In these two beloved mysteries that have been previously published and now collected in one volume for the very first time, it’s Valentine’s Day in Tinker’s Cove, Maine—but when it comes to foul play, Pennysaver reporter Lucy Stone can’t sugar-coat the truth . . . VALENTINE MURDER Lucy has barely arrived at her first library board meeting when the new librarian is found dead in the basement. … when the new librarian is found dead in the basement. The agitated group assumes Bitsy Howell was killed by an outsider—until Detective Lt. Horowitz announces that the killer is among them. Lucy knew that Bitsy rubbed some people the wrong way. But she has a hunch the murderous motives run a lot deeper. And as she snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker’s Cove’s most solid citizens, what she finds is far from hearts and flowers . . .
CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER
Despite the frigid winter temperatures, to boost the economy, Tinker’s Cove is launching a travel promotion for Valentine’s Day. Lucy is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer Chocolate—and its deliciously handsome owner. But there’s another tantalizing tart behind the counter—sultry store manager Tamzin Graves. Leaving a throng of jealous women in her wake, it’s almost no surprise when Tamzin turns up dead, her body covered in chocolate. And as Lucy closes in on the culprit, she may find herself locked in the clutches of a half-baked killer . . .
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This is another collection of two of Leslie Meier’s older Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries. I read the first one Valentine Murder quite awhile ago and enjoyed reading it again. Chocolate Covered Murder was new to me. I always enjoy visiting Tinker’s Cove during the holidays and both mysteries did not disappoint. The characters and the small town setting are fun. The mysteries were good and there were enough suspects to keep them interesting. I like that Lucy works with the police as she investigates. I was able to solve both mysteries. Enjoy the Holiday Cozies.
While Valentine Candy Murder contains two previous A Lucy Stone Mysteries, I enjoyed diving into them again. I thought the stories were well-written with steady pacing. I am a fan of Lucy Stone. We have gotten to watch her mature over the years as she took care of her family, worked as a reporter and solved crimes. We have seen her children grow up and leave the nest. I like Leslie Meier’s engaging writing style. It is always a pleasure to visit Tinker’s Cove and discover what crime Lucy is solving this time. If you have not read any of the other books in the series, you can read this volume. Everything a reader needs to know is included. Personally, I recommend reading A Lucy Stone Mysteries in order. You will get to know Lucy, her family, friends and the town. The mystery in Chocolate Covered Murder is more complex than the one in Valentine Murder. I am giving Valentine Candy Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). If you are looking for a diverting cozy mystery to read for Valentine’s Day, then join Lucy Stone in Valentine Candy Murder.
This was a wonderful combination of two mysteries, in the first one you are taken back to when Lucy’s children were quite young. Lucy has just become a member of the library board and is looking forward to giving feedback. During her first meeting with the board, at the library, she discovers the body of the librarian. It looks like she was shot but who would do such a thing and why? The police are looking into all the board members and Lucy can’t help but dig deeper into each of their backgrounds too. When accidents start occurring to Lucy and her family she is determined to find a killer before something truly bad happens. Follow along as she asks questions and tries to figure out just who the killer could be. In the second story we jump ahead to Lucy’s children almost all out of the house. In this mystery a local man is found dead but the police have determined it was an accident but Lucy doesn’t agree. The dead man helped her out and told her to pay it forward and she means to do so by finding out just what happened to him. When another person is murdered Lucy begins to wonder if the two deaths have something to do with each other. Will she be able to find a killer before there is another victim? Dive in and find out. This is a fun series that I have read from the beginning and you can see the wonderful growth of the characters throughout. I enjoyed returning to when Lucy had small children and then to who she is now. She’s a wonderful character who I’ve enjoyed getting to know and I can’t wait to see where the future takes her, especially when all her children are out of the house.
Leslie Meier’s Valentine Candy Murder is a compilation of two previously released Lucy Stone cozy mysteries for readers to enjoy. The stories included are Valentine Murder and Chocolate Covered Murder, and both satisfied the sweet tooth of this candy loving cozy mystery enthusiast!
The very early Lucy Stone books are my favorite, and Valentine Murder is the 5th installment in this beloved series. Lucy Stone is the newest member of the Tinker’s Cove library board and her first order of business is to discover who murdered the librarian! A nicely woven tale of murder and mystery in Maine, where Lucy must do everything she can to protect her family and the town she loves. A+
Chocolate Covered Murder is a later Lucy Stone story (#18), and the kids are grown/growing up, but Lucy’s priorities still focus on her family. I love the continuing relationships and character development of the Stone family and residents of Tinker’s Cove. Just when you think there can’t possibly be another murder in this small coastal town in Maine, Ms. Meier does it again! A+
It’s so nice that Kensington Books is re-releasing these books in sets – perfect for longtime lovers of Lucy Stone as well those new to the series! I wholeheartedly recommend this book! 🙂
VALENTINE MURDER
Lucy has arrived at her first ever library board meeting. Unfortunately, she finds the new librarian dead in the basement. The agitated group assumes Bitsy Howell was killed by an outsider—until Detective Lt. Horowitz announces that the killer is among them. Lucy knew that Bitsy rubbed some people the wrong way. But she has a hunch the murderous motives run a lot deeper. And as she snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker’s Cove’s most solid citizens, what she finds is far from hearts and flowers.
CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER
Despite the frigid winter temperatures, to boost the economy, Tinker’s Cove is launching a travel promotion for Valentine’s Day. Lucy is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer Chocolate—and its deliciously handsome owner. But there’s another tantalizing tart behind the counter—sultry store manager Tamzin Graves. Leaving a throng of jealous women in her wake, it’s almost no surprise when Tamzin turns up dead, her body covered in chocolate. And as Lucy closes in on the culprit, she may find herself locked in the clutches of a half-baked killer.
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Series: Lucy Stone Mystery Book
Author: Leslie Meier
Genre: Cozy/Holiday Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Valentine Candy Murder book is a fun and entertaining read. With this book, readers get two stories in one. Valentine Murder (book 5) and Chocolate Covered Murder (book 18) which was also published in 2013 is included in this Valentine’s inspired cozy. Leslie Meier has once again created a wonderful story with her main character, Lucy Stone, that has Lucy scratching her head and causing trouble.
Lucy knows that someone murdered Bitsy, but she finds it difficult to believe that one of the town’s most upstanding citizens is responsible. Why would any of them commit murder, especially the murder of a librarian and right after they had helped fund the library’s new addition and remodel? It looks like she will have to stick her nose into police business once again to solve another murder in Tinker’s Cove.
Characters in the Lucy Stone mystery series are as down to earth as they come. They remind readers of a simpler time when playing in the snow was a holiday and murder was something that happened in the big city. These characters remind us that everyone has problems, no matter where they live, and sometimes bad things happen to good people.
The characters are warm and interesting. The town is always fun to read about, and Ms. Meier does a fantastic job of describing the two and the characters. This is a long-running series, so it is advised that readers go back to the beginning. Otherwise they will be confused as the timeline in this book is not chronological.
Valentine Candy Murder is worth the read. If readers have never read one of the Lucy Stone mysteries, they will want to read them all once they read these two entertaining stories. Those who have read the series will enjoy returning to an old favorite.
Two Fast Moving Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries
This book consists of Two Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries: Valentine Murder and Chocolate Covered Murder. Both stories take place at Valentines, only about 10 years apart. Both stories are great! The crimes are interesting, the plot includes plenty of suspects and lots of motives. That makes for a very interesting book with lots of plot twists and no way for a reader to guess the culprit. These are the only books by this author that I have read. Now I want to read the entire Lucy Stone series! I received this book for free and this is my honest review.