M.Z. Potts

Hannah Huntsford is a 48-year old private investigator and best friend Daphne Zellerback is a reporter for a local television station in Treasure Trove, Georgia. The women are not having any luck winning the lottery so Daphne in particular is intrigued by the odds of entering a raffle being sponsored by a local development company for the potential of winning one of 3 tiny houses. Option 1 is a converted train caboose, with gleaming brass fittings throughout. Option 2 is a miniature barn with a bold red and white exterior and farmhouse decorations inside. Option 3 is the tiny home version of a grand Southern home, with a wrap-around porch perfect for entertaining. Hannah thinks the ticket price of $100 is steep but the idea of owning a home without a mortgage and leaving her apartment neighbors far behind is beguiling.

I love viewing photographs of tiny houses and instantly was fascinated by the cozy description. However, Hannah and Daphne’s dialogue was a disappointment. There was a disconnect between the main character descriptions (i.e., ages, professions) and the dialogue that is best described as incessant chatter. Hannah's part of the conversations with the new detective in town makes her sound like an immature adolescent.

The "Author’s Note" shares "I do apologize for being all over the place. You can see where Hannah gets her wild stream-of-consciousness from. A lot of it went directly from my head onto the page." I appreciated the note but then felt as though I'd read the publication of an early draft.

The charming cover art welcomes and invites readers with curiosity of tiny houses. It was a quick and entertaining cozy to read but I simply don’t feel as interested in the characters to continue reading the series.… (más)