Canter with a Killer

 

Canter with a Killer (A Horse Rescue Mystery) by Amber Camp

About Canter with A Killer

 

Canter with a Killer (A Horse Rescue Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Arkansas Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101802 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101801 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S3G8PDD

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Mollie Cox Bryan, Amber Camp’s debut novel will have you galloping through the pages, as a horse rescue owner races to find a killer and clear her name.

 

Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue. It’s everything she’s been missing, with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes suspect number one. Since Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

 

Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. Sparks fly, and soon she’s got a new boyfriend. But there’s a case to be solved, and she redoubles her efforts to learn the truth.

 

The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm. None of the evidence is holding up though, and Mallory learns that she'll need to take the reins on this investigation if she's going to clear her own name.

What I Thought:

This was a very interesting book that basically kept my attention form the very beginning until the end. While I am not an equestrian by any means, I thought this book was very good and I enjoyed reading about Mallory and her horse rescue. When Mallory's neighbor and owner of a thoroughbred farm is murdered, Mallory is the main suspect. It seems the police do not want to look at anyone else for the murder, so Mallory has to use her past investigative skills as a nurse investigator to prove she is innocent. Mallory thinks she has figures out who the killer is several times, but she finds out the person has an alibi and has to go back to the drawing board. I enjoyed the setting of this book and the relationships both human and animal in this story. The reveal in this one is great and even though I had not figured it out completely, I thought it would go something like it did. I will definitely read more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.   

About Amber Camp

Amber has lived in Northwest Arkansas for twenty+ years, working as an RN at a rural hospital in the area. She has a menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and what has been described as the Mule from Hell, which may or may not be a slight exaggeration. Writing has always been a focus in Amber's life, something she describes as "food for my soul." An avid reader since grade school, she enjoys multiple genres and is always looking for new authors to add to her favorites. Amber is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Social media links: Website https://www.ambercampauthor.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078078663492&mibextid=LQQJ4d Twitter https://twitter.com/ambercatcamp Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ambercampwrites/ Purchase Links: Amazon>> Barnes & Noble>> Books-a-Million>> Bookshop.org>> Hudson Booksellers>> Target>> Walmart>> Penguin Random House>> Apple Books>> Google Play>> Audible>>

Snuffed Out

Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones

About Snuffed Out

 

Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) Paranormal Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – Savannah, GA Crooked Lane Books (January 10, 2023) Hardcover 304 Pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639102051 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639102051 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09XM5PKP7

Twin sisters Tabby and Sage co-own a candle shop, but will it all go up in flames in Valona Jones’ series debut, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Bailey Cates.

 

30-year-old fraternal twins Tabby and Sage Winslow own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. Sage is hot-headed and impulsive while Tabby is calm and collected, making them the perfect partnership. When one of their customers is found murdered, from a blow to the head, that partnership is put to the test.

 

Blithe McAdam had been seen in a heated argument with shop clerk Gerard, which immediately makes him suspect number one. The twins are convinced of Gerard’s innocence and start digging into Blithe’s past. But no one is cooperating. The neighbor who found the body isn’t talking, medical examiner Quig won’t give any details about the autopsy, and nasty rumors begin surfacing about the drowning of Blithe’s father years earlier—evidence that could seal Gerard’s fate.

 

Tabby and Sage dig desperately for the truth. But it’s not only their friend who’s in peril. With the clock ticking, the twins find themselves in the grip of an unseen and deadly energy that has seeped into their midst—and in the sights of a ruthless killer.

