Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Book Review: Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay (Hat Shop Mysteries #6)


Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Characters we’ve missed in a great mystery.  Puns!
Cons: A couple niggles, but nothing major
The Bottom Line:
Hats at a dog show
Along with a dead body
Wonderful return




Brimming with Fun, Doggone It!

I was thrilled when I learned a few months back that Jenn McKinlay was working on a new Hat Shop Mystery.  I was so late to starting her books that I actually used cousins Scarlett and Viv as my introduction to her writing, catching up on this series before I jumped into her others.  I’m thrilled to report that Buried to the Brim didn’t disappoint at all.

Just like it’s been a while since the last book came out, it’s been a while for Scarlett and Viv.  Mim’s Whims, the hat shop the two run in the Notting Hill neighborhood of London, is doing well.  However, they are surprised when they are asked to make a hat for an unusual client.  Betty Wentworth, Scarlett’s fiancé Harrison’s aunt, is about to enter a dog show with her dog, Freddy, and she is hoping that a top hat will launch him from second place to first place this year.  At first Viv, who designs the hats, is reluctant, but soon she is on board, and everyone is delighted with the results.

However, the contest weekend gets off to a rocky start during the cocktail party that kicks things off when Betty gets into an argument with Gerry Swendson, the owner of the dog food company that sponsors the show.  The next morning, Freddy is the one to find Gerry’s very dead body.  With the police looking at Betty, Scarlett begins digging in, trying to figure out who else had motive.  It quickly becomes apparent that this dog show is far from cute.  But who committed murder?

While time may have passed since I read book five, it felt like no time had passed once I picked up the book.  I was quickly back in Scarlett and Viv’s world.  There were a few details from the last book I had forgotten and a surprise I suspect might have happened when the characters showed up in one of the Library Lovers Mysteries I haven’t gotten to yet.  (Must read faster!)  Anyway, these moments were minor and happened early in the book, and it was wonderful being with these characters again.  All the supporting characters we love are back, and it is obvious that Jenn missed them to, since they each gets plenty of moments to shine.  One sub-plot is designed to advance some relationships and was very, very fun.

And the mystery?  It was fantastic as well.  While it was obvious who the victim was going to be early on, the rest of the mystery surprised me.  I had no clue who done it or why until Scarlett figured things out at the end.  The solution was completely brilliant, too.  I loved it.

Since it’s been a while since I read the previous book, I was surprised to find a few very mild swear words in this book.  I didn’t remember that being a feature of earlier books in the series.  There was also a needless moment near the climax that pushed me out of the book.  Both of these are minor complaints, overall, and worth noting only in passing.

I love puns, and one of the running gags in the series involving them has always been a favorite.  I’m happy to report that this is still present and better than ever.

I’m allergic to dogs, so I’ve never been much of a dog person, but I’ve got to say the dog cuteness in this book was off the charts.  It was enough to make me almost think about getting a dog myself.  Except for the whole allergy thing, of course.

It really felt like no time had passed since we last got to visit Scarlett and Viv, which means their fans will be pleased to pick up Buried to the Brim.  And if you haven’t yet started this series, you really should do so today.

Need more hats and clues?  Here are the rest of the Hat Shop Mysteries in order.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner Tuesday, February 4th, so please leave your comment before midnight Pacific Time on 2/4.  You will have until midnight on 2/9 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 2/10.

32 comments:

  1. I'm so glad this series is back! Thanks for the giveaway!
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm on my library's wait list for Buried To The Brim.
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, this sounds like a series I would love. I have to start reading this one from the beginning. Thanks for the great review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looking forward to this! And I had it backwards. The hats were in cupcake book but the people were in Briar Creek. They are all such good series.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this author! She always turns out such captivating stories.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great books by an awesome author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great location for a mystery and for the next book in the series. I love the idea of custom hats, especially for the dog.
    Margaret: scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. This sounds great! Ty for the giveaway. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love Jenn McKinlay's books. Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love this! Thanks for the giveaway!
    skforrest1957(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the chance to win. Katherinestamps (at) msn (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Another series for me to pick up! Bonus, puns!! I love them! mysandycat (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Became a devotee of Jenn's books by being delighted with this series. Went from these to her reading all her other books. Waiting to read this one!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love Jenn McKinlay! Thank you for the chance. mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great review! Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. bella_ringer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Really enjoyed your review. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. A very talented author and I am so looking forward to reading this!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love Jenn Mckinlay's books! Wound love to read "Buried to the Brim".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Jenn McKinlay’s books! I can’t w as it to read the latest in The Hat Shop Mystery series!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I enjoyed your review. Can't wait to read it hopefully soon. Donakutska7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love her books! sherrypg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am SO happy this series is back! I always loved the characters. Love the cousins from both sides of the "pond." Great review! Fingers crossed!
    Stacieamelotte (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. This sounds like a great series. Thanks for the contest! ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I haven't read this series but what a fantastic chance.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sure sounds like a fun book - thanks for the chance to own it. trwilliams69(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love Jenn McKinlay’s books, and really hope to win! Good luck to everyone!
    hodgemary1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great author! Thanks so much for the chance!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've not read this series as of yet, but have on my tbr list.. thanks for your review! nani_geplcs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. DancerChild42@hotmail.com

    Thank you for such an awesome chance to win

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have just recently discovered this series and absolutely love it. Thank you for the chance to win. Mysticjaguarflower@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.