Caturday Reads: Superstition overwhelms Unlucky Charms
Unlucky Charms
by Linda O. Johnston
Midnight Ink
Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 08 Oct 2016
Review
Pet cozies are one of my favorite types of mystery, and Linda O Johnston is a very good author. For this reason, I was surprised that I didn’t enjoy Unlucky Charms as much as I expected. The “luck” aspect of the book went well overboard. I understand that Destiny, California is a town that prides itself on being “lucky” and survives off tourists looking for luck. Somehow, it managed to go beyond being simply an integral part of the story to overwhelming it and distracting the reader. If you can get past that, the plot is good, even if simple and the characters, particularly Rory and Plucky (her canine companion) are likable. The romance aspect was sweet and nicely done.
While Unlucky Charms is not one of Linda O Johnston’s best novels, it is still a decent read. If you are interested in superstitions, particularly good luck/bad luck, or simply want a relaxing pet cozy, you will enjoy Unlucky Charms. In any event, if Unlucky Charms does not appeal to you, I encourage you to try one of Linda O Johnston’s many other pet cozies.
3/5
I received a copy of Unlucky Charms from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Description
Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California, hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. The timing of the line’s debut proves ill-fated, though, as several local shops—including Rory’s—are ransacked and vandalized with spilled salt and other unlucky charms.
The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But when Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.
