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Review Date: 9/4/2021
Bear a Wee Grudge is the fifth installment in the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series set in Silver Hollow, Michigan and featuring Sasha Silverman and her family run Silver Bear Shop and Factory, producing furry friends for all occasions. With the Inaugural Highland Fling Festival set for the weekend, finishing touches are being put on the delightful kilt wearing teddies.
As both Sasha's father and her boyfriend Jay practice for the games, rival teddy bear factory owner Teddy Hartman and his wife Lucy are stirring up trouble. A verbal confrontation between Teddy and Sasha's father and a dog attack on Sasha lead up to Teddy found dead on the side of the road. The problem? The murder weapon appears to be an axe, just like the ones being used by Sasha's father in the axe throwing contest.
I have to admit this one was not my favorite in the series. Something just seemed to be missing. Not sure if it was that the mystery plot was light and instead was stuffed with relationship and family filler? Just seemed to drag along but, I won't give up on the series and look forward to more adventures with Sasha and her friends.
As both Sasha's father and her boyfriend Jay practice for the games, rival teddy bear factory owner Teddy Hartman and his wife Lucy are stirring up trouble. A verbal confrontation between Teddy and Sasha's father and a dog attack on Sasha lead up to Teddy found dead on the side of the road. The problem? The murder weapon appears to be an axe, just like the ones being used by Sasha's father in the axe throwing contest.
I have to admit this one was not my favorite in the series. Something just seemed to be missing. Not sure if it was that the mystery plot was light and instead was stuffed with relationship and family filler? Just seemed to drag along but, I won't give up on the series and look forward to more adventures with Sasha and her friends.
Review Date: 6/24/2018
Bear Witness to Murder is the second installment in the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series set in Silver Hollow, Michigan and featuring Sasha Silverman, manager of the Silver Bear Shop & Factory, the teddy bear shop owned and operated by her family. Fall is setting in and there are many activities planned in the small town of Silver Hollow included the annual Cranbeary Tea Party and the Oktobear Fest.
While helping out at the tea party alongside her sister Maddie, Sasha is none too happy to see that her high school nemesis, Holly Parker is in attendance. Holly has moved back into town and purchased the shop across the street from the Silver Bear and opened up a toy shop and bookstore. Sasha is convinced that Holly is still carrying her mean girl card and is trying to ruin not only her family bear shop but also the bookstore operated by Sasha's cousin. To make matters worse, Holly is accompanied to the tea party by her assistant Gina Lawson and Sasha's ex, Flynn Hanson who create quite a stir when they served the Mayor with lawsuit papers.
When Sasha and her dog, Rosie stumble upon a body in the alley she is quick to identify the victim as Holly based upon the signature pink jacket. But, further investigation reveals that the body belongs to Gina. Was the killer as confused as Sasha? Despite warnings from her family and boyfriend, Jay Kirby Sasha throws herself full tilt into finding a killer.
A fast paced plot coupled with delightful descriptions of the bear sculptures on display during Oktobear Fest, a warm and cozy small town atmosphere combined with a tight knit but quirky family dynamic makes it "beary" hard to put this book down. A twist at the end will leave readers wanting more from the Silvermans.
While helping out at the tea party alongside her sister Maddie, Sasha is none too happy to see that her high school nemesis, Holly Parker is in attendance. Holly has moved back into town and purchased the shop across the street from the Silver Bear and opened up a toy shop and bookstore. Sasha is convinced that Holly is still carrying her mean girl card and is trying to ruin not only her family bear shop but also the bookstore operated by Sasha's cousin. To make matters worse, Holly is accompanied to the tea party by her assistant Gina Lawson and Sasha's ex, Flynn Hanson who create quite a stir when they served the Mayor with lawsuit papers.
When Sasha and her dog, Rosie stumble upon a body in the alley she is quick to identify the victim as Holly based upon the signature pink jacket. But, further investigation reveals that the body belongs to Gina. Was the killer as confused as Sasha? Despite warnings from her family and boyfriend, Jay Kirby Sasha throws herself full tilt into finding a killer.
A fast paced plot coupled with delightful descriptions of the bear sculptures on display during Oktobear Fest, a warm and cozy small town atmosphere combined with a tight knit but quirky family dynamic makes it "beary" hard to put this book down. A twist at the end will leave readers wanting more from the Silvermans.
Review Date: 4/15/2017
Bearly Departed is the first in the A Teddy Bear Mystery series featuring Alexandra "Sasha" Silverman and her sister Madeline "Maddie", who run the family teddy bear factory and shop in Silver Hollow, Michigan. The Silver Bear Shop was started by the girl's father in their ancestral home and prides itself on their unique handmade teddy bears.
Sasha has taken over as manager of the shop now that her father, Alex has retired, Maddie is in charge of the bookkeeping and their father's brother Ross is in charge of the factory. With only a handful of employees the company is a local attraction, the only problem is sales rep Will Taylor.
Will returns from a trip to a toy fair and announces that Sasha's father has agreed to move production overseas and to lay off most of the staff. The girls and Uncle Ross are irate not wanting to believe Alex would abandon his company, and the staff are upset about losing their jobs and insurance. The staff meeting turns into a free for all with not only Uncle Ross but seamstress Lois threatening to kill Will. Of course it's really no surprise when later that night Sasha and Maddie stumble over Will's body, literally stuffed to the gills.
It's not long before Uncle Ross becomes the prime suspect and in an effort to clear her uncle and save the bear shop, Sasha sets out to find the killer. Despite warnings by Homicide Detective Mason to stay out of his investigation, she quickly learns that not all is idyllic in the tiny town, with adultery and drug use running rampant.
A fun, fast paced storyline with well developed, likeable characters and a fluffy dog named Rosie and a cat named Onyx. You'll "bearly" be able to wait for the second in the series, Bear Witness to Murder, to follow the adventures of Sasha, her family and the residents of Silver Hollow.
Sasha has taken over as manager of the shop now that her father, Alex has retired, Maddie is in charge of the bookkeeping and their father's brother Ross is in charge of the factory. With only a handful of employees the company is a local attraction, the only problem is sales rep Will Taylor.
