Murder by the Seashore (A California Bookshop Mystery) by Samara Yew

About Murder by the Seashore

Murder by the Seashore (A California Bookshop Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - California Crooked Lane Books (October 17, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639104933 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639104932 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BSKSHZF5

Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams, Scarlett Gardner’s dream was to open a bookshop in Southern California, but it soon becomes a nightmare when she finds the dead body of a customer—and becomes the prime suspect.

Southern California is where dreams come true—or so Scarlett Gardner thought. When she moved there and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That’s not the only thing she has to worry about—she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookshop that she didn’t outline for her life’s story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.

After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer, representing someone named Lorelai Knight, tells Scarlett that she now stands to inherit a small fortune, she’s left with more questions than answers. Before she can make sense of any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn’t look good. Business is booming as Scarlett returns to Palm Trees and Page Turners, but for all the wrong reasons – curious tourists don’t want books, they want a glimpse of the Bookshop Killer.

Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she’s going to have get creative—and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.

What I Thought:

This is the first book I have read by this author and the first in a new series, A California Bookshop Series.  In this one, Scarlett is the owner of Palm Trees and Page Turners Bookshop in Oceanside California. Scarlett and her ex opened the shop and then he left her for a more lucrative job. One morning, Scarlett takes a walk on the beach before opening her shop and she sees a dead body under the pier. Scarlett has no idea who the dead woman is and calls 911. The police immediately suspect Scarlett especially after the identity of the woman is revealed and it is found out that she has left her vast fortune to Scarlett. Scarlett has to figure out who the real murderer is to clear her name and keep her shop open.

I enjoyed this one from the beginning though I did get angry that the police immediately suspected Scarlett even though she had no idea who the murdered woman was. I thought that was a little crazy. I thought the setting was nice, a bookstore on a California Beach. Bookstores and beaches are a great combination. There were a lot of characters in this one. so lots of suspects to choose from. There were many twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing to end and I was surprised by the reveal of the killer. 

I look forward to more in this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

Samara Yew is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

Author Links Website https://samarayew.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/samara.yew.books Twitter (X) https://twitter.com/samarayewauthor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samara.yew.author GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24259604.Samara_Yew Purchase Links - Amazon - PenguinRandomHouse - B&N - Chapters Indigo

 

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman (A Salem B&B Mystery) by Traci Wilton

About Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman (A Salem B&B Mystery) Paranormal Cozy Mystery 7th in Series Setting - Massachusetts Kensington Cozies (August 22, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496741374 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496741370 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BNWG9V65

Saturday night at the movies has some added flair now that Darren and Elise Shultz are reopening one of Salem’s classic theaters. Charlene is delighted to help the couple with their venture, and Darren has lined up a cult classic double-header featuring Lon Chaney in The Wolfman. But things get hairier than expected when Elise starts to choke on her popcorn mid-movie—and once the lights go up, she’s dead . . .

When tests reveal Elise's popcorn was poisoned, Detective Sam Holden eyes her husband as the guilty party. Charlene doesn’t believe Darren would hurt his wife—even if his company’s specialty seasoned salts were sprinkled on the fatal snack. But who else had a motive to do something so unsavory? With a little help from Jack, the handsome ghost who haunts her B&B, Charlene delves into the ill-fated couple’s past. And the more she learns, the more Charlene wonders if this time, she’s bitten off more than she can chew . . .

What I Thought:

 It  is on my bucket list to visit Salem, MA, but till I can get there physically, I will have to continue to visit the town by reading, which is great too. I have read the first book in this series, so I knew some of the players in this story. I think Charlene is a great character and it is intriguing that she has such a unique relationship with Jack, who is a ghost. In this one, Charlene and Avery, have been invited to the opening of a new movie theater by Darren and his wife, Elise. Opening night features a old Wolfman flick. Darren's marketing manager, Klara, brings a bouquet of Wolfsbane to the premiere, Charlene thinks it is risky bringing a bouquet of poisoned flowers. After the first movie, Elise appears to be choking on popcorn and is rushed to the hospital, where she later passes away. Darren is of course a suspect. So Charlene and Jack work together to solve the mystery. There were many twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing, and no shortage of suspects. The story flowed well and kept my attention. Of course, again, I loved the setting of Salem with all of its witchy and spooky vibes. I will definitely be going back and reading more in this series. 

