Death For Sale

Sally Witherspoon Mystery, #3

by

Erik S. Meyers

Someone is killing off the elderly citizens of Berry Springs!

Death for Sale is the third novel in Erik S. Meyers Arkansas-set Sally Witherspoon Mystery series, featuring the owner of the local bike bar who gets swept up into the investigation of the deaths of some well-loved, elderly figures in her small town. As the holidays approach, the residents of Berry Springs, Arkansas, prepare for their annual Thanksgiving dinner held at the local hotel, but the following day sees several attendees at the hospital suffering the symptoms of what appears to be food poisoning. Two older members of the community are hit particularly hard, and Belle, the long-time diner waitress, succumbs to the effects, while the other, Mama Arnold, the town's matriarch, struggles along but survives. However, she is not so lucky later, after hosting her exclusive holiday party in her own home. With Sally and local restaurateur, Joanna, briefly viewed as suspects, Sally jumps in to investigate as yet another death occurs. 

Sally is her same irascible self, fully confident she can uncover the killer before local law enforcement; however, this time, the local cop shop is in full agreement. With little to go on, they eventually embrace Sally as an additional investigatory weapon in their crime-fighting arsenal. She receives the town's full support as she gathers opinions and observations from everyone she knows while trying to find answers. 

The story is well-paced as Berry Springs experiences Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with a killer on the loose. As the massive list of possible suspects slowly narrows, readers are introduced to many characters who appeared in the prior books. The biker bar, Sally's Smashers, is a fun setting. Although a little outside the town limits, it still attracts a good number of the regular folk and feels like a home away from home for many. 

While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, and the author provides ample explanations worked into remembrances and conversations of what has transpired in the past. Sometimes, however, these mentions became a bit repetitive, even for readers who hadn't read the previous books, while the development of recurring characters received only cursory attention. Still, the plot firmly held my attention, and I was surprised and satisfied by the final resolution. 

I recommend DEATH FOR SALE to cozy mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

The Bush Tea Murder

Caribbean Island Mystery, #1

by

Ashley-Ruth Bernier

Mystery and murder infused with island vibes, food, and tea!

The Bush Tea Murder is the first book in author Ashley-Ruth Bernier’s new Caribbean Island Mystery series, and after reading it, I felt as if I’d been on an island vacation. The story, told in the present time and flashbacks, resolves several mysteries and tackles a local murder that has gone unsolved for many years. 

Naomi Sinclair, a former investigative reporter who is now a kitchen show television host on EAT-TV out of Charlotte, North Carolina, is competing with a colleague to host a new true culinary crimes show and has a year to produce a sample episode that will determine who gets the hosting spot. Naomi, having grown up on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, chooses to investigate a cold case from her hometown, involving people she knows: a successful local teashop owner, Ursula Merchant, murdered in her shop, and several friends and family members of the dead woman. Traveling between Charlotte and St. Thomas, Naomi delves into the circumstances of the case while confronting personal issues: her ailing father and her deepening feelings for the man she left behind. 

I enjoyed this series debut quite a bit, with its engaging characters and interesting, unusual storylines. Naomi comes across as relatable and realistic, a woman who would be fun to know, and she was easy to root for and follow. She faces common problems in her work situation, worries about her aging father, and changing feelings for Mateo, who has his own struggles. I enjoyed her investigation and keen observations, which helped her resolve other mysteries that came her way while she was visiting her hometown, friends, and family. 

The author’s storytelling drew me in from page one. Not only was Naomi likable, but I became invested in what she was going through immediately and wanted her to succeed. As this is the first book in the series, it introduces many characters, reveals backstories, and establishes relationships. However, the author does this so organically that I had no trouble keeping everyone straight and getting familiar with the close-knit community on St. Thomas. 

The plot was well-paced, with no dull moments. I liked the premise that Naomi was recounting the events of the previous year to her bosses and colleagues, which allowed for present-day action and flashbacks. While the present day had a very corporate feel, her time back home was full of cozy island vibes, with food and drink at every turn, including the local bush tea that reminded her of home no matter her location. The vivid descriptions of the places Naomi visits while building her show really brought the setting to life. 

I recommend THE BUSH TEA MURDER to readers of mysteries and suspense. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Word Up!

by Raven Howell

Illustrated by Joe Rocco

An eye-catching, attention-grabbing, and useful introduction to words as a tool and an object of power or fun.

Word Up! by Raven Howell, illustrated by Joe Rocco, is an eye-catching, attention-grabbing way to teach the very young that words have power and can adapt to all circumstances, even if that means remaining unused. Sometimes it’s the sound of a word itself that draws someone to its existence. Maybe it’s the way it slides over the lips or pops off the tongue or bursts from the mouth, without regard for meaning, that draws one’s attention and affection. Or, perhaps, it’s the sound of its pronunciation that obscures or hides the unpleasant meaning of a more common synonym that brings some love its way. Still, it’s fun to discover what words another person holds dear to their heart and why. The book’s whimsical delivery and vibrant illustrations help young readers see that words can be powerful tools, both helpful and hurtful, and that they should be recognized for their abilities and value. 

I recommend WORD UP! to young readers and listeners at home, school, or in afterschool settings. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

Daughter of Mine

by

Angie Stanton

Tragic, shocking tale that made me question my emotions.

Daughter of Mine is a new women’s fiction tale by Angie Stanton that made me question my own emotions and perceptions. A woman who lost her newborn hours after her birth takes the healthy infant of another. The story is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but rather than straightforward emotions, the lines blurred between where my sympathies took hold. 

The author’s writing style is compelling and drew me into the fearful story immediately; the pages melted away as I followed the unfolding lives of two mothers, Melissa and Cheryl, and baby Greta, who became known as Piper. I read this book in one absorbing sitting. 

I recommend DAUGHTER OF MINE to readers of women’s, crime, and literary fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Dead Focused and Hocus Pocused

Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery, #1

by

Marcy Blesy

The opening’s craziness and chaos made this an unputdownable debut!

Dead Focused and Hocus Pocused is the first book in veteran author Marcy Blesy’s new Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery series and features retired elementary school teacher and newly-minted empty nester, Julianna “Juli” Tully, as she checks in for a week’s stay to help ease her past her feelings of uncertainty over her new phase of life. Craziness and chaos greet her at the Sand Bur Estate on the shores of Lake Michigan, the location of the “Empty Nest Retreat: Where You Take the Front Seat of Your Life Again,” which was gifted to her by her mother and husband, and is not the spa-like scenario that she’d been hoping for at all. Soon after her arrival, a staff member turns up dead, and as Juli was the last person to see them alive, she becomes the number one suspect in their murder. 

Juli is such a relatable main character as she confronts the bewilderment that greets her upon arrival. She’s confused and turned off by the weird vibes she gets from the start, and feels singled out as the staff seems to focus solely on her during their sessions. The first person she meets there is Nelle, a high-energy sort, eager to please, participate, and support anything healing, but not exactly a relaxing individual to be paired with. Several of the other attendees were downright hostile to Juli’s presence, and when the chef is found dead, the tension really mounts. 

However, things at the Sand Bur are not what they seem, and Juli decides to stick it out to uncover the strange goings-on and, later, clear her name of the murder. While I wanted to rescue Juli myself from the sheer chaos at first, it was the quirkiness of the situation that begged for explanation that hooked me. The author tells a compelling story with relatable characters, and I just had to find out how everything would resolve. 

I recommend DEAD FOCUSED AND HOCUS POCUSED to cozy mystery readers who enjoy paranormal and supernatural elements in their stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.