Review + GIVEAWAY: Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Heather Day Gilbert

Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
By Heather Day Gilbert
An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery #2
Lyrical Press, 2019


Summary

Exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake is nervous about her new job at the White Pine Wolf Preserve, but it turns out that the care and feeding of wild carnivores may be the least dangerous part of the gig . . .

Pet-sitter Belinda Blake is no stranger to dealing with wild animals, but she’s wary when the owner of the Greenwich, Connecticut, preserve asks her to help out with her “fluffy darlings.” Her caution seems justified on her very first day, when she discovers a tour guide—dead, bloodied, and surrounded by wolves in the enclosure.

Was it death by predator or something more sinister? The body count rises, but something’s not adding up. As she gets to know the rescued wolves and wolf-dog hybrids better, Belinda realizes that her human colleagues are not above suspicion. With help from her own “pack”—her pregnant sister, Red the chauffeur/bodyguard, and hunky farmer Jonas—Belinda is hot on the killer’s tail, but if she doesn’t find him soon, he’ll do more than muzzle her to keep the truth from escaping.

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My thoughts

I was not only pleasantly surprised – but shocked – by how much I enjoyed Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, book #2 in the Exotic Pet-Sitter mysteries by Heather Day Gilbert. This is a great cozy mystery series, totally different from other books in the genre. Characters are colorful and well-drawn, prose and dialogue flow steadily, and the mystery itself has an emotional, almost haunting, appeal. The author's passion for her subject shines clearly. I have not yet read the previous book, but this story easily stands alone.

Belinda Blake is an appealing leading lady, smart and with an unusual mixture of talents – from video gaming, to a vast knowledge of animals, and even detecting skills. She’s intelligent, quick thinking, and caring of friends and family. I connected with her from the very first sentence … Rainy weather was an introvert’s best friend. Yes! 

Belinda is an exotic pet sitter, and that doesn’t mean cats and dogs. In the normal scheme of things, I would not like this series at all. Belinda’s client in the previous book was a snake, and I don’t have adequate words to describe how I feel about reptiles. This story involves wolves, albeit in a wildlife preserve setting, but I don’t have a fondness for this predator either. With a fresh and unique approach, however, the author has created an endearing series with stories that capture the emotions and are hard to put down.

Belinda’s connections place her in two worlds, that of upstate New York and then Greenwich, Connecticut, where this story takes place. A strong supporting cast adds depth, including Belinda’s pregnant sister and a chauffeur with some pretty impressive protective skills. Two guys also seem to be interested in her, a home-town neighbor named Jonas and a wealthy gentleman in Greenwich, Stone Carrington the fifth. I don’t care for love triangles, but don’t really know if there’s one here because Stone only appears briefly in the closing pages. I’m definitely pulling for the warm and caring Jonas, with whom Belinda shares great chemistry.

“I know this sounds impossible – but I think

someone’s framing the wolves.”

- Belinda

The wolves become major characters and I came to care about them through the author’s skillful storytelling. One in particular, Freya, came from a horribly abusive background. All were rescues and some were born in captivity. Early on, I had to ask myself if the true predator was animal, human, or maybe a combination of both. Fortunately, all is not as it seems on the surface. It was interesting to learn about the behavior and care of wolves, and I was intrigued by these creatures. It’s one thing to gain knowledge, but the best books have the ability to change preconceived opinions, and this story definitely changed my perception of the wolf.

Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing is an outstanding cozy mystery and I look forward to much more from Heather Day Gilbert. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Heather Day Gilbert, an ECPA Christy award finalist and Grace award winner, writes contemporary mysteries and Viking historicals. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren’t afraid to protect those they love. Like Belinda Blake, Heather plays video games, although so far she hasn’t done any exotic pet-sitting or hunted any murderers.

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks

Knot on Her Life
By Mary Marks
A Quilting Mystery #7
Kensington, 2019


Summary

While quilter Martha Rose awaits the birth of her granddaughter, a neighborhood girl appears at her door with a mystery that can’t be pinned down . .

Martha’s eager to finish the baby quilt she’s making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha’s neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. 

When Poppy’s doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she’ll have to unravel more about Poppy’s parents to stitch a broken family back together again—and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .

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My thoughts

The Quilting Mysteries by Mary Marks center around the thoroughly likeable quilter Martha Rose, who is much more than a lady who quilts. She’s a thoughtful, intelligent, and talented middle-aged lady who cares about her family and sometimes quirky friends – and when murder touches any of their lives, that protectiveness and intuitiveness kicks into overdrive. The characters are richly developed, there’s lots of family drama, and the mystery is complex. Every book I’ve read in this series is very good, but Knot on Her Life just might be my favorite so far. It can definitely stand alone, but I recommended reading the stories in order for their character development.

The suspense begins when Poppy (Marigold Poppy Sarah Halaby), the foster child of Martha Rose’s neighbor, comes seeking help after finding Sonia in a diabetic coma, which might not be as straightforward as it seems at first. Poppy is the daughter of a Muslim father and Jewish mother, and it is soon discovered that she possibly witnessed her parents’ murder. With Poppy and Sonia whisked off into witness protection, Martha Rose begins to seek answers from relatives on both sides of Poppy’s family, as well as through the law enforcement connections of her fiancé, ATF agent and “gentle giant” Yossi, and son-in-law, Noah. I loved the growing relationship between Martha Rose and Yossi, and am crazy about her half-sister, Giselle, who has no filter when it comes to speaking her mind.

One of my comments about a previous book was that, although Martha Rose was Jewish, nothing was shown of her faith or lifestyle, and I loved how that was fleshed out in this book. We learn a lot about Jewish culture and religious rituals – especially the Shabbat, or Sabbath dinner – and some Muslim traditions also, all seamlessly woven into the texture of the story. The theme of being respectful of other people’s religious beliefs is something I appreciated. The only thing I didn’t understand is, with Martha Rose and Yossi being devout in their faith, why they live together without marriage, but that’s just me.

I also loved how the fellowship of quilting – “Women helping women. A sisterhood as old as the species” – is such an integral part of the story, especially the way Poppy opened up and came to trust Martha Rose through the sharing of this art.

Another strong theme is that of legalism vs. grace, and I loved these words spoken by Martha Rose to Rabbi Katzenozen: “You may be the world’s greatest authority on Jewish law … but from what I’ve seen, you don’t know the first thing about the spirit of the law, which is compassion and the preservation of life. For all living things. Including your own flesh and blood.”

The mystery itself is well crafted, the final revelation logical but unsuspected by me. I welcomed the surprise twists and could never figure out if the murder of Poppy’s parents was religious driven or related to her dad’s undercover work with the FBI. And then there’s the question of Poppy’s future, as adoption is sought by three different families. While the solution might not have been what my heart wanted, it was a wise and legally ethical decision, and she will be loved. I don’t know if we’ll see more of Poppy in future stories, but I certainly hope so. Meanwhile, the ending sets the stage for another child in need to enter the lives of the delightful Sonia and her new intriguing husband, Malo.

I highly recommend Knot on Her Life, as well as the whole Quilting Mysteries series.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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      Born and raised in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, Mary Marks earned a B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA and an M.A. in Public Administration from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. In 2004 she enrolled in the UCLA Extension Writers Program.
      Her first novel, Forget Me Knot, was a finalist in a national writing competition in 2011. She is currently a reviewer of cozy mysteries for The New York Journal of Books at www.nyjournalofbooks.com.

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard

Peach Clobbered
By Anna Gerard
A Georgia B&B Mystery #1
Crooked Lane Books, 2019


Summary

What’s black and white and dead all over? Georgia bed and breakfast proprietor Nina Fleet finds out when she comes across a corpse in a penguin costume.

Nina Fleet’s life ought to be as sweet as a Georgia peach. Awarded a tidy sum in her divorce, Nina retired at 41 to a historic Queen Anne house in quaint Cymbeline, GA. But Nina’s barely settled into her new B&B-to-be when a penguin shows up on her porch. Or, at least, a man wearing a penguin suit.

Harry Westcott is making ends meet as an ice cream shop’s mascot and has a letter from his great-aunt, pledging to leave him the house. Too bad that’s not what her will says. Meanwhile, the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty have lost their lease. Real estate developer Gregory Bainbridge intends to turn the convent into a golfing community, so Cymbeline’s mayor persuades Nina to take in the elderly nuns. And then Nina finds the “penguin” again, this time lying in an alley with a kitchen knife in his chest.

A peek under the beak tells Nina it’s not Harry inside the costume, but Bainbridge. What was he doing in Harry’s penguin suit? Was the developer really the intended victim, or did the culprit mean to kill Harry? Whoever is out to stop Harry from contesting the sale of his great-aunt’s house may also be after Nina, so she teams up with him to cage the killer before someone clips her wings in Peach Clobbered, Anna Gerard’s charming first Georgia B&B mystery.

