First Line Friday | Over Maya Dead Body

Today's read... if you're a mystery fan, you will want this book!! But, heads'-up, you'll want to get the first two books first. ;) At any rate, here's the first line (keep reading for my review too).

"I snatched my bag off the luggage carousel at Boston's Logan International Airport and plunked it next to my parents as a sticky-fingered urchin tried to liberate the brightly colored ribbons I'd tied to the handles."

(Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard)

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Also, be sure to hop along to all of these other blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!

Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.

Sarah - All The Book Blog Names are Taken

Bree - Bibliophile Reviews

Rachel - Bookworm Mama

Heather - Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Beth - Faithfully Bookish

Katie - Fiction Aficionado

Andi - Radiant Light

Carrie - Reading is my Super Power

Robin - Robin's Nest

Sydney - Singing Librarian Books

Kathleen - Kathleen Denly

Jessica – A Baker’s Perspective

Trisha – Joy of Reading

Jeanette – CJane Read

CJ –Moments Dipped in Ink

Molly – Molly’s Caffeinated Reads

MY REVIEW

If you're wondering if this book can be jumped into without the other two books having been read...read the others first. I'm not going to give anything away, but a lot of things in this book would have a more powerful punch if you've gotten to know some of the characters in previous books.

That being said, yes, I read this book without having read the other two Serena Jones books. I picked up on the threads that I likely missed (so it CAN be read as a stand-alone, but references to past books make me want to read them) and enjoyed the book overall.

As a mystery... five stars hands down! My brain was swirling with the "whodunit" and I didn't piece together things as quickly as Serena did (which I liked; I like a good mystery that has me puzzling all of the way through).

As a Christian book... eh... it is very, very clean. There were no parts that made me cringe, no unacceptable language. God was mentioned, prayer was said. But overall as a Christian book, it wasn't a very strong one. What stood out to me far more was the romance.

As a romance... there was a love triangle (hides face). I don't like love triangles! But, this one ended happily for me, cause she ended up with the guy I shipped. That being said, there was a kiss, and almost-kiss. There were a LOT of feelings. I mean, Serena has two guys she likes and they both definitely like her, and she's confused as to which to choose. So yeah. If you don't like love triangles, you may not want to read this.

Overall though, I'd give this book 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the style (first-person contemporary is something I'm finding I enjoy), the mystery, and the cleanness of this book (I've read some more strictly "Christian" books that made me cringe more than this book).

*I received this book from Revell books and happily provided my honest review*

ABOUT THE BOOK

FBI Special Agent Serena Jones arrives on Martha's Vineyard with her family, ready for a little bit of R&R and a whole lot of reminiscing as they celebrate the engagement of an old family friend. But crime doesn't take a vacation, and she's soon entangled in an investigation of a suspicious death tied to an antiquities smuggling ring.

When her investigation propels her into danger, Serena must stay the course and solve this case before anyone else dies. But just how is she supposed to do that when the two men in her life arrive on the scene, bringing with them plenty of romantic complications--and even a secret or two?

Award-winning author Sandra Orchard keeps readers guessing with this fast-paced mystery laced with romance.

You may buy the book here.

Find out more about Sandra Orchard here.