So...I'm taking a writing class with the author, and read the book during this time, so my review is a bit tainted with that knowledge, and is a bit haphazard. First of all, I didn't realize that this was the third in the series. It wasn't until I neared the end that I noticed this. During the reading, I had some questions that weren't answered, and I think it's because there's background that was set up in the first two books. Blurbs on the cover compare Thea (the main character) to Sue Grafton's Kinsey, and I can see the resemblance, but Grafton does a nice job of outlining the basics so you can pick up anywhere in the series without needed to read them all in order.Second, I loved the fact that the main character isn't actually a private detective. She's more of an accidental detective, which is a nice twist in the genre. However, since I started in the middle, I'm not sure exactly how she started on the path of solving murders.Third, it feels a little awkward to read sex scenes when I know the author! Fourth, I had NO idea whodunnit, and that's awesome. Fifth, I'm happy to read another because I'd like to know the background of the characters. Wish I'd started with the first. However, I'm REALLY excited to read a new series set in Portland, Maine.Sixth, since the crime drama genre is packed with characters, I don't know that this series stands out any differently from others, but it is well written, has funny bits that don't force the humor (like Evanovich), and is set near Boston. So I liked it.