AMAZON      BARNES & NOBLE


My thoughts

Peach Clobbered begins a delightful new southern mystery series by Anna Gerard and I enjoyed it very much. It’s well written, complex, populated with engaging, sometimes quirky characters, and filled with funny, if not outright hilarious moments.

One of its strengths is the strong sense of place, the fictional town of Cymbeline, Georgia, located about an hour from Savannah. The author has her finger on the pulse of the small southern town and vividly conveys the charming feel. Into this town comes lead character, Nina, who fell in love with a Queen Anne house while visiting and quickly made the decision to purchase. Having lived in Atlanta and recently divorced from a well-known professional golfer, Cymbeline offers the quieter pace and fresh start that she needed.

Nina is an engaging character, spunky and caring of people. Interesting secondary characters add richness and depth, as Nina discovers that Cymbeline has its share of problems. Small-town politics come into play as the mayor initially turns down Nina’s application to open a B&B, only to fast-track the opening (three days) when she needs to find a temporary home for six displaced nuns. At the heart of the nuns’ situation, and also the dislike of many Cymbeline citizens, is a shady real estate developer.

And then there’s Harry Wescott, Harry Westcott, nephew of the previous owner of Nina’s home, who has a letter claiming she intended to bequeath the house to him. When Nina first meets Harry, he is dressed in a penguin outfit, working to promote the local Taste-Tee Freeze Creamery. I was never sure whether I liked Harry or not, and still have questions, which is a good thing. He’s a potential foe to Nina with his seemingly legitimate right to ownership, yet a reluctant friendship of sorts begins to develop as they form a truce. I feel sure we’ll see more of Harry in future stories and I actually look forward to that.

Although the murder takes place in the early pages, this story focuses more on the people, Nina’s efforts with the B&B, and the nuns, who I absolutely loved. Suspects abound, as well as red herrings, and I didn’t even try to solve the murder because the journey was so much fun. I look forward to returning to Cymbeline in future stories. The only negative for me was the occasional use of profanity, which was totally unnecessary.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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DIANE A.S. STUCKART is the New York Times bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (writing as Ali Brandon). She’s also the author of the award-winning Leonardo da Vinci historical mysteries, as well as several historical romances and numerous mystery, fantasy, and romance short stories. The first book in her Tarot Cats Mystery series is FOOL’S MOON, available in trade, large print, and Kindle versions. Her Georgia B&B Mystery series from Crooked Lane Books launched July 2019 with PEACH CLOBBERED, written as Anna Gerard.

Diane is a member of Mystery Writers of America and has served as the 2018 and 2019 Chapter President of the MWA Florida chapter. In addition to her mystery writing affiliations, she’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and belongs to the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association. She’s a native Texan with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, but has been living in the West Palm Beach FL area since 2006. She shares her “almost in the Everglades” home with her husband, dogs, cats, and a few beehives.

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Left Fur Dead by J. M. Griffin

Left Fur Dead
By J. M. Griffin
A Jules & Bun Mystery #1
Kensington, 2019


Summary

On Fur Bridge Farm, Jules cares for rescued rabbits. But when a killer strikes, she’ll need a rabbit to rescue her . . .

Juliette “Jules” Bridge prides herself on the tender rehabilitation she provides for injured or abused rabbits on her New Hampshire rescue farm, but she has a very special relationship with one bunny in particular. Bun is a black-and-white rabbit who happens to have the ability to communicate through mental telepathy. Once she got over the shock, Jules found her furry friend had a lot to say.

One frigid March morning on their walk together, Bun spots a body. The police identify the frozen stiff as Arthur Freeman, aka Arty the Mime. Jules and Arty knew each other on the children’s party circuit, where he’d perform magic tricks and she had an educational rabbit petting pen. With Bun egging her on, Jules decides it’s time they hop to it and put their heads together to discover who silenced the mime. But their investigation leads them down a rabbit hole of more suspects and lies, while a killer sets a trap for them . . .

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My thoughts

A protagonist duo, one of which is a talking rabbit named … Bun. Okay, you have to suspend belief a little bit here, but this is fiction after all. I normally steer clear of fantasy or supernatural elements in my reading, especially talking animals, but it works well in J. M. Griffin’s new cozy mystery, Left Fur Dead. I couldn’t resist trying this story and I’m so glad I did. This is a fun story, tender and emotional, with lots of light-hearted moments; impossible to read without smiling much of the time.