Will returns from a trip to a toy fair and announces that Sasha's father has agreed to move production overseas and to lay off most of the staff. The girls and Uncle Ross are irate not wanting to believe Alex would abandon his company, and the staff are upset about losing their jobs and insurance. The staff meeting turns into a free for all with not only Uncle Ross but seamstress Lois threatening to kill Will. Of course it's really no surprise when later that night Sasha and Maddie stumble over Will's body, literally stuffed to the gills.
It's not long before Uncle Ross becomes the prime suspect and in an effort to clear her uncle and save the bear shop, Sasha sets out to find the killer. Despite warnings by Homicide Detective Mason to stay out of his investigation, she quickly learns that not all is idyllic in the tiny town, with adultery and drug use running rampant.
A fun, fast paced storyline with well developed, likeable characters and a fluffy dog named Rosie and a cat named Onyx. You'll "bearly" be able to wait for the second in the series, Bear Witness to Murder, to follow the adventures of Sasha, her family and the residents of Silver Hollow.
Review Date: 4/11/2021
Beauty Expos Are Murder is the sixth installment in the A Poppy McAllister Mystery series set in Cape May, NJ and featuring paleo baker, Poppy McAllister. This book picks right up where #5 ended, and I highly recommend if you haven't read Wine Tastings are Murder you might want to do that first - but, this one can read as a standalone if you chose.
Poppy has made her decision regarding the men in her life and she was looking forward to operating a muffin/paleo booth at the Beauty Expo alongside Gia, owner of La Dolce Vita - that is until a mysterious woman from Gia's past arrives on scene and completely ruins everything. Things only get worse when the plastic surgeon headlining the expo is found dead.
A great addition to the series with so many things happening - Poppy's relationship woes, the death at the Beauty Expo, Poppy's best friend Sawyer is acting very peculiar and obviously hiding something, someone keeps shooting holes in the huge inflatable rabbit that Aunt Ginny has put on the front lawn to celebrate Easter, the Mob may (or may not) be involved, Poppy's cat Figaro has fallen in love, there is something off with the people staying at the B&B, and Poppy has been roped into helping her high school nemesis turned police officer Amber get out of trouble as she's suspected of killing one of her informants. Phew....
You won't want to miss the latest adventures with Poppy and her friends.
Poppy has made her decision regarding the men in her life and she was looking forward to operating a muffin/paleo booth at the Beauty Expo alongside Gia, owner of La Dolce Vita - that is until a mysterious woman from Gia's past arrives on scene and completely ruins everything. Things only get worse when the plastic surgeon headlining the expo is found dead.
A great addition to the series with so many things happening - Poppy's relationship woes, the death at the Beauty Expo, Poppy's best friend Sawyer is acting very peculiar and obviously hiding something, someone keeps shooting holes in the huge inflatable rabbit that Aunt Ginny has put on the front lawn to celebrate Easter, the Mob may (or may not) be involved, Poppy's cat Figaro has fallen in love, there is something off with the people staying at the B&B, and Poppy has been roped into helping her high school nemesis turned police officer Amber get out of trouble as she's suspected of killing one of her informants. Phew....
You won't want to miss the latest adventures with Poppy and her friends.
Review Date: 8/31/2015
Helpful Score: 1
A Beeline to Murder is the first in the Henny Penny Farmette mystery series featuring retired police officer Abigail "Abby" MacKenzie. After suffering a crippling hand injury that left her unable to fire a gun, Abby abandons her career as a peacekeeper and is now overseeing her little farmette; raising chickens, tending to her beehives, growing vegetables and fostering her numerous fruit trees.
When delivering her prized honey to Las Flores Patisserie early one morning, Abby stumbles upon the body of Chef Jean Louise Bonheur. The crime scene has been staged to look as though the Chef committed suicide but Abby's experience as a detective leads her to believe that the Chef was actually murdered.
Fellow Police Officer and best friend Katrina "Kat" Petrovsky introduces Abby to the Chef's brother Philippe who wants to find the answers to his brother's death in order to find peace for his ailing parents. It appears that the feisty Chef had a lot of enemies in the small town of Las Flores, including the rowdy gang of bikers who didn't agree with the Chef's sexuality and the landlord of the Patisserie who wasn't going to renew his lease.
The plotline had good potential, but the mystery seemed at times to take a backseat to the romantic tension between Abby and Philippe. The book was a little slow going at times with lengthy, wordy descriptions of Abby's feelings.
I would have enjoyed a little more time spent on the Farmette. Overall, the characters are a likeable bunch and I look forward to the next in the series to see how life on the Farmette evolves, including Abby's friendship with neighbor Lucas Crawford and the antics of newly adopted dog, Sugar.
When delivering her prized honey to Las Flores Patisserie early one morning, Abby stumbles upon the body of Chef Jean Louise Bonheur. The crime scene has been staged to look as though the Chef committed suicide but Abby's experience as a detective leads her to believe that the Chef was actually murdered.
Fellow Police Officer and best friend Katrina "Kat" Petrovsky introduces Abby to the Chef's brother Philippe who wants to find the answers to his brother's death in order to find peace for his ailing parents. It appears that the feisty Chef had a lot of enemies in the small town of Las Flores, including the rowdy gang of bikers who didn't agree with the Chef's sexuality and the landlord of the Patisserie who wasn't going to renew his lease.
The plotline had good potential, but the mystery seemed at times to take a backseat to the romantic tension between Abby and Philippe. The book was a little slow going at times with lengthy, wordy descriptions of Abby's feelings.
I would have enjoyed a little more time spent on the Farmette. Overall, the characters are a likeable bunch and I look forward to the next in the series to see how life on the Farmette evolves, including Abby's friendship with neighbor Lucas Crawford and the antics of newly adopted dog, Sugar.
Review Date: 11/4/2015
A Beeline to Murder is the first in the Henny Penny Farmette mystery series featuring retired police officer Abigail "Abby" MacKenzie. After suffering a crippling hand injury that left her unable to fire a gun, Abby abandons her career as a peacekeeper and is now overseeing her little farmette; raising chickens, tending to her beehives, growing vegetables and fostering her numerous fruit trees.
