“A satisfying mystery. … Suggest for fans of other mysteries set in cute tourist areas, such as Lorna Barrett’s Booktown mysteries.”–Library Journal Callie Reed has put together a special event, but a killer is ripping it apart at the seams As the new owner of a music box store in Keepsake Cove, a quaint town full of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Callie Reed is eager to get … is eager to get more involved in her community. So she volunteers to plan the fall street decorations and welcome a visiting author who’s come for a special book signing. But the celebratory mood is cut short when the local B&B owner is found dead, killed with a pair of vintage scissors.
Suspicion is cast on the victim’s estranged wife, Dorothy, who owns Keepsake Cove’s vintage sewing shop. Callie is sure Dorothy is innocent, and the visiting author agrees. Together, they begin their own investigation, only to discover that many people in Keepsake Cove have secrets. Secrets that are worth killing to keep.
Praise for the Keepsake Cove Mysteries:
“Hughes kicks off her new Keepsake Cove series with a charming locale.”–Kirkus Reviews
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The only thing that can possibly be better than a good mystery novel is a good mystery novel containing a mystery writer egging the main character to snoop and help solve crimes. This was truly a new to me spin that I found absolutely amazing!! It was so well written and the characters were all so well developed. Filled with compassion, the “what have I gotten myself into” moments we all run into, laughs, a few red herrings, and a community I found myself wishing to visit, this book has it all. Only the second book in the series, there’s that new feeling like you’ve recently moved into this town with Callie and are still learning everything right along with her. I honestly cannot wait to read another in this series. I was delighted!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Ellen Hughes, and Midnight Ink for the chance to read such a splendid story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
In the first installment of this series I fell in love with the village of Keepsake Cove and I was happy to be able to come back for another visit. This little town with its unique small businesses just makes my heart jump in joy.
Lyssa Hammond, a well know author, is in town for a book signing . The owner of a B&B where she stays is found dead and the evidence is pointing to Dorothy who owns a vintage sewing shop. Lyssa and Callie don’t believe that Dorothy killed her ex-husband and start investigating the murder.
I am happy that the paranormal element in this book is almost negligible and doesn’t at all interfere with or influence the investigation.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Midnight Ink and the author provided me with an advance copy.
Keepsake Cove is a wonderful town to live in and to visit. There are charming shops to explore, and great places to eat. The protagonist inherited her aunt’s music box shop in which her grampa was the original collector. I enjoy the author’s descriptions of the music boxes and the tunes they play. Featuring some wonderful secondary characters like her shop assistant who likes to dress as ‘famous characters’, and a great new author friend, Lyssa, who has a bubbly personality, plus the male romantic interest who owns a restaurant across the street—the story is fast to pull you in and hold your interest for hours. The murder mystery is captivating and readers may be surprised at the villain. I enjoyed book two slightly more than I did book one and definitely recommend both books to cozy mystery fans.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am so happy to return to Keepsake Cove and just in time for a big event too. Callie is starting to feel at home and is getting involved. She has volunteered to head up the committee decorating the town for Fall and helping with a big book signing for author Lyssa Hammond. Lyssa and Callie become fast friends after Callie delivers a welcome basket to the B&B where the author is staying. She also meets the owner of the B&B, Clifford Ashby. He is a strange individual who makes both Callie and Lyssa uncomfortable so Lyssa is happy to spend time away from the place with Callie. They can both understand why he and his wife, Dorothy, are living apart.
But when the creepy man is found dead the focus turns directly to his wife. She owns the vintage sewing shop and the murder weapon was a pair of vintage sheers. Callie knows Dorothy couldn’t kill anyone and decides to prove it. Lyssa is by her side as they start to uncover secrets that may have sealed Clifford’s fate. When another person is killed, the choice of weapon connects the cases and also proves even more clearly Dorothy is not the murderer. Now they just need to find the real killer and get them to sing a melody that lands them in the slammer.
Keepsake Cove is my kind of place, a collector shopper’s dream come true. Ms. Hughes brings the place to life with her words. All the unique shops, the town square, the music boxes that fill the shelves of Callie’s shop and more. The set up for the author signing was fun and Halloween themed right down to the author’s arrival. I loved it!
The characters were already well developed in the first book, A Fatal Collection, but they continue to grow and evolve through this story. I really like Tabitha, Callie’s assistant at the shop. Each day is a surprise because the way she dresses always has a theme. She and Callie work so well together, but the woman is more than capable at running the place while Callie is off solving crimes. I also enjoy that her new relationship with cafe owner Brian Greer is moving at a slow comfortable pace. There is also a special character that is quiet most of the time, a little supernatural element, a beloved music box that only plays to help Callie stay on track.
Secrets are the keys to this mystery and the author draws readers in with an expert hand. She opens the door to a much longer suspect list than I had imagined and she twists things up in a way that I was just following along without doing my normal thing of trying to solve the mystery before the protagonist. The ending was suspenseful and surprised me. I really enjoyed the way this story was written and played out. I would have finished the book all in one sitting but my eyes just would not cooperate.
Another wonderful read from this author for this series. I truly can’t wait for the next installment, my fingers and toes are crossed hoping for another visit to Keepsake Cove.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
What an adorable new installment to this great cozy mystery series! We catch up with Keepsake cove and all of its shops full of collectibles. Callie’s music box shop is doing good and with the upcoming festival she is getting excited. There is even an author for a book event which was a nice tidbit to work on that made me smile. If course a murder (or two) has to attempt to ruin the day and when a friend ends up the main suspect Sallie starts asking around with a little help. The mix of town life, the shops, and murder flows smoothly making for an enjoyable story with a touch of charm. Great for fans of cozies. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
I’ve just had another wonderful visit to Keepsake Cove and I’m already looking forward to my next trip!
A VINTAGE DEATH was a book impossible to put down. I know I often say that about books I read (What can I say? I’m addicted to reading!), but it’s never been truer. Author Mary Ellen Hughes has upped her game in this second installment of her Keepsake Cove Mysteries. I wouldn’t have thought she could have topped book one, A FATAL COLLECTION, but I really should have known better.
I love a story where I can spend some time with the characters before the mystery begins. It’s a great chance to get to know more about the people involved. In A VINTAGE DEATH, there are a few chapters before the discovery of the body, and I was able to learn a bit about Keepsake Cove, and its merchants. Now, on to the mystery . . .
There are not one, but two murders in this story, with each victim being killed by a unique choice of weapon, vintage sewing scissors. It was very intriguing searching for the who and why of it all. Like knotted thread, unraveling the true truth wasn’t an easy task. But author Hughes expertly ties everything together in a reveal that had me riveted to my seat.
Cozy mystery at its finest, I give A VINTAGE DEATH 5 out of 5 stars. Heck, I give it 10 out of 5 stars!
A Vintage Death by Mary Ellen Hughes returns readers to Keepsake Cove, Maryland. Callie Reed runs House of Melody, a collectible music box shop that she inherited from her aunt. Callie has volunteered to plan the autumn decorations for the town as well as the book signing event for Lyssa Hammond. She has the able assistance from her friend, Dorothy Ashby who owns Stitches Thru Time. After Lyssa arrives in town, Callie takes a welcome basket to her at the Foxwood Inn which is owned by Clifford Ashby. Clifford is a chatty fellow, but he makes people uncomfortable. On Monday, while the townspeople are decorating their shops with autumn décor, Callie is surprised to hear that Clifford was found dead in the park with a pair of vintage scissors sticking out of his chest. Dorothy, Clifford’s estranged wife, becomes the prime suspect since the scissors came from her shop. Callie knows her friend did not commit the crime and, with the aid of an eager Lyssa, starts searching for clues. Several local townspeople had reason to harm Clifford who had developed a scheme to earn extra money. Which suspect committed the wicked deed? Before Callie and Lyssa can zero in on the killer another body is found in the park and, once again, the weapon is a pair of scissors. Can Callie solve this whodunit and save Dorothy from a life in prison?
A Vintage Death is the second tale in A Keepsake Cove Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The author provides Callie’s backstory to bring readers up to date. We get to know more about Keepsake Cove, its adorable shops and its amiable characters. Each shop features a different type of collectible item which I find very unique. Callie has become friends with several of the locals and has begun dating Brian Greer who owns the Keepsake Cove Café. Lyssa was a nice addition to the book, and I hope we see her again in future installments. We get to know more about Callie in this story (good character development). Tabitha, Callie’s shop assistant, is a off-beat character with her unconventional style of dress. She dresses up as a different character each day and her clothing is described in detail. I liked the author’s conversational writing style (what I call easy breezy) which makes the book easy to read and enjoy. The mystery was intriguing with an unusual murder weapon and several suspects. I was not surprised by the killer’s identity, but I appreciated how the mystery played out. The crime is actively investigated by our amateur sleuths. It has a dramatic ending and a twist that will surprise you. Grandpa Reed’s music box is the paranormal element in the story. It will play out at times to aid Callie in her investigation. I am a fan of paranormal, but the music box is not working in this story. We do not know what the music box means when it plays out a tune (too vague). I hope it becomes clearer in future books in this series. A Vintage death a pleasing cozy mystery that with its quaint town, charming shops and friendly characters.
The second book of this new mystery series is very strong and well written. I continue to enjoy the characters and small community. It is not easy to figure out a mystery when you are sort of new in town and some of the suspects are people you have not yet met. History, deceit and betrayal all are behind the scenes as Callie attempts to solve one murder while trying to become more involved in community activities. A second murder is so not what this town needs!
I think my favorite addition is a visiting author who really is not what people are expecting.
Her personality added much to the story as do the clues and notes of encouragement from a music loving spirit.
A Vintage Death is the second book in the A Keepsake Cove Mystery series.
I really enjoyed my return visit to the Keepsake Cove area of Mapleton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Keepsake Cove is an area where the businesses all sell collectible items.
Callie has recently inherited her store, House of Melody from her aunt. Callie is quite busy what with learning the business, she is also handling the autumn decorations for The Cove and is getting ready to head out to the Foxwood Inn to deliver a Welcome basket to Lyssa Hammond, an author of scary, supernatural books, who in Keepsake Cove for a signing at the Fall Festival. Callie delivers the basket and has an enjoyable visit with Lyssa and Callie is happy to have supper with her. At supper, Lyssa says she is enjoying her visit, but Ashby is kind of creepy.
A couple of days later Lyssa comes rushing into House of Melody and tells Callie that Clifford Ashby’s body has been found near where the festival will be held. She adds that the police had said he was stabbed with a pair of vintage scissors. When it is determined that the scissors did it fact come from Stitches in Time and the fact that Dorothy will probably inherit the Inn, she becomes the prime suspect. Even though things look bad for Dorothy. Callie doesn’t believe that she is capable of killing. Especially since she makes every effort to avoid seeing Clifford.
Callie soon learns that Clifford has started trying to coerce businesses into paying him for his promoting their shops at his inn. Callie is quite surprised when Lyssa comes to her and suggests that they begin to look into who the killer might be. They soon learn that Vernon Parks wants to buy the inn and has had run-ins in the past with Dorothy. They wonder if he would go far as to kill Clifford and put the blame on Dorothy to get the inn for a bargain basement price. When a second murder happens, they know they need to go all out if they want to keep Dorothy out of jail.
A Vintage Murder is a well-plotted and told story with an interesting and believable cast of characters.
I will be definitely watching for the next book in this delightful series.
A wonderful book! I love this series with all the collectible shops. It would be so much fun to visit and just browse through all the shops. I’d love to pick out a music box from House of Melody. In this latest book, the owner of the B & B is found stabbed to death with a pair of vintage scissors. His estranged wife is the prime suspect, but Callie is sure she is not the killer. When another murder happens in a similar fashion, she begins to wonder what is going on. With the help of a visiting mystery author, Callie sets out to solve the case and clear her friend’s name. I love this series and would love for it to continue. I want to see what else happens in Keepsake Cove and see Brian and Callie’s relationship develop!
This is the second book in the series about a touristy town that has a lot of specialty shops and our protagonist, Callie, runs a music box shop. It is interesting to read about various types of music boxes and the music that is within the box or other housing. And her aunt seems to haunt a heirloom music box that they keep in the shop. I think it is her aunt’s way of looking out for her and warning her when something bad might happen.
The mystery kept me guessing about who the killer was and let me tell you I didn’t get it right at all! I was very surprised at how things turned out and perhaps those that died got what they deserved because they were not nice people at all. The author does a great job of weaving in past events into the present that makes different characters seem guilty even if they are not.
There is an author that is visiting the town to do a book signing, Lyssa, that has her own secrets too but nothing as bad as others! It looks like Lyssa might become a regular character since she has bought a home close to Keepsake Cove. She is quite quirky and I think she will add some dimension to the books and helps round out a trio of friends which includes Tabitha. Tabitha is another fun characters because she likes to dress as various characters/people and keeps people guessing. I always wonder who she will portray next.
On the romance side, Hank is still trying to keep his hooks in Callie despite the fact that she has told him goodbye. At least he doesn’t live in town! Her friendship with Brian is developing and I wouldn’t be surprised if this turned into a romance down the road. Even if it doesn’t, they have a great friendship which needs to be treasured.
This was an entertaining read. I read the first in the series and this one was just as enjoyable. Keepsake Cove sounds like a wonderful place to live. Even if the neighbors aren’t all nice, it still have some wonderful people in the town. A local B&B owner has been murdered and Callie is hot on the trail of the killer. First her friend Dorothy is the main suspected because she is the victim’s estranged wife. Then there is the guest author in town who is gung ho to solve the murder. Why her interest? The story is engaging and kept me turning the pages. I was surprised at the end and the reveal of the murderer.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
extortion, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, friendship
A truly nice shopkeeper is suspected of the murder of her nasty estranged husband who, among other things, owns the nearby Bed and Breakfast. He was a nasty piece of work who cheated his employees and was pretty much running a protection racket on the shop owners.
Callie recently inherited the music box shop from her aunt, is new to small business ownership, seems to be making many new friends, and is highly motivated to use her talents to investigate the murder with an eye to clearing the prime suspect. It is a big help that one of her new friends is a mystery author who was staying at the B&B.
The characters are all interesting and engaging, the locale is lovely, and the plot works very well. I really enjoyed it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Midnight Ink via NetGalley. Thank you!
Small Town Cozy Mystery
This wonderful cozy mystery takes place in a small coastal town. The town is old, filled with specialty shops and attracts lots of tourists. That in itself makes a great backdrop for a series. The plot is very well done with many suspects and few obvious motives. The final reveal is very surprising and makes total sense. I never would have guessed! This author is new to me. After reading this book, I want to read the entire series and all of her work. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
A Vintage Death
Keepsake Cove Mystery, Book #2
Mary Ellen Hughes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
“A satisfying mystery. … Suggest for fans of other mysteries set in cute tourist areas, such as Lorna Barrett’s Booktown mysteries.”–Library Journal
Callie Reed has put together a special event, but a killer is ripping it apart at the seams
As the new owner of a music box store in Keepsake Cove, a quaint town full of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Callie Reed is eager to get more involved in her community. So she volunteers to plan the fall street decorations and welcome a visiting author who’s come for a special book signing. But the celebratory mood is cut short when the local B&B owner is found dead, killed with a pair of vintage scissors.
Suspicion is cast on the victim’s estranged wife, Dorothy, who owns Keepsake Cove’s vintage sewing shop. Callie is sure Dorothy is innocent, and the visiting author agrees. Together, they begin their own investigation, only to discover that many people in Keepsake Cove have secrets. Secrets that are worth killing to keep.
Praise for the Keepsake Cove Mysteries:
“Hughes kicks off her new Keepsake Cove series with a charming locale.”–Kirkus Reviews
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Callie is a smart, caring, loyal woman. When one of her friends is wrongly accused of murder, she does not hesitate to jump in with both feet to find the real culprit. I liked that fact that this time she had the help of a visiting thriller/horror author. That added another level to the mystery solving and I enjoyed that. I really liked finding out what character, Tabitha, Callie shop assistant, was going to be dressed as each day. She is a quirky character and has unusual fashion sense, which was great. And I even felt that Aunt Melody, Callie’s deceased aunt was part of the characters through the magical music box, which I loved.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The descriptive writing of the author pulled me into the story from the very beginning and pulled me along for a great read. The music box store came to life in my mind and I would love to stop by and check it out.
The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. The were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through and the mystery was not easily solved. I kept changing my mind as to who the killer was.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With great characters, a whimsical music box store and an intriguing mystery, what’s not to like.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Callie Reed took over her aunt’s music box shop, House of Melody, after her aunt was murdered. It may not have been her first choice for her future, but she is making the best of it and finding that she loves the town and the business.
Read the full review: http://www.thecozyreview.com/a-vintage-death/
This book seems to have everything I would enjoy. An October Festival full of hanging skeletons and ghosts and a book signing and reading by an author who writes paranormal stories. A quaint collector’s village with every type of collectible shop you can imagine…vintage music boxes, a vintage sewing shop, vintage cookware, a store called “Shake it Up” filled with vintage salt and pepper shakers, a bookstore; even a vintage Bed & Breakfast. The shop names were all so clever it made me want to take a trip there myself. Except I might not want to come upon dead bodies as people seem to be doing in Keepsake Cove. Callie, the owner of House of Melody music boxes (see what I mean? Makes you want to go look doesn’t it?), needs to help her friend Dorothy who owns Stitches Thru Time. The dead body was stabbed with a pair of vintage scissors, no less.
The reason I mentioned I wanted to visit Keepsake Cove has to do with the way Mary Ellen Hughes laid out the scene description. I even wanted to live in Callie’s cottage. Hughes did just as well with the leading or main characters. This is just a fun read you want to curl up and sit down for the day with. It didn’t take me much longer than that to read because I didn’t want to put it down. It’s sweet and entertaining.
This is Book 2 in a series titled “A Keepsake Cove Mystery”. There is no question this book couldn’t stand alone as a good read. However, Mary Ellen Hughes has two or three series and there isn’t a one of them without good reviews. Better check them out everything out.
***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.
A Vintage Death – The setting of this book makes you want to immediately pack up and move. to this neighborly cove. The characters are realistic and quickly feel like friends. The best part is that there’s more than one story line which keeps the reading interesting. Even if you have an inkling of who the antagonist might be, the how and why aren’t revealed until the very end. There’s also a couple of plot twists along the way. This was a good read and I plan to go back and read the previous book in this series. Looking forward to the next one.
I thought this was a much better mystery than the first book, A Fatal Collection. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that there was a murder and Callie actively investigates with a new friend,who it appears, may be a new recurring character.
On the bad side, the murder outs themself and there’s really no proof. Gah, this is happening so often in the books I read. Callie said she was picking up (my poor wording) hints of who the murder was. Yeah, sure.
This series’ mystery story lines still need some work, but I enjoyed it.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.