Books & Spoons Review THE SPRING AT MOSS HILL by Carla Neggers

New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers returns to charming Swift River Valley, where spring is the time for fresh starts and new beginnings… 

Kylie Shaw has found a home and a quiet place to work as an illustrator of children's books in little Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. No one seems to know her here—and she likes it that way. She carefully guards her privacy in the refurbished nineteenth-century hat factory where she has a loft. And then California private investigator Russ Colton moves in. 

Russ is in Knights Bridge to keep his client and friend, eccentric Hollywood costume designer Daphne Stewart, out of trouble. Keeping tabs on Daphne while she considers starting a small children's theater in town doesn't seem like a tough job until he runs into Kylie. Her opposition to converting part of the old hat factory into a theater is a challenge. But his bigger challenge is getting Kylie to let loose a little…like the adventurous characters she depicts in her work. 

Kylie and Russ have more in common than they or anyone else would ever expect. They're both looking for a place to belong, and if they're able to let go of past mistakes and learn to trust again, they might just find what they need in Knights Bridge…and each other.

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The words 'much ado about nothing' came to mind while reading this story.
There's a lot of built up, of anxiety, nervousness, possible danger, secrets - but the reality of the story doesn't really live up to the frenzy.
The story seems to be spread all over the place, it would have needed a streamlining with a heavy hand. In some cases lots of details are great, and necessary, but not constantly, and not to the extent to making the tale boring.
Because the dialog is not flowing naturally, and is often unwieldy, the characters appear in the same light.
I read the story, and it is nice. The plot, maybe could have been more focused, and backed up the hoopla building up in the beginning. I just felt it could have been so much more than it is, the characters could have had more depth, the dialog could have flown smoothly... 
So, this story wasn't for me. Not all the author's styles always match up with a reader. I am sure there are long time fans of the series, that will disagree with me, and will enjoy the book. But for me, spring will have to wait a little longer
~ Two Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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