When delivering her prized honey to Las Flores Patisserie early one morning, Abby stumbles upon the body of Chef Jean Louise Bonheur. The crime scene has been staged to look as though the Chef committed suicide but Abby's experience as a detective leads her to believe that the Chef was actually murdered.
Fellow Police Officer and best friend Katrina "Kat" Petrovsky introduces Abby to the Chef's brother Philippe who wants to find the answers to his brother's death in order to find peace for his ailing parents. It appears that the feisty Chef had a lot of enemies in the small town of Las Flores, including the rowdy gang of bikers who didn't agree with the Chef's sexuality and the landlord of the Patisserie who wasn't going to renew his lease.
The plotline had good potential, but the mystery seemed at times to take a backseat to the romantic tension between Abby and Philippe. The book was a little slow going at times with lengthy, wordy descriptions of Abby's feelings.
I would have enjoyed a little more time spent on the Farmette. Overall, the characters are a likeable bunch and I look forward to the next in the series to see how life on the Farmette evolves, including Abby's friendship with neighbor Lucas Crawford and the antics of newly adopted dog, Sugar.
When delivering her prized honey to Las Flores Patisserie early one morning, Abby stumbles upon the body of Chef Jean Louise Bonheur. The crime scene has been staged to look as though the Chef committed suicide but Abby's experience as a detective leads her to believe that the Chef was actually murdered.
Fellow Police Officer and best friend Katrina "Kat" Petrovsky introduces Abby to the Chef's brother Philippe who wants to find the answers to his brother's death in order to find peace for his ailing parents. It appears that the feisty Chef had a lot of enemies in the small town of Las Flores, including the rowdy gang of bikers who didn't agree with the Chef's sexuality and the landlord of the Patisserie who wasn't going to renew his lease.
The plotline had good potential, but the mystery seemed at times to take a backseat to the romantic tension between Abby and Philippe. The book was a little slow going at times with lengthy, wordy descriptions of Abby's feelings.
I would have enjoyed a little more time spent on the Farmette. Overall, the characters are a likeable bunch and I look forward to the next in the series to see how life on the Farmette evolves, including Abby's friendship with neighbor Lucas Crawford and the antics of newly adopted dog, Sugar.
Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 1/1/2020
Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather is the third installment in the Exotic Pet-Sitter mystery series featuring video game reviewer/pet sitter Belinda Blake. When a close family friend passes away Belinda is called home to Larches Corner in Upstate New York and soon finds herself entangled in a murder mystery spanning several years.
Thinking her visit home will be quick, Belinda is happy when she's asked to take over the temporary care of the deceased's flock of homing pigeons but when a local college student is killed by a hit and run driver under suspicious circumstances she can't quite help but get involved. Belinda discovers that the victim was part of a close knit literature club and another of the members had also been killed several years earlier. When a third member of the group is found drowned in a pool, Belinda teams up with local reporter and high school friend Chloe Vail to track down a killer.
It was a little disappointing that animals didn't play as big of a factor in this addition to the series but the mystery was well written and the killer was a surprise. The author does a fantastic job of weaving the Greenwich, CT characters in with the Larches Corner characters and the reader is able to catch up with all of the recurring people in the series. While I had high hopes that the despised love triangle between Belinda, Stone and Jonas was finally coming to a close the plot twist in the final pages leaves the door open for it to continue...sigh.
Thinking her visit home will be quick, Belinda is happy when she's asked to take over the temporary care of the deceased's flock of homing pigeons but when a local college student is killed by a hit and run driver under suspicious circumstances she can't quite help but get involved. Belinda discovers that the victim was part of a close knit literature club and another of the members had also been killed several years earlier. When a third member of the group is found drowned in a pool, Belinda teams up with local reporter and high school friend Chloe Vail to track down a killer.
It was a little disappointing that animals didn't play as big of a factor in this addition to the series but the mystery was well written and the killer was a surprise. The author does a fantastic job of weaving the Greenwich, CT characters in with the Larches Corner characters and the reader is able to catch up with all of the recurring people in the series. While I had high hopes that the despised love triangle between Belinda, Stone and Jonas was finally coming to a close the plot twist in the final pages leaves the door open for it to continue...sigh.
Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
2
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
2
Review Date: 7/5/2019
Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is the debut of the Exotic Pet-Sitter series set in Greenwich, CT and featuring video game reviewer and exotic pet sitter, Belinda Blake. Having left Manhattan for a cozy carriage house on the grounds of the Carrington mansion in Greenwich, Belinda finds herself pet sitting Rasputin, a massive ball python whose owner is insistent that he be given regular baths and taken for walks. It's during one of their walks with Belinda dealing with the slithery snake wrapping himself around her neck that she stumbles into Stone Carrington the fifth, the heir to the family fortune. It's quickly apparent that Stone isn't going to be able to extricate Belinda from the snake's grasp and in fact they both are in danger of being bitten - fortunately the groundskeeper, Jacques steps up and uses his childhood experience handling snakes to rescue the pair.
Deciding that she needs to relax after her near fatal walk, Belinda sets out to weed her flower beds only to discover a stylish Louboutin in the boxwood hedge, unfortunately it's still attached to a woman's body. Margo Fenton was a family friend and rumored to be Stone's girlfriend, and now after a night of billiards she'd somehow ended up strangled in the bushes.
Even though she didn't know Margo, Belinda finds herself drawn into the hunt for her killer. Detective Hugh Watson has named several suspects include Stone, the alcoholic Stone the fourth, the various Carrington employees and Stone's eccentric artist friend, Dietrich Myers who had a somewhat creepy obsession with the young woman.
A fast paced plot that takes the reader from Greenwich to Manhattan and to Belinda's family home in upstate New York. If you are like me, a very vocal snake hater, Belinda's interactions with Rasputin might make you a little squeamish, but the snake's role in capturing the killer left me cheering for him (just a little). I'll be looking forward to the next installment in the series with fingers crossed that Belinda's next charge won't be slimy or slithery and that the author doesn't pursue the dreaded love triangle that she seems to be staging.
