When her sleepwalking aunt is accused of committing murder, Poppy McAllister finds out there’s no rest for the weary . . . Between trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into the Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey, Poppy is ready to call, “Mayday!” And now Aunt Ginny—who’s a handful wide-awake—is … wide-awake—is sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors’ snacks and knickknacks.
Even more alarming, a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, and the police suspect the “Snack Bandit.” Other than a bad case of midnight munchies and some mild knickknack kleptomania, Aunt Ginny is harmless. Someone’s trying to frame her. Poppy will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and put the case to rest—before Aunt Ginny has to trade in her B & B for a bunk bed behind bars . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!
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It’s a cute, light-hearted read.
Klein does it again with spirited story. Book Two of the Poppy McAllister series has our amateur sleuth juggling a deadline for getting her B&B open while unearthing proof of Aunt Ginny’s innocence in the death of a local humanitarian. But Poppy isn’t giving up, even as the local police are determined they have their perp and are ready to lock her away. Well written and a fun read, this is definitely a page-turner you won’t be able to put down! I’m looking forward to picking up book three!
I love Poppy and her Aunt Ginny. The situations that they get into make me laugh out loud, especially between Poppy and her mother-in-law. There is a good mystery in the book, but I enjoy spending time with the characters and seeing what will happen next. I like that Poppy seems like a real “person” and gets herself into some situations that could happen in real life. I can’t wait to see what will happen next with these characters!
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Kensington through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein is the second book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Poppy McAllister has her hands full with completing the renovations on Aunt Ginny’s Victorian home to turn it into the Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast, whipping up goodies for her gluten-free baking business, and keeping an eye on Aunt Ginny and her cat, Figaro. But then her mother-in-law, Georgina decides to visit to check on her investment and proves more of a hinderance than a help (as usual). Georgina has her own ideas for the B&B and is constantly undermining Poppy’s instructions to the contractor, Smitty. Thank heavens for Giampaolo and his soothing presence. Then strange thefts start plaguing the neighborhood where the thief is taking knickknacks and eating snacks. It seems Aunt Ginny’s new medications have caused her to sleepwalk. After a visit to the doctor, Poppy takes Aunt Ginny around the neighborhood offering apologies and returning the stolen items. The next day, police arrive to arrest Aunt Ginny for the death of Brody Brandt whose crime scene looks similar to those of the Snack Bandit as Aunt Ginny has been dubbed by the press. Someone is framing Aunt Ginny and Poppy intends to reveal the truth to keep Aunt Ginny out of the slammer. Poppy needs to work quickly, though, because Aunt Ginny is on house arrest which gives her too much time to plot mischief.
Midnight Snacks are Murder will have you laughing the whole way through with Aunt Ginny and Georgina’s antics. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. I thought Midnight Snacks are Murder to be nicely written, to have a steady pace and smooth transitions. While Poppy is the main character, she is overshadowed by Aunt Ginny, Georgina and Figaro (the cat). I like finding out more about Georgina and the reason for her behavior. However, I do not see her changing her behavior overnight. I find Aunt Ginny to be too over-the-top. She comes across as crazy instead of eccentric. I did not understand why the local cops did not just stick her in a cell and throw away the key when she kept escaping house arrest. The city had a cop stationed outside the house (no city can afford to waste manpower in that manner). I was happy that Poppy actively investigated the murder. I am surprised, though, that people were so willing to talk to her (it is New Jersey) considering she is not with the police or a private investigator. I thought it was a breeze to finger the culprit, but others may be surprised when the solution is revealed (depends on your sleuthing level). I did not like the love triangle present in the story or the amount of time devoted to romance. I felt Gia was coming on too strong and seems too perfect (of course, there is his mother). The presents he bought Poppy were considerate and expensive. I was drooling over the description of cobalt blue Viking dual fuel range (I want it). I enjoyed the ending with Mrs. Galbraith (it gave me a good laugh). A couple of Poppy’s recipes are included at the end of the book. If you enjoy amusing cozy mysteries with comical hijinks, then you will not want to miss Midnight Snacks are Murder.
If you thought you got the best of Aunt Ginny in Class Reunions are Murder, you’re in for a treat! Aunt Ginny is bigger, better, more entertaining and more criminal than ever in the newest entry into the Poppy McAllister series. When neighbors discover property missing from their houses, they aren’t sure what is going on in the neighborhood. Most thefts are occurring overnight and there doesn’t seem to be a point of entry made. Who is the culprit? Soon a murder is discovered in the same neighborhood – is the midnight cat burglar the same as the person who murdered local Teen Center counselor, Brody Brandt? You don’t want to miss this entertaining, funny, fast paced mystery. Enjoy seeing how Tim and Gia fit into Poppy’s love life, along with mother-in-law Georgina and handy man Smitty – never a slow moment with all of these lovable characters (yes even Georgina, even though she’s a mother-in-law I’d like to strangle!!). I really enjoyed this book and really look forward to all future entries in this series! I think Poppy McAllister and Aunt Ginny could be our next sought after crime duo, a la Stephanie Plum and her Grandmother! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review!
5+ gripping stars!
This one is even better than the first book in the series and Libby Klein just got herself another everlasting fan of the series!
