Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Book Review: STILL KNIFE PAINTING - Paint and Shine Mysteries Book 1 by Cheryl Hollon

About the Book

Miranda Trent has set up a sweet life in a scenic corner of Appalachia—until she stumbles across the trail of a killer . . . 

After inheriting her uncle’s Red River Gorge homestead in Eastern Kentucky—smack dab in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest—Miranda comes up with a perfect business plan for summer tourists: pairing outdoor painting classes with sips of local moonshine, followed by a mouthwatering sampler of the best in southern cooking. 

To Miranda’s delight, Paint & Shine is a total success—until someone kills the cook. As the town’s outsider, suspicion naturally falls on Miranda. Murdering the best biscuit baker of Red River Gorge is a high crime in these parts. Miranda will have to prove her innocence before she’s moved from farmhouse to jail cell faster than she can say “white lightning” . . . 

Review 

Miranda jumps into the close knit community, her uncle's home, and his moonshine. A new chapter in her life and she's making friends - she thinks - with the people who worked, and still work, on the grounds. Miranda's business plan includes hiring locals to cook and serve a traditional southern meal. She has a great plan and though several keeping asking if she's really staying, she's ready to settle in and find the secret to her uncle's moonshine. The murder of the cook threatens all she's started.

Red River Gorge is a delightful place, unless you're the outsider. Hollon brings the personalities and setting to life as the story unfolds. There are plenty of suspects and other characters. When Sheriff Larson has to call in help from Lexington, Miranda starts sleuthing on her own.

I'd read Book 3 previously and liked it enough to go back and read this one. I was not disappointed. Hollon brings the reader to rural Kentucky with lots of quirky characters. In addition to the murder, there are a few side plots and the promise of possible romance for Miranda. If you like cozy mysteries, even if you don't like moonshine, you'll enjoy this one. 



Draw and Order
Death A Sketch



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