Deciding that she needs to relax after her near fatal walk, Belinda sets out to weed her flower beds only to discover a stylish Louboutin in the boxwood hedge, unfortunately it's still attached to a woman's body. Margo Fenton was a family friend and rumored to be Stone's girlfriend, and now after a night of billiards she'd somehow ended up strangled in the bushes.
Even though she didn't know Margo, Belinda finds herself drawn into the hunt for her killer. Detective Hugh Watson has named several suspects include Stone, the alcoholic Stone the fourth, the various Carrington employees and Stone's eccentric artist friend, Dietrich Myers who had a somewhat creepy obsession with the young woman.
A fast paced plot that takes the reader from Greenwich to Manhattan and to Belinda's family home in upstate New York. If you are like me, a very vocal snake hater, Belinda's interactions with Rasputin might make you a little squeamish, but the snake's role in capturing the killer left me cheering for him (just a little). I'll be looking forward to the next installment in the series with fingers crossed that Belinda's next charge won't be slimy or slithery and that the author doesn't pursue the dreaded love triangle that she seems to be staging.
Review Date: 10/8/2020
Bending the Paw is the ninth installment in the Paw Enforcement series set in Fort Worth, Texas and featuring Police Officer Megan Luz and her K-9 Shepherd, Brigit. Megan and Brigit are called by Detective Audrey Jackson to assist at the scene of what appears to be a gruesome attack. When they arrive at the home of Shelby and Greg Olsen they discover a kitchen that looks like a real bloodbath has occurred - Megan has never seen so much blood and wonders how anyone could have survived such a vicious attack. The body of Greg Olsen is missing along with his car and Brigit's nose suggests that there was more than one attacker involved.
Megan finds herself juggling two separate cases: the disappearance of Greg Olsen and a scam being run on the citizens of Fort Worth by a fly by night roofing company. In addition to her investigations Megan is also preparing for her upcoming wedding to firefighter and bomb squad member, Seth.
This was the first book I've read in the series and while it definitely reads as a stand alone it would have helped to have just a little more background on the main characters. It was relatively easy to solve the main mystery within the first few chapters but that didn't detract from finishing the book. I will be going back to start the series from the beginning and enjoying more adventures with Megan and Brigit.
Megan finds herself juggling two separate cases: the disappearance of Greg Olsen and a scam being run on the citizens of Fort Worth by a fly by night roofing company. In addition to her investigations Megan is also preparing for her upcoming wedding to firefighter and bomb squad member, Seth.
This was the first book I've read in the series and while it definitely reads as a stand alone it would have helped to have just a little more background on the main characters. It was relatively easy to solve the main mystery within the first few chapters but that didn't detract from finishing the book. I will be going back to start the series from the beginning and enjoying more adventures with Megan and Brigit.
Review Date: 9/30/2015
Helpful Score: 1
Better Homes and Corpses is the first in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series. The series centers around Meg Barrett, home decorator in Montauk, a small seaside community in the Hamptons of Long Island, New York.
Having left the publishing world of Manhattan and her job with American Home and Garden magazine, when she finds her fiancée cheating on her with his ex wife, Meg has started her own interior design business, Cottages by the Sea. Meg reconnects with college roommate Jillian Spenser whose mother Caroline, an avid collector of antiquities and arts has the reputation as the Queen Mother of the Hamptons. Excited for the opportunity to visit "Seacliff" the Spenser's sprawling estate, Meg arrives to find Caroline dead in Jillian's arms.
Elle Warner is Meg's best friend from the magazine world, who also has quit the publishing industry to open an antiques shop, in nearby Sag Harbor. When Elle is hired to inventory the Spenser estate for the First Fidelity Insurance Company she invites Meg along to assist.
It turns out there is a lot more hidden behind the walls of Seacliff than just priceless artifacts. It appears that Jillian is suffering from PTSD brought about by a boating accident suffered as a teenager and now the recent attack on her and her mother has left her with amnesia, plus someone is still making attempts on her life. A helpless, fragile shell of her former self Meg feels the need to protect her friend and discover who killed Caroline.
Plenty of suspects reside behind the hedges of Seacliff including Jillian's brother Cole who has been estranged from the family for over 17 years. DR. Greene, Jillian's personal physician, Butler and Housekeeper Mr. & Mrs. Arnold, eccentric Salvatore the painter turned sculptor and his son Van, Caroline's art assistant Adam Prescott and his mother Frances. Everyone seems to have had a motive to murder Caroline, but why is the killer still after Jillian?
This was a great first with lots of twists and turns that left me guessing until the very end. I was completely wrong in thinking I knew whodunit. Meg suffers from hearing loss and the authors delicate handling of Meg's disability along with the inclusion into the story of Tripod, the three legged dog adds just the right touch of heartwarming realism.
As is the common thread in most cozies, romantic tensions run high between Meg and one of her suspects. Ultimately he is cleared of any wrongdoing and it will be interesting to see if their relationship evolves in future books. Meg has a very loving relationship with her ex-detective Father and I'm curious to see if he and his new wife will appear to help Meg in her future investigations. Most of all I'm eager to see how Meg tackles her next big project of renovating and restoring her new home.
A great debut!
Having left the publishing world of Manhattan and her job with American Home and Garden magazine, when she finds her fiancée cheating on her with his ex wife, Meg has started her own interior design business, Cottages by the Sea. Meg reconnects with college roommate Jillian Spenser whose mother Caroline, an avid collector of antiquities and arts has the reputation as the Queen Mother of the Hamptons. Excited for the opportunity to visit "Seacliff" the Spenser's sprawling estate, Meg arrives to find Caroline dead in Jillian's arms.
Elle Warner is Meg's best friend from the magazine world, who also has quit the publishing industry to open an antiques shop, in nearby Sag Harbor. When Elle is hired to inventory the Spenser estate for the First Fidelity Insurance Company she invites Meg along to assist.
