Book Review
Picture Not Perfect by D.E. Haggerty
Book 2: The Not So Reluctant Detectives Series
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: January 21, 2019
Format: eBook - 230 pages
Kindle - 775 KB
Nook - 300 KB
ASIN: B07KG6ZH33
BNID: 2940155878780
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Romantic Suspense
Pre-Order The Book: Publish Date 1/21/19
Buy The Series: The Not So Reluctant Detectives Series
Book 1: Finders, Not Keepers
Book 2: Picture Not Perfect
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a book blast event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Description:
A picture tells a story. But is it the truth?
When the police find pictures of Melanie hanging up at her murdered colleague’s house, they’re convinced he was stalking her. Maybe she even killed him. Melanie was not being stalked! And she certainly didn’t kill her supposed stalker – as if. But Mel – always up for a bit of drama – jumps at the chance to go search for the real killer. When Mel’s ex-boyfriend, Owen, discovers her plans, he pulls out all the stops to ensure she’s safe and to win her back. No matter what happens with the murder investigation, he’s not letting her go. With the police setting their sights on Mel, he may need to jeopardize his own career on the police force to protect her.
Will Mel find the real killer before the detectives arrest her for murder?
Book Excerpt:
“Ms. Hanson, please have a seat.” Detective Meyer motioned to a chair before setting a bottle of water on the table in front of it. Then, he sat down and placed a file on the table in front of him. His partner remained standing in the corner of the room near the door. Mel started to stomp her way to the chair before remembering someone was probably watching and recording whatever she did and said in the room. She firmed her jaw before slowly walking to the chair and sitting down.
She took a few gulps of water before asking, “Is this where you finally tell me what’s going on?”
Instead of answering her question, the detective pulled a picture out of the file and put it on the table in front of her. “Do you know this man?”
Mel picked up the picture. “Sure. It’s Alfred Schultz. He’s a social sciences teacher at the high school where I’m a guidance counselor.” She handed the picture back to the detective. “Why?”
Again, he ignored her. He pulled out a series of pictures and laid them on the table in front of her. Mel looked down and gasped at what she saw. Every single picture was of her. “What in the world are you doing with these? What is going on?”
“These are pictures we found in Mr. Schultz’s apartment.”
“What?” Why would Alfred have pictures of her in his apartment? They weren’t friends. Was he following her? She shivered. The man’s creepiness level just skyrocketed. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what we’d like to know,” Detective Davis replied from her position leaning against the wall.
Mel’s hands shook as she gathered the pictures together and handed them back to the detective. She needed to calm down. Freaking out wouldn’t get her any answers. She forced herself to remember her yoga training. Calming breaths. She could do this. Deep breath in through the nose. Exhale through the mouth. Again. Breathe in. Breathe out.
“What was your relationship with Mr. Schultz?”
“We don’t really have a relationship. We’re colleagues. He’d like more, but …” she trailed off. Wait a second! Her mind rewound on his words. “Was? Did you say was?” She gulped. “What happened?”
“Mr. Schultz was found dead in his home yes—” His words were cut off by Detective Davis clearing her throat.
Mel gasped. “Found dead? Is that cop-speak for murdered?” At the detective’s nod, her mouth dropped open. “How? Why? Who?”
“We were hoping you could answer those questions for us,” Detective Davis answered. She was no longer casually leaning against the wall but now stood with her arms crossed over her chest staring down at Melanie.
“Me? Why would I be able to answer those questions for you?” In response, Davis merely tilted her head towards the pictures.
The pieces of the puzzle clicked together, and she finally realized what was going on. She jumped from her chair. “Holy moly! You think I had something to do with his death!”
She took a few gulps of water before asking, “Is this where you finally tell me what’s going on?”
Instead of answering her question, the detective pulled a picture out of the file and put it on the table in front of her. “Do you know this man?”
Mel picked up the picture. “Sure. It’s Alfred Schultz. He’s a social sciences teacher at the high school where I’m a guidance counselor.” She handed the picture back to the detective. “Why?”
Again, he ignored her. He pulled out a series of pictures and laid them on the table in front of her. Mel looked down and gasped at what she saw. Every single picture was of her. “What in the world are you doing with these? What is going on?”
“These are pictures we found in Mr. Schultz’s apartment.”
