A Corpse Among the Carolers

 

A Corpse Among the Carolers (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

About A Corpse Among the Carolers

A Corpse Among the Carolers (A Food Blogger Mystery) Cozy Mystery 7th in Series Setting - Connecticut Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing (November 12, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960511920 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960511928 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D6G64B46

Hope Early is fully immersed in the spirit of the Christmas season, until the sounds of joyful carolers are silenced by the words “Ho-ho-homicide” . . .

Food blogger Hope Early always gets a hearty holiday laugh from knowing that the weeks leading up to Christmas are as frantic as they are festive. But in spite of everything she has to do, the one thing she always has time for is the annual Jingle Bell Stroll, a night when the community gathers to sing their hearts out and enjoy each other’s company. This year’s caroling feels especially heartwarming, until the final note lands with a thud when Hope finds the body of the man who’d volunteered to play Santa, a knife plunged into his back.

With virtually the whole town present at the caroling, the list of suspects seems endless. It doesn’t take long, though, for both Hope and the police to turn a sharp eye on the victim’s bitter and vindictive ex-wife, along with his new wife, who may have been after his money. Then Hope unearths a clue that suggests the dead man may have been hiding a sordid past and connections to unseemly characters. But as she closes in on the killer, they’re determined to wring her neck before she can ring in the new year . . .

Includes tasty and toasty holiday recipes!

 What I Thought:

This is the 7th installment in the Food Blogger Mystery Series. I have not read all the books in this series, but I was not lost while reading this one. This one is set in Jefferson, CT during Christmas. Hope has arranged for a local antique shop owner to play Santa during the Jingle Bell Stroll Caroling event for the town. Hope thinks Santa has dozed off on a bench, but in fact, he has been stabbed. Of course Hope has to investigate on her own and gets into some sticky situations. As I said I have only read one other in this series, but I thoroughly enjoyed this installment. I love cozies set during Christmas and this one did not disappoint. The protagonist, Hope Early is a strong protagonist. The setting of the small town of Jefferson, CT is charming. I thought the plot for this one was well thought out and the story flowed well. This was a fast read that kept my attention throughout. There was more going on that just the mystery of who killed Santa, as details about the Santa' past come to light and there is another murder. There were several twists and turns that kept me guessing, but I was totally surprised by the reveal of the killer and was totally caught off guard. All in all a great holiday read. I will definitely be going back and reading the other books in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder is the acclaimed author of charming and suspenseful cozy mysteries set in small towns filled with intriguing characters and delightful pets. Based in Connecticut, Debra shares her home with her family and a lovable, slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. Her passion for mystery fiction, particularly cozy mysteries, inspires her to create engaging stories that blend crime-solving with delicious recipes and stylish fashion. She is the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series, the Resale Boutique Mystery series, and the Cookie Shop Mystery series. When she’s not plotting her next whodunit, you’ll find her baking sweet treats or indulging in a good book.

When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her writing companion, Connie.

She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com

Author Links Newsletter - http://bit.ly/2jBx9oV Facebook Author Page - http://bit.ly/2ASJVDr Website - http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi Instagram - http://bit.ly/2EQh6da Bookbub - http://bit.ly/3TL0vgc Goodreads - http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8 Amazon - https://amzn.to/2CcLsHw Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org -

Excerpt:

“How’s Trixie?” Hope asked. Right after Halloween, Drew worked on a story for a local animal rescue group, and there he met a girl who stole his heart. Her name was Trixie, and she was a four-month-old Jack Russell terrier. So, he thought it was a good idea to double down on the chaos of his life, which included renovating his new home, by adopting a puppy. Since she’d pretty much done the same thing, she couldn’t judge her best friend.

“She’s in her absolute terror phase. And those sharp little teeth are brutal. But when she’s asleep, she’s adorbs.”

Hope chuckled. She’d warned him, but he’d heard none of it. Though, she was confident he would survive Trixie’s puppyhood.

They stepped out of the church hall, their breath visible in the chilly winter air. She tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear, her gaze wandering across the parking lot and stopping abruptly on a heated argument playing out just a few feet away.

Ralph Lang’s face was flushed with anger as he pointed a trembling finger at Mitty Fitzgerald. “You think you can get away with cheating me? Let me tell you, you’ve got another thing coming!”

Mitty Fitzgerald, his usual calm manner slightly rattled, replied, “Look, I didn’t cheat you. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Hope watched with fascination as her curiosity was piqued. What had driven these two mild-mannered men into such a heated confrontation? Then she remembered. She’d heard that Ralph believed that Mitty had sold him a fake antique six months earlier. A tall, lanky man with a perpetual smile and a reputation for being the town’s easiest-going and most honest handyman, Ralph hadn’t missed an opportunity to gripe about Mitty and the lamp he purchased.

“This isn’t good,” Drew whispered to Hope. “We should break it up.”

Hope nodded, and together they stepped forward. But they were too late.

Before her eyes, Ralph’s frustration reached its boiling point, and he shoved Mitty hard enough to send him stumbling back into the side of his pickup truck. The impact echoed through the quiet parking lot, and Hope gasped in shock, her heart pounding.

“Whoa!” Drew’s eyes bugged out and, in a split second, he took off in a sprint. He put himself between the two arguing men. “You both need to cool off.”