It turns out there is a lot more hidden behind the walls of Seacliff than just priceless artifacts. It appears that Jillian is suffering from PTSD brought about by a boating accident suffered as a teenager and now the recent attack on her and her mother has left her with amnesia, plus someone is still making attempts on her life. A helpless, fragile shell of her former self Meg feels the need to protect her friend and discover who killed Caroline.
Plenty of suspects reside behind the hedges of Seacliff including Jillian's brother Cole who has been estranged from the family for over 17 years. DR. Greene, Jillian's personal physician, Butler and Housekeeper Mr. & Mrs. Arnold, eccentric Salvatore the painter turned sculptor and his son Van, Caroline's art assistant Adam Prescott and his mother Frances. Everyone seems to have had a motive to murder Caroline, but why is the killer still after Jillian?
This was a great first with lots of twists and turns that left me guessing until the very end. I was completely wrong in thinking I knew whodunit. Meg suffers from hearing loss and the authors delicate handling of Meg's disability along with the inclusion into the story of Tripod, the three legged dog adds just the right touch of heartwarming realism.
As is the common thread in most cozies, romantic tensions run high between Meg and one of her suspects. Ultimately he is cleared of any wrongdoing and it will be interesting to see if their relationship evolves in future books. Meg has a very loving relationship with her ex-detective Father and I'm curious to see if he and his new wife will appear to help Meg in her future investigations. Most of all I'm eager to see how Meg tackles her next big project of renovating and restoring her new home.
A great debut!
Review Date: 1/13/2018
Better off Read is the debut of the A Bookmobile Mystery series set in the small town of Catalpa Springs, Georgia and featuring seventy five year old librarian Cleo Watkins and her Persian cat Rhett Butler. A recent storm has severely damaged the local library and Cleo is working hard to get the monies for its repair, and her ancient school bus bookmobile "Words on Wheels" is sounding like it's about ready for a new engine.
Mayor Jebson Day doesn't want to see the town spend the money to fix the library, instead he has plans to knock down the building and develop a huge fishing pier that will attract professional fisherman from all over the world. The Mayor has the backing of local bank president Vernon Givens and between the two Cleo has a feeling the library is going to be doomed.
Desperate to save the library and bookmobile Cleo sets out to ask the eccentric library board member Buford Krandall for help. When she and her library assistant Leanna arrive at the Krandall estate they find the man dead in his library surrounded by library books. Krandall had been drilling in the local springs looking to bottle the waters and make a fortune, much to the dismay of his neighbor Mary-Rose Garland who relies on the natural springs for the pancakes and sweets she serves up at the Pancake Mill.
Mary-Rose is Cleo's best friend and when she tops the suspect list along with Cleo's grandson Ollie who had gotten involved with an environmental activist group determined to stop Krandall, Cleo sets out with the help of her "gentleman friend" Henry Lafayette and his pug, Mr. Chaucer to find the real killer.
A fun, fast paced read with plenty of suspects. A delightful group of characters and a cozy small town setting, cute animals including a family of skunks make for a great new series.
Mayor Jebson Day doesn't want to see the town spend the money to fix the library, instead he has plans to knock down the building and develop a huge fishing pier that will attract professional fisherman from all over the world. The Mayor has the backing of local bank president Vernon Givens and between the two Cleo has a feeling the library is going to be doomed.
Desperate to save the library and bookmobile Cleo sets out to ask the eccentric library board member Buford Krandall for help. When she and her library assistant Leanna arrive at the Krandall estate they find the man dead in his library surrounded by library books. Krandall had been drilling in the local springs looking to bottle the waters and make a fortune, much to the dismay of his neighbor Mary-Rose Garland who relies on the natural springs for the pancakes and sweets she serves up at the Pancake Mill.
Mary-Rose is Cleo's best friend and when she tops the suspect list along with Cleo's grandson Ollie who had gotten involved with an environmental activist group determined to stop Krandall, Cleo sets out with the help of her "gentleman friend" Henry Lafayette and his pug, Mr. Chaucer to find the real killer.
A fun, fast paced read with plenty of suspects. A delightful group of characters and a cozy small town setting, cute animals including a family of skunks make for a great new series.
Review Date: 2/2/2021
Beyond a Reasonable Donut is the fifth installment in the A Deputy Donut Mystery Book set in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and featuring donut maker, Emily Westhill and her cat Dep. It's time for the annual Faker's Dozen Carnival to celebrate Friday the thirteenth and Emily (along with her assistant Nina) has rented a booth in order to dish up fritters and her other tasty treats. Arrival at the fair gets off to a rough start thanks to event organizer Marsha Fitchelder who won't let the duo through the gates with their car in order to unload the last minute supplies. But, Marsha seems to be giving everyone a hard time including a cute mime who gets into a "non-verbal" argument regarding parking outside of the gate. In the midst of all the confusion a big bucket of powdered sugar goes missing - did Emily and Nina misplace it or did someone steal it when they weren't looking?
The day seems to smooth out until the mime accompanied by a magician cause a diversion which allows the magician the opportunity to steal money from Emily's cash drawer. Irritated, Nina goes running after the duo but is unable to catch up with them. Later that evening after dropping her friend off at her loft apartment, Emily discovers that Nina left her purse in the car and won't have her keys so she turns around to go back. Nina's door is open so Emily makes her way up the flight of stairs only to discover the body of the mime lying on the floor in front of a large painting and their head stuffed inside the missing powdered sugar bucket.
Fingers are quick to point at Nina as the killer since she was heard threatening the mime at the carnival. Deep down Emily knows that her employee isn't a killer but Nina is definitely hiding something so Emily joins forces with Detective Brent Fyne to pin down the real culprit.
A twisting, turning plot filled with delicious treats, recipes and past secrets. The return of series regulars and a furry companion. In addition to preparing for the upcoming wedding of Emily's best friends Samantha and Hooligan, things are heating up a little bit for Emily too.
The day seems to smooth out until the mime accompanied by a magician cause a diversion which allows the magician the opportunity to steal money from Emily's cash drawer. Irritated, Nina goes running after the duo but is unable to catch up with them. Later that evening after dropping her friend off at her loft apartment, Emily discovers that Nina left her purse in the car and won't have her keys so she turns around to go back. Nina's door is open so Emily makes her way up the flight of stairs only to discover the body of the mime lying on the floor in front of a large painting and their head stuffed inside the missing powdered sugar bucket.
