Okbo Lover

I wonder if this would be classified as a “cozy” mystery. Sure, it has its certain qualities that make it a cozy. Well, I would call this a “modern, trendy, and hip” cozy because of the theme and their main character. Who happens to be a tattoo artist. From what I gather, most cozies take place in small little towns, or villages. This one is in Vegas. Quite different, but has the same traits and characteristics of a mystery cozy with added humor. On a small note; don’t you just love the cover of this book???? I love it!!! it’s what caught my attention right away!

The Missing Ink is about Brett Kavanaugh (interesting last name, I think). A tattoo artist at a very trendy place called The Painted Lady. A potential customer asks for a devotional tattoo but never shows up for their intended appointment. It turns out the name she wanted on the tattoo was not her fiance (who is the son of a very wealthy influential business man in Vegas). Soon Brett is swallowed by a plot of two very different women who seemed to have switched identities, a big burly tattooed man who is stalking her, a handsome charming Englishman who might or might not be in this entire scheme, and several dead bodies. It’s up to Brett to find out who really is behind the murders and who is targeting her as the next potential victim.

This was a very interesting cozy. I liked Brett. She had humor, and her uncanny ability to always be there at the wrong time seems to follow her around throughout the book. She’s extremely stubborn and persistent (this behavior has caused her to become banned at certain places) but it helps her in the long run much to the chagrin of her brother Tim – who’s a police officer. Brett actually got more funny throughout the book and provided the majority of the comic relief (although her staff at The Painted Lady also had a hand in it as well).

I liked all the characters in this book. They were all likable and the majority of them had their funny moments with Brett. Bitsy especially, especially during their moment at an Elvis karaoke place. I’m not sure what to make of Brett and Simon Chase though, he seems really hot and charming and probably to swoon over, but there’s just something about him that I still don’t quite trust. Nevertheless, their flirting and what seems like a growing romance is interesting to read as I think Simon was very well written as a character.

The plot was good and seemed to flow quickly. It certainly started to really pick up the pace even more towards the ending of the book. What I liked the most, is how each ending of each chapter usually ended with a cliffhanger, so it made you want to keep going or in my case, late at night always wanting to go for “one more chapter!”. I certainly felt as if the plot went much faster this way as it piqued the reader’s interest and gained momentum to continue reading. At times, however, it did feel as if the plot itself repeated too much (ie: having Brett being followed, then having her meet up with someone, only to have that visit last a few second, and then having to meet that same person again for another ten seconds) it got old pretty quick and if it wasn’t for the quick pace and exciting chapter endings, the book would have been on the boring side. However, this shouldn’t deter you from reading this book as it certainly does set itself apart from your usual typical cozy mystery books.

Overall, one of the most interesting cozy mysteries I have ever read. With a smart, sassy protganist, and her funny entertaining set of staff and secondary characters to help with her sleuthing. I recommend this to cozy mystery readers who are looking for something different but don’t want to wander away from cozies. It was certainly a great entertaining read with a wonderful sense of humor to keep you chuckling to yourself.

I give it an 8 out of 10.