It has some dark themes for a cozy mystery but it handles it exceptionally well. I am even more impressed that it combines it so well with some great humour.
I am not sure who is funnier: funky Aunt Ginny or the annoying mother in law Georgina?
The mystery itself was sooooo good too! So many things going on and such a big variety of suspects … I suspected pretty much everyone at some point during the story and was totally surprised by the ending! – Can’t wait for the next one….I WANT MORE!!!
I LOVED THIS READ. It goes on my TOP 10 read for 2018!
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with an advance copy.
We get some insight into Poppy’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law, Georgina. Those two could definitely benefit from a good serious sit-down discussion. Poor Aunt Ginny is caught in the middle and the stress is making her do weird things. What a fun van ride when a bunch of older folks go out searching for her. The dreaded love-triangle is present and definitely made me cringe when the two “boys” are competing over her. The bed and breakfast is coming along and Smitty is a fun addition. I have a feeling Mrs. Galbraith will be also. Lots of suspects in this mystery.
*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Every bit as awesome as book one! Poppy is trying to get the new B&B off the ground but the stress is causing issues with her Aunt who goes on some new meds to help. Unfortunately they cause sleep walking that comes with some strange behavior. Just when they figure out what is going on a murder victim is found with an MO that matches the Aunt’s nightly routine. With Amber as the officer in charge Poppy feels compelled to investigate only to uncover a nasty surprise. This book is just full of great characters, action, and laughs on every page. Keeping up with the Aunt and Mother-in-Law are full time jobs that Poppy does her best to juggle. I love how real she is with her breakdowns with food and more. Beautifully written and it really is a must read for fans of culinary cozy mysteries. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Poppy has a lot on her plate trying to get the B&B ready to open. There have been many delays but things slow down, even more, when her “silent partner” mother-in-law shows up and does her best to convince Poppy to just sell the place, especially with the rash of crime hitting the neighborhood. The Snack Bandit aka Aunt Ginny has been sneaking into her neighbor’s houses in the middle of the night. As a side effect of one of her new medications, she has been sleepwalking. Then a man is found dead in his home and the police put Ginny under house arrest as their prime suspect. Just what they don’t need is another family scandal. Poppy will clear her aunt’s name, prove the police wrong and get her business off the ground no matter what obstacles are thrown in her way.
Another stellar entry from Ms. Klein. I absolutely love these characters. Poppy is a strong woman, that makes a huge step toward her independence, taking on her mother-in-law in this story. I don’t know how she held out as long as she did but this reader was cheering from the sidelines. Her romantic relationships are moving forward too in a very natural and unhurried pace. So realistic and believable. Aunt Ginny is a hoot and a half. Her antics while under house arrest were fabulously funny. Laughing out loud, you bet I was. Cat, Figaro is an absolute prize. The author’s descriptions of his behavior make him come to life and leap off the pages.
The mystery is quite a puzzler. It was so much fun chasing down clues with Poppy. The victim appears to be very well liked but there were surprisingly several suspects for his murder. Like the first book in this series, Class Reunions Are Murder, I was totally surprised when the killer was revealed. I believe at one time or another I thought each of the suspects was guilty.
Ms. Klein has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her stories deliver everything I love about cozy mysteries. Genuine characters in serious situations, but with a huge dose of humor too. I can’t wait for book #3, Restaurant Weeks Are Murder, will be released in February 2019.
This book, like the first, deserves more than 5 stars!
In this second book in the Poppy McAllister series, Poppy and Aunt Ginny are in the middle of fixing up the house to turn it into a Bed and Breakfast. Aunt Ginny is having difficulty sleeping, so she is given some anxiety pills and sleeping pills. These apparently cause some unusual side effects and she begins sleepwalking into neighbors’ houses and snacks and takes things. Poppy finally catches her and they change her medication. Then a man is murdered and it seems like Aunt Ginny is the prime suspect. Poppy investigates to clear her aunt’s name all while juggling the work on the house, her mother-in-law trying to take over things, and her feelings for the two men in her life. I loved this book. Aunt Ginny is so entertaining and I love Figaro the cat. I personally like Poppy and Gia better than I like Poppy with Tim, but that could always change. I can’t wait to see what happens once the Bed and Breakfast is open and see what Aunt Ginny gets up to next!
I enjoyed this book, and especially Aunt Ginny, and while the author gave us Poppy’s deceased husband’s mother, she could be a thorn in her side, she kept me guessing as to what she would do next.
While there is a murder here, and that is sad, but there are so many chuckles to contact the sadness. We also see a middle age woman, Poppy, and how she is now being pursued by two eligible men, and wonder whom she will end up with? Poppy McAllister is a woman to emulate, and loved how she goes about trying to help those she loves and cares about.
While this may be my first book I’ve read in this series, it sure won’t be the last!
I received this book through Great Escapes Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
Lots of great reviews here, but I can only go with ok. The humorous aspects fell flat for me. Aunt Ginny’s antics were just foolish given her situation. Poppy’s poor handling of her mother in law (and several other characters) irritated me and I’m also not a fan of love triangles in mysteries. I had not read the first book which may have helped develop a bond between myself and the characters so I would read the goings on here with more affection than skepticism.
On the plus side, Poppy is an active investigator and the mystery kept you guessing.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.