What I Thought:

This is the first book in a new series and the magical element in this book was something different that I had never read about before. I have read books where the protagonists are witches, but the protagonists in this series manipulate energy. I found that interesting. The protagonists also own a candle shop and when a customer comes in unhappy one day, Sage makes it right with her by giving her her money back. This same customer is found murdered a few days later and the girls employee, Gerard along with the girls is the main suspects. Tabby, the candlemaker, and Sage, the botanist, investigate since the police do not seem to want to investigate any other suspects. Tabby and Sage get themselves into so sticky situations and find some lover interests during the investigation. The setting of this story is nice as it is set in Savannah, GA. I liked most of the characters, but Sage was a little hard to warm up to. The plot was well thought out and flowed pretty well, which made this a fast read. The ending was somewhat of a surprise as it was insinuated through the book two of the people involved in the murder, the ringleader of the murder was a surprise though. All in all this was a good read and I will probably check out more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  

About Valona Jones

Valona Jones writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in Southern locales. Her work blends mystery and the unexplained, along with a sprinkle of romance. A former scientist, she’s drawn to the study of personal energy. She sharpened her people-watching skills as a lifelong introvert and thankfully had a bank vault full of personal observations when she began to write fiction. Her forthcoming release, Snuffed Out, A Magic Candle Shop Mystery, is slated for January 10, 2023, release. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where time and tide wait for no one. Visit her at https://valonajones.com

Author Links Website: https://valonajones.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/valonajonesauthor BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valona-jones GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22140872.Valona_Jones (Valona is not on twitter, Instagram, TikTok, nor Pinterest) Purchase Links - Amazon Kindle - Amazon Hardcover - Nook - B&N Hardcover - Kobo -

A Christmas Candy Killing

 

A Christmas Candy Killing (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) by Christina Romeril

About A Christmas Candy Killing

 

A Christmas Candy Killing (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series The book is set in a fictional town, Harriston, Montana. Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101667 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101665 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Q8JS9HV

Their chocolates are to die for—but things aren’t so sweet when a real killer comes to town, in this debut mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs.

 

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

 

The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.

 

When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

What I Thought:

This is the first holiday (Christmas) book that I have read so far this year, and it started my holiday reading off to a great start. This one grabbed my attention and kept it till the end. It is set in a charming little village in Montana, though it was a little cold there for my liking. Alex and her sister, Hanna, run Murder and Mayhem, their mystery book store where they also sell homemade chocolates that have poisons in the name. One night after book club, Alex's friend,  Jane, tells her she wants her to come over the next morning to see a true-crime show where she thinks the killer is in Harriston. When Alex arrived the next morning, she finds Jane dead. When Alex becomes suspect number 2, Alex and Hanna decide they need to investigate to find the real killer since the Sheriff is intent on getting an arrest, guilty or not. This was a well thought out story with a believable plot. The characters were all very likable and relatable. Again the setting was very charming and I just love a mystery set at Christmas. Usually I am left guessing till the end, but with this one, I had the culprit figured out, but it was still a very enjoyable read. I look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

About Christina Romeril

Christina Romeril loves to plot murders, especially by poisoning. When she’s not plotting how to kill one of her characters she’s coming up with ways to dispose of the body. Since writing her debut novel her husband’s friends have been regularly checking on his well-being.

Christina also loves to read, eat chocolates, and travel when she’s not in her she shed writing. She grew up in Southern Ontario and spent most of her summers in Muskoka swimming, boating, and generally getting into mischief. She’s lived on both coasts of Canada and has a love of being near the water and close to a forest. Thus, it makes perfect sense that she moved to the prairies of Southern Alberta over twenty years ago.

During the warmer months you’ll find her escaping to nearby Waterton Lakes National Park with her cooler stocked full of chocolate and pastries. Occasionally, the once avid hiker will even set out on one of the many hiking trails and hope she doesn’t run into a hungry bear.

Christina is a member of Sisters in Crime and enjoys interacting on social media.

Author Links:

Webpage https://christinaromeril.com/

Blog https://christinaromeril.com/blog/

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

Twitter https://Twitter.com/romerilchris

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christinaromerilwriter

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22222730.Christina_Romeril

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo

A Hint of Mischief

 

 

A Hint of Mischief (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About A Hint of Mischief

A Hint of Mischief (A Fairy Garden Mystery) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - California Kensington Cozies(June 28, 2022) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496736044 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496736048 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09HRDQZH5

The proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Courtney Kelly has an occasional side gig as a sleuth—with a sprinkling of magical assistance. . . .

 

Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.

 

Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .

What I Thought:

This is the third installment in the Fairy Garden Mystery Series and I have read all three in this whimsical series. I love reading about the fairies in this series and how Fiona helping solve mysteries helps her earn her adult fairy wings. An acquaintance asks Courtney to host a fairy party for a sorority sisters birthday that includes a dozen or so more sorority sisters. Courtney finds it odd that an adult is requesting a fairy party put agrees. When one of the sorority sisters is found dead from being poisoned, Courtney starts asking questions. There is also a thief in the town that has everyone worried as well. And not to mention, someone is putting fairy doors all over town, so there are three mysteries in this one. This installment was just as charming as the other two. Courtney is such a great character. I also enjoy the lite romance in this one between Courtney and Brady. I also enjoy Courtney's relationship with her fairy, Fiona. There are several suspects and many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I thought several times I had the killer, figured out but I did not. Actually, all three mystery reveals were a surprise that I did not see coming. This was another well developed read by Daryl Wood Gerber and one series that I hope continues for a long time, as I will definitely be reading more in this series.

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 Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane and hitch-hike around Ireland alone. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com

Author Links WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber TWITTER: https://twitter.com/darylwoodgerber BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1 INSTAGRAM: https//instagram.com/darylwoodgerber PINTEREST: https://pinterest.com/darylwoodgerber GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber GOODREADS BOOK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59120614-a-hint-of-mischief AMAZON: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/ Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop - Murder by Book - Mysterious Galaxy -

A HINT OF MISCHIEF EXCERPT

 

>“Thief!” a woman cried outside of Open Your Imagination, my fairy garden and tea shop. I recognized the voice. Yvanna Acebo.

I hurried from the covered patio through our main showroom, grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the Dutch door, and headed outside, quickly opening the umbrella so it protected me from the rain. “Yvanna, what’s going on?”

Yvanna, a baker at Sweet Treats, a neighboring shop in the courtyard, was dressed in her pink uniform and standing at the top of the stairs that led through the courtyard, hands on hips—no umbrella. She was getting drenched.

“Yvanna!” I shouted again. “Were you robbed? Are you okay?”

She pivoted. Rain streamed down her pretty face. She swiped a hair off her cheek that had come loose from her scrunchie. “I’m fine,” she said with a sigh. “A customer set her bag down on one of the tables so she could fish in her purse for loose change. Before we knew it, someone in a brown hoodie slipped in, grabbed the bag, and darted out.”

“Man? Woman? Teen?”

“I’m not sure.” Her chest heaved. “That’s the second theft in this area in the past twenty-four hours, Courtney.”

“Second?” I gasped. Carmel-by-the-Sea was not known as a high-crime town. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. We had suffered two murders in the past year. Flukes, the police had dubbed them. “Where did the other theft occur?”

“There.” She pointed to the Village Shops, the courtyard across the street from ours. Carmel-by-the-Sea was known for its unique courtyards. “At Say Cheese.”

“The thief must be hungry,” I said. Say Cheese had a vast array of cheeses, crackers, and condiments. “Were you scared?”

“No. I’m miffed.” A striking Latina, Yvanna was one of the most resilient women I knew. She rarely took a day off because she had a family of six to feed—two cousins, her grandparents, her sister, and herself.

“Call the police,” I suggested.

“You can bet on it.”

We didn’t have CCTV in Cypress and Ivy’s courtyard yet. Maybe I should mention it to our landlord.  I returned to Open Your Imagination, stopped outside to flick the water off the umbrella, and then moved inside, slotted the umbrella into the stand, and weaved through the shop’s display tables while saying hello to the handful of customers. Before heading to the patio, I signaled my stalwart assistant Joss Timberlake that all was under control.

“Do not argue with me!” Misty Dawn exclaimed. “Do you hear me? I want tea. Not coffee.  Tea!” Misty, a customer, was standing by the verdigris baker’s racks on the patio, wiggling two female fairy figurines. When she spotted me, she uttered a full-throated laugh. “You’re back, Courtney. Is everything okay outside? Did I hear the word thief?”

“You did.”

“Hopefully nothing too dear was stolen.”

