Another Delightful Mystery from Donis Casey
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The year was 1913. The place, an Oklahoma farming community. Fifteen-year-old George Washington Tucker, known as Gee Dub, was trying to fight off the gnats and mosquitoes as he fishes along the overgrown banks of Cane Creek.

Gee Dub usually loved fishing, but between the bugs, the hot July weather, and having to keep an eye out for his eleven-year-old brother, Charlie, it wasn't as pleasant as he'd like it to be. To make matters worse, Charlie the boy and his ever present companion, Charlie-dog insisted on swimming in the creek. With all the noise and splashing, Gee Dub knew the fish he hoped to eat for dinner were miles down the creek by then.

Charlie was oblivious to his brother's irritation and was enjoying using a low hung limb as a rope to jump from. Gee Dub pulled on his line, ready to give up when he heard a loud snap followed by a splash. He looked in Charlie's direction, but Charlie was no where to be seen. The big yellow dog was barking and jumping about on the bank, but all Gee Dub could see in the water was the cottonwood branch floating away from him.

Gee Dub ran to the spot and jumped into the creek. Try as he might he couldn't locate Charlie. He called frantically and heard Charlie call back to him from under the cottonwood roots tangled along the bank. Gee Dub was so relieved he forgot to be angry, but his relief was short lived when Charlie gasped, "Gee Dub, there's somebody dead down there."

At first Gee Dub didn't believe Charlie, but once the boy climbed out of the water he became adamant that there was a woman tangled among the cottonwood roots. Gee Dub agreed to take a look. He dove into the creek, under the cottonwood roots. The water was so murky he couldn't see anything so he moved his outstretched arms back and forth, entangling his fingers in what felt like hair. When he brought it close enough to his face to see that it was hair, he hoped it might be the tail of a mule that had fallen into the creek and drowned. He stretched his arm out along the hair and felt the head and then a face.

Gee Dub broke the surface and shouted for Charlie to go for help. When Shaw Tucker and the sheriff pulled the woman from the creek they discovershe is the barber's wife,  Louise Kelley. And the knife sticking out of her chest is proof she didn't drown.

Alafair is not happy at all when later, her daughter Alice becomes enamored of the newly widowed Walter Kelley. He was cleared of his wife's murder, but something doesn't sit right with Alafair. When her children are involved, Alafair Tucker leaves no stone unturned.

