Callie Reed pays a long overdue visit to her aunt, Melodie, at her fairy-tale cottage in quaint Keepsake Cove, which is home to a bevy of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Just as they’re beginning to reconnect, Callie discovers her aunt’s body on the floor of the music box shop she owns. Grief-stricken, Callie finds she can’t accept Melodie’s death being ruled accidental. How could … could her strong and healthy aunt take such a fatal fall? And why was she in the shop in the middle of the night?
As Callie searches for the truth, signs seem to come from her late aunt through a favorite music box, urging Callie on. Or are they warnings? If Callie isn’t careful, she could meet a similar deadly fate amid Melodie’s collection.
Praise:
“Hughes kicks off her new Keepsake Cove series with a charming locale…”–Kirkus Reviews
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I borrowed this book from the library since I have the 2nd book on my Kindle. I love cozies and this one was just a little different from what I am used to reading but not in a bad way at all. Someone dies but no one except Callie thinks that foul play might be involved. This sets up an interesting plot line and a variety of characters and a quaint shopping town with unique shop names.
I enjoyed getting to know the various people in the town and there are several “not so nice” characters but even then, those characters add depth to the story and the history of the town and relationships they had with Callie’s Aunt Melodie (the one who dies).
I did figure out who the killer was but not by any overt clues. I think it was just that the number of possibilities was limited in my mind and this character seemed the most logical.
I can’t wait to read the next book and take another visit to this Eastern town.
A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes is the first book in the Keepsake Cove mystery series. One of my favorite things about this story was the unique shop that Callie inherits. Music boxes are so fun and beautiful, and I really enjoyed reading about them! I loved Keepsake Cove and all the fun little shops nestled together. This was a fast read. I found myself sitting down to read just a few pages, and realizing I’d spent more time in Keepsake Cove than planned. I was sad to have to say goodbye to Aunt Mel, but really loved Callie. This is an excellent start to a series, and I am already looking forward to more in this series.
Review originally appeared on Brooke Blogs.
Callie Reed is visiting her aunt, Melodie at her cottage in picturesque Keepsake Cove. Home to a bevy of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The morning after her first night with her aunt, Callie discovers Melodie’s body on the floor of the music box shop. Grief-stricken, Callie doesn’t believe that Melodie’s death was accidental, but she’s not sure why. It just doesn’t make sense. How could her robust and healthy aunt take a fatal fall? Why was she even in the shop in the middle of the night?
Callie searches for the truth after finding out that her aunt left everything, the house, the shop, even the cat to her. Callie finally has a new life, away from her lackluster life thanks to her aunt. She is determined to find out the truth about Melodie’s death, and her aunt seems to be helping her from the grave, sending signs through an old family music box.
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Series: A Keepsake Cove Mystery – Book 1
Author: Mary Ellen Hughes
Genre: Business/Career Cozy
Publisher: Midnight Ink
A Fatal Collection is a beautiful start to a new series by Mary Ellen Hughes. It combines mystery, intrigue and a slight touch of the paranormal without overwhelming the reader. Ms. Huges’ writing is fluid, transitioning from one chapter or character to another without missing a beat or bogging down the plot. The characters are interesting, and even though this is the first book in a new series, the characters have established backgrounds and characteristics that make them believable and memorable.
Callie is a perplexed woman who has drifted from one thing to another most of her life. No real career or ambition. Her boyfriend is a country singer whom she has spent years trying to please and making herself miserable in the process. With the death of her aunt, she realizes that her life needs to change, including her boyfriend. She makes the decision to stay in Keepsake Cove and run her aunt’s shop. She also decides it’s time to ditch her useless boyfriend. This is probably the smartest thing she has ever done.
The character of Callie is very much in tune with today’s world. A young woman who really doesn’t know what to do with her life. It is easy for the reader to connect with Callie and her circumstances. Many young people in today’s world have no direction and no idea of what they should do for the rest of their lives. Many people dream of being able to start life over, with a new profession, home, town and most of all, new relationships. Callie is perfectly written to encompass all of these things.
Other characters in this book are a study in small-town life, and jobs that are dependent on the tourist trade. Delia and Brian are fantastic supporting characters who give a level of realism to situations that can sometimes be unimaginable. However, most of the situations in the story are very believable and not in any way outrageous for even the most grounded reader.