Meanwhile, Hope hurried to Mitty, who peeled himself away from the side of his truck and signaled to Hope that he didn’t need any help.

Ralph’s chest heaved as he shot an accusing glance at Mitty. “This man is a swindler, Drew! He ripped me off, and I won’t stand for it. In fact, you should write an article in the Gazette about his shop and warn the public.”

Mitty, still shaken from the shove, shook his head. “It’s not true. I have never sold fake antiques. I have sold reproductions, but I’ve always made it clear what they were.”

Ralph huffed in frustration, then turned and stormed away. Before disappearing, he cast one last warning glance at Mitty. “You’ll regret this, Mitty!”

Hope couldn’t help but be astonished. Ralph was the last person she’d expect to lose his temper like that, and Mitty’s calm response was a stark contrast to the accusations. Something didn’t add up.

#2

The crispness that had filled the air earlier now had a frigid bite, carrying with it the promise of snow. Hope couldn’t suppress her grin as she envisioned another dusting of snow blanketing Jefferson. With every sip of her coffee, she indulged in thoughts of the snowy adventures she could share with Molly and Becca, her excitement mounting. That is, until a stranger caught her attention up ahead. Dressed in a dark brown leather bomber jacket, perfectly matched with dark jeans, the man stood outside the Antique Alcove.

There was a familiarity about him she couldn’t place until he turned to face her, and the pieces clicked into place.

In an instant, her mind raced back to the previous night when she tore her eyes away from Mitty’s lifeless body and noticed movement in the shrubs nearby. It seemed to have all moved so fast. So fast that she hadn’t fully registered that because of the faint glow of a nearby light pole, she had gotten a brief look at someone’s face. And now, the same man was looking directly at her!

Panic gripped her, and without hesitation, she knew she had to call the police. Her trembling fingers fumbled in her purse, her heart pounding as she desperately searched for her phone. The tap on her shoulder jolted her like a bolt of lightning.

“Whoa,” Drew exclaimed, scrutinizing his suede jacket for any traces of spilled coffee. “What’s got you so on edge? Stumble upon another body?”

Hope’s gaze darted toward the Antique Alcove, and with a hushed urgency she pointed in its direction. “No,” she replied, her voice trembling. “But I believe I’ve stumbled upon a killer.”

Murder on the Page

 

Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About Murder on the Page

Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - North Carolina Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (October 22, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496748174 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496748171 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CTDKHJ4G

Featuring twin hooks that cozy readers can’t get enough of—classic books and delicious food—this new series from the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of several much loved series, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the French Bistro Mysteries, is a delicious treat for mystery lovers, especially fans of Ellery Adams, Krista Davis, and Lauren Elliott.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a genuinely top-notch party must be in want of a theme. Allie Catt, caterer and personal chef in the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, has devised a winning formula by using her clients’ favorite books as inspiration. Her first themed event is based on Pride and Prejudice (Allie’s cat, Darcy, approves), and it’s so popular that soon she has grand ideas for future parties based on Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, Babette’s Feast and more.

Business is booming, and a rival catering company is fuming. But there’s a sting in the tale when the aunt of one of Allie’s clients and best friends, Tegan, is murdered. Tegan is the victim’s sole heir, and quickly becomes the main suspect. Allie has no doubts about her friend’s innocence, but how to prove it?

Once again, her love of literature comes to the rescue, and with some guidance from her favorite fictional detectives, including Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Allie sifts through the clues.

With a little luck—and the kind of pluck that would make Elizabeth Bennett proud—she may be able to stop a killer from serving up a second course of murder . . .

What I Thought:

This is the first in Literary Dining Mystery Series. This is a new series from Daryl Wood Gerber and like her other series, she has knocked this one out of the park. In this one, Allie Catt runs a catering business and her best friend, Teagan's, aunt Marigold as asked Allie to cater an event at her bookstore for a local theater group. When Allie gets to bookstore the day of the event, Marigold is found dead. Allie and Teagan, of course, have to investigate. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the references to other cozy mysteries that were peppered throughout this book. I liked the setting of this book and wonder if Bramblewood survived the recent flooding near Asheville. There was a great cast of characters in this book that were likable and relatable. I too love books, but no so much the cooking, but Allie was my favorite character. I thought the plot was well thought out and the story flowed well. There were many suspects in this one, and many twists and turns that kept me guessing. I will definitely  be reading more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well-received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams suspense novels. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com

Author Links WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1 INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@daryl_wood_gerber AMAZON: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/ Purchase Links AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSHOP.ORG KOBO MYSTERIOUS GALAXY

Bell, Book and Corpses

 

Bell, Book and Corpses (A Nick and Nora Mystery) by T. C. LoTempio

About Bell, Book and Corpses

Bell, Book and Corpses (A Nick and Nora Mystery) Cozy Mystery 7th in the Series Setting - California Beyond the Page (September 24, 2024) Number of Pages 207 More info and links to come.

It’s Halloween trick-or-treachery when murder pays a visit to a cursed mansion in the new Nick and Nora mystery . . .

Waincroft Manor has long been tied to rumors of witchcraft and fatal curses, and to Nora Charles, that makes it the perfect place for a Halloween fundraiser. But her first trip to the deserted old mansion turns out to be truly ghoulish when she discovers a dead body. What’s more, the corpse is laid out in a coffin—with two bite marks on its neck. Then the autopsy comes back showing that the body was drained of blood, and there’s no stopping the local gossips from whispering the word vampire to anyone who will listen.