Another delightful murder mystery by Donis Casey<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Hornswoggled/dp/B000WY1E0E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Hornswoggled</a>
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I was drawn to the delightful characters, quaint town, and intriguing mystery reminiscent of the TV show Murder, She Wrote. Our amateur sleuth Kay Driscoll soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation, and the body count rises. She employs the help of her quirky friends Elizabeth and Deirdre, and the trio soon discover there are few, if any fine citizens living among them that they can trust. Kay continues to uncover many clues as do her friends but with each new discovery there is another victim. Kay knows her life is in jeopardy, but she won't stop until justice is served. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy the amateur investigators headquarters, Sweet Marisa's Patisserie- you'll crave pastries and tea for days to come- and the lovely but strange community that is Sudbury Falls, WI.
2655716
As Always, Diane Mott Davidson has written another delightful mystery about her heroine caterer, Goldy Bear.  This time, a scandal is evolving at Elk Park Prep School where her son Arch and live in 'son-like' Julian  attend.  It's up to her as always to somehow figure out who killed the  school's present valedictorian.  All of the Cullinary novels by Diane Mott  Davidson are excellent.  I especially enjoyed the "Cereal  Murders".
2598375
This book is a fast read with mystery, suspense, humor, and crime. There were some plot twists that surprised me, even when I thought I had it figured out.  Betty and Hazel are delightful characters that add some humor and light-heartedness to the read. This isn't your gloomy, depressing crime/mystery read...this is a book that has the elements of a good mystery book but has a positive and vibrant feel to it. I love the main character Samantha, and I feel for her as she struggles to find how her husband mysteriously died in his small home town, where secrets are buried and guarded. It reminds me of the Miss Marple books for those who want something to compare it to. The chapters are short and with the tangle of events that occur, you won't be able to stop turning the pages.  A great mystery read that didn't give me nightmares, and I will be reading others in the series for sure.
785872
I received this enjoyable, fun  and funny mystery from GoodREads.  Miss Merry Mac is a former waitress and has just been acquitted of the murder of her billionaire husband. While relaxing on the patio of "Hollywood" friends, a body falls at her feet.  The dilemma for police and the media frenzy of headlines :  Did Miss Merry Mac Kill Again??  Her older stepson flames the frenzy with incendiary lies.  Argh, poor Merry!  She must once again prove her innocence with her "sidekicks"  80 year old Miss Silverweather & Dwayne.  The author, Dana Precious (yes, that IS her real name) integrates humor into very  clever writing, but I also saw life lessons in the story:  The importance of self confidence, never losing perspective of what's important in life, valuing real friends, and never giving up the positive values you grew up with.  A good read, a very enjoyable book , well written and cleverly plotted.
3776750
This latest installment in the series dioes nnot disappoint. The duo of Suzanne and Grace are at it again. Well written mystery with some humor. The story grabs you from the beginning and the twists are clever. Loved it!
4430013
I really enjoy Ms. Casey's characters and their interactions with each other. Some of the passages had me laughing out loud while some passages brought tears to my eyes. If you enjoyed Ms. Casey's first two books in the series, you'll definitely enjoy this one. Hurry please and publish the next book.
1431294
Biscuits and Slashed Browns takes place during the Brown County Maple Syrup Festival in Big Lick, Indiana.  Robbie Jordan and her restaurant Pans and Pancakes are taking part in the festivities, and Robbie is excited about all the business the festival is bringing to her quaint restaurant.  However, when an attendee at a nearby academic conference on Maple Tree Science is found murdered at the Rao Maple Farm, the police have their hands full with plenty of suspects, as the victim was not well-liked.  Robbie, a puzzle-lover at heart, cannot resist the challenge of trying to solve the mystery herself.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end -- from the down-home characters, small-town life, the rural Indiana dialects, sayings and mannerisms, and the yummy recipes at the end of the book.  And, of course, there is the matter of the perplexing mystery to be solved.  Even though this book is the fourth in the Country Store Mysteries, it was the first that I have read, and I found it can definitely stand on its own without any spoilers from the earlier books.  Biscuits and Slashed Browns is truly a delightful book, and I highly recommend it and look forward to reading the earlier books in the series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
2134663
This was another extraordinary mystery with Cordi and Harley.  The third in the series and it doesn't disappoint.  The author keeps you in suspense until the end.  The characters and very real and I feel like I know them personally.  I am looking forward to the next story in the series.
4166516
Caren Bevill has done it again with this laugh-out-loud "Southern" mystery novel starring Bubba Snoddy and his merry band of wacko relatives and friends.  Like the first two books in the "Bubba series," I couldn't put this one down and definitely did not want it to end.  After discovering the first book, "Bubba and the Dead Woman," as a FREE kindle book, I did something I don't ordinarily do -- I PAID for books 2 and 3. I hope a 4th Bubba book comes out soon.  I can't wait to read it!
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"Murder Takes the Cake" by Evelyn David is another great Sullivan Investigations mystery with an intriguing plot and a cast of characters you will come to know and love including Mac, Rachel, JJ, Edgar and Whiskey, Mac's Irish wolfhound. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
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This is a very enjoyable addition to the "Death  on Demand" mystery series.  It continues with  characters that the reader has come to care about  (even if they are not always likable) set in a  resort island  and nearby town.  One of my favorite features of the series is the frequent  reference  to other mystery novels - a feature which I feel  advances (and  comments on) the plot and characters  and serves to open up yet more  authors for the  reader to enjoy.  An enjoyable "cozy", and I  look  forward to many more.
138641
Over the years, I have grown to love the Laura Childs' Tea Shop mysteries, and their descriptive tales of life and murder in Charleston, South Carolina. Childs' case of delightful characters -- Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, Delaine, Timothy Neville and even a cameo appearance by Theodosia's ex, Jory Davis, are back in a tale where murder hits a bit too close to home.

