Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year’s crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . . ONE ROTTEN APPLE Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny’s beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it’s struggling. That’s why they’re trying to drum up business … they’re trying to drum up business with the “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard,” a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike—until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny’s long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder . . .
“The characters are delightful . . . Plenty of action and suspense.”
—RT Book Reviews on Murder in Real Time
Includes Recipes!
more
Apple Cider Slaying is the first book in a new series, A Cider Shop Mystery, written by Julie Anne Lindsey. I previously read a few books by this author (under her pseudonyms) and joined the blog tour to promote this release. I love drinking cider and wanted to get in on a new series right at the beginning. Let’s chat about the book.
Winnie has returned to her hometown, Blossom Valley, West Virginia to help Granny turn around the family business. Her fiance dumped her last Christmas, and she’s almost done obtaining her college degree, but she is ready to start a new cider business. During the first tour to convince the bank to lend her the money for the larger changes, her Granny’s enemy is found in a precarious position. Who killed the neighbor? Winnie investigates while building up her new business. She struggles with the bank and the sheriff, as they worry she had something to do with the murder. Then Winnie’s ex comes home to tell her he’s sorry for the past. How does it all fit together?
To begin with, if you love fall, apple cider, and cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this book. There is a lot of time spent setting up the background and developing the characters, but that often happens in the first of a series. In some areas, I think there was too much focus on things other than the mystery, yet at the same time, it helped give the book a great ambiance and setting. I don’t mind reading a mystery that shares a lot of about the side stories as long as the mystery itself isn’t lacking. In this case, it was good, but I think it went off-course a few times–not enough to be a real problem tho.
The writing is good, and I enjoyed the transitions between chapters. There were several potential culprits and red herrings, but I would’ve liked a little more time spent on analyzing those options. All-in-all, for making a theme and setting pop, I give this one a solid A rating. As a debut, it leaves you a lot to look forward to in the series too. I will read the next one, as I like the author and the possibilities here. I recommend it for anyone who wants a fun fall read and likes their cozies mysteries with an even balance of side story humor and development. Drink some apple cider while reading it too.
Apple Cider Slaying is book one in Julie Ann Lindsey’s new “A Cider Shop Mystery” series. This is a fun cozy mystery novel set in the holiday season following Thanksgiving leading all the way up to Christmas. The author introduces readers to a young woman, who seems to have her life pretty planned out – she’s taking college courses a step at a time to avoid student debt, helping her Granny, and planning for her future cider shop. What she isn’t planned up for is the mysterious death of her Granny’s nemesis and the dangers that begin to stalk her soon after.
Apple Cider Slaying is a fun mystery novel that gives readers just the right amount of mystery, with a dash of humor, and a couple of mischievous kittens. I love Winnie’s relationship with her Granny. They are so close, and I love it. I appreciate that the author has Winnie wanting to stay close to home, and wanting to help her Granny by opening a cider shop on the property to boost the family business. The author does an excellent job giving readers a small-town feel with this book. Let anything happen anyplace in town and you can bet everyone will know before lunch or dinner…depending on the time of day. I truly like the author wastes little time having a body pop up. That hooked me into the story as it happened so quickly. I wasn’t expecting that for a couple more chapters. Haha!
There are some crossed wires here and there and I’m not going to lie…I quickly started off disliking the new Sheriff, but don’t worry…he’ll eventually grow on you. True to form for most cozy mystery novels, the heroine is stalked by danger as she works to try and figure out who did what and why. I applaud her determination, but there were moments where her head was. She seemed pretty clued in on how certain things work when it comes to investigations, but then she seemed out of it in others. I, to an extent, understand why the author wrote it like this because it keeps the character from being too knowledgeable about police work.
All in all, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. The author does an excellent job keeping me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who the guilty party is. There are hints, clues, and more than a few red herrings strewn throughout the story to keep you looking at the wrong suspects. When the time is right, the pieces begin to fall together. If you enjoy holiday-themed cozy mystery novels then this book is a winner. I look forward to the author’s next book and Winnie’s next mystery adventure along with her adorable kittens.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Welcome to Smythe Orchards in Blossom Valley, West Virginia. The orchard has been struggling since Grandpa Smythe passed away but Winnie Montgomery has a few ideas to bring her grandparents orchards back into the black. The orchard has never been open year-round and Winnie thinks her plans will bring locals and tourists to the orchard well past Thanksgiving. She decides a “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard” festival is just the thing to kick off her future plans. She also needs the orchard to be full of customers when the loan officer, Mr. Sherman comes to talk about a loan for her future endeavors.
