Acts of Violets - Kate Collins

I read the first book in this series a while ago. I wasn't too enthusiastic about it so although I already had this one in the TBR pile I didn't pick it up right away. Last week I was organising my books and I decided to read it and send it on its way as I don't plan to read the rest of the series.

During the annual Pickle Fest, Abby's boyfriend Marco inexplicably disappears for a day. When he returns, he's the main suspect in the death of a clown. It seems the cops have found Snuggles pushing up water-spurting daisies-and Marco was the last person seen leaving Snuggles's house. Although Marco is still a mystery to her, Abby knows he's innocent. Now she has to find a way to prove it.

As with the first book I found the main character too light-headed and sometimes a bit dumb. She is always making sarcastic observations that don't sound funny at all but come across as a bit crazy. Besides she is supposed to have been dating Marco for 3 months and she never went to his house? Weird...

In this book Marco is accused of killing a clown after the said clown threatens Abby. It ends up being known that he didn't go after the clown because of Abby but because of a friend of his sister who was being harassed by him. After being arrested and then released on bail he asks Abby to try and investigate who the killer is. At first she doesn't want to do it as she thinks she won’t be able to do it alone. It's her boyfriend shouldn't she be eager to find the real culprit? And he doesn't tell her the whole truth about what really went on between him and the clown. Uh? Don't they trust each other? I know I read this one totally out of order (which might have some influence on my lack of enjoyment) but I thought Marco and Abby if they are not boyfriend/girlfriend at least trusted each other...

Regarding the mystery itself Abby talks to a lot of people who don’t seem to help much, even Marco ex-colleagues from the force don’t want to help because of their boss, and then, suddenly, she thinks of something and solves the mystery. It just lacked so clues along the way, some suspense maybe…

I think it's the "smart mouth" tone (that she is always using to talk to herself) that doesn't convince me but the truth if that for me Abby is a bit far from my favourite cosy heroines like Hannah or Dixie.

Grace: C