Theodosia is participating in a horsing event one county over when she literally falls of her horse and stumbles onto the body of Abby Davis, Jory's sister, and someone who is a sworn enemy. Having exchanged harsh words when Theodosia and Jory broke it off, there is no loved lost between the two women. Theodosia is soon drawn into solving Abby's murder by Jory, who implores her to help him in getting to the bottom of her death. As Theodosia starts investigating, she discovers that there is a lot more to Abby than meets that eye, and that buried secrets, a possible extra-marital affair,  jealousy and the kidnapping of a prominent South Carolinan's son could be what got her killed.

Oolong Dead is entertaining and delightful, and a must-read for fans of the cozy genre.
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Donuts and Deadly Schemes is the third book in Janel Gradowski's Culinary Competition Mystery series. This is the second book I have read in this series and, as much as I liked the other, Chicken Soup and Homicide, this is the best yet. Amy Ridely, a talented self-taught chef, a murder magnet, amateur sleuth and wedding planner. Amy's best friend, Carla, is getting married in three short weeks! Business owners in the strip mall where Amy does her baking, are getting blackmailed and murdered. The first order of business as a wedding planner is to find suits for the groom but, instead of a suit, a dead body appears.  That body happens to be the boss's boyfriend's best friend. The groom just happens to be the police detective investigating the murder. If this murder is solved, there will be no groom. No groom equals no wedding. So, there really is no choice, Amy must don her sleuthing cap and identify the murderer so Carla and Bruce can enjoy their wedding and leave on their honeymoon. All the residents of Kellerton are back, and we get to know them just a little better in this book. The characters are likable and you care what happens to them. We were introduced to several new characters that I suspect will become important in future books.

There is marked attention to detail, character development, character inter-relationships and a tightly woven, well integrated plot, and unanticipated twists. This is a wonderful book. Descriptions of Amy's luscious treats are sprinkled throughout the book! It, also, includes scrumptious sounding recipes that made my mouth water. I tried the Peach Pie Iced Tea and Canned Tuna Ceviche (who knew you could make ceviche with a canned seafood product) these To-Die-For recipes while reading Donuts and Deadly Schemes. Not only has Janel developed some delicious recipes to include in her culinary cozy mysteries, she writes a great story that keeps you guessing `who did it'.  Janel Gradowski is an entertaining story teller who leaves you wanting more. I'm hoping Janel is writing a sequel so I don't have to wait long for further adventures reading her next book in the Amy and the other characters I've come to know. This delightful, clean cozy mystery will leave wanting more. If you are looking for a well written cozy mystery that will not be able to put down, then you need to read this book.

I received a complimentary advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this review are my own.
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Another sharp, fun mystery with all the right ingredients from Ms. Sideris. The title refers to a missing murder victim, the dean of a small colleges. Though private eye Corrie Locke and her more than a friend Michael have both seen the dead man with a knife sticking out of his body, everything including a letter that will point directly to Michael as a suspect has disappeared. The book sparkles with great dialogue, an intriguing puzzle, plenty of suspects and danger. I was given a PDF of this manuscript to read, and I loved it!
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Like all of Sheila Pim's mysteries, which I have been tracking down since I read the first one, this is a delightful mystery which can only have been written by an Irishwoman with a keen interest in horticulture which is crucial to the solution of the mystery.  I particularly recommend it for those fans who love the genre for its puzzles rather than for gore and mayhem.
3733550
Another good mystery from McNab.  Detective Inspector Carol Ashton is back in Australia after her adventures in Washington.  She called in to investigate the murder of a professional golfer at Australia's premiere women's golf tournament.  As Bourke, Ashton's associate, says, "We have a victim who has more enemies than friends, a suspect list that's growing, and a wide-open time of death, so that practically everyone seems to have had the opportunity to do murder."  But Ashton and her team painstakingly investigate each clue as it's presented to them until Ashton finally figures out who committed murder.  I was pretty smug because I had it figured out who the murderer was about half way through.  I remained smug right up to the moment Ashton revealed who the real murderer was - and, of course, McNab had not tricked me at all - she had only written a villanous character who I was willing to lay the murder on.  McNab got off course a few books back, but she's back on course and writing good procedurals.  Her characters are well drawn and keep growing, her plotting is excellent and she's even writing better than she had been.  This is an excellent read!!