On Mr. Sherman’s first visit to the orchard Winnie’s plans go horribly awry when her Granny’s neighbor and long-time nemesis is discovered squished in the apple press. Because of the ongoing conflicts between the woman, the sheriff quickly picks Granny as his prime suspect. Winnie is not going to stand for that. She is sure she can come up with a bushel basket full of people who could have pressed the cantankerous woman to death. The question is can she do it without getting herself killed in the process.
_____________
This series is off to an excellent start.
Ms. Lindsey has created a protagonist this is smart and persistent. She faces a lot of things that would shake most people’s resolve but she keeps pushing forward to save her family’s orchard. Finding a dead woman in the apple press is horrible but it doesn’t stop there, and yet she remains determined to catch a killer and pursue her dreams. She does have a vulnerable side she tries to keep under wraps but that just adds to the depth of her character. I loved the relationship she had with her grandmother and as we get to know Granny Smythe we see where Winnie gets her strength. That apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
There is one truly rotten apple in the rest of the characters we meet. The author delivers plenty of twists and turns along with intrigue and humor making it very hard to pick the right culprit. As we get to know the people of Blossom Valley my focus was drawn to several suspects That final twist was suspenseful and took me completely by surprise. The person was not even on my list but they were rotten to the core! My heart rate really accelerated as the scene played out. The author got me and I love it when that happens.
I enjoyed the holiday theme and life taking care of an apple orchard and making it profitable. Winnie has great ideas and I really want her to succeed. The author gives us wonderful descriptions, so much so apple cider was immediately added to my shopping list about 2 weeks earlier than normal. I wanted a nice warm taste as I finished reading this book. Thankfully, we have an awesome orchard near where we live, not quite as grand as Winnie’s plans but we love their cider, pies, apples, and other treats.
I found the characters to be fresh and engaging and the mystery was stellar, one you can really take a big bite of and still be wrong. The setting was pure bliss, someplace I would visit often.
Apple Cider Slaying is a great holiday mystery! Fast-paced and hard to put down. It comes with recipes too. Pick your copy up today and pick a bushel to share with your friends, Christmas is right around the corner and this cozy mystery would make an awesome gift.
Pulp Friction, book two in this series will be released April 28. 2020.
Who likes apple cider? Me, too! One of the first things that attracted me to this book was the cheery red Christmas cover, and the thought of hot cider on a cold winter day.
Winnie Montgomery’s passion is creating savory homemade apple ciders! Her cider is sold at her Granny Smythe’s Orchard in gorgeous Blossom Valley, West Virginia. Winnie’s dream is to renovate an old barn on the property into a cider shop and for that, she needs a bank loan. When Mr. Sherman, the banker, comes for a tour and they stumble across a corpse; Winnie fears that’s killed her chances for loan approval, however; she’s a determined protagonist and isn’t going to let a murderer ruin her project. She decides if she solves the murder and can get the bank officer to come back, then maybe she can still get a loan.
Full of home, hearth, and love of family, friends, and community; I constantly felt the coziness as I savored this story. Winnie and her Granny have such wonderful memories that crop up throughout the fast-paced storyline. As the mystery and suspense build, there’s so much more to this story than picking apples and sipping cider. The author led me on such a merry chase that the killer snuck up on me! Scrumptious sounding recipes round out the ending of this delicious read. Grab a warm beverage and enjoy this cozy!
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing with an honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you.
Winnie Montgomery is trying her best to drum up business for her family’s apple orchard. She’s hoping that when the bank manager sees how well the business is doing, he’ll approve the loan she needs to open a cider shop. When he arrives to tour the property, they discover her grandmother’s nemesis dead in the apple press. The police immediately suspect her grandmother of the crime. Winnie knows her grandmother is innocent and is determined to uncover the truth. I loved every minute of this fast-paced, suspenseful cozy mystery! The characters are likable and easy to relate to. Winnie’s a hard worker, and I admired her optimism, and her determination to succeed. Her heartwarming relationship with her grandmother was also an important aspect of the story. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was very surprised by the ending! This is a wonderful introduction to a new series and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Apple Cider Slaying
A Cider Shop Mystery, Book #1
Julie Anne Lindsey
5+ Stars
Synopsis:
Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year’s crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . .
ONE ROTTEN APPLE
Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny’s beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it’s struggling. That’s why they’re trying to drum up business with the “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard,” a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike–until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny’s long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder . . .
Includes Recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
This is the first book in a new series and I thought it was great. It has everything I look for in a cozy mystery: fantastic characters, a charming setting and a killer mystery.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I really enjoyed meeting Winnie and her Granny. They have a deep love for each other and they will do anything for each other. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and brought the story to life.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Each scene was so vivid in my mind and at times I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I think this is a hard thing to do but this author pulled it off perfectly.
