Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank

Title: Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Series: Rose Gardner Mystery #2
Location: Henryetta, Arkansas
Main Character: Rose
Other Characters: Neely Kate, Joe, Mason, Jimmy, Suzanne, Judge McLarry, Bruce Wayne, Detective Taylor
Pets: Muffy
Rating: 5

I absolutely loved this book! This series remains one of my favorites! The mystery was well-crafted and kept me guessing. I did figure out the culprit before the big reveal, but instead of feeling disappointed, I was proud that I figured it out. Even though I thought I knew who did it, there was still a twist, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In this installment, Rose has jury duty. There is a mix of humor and suspense as she navigates the rules of serving on a jury. Of course, since we’re talking about Rose, we can expect some drama and her tendency to march to the beat of her own drum, which means she is likely to bend the rules.

I absolutely loved the addition of new characters, especially Rose’s new best friend, Neely Kate, and the stick-in-the-mud Assistant District Attorney, Mason Deveraux. Initially, I didn’t like Mason, but he contributed so much to the story that he ended up being one of my favorites. I loved Neely Kate from the beginning; she fits perfectly as Rose’s friend and adds so much fun to the story.

There were moments of romance and laugh-out-loud humor. Several times, I found myself smiling at the witty banter or shaking my head at the chaos—in the best way possible. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, and truly difficult to put down; I’m sure I lost sleep trying to finish it.

I enjoyed every moment and finished the book eagerly anticipating what comes next. If you love a mystery with heart, humor, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with, you will love this series.  I can’t wait to read the next book to discover what chaos Rose will create.

If you have read this series, please share your thoughts in the comments.