Callie finds treble in Keepsake Cove when her ex-boyfriend is framed for murder Callie Reed is looking forward to her first Keepsake Cove spring festival. But her excitement dims considerably when she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Hank, will be performing with one of the hired country-western bands. Callie vows to keep her distance, but that changes when the band’s manager, Bobby Linville, is … Linville, is found dead, killed with the music box Hank bought at Callie’s shop.
Hank is soon singing a sad tune in a detention center with Callie his only lifeline. Though thoroughly aware of his many faults, she knows violence and murder aren’t in his blood. But that means one of her fellow Keepsake Cove residents must be hiding a dark secret–something Callie desperately needs to uncover.
more
Callie has been in Keepsake Cove nearly a year and has become an active part of the shopkeepers community. Festivals are an important part of drawing tourists to town, hopefully attracting visitors to spend money in the regular shops as well. Callie’s shop focuses on music boxes.
Unexpectedly, this most recent festival also brings Callie’s EX to town and tragedy too. Hank, the EX ends up in jail suspected of murder. Being the only person he knows locally, Callie feels soft-hearted and some obligation for helping find a true killer before Hank is falsely convicted and before Callie has to take off to help her own mother. Lots of unexpected connections lead to varied motives and more suspects, if only the police wee looking for them.
The characters are wonderful. I liked the deep digging and past associations that came to the surface as the connections were revealed. It has an underlying sad story, but makes for an intriguing cozy mystery.
I have adored everything I have read by author Mary Ellen Hughes. The Keepsake Cove Mysteries are no exception. Since the first page of book one, A FATAL COLLECTION, I’ve been invested in the lives of the characters, the town, everything.
A CURIO KILLING was a fabulous read cover to cover. The characters have grown so much since the beginning. The excitement of the Spring Festival really drew me in. I had a longing to be walking down the streets lined with the quaint collectable shops.
The mystery element of this story was extremely well done. Ms. Hughes truly knows how to keep readers on the edge of our seats. I held my breath for a good deal of this story, and didn’t release it until the reveal.
A CURIO KILLING, indeed the entire Keepsake Cove series is a perfect example of what a true cozy series should be. Author Hughes doesn’t rely on “edginess” to make her mysteries pop. She stays true to the genre, and that means everything to me when reading a cozy mystery.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this 3rd Keepsake Cove Mystery House of Melody owner Callie Reed is excited about the upcoming Spring Festival. She is totally caught off guard when her ex-boyfriend Hank walks into her shop and informs her his band will be headlining the entertainment for the festival. She is even more shocked when he purchases a pricey music box. She plans to enjoy the festival with new boyfriend Brian, keeping any contact with Hank to a minimum.
Then the band’s manager is murdered and the murder weapon happens to be the music box Hank purchased the day before. Like a familiar country song, Hank finds himself behind bars pleading his innocence and begging a woman (Callie) for her help. She believes he didn’t do it but she has no idea who would have killed the man. It could be someone who calls Keepsake Cove home.
__
The core characters in this series are an eclectic group and they are joined this time some great new characters, some who make very good suspects. Keepsake Cove residents, Hank and the members of his band. Delia’s costume photographer friend Jill, and Callie’s mom who is reaching out by phone for Callie’s help too. I am glad Brian is such a fantastic boyfriend. He was patient and didn’t get too freaked out by Callie’s determination to help her ex, but it was easy to see he was not happy. She also leaves the music box shop in her assistant’s hands a lot while she is “investigating”. She is blessed by the people in her life that stood by her side as she helped a man that had really hurt her in the past.
The mystery had its share of twists and turns. There turned out to be more suspects than originally perceived. Secrets revealed really took the case in a different direction. I was surprised by the way everything played out.
Keepsake Cove, a collector shopper’s dream come true, is an ideal place for cozy mysteries to take place. I would love to visit all the unique shops at any time of year. The author’s words also bring another area to life. She does an excellent job laying out the festival grounds too, making it very easy for readers to visualize.