Determined to dispel the rumors and save the fundraiser, Nora sets out to prove the murderer was quite human after all. Sifting through the clues, she learns of a bitter family rivalry that spans generations, and a more recent conflict that may point to the motive for the murder. And when Nick spells out a clue that proves to be the missing piece of the puzzle, Nora knows she’ll have to watch her back—because there’s a killer out there who wants to keep some secrets buried, and they’ll happily bury Nora right along with them . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

What I Thought:

This is the 7th installment in the Nick and Nora mystery series and the first I have read in this series. While I was not really too lost, I do wish I had read others in the series before I started with this one. This one was well written and it flowed well. Nora is involved on the decorating committee and is catering for the local Halloween gala to raise money for the Cruz teen center. The gala is being held at the Waincroft Manor. There are two murders that hinder the gala's progress, so of course, Nora and Nick are on the case.  I enjoyed the setting of this book, the town of Cruz, California and a spooky mansion at Halloween time. Nora is a very likable character as is her trusty sidekick, her cat Nick. Nora did a great job ferreting out who the killer (s) were. I enjoyed this one because it left me guessing up until the end of the book. The writing style was good and the book kept my attention from the very beginning. I will definitely be reading more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About T.C. LoTempio

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing. They also write the Cat Rescue series from Crooked Lane and the Pet Shop series, originally published by Midnight Ink and rebranded last year as “Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries.” Book six in the Nick and Nora mysteries, A PURR BEFORE DYING, is released this February from Beyond the Page. There is also a new series, Tiffany Austin Food Blogger, coming out in April. You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Blog Website Facebook Twitter/X: @RoccoBlogger

Purchase Links – Coming Soon

Amazon – B&N – Apple – Google Play – Kobo – Smashwords

In the Event of Murder

 

 

In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn

About In the Event of Murder

In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Colorado Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639100709 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639100705 Digital https://amzn.to/3xRh1X8

It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado—but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.

Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with delightful boutiques and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover’s paradise. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is looking forward to attending the annual Silvercrest Library Gala, a glamorous evening with celebrities including the legendary Whitney Willton, currently on the hit crime show Chasers, and her niece, party-planner-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. Gala Week is full of exciting activities honoring both page and screen, and library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her successful launch—until Lyra is found dead.

With the gala only days away, the board asks Emma for help, despite Tabitha—her longstanding nemesis—bristling over the choice. Emma agrees, even though she is already in charge of a classic mystery panel at her family’s bookstore, Starlit Books, which turns out to have its own challenges. Meanwhile, Whitney, who is aware of Emma’s sleuthing skills, begs her to find the killer. The case grows more complex with the disappearance of several priceless objects, an attack on one of the attending celebrities, and other predicaments. Emma searches for clues while handling every unexpected twist and turn leading up to the extravagant affair. But when the guests step onto the red carpet, a killer still lurks in the shadows—and murder just might become the main event.

What I Thought:

This is the second installment in the Starlit Bookshop Mystery. I did read the first one in the series as well, but had I not read it, I would not have been that lost in this one, as it could be read as a stand alone. In this one, a former town resident who is now a star on a mystery show has come back to town e for the Silvercrest Library Gala. When something happens to the event planner, the committee asks Emma Starrs to step in to finish the events for the gala. There is a murder and Emma has already solved one murder, so the family asks her to check into the situation. 

I enjoy the setting of this series, I mean who does not love a good bookshop. It is set in the Colorado Rockies and there are several interesting townspeople who make an appearance in this book. Emma is a very strong protagonist and she is supported by her sister Lucy and her aunt Nora. This story flowed well and kept my attention from the very beginning. I really enjoy this author's writing style. Along with the mystery, there is some romance thrown in to this story as well. I thought the plot was well thought out and the lead up to the reveal was very realistic, and might I add surprising. There were twists and turns and a lot more happening in this small town than merely murder.  I was caught totally off guard by the reveal in this one. I look forward to more in this series.  

About Cynthia Kuhn

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, which focus on a bookseller solving crimes in an artistic mountain community, and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, featuring a professor-turned-amateur-sleuth. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links Website: https://cynthiakuhn.net Blog: http://chicksonthecase.com Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/cynthiakuhn Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - PenguinRandomHouse

 

A Corpse at the Witching Hour: A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder

About A Corpse at the Witching Hour

A Corpse at the Witching Hour: A Food Blogger Mystery Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting - Connecticut Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing (October 6, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 228 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960511394 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960511393 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKM7LTGJ

Hope Early has to contend with ghosts, a fatal curse, and a decades-old family secret to catch a killer in the new Food Blogger Mystery . . .

When her best friend’s Aunt Issy falls ill, food blogger Hope Early agrees to help him hand out Halloween candy at his aunt’s house, which is rumored to be cursed. A murder-suicide took place there a century ago, and legend has it that a woman has died there every twenty years since—on Halloween. Hope doesn’t really believe in curses or ghosts, but when all the trick-or-treaters are gone and she discovers a woman’s dead body on the front lawn, she wonders if the curse might be real after all.