The mystery was well plotted and well paced. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I was very surprised at who the culprit turned out to be, which is how I like my mysteries.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read the next one. If I could, I would give this book more than 5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
What a great start to a new cozy series. We meet Winnie as she is attempting to help her granny save the orchard by opening a cider shop in the property. In order to male that happen she needs to be approved for a loan. That is not looking likely when as the banker is visiting she finds the dead body of the cantankerous neighbor in the picking building. To make it worse granny is the main suspect since the two really disliked one another. Win could not accept that About though so she stargazing questions in the small town. Leads both her and the reader on a merry chase to figure out the bad person. Overall a well written cozy mystery full of apples, recipes, and a good time. Makes for pleasant reading. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Winnie has always been a part of her grandparents apple business Smythe Farms and when her grandfather past away a few years ago she stepped up to make sure her granny had the helped she needs. Along with helping at the farm and introducing new ideas Winnie works at a local diner and is almost finished getting her business degree. With the orchard struggling she has come up with some fun ideas to breath new life I to the business. When her grannies neighbor and arch nemesis is found dead in their Apple press things don’t look good. The sheriff is looking at her granny as being the killer and Winnie just isn’t having it. She will do anything she can to clear her grannies name even disregarding the sheriff’s words and investigating on her own. Along the way Winnie learns that Nadine had more enemies than friends and.that finding a killer might not be that easy. Determined to make everything right she is willing to disregard the danger she finds herself in and continues to look into Marines life. This was my first book from this author and it was a great read as well as being a new series. I look forward to the next book and seeing what direction the author takes the characters in.
Winona Mae Montgomery (Winnie) and her Granny Smythe are doing their best to keep the apple orchard going after the death of her beloved grandfather. If only they could have customers year round, but it costs money to expand. Winnie has to convince the local bank that her business plan is sound. So she arranges multiple tours to visit on one day, the same day the bank representative will be coming to hear Winnie’s new proposal for a gift shop and more.
What she doesn’t plan is for the bank representative to walk into the Press area and discover a dead body, the body of her Granny’s arch nemesis. So dies Winnie’s plans to impress and expand.
One of the best things about a new series is getting to know the personalities of the main characters. Winnie pretends to be stronger than she is to protect her Granny and their dream. She has good friends, and along the way ends up with some adorable kittens. Throw an ex- boyfriend into the mix and some shady business deals and you have the makings for a spicy cozy.
I look forward to seeing where this takes us.
APPLE CIDER SLAYING by Julie Anne Lindsey is the first book in the A Cider Shop Mystery series. It’s the story of Winona “Winnie” Mae Montgomery, Granny Smythe and the fate of Smythe Orchard in the quaint little town of Blossom Valley.
Winnie has been trying to keep the family orchard out of the red after her Granny’s unsuccessful attempt to run everything after Grampy’s death. Plans for a cider shop have always been a dream of Winnie’s. She’d even used her collection of idea and photos as one of her college projects. Figuring it was now or never and a good way to pull the orchard into the profit column, she prepares a presentation for the local bank to enquire about a loan to make the necessary improvements to make her dream become a reality.
It seems from day one that bad luck is on Winnie’s heels. Winnie and Mr. Sherman, the bank loan manager, find Nadine Cooper, an obstinate neighbor of the Smythe’s, murdered inside the historical Mail Pouch barn where the cider shop is to be. Nadine and Granny have had a running feud for years making Granny the number one suspect.
Sheriff Colton Wise, in Winnie’s eyes, isn’t much help and seems determined to prove Granny guilty. His attitude leaves Winnie no choice but to prove Granny is innocent by finding clues to the real culprit. The problem is every time she makes a tiny step forward, someone is pushing her back two. Things go from bad to worse when Winnie starts getting threats to herself, innocent people are killed, harm comes to her property and then as injury to Granny that lands her in the hospital unconscious.
On top of everything else, Winnie has to deal with her ex-boyfriend, Hank Donovan, showing back in town for the Christmas holidays. She knows there’s little chance to avoid seeing him in their small town. When she does, can she put the past behind her and find closure? Can he help or is he part of the problem? If not for her loyal best friend, Dorothy “Dot” Summers, she wouldn’t be able to keep going or think straight at times. Even the two cute rescue kittens she has Winnie take care of are a welcome distraction.