I receive a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Traci Wilton

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, 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.

Author Links Website https://www.tracihall.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tracie.hall.35/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/traciella/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Traciwiltonauthor/ Twitter https://twitter.com/tracihallauthor Amazon https://amazon.com/author/tracihall Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tracihallauthor/ Kensington https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author/traci-wilton/ Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Apple - Kobo

 

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) by Vicki Delany

About Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting - Rudolph New York Crooked Lane Books (September 19, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639104631 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639104635 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQLJWBN4

It’s beginning to look a lot like murder in the sixth installment of this charming cozy mystery series, perfect for fans of Donna Andrews and Jacqueline Frost.

It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production. Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus's Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry's shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role. It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.

What I Thought:

This is the sixth installment in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. I have read several in this series and this one was just as good as the others I have read. It is of course Christmastime again in Rudolph, New York. The community theater is putting on a musical version of A Christmas Carol and Merry’s mother, Aline is the Ghost of Christmas Past and directing the chorus line. When one of the cast is found lying dead in Merry’s store, Jackie, Merry’s employee becomes the main suspect because she was the dead woman’s understudy. Even though Merry is warned to not get involved she does anyway, after all someone broke into her mother’s home while he dad was away so she is trying to protect her mom. I love the setting of this book, who wouldn’t love a town that is ready for Christmas all year. The plot of this one was well thought out and the story flowed really well. This is one of my favorite series and this installment did not disappoint me. There were twists and turns in this and the motive for the murder was never really clear until the reveal. I was totally caught off guard by the reveal and was surprised by the ending. I look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

 

About Vicki Delany

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. Author of more than fifty books, she is currently writing the Tea by the Sea mysteries, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, the Year-Round Christmas mysteries, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates). Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Author Links Website – www.vickidelany.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor; Twitter: @vickidelany and@evagatesauthor Instagram: vickidelany Bookbub: Vicki Delany Books – BookBub Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - PenguinRandomHouse

The Body in the Back Garden

 

The Body in the Back Garden (A Crescent Cove Mystery) by Mark Waddell

About The Body in the Garden

The Body in the Back Garden (A Crescent Cove Mystery) Queer Cozy ("Quozy") Mystery 1st in Series Setting - The fictional town of Crescent Cove on Vancouver Island, Canada Crooked Lane Books (August 22, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639104402 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639104406 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BN582M9W

In this queer cozy series debut perfect for fans of Ellen Byron and Ellery Adams, Luke Tremblay is about to discover that Crescent Cove has more than its fair share of secrets…and some might be deadlier than others.

Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt’s sudden death, he’s inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can…but Crescent Cove isn’t done with him just yet.

When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke’s aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he’s lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.

There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.

Excerpt from The Body in the Back Garden

The drive back to the cottage took no more than five minutes, and when I got there, I found a Jeep Wrangler with RCMP markings waiting for me. My heart sank. I really didn’t want a third encounter with the police today.

With some reluctance, I trudged around the side of the cottage and found Jack Munro waiting for me, brawny arms folded across his tactical vest as he gazed out at the sea. My heart sank even further, but also fluttered a little as well. I had no idea how to behave around him now that I knew he was my old friend.

As I approached, shoes crunching on the stone path, he turned to face me. I paused. Jack looked mad. His square jaw was clenched and his eyebrows were drawn downwards in a fierce glower.

Uh oh.

“We need to talk,” he informed me, and I nodded jerkily after a moment’s hesitation.

“Sure. Okay. Do you want to come inside?”

