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Monday, March 31, 2025

Snowy with a Chance of Murder

 

Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder by Jessica Fletcher & Barbara Early

About Snowy with a Chance of Murder

Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder 

Cozy Mystery 60th in Series Setting - Maine Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (March 18, 2025) Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593820045 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593820049 Digital ASIN ‏  goodreads badge

In a nod to Rear Window, this newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series finds Jessica Fletcher coping with an injury that leaves her homebound—and a murder just outside her window! Jessica Fletcher has taken a nasty spill on the ice, leaving her in a wheelchair for several weeks. She tries to work on her latest manuscript but finds herself distracted by a new neighbor moving in across the street. There’s good reason for her to be distracted, because soon after unpacking his sparse belongings, Mr. Rymer is out in the front yard, building somewhat risqué (read: naked) snow sculptures. While Cabot Cove debates whether the sculptures are a protected form of art or a public display of lewdness, someone starts destroying them at night. Rymer doesn’t seem upset. He just makes new ones. No need to get the police involved over a little snow, he says. Especially when there’s plenty more of it and a blizzard in the forecast. The morning after the storm, Jessica looks out the window to see a new sculpture across the street—and the body of Mr. Rymer half-buried in the snow. Can Jessica catch a cold-blooded killer from her chair by the window?


What I Thought:

This was the first Murder She Wrote Mystery I have read in many years. My husband is not a reader, but he does read books in this series. This on in set in Cabot Cove in February and Jessica is getting ready to go on a cruise when she slips and falls on her icy steps and sprains both ankles. She is laid up at home and she has nothing else to do but watch her neighbors out the window. When a renter moves in next door, he gives Jessa  lot to watch as he makes snow sculptures and some are pretty racy. When he is found murdered after a large snow storm, Jess has to investigate, even though she is in a wheelchair. I enjoyed this story, it kept my attention from the very beginning. Of course Jessica Fletcher is a great protagonist. She will always be timeless. I liked how the story played out and how Jess never suspected the outcome of the mystery till the end of the story. I, on the other hand, had some suspicions but did not have the crimes figured out or why they were committed. The writing in this one was good and the story flowed well. I will definitely tell my husband he needs to read this one, since these are the only books he reads. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  

About the Authors

Barbara Early earned an engineering degree, but after four years of doing nothing but math, developed a sudden allergy to the subject and decided to choose another occupation.

Before she settled on murdering fictional people, she was a secretary, a schoolteacher, a pastor’s wife, and an amateur puppeteer. She lives in Western New York State (Go Bills!), where she enjoys cooking, crafts, classic movies and campy seventies television, board games, and spending time with her granddaughters.

​Before teaming up with Jessica Fletcher, she previously wrote the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series and the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries (as Beverly Allen).

Author Links

Website https://www.barbaraearly.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraEarly

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - Penguin Random House

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Essence of Foul Play

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Essence of Foul Play (An Aroma Wellness Mystery)
by Daryl Wood Gerber

About Essence of Foul Play 

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Essence of Foul Play (An Aroma Wellness Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (March 25, 2025)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496751507
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496751508
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DB3SGV1Q
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Emma Brennan may have her head in a cloud of eucalyptus, but her feet are firmly planted on the ground in breathtaking Carmel, California, as she prepares to open her new spa business, Aroma Wellness. But all the reiki, shiatsu, and massage in the world can’t help her relax when she’s accused of murder . . . Everything is going smoothly as Emma prepares for the grand opening of the spa. The therapy rooms are painted. The sales shop and café are stocked with meditative and delicious goodies, from essential oils to avocado masks and prickly pear massages. The fountain in the Courtyard of Peace is burbling with good vibrations. In fact, there isn’t a whiff of trouble until that morning when Emma is shocked to learn that a rival spa owner has been bludgeoned . . . with an item from the goodwill basket Emma gave her. Worse, a witness is pointing the finger at Emma . . . With the police treating Emma like she’s the only suspect, and the town’s anti New Age anything posse badmouthing her every step of the way, she’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Incensed by the accusations but empowered by her cousin, her nana, and her trusted Birman cat, Vivi, Emma reviews the potpourri of possible suspects, determined to uncover the essence of foul play—before she’s cold-pressed for murder . . . 


What I Thought:

I love the the Fairy Garden Mystery series and when I saw that this series was set in the same town with some of the same characters, I knew I had to read this. In this one, Emma is getting ready to open a new spa in Carmel by the Sea. She has some opposition from some towns people, one being her friend, Willow, who is also a spa owner in Carmel. When Willow is found murdered, Emma has to help solve the crime to try to keep her spa going and to also clear her name. I love the setting of this book and even though this is a different series, I loved that there was still the mention of fairies in this one. I felt that Emma was a strong protagonist and the plot line was believable. This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept it throughout the book. This was a fast read that did not take me long to finish. There were many twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. I did not have the mystery figured out to the end of the book. I definitely look forward to more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Daryl Wood Gerber

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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