The town of Keepsake Cove would be a lovely place to visit with its old-time collectible shops. It has everything from children’s toys to glass ornaments, jewelry and music boxes, items from a bygone era. It has the feel of a small town where a person can spend endless days exploring and finding treasures at every turn. The author’s description of the stores and restaurants are detailed without being flowery and at times are mouthwatering.
Readers will be entertained throughout the story from start to finish. A Fatal Collection is a fast-paced page-turning read that leaves the reader with a smile on their face. This book is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys small town politics and business based cozies. As well as characters that will evolve with the series into family and friends who are always there to help when Callie needs them.
This is the first mystery in what I hope will be a long lasting series. I wish I could visit Keepsake Cove and stroll through the little stores that sell all the things fun and collectible and then relax for a while at Brian’s Keepsake Diner.
The mystery had just a hint of magic – not overpowering and not even really enough to call it paranormal.
A lot of clues and red herrings kept me guessing until the end. I did have a strong suspicion who the killer was but never enough to be sure about it.
It is a well told and good paced with interesting characters that came to life and made me feel as if I was right there with them.
A Fatal Collection is a role model of a perfect cozy mystery and I enjoyed every minute I got to spend in Keepsake Cove.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Midnight Ink and the author provided me with a copy.
A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes is the first book in A Keepsake Cove Mystery series. Callie Reed is visiting her Aunt Melodie in Keepsake Cove, Maryland. Melodie owns House of Melody, a music box shop and lives in an adorable red cottage behind the shop. The next morning, Callie goes looking for Melodie and finds her dead in the shop. The police rule it an accidental death, but Callie is not so sure. After the funeral, Callie discovers that she inherited the shop and cottage. It is the perfect time for a change, and Callie embraces her new life. When Callie goes through her aunt’s belongings, she finds a second disposable cell phone. Why did Melodie need a second phone? Then someone tries to break into the shop. What are they after and why is Grandpa Reed’s music box playing on its own? Questions are piling up and Callie wants answers.
A Fatal Collection is nicely written, great main character, and it had a nice pace. I enjoyed the descriptions of the various collectible shops in Keepsake Cove (unique town). Mary Ellen Hughes created some good characters in a quaint tourist town. I wish, though, that she had developed the main character a little more. We are not given enough background on Callie. I am hopeful the author will rectify it in the next book. Readers are introduced to many of the shop owners. I did tire of the numerous clothing descriptions of Callie’s part-time employee (she has an unusual clothing style). The investigation is minimal and the killer easily identified. I wish Ms. Hughes had made the mystery more enticing. I felt the flirting and romance between Callie and Brian Greer inappropriate since Callie has just left her husband (I could have done with less of him too). I did enjoy the paranormal element and I hope there will be more of it in future books in A Keepsake Cover Mystery series (with a better explanation). A Fatal Collection is a cute start to the series. With a few tweaks, it could be a delightful cozy mystery series.
4.5 stars, a very good story and plot line. A visit that turned into life changing decisions. New job, house and new friends and neighbors. A family heirloom that becomes a mystery and leads to danger. An investigation that suspects everyone until reveals culprit at the end. Engaging, enduring, suspense, heroine blooms in her new relationships and circumstances. Very satisfying cozy mystery.
Callie visits her Aunt who runs a Music Box store in a quaint community called Keepsake Cove. They hardly have any time to visit before tragedy strikes. Aunt Mel leaves Callie all her possessions, including her shop. Callie does not believe her Aunt’s death was accidental. Callie doesn’t really snoop, but she does meet the residents of Keepsake Cove and tries to understand them and figure out if one of them could have wished her Aunt harm. But why? Lots of suspects, some obvious, others not so openly hostile. Plus Callie inherited her Grandpa’s music box, which starts playing at odd times. Is someone from the other side trying to tell Callie something. They characters of Keepsake Cove are a fun and diverse group. Their is the cute guy down the street, Brian. Karl Eggers who is hostile and wants her shop. Delia, her Aunt’s best friend and so many others.
This is a fun cozy and was easy to read and get lost in the pages. This is the first book in this series. I would read another book by this author.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.