Will Granny regain consciousness in time to attend the big event? Can they find out who killed Nadine before they strike again? When you’re down and out and living in a small town like Blossom Valley, the townsfolk rally for one of their own. Can all their work and support be enough to pull off the first Winterfest at the Orchard unveiling the new Cider Store and bringing new life to Smythe Orchard? Will Winnie see the real side of Sheriff Colin Wise to be friends – or maybe even a little bit more?
If Julie Anne Lindsey’s first book in the series is an indication, this is going to be an absolutely amazing series. APPLE CIDER SLAYING is a well-written story that has you following the clues leading you on a few different paths only to still leave you surprised with the reveal. I loved every page-turning minute of this book and can’t wait for the next installment. There are many characters that I can see being further developed in the coming books. I can’t wait to see how the relationship between Winnie and Colton develops. I definitely, wholeheartedly recommend this book and give it a five stars plus some!
Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey is the first book in a new cozy mystery series, A Cider Shop Mystery, and was a great beginning.
Winnie and Granny Smythe are wonderful warm characters that I found to be very likable; and I look forward to spending more time with them as this series continues. Sheriff Wise was not too likable at first; but he began to loosen up as he got to know Winnie and Granny. He’s an enigma that I look forward to getting to know better in the next book. A swiftly paced plot, very few suspects, red herrings and twists that kept me turning the pages. The reveal was a little scary so I was gripping my Kindle throughout the scene. The perfect cozy mystery for me. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Apple Cider Slaying” by Julie Anne Lindsey is the first in the “A Cider Shop Mystery” set in Blossom Valley, WV. What a great start to a new series! This will be another series in my favourite list.
Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year’s crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . .
ONE ROTTEN APPLE
Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny’s beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it’s struggling. That’s why they’re trying to drum up business with the “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard,” a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike—until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny’s long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder . . .
Protagonist Winnie Montgomery is relatable, smart and very likeable she lives with her grandmother (Granny Smythe) on Smythe Orchard. I loved the assortment of characters like Granny, Dot her bff and who can resist a couple of orange rescue kittens. I also loved the chemistry between Winnie and Colton.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story. Kept me guessing till the very end.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends!
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books, the Author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Julie Anne Lindsey writes the Christmas Tree Farm series underneath the pen name of Jacqueline Frost which I thoroughly loved, so I was excited to see that she has a new series underneath a second pseudonym.
I really enjoyed this first book in the Cider Shop series. Likeable main protagonist, wonderful cast of secondary characters, cozy small town setting and two adorable ginger kittens. Looking forward to reading future entries.
When Winona Mae Montgomery’s grandmother is suspected of murder, Winnie springs into action.
This fast-paced cozy mystery features a likable protagonist who is also bright and persistent. Secondary characters are nicely quirky. Lindsey provides us vivid descriptions that pulled me in. The plot was well twisted, and there are suspects galore.
All in all, a nice holiday mystery.
3.5 stars
I listened to the audio version of this book and am not as enthusiastic about the mystery as most other reviewers. I am not quite sure why this is the case…maybe I should have read it instead??? I don’t know. A cider shop on the orchard sounds charming and fun but I found it to be dragging out and a bit boring at times.
I may give book 2 a chance though.
Great start to a new series! I can’t wait to read the next one.
Winnie Montgomery is determined to make her dream of opening a cider shop and saving the family orchard. The orchard has never been opened year-round and Winnie believes her plans will bring tourists and locals to the orchard well past Thanksgiving. She decides to hold the first annual Christmas at the Orchard festival. She also needs for the festival to be full of customers when the local bank’s loan officer shows up for their talk about her business load for the cider shop. With each visit of the loan officer, there seems to be a new tragedy at the orchard and this started with the death of one of Winnie’s neighbors.
This is a great start to a new series. I was quickly sucked into the storyline. The characters are likable and relatable. I love Winnie’s relationship with her grandmother and the kittens were adorable. The plot moves at a quick pace with no shortage of suspects, and several twists and turns along the way to the big reveal. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. A bonus for food lovers, recipes are included at the end of the book.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.
Winnie (Winona Mae) Montgomery lives with
her Grandma in Blossom Valley, West Virginia.
They run the Smythe Orchards which is a
twenty-five acre farm. It has been the family
business for years only since Grandpa Smythe’s
death has the bottom line suffer.
So Winnie comes up with an idea to keep the
Smythe Orchard open all year round. Her first
endeavor is to present to the community and
tourists the “First Annual Christmas at the
Orchard”. This would be an old fashion festival
with a variety of games, various homemade
jams, various types of apple ciders. Winnie’s
second idea is to open an Apple cider shop
in their barn which would provide a variety of
her homemade ciders.
