Major Crimes ~ A Jersey Shore Cozy Mystery ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: February 10, 2016 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
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Major Crimes
by Michele Lynn Seigfried

The Jersey Shore Mystery Series is a wonderful whodunit series to read. Each book in the series has enough witty humor, mystery, suspense, and romance that easily draws the reader into Chelsey’s latest madcap investigation adventure.
~Jersey Girl Book Reviews

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Major Crimes ebook cover
Major Crimes
(Jersey Shore Mystery Series)

4th in Series
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Horseshoe Bay Publishing (January 26, 2016)
Print Length: 220 pages
ASIN: B017GG55FU

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My Review

While this is the fourth book in the series, it was easy for me to jump in. Had no trouble following events and this could easily be read as a stand alone.

 Falsely accused of a crime, Detective Bryce Kelly turns to the only one he can trust, Chelsey Alton. Her connections as a P.I. could be useful, or so he tells himself when his visit has them both on the run from the law. There could be an ulterior motive as the sparks ignite between them.

Now the heat is on, in more ways than one, to keep one step ahead of jail and one step closer to finding the real killer.

Chelsey is a hoot. She’s very impulsive, and acts without thinking things through. I began to believe her doubts about private investigating being her thing.  She made some mistakes with humorous outcomes.

Bryce put her in a bad position when he sought her out for help. Once the panic subsided and they came to their senses, things got sorted out and they started working the case.

The chemistry between these two was strong. It was fun to read their thoughts about each other. Especially when they should have been concentrating on more important things. Things like finding the murderer and staying off the most wanted list.

Told from his and her points of view, their individual voices weren’t all that different, and I sometimes had to read more to clarify which character was which. After a bit, I began to recognize them and the story got stronger and more rounded.

The mystery was good. I couldn’t make heads or tails on who the real culprit was. And the numerous secondary characters provided plenty of suspects and made the story more colorful. There are a couple that almost stole the show.

This is a gritty cozy mystery with some romance and lots of laughs, and that’s always a good thing. There were some scenes where I burst out laughing. Like the time Chelsey hid in the trunk of a car, or the time…well, darn it, can’t tell you everything.

I’m glad I was able to enjoy this without having read the other books first, but I had such fun I’m going to go back and start at the beginning.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Buckle up for hours of laughter, romance, and excitement with this Jersey Shore Mystery. When handsome detective, Bryce Kelly, is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he finds himself on the run and in hiding. Can amateur sleuth, Chelsey Alton, and a few quirky friends help him find the real killer and prove his innocence before it’s too late? If you love mysteries, don’t miss this humorous whodunit!

Author Michele Lynn Seigfried

michele photo for book cover

Michele Lynn Seigfried is the author of humorous, cozy mystery novels and a children’s picture book author/illustrator.

Michele was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 17 years in two different municipalities.

She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey.

In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013.  She has won several awards for her novels.

Author Links:

Website:  www.michelelynnseigfried.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig
Email: MicheleSeigfried@gmail.com
Google+: www.google.com/+MicheleLynnSeigfried
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/micheleseigfried

 

Purchase Link
Amazon

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Tour Participants

February 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – Guest Post

February 2 – Community Bookstop – Interview

February 3 – Babs Book Bistro –Guest Post

February 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – Spotlight

February 5 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post

February 6 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – Guest Post

February 7 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy,  &, Sissy, Too ! – Spotlight

February 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book  – Spotlight

February 9 – Readsalot – Review

February 10 – fuonlyknew – Review

February 11 – Intoxicated by Books – Review  

February 12 – Queen of All She Reads – Spotlight

February 13 – A Blue Million Books – Interview

February 14 – Laura’s Interests – Review

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Counts toward my Cruisin Through The Cozies Challenge.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Comments
  1. Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today and for the wonderful review! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book!

    • fuonlyknew says:

      It’s my pleasure. And thank you for the fun story. I wish I could have talked about the ending. Never read one like that before! You got me. LOL I have to know what comes next.

  2. Not a huge fan of the cover so not sure if I would have ever picked this one up, but I might go and check out the first one some time as you know me got to start at the beginning. 🙂

    • fuonlyknew says:

      Yep. Back to the beginning we go! The cover doesn’t look like a cozy and I might have passed it by if I hadn’t read the blurb. Glad I read it.

  3. The title alone makes me want to read it.

  4. Taylor Dean says:

    I love that it’s humorous with lots of laughs. I wouldn’t have expected that from the cover! Some authors just have a talent for humor.

    • fuonlyknew says:

      I used to read almost nothing but horror novels. Now I find myself seeking humor and sweet romance. Still love horror too though. While the cover doesn’t suggest a cozy mystery, it does really work for the story inside.

  5. Thank you everyone! I do agree about the cover. A few weeks ago, I started illustrating characters myself that I can use to change all the covers in the series. With the first book, I didn’t really know what to do with a cover, and that is what the cover designer came up with, so I continued with that design so that the books in the series all looked similar. So, hopefully, when I get 4 new covers done, they’ll look a lot better and more “cozy”! I appreciate all the feedback!

    • fuonlyknew says:

      I like the cover. It caught my eye. It may not really go with a cozy mystery but that didn’t stop me. I’ve read books that later had new covers too. I’m looking forward to what kind of theme you come up.

  6. Yvonne says:

    I have to read this one. I read the previous books and liked them.

  7. Sandra Watts says:

    Crime, murder count me in. 🙂

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