Berried Motives by Peg Cochran
Peg Cochran’s Berried Motives is an okay and well-paced mystery that really missed the mark. I did enjoy the plot and the interesting setting. However, the book lacks the signature cosy charm while the unmemorable characters act implausibly. This is the sixth book in the series but it works as a standalone.
Our protagonist is Monica who lives and works on a busy cranberry farm. The farm is in full harvest mode and she’s thrilled to learn that they will be featured on a local TV show. The filming goes well but the show’s unlikeable host Betsy DeJong leaves a bad impression. However, she is soon found murdered on the farm! The lengthy suspect list includes the victim’s sleazy politician fiance, her high school boyfriend who works on the farm, and the mysterious new farm photographer. As Monica digs into Betsy’s past, she uncovers secrets that anyone would kill to keep hidden.
It’s taken me three years to read this book because, honestly, it doesn’t grab your attention. Although the writing is mature, it can be quite repetitive and dull. This is especially evident in the cast of characters who are forgettable and fairly one-dimensional. Monica is a dedicated and likeable but boring protagonist. There are glimmers of personality in her eccentric stepmother Gina as well as her baking assistant Kit but they are both underutilised. But, I did appreciate the cute animals, especially the adorable dog Hercule.
The book also lacks that signature cosy charm and fun. Even the descriptions of the food are so boring! But, the quaint little town and Sassamanash Farm sound so lively and interesting. I would love to live there! I wish the book spent more time exploring this lovely world instead of noting every little detail of Monica making cranberry goodies or cooking meals.
I do like that this is a quick read and the mystery is well-paced with several viable suspects. There are several red herrings and a few predictable but still good twists. I like that I didn’t figure out the murderer until the big reveal but their motives do make sense. However, Monica’s response to the killer’s reveal is absolutely stupid. If I wasn’t near the end of the book, I really would not have finished reading. I also wish the overall mystery had more thrill and suspense because I never fully believed Monica or anyone else was in danger at all.
Furthermore, Monica’s snooping took me out of the book. She investigates Betsy’s murder because of vague hand wave gesture. She barges into places without any skill or finesse and the suspects simply info dump huge secrets at her. I almost abandoned the book when a smarmy salesman (who met Monica twice!) outright tells her that his boss is laundering money. She doesn’t seem to have much of a personality so I’m not sure why complete strangers are simply confessing their business to her other than to force the plot along.
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review.