Then Hope and her friend discover a cache of love letters linking the dead woman to Aunt Issy’s husband years ago, and Hope is certain they’ve uncovered the motive for murder—and the police are certain Aunt Issy is their main suspect. Determined to prove Issy’s innocence and nab the real culprit, Hope starts shaking other branches of the family tree. But she forgets that Halloween isn’t the only day people hide behind masks, and if she’s not careful, Hope will come face-to-face with a ghoulish fiend who’s not afraid to kill again . . .

Includes two tasty recipes!

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder lives and writes in Connecticut, where she lives with her family and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. An avid reader across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. She’s the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series, the Resale Boutique Mystery series and the Cookie Shop Mystery series. When she’s not writing, she’s either baking or reading. To learn more, visit her on the web at www.debrasennefelder.com

Author Links Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WfkxY8 Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3AGTEva Website: http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qjwHyT BookBub: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8 Instagram: http://bit.ly/2EQh6da Purchase Links - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - Bookshop.org

The Diva Goes Overboard

 

The Diva Goes Overboard (A Domestic Diva Mystery) by Krista Davis

About The Diva Goes Overboard

The Diva Goes Overboard (A Domestic Diva Mystery) Cozy Mystery 17th in Series Setting - Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (May 21, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496743423 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496743428 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CHHN5D3Q

For once, event planner Sophie Winston finds herself a guest at a lavish engagement party, but things go horrifyingly awry when the groom-to-be is fatally poisoned . . .

In Old Town Alexandria’s unlikeliest match, Natasha Smith’s free-spirited mother, Wanda, is engaged to notoriously pompous antiques dealer, Orson Chatsworth—leaving Natasha to plan the entire wedding, beginning with an elaborate engagement party. For the extravagant affair, Natasha splurges on trendy food boards created by rising social media star, Stella St. James. The sumptuous boards go way beyond basic cheese and crackers, as Stella dazzles guests with picture-worthy butter boards, dessert boards, and even doughnut boards. Just as Natasha planned, the food is to die for—until someone actually does.

When the groom collapses, it seems as if a heart attack is to blame. Then guests discover Orson was poisoned, and suddenly Stella’s bespoke boards look a lot less appealing. But with an event this big, the spread of suspects is sure to be impressive. Could Orson’s killer be a jilted ex-lover? A money hungry relative? A bitter former business partner? When even Sophie is not above suspicion, she knows it’s time to get on board and scrape together an investigation of her own . . . before murder becomes the town’s next trend.

Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!

• Book Excerpt

Dear Sophie, My seventy-five-year-old father is getting married! The bride and groom have been married before to other people and have adult children and grandchildren. They’re planning a huge wedding and the bride will wear white. I think this is in poor taste and they should quietly tie the knot at the courthouse in a civil ceremony by themselves. What do you think? Tied in Knots in Loveland, Ohio Dear Tied in Knots, A wedding is one of life’s biggest and most lovely events. If the bride and groom want a big wedding with all the traditions that accompany nuptials, I think they should do it and celebrate in any way that makes them happy. There are no age limits on joy. Sophie On Sunday evening, when other people were settling in and getting ready to start a new workweek, I walked my mixed breed hound, Daisy, to relax after finishing up a busy week. An unpleasant waft of smoke reached me. Most likely from a fire pit in someone’s backyard, I supposed. As an event planner, I often worked when others didn’t. I had just finished a major convention for the Federation of Pharmacists. They had been lovely to work with and their exhibits had been fascinating. It had been a major convention and I was ready for some downtime. The sun had set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, but the temperature was perfect for sleeveless attire. The balmy air made me feel summery and carefree. Porch lights and front door lights gleamed on Federal style homes, many of which had been built in the 1800s. Now and then I caught a glimpse of lights strung over a backyard and the sound of laughter. We had no destination in mind. Mostly, I needed to stretch and relax, and Daisy needed to get outside and sniff the world. We ambled along until I saw a blaze. In the seconds that it took me to realize that it arose inside a car, it quadrupled in size. I reached for my phone and called 911. “A car is on fire!” I gave the operator the name of the street and the closest cross street. “Hurry! The flames have moved from the front seat to the back.” I felt completely helpless. There wasn’t a thing I could do about it. Although we were a good distance away, Daisy leaned against my legs as if it scared her, too. Sirens sounded louder than normal in the quiet night. They passed us and clanged to a stop. In minutes, firefighters had the fire under control. One of the firemen recognized me and strode over. “I hear you called in the fire?” “Yes. It was small and then whoosh, it grew so fast!” He nodded. “Yeah, car fires will do that. Did you see anyone get out of the car?” “No!” His question worried me. “I hope there wasn’t anyone inside.” “We don’t think so. We’ll open the trunk and have a look as soon as it cools off.” I shuddered to even imagine that possibility. I thanked him for responding so quickly and said good night.  

What I Thought:

This is the 17th book in the Domestic Diva series. While I have not read all of the Domestic Diva's series (I plan to though), they never seem to lose any of their spark. Krista's writing style is amazing and my attention was kept from the start of the book, till the very end. I enjoy visiting with Sophie and all of her quirky friends in Old Towne Alexandria. In this one, Natasha's mother, Wanda is getting married in a hurry and Natasha is frantic to find a location for the wedding and throw an elaborate engagement party. Sophie helps Natasha and they hire Stella, the grooms daughter, to make charcuterie and other boards for the party. When Orson drops dead at the party everyone is stunned. Everyone is even more stunned when Orson leaves his Antique Store to Sophie. When Sophie goes to store and starts exploring she understands why Orson left the store to her. There are several mysteries for Sophie to solve. 

