Thirty-Six and a Half Motives: Rose Gardner Mystery #9 Paperback – May 16, 2016

I love this series and this book did a good job of tying up all the loose ends. Rose is a woman living in a nosy closed minded small town. She experiences visions that she’s compelled to share with the person she has them of. Rose continues to stumble into crimes and be good hearted to a fault but she is no longer the naive, innocent woman from last year and the first book in the series. Her innocent Rose persona and her strong Lady in Black persona have merged to become the real Rose. This book picks up where the last book left off. JR was shot by Rose and arrested. Of course, someone as evil as JR with far reaching ties is too slippery to stay in custody long. Now Rose and her friends will need to figure out how to outwit JR and get to the bottom of all the mysteries to keep everyone safe. The book was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters, and an engaging storyline with sweet moments, exciting action, danger, family drama, painful pasts, mystery, plot twists, imperfect characters, missteps, and all the big feels. I am sorry to see the series end but excited to read the spin off series.

I should start out by saying I absolutely adore the Rose Gardner Mystery Series! I was in a bit of a book rut, every book I was reading was starting to blend into one never-ending story, they were all the same. Then BAMN, I picked up Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes and Rose Gardner demanded my attention and she was not taking no for an answer!This book wrapped up the series very nicely and answered all the questions leftover from the other books. There were huge twists I didn't see coming. The answers weren't obvious, just like all the others in this series, it keeps you guessing.Rose's transformation throughout this series has made me so proud. Is that weird that I'm proud of a fictional character? Oh well, I've grown attached and I'm not going to hide it! Also, Neely Kate is the best friend anyone could ask for and Mason is just, I don't even know (insert swooning here), I don't think that man has a flaw and I love him but I hate him because he's always right and him being right broke my heart! James (Skeeter) ;) is always surprising me, and as much as I wanted to dislike him at first I can't help but to have grown to love him too.Denise, you always mange to make my heart pound in anticipation or fear, make my lips smile and laugh, and make my eyes shed tears. Rose is a diamond in the rough. I love the way she thinks, feels, and acts.Don't get me wrong, Denise Grover Swank, I think you just ripped my overly romantic heart to shreds and trampled on the already traumatized pieces. The worst part is that I can't even be mad at you for it because I truly can't think of another way this series could have ended and stayed true to the characters.So, I forgive you for the heartache I'm currently feeling because I know that how you felt after writing this had to have been much worse. I commend you for writing what you felt was right for the beautiful people you created.I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, comedy, drama, action, mystery, romance, and even a little supernatural. It is just that diverse. The whole series is amazing.I will continue on with the spin-off investigation series :)

This was a really hard one to rate. As a story, it was an absolute 5, as a finale to a series, well.... that's why it's an overall four. Because it is the finale to the completely addictive and totally endearing Rose Gardner Mysteries, however, I have to review it as such.This series has been one of the most superbly written and completely enjoyable series I have honestly ever read. It is at the very top of my list of recommended reading! Ms. Swank has taken a character (Rose) and so eloquently woven her from an insecure, naive but lovable young lady to a strong, confident yet compassionate woman. The character development grew so perfectly with each new installment that I stand in awe of the author! This was accomplished while still keeping readers on the edge of their seats and adoringly turning every page in each individual book. The mysteries were always engrossing with twists and turns that not even the best could figure out. Bravo, Denise!!!With each of the books, the romantic relationships Rose has carry just as strong a thread as do the mysteries, however. We absolutely fall in love with the men in her life! We ache with her, we struggle with her as she learns to love and grow from that love. That is the reason for the one star drop in the finale, though. Although, I completely understand (and even agree with) Ms. Swank's decision to end the series as she did, as it was the most believable choice and the one that stayed true to Rose's character, to be that invested in the romance side through all 9 books and then end the entire series without an HEA for her was a complete let-down from a readers stand-point.We love her, we want her to be happy. We have invested <i>years</i> in her life. To end it with no happiness.... UGH!! Luckily, we will get to see Rose in her spin-off series and, hopefully, Ms. Swank will incorporate her continued growth in those relationships and find a happy ending for her there.

Underlying character relationships drive the resolution of dark past secrets. It kept me turning the pages and wanting to know more. Add a little thrill and violence and you just stop reading.

Poor Rose, life is not simple. Enjoy the Series and want to keep reading more.

I got 'hooked' on this series of books and enjoyed every one of them. I'm now waiting for the next Rose Gardner book to be published.

Waited with anticipation for this latest book from the Rose Gardner series. Denise Grover Swank writes brilliantly, drawing you in, so you feel a part of it all.I must admit that when I was reading the second book in the series, I felt that it was getting rather predictable and decided mot to bother with any more of them. That was until Grover Swank threw in a curve ball, which left me wanting more. This is how all of her books have been. The story lines have got stronger and more intense, leaving me wanting more. The novella books have been great at filling in pieces and putting across characters points of view, which weren't put in the books.This book has been well worth the wait and like the rest of the books, I've not been able to put it down!If you've not read any Denise Grover Swank books, then I highly recommend that you do. Can't wait to read other titles from her, and I look forward to reading what Rose gets up to next.....

Oh my stars and garters! Ich will mich jetzt gar nicht zum Inhalt äußern, den kann man der Buchbeschreibung weiter oben entnehmen. Die ganze Serie ist außergewöhnlich. In Band 1 fängt es noch ganz harmlos an und der ahnungslose Leser hat keine Ahnung, welches Feuerwerk ihn erwartet. Die Serie ist einfach super: Die Location in einer Kleinstadt irgendwo in Arkansas mit ein paar verschrobenen Personen (z.B. Miss Mildred), tolle Hauptpersonen, die Ecken und Kanten haben und sich entwickeln. Der Suspence-Anteil ist auch gut und spannend. Einiges an Action und auch ein paar Sexszenen. Dazu Liebe, Freundschaft, Intrigen, Drama, Herzschmerz und eine ordentliche Dosis Humor. Man weiß nie, was einen als nächstes erwartet. Die Entwicklung der Geschichte sowie die Entwicklung der Personen macht Sinn, ist aber für den Leser nicht vorhersehbar.Dieses Buch ist nun also das Finale einer großartigen Serie und es ist absolut gelungen. Es gibt einige überraschende Entwicklungen, einiges wird geklärt und aufgelöst. Einige Rezensenten haben kritisiert, dass es noch ein paar lose Enden gibt und das stimmt. Es ist nicht so, das am Ende jeder glücklich und verliebt ist und alles toll ist. Das würde aber auch nicht zu dieser Serie passen, die vor auch dadurch besticht, zu zeigen, dass das Leben nicht nur schwarz und weiß, sondern vor allem ganz viele Schattierungen von grau hat. Es wird eine neue Serie geben mit Rose und Neely Kate (das erste Kapitel gab es Bonus in der Kindle Version) und dafür wurde die perfekte Ausgangsbasis geschaffen.Mein Fazit: Ganz, ganz toll! Unbedingt lesen!

I was awaiting the release of this book since a long time but I had a lot of expectations from the last books. I have read the previous books 2-3 timesBut the last one dint live up to it.I felt it had lots of loose ends and required clarification of certain things like1. What was Joe planning of doing with draws diary2. What did Hilary mean when she said that Mason had used her?3. Why did Kate kidnap Mason? I mean why?And some othersAnd moreover I found the plot to he be misplaced like instance,1. I know Mason looks at everything in black and white but he wouldn't let Rose go on her own and even give his blessing2. Why did go so psycho that she was ready to kill everyone?3. Why did JR kill Hilary?I am really left disappointedI hope others might find the ending more apt because without it you are left in between things and with a lot of questions.