Well-Offed in Vermont is the first book in A Vermont Country Living Mystery (previously known as Pret’ Near Perfect Mystery). The author takes the time to introduce us to the central characters and the town. The descriptions of Vermont are beautiful. I can understand why the town is besieged with leaf peepers. Stella is an expert on medieval textiles for which she cannot get a job for in Vermont. She is smart and has good instincts. Stella is a natural born sleuth. There are some great secondary characters that include Sheriff Mills and Alma. The mystery was straightforward. There are several suspects along with a red herring or two. One clue is all that is needed to solve the whodunit. I hope the mystery is more of a challenge in future books. I found the pacing to be a little on the slow side and there was a lot of repetition (we are told at least two dozen times that the Buckley’s drive a smart car). I was also a little put off by the intimate scene in the beginning between Stella and Nick. I do not feel the scene was needed (couple getting cozy in front of the fire). It is a cozy mystery, and we are just getting to know the characters (it could have been written differently). Overall, Well-Offed in Vermont is a cute beginning to this new series. The author definitely captured the flavor of Vermont, and I enjoyed the humor scattered throughout the story. Well-Offed in Vermont is a fun cozy mystery with red water, a sunny smart car, a smitten sheriff, a busy baker, a unique neighbor, a vile victim, and a curious couple. ( )

Well-Offed in Vermont by Amy Patricia Meade was a treat to read and I kept turning the pages late into the night. It has a Nick and Nora (books by Dashiell Hammett) or Mr. and Mrs. Murder (TV show) vibe to it that was a pleasant change from the usual cozy mysteries that I read.

If you are a purist when it comes to cozies and don’t enjoy a bit of adult banter between husband and wife, along with wry comments, then this series might not be for you… but I really hope it is, or that you at least give it a try.

The chemistry between Stella and Nick was something that I wish every couple had, but so many don’t. They support each other, are sassy to each other, and are not afraid to show their passion for each other. The book is also peppered with quirky characters and ones that have a regional feel to them.Combining all these amazing characters together makes for a great cozy mystery.

Besides the great characters, Meade makes the reader feel as if they are actually in Vermont with her detailed descriptions of the town, food, and countryside. Combine this with a well thought out whodunnit, and I am totally stoked for the next book in the Vermont Country Living Mysteries. ( )

situational-humor, verbal-humor, vermont, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, small-town, rural

This is a real hoot! Farce, snarkfest, Lampoon's Move To Vermont Complete With A Murder. All while being a cozy mystery. The setting and characters in this rural small town could have been Anyplace Northwoods (I live in Wisconsin and it is just like here!). There really is a fine sleuthing plot, but the laughs and all the tongue-in-cheek stuff had me ROFL. I highly recommend this one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!!! ( )

had to force myself to finish this book. just never grabbed my attention. ( )

A fun read with two new house buyers, Stella and Nick Buckley, who just want to move into their new home. Unfortunately, a dead body was found in their well and the police tell them they can't move in until the case is solved. Sheesh! Now what?

It's leaf-peeping season and tourists are over running the bucolic little Vermont town. Nary a motel room is to be found, so when the offer of a hunting camp is made, they grab it. At least they'll have shelter; that's about it though, as there is no running water, no bathroom and no electricity. How does one inflate the blow-up bed without electricity?

Hah! That was a good scene. I could just picture Stella and Nick holding onto the newly inflated bed that's perched on top of their Smart car.

Oh, yeah, they drive a Smart car - in Vermont! Where big pickup trucks and four wheel drive is the order of the day. Silly flatlanders!

Since they can't move into their new home, they try their best to find out who the real killer is and putting themselves into some dangerous spots along the way. For these former Manhattanites, getting accustomed to terse New Englanders and life in a small town where everyone knows your business, can be challenging.

Humorous dialogue and some great characterizations made this a charming read. ( )