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Book Review: The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffey

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The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffey is a nice cozy mystery to settle in with on a cold night and that’s exactly what I did the last few days. There isn’t anything face paced about it; it’s just a cozy story that introduces you to the people of small town Merrivale when they are faced with the murder of one of their more popular students.

When Denise Davis is founded murdered in the woods, it sets the town on edge. This kind of thing just doesn’t happen in Merrivale. Sheriff Cas Larkin is determined to find out what happened to this sweet teenage girl that everyone seemed to like. Who would want to murder her? To top things off Sheriff Larkin is dealing with cattle thieves as well. What’s happened to his quaint little town?

What Sheriff Larkin discovers is some kind of a club that looks suspiciously like it’s into devil worship or some such thing which may also explain his missing cattle problem. He’s not impressed at all and sets out to try and put all the pieces together. As things start to come together he has all kinds of thoughts as to what might have happened. Was Denise involved in this ‘club’? It seems she wasn’t killed where she was found – could they have used her as some sort of sacrifice? And what’s making matters even worse is that it looks like the leader of this club might just be the county judge’s son.

I found this to be an enjoyable book especially if you like a cozy mystery. Sheriff Larkin was really likable as was his secretary Gladys. A lot of the characters didn’t have big parts yet the way the author includes them in the story makes you like them immediately or not like them depending on how they are described. There’s a nice little background mystery going on so that when it all culminates in the end you are left satisfied. I would be open to reading more from Jackie Griffey.


I read The Devil in Merrivale for Jackie Griffey’s blog tour with Pump Up Your Book. You can buy The Devil in Merrivale here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to visit Jackie Griffey’s website as well!

Darlene

My Thanks…to Dorothy with Pump Up Your Book for my review copy of The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffey.

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  1. I like cozy mysteries! Often times there are forgettable, but entertaining while you are in them!

  5. This book sounds interesting and I love mysteries of all kinds. I'll add it to my wish list. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Sandy: Hooray! A fellow cozy reader – I've been addicted since Nancy Drew (never mind how long ago lol)
    Jackie

  7. Anna: Glad you chose my cozy to try them out 🙂 There are more Merrivale adventures on the way so I hope enjoy your visit and will enjoy cozies from now on.
    Jackie

  8. Sounds like a perfect read for those evenings when you want a more "chilled" book. Great review, Dar!

  9. Alice Teh: Welcome to the cozy mystery world – it's a fun place with more than plot twists. The next one (The Nelso Scandal) has four homicides, two more than a hundred years old. Have fun and Happy New Reading Year, Alice.

    Jackie

  10. distracted? I hope that's good lol! My cozies include 'gifted' citizens as well as the rest of the Merrivale and Pine County population. Come back for another visit, there's more on the way 🙂
    Jackie

  11. Kay: I'm thrilled you decided to check out my cozy mystery – it's got some good laughs in it too so have fun and thanks for stopping by. BTW, it's the first of a series.

    Jackie

  13. I'm not really sure that I get the difference between a cozy mystery and a detective story but this one sounds like it keeps you curious enough to keep turning the pages; definitely a good thing. Interesting cover, I like it!

  14. The synopsis reminds me of an episode of Criminal Minds and another of Law and Order: SV. It sounds like an interesting story though!

  15. Thank you for your great review, Dar. I enjoy a good cozy mystery now and then. I could probably use one right now! Haha

  18. I do like an occasional cozy – though I wouldn't have guessed this was one from the cover! I'll note it though for the next time I need a cozy fix!

  20. I'm glad you reviewed this. I love cozy mysteries but I would never have picked this one up based on the cover. It doesn't say "cozy mystery" to me at all!

  21. Sounds like a great story. Warm and cozy is always a good thing. Grea review Darlene! thanks.

  22. I have never read a cozy mystery so this sounds like something that would be new for me. Great review, Dar. I am going to look into this book. Thanks!