A dead Realtor, a cranky cat, an adorable, depressed pibl, and a boyfriend who hasn’t been…shall we say…totally honest recently. Joey’s got bigger problems than figuring out when she’ll get her next slice of banana cream pie. Though that certainly ranks high on her list of concerns.Murder is sinking its hooks into the quiet countryside and dredging up ugly secrets. Deer Hollow is still a … secrets. Deer Hollow is still a quiet little town steeped in Americana and known for its delicious country fare. But being named a top ten place to live just might have inspired an assassin to make the quaint country spot home.
As Joey searches for a killer, her past is dragged from the murky darkness where she’s hidden it. And secrets she never wanted to discover are rising like the stink of manure on a freshly fertilized field.
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Sam Cheever had written another enjoyable, entertaining, humorous cosy mystery. A few surprises, some hilarious characters, and a quirky small-town setting make this a good read.
Joey isn’t your average PI. She runs around in shorts and flip flops in her small town of Deer Hollow. There life is at a slower pace until an assassin comes to it. Now Joey and Caphy have their work cut out for them. Secrets are revealed in this story that people would of rather wished stayed hidden. This is a story that is light hearted. A ‘getaway’ story that is truly enjoyable to read! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.
A great cozy mystery with more than one story to tell. And of course a dog and then a cat that could be more than a cat. Enjoyable
Read as part of a collection…
Good stories; clean, entertaining, and fun to read!
I’ve been a fan of Sam Cheever’s work for quite some time. When I received an ARC opportunity for her Country Cousins Mystery Series, I instantly accepted and downloaded it. I am so glad that I did. I had previously read books 5 and 6 in the series. It was a treat to read the first two books in this series to learn a lot of the backstory. Such as how Joey met Hal and how her fur babies entered her life. There are plenty of twists and turns in each book to keep you guessing the identity of the killer. The residents in the fictional town are quite intriguing at times and interesting all the time. So true to life, both good and evil characters.
If you enjoy reading a clean, interesting, and romantic whodunit story all rolled into one book; then you need look no further as both books in this collection hits the mark.
Recommended reading? Yes, but I would rate as PG due to the topic of murder.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This gift did not affect my review of the book. This review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Once again Sam takes us on a journey of “What?” and all with the help of handsome/strong/softy Hal. We are starting to learn more about the people of Dear Hollow and secrets that are coming to light.
Wonderful! Hal had what he thought was a wonderful surprise for Joey when he bought Devon’s cabin. Joey had mixed emotions about it and left. Returning home, Caphy, her sidekick, went to the pond and found a body. Who was it and why was it there? Thus the investigation begins. Why were dead bodies appearing on her property? As Joey and Hal shift through the evidence, Joey discovers a truth about her parents. There was a point that I thought that the murderer could have been anyone! Along the way, she takes in a cat that doesn’t like anyone and doesn’t get along with Caphy. How they got along was comical. The story kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the murderer was. This story provides something for everyone with mystery, suspense, and a little romance. I enjoyed the small town mystery feel and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Wonderful descriptions, great characters, an intriguing storyline, and so many twists and turns to keep you engaged! This is a wonderful, sweet cozy!”
Penney Sellers is a real estate agent of the worst kind: Pushy and Rude!! She is trying to convince Joey Fulle to sell her home and property, it can be sub-divided into multiple home sites. Joey is not interested in selling, but Penney won’t take NO for an answer. She finally leaves after Joey shuts the door in her face.
Then Joey gets a call from Hal Amity. Her joy was short-lived as she learned that Hal had bought Devon Little’s old place. Joey is not sure how she feels about the arrangement, but is not ready to discuss it at this time. As Joey arrives back at her house, she gets a call from Deputy Arno Willager. It seems that Penney Sellers has been reported as missing. Unfortunately, Joey and her pit bull, Caphy, found her in the pond on Joey’s property – dead. Penney Sellers had one quality that never failed, she rubbed people the wrong way.
Who killed Penney Sellers? Is her death on Joey’s property a warning? Is it related to the deaths of Joey’s parents? Can Hal and Joey resolve the issue of Hal buying Devon’s property? Can Hal and Joey figure out who killed Penney and why?
