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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Sarah Graves's TOOL & DIE.
LangSynon@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
Yes, and I have enjoyed them immensely.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, M.C. Beaton, Martha Grimes, Clive Cussler, Dan Brown.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
Jake Tiptree is an interesting and believable former corporate management who has the courage to move to a small Maine town and learn to deal with an entirely different lifestyle. These books are enjoyable, quick reads and this one was no exception. Sarah Graves has managed to develop her characters in this series with skill and depth. She knows how to evolve characters and although we may not like some of the evolutions, they seem true to life and she can convince us that the changes in her characters are real and perhaps inevitable.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Absolutely. I am looking forward to her next home improvement mystery.
nandrews@sirus.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
I read one of her books in November 2004 for the very first time. I liked it so much I bought the rest of the series! I was just finishing the last book when I received TOOL & DIE.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Marcia Muller, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Cornwell, Jonathan Kellerman, John Grisham, Margaret Maron, Agatha Christie, Sara Paretsky, Virginia Lanier, Sue Grafton, Lisa Gardner, Jennifer Cruisie, Earlene Fowler, David Baldacci, Susan Issacs, Michael Connelly, Anne George, Kyle Mills and James Patterson are some of the authors I read.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I think Sarah Graves has out done herself. I thoroughly enjoyed her latest book and think it's the best of the series!
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Absolutely!!! I can't wait until she writes another mystery. The characters in her books are very interesting and I enjoy their idiosyncrasies.
sonianh@comcast.net
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
This was the first book I've read by Sarah Graves and I enjoyed it very much. When I mentioned that I was reading this to my mother, I found out that she's reading another of her books in her book club.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I read so much, and primarily mysteries, that there are too many to list. The ones on my current pile: Lawrence Block, Ed McBain, Robert Tanenbaum, Leslie Glass, Dennis Lehane, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Robert Parker and Thomas Perry.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
Ms. Graves wrote a good whodunit, along with a love story to small-town Maine such that although I'd never considered it before, I found myself wanting to live in the town (and be friends with Jake and Ellie).
One minor error that stuck in my mind was a mention on page 11, repeated on page 12, that Rod Stewart was singing "Stairway to Heaven." Unless this was a deliberate error, the artist should be corrected to Led Zeppelin.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I would absolutely read more by her --- and plan to in the near future.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Tony Hillerman, William Tapply, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Perri O'Shaughnessy, William Lashner, Julie Smith, Marcia Muller, Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, Earlene Fowler, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell and Tim Cockey (to name a few).
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
It was a really enjoyable read. Filled with humor and suspense, Sarah Graves has the ability to make life in a small town come to life. It's evident that she had done her research. The characters are realistic and enjoyable. The twisted, convoluted plot had me guessing to the end.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Yes, and I plan to catch up on past books also.
WSisler315@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No, this is my first book by Sarah Graves.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I've been reading Tess Gerritsen, Nevada Barr.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I liked it. It was an easy, fast read. Not knowing the previous books in this series I had to put some things together about the characters but found that to be easy because of the references in the book.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Yes, I would and I also would like to go back and read the older ones.
Mysteriousreads@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
Yes, I have read all of them.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Sue Grafton, Marcia Muller, Diane Mott Davidson, Peter Tremayne, Michael Jecks plus lots more!
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
It was great! I really liked bringing in the "long-lost" relatives.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Definitely.
DOUBLEJDS@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No, I have not previously read a book by Sarah Graves. I had never heard of her before.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I have read Mary Higgins Clark, Joan Hess, Lisa Scottoline, Agatha Christie and, of course the "alphabet" series by Sue Grafton!
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
For the most part, I liked TOOL & DIE. I would probably recommend it as an "easy read." I found myself thinking of it as a "chick lit" mystery book because it didn't take any heavy-duty thinking on my part. Sometimes, that is all you want or expect from a book.
The home repair tips did not interest me in the least.
I enjoyed getting to know most of the characters. Sam had very real issues. I fell in love with the baby, Leonora. (She was a great touch!) I envied the friendship between Ellie and Jake. I thought the descriptions of the towns involved, and the buildings, shops, and restaurants were very well done. That helped me to care about the characters, and to picture where the events took place.
I did, however, dislike the attempt at a "cliffhanger" comment at the end of each chapter. It seemed like a contrived way to make me want to keep reading....but it never worked. I found it easy to put the book down.
I found the storyline about Jake's Dad's relatives somewhat weak. I'm not sure it was necessary to the book.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Yes, I would definitely read a future book by Sarah Graves. Just one more.....to help me determine whether or not I would follow the series. And, again, I really enjoyed Leonora and would follow her growth. If I enjoy the next book, I'd buy the ones I missed previously, to complete the series.
