Review - Looking for Mr. Good Witch

Today I review the newest  book in the Retired Witches Mysteries by Joyce and Jim Lavene.  But, it is with a heavy heart, because Joyce just recently passed away.  JOYCE LILLIAN LAVENE May 23, 1954 – October 20, 2015
Joyce and Jim were married for 44 years. Our sympathies to the family.  Lisa K's Book Reviews is hosting a Facebook Event today – Remembering Joyce Lavene. Feel free to stop by and share a memory or see what others are sharing.

Author: Joyce and Jim Lavene

Copyright: October 2015 (Berkley) 290 pgs

Series: 2nd in Retired Witches Mystery series

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy paranormal

Main Characters: Molly Addison Renard, owner Smuggler’s Arcane Metaphysical shop and witch

Setting: Modern day, Wilmington, North Carolina

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review


Molly's husband, a police officer, is working on a case of an apparent serial killer who murders young men along the Eastern seaboard.  But Molly knows that the killings are of a supernatural nature due to a warning from the Witch Council that young male witches are being slain.  The victims appear to be drown yet they have no water in their lungs.  When their potential new coven member, young and powerful Brian Fuller, starts acting like he is under a spell, the small group of witches fears he is the next target and become determined to find out who the killer is.  

A subplot is that Molly did the forbidden, told her non-magic husband she is a witch.  She is terrified the Witch Council will find out and wipe his memory (which sometimes has disastrous results.)  Then, her husband must work with his ex-wife on the case.  Additionally, Molly is plagued by the powerful entity called the "Bone Man" who wants her to find his long lost wife, or else.  

Molly is a great main character, a bit older lady who is fiercely loyal and the ring-leader of her little coven.  Others in the cover include: Elsie is spunky and rambunctious lady,  Olivia is a ghost and doesn't deal well with the prejudice against her kind among other witches, and Dorothy who is Olivia's daughter learning to control her powers that she recently discovered.  The Grand Council is a bureaucracy of older wealthy and influential witches set in their ways.  The Bone Man is far more than your expect, and I feel he was the breakout character.

The seaside town of Wilmington is used well, utilizing land and sea along with the coastal weather to great advantage.  The plot is a solid premise and the writing did it justice while keeping the cozy feel.  It kept my interest through the chapters and I found myself devouring the story.

The killer reveal was deliciously suspenseful and the resolution left plenty of complications and new hope to leave me wanting more. 

Cute and quirky doesn't begin to describe this fun entry in the series. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now.


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Review - Just Killing Time

This is the first book in a new series featuring a clock shop and all things clocks.  Last Saturday I did the Soundtrack Saturday for this book (click here.)  I like fine clocks, I had a cool grandfather clock growing up, undoubtedly an inexpensive reproduction, but it still fascinated me.  So this new themed series peeked my interest.  See what you think.

Spooktacular Blog Hop is down a few posts.

Author: Julianne Holmes

Copyright: October 2015 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 1st in Clock Shop Mystery series

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy

Main Characters: Ruth Clagan, expert clockmaker, new owner of Cog and Sprocket

Setting: Modern day, Orchard Massachusetts (Berkshires)

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Ruth’s grandparents were her rock during her childhood, she adored her grandmother and grandfather Thom (G.T.) passed along his love of timepieces. But, after her grandmother died and G.T. remarried, Ruth and Grandpa Thom became estranged. After her disastrous marriage and divorce, she wanted to reach out, but hadn't done it yet.  Just out of a week-long retreat she finds out G.T. has died, and she missed her chance.  Her grandfather was found dead after a break-in at his shop—and the police believe he was murdered.

Ruth rushes to town and finds she inherited her grandfather's cherished clock shop, the Cog & Sprocket, in the small Berkshire town of Orchard, Massachusetts. As soon as she moves into the small apartment above the shop, she realizes G.T. had gotten involved in town politics and stirred up a hornets nest. She doesn't have much choice but to investigate because the shop is being searched and somebody really wants something  badly, probably bad enough to have killed her grandfather.