Left Fur Dead is a fresh and different – dare I say, unique – novel in a cozy mystery field highly populated with cooking themes. I loved New Hampshire rescue farm owner Jules Bridge, and I adored her telepathic bunny. Meet Bun, who, according to Jules, is…

Not your average rabbit, Bun’s smart, sociable, talkative, and very talented. His specialty is pure nosiness. He communicates with me by way of mental telepathy … when Bun talks, I’ve learned to listen.

When Jules and Bun go for walks in the New Hampshire countryside, with Bun happily snuggled in a sling pouch, I am completely engaged in their conversations. I’m a big fan of animal rescue shelters, so this story was easy to connect with. I loved the farm and the rescue work of Jules, also with the potential future of a veterinary clinic on site, and I enjoyed learning about the care of these rabbits.

Jules also reached out to the community with educational events and working with children at birthday parties, etc. It was through these parties that she met the murder victim, a fellow entertainer (mime) named Arty. Guilty party and solution weren’t easy to figure out and I enjoyed following along in the adventure with Jules and Bun.

My favorite part of the story was the rescue farm and getting to know main characters of the series. The writing is strong and clean; I loved that there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary descriptive fillers to slow the action down. I didn’t fully understand why Jules wanted to investigate, but that’s okay. In future stories, I’d like to see a toning down of attacks on Jules and more logical, step-by-step investigation of the crime.

Left Fur Dead begins what promises to be a truly engaging mystery series and I will be following the adventures of Jules and Bun.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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J. M. Griffin is the bestselling cozy mystery author of sixteen novels, including the Vinnie Esposito series. She lives in rural Rhode Island with her husband and two very mysterious cats. Visit her at jm-griffin.com.

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Murder's No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher

Murder’s No Votive Confidence
By Christin Brecher
Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery #1
Kensington, 2019


Summary

Nantucket candle store owner Stella Wright specializes in creating unique candles for every occasion. But someone sets the stage for murder when a Memorial Day celebration becomes a wedding to die for . . .

Jessica Sterling’s candlelight-themed nuptials promises to be the perfect kick-off to the summer’s first official holiday weekend. Stella’s thrilled to have been chosen to provide the decorative centerpiece for the wedding ceremony: a two-foot-tall scented unity candle—a symbol of the happy couple’s love. But it looks like the bride-to-be’s uncle won’t be walking his niece down the aisle after he’s found dead. The murder weapon is Stella’s seemingly indestructible candle, now split in two.

When a beloved local bartender is arrested, Stella’s sure a visiting police captain running the case made a rush to justice. With superstitious brides-to-be canceling orders and sales waxing and waning at her store, the Wick & Flame owner decides to do some sleuthing of her own. Abetted by a charming reporter and challenged by the town’s sexiest cop, Stella’s determined to shine a light on the truth and uncover a killer who’s snuffing out her own flame.

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My thoughts

Murder’s No Votive Confidence has a lot going for it up front because it incorporates two of my very favorite things – Nantucket and candles. On top of that, Christin Brecher has created an entertaining and clean cozy mystery, steeped in small-island atmosphere. This is a fun traditional cozy read, a story that I can easily recommend.

With its cobblestone streets, quaint shops, whaling history, and beauty, the island of Nantucket is the perfect setting, as there’s just something magical about it for this reader. I’ve been blessed to visit Nantucket twice and can say that the author vividly captures its villages and events, which are creatively woven throughout the story.

Stella, owner of the Wick & Flame, is an appealing leading lady. The idea of crafting a unity candle for an island wedding is a creative touch, until that candle becomes the murder weapon. I could understand Stella’s desire to help solve the crime when a friend of her family is quickly arrested. And the making of candles is a great theme for a cozy mystery series. I love this quote from Stella’s “Candles 101” workshop notes at the end, where Brecher writes … “Candles are a source of light, a symbol at celebrations, the start of a romantic night, a balm for the senses, the heart of ceremonies, and a wonderful way to make a house into a home.” I can relate to those words because I almost always have a candle burning the year round. I hope there will be even more emphasis on candle making in future novels.

The mystery itself was well crafted and I enjoyed trying to figure things out along with Stella. There’s a delightful scene close to the end that had me cracking up. All I’ll say is that it involves a chase to beat all chases on the water, the craziest cat ever, and Stella’s friend going into labor.

