Title: As American as Apple Pie
Series: Zachary Gagewood Mysteries, # 1
Author: Lee Pulaski
Genre: Contemporary / Mystery
Length: Novel (261 pages)
Publisher: Lee Pulaski (October 29th 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3Hearts
Blurb: Gresham’s annual Applefest is its biggest event of the year, and it brings out the best—and worst—in the residents of this tiny Wisconsin village. This year’s festival is expected to be the biggest yet, and that means the apple pie contest will determine the reputations of numerous bakers, housewives and others. Before the contest is over, however, one of the judges will be dead and cold.
When one of Gresham’s most prominent—and reviled—citizen suddenly dies while judging the apple pies, all signs indicate someone tried to poison her. That theory is quickly thrown into doubt when the medical examiner can find no trace of poison. When it seems like the investigators have given up on finding the truth, local bookstore operator Zachary Gagewood must find out who the killer is before someone else falls prey to an apple pie!
ASIN: B00GDCYTPQ
Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/American-Apple-Zachary-Gagewood-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00GDCYTPQ
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Zachary Gagewood is a photographer and also works at a bookstore in the small town he lives in. Applefest is the biggest event in Gresham. It seems to grow even bigger every year. This year is no exception. It seemed to me that the citizens entering the contest changed completely during the event. They were a lot quicker to temper and throw fits at times. I couldn’t believe people acted that way over an apple pie contest. I mean it’s just a pie.
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Zachary and Kevin’s relationship. They seemed more like best friends to me than anything else. They also are both gay and live together so some of the citizens assume they are a couple. There are quite a few characters in this book so at times it was confusing keeping them straight.
I didn’t care for Mary Damron’s character at all. She seemed homophobic, self-centered and mean. She rubbed me the way from the moment she was introduced. While I understood her opinion I felt she was wrong in the way she said what she wanted to say.
An interesting story that I felt had too much details at time because I kept losing focus in reading it. However it was very well written with just the right amount of interactions between characters and mystery added an extra layer of appeal.
All in all it was a good read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *