A fatal fall. A conniving convict. A new mystery takes root…Verity Hawkes’ new life in Leafy Hollow almost feels whole. All the self-taught horticulturalist lacks are her Aunt Adeline and a stable relationship. Just when the second missing piece seems like it might be falling into place, Verity’s sleepy town welcomes back an all-too-familiar killer… run rampant when a body is found at the base of Pine Hill Peak, and the mother of Verity’s best friend is the number one suspect. To keep the wrong woman out of prison, Verity must rub shoulders with an arsonist, a hunky lawman, and a pair of dueling pastry chefs. When a scandal from the past threatens her investigation, Verity must act fast before the peak of her life becomes a valley…
A Branch Too Far is the third book in a series of witty cozy mysteries. If you like spunky heroines, laugh-out-loud humor, and charming small towns with big city crime rates, then you’ll love Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mysteries.
Buy A Branch Too Far to plant a delightful cozy on your bookshelf today!
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This review is for the audio book.
I really enjoyed this book and think the whole series is great fun and a must listen. On the whole it is a stand alone book apart from the situation of the missing aunty which brought Verity to Leafy Hollow in the first place but if you like a fun cozy mystery then why not listen to them all. I really like the characters and the hilarious mishaps they find themselves in. The mystery was good with plenty of suspects and twists to keep you listening until the end. Just a fun mystery with a budding romance, secret spy stuff, a best friend that can cook and plays sidekick on the adventures, hunky firemen, an over protective cop, oh and pets. This book has it all and is sure not to disappoint.
Leafy Hollow isn’t so sleep when a black widow is released from jail and moves back to her home town. Protesters soon start causing problems in the high street but it is when the body of one of the residents is found at the bottom of the cliff that the problems really start. Was her fall an accident? Suicide? Or was she pushed? Only husbands should fear the black widow, right? These are all questions Verity and the whole town is asking themselves. It soon becomes apparent that no one knows the dead lady as well as they thought and when the books don’t add up suspicions turn to the mother of Verity’s best friend. Fearing the police are about to make a big mistake Verity and her friends start to investigate. Then another body is found and things really heat up. Can Verity and her friends find a connection between the two deaths and find out who the really killer is or will this investigation end in a bang.
I really like the narrator and think she does a really good job giving each character there own voice, which brings the story to life.
A Branch Too Far by Rickie Blair is the third book in the Leafy Hollow Mysteries and was another fast paced cozy that I couldn’t put down.
Verity still hasn’t give up hope on finding her Aunt but another murder has happened and this time her BFF has begged her to help find the murderer. With her usual spunk and determination, Verity is on the hunt with a few mishaps that caused me to laugh out loud. Can Verity find the culprit and keep her romance alive with Jeff or will she lose it all.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Once again a really enjoyable story, I love the characters and also the fun way the book is written. It’s one of those stories where you think you know who the killer is and then it all takes another turn.
The Leafy Hollow Mysteries should definitely be on your “To Read” list.
This review is based on an audio book I received for free from Audiobooks Unleashed and I wanted to give an honest review.
I also really like the narrator, she does a wonderful job, lovely clear voice and helps to bring this story to life.
cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth
Wonderful cozy mystery guaranteed to occupy your entire afternoon. Great characters and situations, suspense and good humor. I loved it!
I always enjoy Petrea Burchard’s interpretive narrations!
I highly recommebd this series of books by Ricki Blair.
The heroine is settling in her aunt’s cottage and landscaping business. Her friendships are growing and new people introduced. Some of those people end up dead. The book club’s hefty treasury is empty. The dead one’s will is a surprise and an unknown career comes to light. Verity stumbles frequently on evidence because she is curious? An Idiot? A troublemaker? Cares for her friends or innocents that might be in danger? Maybe some or none or all of the. 2 Murders entice her thought processes and her trio of investigators investigate. Her old bestie surprises her. Alas romance takes another No turn. The end solves crimes and saves characters. A determined call ends the book with a visit from Jeff. Do I dare hope they will move closer to romance? Argh! Next book Plleasse.
Once again: I LOVED IT! Just as much as the first book or even more. A lot of great characters of which most are old familiars that still manage to become suspects making it very difficult to spot the killer. Our friends are doing some great investigating and the twist and turns make this a super fun page turner that kept me hooked and also providing a couple chuckles which I always appreciate.
Verity is still hoping to find out what happened to Aunt Adeline but the background story wasn’t too prominent in this installment and won’t cause much confusion to readers that missed the first 2 books.
I just hope I don’t have to wait too long for book 4!
I received a free copy from the author and reviewed it voluntarily.
Cozy Mystery – Great Plot – Fun Page Turner
This novel went by way too quickly. It is a full length novel with a solid ending. This is book three in a series and stands alone quite well. I can say that because this is the first one of the series that I’ve read. Judging by the quality of this book, I will not only read the rest of this series, but anything else that this author writes. I enjoy characters who are a bit flawed as in this heroine. There is plenty of humor as well as real suspense. There is a bit of misdirection that also works well as the author slowly shows us the culprit. The emotions and motivations seem right on the money. The description of the small town and its inhabitants also follow what I know to be true. A very nice work to add to my ‘keeper’ bookshelf.
“A Branch Too Far” earns 5/5 Sprigs of Lavender!
First, protestors are voicing their anger toward a ‘paroled’ murderer returning home to Leafy Hollow. Marjorie Rupert is determined to advocate her innocence of her husband’s death and write a memoir “Justice Denied: A Widow’s Ordeal“ revealing secrets the jury never heard. Next, while picking up some items in the store for BFF Emy Dionne, Verity Hawkes has an unpleasant run in with the also unpleasant Lucy Carmichael. Last, Lucy Carmichael is found at the bottom of a cliff…suicide? Not if you believe she is afraid of heights! Verity tried to ignore the “M” word, but it seems a bit obvious that this is a case of…murder! And her BFF’s mother may be the best ‘person of interest’ when an interesting connection is discovered and no alibi can be verified. Verity tries to uncover more suspects, but her covert detections put her in “fiery” danger.
I am new to Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mystery series. I started late with the series, but deciding to start with the newest release. “A Branch Too Far” was a great choice: Black widow returns? Angry confrontations? Suspicious death? Cryptic notes? Everything contributed to an engaging and entertaining story with an “I didn’t see that coming!” ending that was quite exhilarating. Rickie’s characters were well developed, and Verity Hawkes, the “snooping gardener,” was a delight to follow. At first the references to a missing aunt, an issue weaving throughout the series, made me curious I’d missed something, but further information got me caught up. Some may find it easier to start at the beginning with “From Garden to Grave,” but this book was really an excellent place to start the series. Playing out in the background we are treated to the intriguing small town business of Leafy Hollow, issues with running a gardening business, possible love interests, flashbacks of Verity’s Aunt Adeline, and all the surrounding flora and fauna…even dangerous hornets and protestors waving signs. You got the book, so find a garden and enjoy the adventure!