Sam Cheever does a great job of weaving an intricate mystery with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. Her stories will keep you guessing clear to the end. The characters are very realistic and exhibit the same types of fears and anxieties that people might see or experience in their own lives.
There is murder afoot and she will need to find out what happened. Who do it? Follow her as she goes through the suspects to find out who could be behind it all
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another laugh out loud delight is served to us by Sam Cheever! Not one of her books is ever a disappointment and this stands up to that challenge. Deer Hollow is the setting for yet another twisty and turny murder mystery with Joey being the star of the show. She can’t help but find dead bodies! Other lovable characters are weaved into a story that you’ll find tough to put down once you start it. I recommend starting with book 1, (only for the sake of a bit of character development and continuity) but you will do just fine starting here. No spoilers in this review, just settle in a cozy chair with your favorite beverage and start swiping away at your Kindle. Don’t forget to put up the DO NOT DISTURB sign because you certainly will not want to be interrupted once you begin. One click NOW!
Love the animals. Hope they learn to get along. That includes the human pets too. Can I get a kiss too, please? Just remember Caphy that you are bigger than her.
Never even suspected the who done it. Not in a million years. Not even a suspicion.
My first in this series even though book 2. Definitely want to read book one so I can get the details on her parents and Hal that I missed. Book can definitely be read without having read the first book.
Looking forward to more in this series.
This my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book
This may be the most fun cozy I’ve read to date. Love this storyline and I’m thinking it’s a good time to pick up the first since I have not read that book yet and this book is so good. Great mystery and sleuthing and exciting, page-turning action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Like most cozy mysteries this is an easy and enjoyable experience. I loved the characters and their quirky antics. If you are looking for a humorous mystery to lose yourself in, this one is a winner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second book in this well written series called COUNTRY COUSIN MYSTERIES and I was not putting this book down until the mystery was solved. A bit of country,with suspense, drama, danger, murder. We get to visit with Joey, her sidekick beloved dog Caphy and her PI boyfriend Hal Amity. Why was Penny Sellers the very pushy realtor murdered. If you want to know read this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mucky Bumpkin
Country Cousin Mysteries Book 2
Sam Cheever
I thought this book was a lot of fun. Joey and the gang are on the hunt to solve the murder of the realtor in this hilarious installment of the country cousins series. There are suspects galore, and they have to narrow them down one by one to find the culprit. You won’t want to miss a page. I loved it.
Is there an unwritten rule that men should not understand the nature of a surprise, and what it means to a woman?
A surprise is inviting someone for their favorite pie, and already having one ready to serve them.
It is not spending months moving to a nearby property, telling them the whole time you were working and unavailable to spend time with them.
Hal Amity is such a dorky man – guilty of just that with his gal June.
Sneaking around is never a good surprise – even if you are trying to help someone else with their stupid, ill advised surprise.
The plane crash murder of her parents left June very much alone, except for her loving pibbl, and a crazy uncle by affection, who vanished into the nearby woods.
The appearance of an uninvited realtor on her doorstep, demanding she chain up her mostly harmless pibbl as a vicious beast, resulted in more growling from the owner than the pitty -after all, as June asserted, the pibbl was defending her home, whereas the realtor was a gate crashing trespasser, and unwelcome.
The sudden death of the realtor leads to the revelation of a series of shady deals trying to defraud many homeowners and business owners of their properties and livelihoods.
Can the pibbl and her June survive the mysteries, fraud, murder and mayhem – and possibly worse for the doggie, can she survive the attentions of a fostered siamese kitty?
The love of a pibbl is simple, clumsy, and usually a bit squishy and messy.
Men and murderers are a bit harder to unwind.
This story is an exciting uncovering of the frightening mind of a man, a murderer, and much mayhem.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is one of my favorite stories by Sam Cheevers. The characters are well written and Ms. Cheever portrays a realistic small town atmosphere that extends to the characters as well.
Mucky Bumpkin has two main characters you’ll fall in love with, along with a big lovable Pitty and one bi-polar cat. Add an intriguing, many layered mystery with many twists and turns, and at least one surprising revelation and you have a cozy mystery with all the basics of a full length book: murder, romance, people good and bad, and an addiction – of cream pie.