Ruth is a good heroine, recovering from a bad marriage and divorce, grieving over her grandfather's death. She was raised by her grandparents since her parents were never much for taking care of a child. Ruth is easy to like.  Pat Reed is a long time clock shop handyman who falls under suspicion. Ben Clover, is the owner of the neighboring hair salon and makes a fun potential love interest. Jeff Paisley, by-the-book Chief of Police who shows some interest in Ruth too.  Caroline, the step grandmother, who she hadn't met until now is an understanding lady.   Nancy and Moira Reed run the Sleeping Latte coffee shop diner and are old friends.  I have to mention Bezel, the shop cat who is simply a cool cat who lives at the storefront.

Orchard is a standard small town with it's share of city political strife.  The plot is good and the pacing, after the story gets established, is just right. The mystery unfolds the more Ruth settles in with subtle clues among the red herrings and the killer is a surprise.  Good job.  The wrap up is heartwarming.

I liked this debut novel.  It has depths that are surprising for a cozy. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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Soundtrack Saturday

 If you are looking for the Spooktacular Blog Hop, it is the post before this one.  Just scroll down!

Welcome to this blog-meme from Erin over at Hardcover Lover.  The idea is to put a book you are reading to music, following the guidelines.  I will do my best on this new adventure.

I finished reading Just Killing Time by Julianne Holmes, review coming Monday.  Here is my attempt to find the music for the book. 

Song that I think goes well with the beginning of the book:

The heroine in this mystery is returning to the only home she knew after her grandfather dies.  Her grandfather ownes a clock shop and she has followed in his footsteps.  This song is about time and how she wishes the rift between them had been patched before he died.

Cher -- Turn Back Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq_BAHIAuNw

Song I think fits a character in chosen book:

Since the heroine Ruth Clagan not only fixes and designs fine clocks, she also wears jewelry she creates from steampunk elements with gears, this humorous song seemed fitting.

Reginald Pikedevant -- Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA

Song that represents a relationship in this book:

Ruth is dealing with the news of her grandfather's death and her inheritance after a few years of estrangement.  This song seemed appropriate, since Ruth and many people in town miss him.

Justin Hayward -- Forever Autumn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsCdlX-5UjE

Include a song that fits the ending of the book:

The ending reveals a killer that was hiding a dark side.  This song gets that vibe pretty good.

Gwen Sebastian -- I'm Not Who You Think I Am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KrQZFcIkHM

 The California Wine Club: In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will donate 10% of all sales using Promo code “PINK10” during October to the American Cancer Society and you will save 10% off any club purchase. 

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Spooktacular Giveaway Blog Hop

If you are joining us as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Blog hop, look around and stay for awhile.  We celebrate everything mystery and suspense here - no doubt you can find something of interest!

GIVEAWAY PRIZES:

We are celebrating Halloween here at Mysteries and My Musings with a giveaway for the fifth year!  One combination prize to a winner, 5 winners!

1)  Ghost of a Potion (A Magic Potion Mystery) by Heather Blake and The Stitching Hour  (An Embroidery Mystery) by Amanda Lee

2)  Plot Boiler (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery) by Ali Brandon and Faux Paw (Magical Cats Mystery) by Sofie Kelly

3)  The Ghost and Mrs Fletcher (Murder She Wrote Mysteries) by Donald Bain and Ghost Wanted (A Bailey Ruth Ghost Novel) by Carolyn Hart

4)  Trick or Deadly Treat (A Fresh Baked Mystery) by Livia J Washburn and The Skeleton Haunts a House (A Family Skeleton Mystery) by Leigh Perry 

5)   Death in Salem (A Will Rees Mystery) by Eleanor Kuhns and Trick or Deceit (A Celebration Bay Mystery) by Shelley Freydont


Entry for giveaway lasts until October 31 6:00 p.m. (MST).  U.S.  entries only please.

