaining, and I hope a third book will follow.

Hyatt tightened up her writing with this second book of the series. Some of her joke setups are priceless. Enjoyed it. Thanks.

Thankfully, previous reviewers "warned " about laughing out loud in public so,I spent an entire day with housework ignored ,curled up on my favorite reading chair engrossed in this delightful second book of the series. I did indeed find myself giggling or guffawing (behaviors undoubtedly considered unladylike by All-ex). But since only my cats heard me, no humans were harmed or annoyed. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first book,this plot allowed the reader to get better acquainted with Dyce, E, Ben and the hunky Cas, and to share the insanely delightful misadventures of their lives. The introduction of "PeeGrass" (you have to read the book to appreciate) added an even more interesting dimension as well as enlarging E's character and involvement. The mystery was a unique approach weaving historical events (some of which are sadly true) to modern day forensics and just plain determination to find the truth. Dyce becomes even more personable and the romantic ending...well...sigh. As a part-time-Coloradan, I suspect I know where Dyce's home town may be...but if Elise Hyatt promises to continue the series, I won't tell.

Elise Hyatt's Daring Finds Mystery series is off to a great start. The first book (Dripped Stripped and Dead) was terrific and the second book French Polished Murder is even better. This book is at times laugh out loud funny and the main characters are people one would enjoy spending time with--especially the heroine Dyce. I also love that her son is a bit of a brat, to often children act like perfect angels in books rather then the mixed bag most kids are.

I love Cas--who would have guessed a hero named Castor could be so appealing? Her childhood friend Ben is both funny and loveable and doesn't come across as a stereotyped gay--although the 'beige' modelling was a bit over the top.

But, Dyce is the glue that holds this series together and she is a fine glue indeed. Her snarkiness to her ex (All-ex) and his fashion victim wife are amusing, but she loves her son and so buries some of her choicest comments in order for her son to continue seeing his father. I admired her saving the baby rats that fell out of the piano, I don't think I would have done anything more then screamed and ran off leaving them to their fate!

Dyce is a complicated but very likable heroine and I look forward to more adventures of Cas and Dyce and I think this is one couple that will not get boring when they marry. Same could be said of Cas's cousin Nick and Ben--they can reunite the 'rat pack'.

I loved this book. The heroine, Dyce, is great, with an off-beat and often snarky sense of humor. And the cat, Peagrass (or more formally Pythagoras) is a stitch (and should probably be in therapy). I haven't been this entertained in ages. Ms. Hyatt please, please, please write a new book in the series!!

I truly love laughing out loud as I read the mystery unearthed by our furniture refinisher, Dyce as she muddles efficiently through finding out the real story behind a nearly hundred-year letter found in a piano she is French Polishing for her boyfriend, Cas. Now, I realize saying muddles efficiently is contra-intuitive, however, that is what makes this book so enjoyable. Dyce appears all over the place but she is actually quite organized and focused as life keeps throwing surprises her way, such as opening the piano front and finding a family of 7 newborn...I think I will let you find out for yourself, just know she copes and comes out ahead.

There is this old, and yellowed letter from a prominent family of Goldport, Colorado that Dyce finds within the piano project. What is the letter really saying? Did a couple run off together or did something sinister happen? Why has Dyce and her detective boyfriend been 'warned' off trying to find 80+yr old police records? Who is trying to kill Dyce and her best friend, Ben? Aren't all persons connected to the old family passed? What are they trying to hide.

This was a remarkable book and I'm so eager and hopeful to read the next installment.

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator is charming, and the writing style is wonderful. Like another of the reviewers, I laughed out loud.

The mystery is not particularly strong, but the writing style more than makes up for this.

I am writing this review for one purpose and one only: as a plea for someone who can punctuate correctly to become the copy editor for this author (unless, of course, the copy editor is responsible for the myriad errors, in which case I apologize to the author). The punctuation in this book was truly appalling. Whoever is responsible for the punctuation, especially the commas, should immediately purchase a copy of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves and READ IT CAREFULLY. When they go back and reread this book, they will be embarrassed, as well they should be.

In any event, the punctuation cost this book one star. I would otherwise have given it five--it was a truly enjoyable cosy, and I very much look forward to reading Ms Hyatt's additional book and more in the series. I cannot promise to keep reading, however, if the punctuation does not improve, as its flaws distracted me from the very entertaining content.