Gregory Ashe - Mystery Magnet

When Dashiell Dawson Dane moves across the country to a small seaside town called Hastings Rock, he has one get away from his ex. Okay, two goals - because he wouldn't mind a little help from his new boss, celebrity mystery author Vivienne Carver. With Vivienne's mentorship, Dash is sure he can get over this blasted case of writer's block and start telling his own stories again.
The only problem? Vivienne is murdered on Dash's first night at Hemlock House. And when police find a secret passage that connects Dash's bedroom to Vivienne's, they're sure they know who did it. Now Dash has to prove his innocence - and the only way to do that is to figure out who really killed Vivienne Carver.

Comment: In 2021 I've read the Hazard and Somerset series by Gregory Ashe. It was a drama/angst series where the police investigations of each case were as complex as the relationship between the protagonists.

Now, I've tried this story, from a new lighter and cozier series, because I was curious to see how such a different type of book would be written by him, when all I knew was his "darker" side, let's say.

In this first story of the series, we meet Dashiell "Dash" Dane, a mystery author down on his luck in terms of inspiration, also trying to be far away from his ex, just as he is about to have a job interview with famous author Vivienne Carver. It should be irrelevant his parents know Vivianne and made it easier for him to have this chance, but he was still eager to try since he is now on the opposed coast of his ex. However, as soon as he arrives the problems begin, namely, the fact that Vivienne is murdered and all clues point to Dash!

With the help of the new friends he meets, as well as one dedicated police officer, Dash will try his best to put into action what he attempted only through characters in his books: to solve the mystery and prove his innocence. The problem is that the real killer is on to him...

It is true I had some expectations in regards to this novel. I did read one or two positive reviews by readers I share a taste with in regards to some authors who also loved the other series I had read and that was enough to convince me to try. Plus, it was handy the book wasn't big, and I figured I'd read it quickly.

My curiosity about the author's skill to write a different genre made me think the expectations I had were a little too high. I say this, not in the sense the story wasn't competently written; I think it's unlikely the author would not write something well or in a way that would be seen as weak. I suppose two things were in play here for me to have a less than excited response: I was used to a darker, more serious vibe from the other series and it was harder to let go than I thought, and since this is a lot shorter, page wise, most of the content happens in a way that feels less developed. I might be unfair here; after all, there are more books ahead and several elements related to the characters at least will certainly evolve...

The element that made me less enthusiastic as the story went on was how everything seemed to need to be presented as if people were always high. Well, it seemed so! Besides Milly, a character who seemed to speak loudly all the time (graphically, some of her dialogue was even in CAPS), every character with the exception of officer Bobby had some kind of quirkiness to them and acted and spoke as if something was always ongoing, always had to be discussed, always had to be seen through a cluttered POV. Considering this, I started to actually feel tired of reading, because it felt as if no task was ever done without hassle and lots of people giving their input.

It also didn't help (me) that Dash is a bit of an airhead... well, I thought so as he goes along, especially with all the crazy, ridiculous situations he sees himself in. I can't tell if the goal was for this cozy mystery to be seen as a comedy too, but if that was the intention, it didn't convince me. In fact, along with the quirkiness, there are plenty of scenes in which characters only seem to, kind of, fit exactly to the stereotype of the role they play in the story... perhaps this was the author's intention, to perhaps be sarcastic?or it was just my impression.

Back to Dash, he is likable I suppose, but too much of a fluff-brain (I'm uncertain if this is the best expression) to my preference in a protagonist. Again, I guess it's intentional to counterbalance with his future love interest, who is more serious, but to be honest I can't say if I'd be able to support so much silliness/distraction from a protagonist. I can't concentrate on his lack of concentration if this makes sense!

This means, personality wise he is sweet and so on, but not a character I'd want to talk to on a daily basis. Regarding his work, it's true he is told to be uninspired, but it would have been nice to have scenes with him trying to write, if he is a writer. Of course, when it comes to the mystery and Vivienne's death, he guesses some things and solves the mystery, but unlike other whodunits or cozy mysteries I've tried, I wasn't as sold on his thought process... I think the idea might be to develop this element as the stories go along, but on the chance it won't I'll probably not read more.

This series also hints at a possible romance between Dash and officer Bobby. Nothing happens in this book except some scenes meant to indicate how suitable they would be for one another, how easy it would be for them to be good for one another. Since Bobby has a boyfriend, it is only an idea, but it seems to be the way things will go. I'm actually relieved nothing happened, because not only would it be too soon, but both probably need to know each other better and go through other things before anything would become established.

Despite some positive elements, the overall effect was not one of amazing story. Let me just say I was glad when the story was over. I mean, I might be unfair, the mystery is intriguing enough and clearly an attempt of doing something clever, but the rest of the story was so busy that this part almost felt like secondary. If the second book were to become available to me in the library (doubtful in my local one) I'd try, but to look for it on purpose, perhaps not.

Grade: 5/10