Fingers are quick to point at Nina as the killer since she was heard threatening the mime at the carnival. Deep down Emily knows that her employee isn't a killer but Nina is definitely hiding something so Emily joins forces with Detective Brent Fyne to pin down the real culprit.
A twisting, turning plot filled with delicious treats, recipes and past secrets. The return of series regulars and a furry companion. In addition to preparing for the upcoming wedding of Emily's best friends Samantha and Hooligan, things are heating up a little bit for Emily too.
Review Date: 2/9/2021
A Bias for Murder is the third installment in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop series set in the community of Crestwood and featuring Po Paltrow and her group of quilters. Oliver Harrington is a beloved member of Crestwood and although many don't know him well, they do know that he had a fascination for the stars and planets and was a familiar face on the college campus. Sadly, Ollie passes away early on in the book with signs pointing to a heart attack. Shortly after his death his twin sister Adele arrives in town for the first time in years and begins an immediate renovation on the families mansion which angers the neighbors. Also, information comes to light that there were quite a few people including the college and a local developer that were anxious to get their hands on the Harrington property - so was Ollie really a victim of murder? Po and her friends set out to uncover the truth and find themselves in harms way.
I have not read the first two in the series so found myself struggling a little to keep the characters straight (several have names starting with the same letter of the alphabet), and also to really connect with them as I didn't know their individual histories. With that being said I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order. The mystery was well crafted although I did figure out "whodunit" pretty early on. I wish we'd gotten to know Ollie a little better before his death as he seemed like a lovable and interesting fellow. I did enjoy getting to know the abrasive Adele and found myself rooting for her to win over the townspeople.
I have not read the first two in the series so found myself struggling a little to keep the characters straight (several have names starting with the same letter of the alphabet), and also to really connect with them as I didn't know their individual histories. With that being said I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order. The mystery was well crafted although I did figure out "whodunit" pretty early on. I wish we'd gotten to know Ollie a little better before his death as he seemed like a lovable and interesting fellow. I did enjoy getting to know the abrasive Adele and found myself rooting for her to win over the townspeople.
Review Date: 8/2/2020
A Big Fat Greek Murder is the second installment in the Goddess of Greene Street Mystery series set in Sequoia, Michigan and featuring single mom Athena Spencer. Athena's family restaurant, the Parthenon, is hosting a rehearsal dinner for Mandy Black and Brady Rogers and Athena's sister, Selene is one of the bridesmaids. When Brady doesn't show up on time his groomsmen go to look for him at his apartment and find him stabbed to death.
The murder weapon turns out to be a pair of Selene's hairdressing scissors and she's immediately thrown in jail. Selene had a prior bad experience with Brady so it's no surprise that the members of the wedding party all seem to be pointing their fingers in her direction. But, Athena knows that her sister isn't a killer so she teams up with Case Donnelly to track down the killer.
A fast paced plot with well rounded characters that will have you laughing (and hungry). Just the right touch of family, romance and mystery.
The murder weapon turns out to be a pair of Selene's hairdressing scissors and she's immediately thrown in jail. Selene had a prior bad experience with Brady so it's no surprise that the members of the wedding party all seem to be pointing their fingers in her direction. But, Athena knows that her sister isn't a killer so she teams up with Case Donnelly to track down the killer.
A fast paced plot with well rounded characters that will have you laughing (and hungry). Just the right touch of family, romance and mystery.
Big Trouble in Little Greektown (Goddess of Greene St., Bk 3)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
6
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
6
Review Date: 10/9/2021
Helpful Score: 1
Big Trouble in Little Greektown is the third installment in the A Goddess of Greene St Mystery series set in Sequoia, Michigan and featuring blogger, garden center worker and aspiring private detective Athena Spencer. Things have been settling down for Athena since she and her son have moved back to her hometown following a nasty divorce. She's enjoying her relationship with Case Donnelly, and the two are looking forward to opening a detective agency, well she was until Case decided to bring in a partner in the overbearing Lila Talbot.
A nature walk during the Save the Dunes charity fundraiser, sends the couple into investigative mode, although Case has to be careful that he doesn't jeopardize his license. The investigation uncovers dirty politics, environmental issues and greedy landowners.
Always a fun series, it's nice to spend time with Athena's large Greek family, as the sisters deal with the her parents strict beliefs, and Athena does her best to hide her identity as the popular blogger they all read each morning over coffee. While I enjoy Oscar, the pet raccoon who resides at the Garden Center, I'm not quite sure that he should be a pet solely dependent upon the family.
A nature walk during the Save the Dunes charity fundraiser, sends the couple into investigative mode, although Case has to be careful that he doesn't jeopardize his license. The investigation uncovers dirty politics, environmental issues and greedy landowners.
Always a fun series, it's nice to spend time with Athena's large Greek family, as the sisters deal with the her parents strict beliefs, and Athena does her best to hide her identity as the popular blogger they all read each morning over coffee. While I enjoy Oscar, the pet raccoon who resides at the Garden Center, I'm not quite sure that he should be a pet solely dependent upon the family.
Review Date: 1/21/2018
Biscuits and Slashed Browns is the 4th installment in the Country Store Mysteries series featuring Robbie Jordan, owner of Pans N'Pancakes set in the small town of South Lick, Indiana. Robbie is looking forward to hosting a cook off as part of the Brown County Maple Sugar Festival and showcasing her delicious maple biscuits.
The weekend has also brought a gathering of maple scientists to town for an academic conference including Professor Warren Connolly. From the moment he stepped into town the professor seemed to get into an altercation with everyone that crossed his path; from fellow scholars to local townsfolk. So, it's really no surprise when Robbie's Aunt Adele finds his body behind a woodpile, but the problem is she finds the body behind the home of Robbie's assistant, Turner Roa and murdered with the Chef's knife of her best friend Christina. Knowing that neither of these two could be capable of murder, Robbie sets out with the help of beau, Abe to clear her friends and soon finds herself in more than one sticky situation.
