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Book Review: The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffey

January 29, 2010 by Darlene


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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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 eBook Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy Nawrot says

    January 29, 2010 at 10:49 am

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

  2. Anna says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    I don't think I've yet read a cozy mystery, but I must change that!

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  3. Alice Teh says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    I'm not sure if I've read anything that's cozy mystery but this one looks good!

  4. distractedmusician says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Great review =]

    I have an award for you here!

  5. Kay says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:28 pm

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

  6. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:45 pm

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

  7. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    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. Lori says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm

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

  9. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    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. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    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. Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    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

  12. Serena says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    I don't read many cozy mysteries, but this one sounds good. Thanks for the review.

  13. Wanda says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    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. Ladytink_534 says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    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. Literary Feline says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:46 pm

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

  16. Nise' says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    I'm with Anna, not sure I have read a cozy mystery. Great review.

  17. naida says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    This sounds so good! Great review Dar.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  18. Gwendolyn B. says

    January 30, 2010 at 12:58 am

    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!

  19. Staci says

    January 30, 2010 at 1:37 am

    I'm on a cozy kick so this is right up my alley!!!

  20. Lisa says

    January 30, 2010 at 4:16 am

    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. Jenny Girl says

    February 1, 2010 at 3:02 am

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

  22. Zibilee says

    February 3, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    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!

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