By Lee Hollis
Published by Kensington Books
Moms can be a friend and/or foe and sometimes both at the same time. Take Sheila for instance, Hayley Powell, food columnist and amateur sleuth. There are times when Hayley would very much like for someone to take her Mom, especially when she makes an impromptu visit on the eve of Sheila and Bruce's honeymoon. In the last book, which you didn't have to read to be able to follow along with this latest murder, Hayley and Bruce said "I do" out of the blue and most unexpectedly. Having missed the wedding which technically no one was invited to, Sheila shows up at the Bangor airport nursing a broken heart. Sheila's arrival sparks interest in a quick class reunion of anyone who is still in the area of Bar Harbor. Which is where the murder comes in. I think that the best part of this story is the friendships between mothers and daughters. Not one on one, but as a group. Hayley, Liddy, and Mona are set and their Moms are apparently the best of friends as well. So you can imagine how this is going to go when the class "tart" known for her blueberries is found strangled in the hotel room next to Sheila, and shortly after Sheila and her posse confront Caskie Lemon-Hogg about her wild ways from way back when to her current day tart-like behavior as well. Rumors are flying as both sets of trios are hot on the trail of the a series of clues and often stepping on each other's toes. As if it was a race or a competition the Moms and the Daughters are in the thick of it. It can be the best of times or the worst of times and Hayley both loves and sometimes loathes her Mom and her knit picking comments. But no one can stay mad at their mother forever, right? Highly entertaining hijinks from both groups and the recipes are amazing. I didn't realize there were so many yummy ways to enjoy fresh or frozen blueberries either as a baked good or as beverage. I look forward to following up my review with the blueberry tart recipe.
By Peg Cochran
Published by Beyond the Page Publishing
This was my first Cranberry Cove mystery and I can honestly say that it will not be my last. Of the eastern shore of a very cold Lake Michigan there was so much warmth eminating from the main characters that you could not help but be drawn into the story. What would you do if a stranger showed up on your doorstep confused and claiming that someone was trying to kill them? Newlywed Monica Albertson is not only a wiz in the kitchen, where she makes the most wonderful cranberry creations for the Sassamanash Farm store, but also when it comes to piecing together a mystery. Aided by her husband Greg, her stepmother Gina, and the mysterious Dana Bakker, sister of the deceased. Several suspects from Marta's own family to ghosts from the past and all of this while Monica struggles to be supportive of her helf brother Jeff, who is thinking of selling the Farm to pay for a new experimental treatment to help his partially paralyzed arm, a result of his military service in Afghanistan. Not everyone is supporitve of the farm sale, especially since the developer has plans to build a mall. Sleepy and picturesque Cranberry Cove does not want or need a mall. As I said before this book kept pace as well it kept my attention and in no time Iwas to the recipes at the back of the book. I will make the bread in the fall but was inspired to try my hand at the wonderful cookies that were mentioned several times through out the story. Definelty a good read with all of the classic cozy requirements.
By Laura Childs
Published by Kensington Books
Theo and the Indigo Teashop crew are back and serving up tea, scones, and suspense. This is the 21st book in the series and I can honestly say that you don't need to have read the other 20 to enjoy or understand who or what is involved. Theodosia is one well-rounded character and I must say that I learn something new about her in each book. I would never have guessed that she was such a crack shot with a hunting rifle. Her marksmanship skills are almost as good as her sleuthing skills. It also helps that her tea sommelier Drayton has slowly but surely become accustomed to these occurrences and is even getting into the act by assisting Theo, where once he was completely against her becoming involved. The tea shop crew of Drayton, Hailey, and Ms. Dimple actually brainstorm the list of suspects and possible motives.
As with all Teashop mysteries, there is a slew of recipes that I can't wait to try. One of these days I am going to make it to Charleston and see if there is a little teashop by chance. I must agree that the romance and sophistication of an afternoon tea sounds immensely inviting, especially if there were themed events such as the Gone With the Wind event described in our story. LVM has all the pieces of a perfectly cozy and makes for a great read by not only capturing your attention within the first chapter with the mysterious murder but also cements you to your kindle with the follow-up fire. All of this action takes place in less than 24 hours and there are suspects aplenty and all with completely different reasons to want Mr. Doyle dead. Was it over a diverted stream, an impending land development, an orphaned piece of land from the 1800s, a change in the will, or something else altogether?
I could go on and on, but wouldn't it be more fun for you to pick up this newly released book and read for yourself how the ever-inquisitive Theo manages to make time to run her tea shop, keep her detective boyfriend Riley from locking her up for her own good, and solve the crime. If I had to hazard a guess I would say that her Southern-style hygge helps her to unwind, relax, and ponder.
Death on the Page (A Castle Bookshop Mystery)
By Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Poor Cabana Joe just can't catch a break. He wasn't responsible for the death in the first book and now he is getting the blame for the death in the second one. A famous true crime author comes to town for a book signing at Bayside Books only to become the a true crime victim. There is no shortage of suspects from her fiancé to Cabana Joe (although no one has ever seen Cabana Joe or given reason to believe that there is in fact a ghost).It is all very mysterious and of course Shelby feels the need to get to the bottom of it in spite of pleadings from Aunt Edie, Michael Kessler the castle caretaker and fellow true crime writer, and especially Shelby's Coast Guard investigative agent boyfriend. The great thing about this story is that you do not need to be familiar with the previous plot to be able to tell the characters apart. They are developed just as well in the second story are they were in the first. A very good story with a well developed plot that moves the story along and sets us up for the next installment, which cannot get here soon enough.
By Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Poor Cabana Joe just can't catch a break. He wasn't responsible for the death in the first book and now he is getting the blame for the death in the second one. A famous true crime author comes to town for a book signing at Bayside Books only to become the a true crime victim. There is no shortage of suspects from her fiancé to Cabana Joe (although no one has ever seen Cabana Joe or given reason to believe that there is in fact a ghost).It is all very mysterious and of course Shelby feels the need to get to the bottom of it in spite of pleadings from Aunt Edie, Michael Kessler the castle caretaker and fellow true crime writer, and especially Shelby's Coast Guard investigative agent boyfriend. The great thing about this story is that you do not need to be familiar with the previous plot to be able to tell the characters apart. They are developed just as well in the second story are they were in the first. A very good story with a well developed plot that moves the story along and sets us up for the next installment, which cannot get here soon enough.
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