But her good intentions seem to be meeting
all sorts of detours……a neighbor is murdered
in the barn, Winnie gets attacked in the barn,
Winnie has a threatening note put on the
windshield of her car, someone tries to run
her off the road plus try to set fire to where
she lives ending up running her Grandma down.
When the new Sheriff believes her Grandma
guilty of murder, Winnie decides to investigate
on her own to prove her Grandma’s innocence.
An uniquely, well plotted murder mystery with
plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader
busy with suspects and motives.
The characters are regular, down on the farm,
well educated, realistic, relatable, well defined
persons. The reader will feel as if they are part
of the Blossom Valley community except for
one “Rotten Apple”.
Two orange fur babies, Kenny and Dolly are
essential to the story.
Besides suspense, the challenge of solving
a crime, humor and a touch of romance make
this an enjoyable read.
Winnie believes that if everyone does three
acts of kindness to others, kindness acts will
come back to the doer. Great idea to follow.
Recipes included at the end.
This is book # 1 in the Cider Shop Mystery
Series. I look forward to reading the next book.
I volunteered to read Apple Cider Slaying.
Thanks to the author via the Cozy Mystery
Review Crew. My opinion is voluntary and
my own.
I love finding new cozy mystery series, and it’s even better when they are good. Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey checks both of those boxes. This is the first book in the Cider Shop Mystery series and after finishing it, I immediately went to the interwebs to find out when the next book is coming out. Luckily I only have to wait until the end of April 2020 for the second book, Pulp Friction, to be released!
What I loved the most about Apple Cider Slaying was the sense of community. I actually had tears in my eyes towards the end due to how wonderfully the people of Blossom Valley came together to help Winner and her Granny. Tears, people!
Another thing that I found to be fantastic about Apple Cider Slaying was being completely surprised by the murderer. Whenever that happens in a cozy, especially if it’s the first I read in the series, I am instantly endeared to the series and author. Lindsey had the perfect amount of suspects and red herrings to keep me interested.
And Kenny and Dolly are adorable. They are two marmalade kittens that Winnie takes in after her best friend rescues them. I always enjoy cozies with animals in them, especially cats. These two little fireballs remind me of our black cat, Fizzy. As a kitten he would run up our legs. It hurt and I would always gently put him down and give him a stern word. But he’s a cat. And even now that he’s grown, when I’m washing the dishes and not giving him enough attention, he will walk up to me and put his front claws into my pants. It hurts, and I often have to bend down to help him detach himself, but I secretly love it a little bit because it’s like he’s still a kitten instead of a 20 pound cat.
Apple Cider Slaying is a great start to a new cozy series, and I highly recommend. If you enjoy it, make sure to pre-order, Pulp Friction, book two in the series!
Good evening, my fellow Book Dragons! I am so happy to be back on this Mystery Monday! I do appreciate your patience as I recovered from my sprained hip..at 555 years old, One does not spring back from a simple injury when One was a simple nestling at the age of 100. Ah, well, enough of that..Our Gem this evening is quite beautiful. Bright red, clear, apple shaped, it looks nearly good enough to eat – sort of like a sugar spun sweetie – but beware, ’tis deadly, it is. This is Gem Maker Julie Anne Lindsey’s Apple Cider Slaying, the first in a new series.
This is the story of Winona Mae (Winnie) Montgomery and her grandmother, Granny Smythe -isn’t that too delicious! I love cozies for exactly this reason. Puns and word plays are my passion! Winnie has come home to West Virginia to help her dear Granny (you will grow to love her) pull out all the stops to make the family orchard “Smythe Orchard” a rousing success. They have apple cider in nine delicious flavors and you can even pick your own apples. Having grown up picking my own fruits and vegetables I am always a little sad for people who never got to do this sort of thing.
There is always a fly in the ointment and this one is Granny’s next door neighbor. Nadine Cooper is her name and being a pain in the nether regions is her game. She has her tactics down perfectly, so I didn’t feel a bit of pain when she comes up dead..I also love that about a good mystery. When the victim is so irritatingly nasty One doesn’t even choke on One’s chamomile when One reads how the victim meet’s their much deserved demise. And I am not telling how, but it is very worthy of a Midsomer Murders script. I loved it!
If you are looking for something to stuff in the stocking of that mystery lover, yourself, or a Secret Pal at work, this is the one. The cover is gorgeous enough that I put it out with some other Christmas books I have because the cover in itself is a Christmas decoration! This is the book to read after you have faced the crowds, the traffic, finished wrapping the gifts and making out the cards. This is that “me time” read. It’s is available on Amazon and wherever great books are sold!
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.