This story was very entertaining as there was more going on than just who killed Orson. Sophie and her friends have to uncover some dark secrets that Orson had, plus figure out who killed him and why. There were several suspects to choose from and there were many twists and turns, I thought I had the killer figured out but I would always be wrong. The lead up to the reveals in this story were great, it was well written and the plot was believable. When I first started reading this book, I had no idea where it was going to lead and was totally surprised by some of the reveals, not just the murderer. As I said, I have not read all of the Domestic Diva books but it is on my bucket list to read them all. I hope Krista keeps churning them out because this is an awesome series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Krista Davis

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries, the Paws & Claws Mysteries, and The Pen & Ink Mysteries. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with two dogs, two cats, and a hidden stash of chocolate. When she’s not writing, she loves to entertain her family and friends who complain when she tests her recipes on them. But she notices that they keep coming back for more.

Author Links Website www.KristaDavis.com Instagram www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor Facebook www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1555579.Krista_Davis Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/KristaDavisAuthor/ Twitter/X twitter.com/kristadavis Purchase Links - Amazon Books A Million Barnes & Noble Bookshop.org Hudson Booksellers Tantor Audio Walmart

Resort to Murder (Northwoods Mysteries) by Annie McEwen

About Resort to Murder

Resort to Murder (Northwoods Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Wisconsin Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (March 26, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 225 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8884872738 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CSXRZXDM

When Emmy Cooper’s life in Chicago is turned upside down, the young interior designer retreats to her family’s lake cottage resort in the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods for a much-needed break. Hoping to clear her mind and gain a fresh perspective, she looks forward to enjoying the slower pace and the crisp, clean pine air at her beloved Cooper’s Cove Resort with her family, dogs, and her best friend, Whitney. Unfortunately, her homecoming isn't as calm as she'd hoped when Emmy finds out a ruthless development company is relentlessly pressuring Lake Covington property owners, including Emmy's family, to sell their land so they can build an extravagant, modern resort that would ruin the quaint esthetic of the area. And things only get worse when Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake—murdered! Suddenly the police are involved, and since Emmy's father was leading the fight to stop the shady development from getting approval, he's quickly painted as the prime suspect. Now it's up to Emmy to prove her father’s innocence, save the reputation of Cooper’s Cove, and find out who would resort to murder.

What I Thought:

This is the first book I have read by Annie McEwen, but it probably will not be my last. This is the first in the Northwoods Mystery series. In this one Emmerlynn has come home to Covington, WI and Cooper's Cove for a mini vacation. She has a secret but is afraid it will upset her parents. While she has been away in Chicago working, a huge resort conglomerate has tried to swope in to buy Cooper's Cove. When the head of the conglomerate if found dead on Cooper's Cove property, Emmy's dad becomes the main suspect. Emmy and her friend Whitney decide to investigate on their own. Emmy did not know her old pal Dean has moved to town and is on the police force. Emmy and Whitney get themselves into some scraps in this one. I thought this was a very well written book and he plot was well thought out and believable. I liked the setting and the main character. There were not a lot of suspects in this one, but I was left guessing till the very end. I also liked the romantic element in this one. I liked how the ending left you guessing as to what will happen in the next book, so I will definitely be reading that one. This was a fast read that kept me immersed till the ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Annie McEwen

Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent vacations as a kid. Annie and her husband are empty nesters living in their rural Indiana home, but their married children and two toddler grandsons fortunately live close by. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies, one of whom is a very important character in her books. When Annie isn’t writing, playing with her grandsons, or tackling trash-to-treasure projects, she works as a radiological technologist. As a former farm kid, she still loves to dig in the dirt and garden. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and loves attending mystery conventions.

Author's Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688271296 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniemcewen_author/ Goodreads: Resort to Murder by Annie McEwen | Goodreads Website: Annie McEwen | small town cozy mysteries (anniemcewenauthor.com) Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Apple Kobo

A Twinkle of Trouble

 

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About A Twinkle of Trouble

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - California Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (April 23, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496744934 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496744937 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CFGF36NM

Carmel-by-the-Sea garden shop owner Courtney Kelly sees things others can’t—like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . .

Courtney is delighted when her tiny friend Fiona returns from the fairy realm, appearing at the base of a Cypress tree. When her Ragdoll cat, Pixie, emerges from her own portal—aka the cat door—the three set off for a busy day. Busier than usual, since Courtney has rented a small plot of land at the Flower Farm, where she hopes to grow her own supplies for her fairy-garden business. Plus, the annual Summer Blooms Festival is coming up, and Courtney has booked a booth . . .

But the murder of Courtney’s friend, Genevieve, casts a pall over the festival. Ever since Genevieve sold her floral business, she’d been building a career as an influencer. She was perennially opinionated—but in her new role she’d become surprisingly vicious, dissing local entrepreneurs with nasty posts and unwarranted bad reviews. That’s landed a couple of Courtney’s other friends on the suspect list—including Flower Farm owner Daphne Flores. And when a second victim is discovered, seeds of doubt about Daphne’s innocence sprout in Courtney’s mind. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer . . .

