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On the Lamb
On the Lamb
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bonfire Body
Spring is in the air in Ocean Crest, New Jersey, and with it, changes. Lucy Berberian has gotten her own place, and it’s near the beach and her family’s Mediterranean restaurant, which she manages. The worst part is dealing with her landlady’s nephew, Gilbert, who is determined to get his aunt into a retirement home so he can get his hands on the valuable piece of land. A rare Saturday night to enjoy a bonfire on the beach ends when Lucy and her friends find Gilbert’s body in the sand. Lucy’s friend Melanie becomes the prime suspect, and she begs Lucy to figure out what is going on. Can she clear her friend?

It had been a while since I read the previous book in the series, but it wasn’t long before I was caught up with Lucy and the rest of the cast again. I was happy to see relationships and characters continuing to grow. The mystery is good, with several viable suspects and plenty of secrets for Lucy to uncover. The climax was logical and suspenseful. I did have some problems with logic in other places, like character’s ages. I can make it work, but it would have been nice having things like that actually spelled out for us. I would love to visit Ocean Crest if it were real. Even at the down time of Spring, when this book is set, it sounds like a fun town. We get another three delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. If you’ve enjoyed the previous entries in the series, you’ll be happy you to catch up with Lucy and the gang again here.
  
The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole
The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole
JoAnna Carl | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thieves on Main Street
It’s the beginning of tourist season, so Lee Woodyard is trying to prepare for the busyness that brings to the shop of TenHuis Chocolade. However, that’s hard to do with the series of burglaries that have been happening on the town’s main street. Someone is breaking into the shops in Warner Pier’s downtown. However, all they are taking is snack food. Still, when your business is a gourmet chocolate maker, that is worrisome. The stakes are raised when someone Lee knows is held at gunpoint as a suspect on the night the thieves hit the jewelry store next door, but again, they didn’t steal anything of value. Will Lee figure out what is going on?

It’s always a pleasure to slip back into the resort town of Warner Pier, and this book was no exception. While many of the supporting characters stay in the background, I felt we got to see more of them than usual, which I enjoyed. The oddest thing with the characters is that we have two named Mike here. One is a main part of the story, and the other is in the background, which helps. I never had a problem keeping them straight as I was reading. The plot was light, even for this series, but it kept me engaged the entire time. The trivia in this book is actually a collection of the rare recipe we’ve gotten in earlier books in the series. Since we’ve had very few, those who like the recipes will enjoy having them all in one place. When you are looking for a light, relaxing mystery, this is the book to pick up.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated A Treasure to Die For in Books

Jun 16, 2021 (Updated Jun 16, 2021)  
A Treasure to Die For
A Treasure to Die For
Terry Ambrose | 2017 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Finding the Truth in a Hunt Filled with Lies
Rick Atwood has relocated to Seaside Cove with his ten-year-old daughter, Alex, to run the bed and breakfast he’s inherited from his grandfather. He’s still trying to get completely comfortable running the business when a group of treasure hunters book the place. They think they have a lead on a ship that sunk years before, but Rick notices the group always seems to be fighting. When one of them is found dead on the rocks near the B&B, Rick is asked to use his reporter skills to help the local police. But with everyone in the groups constantly lying, will Rick ever discover the truth?

The book took me a little while to get into. Alex plays a big part in the story, and some of the chapters are even from her point of view. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that or her character at the beginning, but she grew on me. I also had trouble keeping the suspects straight early on since sometimes they were mentioned by first name and other times last name. That, too, became less of an issue as the book progressed. I did like the series regulars, and there are hints at some secrets from the past that I’m curious to learn more about. The main mystery was strong with lots of lies for Rick to look past to find the truth. Being a bed and breakfast, we get a couple of delicious sounding breakfast bread recipes at the end. Hopefully, I can book a return visit to this bed and breakfast soon.
  
Mulberry Mischief
Mulberry Mischief
Sharon Farrow | 2019 | Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Halloween Mischief and Murder
It’s the week before Halloween in Oriole Point, Michigan, yet the town is focusing on health thanks to the Haunted Halloween Harvest Health Fair. The Saturday the festival opens, Marlee Jacob, owner of the Berry Basket, is cornered by Leticia the Lake Lady. Leticia is one of the odd characters who call the town home. She is ranting about the shadow people who have come to town and demanding that Marlee order mulberries so Leticia can use their protective properties to cover her cabin. Marlee thinks Leticia is harmless if a little off, but that’s before a dead body turns up. Will the latest happenings disrupt the health fair?

Picking up this book, I knew I was in for another fantastic ride, and I wasn’t disappointed. While it takes a couple chapters for the body to drop, we are meeting characters who will become important to the story and trying to make sense of some puzzling things that start to happen. The pace doesn’t slow at all once the murder takes place, and the revelations are only beginning as Marlee pieces things together. The suspects are all strong, and I could have believed any of them were guilty until Marlee pieced together the final clues. Of course, the series regulars are as fun and charming as always – I love them! I’m not quite ready for fall, but this book still put me in the Halloween spirit. We get four berry inspired recipes – two featuring Mulberries and two berry inspired Halloween treats. I really can’t recommend this series highly enough. New fans will be hooked, and existing fans will love Marlee’s latest adventure.