Second in brand new series from the creator of Pelican CoveBody at Bookstore Baffles Dolphin BayWhen a local man is found dead at Bayside Books, Anna Butler becomes implicated in a second murder. Her past connection with the victim raises a red flag the police cannot ignore. The Firecrackers start working to clear Anna of the ridiculous allegations.Anna’s daughter Cassie isn’t making things easy. … Cassie isn’t making things easy. Mother and daughter argue over how to deal with the unexpected visitor, Anna choosing trust and emotion over Cassie’s more practical approach. Meanwhile, Mayor Lara, Anna’s nemesis, continues to breathe down her neck, promising dire consequences.
The Butler women are immersed in turmoil as the grand opening of Anna’s café is postponed and her dreams are threatened once again. As the murder investigation takes a bizarre turn, a certain ex-police chief provides the only bright spot in Anna’s life.
Orange Thyme Death is a sensational pageturner that will keep you guessing and leave you amazed at an ending you didn’t see coming.
If you like cozy mysteries with fearless heroines, high drama, beach settings and yummy food, you will love this second book set in Dolphin Bay.
Buy now and get your latest cozy fix.
Books in the Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series –
Raspberry Chocolate Murder Book 1
more
Anna Butler has been busy testing new cupcake recipes for the grand opening of her new cafe, adjacent to her bookstore. The previous night, Cassie had attended a concert at the Castle Beach Resort. In telling Anna about the concert, Cassie mentions many of the old-time melodies the young artist had sung. Anna had been approved to open the cafe, despite the objections of her nemesis, Mayor Lara Crawford.
When Anna arrives at the bookstore, she finds the front door open and the dead body of William Parker, a handyman, inside. After reporting the body to the police, Anna is taken to the Police Station for “routine” questioning. Because the body was found in Anna’s store and because she supposedly knew the person from a few years earlier, Lara Crawford is telling everybody who will listen that Anna is the killer. Unfortunately, Teddy Fowler, the detective on the case, is not inclined to look at any other possible suspects.
Anna decides to start her own investigation, with the help of Mary and Julie, the Firecrackers, as well as Gino Mancini, the former Police Chief. From what the Firecrackers are able to learn, William Parker had few friends and no shortage of enemies. He had a falling out with his business partner a couple of years earlier and had been seen having an argument with another gentleman a couple of days prior to his death.
Who killed WIliam Parker? Why was he killed? Will the investigation delay Anna’s cafe opening? Can Anna and the Firecrackers uncover the real killer?
Leena Clover has another well-written mystery that has great characters and realistic situations. The mystery has plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing clear to the end. In addition, the short chapters make for quick and easy reading. As with the first book in the series, she leaves an unanswered secondary question as a lead-in to the next book in the series.
I was so looking forward to this second book. It didn’t fail to deliver. Is an easy read bit a tricky puzzle. I’m rather concerned about Cassie though. She’s a hard nut to crack.
When will book 3 be out? I’m ready.
I enjoyed the second book in the series so much. I like the characters and I enjoyed the storyline. I will be reading the next book!!
Loving this series!
Well written. Great characters & setting. Anna & her friends are quickly becoming favorites. I look forward to the next book!
What a great little cozy mystery story!
I discovered this series after reading THE PELICAN BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES by Leena Clover. I binge read through the series before I wrote the review for the first book. Anna and her BFFs, Julie and Mary, refer to themselves as the Firecrackers and I simply love their friendship. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, although I prefer reading the stories in order. The backstory of Anna, the main character, and her daughter, Cassie, are revealed in bits and pieces throughout the series. The backstory itself is quite intriguing and with more revealed in each book.
I don’t like reviews with spoilers so I will only share my general opinion of this story. Anna’s nemesis, the town mayor, is trying to have Anna accused of the murder of a stranger found dead in Anna’s book store. The bit of romance added into the story is so sweet. There are plenty of twists and turns in this whodunit that makes it difficult to identify the killer.
If you enjoy reading an excellent cozy mystery, then you don’t want to miss reading this entertaining story.
ORANGE THYME DEATH is the second book in the Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery series. Though not exactly a continuing story, there are elements of the characters personal life that are evolving and make me say that it would be best to read these books in the order of release.
Anna and Cassie’s relationship continues to be confusing, but it is getting better. Maybe that makes it more like true life than most books!
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and easy read. Cleverly written with great characters, there were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing. I like the slowly building romance between Anna and former police chief, Gino Mancini. He’s sweet and a true gentleman. The many foods mentioned keep me battling for the munchies, but so far I’m winning – LOL. I wouldn’t mind a few recipes, though!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: ORANGE THYME DEATH
Series: Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery #2
Category /Genre: Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Leena Clover
In Orange Thyme Death by Leena Clover, Anna Butler is attempting to expand her bookstore by adding a cafe/coffeehouse next to it. They received a lease on the empty store next door for 20 years, took out the joining walls between the two and have an opening between the two. But before that can happen a dead body is found inside just days before the opening of the cafe. Not only does she have that to deal with, her daughter Cassie is staying with her, and someone named Meg is in Dolphin Bay. She says she is Cassie’s daughter that she gave up when she was sixteen and gave away to be adopted. Cassie has her doubts about this girl, Anna wants to claim her as her granddaughter. Then the murder gets in the way as first Anna is a suspect and then Cassie! Can they find the real killer? Will they get to open the cafe? Just who is this Meg girl? You will have to read the book to find out for yourself. I felt this story was more intense than the other Dolphin Bay ones. I enjoyed reading it and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I’m really loving this series!!
Once again Mayor Lara tries to pin a death on Anna, and if not Anna than maybe Cassie. While Lara is still accusing Anna of killing her husband, Anna stumbles over another body. This one is in her shop/cafe. Can the Firecrackers and Gino figure out why the man died and who killed him before Anna gets sent to jail? Plenty of twists in this and an ending I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I’m loving this new series! When Anna finds a body in her bookstore, she becomes the prime suspect. Knowing she didn’t do it, Anna sets out to prove her innocence. The plot is tight and multi-layered and filled with believable characters. It was a delightful read and I’m looking forward to future installments. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.