With a shake of his head, Jack then advanced towards me until he was close enough that I had to look up into his face. “I want to know why you lied to me.”

I had to work moisture back into my mouth before I could reply. “What do you mean?”

“I spoke with Aleesha Perkins.” At my blank stare, he added, “Her mom runs the greengrocers in town. She delivered some groceries here yesterday.”

Oh yeah. I nodded again, mutely.

“Aleesha claims that she witnessed you assault Joel Mackenzie and then threaten him.” Jack’s resonant baritone was tight with anger. “Is that true?”

“I wouldn’t say assault, exactly,” I hedged. “I did push him, that’s true.”

“She says you pushed him off the front porch and that he landed on his back on the ground.”

“Uh. Yes.” Jack’s eyes narrowed and I added hurriedly, “But he provoked me. He called my aunt a thief and said she got what was coming to her. I…I got upset and pushed him harder than I intended.”

“And then threatened him.”

“No!” I protested. “No, I just told him that if he came back here he’d regret it.” I paused. “Okay. That sounds bad, I admit. But I didn’t mean anything by it. It wasn’t a threat.”

Jack said nothing. His features, familiar and yet not, were completely blank.

On a rising tide of panic, I reached out involuntarily and grasped his forearm. “Jack, please. Please believe me. I did not kill Joel Mackenzie. I didn’t see him again until I found his body this morning. I know how this looks, but…”

Jack stepped back from me, breaking my hold on his arm. “You assaulted and threatened a man who later turned up dead on your property, Luke.” His voice was cool now, dispassionate. “And you have no alibi for last night. How this looks is extremely bad for you.”

My feeling of panic increased as I stared up at him. “But you know me. You know I would never—”

He cut me off with brutal finality. “I used to know you. I’m not sure I do anymore.”

I had no response to that. There was nothing left to say. My panic slowly subsided, leaving hurt and fear in its wake.

A deep silence fell between us. Waves crashed in the distance and gulls screeched overhead. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?” he finally asked. “Because if there is anything, you need to tell me now.”

I shook my head once. “There isn’t anything,” I said, barely able to speak through the tightness in my throat.

He nodded without taking his eyes off me. “I strongly advise you to stay put here at the cottage while we continue our investigation.”

I said nothing, and after a long pause Jack brushed past me as he headed back to his Jeep. I watched him go with something close to despair.

I was now the only suspect in a murder, and the person in charge of investigating that murder clearly disliked me. I wanted to trust that Jack would figure out who the killer was rather than pin this on me, but given our recent interactions, that seemed far from certain. If I didn’t want to end up in prison, there was only one option left.

I needed to solve this myself.

What I Thought:

This was a refreshing, quick read that kept my attention throughout the book. This is the first in a new series, Crescent Cove Mysteries, and Mr. Waddell is a new to me author. I thought the plot of the story was well thought out and it flowed well. Luke has come back to Crescent Cove after the death of his aunt, Marguerite. Luke has not visited Crescent Cove in 20 years. The morning after he returns, he finds a dead body in the garden and of course he is the main suspect. The investigating RCMP officer happens to be his old friend, Jack, who is upset with Luke for never returning to Crescent Cove. Luke decides he better take matters into his own hands or he may be convicted of murder. I found the setting of this one to be charming and quaint. Luke did not really interact with a lot of the residents of the town, but there were a handful of suspects for the murder. There were a few different things going on in this book, blackmail after the blackmailer is murdered, plus the romantic element in this one. I sort of had the killer figured out, but I could not figure out why they did it until the end. The reveal of the killer was well written and played out very well. I am anxious to read more in this series and see where things go for Luke.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Mark Waddell

Mark is originally from Calgary, Alberta, and grew up on the cold, windswept Prairies of western Canada. Fleeing southward, he earned a Ph.D. in the history of science, medicine, and technology from the Johns Hopkins University and then worked as a professor at Michigan State University for fifteen years. Finally, he persuaded his amazing husband to move to Vancouver Island, where they now live. When he's not writing stories about murderous Canadians, he plays the viola in the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, walks his dogs along the seashore, and thinks up interesting ways to kill people.

