Book Review: Murder at the PTA (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #1) by Lee Hollis

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Murder at the PTA (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #1) by Lee Hollis is the first installment in the Maya and Sandra Mystery series, a cozy mystery series centered on private investigators. The story follows Sandra Wallage , the wife of a U.S. senator and the newly elected president of Portland High School’s PTA, who becomes the latest target of a vicious gossip website called Dirty Laundry . After a heated PTA meeting, Sandra crosses paths with Maya Kendrick , a private investigator who has uncovered the identity of the person behind the gossip site. When the two women attempt to confront the culprit, they instead discover a dead body. Was it really a suicide, or did someone have a motive for murder? I’m a longtime fan of books by Lee Hollis , which is actually the pen name for sibling writing duo Rick Copp and Holly Simason . They’ve written several cozy mystery series, and what I appreciate most about their books is that they aren’t overly kitschy, unlike some other cozy mysteries I’ve ...
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Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

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Book Club Book Review of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman opens with the people at an apartment viewing being taken hostage after a bank robber fails at trying to rob a bank. 

I was extremely excited to read Anxious People and got the ebook on sale. However, I never got around to reading the book until one of my book clubs decided to discuss it for the month of June. I am saddened to say that I was extremely disappointed in the story as it wasn't what I was expecting.

First and foremost, I found the book to be too long and thought it could have easily been shortened without it affecting the story. Additionally, I struggled with finishing it because it was painfully slow and boring. I found myself wondering if the author was ever going to get to the big reveal. It seriously felt like required reading for school, and if I wasn't reading Anxious People for book club, I wouldn't have finished the book.

There was so much hype about this novel, and I'm not quite sure why. It just wasn't for me, and I don't foresee myself reading any other of the author's books. With that being said, you may absolutely love it, so give it a whirl, and let me know what you think.

I rated Anxious People by Fredrik Backman three out of five stars. The author redeemed himself a bit with the ending because I was originally going to give it two stars. 

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