What I Thought:

This is the fifth in the Fairy Garden Mystery Series and I have read every book in this series. This is one of my favorites series. I love the setting and the characters (especially all the fairies!). I would love to live in a town that had a shop that sold the supplies for and taught classes on how to make a fairy garden. In this installment, Courtney has become friends with some girls she met on a gardening forum and they meet once in a while for tea at Courtney's shop. The Summer Blooms Festival is fast approaching and one of Courtney's new friends, a social influencer, Genevieve, is not invited to participate in the Festival. The first morning of the Festival, she is found dead outside of the Festival grounds. Then another of the ladies from the forum is found dead outside her home. Of course, Courtney and the newly retuned Fiona have to investigate. I enjoyed the plot of this story and this book kept my attention from the start till I finished it. Again, this one of favorite series. I love the whimsy with all the fairies and would love to be able to visit Courtney's shop. Courtney is a very likable protagonist and she is also a very good sleuth. The writing as always was superb and the the story flowed really well, which made it a fast read. There were many twists and turns that kept me guessing as to who the killer could be and I was totally surprised when Courtney finally figured out who the killer was, plus. I am anxiously awaiting a new book in this series and hope there are more new fairies to meet!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling mysteries, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams series. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: https://darylwoodgerber.com

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Are fairies real? Are they nurturing my garden?

By Daryl Wood Gerber

 

 

I love a beautiful garden. I adore the magnificence of flowers. I treasure the scent of them, too. I find a garden stimulates all the senses. For years, I enjoyed gardening because I found it mentally soothing. I could kneel in the garden for hours planting bulbs or plucking weeds, and I would allow my mind to take a vacation. I’d listen to music. I’d hum. I was at peace.

 

However, a couple of years ago, I realized I was getting too old to do heavy gardening. Pulling out plants? Forget about it. Rebuilding gardens by removing old plants that died and refreshing with new ones? Way too arduous. My shoulders began to hurt. My elbows, too. And, I’ll let you in on a secret, I love to golf. I didn’t want to injure myself and cut off my chance to golf just because a hole needed to be dug.

 

So I delved into fairy gardening, and now I’m addicted. What is fairy gardening? It’s like doll housing for your garden. How did my passion for fairy gardening start? I went to a Renaissance Fair and I met a woman who fairy gardened. Her gardens were so spectacular. One had little lights flickering over a patio. Another was dedicated to dancers.

 

After going to the fair, I rushed to a shop where I saw even more epic fairy gardens, and I bought items so I could, ahem, dig in! I was enthused beyond belief.

 

How do you make a fairy garden?  Well, there are a couple of ways.  You can plant dwarf plants in pots and, using fairy figurines and environmental pieces like swings or tree stumps, or any number of gates, fences, and chairs, you can create a story. You can also create fairy gardens at the base of a tree without planting a thing. A fairy door is perfect for that. Add a message behind the fairy door, and you invite fairies to visit.  If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t fret. You can also make a garden using fake plants. I’ve made a few of those, and they reside inside my house.

 

At present, my backyard is populated by dozens of fairy gardens. I have fairies reading books. Fairies being read to by owls. Fairies dancing. Fairies playing piano. Fairies celebrating birthdays. I have inserted adorable positive-thinking signs in many of the gardens. One says Believe! Another says Live your dream. I’m forever tweaking the gardens because, yes, even fairy gardens require tending. At least the weeds and plants are small, which means the holes I have to dig are small, too. Whew. I’ve even learned to repaint some of the figurines whose colors might fade in the sunlight.

 

What’s really wonderful is I feel by adding fairies to my garden, I think I’ve stimulated the rest of the garden to bloom accordingly. In truth, there might be some kind of paranormal activity going on. My garden was sort of static before I made my first garden. The soil in Los Angeles needs lots of amendments and fertilizer. I was adding both, but the garden wasn’t thriving.

 

But now, it is. Sure, we just had a huge bout of rain and good watering helps, but this growth spurt started even during the drought. Los Angeles has plenty of hot, dry weather.

 

Am I nuts to think there might actually be fairies in my garden? What do you think? I can’t see them—how I wish I could—but I feel their presence.

 

By the way, for those of you who have taken an interest in fairies, you probably know that there are woodland fairies and water fairies.  But did you know that there are four classes of fairies?  There are nurturers, guardians, intuitive, and righteous fairies.

 

In my Fairy Garden Mysteries, Fiona is a righteous fairy, which means she needs to bring resolution to embattled souls.  That’s why she bonds with Courtney and helps her solve murders. She cannot read minds. She cannot make culprits tell the truth. Nurturer fairies are exactly what they sound like. They encourage gardens to grow. [I think it’s nurturer fairies that have found that homes in my garden.] Guardian fairies protect minds and thoughts and are very smart and organized. Fiona’s aunt Merryweather Rose of Song is a guardian fairy who oversees the goings on at the local library. Intuitive fairies are the ones who can communicate with other intuitive fairies, even at great distances. They don’t us ESP, but their skills are quite similar.