There was something missing from this book that I loved about the others. That being Tabitha’s surprising over-the-top clothing and accessory choices that would surprise Callie and visitors to House of Melody, i.e. a new character each day. This time she was so focused on building her jewelry business and filling in for Callie, her uniqueness took a backseat. With a more serious Tabitha, some of the humor found in previous books was lost.
That being said A Curio Killing is a fine addition to this series. With the publisher closing its doors I hope the author finds a way to continue it because I sure would love to visit Keepsake Cove and these characters again soon.
A Curio Killing by Mary Ellen Hughes is the third novel in A Keepsake Cove Mystery series. Callie Reed owns House of Melody in Keepsake Cove, Maryland. The Keepsake Cove Spring Festival begins the next day and it will be Callie’s first time experiencing it. She is shocked when her old boyfriend, Hank walks into the shop and learns his band will be performing at the festival. The festival is a hit until the band’s manager, Bobby Linville is found murdered and Hank is arrested. Hank has no one else to call and Callie feels compelled to help him. A Curio Killing can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Callie Reed, Brian Greer, Delia Hamilton, Tabitha and the other collectible shop owners have returned in A Curio Killing. Delia’s costume photographer friend, Jill comes for the festival. I liked her concept of photographing people in costumes (historical and superhero). With Hank arrested for his manager’s murder, Callie jumps in to help him. She is certain that he did not commit the crime. Callie questions band members and follows leads in her search for the killer. There were some interesting aspects to the mystery including the murder weapon and some unexpected revelations. I did feel, though, that Callie was willing to risk too much for the sake of a cheating ex-boyfriend. Her mother is having surgery and would appreciate Callie flying to Portland to be there for her and her current husband. While Brian said he understand why Callie was helping Hank, you could tell that he was not happy with the whole situation. I missed Tabitha’s unique outfits in A Curio Killing. They add a touch of whimsy and humor. I just love the description of Callie’s little cottage with its red siding and sage green door (I would have a navy blue door). A Curio Killing is a light cozy mystery with curious collectibles, cryptic clues, fun photos, chancy conflagrations, and suspicious singer.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I swear each book in this series is better then the last! Callie is all set for the Spring Festival and excited to just be there to enjoy instead of working this time. At least until her ex shows up out of the blue saying his band is headlining. Things get awkward fast it when his manager ends up murdered it really gets bad. She feels compelled to help him even if everyone else does not agree or how weird it makes things for her. The mix of murder, characters and shop details is fantastic hitting the perfect mix to really make the reader enjoy the story. The music boxes have to be my favorite and I just love the details that go I to the story about them. A wonderful read that cozy fans will highly enjoy. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
I really enjoyed this one. It is the third book in the Keepsake cove series and still going strong.
Callie owns a specialty shop that sells music boxes and has finally got her life going in the right direction when she is looking forward to the festival being put on in the town. Her ex turns up to perform in the festival when his manger is found dead and he is accused of the murder. Will she be able to clear his name and find the real killer ?
Great characters and story telling a fun cozy mystery to help pass the time. looking forward to reading more about keepsake cove.
Fine Whodunnit!
This is a very entertaining murder mystery. The backdrop is a small coastal town that has quite a few shops that sell collectibles. The town is having a spring festival that ends up in a murder. The rest of the story is the search for the killer. There are many plot twists. I was quite surprised with the final reveal. I really enjoyed the discussion of the different collectibles; music boxes, dolls, miniature houses and so much more. Although I have read other books in the series, this book stands alone quite well. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Fun book! Keepsake Cove is such a charming town with all of its collectibles stores. The town is having a spring festival and the manager of the band hired is murdered. Callie’s ex, Hank, is the prime suspect and she sets out to prove he isn’t the killer. Intriguing with several suspects and I would never have guessed the killer. Love these characters and town. Definitely recommend this series!
It’s fun to pick up a book that draws you back into a setting and characters that you already know and feel comfortable with, as is the case with A Curio Killing, book #3 in the Keepsake Cove series. Mary Ellen Hughes delivers a well-crafted traditional cozy mystery that is sure to delight readers who enjoy this genre. If you’re new to this series, it works well as a standalone.