Hallcare@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
I have not previously read a book by Sarah Graves.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I read every mystery author I can find time to. I especially prefer women writers: Grafton, Mott-Davidson, Fluke, Evanovich, etc.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
While I have not yet finished TOOL & DIE, I love it and will go back and read others in this series.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I would read future books by Sarah.
Aedcalli@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No, I have not previously read a book by Sarah Graves.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I read Margaret Maron, Nevada Barr, Sara Paretsky, Marcia Muller, Anne Perry and many others.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
TOOL & DIE is okay but I'm not going to rush to find another book by Sarah Graves.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I might but it would not be a first choice.
baxtrom@famvid.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No, I have never read any of the previous books.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Almost too many to list here! Mysteries are my favorite genre. A few of my favorite authors are Martha Grimes, Elizabeth George, Anne Perry, Carole Nelson Douglas, Charles Todd and James Doss.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I enjoyed it very much. I did feel a little "out of the loop" however, since there were several previous novels in the series and I felt as if I had missed some character development
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Definitely, and I need to read the previous novels also.
Ccmoherb@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
I have read all of the Home Repair series by Graves.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Other authors that I read: Margaret Coel, J. A. Jance, Dana Stabenow, Martha Grimes, Nevada Barr.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
On the whole I was a bit disappointed in this book. It failed to sustain my interest because the plot seemed to be rather weak and disjointed and then the ending seemed as if she were tired of the whole thing and wanted to end it as quickly as possible, with too much happening all at once. I think the arrival of her father's relatives would have made a book all by itself.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I would read a future book by Sarah Graves.
clairever@redshift.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
I had not previously read any book by Sarah Graves
What other mystery authors do you read?
I regularly read John Grisham, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman and J. A. Jance. My favorite genre is mystery.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I didn't particularly like TOOL & DIE. It moved much slower than I liked and seemed to be more a novel about family than a mystery.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I doubt that I'll buy any future books by Sarah Graves.
IMGERTZOG@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
I have not read any other Sarah Graves books.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I generally prefer the English authors and of course Elizabeth George. Peter Robinson, Ruth Rendell, Marj. Eccles and Peter Robinson are among my favorites
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
TOOL & DIE was a bit too cutesy for my tastes. I found the whole premise a bit arch and unrealistic.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
While I would be tempted to read other books by Sarah Graves I would prefer a different series.
ksenglish@earthlink.net
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No, this was the first book by Sarah Graves I'd read.
What other mystery authors do you read?
I enjoy mostly female authors (since most of their protagonists are female). Diane Mott Davidson, Karen Kijewski, Rita Mae Brown, Linda Barnes, Sara Paretsky, Elizabeth George, Lisa Scottoline, Sue Grafton, J. A. Jance, Robert Crais and then the ones whose names I can't quite recall! Faye Kellerman. I don't really care for Jonathan but do enjoy his wife's books. Harlan Coben, whose main character used to be a basketball player and drinks Yoo-Hoo. I really enjoy mysteries with a sense of humor.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I enjoyed TOOL & DIE, however I thought the remodeling tips a bit contrived. And the way she ended chapters didn't really work for me either. But I enjoyed the story. I'd like to have had more physical description of the main characters, and the mention of previous events got me hooked, and for that reason I will read more of her Home Repair mysteries.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
I'm not sure I'll read a future book by Sarah Graves. However, I will read past books by Sarah Graves.
spferguson36870@ctvea.net
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
No.
What other mystery authors do you read?
Paretsky, Grafton, Connelly and others.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I thought it was overly cute and that the story dragged somewhat.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Probably, but it would not be a priority.
MakeMeAWinner@comcast.net
Have you previously read a book by Sarah Graves?
This is the first time I've read a Sarah Graves novel.
What other mystery authors do you read?
My favorite genre is science fiction or horror. I sporadically read mystery novels, so I don't have a favorite author in that genre yet.
What did you think of TOOL & DIE?
I found the book a bit hard to get into, but after I became more familiar with the characters, I really enjoyed the story. Sarah's frequent spattering of wit and humor were well placed throughout the story. The mystery itself, with its hints and red herrings, was developed very well. After the first few chapters, TOOL & DIE became quite a "page turner" for me. Also, since I've never been to the eastern part of the USA, I liked all the extra details about harbor and tourist life in a coastal area. My favorite books not only tell a good story, but enhance it with details I wouldn't have otherwise known. When I finished reading TOOL & DIE, I felt very satisfied with the mystery, and felt I'd found another good author whose works I'd like to continue reading.
Would you ever read a future book by Sarah Graves?
Most definitely, yes.
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