Author Links Website: https://markwaddellbooks.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWaddell34 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markwaddellauthor/

Purchase Links: PenguinRandomHouse - U.S. PenguinRandomHouse - Canada (includes links for Amazon, Bookshop.org, etc.) B&N Amazon

Take the Honey and Run

 

Take the Honey and Run (A Bee Keeping Mystery) by Jennie Marts

About Take the Honey and Run

Take the Honey and Run (A Bee Keeping Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Colorado Crooked Lane Books (July 18, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639103074 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639103072 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BJP8RN6Q

The town is all abuzz when a murder occurs in Jennie Marts’ debut cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Amanda Flower.

As a successful mystery author, Bailey Briggs writes about murder, but nothing prepares her for actually discovering the dead body of the founder of her hometown of Humble Hills, Colorado. Bailey grew up at Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch and was raised by her beekeeping grandmother, Blossom Briggs, aka Granny Bee, and her two eccentric sisters, Aster and Marigold—which is why she drops everything to come home and help Granny Bee after a bad fall. A broken foot doesn’t stop her grandmother from ruling The Hive, her granny’s book club, or continuing to prepare and package her bee-inspired products. But when Bailey's grandmother’s infamous "Honey I'm Home" hot spiced honey turns out to “bee” the murder weapon and her granny is now the prime suspect, Bailey has no choice but to use her fictional detective skills to help solve the murder and "smoke out" the real culprit. With the help of Bailey’s witty bestie, a pair of meddling aunts, the feisty members of The Hive, and her computer-savvy daughter, this amateur sleuth is determined to solve the case. A malicious attack and an ominous threat reveal that someone wants Bailey to butt out of the investigation, but there’s no way she’s backing down. She must use her skills to uncover the truth and catch the clever culprit before her grandmother ends up bee-hind bars.

What I Thought:

This is the first book I have read by Jennie Marts and the first in a new series, The Bee Keeping Series. I thought the book was well written, with a believable plot and the story flowed well. Bailey has come home to visit her Granny Bee and her visit starts off with a bang when she runs into her old High School boyfriend. When she gets to Granny's house, Granny and the "hive" are throwing the Mayor of the town out and Granny threatens him. When he is found dead, Granny is the main suspect as her honey was the weapon due to his allergy. Bailey, Evie, and the "hive" investigate to prove Granny is innocent. Bailey gets herself into some sticky situations and there are laugh out loud moments in this book. The characters are all likable and the setting is enjoyable as well. There is no shortage of suspects in this one, as the Mayor was not a real likable person. The ending was a little different than a lot of cozies and  I was a little surprised by the reveal of the killer, though I had thought it was a possibility. This was and enjoyable and quick read that kept me turning pages. I look forward to more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Jennie Marts

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”

She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet who loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books range from Western romance to cozy mysteries, but they all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. She loves genre-mashups like adding romance to her Page Turners cozy mysteries and creating the hockey-playing cowboys in the Cowboys of Creedence. The same small-town community comes to life with more animal antics in her latest Creedence Horse Rescue series. And her sassy heroines and hunky heroes carry over in her heartwarming, feel good romances from Hallmark Publishing. Her newest cozy mystery, Take the Honey and Run: A Bee Keeping Mystery, debuts this July.

Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, Twitter at @JennieMarts, and at jenniemartswriter on Instagram. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

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How the Murder Crumbles

 

How the Murder Crumbles (A Cookie Shop Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

About How the Murder Crumbles

How the Murder Crumbles (A Cookie Shop Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Connecticut Crooked Lane Books (June 20, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639102809 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639102808 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BG13HTC6

Debra Sennefelder whips up cookies and crime in a delicious new cozy series, perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Peg Cochran.