 

If you ever want to get into fairy gardening, there are all sorts of Youtube videos to watch and books to read. And there are dozens of places online where you can shop to your heart’s delight to find just the right figurine or environmental pieces for your gardens. I find many on Etsy, but there’s also the fairygardenstore.com, minifairyworldgarden.com, Michael’s craft shops, Amazon, and more. Just type in “fairygardenfigurine” in your browser and start clicking away.

 

Warning:  the craft can be addictive!  But if you get into it, who knows? Maybe you will see your garden flourish, too!

 

Fairy best wishes!

 

Killer Romance

 

A Killer Romance (A Beach Reads Mystery) by Maggie Blackburn

About A Killer Romance

A Killer Romance (A Beach Reads Mystery) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - North Carolina Crooked Lane Books (February 6, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639106359 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639106356 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C4J77BVN

Love and murder are in the air this Valentine’s day in Maggie Blackburn’s third Beach Reads mystery, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Miranda James.

When Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine’s Day event, “Romance by the Sea,” bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband’s murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it’s natural causes–there were plenty of people who wanted her dead.

As Summer searches for the truth about the author’s stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author’s belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer’s friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.

As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.

What I Thought:

This is the second book in the Beach Reads Mystery Series that I have read. I thought this one flowed well and the storyline was believable. In this one, it is close to Valentine's Day and Beach Reads is hosting a romance author who is there to talk about her new book based on Romeo and Juliet. Lana Livingston. On the way to pick up Lana at the airport, Summer falls down the steps and sprains her ankle, leaving her laid up for the "Romance By the Sea" event. Summer finds out later that evening that detective from Pittsburgh is in on St Brigid's to watch Lana as she is accused of murdering her husband. Summer is more than a little distressed by this. But then, Lana is found dead in her B & B room the next morning, and Summer's friend Glads is the main suspect. Summer and her friends have to prove that Glads is not the killer. They also find out there are more sinister things going on on St Brigid's than just murder. I enjoy the setting of this book and the characters are all likable. The story flowed well and kept my attention. There were a few suspects, including some law enforcement officers. But there were twists and turns thrown it that kept leading to more suspects. I was floored by the reveal of the killer in this book and did not see that coming at all. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  

About Maggie Blackburn

Maggie Blackburn is the pen name for bestselling mystery author Mollie Cox Bryan, who writes cozy mysteries with edge. She's the author of several bestselling mystery series Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman's World. She has also been short-listed for the Virginia Library People's Choice Award. She's also penned a historical mystery under the name of Mollie Ann Cox. She lives in Crozet, Va. and is the mother of two grown, nearly perfect daughters.

Author Links Website http://www.molliecoxbryan.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/molliecoxbryanauthor/ Twitter/ X https://twitter.com/molliecoxbryan Instagram https://www.instagram.com/molliebryan/ TikTok @molliebryan Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Bookshop.org

Hammers and Homicide

Hammers and Homicide (A Hometown Hardware Mystery) by Paula Charles

About Hammers and Homicides

 

Hammers and Homicide (A Hometown Hardware Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Oregon Crooked Lane Books (January 16, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 280 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639105999 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639105991 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C9PJXCFG

Perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle and Victoria Gilbert, when a body is found in a hardware store, will Dawna Carpenter’s sleuthing measure up to find the killer?

Recent sexagenarian widow Dawna Carpenter thought running her own hardware store after the death of her husband was hard enough. With her adult daughter, April, moving back into town, and Darlene, the annoying boutique owner next door to her shop poking around, Dawna has her hands full. But when she finds a dead man in the bathroom of her store, with a framing hammer by his side, she’s in way over her head.

The victim, Warren Highcastle, was a land developer who was looking to purchase the old theater in town to build a new hotel. Dawna and April, worried about the implications of the crime scene at the hardware store, put themselves on the case. They soon learn that Warren had made quite a few enemies in his short amount of time in town. As the suspect list starts growing, so too do the threats against Dawna and April. Can Dawna and April nail the killer before they strike again?

What I Thought:

This is the first in a new series, A Hometown Hardware Series, and the first book I have read by this author. This was  a fast read that kept my attention throughout. I enjoyed the setting of this book and the protagonist, Dawna, was very likable. I thought this book went really fast. Dawna owns and runs a hardware store that she and her husband had together. Her husband passed away due to a heart attack, but Dawna thinks his spirit is still with her. When a local real estate developer is found dead in the bathroom that Dawna store shares with the store next door, Dawna has to investigate, especially when her husband's ex partner is the main suspect. Again I thought this was a very fast read. It flowed well and the plotline was believable. There are a few suspects and Dawna makes a few of them upset by her questions. The reveal was totally surprising and I was as surprised as Dawna by he reveal of the killer. I will definitely be looking into more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

 

About Paula Charles

When Paula Charles isn't writing under the towering trees of the Pacific Northwest, she can be found in the garden with her hands in the dirt or sitting on her front porch with a good book and a glass of iced tea. She has a love for small towns, ghost stories, and pie. Paula lives on a small farm in Southwestern Washington with her patient husband and a handful of furry and feathered critters. Paula also writes cozy mysteries under the pen name of Janna Rollins. Author Links Website: Cozy Mystery Writer | Paula Charles Cozy Mystery Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jannarollinsauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulacharles_jannarollins/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show41170333.Paula_Charles Purchase Links - PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org

Murder at the Scottish Castle

 

Murder at a Scottish Castle: A Scottish Cozy Mystery (A Scottish Shire Mystery) by Traci Hall

About Murder at a Scottish Castle

Murder at a Scottish Castle: A Scottish Cozy Mystery (A Scottish Shire Mystery) Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - Nairn, Scotland Kensington Cozies (January 23, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496744373 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496744371 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C3WTZYGT

USA Today bestselling author returns with the latest novel in a Scottish seaside cozy knitting mystery series featuring busy single mom Paislee Shaw, owner of a specialty sweater shop, knitting enthusiast, and reluctant sleuth who must untangle another murderous yarn!