The fictional Maryland village of Keepsake Cove, with its quaint stores and kind people, is a collector’s dream. The shops are so enticing! Shops like Callie’s House of Melody (music boxes), Delia’s Shake It Up! (collectible salt & pepper shakers), Karl Egger’s Carlectibles (classic model cars), Bill & Laurie Hart’s Kids at Heart (vintage toy shop), and Pearl Poepelman’s Pearl’s Bangles and Beads.
With its quaint shops and seasonal festivals, Keepsake Cove is easy to visualize. Callie is a likeable lead character, easy to connect with. A Curio Killing is a seamless blend of setting, characters, and mystery. As the spring festival is about to begin, Hank, Callie’s ex, unexpectedly bursts on the scene and soon finds himself arrested for murder. In spite of all the grief Hank brought into Callie’s life in the past, the Hank she knew would never be guilty of murder and she feels obliged to prove his innocence.
Strong secondary characters add richness to the story – such as Callie’s suspense author friend, Lyssa, store clerk Tabitha, and romantic interest, Brian – with Delia’s reaching out to help her photographer friend, Jill, being one of my favorite parts. And, of course, there’s Grandpa Reed’s music box that starts playing at crucial times in Callie’s life.
I greatly enjoyed the previous two books in this series. But while A Curio Killing is well written and I loved spending time with these characters, I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much. This is purely personal, but I think it was because I didn’t care for Hank and felt that Callie defending him put her relationship with Brian at risk. Also, Tabitha’s quirky dress ensembles, where everyone tried to guess what famous or historical character she emulated each day, didn’t play as prominent a role in this story and I missed that. A Curio Killing is still a good read overall and I look forward to further stories in this series.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Is Callie’s belief in Hank justified?
A Curio Killing by Mary Ellen Hughes is a sweet cozy set in Keepsake Cove. This town must be the collector’s paradise with entire stores dedicated to individual collectibles. Callie and Lyssa have solved a murder or two before this one.
Callie
Callie is our main character, sleuth, and point-of-view. She is also the owner and operator of House of Melody, in the town of Keepsake Cove. Callie has quite a few friends there and enjoys her life. Well, until her ex-boyfriend shows up and is accused of killing his band manager. Now, Callie must dust off her sleuthing boots and figure out who killed Bobby.
I like Callie, she has compassion, works hard, and tries to help everyone out. You don’t see that too often. She has a lovely shop that, for the most part, was doing well, a sweet little cottage, and a cuddly cat. Oh, and a new and improved boyfriend too. The only thing is Callie should listen to her first impression of people. Callie needs to trust herself more and tell people if she is going to meet someone for the first time.
Mystery
The mystery was well-plotted, and I had an idea of the culprit early on just because of Callie’s thoughts and view of the murder’s previous actions. The town of Keepsake Cove is unique, and the characters are intriguing. I enjoyed the story.
The subplots with Hank and the festival helped complete the story. I adore the budding relationship between Callie and Brian. They make a good team. Let’s hope they can make it.
One other thing that I liked was that the police weren’t involved until they were needed. There weren’t any strained relationships or confrontations with the police in this installment.
4 Stars for A Curio Killing by Mary Ellen Hughes
My rating for A Curio Killing is four stars. It is a great cozy worthy of a recommendation. It is available now, so check it out.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Curio Killing by Mary Ellen Hughes.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
A CURIO KILLING by Mary Ellen Hughes
The Third Keepsake Cove Mystery
Spring is blossoming and Keepsake Cove is celebrating with its Spring Festival. After inheriting her aunt’s music box shop, Callie Reed is looking forward to her first festival and while she won’t have a booth at the event is anticipating big crowds checking out House of Melody. She’s thrown for a loop when she hears a too familiar baritone voice in her shop. It turns out her ex-boyfriend Hank’s new band is headlining the festival. The festival however, ends abruptly after the first night when the band’s manager is found murdered and Hank is arrested. Hank may be many things, but Callie is certain he’s no killer. With the police certain they have their man, Callie is determined to find the real murderer. It turns out that several people in town knew the manager, and none of them had good memories. Could the murderer be Lyssa’s new landscaper, Delia’s house guest with the hot temper, or Krystal the current small business association’s president? Or could Hank be the killer after all?