In addition to my business, the courtyard boasted a high-end jewelry store, a collectibles shop, an art gallery, and a pet-grooming enterprise.

“Bakery goods,” I said.

“And no one got hurt?”

“No one.”

“Phew.” Misty gazed at the figurines she was holding. “I swear, I can’t get over how young I feel whenever I visit your shop. It takes me back to my childhood, when I used to play with dolls. I’d make up stories and put on plays. At one point, maybe seventh grade, I thought I was so clever and gifted with dialogue that I’d become a playwright, but that didn’t come to pass.”

 Misty,  a trust fund baby who had never worked a day in her life, even though she had graduated Phi Beta Kappa and had whizzed through business school, had blazed into the shop twenty minutes ago, hoping to hire me to throw a fairy garden birthday party for her sorority sister. In the less than two years that the shop had been open, I’d only thrown three such parties, each for children.

“Let’s get serious.” Misty returned the figurines to the verdigris baker’s rack, strode across the covered slate patio to the wrought-iron table closest to the gnome-adorned fountain, and patted the tabletop. “Sit with me. Let’s chat. I have lists upon lists of ideas.” She opened her Prada tote and removed a floral notepad and pen.

Fiona, a fairy-in-training who, when not staying at my house, resided in the Ficus trees fitted with twinkling lights that surrounded the patio, flew to my shoulder and whispered in my ear. “She sure is bossy.”

I bit back a smile and said, “The customer’s always right.”

“How true,” Misty said, oblivious to Fiona’s presence.

 I thought perhaps I should mention it to our landlord.

 

The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady

 

The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady: A Buttercup Bend Mystery by Debbie De Louise

About The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady

The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady: A Buttercup Bend Mystery Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – Buttercup Bend, a fictional town in the Catskills, New York State Next Chapter (May 15, 2022) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 298 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8828540501 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1HCG5M3

After Buttercup Bend’s “Cat Crazy Lady,” Maggie Broom, is smothered to death in her home, Cathy Carter is stunned to learn that the animal shelter and pet cemetery she co-owns with her brother Doug is the recipient of the bulk of Maggie’s estate.

When Maggie’s estranged brother and sister come to town and are upset with the terms of their sister’s will, Sheriff Leroy Miller is convinced one of them killed Maggie.

At a baby shower Cathy’s grandmother holds for Doug’s wife, one of the guests turns up dead, and Cathy and her reporter friend, Nancy Meyers, set out to solve the murders.

What I Thought:

This is the first in a new series, the Buttercup Ben Series and the first by this author that I have read. Cathy lives in Buttercup Bend with her grandmother and runs the Rainbow Rescues and Pet Cemetary. When the "cat crazy lady" in town is murdered, Cathy's friend and co-worker at the local paper, enlists Cathy's help solving he murder. This was a charming cozy set in a very cozy setting. Buttercup Bend is the quintessential small town in New York. There were many suspects in this story, it seemed a lot of people had a motive. I also enjoyed the relationship elements in this story, it read as more than just a cozy mystery. It seemed the towns people really cared about each other and were will to help out. The  plot was well thought out and the story flowed really well. This was a quick read that kept me turning pages. The reveal caught me totally by surprise and was very well written. I look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writers’ Association. Her novels include the five books and four stories of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series, a comedy novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, a paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, and the standalone mysteries; Reason to Die, Sea Scope, and Memory Makers. Debbie has also written a time-travel novel, Time's Relative, and a non-fiction cat book, Pet Posts: The Cat Chats, written from the points of view of four of her cats and has also published articles in online and print pet magazines including Catster.com. Her latest book, Meows and Purrs, is a poetry collection of cat poems that includes photos and notes about her cats.