Joey has come to think the new subdivision wasn’t such a good idea. Too many strangers in town and now a pushy, demanding realtor making cold calls on homeowners. Then when people start dropping dead, practically at Joey’s feet, it’s obvious that someting is wrong in Deer Hollow.
A great introduction into a new series for me and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I kept wanting to turn the page to see what was going to happen next so I’m giving this story five stars. I recommend this series and author to anyone who enjoys a good, cozy and fun mystery
This was another amazing book by Sam. I love how real her characters are. This book finds Joey at the heart of another murder on her property. As she and her pibl, Caphy, set out to solve the case along side her sexy PI, Cal, she finds things are not as she thought. This book had twists I didn’t see coming and a sweet undertone of romance. Don’t miss this book. You will be glad you took the time to read it. Well done again Sam!
I have read a lot of Sam Cheever’s books and she always delivers fun, readable stories, personally I prefer her less romantic books, but that’s down to personal taste.
So this book, it’s a great follow on from book one – Humpty Bumpkin, with most of the characters from that book and some great new ones to keep things interesting, especially the lawyer, he is hilarious. And of course there are the non-human characters, Caphy the pit bull and LaLee the cat, who are great fun.
The story is clever, and I didn’t spot the culprit until just before it was revealed at the end, the many possible suspects made sure of that. If there was one little bit that provided a flea in the ointment, and that was Joey’s reaction to Hal’s news, which seemed rather over the top and sustained for too long for a pragmatic girl like her. I commented in my review for book one that I thought that I didn’t really get to understand the main characters, and I have to admit that I still didn’t feel that I ‘knew’ them properly by the end of this book, but this doesn’t stop this book from being very readable and enjoyable.
I received an advance copy of the book but have voluntarily reviewed it.
Actually 3.5 stars.
Mucky Bumpkin #2 – I didn’t read the first book so I don’t know if that affected my opinion of this story, but I didn’t care for it. I think Joey was an idiot the way she treated Hal when he sprung a big surprise on her. I couldn’t warm up to her. The rest of the characters did well and added to the story. The storylines were interesting along with an interesting murder. I contacted the author to review her books and received this one through Booksprout. 3.5*
Yesterday series:
Yesterday’s Lost, prequel – Oh my gosh, this book rocks! The intensity, the vivid descriptions, the hurry up and TELL ME what did it!, all these things eats up your patience in this fast paced, suspense filled story. It’s almost with bated breath time in some places in this story; it’s been a long time since a story affected me like this. Move over Koontz and King, Cheever can write this genre too! The author provides information about the characters and the series, as well as an overview of this story, which I appreciate knowing. 5*
Yesterday’s News #1 – Read Yesterday’s Lost first, there’s a lot of foundation for the series, plus it’s an awesome read! There’s still the intensity, vivid descriptions and fast pace that makes this book difficult to put down. The characters are interesting, lovable or not, and run the gamut of types. The story line is well thought out and there’s the twists and turns that’s in every good book. There are so many possibilities where this series can go and I look forward to the rest of the series. The author provides an overview, which I appreciate knowing before I read the book. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by this author and with this series and her Familiar series, she has grown in her writing; and she was good with her Silver Hills series. 5*
Yesterday series end.
Need a new a suspenseful storyline with a bit a humor and country flare? If so I highly recommend Ms. Cheever’s Country Cousins Mystery Series. Mucky Bumpkin is book two in the series and brings us back to Deer Hollow. Once again there has been a murder on Joey’s property and she is on the hunt to bring the culprit to justice; along with her beloved dog Caphy and her PI boyfriend Hal Amity.
The town is booming and expanding much to the dismay of the townsfolk of Deer Hollow. Especially when you top it off with a pushy realtor that is trying to buy up everyone’s property and businesses looking to make a fortune. Needless to say Penny Sellers, our pushy realtor, has made some enemies in the small town and when Caphy finds her body near the pond on Joey’s property, the list of suspects is quite long.
This is a great read that will have you giggling while trying to solve Ms. Penny’s murder. The gang’s all back and up to their necks in trouble and suspense. I highly recommend following along as they try to solve yet another murder in Deer Hollow. This book can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading book 1, Humpty Bumpkin, first to heighten your reading pleasure. 2 Thumbs up for a 5 star read in a 5 star country bumpkin murder mystery series.