An Embarrassment of Itches by McKenna Dean

McKenna Dean

Author

An Embarrassment of Itches

It’s Diagnosis Murder meets All Creatures Great and Small… As a house-call vet, Ginny Reese has seen her share of the weird and wacky. But nothing in her previous experience could have prepared her to find one of her clients floating in her own swimming pool. Local artist Amanda Kelly was extremely wealthy with her share of secrets. By naming Ginny as her heir, not only did she make Ginny the number one suspect, but she painted a big bull’s eye on her friend’s back as well. With her trusty German Shepherd at her side, it’s up to Ginny to find the real killer and prove her innocence to the sheriff. The new sheriff. Who happens to be her ex. Piece of cake, right?

Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10

Originality: 8 out of 10

Prose: 10 out of 10

Character/Execution: 9 out of 10

Overall: 9.00 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Dean delivers a clean, cohesive plot with a gratifying ending that will please mystery lovers. The story’s pace is on point and maintains its rhythm until the very end, although there are plenty of surprises that will keep readers’ attention riveted on the final outcome. Dean offers engaging twists while hinting at revelations that are satisfyingly distracting.

Prose: Dean’s prose sparkles with intensity, naturally balancing the plot and exposition in a way that leaves readers with inklings of what’s to come alongside subtle injections of humor and effortless dialogue.

Originality: Dean checks all the boxes for a compelling mystery, and instinctively sets the stage for more in the series, but the real gems in this novel are the gripping prose and engrossing storyline.

Character Development/Execution: Character development is nearly flawless in this nimble mystery, between the relatable Dr. Ginny Reese, an appealing and lively protagonist with a flair for adventure, and her steadfast ex-boyfriend turned loyal protector, Sheriff Joe Donegan, who advances the plot in his endeavors to get to the bottom of his case. The pair’s slow burn romance adds depth while upping the ante on future installments.

Date Submitted: June 22, 2022

Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10

Originality: 7 out of 10

Prose: 9 out of 10

Character/Execution: 8 out of 10

Overall: 8.25 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot: Dean’s novel is quickly paced and filled with intrigue as several mysteries begin to unfurl, which is tempered by a slow-burn romance. Despite the machinations of several opposing parties, An Embarrassment of Itches remains tightly plotted, each mystery coming to a satisfying conclusion.

Prose/Style: Protagonist Ginny Reese’s humor and personality shine through the first-person prose, bringing the tale wonderfully to life. Banter between characters and tenser dialogues involving characters at odds are particularly well-crafted.

Originality: An Embarrassment of Itches sucks the reader in from the very beginning, balancing the cozy, small-town atmosphere with an unsolved murder and plenty of intrigue and suspense.

Character Development/Execution: The inherently curious, confident veterinarian Ginny Reese is a force to be reckoned with, and a supporting cast full of both instantly likable and love-to-hate characters flesh out the small-town setting.

Blurb: A murder mystery unfolds in a small, cozy town filled with mystery and intrigue that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.

Date Submitted: August 05, 2021

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