The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on March 3, 2019 (currently still free as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.09 with 2,484 ratings and 201 reviews
Bitter Roots by CJ Carmichael Published by Tule Publishing Group on April 25, 2017
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 310
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Dispatcher Zak Waller prefers working behind the scenes in the Sheriff’s Office of Lost Trail, Montana, but when a newcomer to the sparely populated town is brutally murdered—and the Sheriff is quick to pin the death on an unknown outsider—Zak starts his own private sleuthing.
On the surface Lost Trail is a picture-perfect western town, offering a simple way of life revolving around the local ranches and ski hill, but Zak knows the truth behind the façade. When his old school friend Tiff Masterson, whose family owns a local Christmas tree farm, moves back to town, the two of them join forces to get to the truth about the murder.
Yes my attention was grabbed by this gorgeous cover! I’m in a mystery binge so that was satisfied here too. This is an interesting book. It really has a number of characters but the development was medium. I’d say the primary ones were Zak, the sheriff’s dispatch and Tiff, who came home to the farm and is starting her own accounting business.
This murder mystery has plenty of mysterious characters. I guess that is partly so the solution isn’t obvious quickly. Zak would have been onto it immediately since he has been in town his whole life and he pays attention. The sheriff and deputy are too lazy. The new female deputy is too new. Tiff would know more except she has been out of town for something like 6-8 years.
I always appreciate the diverse characters and the small businesses in a small town. I don’t mean characters who are too quirky, just individuals. Cozy mysteries bother me if they are too much focused on weird characters. Bitter Roots is a small town mystery with a bit more serious focus on flawed people’s imperfect relationships and lives. In this way, it was felt realistic.
I enjoyed this more as I read more. Perhaps, it was a bit of first book syndrome with the characters. There were some hints of romantic relationships in the future but there was no focus on romance, which I like. I prefer the main plot as the mystery with a side of romance. There was a lot of change happening for a small town. There were definitely some questions left open for future books, although not a cliffhanger. I’d like to find out what is next for Zak, Tiff, Justin and some of the others.
These are only Kindle freebies I get, or ones through author newsletters which anyone can sign up and get for free. I don’t include things like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Free Reading (I do have it). Both Tantor and Audible have occasional free audios (to anyone) and I do include those. Since I one-click on 1-2 freebies a day or probably at least 5 a week, I came up with this feature to make sure I start reading them.
So I have thought about doing a Thrifty Thursday Challenge someday. For now, what I think would be fun is if you have read and reviewed a freebie, link up to your review (Goodreads, blog, facebook or wherever) below.
Add your review link here:
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
“Cozy mysteries bother me if they are too much focused on weird characters.” – YES! Too many cozy authors these days think that cozy equals quirky. I hate it.
Despite the slow start this sounds good and that cover is definitely eye-catching. I may see about reading this one.
YES. I’d like to go on with this series but it’s not at the library or in KU. Right now with an overflowing TBR I’m not willing to spend $5 for the next book but maybe if I save up some Amazon digital credits.
I’ve read the first three of this series and enjoyed them. Zach was my favorite character though the others grew on me. I want to try her other mystery series, too.
Zak is my favorite too! Did you buy them or get them as ARCs?
I won copies of the first two books and read the third one in KU when I had it. I’ve read a couple of her romances that I got as freebies, too. I like her writing.
Darn I’ll have to hope they go back to KU at some point. I think they were when I got this as a freebie.
This is a good idea to help you get to the freebies instead of letting them languish unread on our kindles, lol. Glad to hear you enjoyed the mystery.
Yes and I do WANT to read them. You are always welcome to join me. 🙂
I have this one in my Kindle library. It sounds like a decent read so I will keep it in mind for the next time I am looking for a small-town mystery.
I thought it was a good and pretty enjoyable read. I think things will develop more as the series progresses.
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