How far would you go to help an ex? Callie has to walk a thin line as she doesn’t want to encourage Hank to think there’s a possibility of renewing their relationship and she doesn’t want to upset Brian and ruin their burgeoning romance, yet, believing he couldn’t be culpable and knowing he has no one else, Callie feels duty bound to help. And help she does, keeping Brian appraised of her actions as well as her reasoning and having Lyssa in the loop helping out.
The third Keepsake Cove Mystery had my brain engaged and kept me engrossed in the mystery. There are lots of interesting threads promoting several possible motives introduced to muddy up the investigation. The final confrontation had my heart pounding as I fought along with Callie.
A CURIO KILLING is a well plotted mystery filled with interesting characters. I enjoyed my time in Keepsake Cove and look forward to returning.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
A Curio Killing is the third book in the Keepsake Cove Mystery series.
Spring is near and everyone in Keepsake Cove is looking forward to tho the Keepsake Cove Spring Festival. Callie Reed has her excitement dampened when her ex-boyfriend, Hank suddenly appears in her shop, the House of Melody. Hank has joined with a band that seems to be on the road to success. The band’s leader, Bobby, appears to have put his drinking problem behind and Hank is confident that they are just one song from stardom. Soon it appears that the bandleader has been drinking once again and was seen arguing with Hank. Later as the evening’s events are winding up the body of Bobby is found and next to his lifeless body is the music box that Hank had purchased earlier from Callie. Then Hank is arrested for murder based on the music box and his witnessed argument.
Callie doesn’t think that Hank is capable of murdering someone and decides to do a little investigation of her own. With the help of current romantic interest, Brian and author Lyssa set off to clear Hank’s name.
I love the community of Keepsake Cove and it’s residents. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The story is well written and plotted and I was kept guessing until the end.
I’m hoping to see more stories in this interesting series.
Series: A Keepsake Cove Mystery – Book 3
Author: Mary Ellen Hughes
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Business
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Page Count: 266
Publishing Date: September 8, 2019
The latest in the A Keepsake Cove Mystery cozy series by Mary Ellen Hughes, A Curio Killing from Midnight Ink comes out on September 8th.
Callie has had a lot of changes in the past year, her home, career, relationships, and everything else. Mostly for the better. But when Hank, her ex shows up out of the blue, her new life takes a back seat to the problems of having Hank around. Namely, his incarceration for the murder of his band’s manager.
Most of the returning characters in this series have a part to play in this new addition, as they do in most cozies. Unfortunately, in this case, they don’t play a significant enough role to keep this book from being slow and frustrating. The plot is not compelling enough to keep the reader engaged and, in most cases, has readers upset with the author, the story, and the series.
The pace is not what I was expecting, its slower than the other cozies in the series, and seems to have no real investigative path to follow. Having the main character suddenly willing to help her ex-cheating boyfriend, even at the expense of her mother, after two previous books were about condemning him, may have taken this story down a road that most readers will not want to go.
Callie seems willing to risk losing Brian, even her beloved aunts store and have her mother play second fiddle when her health is at stake to help Hank at any cost. It just doesn’t feel right and makes the plot implausible.
While reading this book, I spent too much time wondering why Callie would risk throwing away her new life for a bad ex. It simply did not make sense and didn’t hold with the premise of the other cozies in the series. I understand wanting to help a friend, but not if it’s an ex who lied and cheated. The murderer might give readers a bit of a surprise, and there are a few twists and turns that are entertaining. However, I did not enjoy this book, and couldn’t get into it as much as others in the series. Hopefully, the next cozy in this series will make up for the unconvincing plot of A Curio Killing.