“What?” Why would Alfred have pictures of her in his apartment? They weren’t friends. Was he following her? She shivered. The man’s creepiness level just skyrocketed. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what we’d like to know,” Detective Davis replied from her position leaning against the wall.
Mel’s hands shook as she gathered the pictures together and handed them back to the detective. She needed to calm down. Freaking out wouldn’t get her any answers. She forced herself to remember her yoga training. Calming breaths. She could do this. Deep breath in through the nose. Exhale through the mouth. Again. Breathe in. Breathe out.
“What was your relationship with Mr. Schultz?”
“We don’t really have a relationship. We’re colleagues. He’d like more, but …” she trailed off. Wait a second! Her mind rewound on his words. “Was? Did you say was?” She gulped. “What happened?”
“Mr. Schultz was found dead in his home yes—” His words were cut off by Detective Davis clearing her throat.
Mel gasped. “Found dead? Is that cop-speak for murdered?” At the detective’s nod, her mouth dropped open. “How? Why? Who?”
“We were hoping you could answer those questions for us,” Detective Davis answered. She was no longer casually leaning against the wall but now stood with her arms crossed over her chest staring down at Melanie.
“Me? Why would I be able to answer those questions for you?” In response, Davis merely tilted her head towards the pictures.
The pieces of the puzzle clicked together, and she finally realized what was going on. She jumped from her chair. “Holy moly! You think I had something to do with his death!”
Book Teaser:
My Book Review:
Someone is framing Melanie for the murder of her co-worker, creepy high school Social Science teacher Alfred Schultz. The detectives found pictures of Melanie at Alfred's apartment, and they think he was stalking her and that she put a fatal stop to it. Melanie is determined to find the real murderer, so with the help of Terri, Ryder (Terri's private investigator boyfriend), Owen (Melanie's ex-police officer boyfriend), and co-worker Prudence, they embark on a murder investigation adventure that is sure to find the murderer, and prove Melanie's innocence before she finds herself arrested for murder!
Picture Not Perfect is a thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery that will keep the reader in stitches. Set in Milwaukee, the reader follows the humorous trials and tribulations of Melanie, Terri, and Prudence on their latest amateur investigative adventures.
This was such a fun book to read! The reader can't help but get drawn into the quirky trials and tribulations and intriguing suspense that Melanie and friends encounter as they fly by the seat of their pants during their murder investigation. I really enjoyed Melanie's sassy humor and wit, you can't help but feel compassion for her determination to find the real murderer and prove her innocence, and when you add in the hilarious antics that follows these three cheeky chicks and their boyfriends, you get a delightful cozy mystery that will leave you wanting more! And if the murder investigation isn't enough, the reader will enjoy the romantic angst that Melanie and Owen share as they go through the trials and tribulations of their on-again-off-again romantic relationship.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I really loved how the author used clever quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
Cozy mystery fans, I would highly recommend that you read the entertaining The Not So Reluctant Detective Series, you won't regret it!
RATING: 4 STARS
About The Author
Author Website
Author Blog
Amazon Author Page
Book Bub Author Page
Author Email
Newsletter Signup
Google+
Goodreads
Contest Giveaway
Win A $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Blast Event
Event Participants:
1: All the ups and Downs
2: Beyond Romance
3: BOOKISH REVIEWS
4: BooksChatter
5: Rogues Angels
6: FUONLYKNEW
7: Harlie's Books REVIEW
8: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
9: Independent Authors
10: Iron Canuck
11: It's Raining Books
12: Jazzy Book Reviews
13: Jersey Girl Book Reviews REVIEW
14: Kimmi Love
15: Linda Nightingale...Musings
16: Locks, Hooks and Books
17: Long and Short Reviews
18: Mixed Book Bag
19: Mythical Books
20: Nickie's Views and Interviews
21: Notes From a Romantic's Heart REVIEW
22: Readeropolis
23: Romance Novel Giveaways
24: Sapphyria's Books
25: Stormy Nights Reviewing and Bloggin'
26: Straight From the Library
27: T's Stuff
28: The Avid Reader
29: Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
30: Two Ends of the Pen
31: Wake Up Your Wild Side
32: Welcome to My World of Dreams
33: Wendi zwaduk - romance to make your heart race
34: Andi's Book Reviews
