Customer Reviews

Pick Your Poison (Yellow Rose Mysteries)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fun and riveting read, well-written, well-plotted, and at times witty.

The plot involves Abby Rose, a young woman who has inherited a computer-based business who has a lot of spare time on her hands because the company runs itself. She and her twin sister live in the Houston mansion her adoptive father built. THe book begins with the death of the gardener from cyanide poisoning -- why was he killed is the key to who killed him. He's a rather mysterious figure, and Abby gets involved in trying to solve his murder. She becomes convinced that the man came to work for her father for a reason, and she wants to know what that is.

This book moves right along -- it would be a great beach book, or a book to curl up with on a rainy day. I look forward to hearing more about Abby Rose and her sister in future books.

Thirty-year-old Abby Rose is simply out of motivation. She's finished with school, and doesn't really do much for work, seeing as her Father's technology business (which was left to her and her twin sister, Kate, when he passed away) pretty much runs itself. So she spends her days lounging by the pool, and wondering what she could possibly do next with her life. That is, until Abby is hit with another tragedy, when she discovers her gardener, Ben, dead in the greenhouse one afternoon. But when a cute detective from the Houston Police Department informs Abby that Ben's death wasn't accidental, but murder, Abby realizes that she'll finally have something to do with her time: solve a crime. And, much to the chagrin of everyone close to her, Abby does just that. But what she doesn't expect to do when investigating Ben's death, is unlock secrets about her own past, that just might change her future.

I will admit that initially the cover is what attracted me to this wonderful new batch of mystery fiction known as PICK YOUR POISON. However, the story is what kept my interest. From page one Abby was a fun, interesting character, who was filled with spunk and childlike innocence. Her constant talk about iced tea and lemonade, and her love for hacking into computer systems will keep readers laughing out loud until the very last page is turned. Leann Sweeney has created a remarkable new series, filled with a captivating, young, amateur sleuth by the name of Abby Rose. I am now eagerly anticipating the release of A WEDDING TO DIE FOR.

Erika Sorocco

Ok, I admit I judged this book by its ultra-feminine cover, but I was very pleased to find more inside the pages than I anticipated. The book isn't very deep, but following the main character (Abby Rose) on her exploits was a lot of fun. And, mix in a light romance with a hunky detective and you have a real girly-girl mystery read. This gets 5 stars for entertainment value - it was fun to read, engaging, and just long enough to solve the mystery well and not leave any loose ends. I look forward to the next one!

Abby Rose is trying to decide what to do with her life. Since she has a large bank account, she doesn't have to rush to decide. Her twin Kate is soon moving out to be with her boyfriend, and Abby doesn't know what she will do with the large house their father left them - it's too big for just her.

After she discovers her gardner, Ben, dead in the greenhouse, she realizes how little she knew about him. She begins to look into his life so that she can express her condolences. That just opens up more questions, like who killed Ben's wife years before? And why was he working for Abby's father?

Abby contracts with her ex-husband, who swears he is clean and getting his life together, to help her renovate the house in Galveston. It hasn't been lived in for years. She finds herself having to interact with him more than she likes.

The sexy detective from the Houston P.D. who is investigating Ben's death, adds some spice to Abby's dull life. Especially when he tells her that Ben was poisoned. Now Abby is determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Ben and who killed him. She finds more questions to have to find answers to.

In her investigation, she finds herself in many sticky situations. Can she discover the truth before someone puts an end to her?

This is the first Yellow Rose Mystery. LeAnn Sweeney has a real winner. I had trouble putting this book down. Abby and Kate are terrific. The Texas setting is fabulous. I've always wanted to go to Galveston, and I feel like I've at least had a short visit there. I just started reading A Wedding to Die For, the second in this series. It looks to be just as great as the first.

I highly recommend this book!

My second book by Leann Sweeney and I laughed all the way through at the antics of Abby Rose, an amateur sleuth who manages to get in and out of trouble in delightful ways. I'll be buying a third book by Ms. Sweeny as they are easy reads and keep you entertained.

Pick your Poison is a fun, smarmy, well-written novel that just sparkles. Abby Rose had me hooked from the first page. This is a fun mystery with some interesting serious undertones.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Pick Your Poison. Once I opened the book, I could not put it down. The characters and storyline were wonderful and kept me intrigued. I look forward to the next book due out in January.

First in the Yellow Rose series, this series is in Texas, featuring Abby Rose. Abby's gardener is murdered, and she wants to find out why: why he was killed and why he was there. Abby's fraternal twin Kate helps her run the computer business that their father left them, and she also gets roped into helping Abby find the answers to her questions. In this, Abby finds out answers to other questions, ones she wished she hadn't asked. I found this to be better than your average cozy - I was leery of the basis of the spoiled rich girl playing detective - but Abby redeems herself.

I enjoyed the book. However, I agree with the Reviewer that said the main character used too many bad cliches. It did seem forced and got to be a little "too much". I thought the ending could have had a more interesting twist but I knew that wasn't going to happen because it is a series so all the main characters had to stay in tact.

I generally don't read paperback mysteries (call me elitist, I suppose), but I thought this was a great pool-side reader. The plot moves along briskly, the characters are engaging -- as are the numerous comical dilemmas. And while it's loaded with Southern phrases (real or not, to refer to one of the other reviews listed here), I think they just add to the charm.

It's got a very Texan feel (I lived there 25 years) even if we don't all have the drawling wit of Abby Rose, the book's protagonist. I've recommended this book to several people because it's a rare combination of cheap/easy-read and incredibly good writing.