I will be shipping the books to the winners.

How to enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post.

I will accept entries for this giveaway until 6:00 p.m (MST) on  Oct 31, 2015.    I shall notify the winner via the email address you provide to get your mailing address and have the prize sent directly to you.  If I don't hear from you in 3 days, I will select another winner and notify them.

IF you are a member (or email subscriber) of this blog, you only need to leave a comment with your correct email.

BECOME a member (or email subscriber) of this blog if you aren't already and enjoy the celebration of all things mystery and suspense.

Other participating blogs: 




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Anthony, Barry, Macavity, and Shamus Awards

Several awards were presented at Bourchercon World Mystery Convention held last weekend in Raleigh North Carolina.  Book awards are a great way to find new books to try.  Check out this list with a varied array of worthy titles, you might find your new favorite among them.

Anthony Awards 2015

The Anthony Awards, voted on by the members of the convention, were presented at Bouchercon 2015 on October 10, 2015.

Best Mystery Novel
  *      After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman [Winner]
  °      Lamentation by Joe Clifford   
  °      The Secret Place by Tana French
  °      The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
  °      Truth Be Told by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Mystery  *      The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day [Winner]
  °      Blessed Are the Dead by Kristi Belcamino
  °      Ice Shear by M.P. Cooley
  °      Invisible City by Julia Dahl
  °      The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Best Paperback Original
  *      The Day She Died by Catriona McPherson [Winner]
  °      Stay With Me by Alison Gaylin
  °      The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood
  °      World of Trouble by Ben H. Winters
  °      No Stone Unturned by James W. Ziskin

Best Short Story
  *      “The Odds Are Against Us” by Art Taylor
  Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2014 [Winner]
  °      “Honeymoon Sweet” by Craig Faustus Buck
  Murder at the Beach: The Bouchercon Anthology 2014
  °      “The Shadow Knows” by Barb Goffman
  Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays
  °      “Howling at the Moon” by Paul D. Marks
  Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2014
  °      “Of Dogs & Deceit” by John Shepphird
  Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2014

Best Critical or Non-Fiction Work
  *      Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer’s Journey edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan [Winner]
  °      The Figure of the Detective: A Literary History and Analysis by Charles Brownson
  °      Death Dealer: How Cops and Cadaver Dogs Brought a Killer to Justice by Kate Clark Flora
  °      Dru’s Book Musings by Dru Ann Love
  °      Poe-Land: The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe by J.W. Ocker

Best Anthology or Collection
  *      In the Company of Sherlock Holmes: Stories Inspired by the Holmes Canon edited by Laurie R. King & Leslie S. Klinger [Winner]
  °      Face Off edited by David Baldacci
  °      Murder at the Beach: The Bouchercon Anthology 2014 edited by Dana Cameron
  °      Trouble in the Heartland: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Bruce Springsteen edited by Joe Clifford
  °      Carolina Crimes: 19 Tales of Love, Lust, and Longing edited by Karen Pullen

Barry Awards

The Barry Awards, voted on by the readers of Deadly Pleasures, were presented at Bouchercon 2015



Best Novel
  *      Natchez Burning by Greg Iles [Winner]
  °      The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen
  °      Strange Shores by Arnaldur Indridason
  °      The Rest Is Silence by James R. Benn
  °      The Hollow Girl by Reed Farrel Coleman
  °      Providence Rag by Bruce DeSilva

Best First Novel
  *      Invisible City by Julia Dahl [Winner]
  °      Night Heron by Adam Brookes
  °      Ice Shear by M.P. Cooley
  °      Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little
  °      The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh
  °      She’s Leaving Home by William Shaw

Best Paperback Original
  *      The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens [Winner]
  °      The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker
  °      The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood
  °      Present Darkness by Malla Nunn
  °      The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day
  °      Eleven Days by Stav Sherez

Best Thriller
  *      Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta [Winner]
  °      Suspicion by Joe Finder
  °      The Water Rat of Wanchai by Ian Hamilton
  °      An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
  °      I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
  °      House Reckoning by Mike Lawson


Macavity Awards
The Macavity Awards, voted on by members of Mystery Readers International, were also presented at Bouchercon 2015.