With the summer days getting shorter in the seaside village of Nairn, the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle promises to be quite the end-of-season blowout. Paisley has snagged a special invitation from the Dowager Countess, who wants to showcase her cashmere goods in the castle gift shop, and she’s brought her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace. There’s a fierce rivalry between Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and last year’s winner Jory Baxter, with Grant loudly vowing to show up the blowhard Baxter and claim clan bragging rights. But the reigning champion has barely put the reed to his lips when he turns red and collapses, soon to take his dying breath. DI Zeffer confirms foul play, suspecting the reed may have been poisoned. With a murderer in their midst, the rest of Nairn won’t breathe easy until Paisley applies her sleuthing skills to make sure justice is served and the killer pays the piper . . .

What I Thought:

This is the fifth installment in the Scottish Shire mystery series. I have read the first book in this series, but had not gotten to the other three yet. There are references of things that happened in other books in this one, but I did not feel like I was lost.  I enjoy the setting of this book, which is a the shire of Nairn in Scotland. The author does a good job describing the setting. In this one, Paislee, Brody, Grandpa and Wallace have went to Ramsey Castle where Paislee is going to start selling her cashmere knitted goods. There is clan band competition at the Castle that day as well. When one of the bagpipers collapses and later dies, Paislee is drug into the investigation as her yarn deliverer, Jerry, is a suspect. Paislee had no idea that a band competition could be so cutthroat. On top of that, Paislee has a major issue at her home to deal with as well. I found this book entertaining, it kept my attention from the time I started till I finished it. I thought the plot was well thought out. It was not an easy mystery to solve as it was unsure if the death was a murder or a tragic accident. I like Paislee a lot, she is an independent woman who owns her own business and tries to raise her son on her own. This is a great series and I look forward to more and will definitely go back and read the others I have missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. 

About Traci Hall

From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.

Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it's her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.

Traci wants to hear from you! Traci@TraciHall.com Author Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracie.hall.35/ GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20716027.Traci_Hall Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/tracihallauthor BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/traci-hall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracihallauthor/ Website: https://www.tracihall.com/ Purchase Links Amazon Barnes and Noble Apple Kobo

Deadly to the Core

 

Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery) by Joyce Tremel

About Deadly to the Core

Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Pennsylvania Crooked Lane Books (January 16, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 250 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639105433 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639105434 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C2P4QB9T

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Julie Anne Lindsey, when Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.

After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although she has physically recovered, she worries her spirit never will. But when she learns that she has inherited a fruit orchard in a small town just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from her great uncle Stan, she takes this as an opportunity ripe for the picking. Kate knew immediately what to do with it: open a cider house. Her hopeful plans fall far from the tree when she finds the body of the orchard manager, Carl Randolph, leaving her to figure out who is at the core of this murder.

She had been in correspondence with Carl, who had agreed with her brilliant idea of opening a cider house. But not everyone is so quick to buy what she was selling—Uncle Stan’s lawyer, Robert Larabee, paints a less rosy financial outlook of the orchard’s past, present, and future.

Kate discovers that Carl had large, unexplained deposits to his bank account and it becomes clear that either he was blackmailing someone, or someone was paying him to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Kate and her neighbors receive offers to buy their property from a mysterious buyer. And there’s more than meets the eye with the neighboring orchard owner, Daniel Martinez, although Kate can’t quite put her finger on if it’s sweet or sour.

Will she be able to pick out the bad apple among the bunch before it’s too late?

What I Thought:

This is the first installment in the Cider House Mystery Series. I enjoyed this cozy. I liked the setting and the characters were all likable. In this one, Kate has moved to Orchardville, PA, to take over her uncle's orchard after recovering from a devastating accident that claimed the life of her husband. Kate has plans to open a Cider House in the old barn. Her uncle's orchard manager, Carl has started the renovations on the barn. When Kate finds Carl's dead body, she has to uncover some shady dealings to solve the crime. I thought this story flowed well and was a fast read. My attention was held from the very beginning of the book. I thought the plot was well thought out. There were several suspects and a lot of people in town had a lot of secrets, so there were many twists and turns that kept  me guessing to the very end. I look forward to more in this series as I am anxious to see how Kate makes out with her Cider House. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

 

About Joyce Tremel

Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. In addition to the Cider House Mysteries, she wrote the Brewing Trouble Mysteries. As Joyce St. Anthony, she writes the Homefront News historical mysteries. She lives in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband and two cats named Hops and Lager.

Author Links Website www.joycetremel.com Facebook www.facebook.com/JoyceTremel X/Twitter www.twitter.com/JoyceTremel GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13746162.Joyce_Tremel Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - PenguinRandomHouse