A fast paced plot, a returning cast of characters and just the right touch of romance make this a delightful addition to the series.
The weekend has also brought a gathering of maple scientists to town for an academic conference including Professor Warren Connolly. From the moment he stepped into town the professor seemed to get into an altercation with everyone that crossed his path; from fellow scholars to local townsfolk. So, it's really no surprise when Robbie's Aunt Adele finds his body behind a woodpile, but the problem is she finds the body behind the home of Robbie's assistant, Turner Roa and murdered with the Chef's knife of her best friend Christina. Knowing that neither of these two could be capable of murder, Robbie sets out with the help of beau, Abe to clear her friends and soon finds herself in more than one sticky situation.
A fast paced plot, a returning cast of characters and just the right touch of romance make this a delightful addition to the series.
Review Date: 3/21/2017
Bitter Harvest is the second installment in the A Greenhouse Mystery series set in Winsome, PA and featuring Megan Sawyer, organic farmer and café owner. Megan is relieved that her farm, Washington Acres had a successful growing season and that the Washington Acres Farm Café and Larder has become a central gathering place for the local townsfolk.
With Oktoberfest on the horizon the entire town is abuzz with preparations, but some are unhappy with the festival organizers. What started out as an idea by local brewer Otto Vance to attract tourism and to promote the organic farmers and small business owners, the festival has snowballed with the creation of a planning committee and the hiring of PR pro Ophelia Dilworth. Unfortunately, Ophelia and the committee have awarded sponsorships and prominent position at the festival to the Sauer farm, known for animal cruelty and also to Otto's Brew Pub, whose home brews are inferior to a rival brewery operation owned by Ted Kuhl.
When Megan's grandmother Bibi stumbles upon the dead body of Otto, Police Chief Bobby King claims he'd suffered an unfortunate fall. But Megan has doubts and when Ted goes missing she begins to suspect foul play. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery Megan enlists the help of beau and veterinarian Dr. Daniel "Denver" Finn, and soon discovers not everything is as it seems in the idyllic little town.
Coupled with finding Otto's killer Megan also discovers that someone is spying on her and the farm. Whoever is camping out on Potter's Hill overlooking Washington Acres, has a personal interest in Megan. She visits her estranged Aunt Sarah but the woman is reluctant to answer Megan's questions and the mystery surrounding Megan's childhood deepens.
A delightful cast of returning characters includes chef Alvaro Hernandez, farm worker Clay Hand and his sister Clover, and war veteran Brian Porter. Megan's loveable dogs Gunther and Sadie once again figure prominently alongside the adorable pygmy goats Heidi and Dimples. Two separate plotlines will keep you turning the pages, the author leaves one mystery unsolved which will have readers anxiously awaiting the next in the series, Seeds of Revenge.
With Oktoberfest on the horizon the entire town is abuzz with preparations, but some are unhappy with the festival organizers. What started out as an idea by local brewer Otto Vance to attract tourism and to promote the organic farmers and small business owners, the festival has snowballed with the creation of a planning committee and the hiring of PR pro Ophelia Dilworth. Unfortunately, Ophelia and the committee have awarded sponsorships and prominent position at the festival to the Sauer farm, known for animal cruelty and also to Otto's Brew Pub, whose home brews are inferior to a rival brewery operation owned by Ted Kuhl.
When Megan's grandmother Bibi stumbles upon the dead body of Otto, Police Chief Bobby King claims he'd suffered an unfortunate fall. But Megan has doubts and when Ted goes missing she begins to suspect foul play. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery Megan enlists the help of beau and veterinarian Dr. Daniel "Denver" Finn, and soon discovers not everything is as it seems in the idyllic little town.
Coupled with finding Otto's killer Megan also discovers that someone is spying on her and the farm. Whoever is camping out on Potter's Hill overlooking Washington Acres, has a personal interest in Megan. She visits her estranged Aunt Sarah but the woman is reluctant to answer Megan's questions and the mystery surrounding Megan's childhood deepens.
A delightful cast of returning characters includes chef Alvaro Hernandez, farm worker Clay Hand and his sister Clover, and war veteran Brian Porter. Megan's loveable dogs Gunther and Sadie once again figure prominently alongside the adorable pygmy goats Heidi and Dimples. Two separate plotlines will keep you turning the pages, the author leaves one mystery unsolved which will have readers anxiously awaiting the next in the series, Seeds of Revenge.
Review Date: 10/29/2017
Helpful Score: 1
Blackberry Burial is the second installment in the A Berry Basket Mystery series set in Oriole Point, Michigan featuring Berry Basket owner, Marlee Jacobs. Folks in Oriole Point are gearing up for the Blackberry Art School centenary which will be bringing alumni in from all over the world, some of its former students have become world famous talents.
Marlee has been recruited by Piper Lyall-Pierce the mayor's wife and director of the Oriole Point Tourist and Visitor center to help organize the annual Road Rally. This year the rally is being dubbed the Blackberry Road Rally in honor of the BAS reunion. When the Grunkemeyer Farm which was supposed to be the starting point for the rally is deemed unsafe, Marlee and Piper set out along with Piper's new Great Dane puppy Charlemagne "Charlie" to visit the Sanderling Farm.
Upon his release from the car, Charlie immediately takes off into the woods and Marlee must go looking for him. Much to her dismay, she finally locates Charlie who has happily dug up a human skeleton. The skeleton is identified as belonging to a former BAS student and classmate of the Berry Basket baker Theo Foster. Marlee has a very soft spot in her heart for the baker, and when he begs her to find his friend's killer, she can't say no.
With the help of best friend Tess, employees Dean and Andrew Cabot and Captain Atticus Holt, Marlee discovers that the relationship among the former BAS students was very prickly. This is a fast paced storyline with characters and animals that will pull at your heartstrings, have you both laughing and crying. A delightful mystery is woven in amongst the evolvement of friendships and hopefully a new and more suitable relationship for Marlee.