Best Mystery Novel
  *      The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood [Winner]
  °      The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield
  °      The Lewis Man by Peter May
  °      The Day She Died by Catriona McPherson
  °      The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
  °      The Last Death of Jack Harbin by Terry Shames

Best First Mystery Novel
  *      Invisible City by Julia Dahl [Winner]
  °      Blessed Are the Dead by Kristi Belcamino
  °      Dry Bones in the Valley by Tom Bouman
  °      Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary
  °      Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little
  °      The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day

Best Mystery-Related Nonfiction
  *      Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer’s Journey edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan [Winner]
  °      The Figure of the Detective: A Literary History and Analysis by Charles Brownson
  °      Poe-Land: The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe by J. W. Ocker
  °      400 Things Cops Know: Street Smart Lessons from a Veteran Patrolman by Adam Plantinga

Best Mystery Short Story
  *      “Honeymoon Sweet” by Craig Faustus Buck Murder at the Beach: The Bouchercon Anthology 2014 [Winner]
  °      “The Shadow Knows” by Barb Goffman Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays
  °      “Howling at the Moon” by Paul D. Marks Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2014
  °      “The Proxy” by Travis Richardson Thuglit #13, September/October 2014
  °      “The Odds Are Against Us” by Art Taylor
  Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2014

Sue Feder Historical Mystery Award
  *      A Deadly Measure of Brimstone by Catriona McPherson [Winner]
  °      Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen
  °      Things Half in Shadow by Alan Finn
  °      An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
  °      Present Darkness by Malla Nunn
  °      Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd


Shamus Awards
The Shamus Awards, awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America, were presented at the Shamus Award Banquet at Big Ed’s during Bouchercon 2015


The Eye Award for Lifetime Achievement:      Parnell Hall

Best P.I. Novel
  *      Hounded by David Rosenfelt [Winner]
  °      The Hollow Girl by Reed Farrel Coleman
  °      The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
  °      Tokyo Kill by Barry Lancet
  °      Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon

Best P.I. Paperback Original
  *      Moonlight Weeps by Vincent Zandri [Winner]
  °      The Detective & the Pipe Girl by Michael Craven
  °      Beauty with a Bomb by M.C. Grant
  °      Critical Damage by Robert K. Lewis
  °      Street Justice by Kris Nelscott

Best First P.I. Novel
  *      Invisible City by Julia Dahl [Winner]
  °      Wink of an Eye by Lynn Chandler-Willis
  °      Bad Country by C.B. McKenzie
  °      Last of the Independents by Sam Wiebe
  °      City of Brick and Shadow by Tim Wirkus

Best P.I. Short Story
  *      “Clear Recent History” by Gon Ben Ari Tel Aviv Noir [Winner]
  °      “The Ehrengraf Fandango” by Lawrence Block Defender of the Innocent
  °      “Busting Red Heads” by Richard Helms Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March 2014
  °      “Fear Is The Best Keeper of Secrets” by Vali Khalili Tehran Noir
  °      “Mei Kwei, I Love You” by Suchen Christine Lim Singapore Noir

Best Indie P.I. Novel
  *      The Shadow Broker by Trace Conger [Winner]
  °      Nobody’s Child by Libby Fischer Hellmann
  °      Played To Death by BV Lawson
  °      The Kids Are All Right by Steve Liskow
  °      Get Busy Dying by Ben Rehder

Congratulations one and all on your achievement and recognition!

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Soundtrack Saturday

This is my second try at this blog-meme from Erin over at Hardcover Lover.  The idea is to put a book you are reading to music, following the guidelines.  I will do my best on this new adventure.