Debbie’s stories and poetry appear in the Red Penguin Collections, What Lies Beyond, ‘Tis the Season, Stand Out, Volumes I and II, Until Dawn, Treat or Trick, and Pets on the Prowl. Her poems are also featured in the Nassau County Voices In Verse 2020 anthology and the 2020 and 2021 Bards Annual. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Author Links Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/debbiedelouise/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_writer/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-de-louise Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedelouise Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/ Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://Sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - The Universal purchase link is: https://books2read.com/u/bOzPdN

Bayou Book Thief

 

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Bayou Book Thief (A Vintage Cookbook Mystery) by Ellen Byron

About Bayou Book Thief

 

Bayou Book Thief (A Vintage Cookbook Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - New Orleans Louisiana Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (June 7, 2022) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593437616 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593437612 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09FPJHVGK

A fantastic new cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

 

Twenty-eight-year-old widow Ricki James leaves Los Angeles to start a new life in New Orleans after her showboating actor husband perishes doing a stupid internet stunt. The Big Easy is where she was born and adopted by the NICU nurse who cared for her after Ricki’s teen mother disappeared from the hospital.

 

Ricki’s dream comes true when she joins the quirky staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the spectacular former Garden District home of late bon vivant Genevieve “Vee” Charbonnet, the city’s legendary restauranteur. Ricki is excited about turning her avocation – collecting vintage cookbooks – into a vocation by launching the museum’s gift shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware. Then she discovers that a box of donated vintage cookbooks contains the body of a cantankerous Bon Vee employee who was fired after being exposed as a book thief.

 

The skills Ricki has developed ferreting out hidden vintage treasures come in handy for investigations. But both her business and Bon Vee could wind up as deadstock when Ricki’s past as curator of a billionaire’s first edition collection comes back to haunt her.

 

Will Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware be a success … or a recipe for disaster?

What I Thought:

This is the first installment in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery Series. In this one, Miracle “Ricki” James has moved back to New Orleans from LA. Ricki wants to run the gift shop at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum and sell vintage cookbooks and vintage kitchen gadgets. A tour guide at the museum is caught trying to steal some of Ricki’s vintage cookbooks and then ends up murdered. Ricki decides she needs to help the police solve the crime, so no negative light is shed on the museum. The plot of this book was well thought out and the story flowed well. I enjoyed the setting of this one and liked the characters that were introduced in this first installment. This one kept me turning the pages and was a quick read. There were just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing to the end and I was surprised by the ending. I enjoyed reading about the vintage cookbooks and kitchen wares that Ricki sold in the museum gift shop. I will definitely be reading more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book 

About Ellen Byron

Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty Awards for Best Humorous Mystery. Bayou Book Thief will be the first book in her new Vintage Cookbook Mysteries. She also writes the Catering Hall Mystery series under the name Maria DiRico.

Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. An alum of New Orleans’ Tulane University, she blogs with Chicks on the Case, is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America and will be the 2023 Left Coast Crime Toastmaster. Please visit her at https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Author Links Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23234.Ellen_Byron https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Books - Alibris - IndieBound - PenguinRandomHouse

The Sweet Life

 

Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).

Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she's not about to let her only child suffer alone--even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.

Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything's better with ice cream.

Her exasperated daughter knows that she's the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother's impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn't get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don't they?

Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod--a place where dreams just might come true.

What I Thought:

This is the first in a new series by Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Cape Cod Creamery Series. This series caught my attention because it was set in Cape Cod. Dawn is about to marry her fiancé Kevin, but a few weeks before the wedding Kevin calls it off. Kevin allows Dawn to go on the honeymoon trip to Cape Cod that he had booked, and Dawn takes her mother Marnie. Marnie is going through some things of her own. While on the trip, Marnie comes upon a run-down ice cream parlor and negotiates with the owner to buy it out right as is. Dawn agrees to stay through the summer to help her mother. This was a charming story of a daughter and a mother who forge a new relationship, and both find themselves while renovating an old ice cream parlor. While this is a Christian fiction book and there is a faith element it is written very well and does not force the authors faith onto the reader. I really enjoyed the setting of this book and enjoyed the dynamics of the relationship between Marnie and Dawn and also the dynamics of new relationship Dawn formed with her ex-fiancé and the relationship Marnie forms with a new friend she made. This was a charming story that kept me entertained throughout. It was a feel-good story that left me with a warm feeling after reading it.