There’s a lot of potential for this series, including deeper character development from Stella’s interesting family members. I hope the language stays clean and I’d like for the writing to be tighter at times, with less clothing descriptions, etc., that I tend to skim over. Also, I really hate love triangles and hope the potential one that seems to be building will quickly disappear. Don’t want to choose sides this early in the game, but I do like the police officer/childhood friend, Andy.

Murder’s No Votive Confidence is a fun read overall and I look forward to future visits to Nantucket.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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      Christin Brecher was born and raised in NYC, where her family and many childhood friends still reside. As such, she feels she is as much of a small-town girl as any. 
      The idea to write the Nantucket Candle Maker series sprang from her life-long connection to the small island off the coast of Massachusetts. Spending summers there as a child, Christin read from her family’s library of mystery novels, after which she began to imagine stories inspired by the island’s whaling heyday, its notoriously foggy nights, and during long bike rides to the beach. 
      After many years in marketing for the publishing industry, followed by years raising her children, Murder’s No Votive Confidence is Christin’s debut novel. Visit her at www.christinbrecher.com.

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Died in the Wool by Melinda Mullet

Died in the Wool
By Melinda Mullet
A Whisky Business Mystery #4
Alibi, 2019


Summary

No good deed goes unpunished in the Whisky Business cozy mystery series as distillery owner Abigail Logan uncovers dark secrets—and murder—at a local charity.

Photojournalist Abi Logan is finally ready to put her hectic career on hold and set down roots in the heart of the Scottish countryside. Studying the business and art of distilling whisky at Abbey Glen and volunteering at the Shepherd’s Rest women’s shelter in her spare time seem a surefire way to find the peace and stability she craves. It’s also the logical way to take her mind off her personal life. Abi’s business partner, Grant MacEwan, is facing a career-threatening disability, and as much as Abi longs to be there for him, he seems to prefer the company of a rival.

But as Abi becomes more involved with Shepherd’s Rest, she discovers that their refuge is elusive. When the shelter is rocked by a murder/suicide, Abi is outraged by the police’s lack of attention to these already marginalized women. Increasingly confident in her own skills as an investigator, Abi steps in to find out what the police will not: who left one young woman dead and another missing. But when more deadly deeds come to light, Abi must race to unravel the connections between the shelter’s benefactors and the women they have pledged to protect—and expose the killer before he strikes again.

Melinda Mullet’s delightful Whisky Business mysteries can be read together or separately. Enjoy responsibly:

SINGLE MALT MURDER | DEATH DISTILLED | DEADLY DRAM 

DIED IN THE WOOL

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My thoughts

This cozy mystery series by Melinda Mullet is quickly becoming one of my very favorites and Died in the Wool is the best story yet. All four books are wonderful, but I had a special connection with this one.

First of all, what’s not to love about a Scottish setting? Whether it’s the city of Edinburgh or rural setting of Abbey Glen, the author conveys the atmospheric setting beautifully. Secondly, don’t be turned off by the fact that this series is about a family whisky business because it’s so much more. “Rich” is how I would describe this story – rich in characterization and complexity of storyline.

Each story stands alone, but reading in order gives a much more satisfying experience because you gain a familiarity with the series characters and their growth. Grant is back, struggling with an injury from the end of the previous novel that threatens the very essence of his work as Abigail’s business partner. Abi begins to realize the depth of her feelings for Grant, but is it merely because of another woman’s presence?

With her photojournalist background and caring nature for those in need, Abi is a strong, compelling and oh-so-appealing lead character. And I love her collection of 20 Cheviot sheep that she rescued from the slaughterhouse! “Everyone finds their own Zen. Mine walked on four hooves and bleated.” The sheep are actually the driving force in this story, because their need to be sheared leads Abi to Amanda’s knitwear shop, where half of her profits help fund the Shepherd’s Rest, a retreat for abused women. She soon becomes a board member, surrounded by people whose passion should be in helping these women, but all is not as it seems – especially when murder rears its ugly head.

Died in the Wool had a strong emotional connection for me and I cannot say enough good things about it. There’s a poignancy and complexity to both characters and mystery storyline, making it hard to put down, yet not wanting the story to end at the same time. Died in the Wool, as well as the whole series, is an outstanding novel that is a cut above other stories in this genre.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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       Melinda Mullet was born in Dallas and attended school in Texas, Washington D.C., England, and Austria. She spent many years as a practicing attorney before pursuing a career as a writer.
       Author of the Whisky Business Mystery series, Mullet is a passionate supporter of childhood literacy. She works with numerous domestic and international charities striving to promote functional literacy for all children. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.

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