Wingate, Connecticut, is famed as one of the top ten shopping destinations in the state, and home to Mallory Monroe’s beloved Cookie Shop—a place where patrons are greeted with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cookies that are as beautifully decorated as they are insanely delicious.

But things aren’t going so smoothly for Mallory. Her two employees are a disaster in the kitchen, she catches her boyfriend with another woman, and she’s seen having a fierce argument with food blogger Beatrice Wright, who accuses Mallory of stealing her cookie recipe. Then Beatrice turns up dead in her kitchen, flour outlining her body and a bloodied marble rolling pin nearby. Mallory immediately becomes suspect number one, her sales plummet, and she desperately tries to clear her name—but that’s not the only murder the killer is baking up.

Debra Sennefelder has cooked up a perfect recipe—endearing characters, a picture-perfect evocation of small-town life, and a quaint sweets shop. And just when things get a little too comfy, there’s always a murder or two for good measure.

What I Thought:

This was a fast paced book that once I started, I did not want to put down. It kept my attention from the time I started it till I finished it, and I basically finished it in one sitting. Mallory has moved back to Wyngate, CT and has taken over her aunt's bakery. A local resident comes in the shop and accuses Mallory of copying her Almond meltaway recipe, and the Mallory finds this resident dead in her home when she goes to talk to her about the recipe. Mallory becomes the main suspect and of course she has to investigate to clear her name and keep her business. This book was filled with charming and some not so charming characters. Mallory is thrown together with the woman with who she finds her boyfriend cheating and this woman becomes her attorney, and could she possibly become a friend? There are a lot of suspects and many twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end. Mallory also gets herself into some hair raising situations and solves more mysteries than just the murder. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series, the Resale Boutique Mystery series, and the Cookie Shop mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. 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, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie, and Billy.

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Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber

About Poaching is Puzzling

Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery Cozy Mystery 12th in Series Setting - California Beyond the Page Publishing (April 25, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960511149 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960511140 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C1HDCTC6

In the cutthroat world of crossword solvers, Jenna Hart will have to decipher some puzzling clues to catch a killer . . .

The annual crossword puzzle contest has drawn contestants from near and far to Crystal Cove, and Jenna watches in amazement as puzzle-themed books fly off the shelves at the Cookbook Nook. Her aunt Vera is putting up a sizable cash prize, and no one is more surprised than Jenna to discover there’s bad blood between Vera and the prominent puzzle constructor who’s acting as master of ceremonies. And when the puzzle guru has his throat slit while he’s out hiking, the police instantly peg Aunt Vera as the culprit.

Jenna can’t stand by and watch her aunt take the fall. It’s been clear since the victim arrived that he had contentious relationships with a number of the contestants—even going so far as to steal puzzles from some of them and claim them as his own—and Jenna’s certain one of them is the killer. Trading puzzle solving for crime solving, she sorts through the convoluted clues and cryptic suspects, hoping to nab the guilty party before they decide she’s a problem they’ll solve with another murder . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

What I Thought:

I have read a few in the Cook Book Nook Series. I thought this one was pretty good. I am not a crossword puzzle enthusiast or cruciverbalist, so some of the information on the puzzles was foreign to me, but I learned some things about crossword puzzles from this book. The setting of this series is great and is a place I would like to visit. In this one, Aunt Vera' childhood friend, Wesley, a crossword puzzel designer, is in town for Crossword puzzle convention. When Jenna and her husband find Wesley's dead body, there is no shortage of suspects in his death, including Aunt Vera. Jenna has to put on her sleuth hat to find the killer. As always with Daryl's book, the writing was superb and he story flowed well. The plot was well thought out and believable. I thought I had the killer figured out a few times. The reveal was very exciting and while I wasn't exactly surprised, this was still a good ending. There were many twists and turns that led me to suspect the wrong person. I look forward to more in this series. 

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense, and two other stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!

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