Marlee has been recruited by Piper Lyall-Pierce the mayor's wife and director of the Oriole Point Tourist and Visitor center to help organize the annual Road Rally. This year the rally is being dubbed the Blackberry Road Rally in honor of the BAS reunion. When the Grunkemeyer Farm which was supposed to be the starting point for the rally is deemed unsafe, Marlee and Piper set out along with Piper's new Great Dane puppy Charlemagne "Charlie" to visit the Sanderling Farm.
Upon his release from the car, Charlie immediately takes off into the woods and Marlee must go looking for him. Much to her dismay, she finally locates Charlie who has happily dug up a human skeleton. The skeleton is identified as belonging to a former BAS student and classmate of the Berry Basket baker Theo Foster. Marlee has a very soft spot in her heart for the baker, and when he begs her to find his friend's killer, she can't say no.
With the help of best friend Tess, employees Dean and Andrew Cabot and Captain Atticus Holt, Marlee discovers that the relationship among the former BAS students was very prickly. This is a fast paced storyline with characters and animals that will pull at your heartstrings, have you both laughing and crying. A delightful mystery is woven in amongst the evolvement of friendships and hopefully a new and more suitable relationship for Marlee.
Review Date: 4/29/2018
Bleeding Tarts is the second installment in the Pie Town Mystery series set in San Nicholas, CA and featuring Val Harris, pie maker and owner of Pie Town. The new shop is gaining a reputation but Val is still struggling to make ends meet and is looking forward to landing a new wholesale client. She and crust maker, Charlene McCree along with the narcoleptic furry Frederick make their way to Bar X, the exclusive fake Old West Town.
While Val is delighted to meet Bar X owner, Ewan Frith and his daughter Bridget, Charlene is foaming at the mouth with the discovery that her high school nemesis Marla is also on the scene. It's only a matter of minutes before gunshots ring out, a pie is shot out of Val's hands, and Bar X bartender Devon Blackett is discovered dead in an alley.
Against her better wishes Val finds herself drawn into the murder investigation. With only a handful of suspects that include Ewan, Bridget and the trio of sharpshooters, Larry, Moe and Curly, Val thinks she'll have the case wrapped up in no time. But, Charlene is determined to pin the murder on Marla and the rumored Bar X phantom may also play a role.
Despite warnings from possible love interest Detective Gordon Carmichael not to get involved, Val and Charlene quickly find themselves in a sticky situation with the killer turning his sights on Val. A laugh out loud romp that includes phantoms, fairies, the return of the Baker Street Bakers and the nerdy collection of gaming regulars, fanatical gym owner Heidi and Pie Town employees. Mouthwatering pie recipes and a tasty tidbit of what's next to come in Pie Hard finish off this delightful addition to the series.
While Val is delighted to meet Bar X owner, Ewan Frith and his daughter Bridget, Charlene is foaming at the mouth with the discovery that her high school nemesis Marla is also on the scene. It's only a matter of minutes before gunshots ring out, a pie is shot out of Val's hands, and Bar X bartender Devon Blackett is discovered dead in an alley.
Against her better wishes Val finds herself drawn into the murder investigation. With only a handful of suspects that include Ewan, Bridget and the trio of sharpshooters, Larry, Moe and Curly, Val thinks she'll have the case wrapped up in no time. But, Charlene is determined to pin the murder on Marla and the rumored Bar X phantom may also play a role.
Despite warnings from possible love interest Detective Gordon Carmichael not to get involved, Val and Charlene quickly find themselves in a sticky situation with the killer turning his sights on Val. A laugh out loud romp that includes phantoms, fairies, the return of the Baker Street Bakers and the nerdy collection of gaming regulars, fanatical gym owner Heidi and Pie Town employees. Mouthwatering pie recipes and a tasty tidbit of what's next to come in Pie Hard finish off this delightful addition to the series.
Review Date: 1/8/2023
The residents of Alton Road are holding their annual Memorial Day Block party but the usually family friendly get together is about to take a sinister turn that ends in a homicide. The core families each have something to hide and as the novel unfolds we learn that even the most idyllic neighborhoods are not always as serene as they appear to an outsider.
The mystery is narrated from dual points of view and interspersed with the online chatter from other community members who like nothing better than to speculate about the residents of Alton Road. Alex Fox seems to have it all together; successful businesswoman, loving mother and devoted wife but she is also an alcoholic. Lettie Fox, her 17 year old daughter is entering her Senior year of high school on the heels of a two week suspension at the end of Junior year for vandalism to the school. She will be the first to admit that she doesn't fit in with her peers and wants nothing more than to graduate and move across country to attend USC.
The story starts off in present day with Alex drunk, and after landing on her butt in the kiddie pool and totally humiliating her husband Nick, she goes into the house to sleep it off. She's awakened by the sounds of sirens and staggers outside to see what is happening.
The author then takes us back a year and we get to know each of the families and the secrets they are hiding which ultimately will end in death for one of them, and completely destroy the lives of several others. An eerie tale filled with obsession, blackmail, infidelity and drug abuse that will have you binge reading an afternoon away. This is not my normal genre but am glad that I took the opportunity to spend a day with the residents of Alton Road.
The mystery is narrated from dual points of view and interspersed with the online chatter from other community members who like nothing better than to speculate about the residents of Alton Road. Alex Fox seems to have it all together; successful businesswoman, loving mother and devoted wife but she is also an alcoholic. Lettie Fox, her 17 year old daughter is entering her Senior year of high school on the heels of a two week suspension at the end of Junior year for vandalism to the school. She will be the first to admit that she doesn't fit in with her peers and wants nothing more than to graduate and move across country to attend USC.
The story starts off in present day with Alex drunk, and after landing on her butt in the kiddie pool and totally humiliating her husband Nick, she goes into the house to sleep it off. She's awakened by the sounds of sirens and staggers outside to see what is happening.
The author then takes us back a year and we get to know each of the families and the secrets they are hiding which ultimately will end in death for one of them, and completely destroy the lives of several others. An eerie tale filled with obsession, blackmail, infidelity and drug abuse that will have you binge reading an afternoon away. This is not my normal genre but am glad that I took the opportunity to spend a day with the residents of Alton Road.
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