I finished reading The Big Chili by Julia Buckley (click here for review) and here is my attempt to find the music for the book.  This was a tough one.


Song that I think goes well with the beginning of the book:

The murder in this mystery is from poison, so this song works (although it is about a relationship that isn't good for you -- still it is about poison.)  It could also apply to the main character Lilah's ex boyfriend as well.

Poison by Beyonce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKR0uwuf4s

Song I think fits a character in chosen book:

Since Lilah is a great cook doing her undercover catering business, I thought this song would work for her :-)

Jimmy Buffet And Friends - Hey Good Lookin'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjqiaXKdWz8

Song that represents a relationship in this book:

Lilah hates keeping the secret about having made the chili that was poisoned from the detective, because her ex-boyfriend lied to her.  This lie does blow up, as lies tend to do, so a song about lies seemed appropriate.

No More Lies by The Moody Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5-9w1cx60

Include a song that fits the ending of the book:

The running idea of lies and secrets comes back in the end, because a killer doesn't want their secret out...duh.  This one is perfect for so many murder mysteries!

Secret by The Pierces

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=233&v=f_AyjjBAV8c

Let me know if you like this new feature...or if you have other songs that you think of for this book.

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Review - The Big Chili

Here is a new mystery series, although the author has written mysteries before... like the Teddy Thurber mysteries and the Madeline Mann mysteries.  Let's take a look at Ms. Buckley's newest mystery series, which has already garnered praise from Sue Ann Jaffarian and others.

Author: Julia Buckley

Copyright: Oct 2015 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 3rd in Undercover Dish Mystery series

Sensuality: mild kissing and situations

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy

Main Character: Lilah Drake, 27 year old Real Estate Assistant and secret caterer to the cooking challenged

Setting: Modern day, Pine Haven, Illinois

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Lilah has always had a penchant for cooking and has built up a secret business in addition to working for her parents part time at the Realty office. She provides clandestine meals for the cooking challenged.  You are arthritic and can't make the special dish for the family anymore, or you just simply can't make a potluck dish to same your life...call Lilah and she will make the dish for a price and do the hand off in out-of-the-way places. But when Perpetua Grandy's usual order of special chili for the St. Bartholomew's Church potluck ends up with cyanide that kills the most hated woman in the church, Alice Dixon, things start to heat up.  Not just because it was Lilah's secret chili that Pet is known for that killed her (and Pet isn't letting go of the secret), but the investigating detective has peaked Lilah's interest -- even though he caught her making a secret delivery and seems mighty suspicious of her already.

Lilah Drake, fun character who essentially works two part time jobs, is recovering from a disastrous relationship with the local Italian Don Juan, and therefor prefers her dog as the only male sharing her house. Detective Jacob Parker is a handsome arrival in town who is "hard core" about his job...intense, serious, life-time cop describe him, yet he is supposed to be the potential love interest.  Lilah's brother Cameron and Italian girlfriend Serfina are a nice addition. Mick the Chocolate Labrador is lovable and seems to nod on que, great sidekick.  Terry Randal and girl friend Brit are Lilah's wealthy jet-setting landlords that have hearts of gold.

The setting Pine Haven is fairly standard small town, with nothing special sticking out.  The plot concept of the clandestine catering is interesting, the beginning of the story was slow with all the setup, but the murder happens fairly quickly in the story and gets things moving. It is characteristically a cozy light read.  Pacing slows a bit with following Lilah on errands incessantly. But the killer confrontation had some good action and tension that I enjoy.  The wrap-up presents a new opportunity in the food realm for Lilah to be continued in the next book. 

I found this to be an overall fun read with a new premise that has plenty of potential.  I found a few things on the Mystery Bingo (click here), such as the Sidekick, a cop is the romantic interest, rather than "mom pushing sleuth to marry" it is rather mom pushing sleuth to date so she can get married, and food or hobby is featured. Luckily, Lilah thinks clearly in dangerous situations and didn't need rescuing.

