Drop Dead Gorgeous has a more complex, mature structure than the typical Fear Street formula. We piece together the story from various points of view, including adult characters, the central villain, diary entries, and first person narration of murder victims. The ending homage to the 90s provides a delightful tribute to long-time fans of the series.

Like all Stine books, it's a readable, spooky good time. Not nearly as unputdownable as Fear Street in the glory years, however. This is because YA publishers don't think novellas sell anymore, so they require him to write Fear Street books that are longer. A shame since Stine's greatest skill is compact mysteries. The longer they get, the more tired the premise becomes. Still, it's a macabre ride that's mostly thrilling from beginning to end. Shorter would have been more satisfying, but the plot never gets truly boring. Certainly it’s more consistent than "You May Now Kill the Bride" which really fizzled out in the second half.

Haven't read "The Wrong Girl" yet, but if Return to Fear Street continues at this level, I hope they publish more.

The problem with too much Army of Darkness is that it tends to feel same-y.   And after a while, I can only take so many vulgar jokes from one character.  

But, wait, I still read Deadpool, you say?   Except Duggan changed that up, and there's the social commentary that this franchise lacks.   

So this fares more poorly than most Deadpool stories do.  

Or a huge 'meh' to this.  I'm going to finish off the rest of the series because I have it, and I want to, but I probably won't rate it that high unless it proves to be different enough or clever enough, or something.   

Three stars isn't that bad, and neither was this: the story was coherent, there were some funny parts, but I needed a little more for it to rate higher.    Fans of Army of Darkness - bigger fans than I am - will like this more.   These comics make me yearn for Ash vs. Evil Dead, because that series is amazing.  And has Xena in it.

I feel like it has been a long time since I did a Friday Reads post. I hope all my fellow US'ians have a safe holiday weekend. I hope my British neighbors have a safe bank holiday weekend. We got caught in a heat wave (in the 80s come afternoon time) so I broke out the kiddie pool; forecast states we have one more beautiful summer day, then the rain and lower temps are coming by the end of the weekend. I am spending most of my weekend with books and a long walk in the Thetford Forest with the family before the rain comes.

Here is what I hope to read over the weekend/the final week in May.

1. After the Storm by Linda Castillo

2. Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo 

3. Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo

      I picked these three books from the library. They're from the Kate Burkholder series (Amish police procedurals). I've wanted to try this series for a while now. These books are from later in the series.

4. Death by Tiara by Laura Levine

5. Egg Drop Dead by Laura Childs

6. Purl Up and Die by Maggie Sefton

        Another bunch from the library, this time in really cute cozy mystery flavor. The first is from the Jaine Austen series, and the name of the series was enough for me to take it off the shelf. I tried one book from Laura Childs before (from that tea shop mystery series) and DNF'ed it, so I don't have much expectation for this one (from the Cackleberry Club series). The last one's titled just made me laugh.

7. Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren

           Borrowed this one from OverDrive because I kept getting recommended it (OD has the first three books in the series). I'm at the 62% mark and really liking it; PJ is not one of those perfect model of a Christian, but she is a Christian with good intentions and a good heart. The writing is different from a lot of Christian fiction without being profane. I am looking forward to book two and three.

8. Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuinston

          My BL-opoly pick which makes it a priority. New to me author, but I loved the interviews she did for the Smart Podcast, Trashy Books podcast - she talked about her work at the CDC in general and her work in Africa dealing with Ebola outbreak specifically....along with her weekend job writing historical romances.

This is book # 3 in the Drop Dead series.  This book should not be read as a standalone.  This series goes in order and should be read as such.  This helps with understanding the characters, as well as the series.

Geo and Lex's story continues as they brave the father's invitation to meet in Aspen.  It is a testimony of trust and worry as they know they will face adversity in the form of Geo's dad.  Can they weather the storm that may be stronger than the snow outside?

Lex wants to show Geo that he can be trusted to help handle his father.  When the worst hapens, they must lean on one another to get back home and safe.

This is a great story!  This series has been such a rush.  If we get lucky enough to return to these amazing characters, I will be thrilled to read!  This story has so much in it.  Passion, humor, and even some criminal element.  I give this book a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club Café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.
 
But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.
 
Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them.

I've been growing more fond of books like these lately, I was very happy be the end.

I was thrilled that it wasn't so easily guessed who the guilty party was as well.

I hate when I can guess too easily who it is from the beginning.

I also liked that despite not having read the previous books in the series that it didn't seem necessary to follow and understand whats going on or who everyone is.

Egg Drop Dead is fun, its exciting, and makes a great read for any time of the year for a fun who's who murder mystery.

Laura Childs

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

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