Rating: Good - A fun read 

The California Wine Club: In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will donate 10% of all sales using Promo code “PINK10” during October to the American Cancer Society and you will save 10% off any club purchase. 

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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - October 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  If you know of a blog that reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews. Multiple entries from a blog are welcome, so spread the word.

Now on to this month's blog carnival. Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Booking Mama reviewed All Day and a Night by Alafair Burke

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed No Comfort for the Lost By Nancy Herriman



Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Carstairs Considers reviewed Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance


Lisa K's Book Reviews reviewed Gone But Knot Forgotten by Mary Marks


Dru's Book Musing reviewed Second To Nun by Alice Loweecey

Carstairs Considers reviewed Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed The Darling Dahlias and the Eleven O'Clock Lady by Susan Wittig Albert


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed Lethal Letters by Ellery Adams


Lisa K's Book Reviews reviewed Basket Case by Nancy Haddock


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed The Man Who Fell From the Sky by Margaret Coel.


Shelly's Bookcase reviewed Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James


Dru's Book Musings reviewed Say Yes To The Death by Susan McBride


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Black Cat Crossing by Kay Finch



Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Heist by Daniel Silva

Curling Up by the Fire reviewed The Fixer by Joseph Finder

Booking Mama reviewed Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter


Escape with Dollycas reviewed The Brooklyn Drop by Susan Russo Anderson


Author Interview



Shelley's Book Case features a guest post by author nancy Silverman


Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book featured a guest post from Kathy Aarons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"THANK YOU"

to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and let's keep this carnival going. 

 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

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Review-Death of an English Muffin

I have followed this series since the beginning.  Check out my reviews of the first book in the series, Bran New Death (click here) and the second book, Muffin But Murder (click here).  Additionally I was fortunate to have interviewed the author, Victoria Hamilton (click here).  See what I thought of the newest addition to the series below.

Author: Victoria Hamilton

Copyright: July 2015 (Berkley) 298 pgs

Series: 3rd in Merry Muffin Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy

Main Characters: Merry Wynter, former Plus size model and stylist, recently inherited a castle

Setting: Modern day, Upstate rural NY (Autumn Vale)

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review
 
Merry has rented rooms in her family castle to tenants to fund remodeling in hopes of eventually selling.  The problem is the group of elderly women, referred to as the Legion of Horrible Ladies, is more than difficult.  Chief cranky and mean-spirited crone is the Englishwoman Cleta Sanson, who loves to collect information (secrets) to use against everybody...especially her friends and her niece.  Somebody finally snaps and Cleta is found murdered in a locked bathroom.  Meanwhile, Merry and Virgil inch closer together.

Merry Wynter's nerves are frayed dealing with the cranky old ladies...still she tries to adjust since she needs the money they are paying.  We see Merry stressed with the entire situation.  Additionally, she just might be ready to move on from grieving and is growing attached to living at the castle.  Shilo, Merry's dear friend, is married now and we don't see her much in this book.  Pish Lincoln, Merry's other close friend, is instrumental in running interference with the Horrible Ladies.  Lush, Pish's mother, is the only one of the group of women who is kind and anybody likes.  Sheriff Virgil Grace, the potential love interest, has his own baggage that he may be ready to move on from as he hints at liking Merry.  Zeke and Gordy are around, but more in the background this outing. 

The castle and its grounds offer much to the story.  The plot is a locked room murder, but mostly focuses on the who not the how.  Plenty of suspects with secrets everywhere to keep your guessing.  Only a spot or two had some slight pace slowing, but not for long. 



The climax was without suspense, only a good killer reveal close to Ellery Queen style.  The wrap-up left me wanting more.

Summary: I like this series for times when I want a mystery that is an easy read without requiring deep thought.  I find it entertaining and enjoy the town and people.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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