Book Review: FALLING FOR MURDER - A Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery Book 2 by Jamie Rutland Gillespie

About the Book (from Amazon)

Welcome back to Bobwhite Mountain, TN. It’s early fall and the leaves are beginning to change colors and the night air has a crispness to it. Landry Burke is grateful that she is now a resident of this quaint little town. The two businesses she inherited from her late aunt are thriving and she’s made wonderful friends here.  

Things are going great until there’s a kidnapping and murder in this peaceful oasis. Landry is the unfortunate one to find the body and now she, Adam and Wyatt are all trying to figure out who could have done such a horrible thing. To add to the tension, two local and well known girls are also kidnapped and haven’t been seen or heard from since. 

As usual, Landry and Ms. Millie get into more precarious predicaments that will have you laughing out loud. Landry and Adam are trying to figure out just where their relationship is headed as the mayor insists that the town go ahead with their Fall Festival even though everyone is on edge about the crimes. 

Come along as they follow the clues to figure out just what is going on. This is the second book in A Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series.  

Book Review 

In this next visit to Bobwhite Mountain, Landry is settled with two businesses, friends, and a relationship with Andy. But the sheriff may be interested as well. Not to be forgotten is Ms. Millie, who is convinced Landry is trying to get her killed. As Ms. Millie fears, Landry's the one to discover the body. With a murderer and two young girls missing, a Fall Festival complete with funnel cakes, and twists and turns.

Gillespie weaves a tangled web that kept me reading. She's created characters who aren't perfect, but are likable. Even Ms. Millie despite her negative perspective. This is the second book in the series - the mystery can be read and the relationships appreciated without reading the first one. (Though it was good, too!). If you like a light mystery with a side of romance and some humor, you'll enjoy Falling for Murder.

AMAZON

The Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery Series

Inheriting Murder 

Falling for Murder

Witching for a Murder 

Caroling into Murder 

Profiting and Murder  

Jamie Rutland Gillespie Contact information

FB Author Page 

Reader's Group   

Twitter  

Instagram  

Goodreads   

Bookbub  

Join her newsletter 

Christa's June Rafflecopter

Book Review: THE HEIST - A Jack Dillon Dublin Tales Book 14 by Mike Faricy

About the Book: 

US Marshal Jack Dillon, assigned to An Garda Síochána Special Branch, is investigating an assault and attempted abduction of an American Student named Melanie Brussard. Her father happens to be a US Senator, and he wants the investigation to be conducted his way.

The more Dillon and his partner DI Paddy Suel investigate, the more they discover similar assaults. Meanwhile, the FBI arrives in Dublin hoping to recover eight paintings, valued at over 100 million dollars, that were stolen from a New Orleans Art Museum twenty years ago. 

At least Dillon is enjoying his relationship with sexy Nessa. Amazingly, nothing has gone wrong . . . yet. Better check things out and see what happens. 

The Jack Dillon Dublin Tales series is written by Mike Faricy and was originally released under the pseudonym, Patrick Emmett. Faricy also writes the award-winning Dev Haskell series, the award-winning Corridor Man series, and the Hotshot series. 

Review 

A US Marshall, Jack Dillon is assigned to a special branch of the Irish investigation group in Dublin. A number of young are getting assaulted, and a US Senator is concerned his daughter who is attending college in Dublin may be a victim. Of course, he wants it all hush-hush. Add the twist that the daughter is an art major, re-creating paintings by a famous artist - a famous artist whose originals were stolen from a New Orleans Art Museum 20 years ago.

The story is well-written, the dialogue is great, and having visited Dublin, I enjoyed the setting. As a main character, Dillon is likable in a bad-boy sort of way. He may need to settle down. Several threads are intertwined. First in relation to the women being assaulted, second, to see how the young art student is connected to a 20-year-old art heist, and last, to see what Dillon's intentions were.

This is my first in the series, and first by Faricy. I couldn't wrap my head around why a U.S. Marshall had a position in the Ireland special investigation group, but the story kept my interest with twists and tangles. As for how a U.S. Marshall ended up there? I guess I'll have to start at the beginning of the series and keep reading! Not a "cozy" mystery, but good crime fiction.

AMAZON 

$3.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Mike Faricy Author Page

The Jack Dillon Dublin Tales 

Welcome (Book 1)

Sweet Dreams (Book 2)

Mirror Mirror (Book 3)

Silver Bullet (Book 4)

Fair City Blues (Book 5)

Spade Work (Book 6)

Madeline Missing (Book 7)

Mistaken Identity (Book 8)

Picture Perfect (Book 9)

Dublin Moon (Book 10)

Mystery Woman (Book 11)

Second Chance (Book 12)

Payback Brother (Book 13)

The Heist (Book 14)

Jewels to Kill For (Book 15)

Retirement Scheme (Book 16)

Christa's June Rafflecopter

Book Spotlight: A NOVEL DISGUISE ( A Lady Librarian Mystery) by Samantha Larsen

About the Book 

When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide in this historical series debut, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas. 

1784 London. Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she’s actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother. 

Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop. But when her childhood friend, Tess, comes to visit, Tiffany quickly realizes her secret isn’t the only one hidden within these walls. The body of a servant is found, along with a collection of stolen items, and someone else grows mysteriously ill. 

Can Tiffany solve these mysteries without her own disguise being discovered? If not, she’ll lose her cottage and possibly her life. 

Reviews 

Bottom Line: A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen thoroughly entertained me from beginning to end, and I wasn’t yet ready for it to be over when I turned the final page. ~Reading is my Superpower 

Rich in historical detail (don’t eat when you start reading). A NOVEL DISGUISE delivers an intricately plotted mystery with multidimensional characters. ~Cozy Up With Kathy 

About the Author 

Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Reading (UK).

She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. She writes cozy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen. 

Author Links 

Website  ~  Instagram  ~  Facebook  

Twitter  ~  Library Thing  ~  BookBub  

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Books A Million ~ Powells Books 

 IndieBound ~ Bookshop.org

Book review: THE TWENTY-ONE-YEAR CONTRACT (A Sequel to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox) by L. B. Griffin

A change of pace today - historical romance for you!

About the Book:

Kathleen Gray—talented, a little wild, at times rebellious, but always popular—has a fun, easy life in rural Somerset, with a doting family. 

Suddenly, they are gone, everything is changed, and she has only Uncle Jack. Try as he might, he cannot be father and mother to her—he has a business to run and his own life to manage. 

Kathleen takes a chance and becomes Kate Westfield, fending for herself in London, with a new life built on her hopes and dreams and new friends. She could hardly have imagined that one of those friends has a shoebox full of answers. 

Review:

Kathleen's life is turned around in an instant, as is Uncle Jack's. Leaving her home and friends to live at a boarding school wasn't in Kathleen's dreams. She comes up with a plan, knowing that Uncle Jack's life has been disrupted as well, to re-invent herself and pursue her dreams. At the same time, she wonders about her biological parents. With her parents dead, she has no one to ask about them. 

Griffin captures Kathleen's zest for life in the opening of the book contrasted with her devastation when she loses her family in a tragic accident. A tear-jerker for sure. Uncle Jack goes to London to take care of things but a single male with an engineering business in America that requires he travel frequently, he decides the boarding situation with Kathleen's school is the best solution. Kathleen's quick mind and risk-taking tendencies push through and she pursues her dreams.

The setting is predominantly the UK in the 1960's. This isn't a major point, but there are subtle reminders throughout the tale like the use of "groovy." It's well-written and best described as British literature. There are lots of emotional tugs (keep the tissues handy) and strong character development. Kathleen and Uncle Jack are great characters. The Twenty One Year Contract is a coming of age story with family, friends, and self-discovery. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

About the Author:

L.B. Griffin was born and raised in the UK. She is married and came out of retirement when she received a contract for her debut novel. Griffin loves to write stories to touch people’s hearts, She draws upon social issues that are often hidden in deep drawers but readers can identify with. Her women don’t see themselves as courageous, strong, or survivors, but they certainly are. 

Her debut, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox has received superb 5 star reviews, amongst them Whispering stories and VINE VOICE reader/blogger Michelle Ryles, singing high praise: ‘Incredibly well-written, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox is a magnificent debut. It’s a poignant, disturbing and a heart-warming page-turner that has left me chomping at the bit to continue Harriet’s story.’ 

The sequel, and also standalone – The Twenty-One-Year Contract, is already receiving fantastic five star reviews such as: VINE VOICE “This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering.” 

L.B. Griffin continues to turn silent stories into courage, hope, and survival. Be warned, she is a self-confessed chocolate-raisin and strawberry addict! 

Author Links: 

Instgram   ~   Facebook   ~    Twitter   ~   Website  

Purchase Links: 

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Apple ~ Kobo 

Book Review: DEEP BLUE MURDER ( A Fiona Quinn Mystery) by C. S. McDonald

Book Details: 

Book Title: Deep Blue Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​ 

Category: Adult Fiction, 268 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Nov 2022 Formats 

Available: print, ebook audiobook (audible download) 

Content Rating: G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content. 

Book Description: 

Fiona is delighted when her new mother-in-law, Rita Landry invites her and Nathan to a private island in the Bahamas owned by a US ambassador. Sun, sandy beaches, and romantic tangerine sunsets await the newlyweds, but for Rita and her executive assistant, Hal Underwood the trip to Deep Blue Isle is a working vacation. Ambassador Taslow has summoned them to the island to discuss a scandal he has fallen victim to. However, when the Landry’s and Hal arrive, they find less than welcoming circumstances: no internet or Wi-Fi, mischievous monkeys, a dangerous tenant, and then there’s that pesky dead body. ​

A storm is brewing on Deep Blue Isle, and it has nothing to do with wind and rain. 

Review 

What a great setting for a murder mystery. An island only inhabited by the ambassador, his wife, his assistant, a caretaker, a cook, a maid, and wellness coach. Fiona, Nathan, Rita, and Hal are the only guests. The only way in or out is by yacht, with no phone service or wi-fi, and melted mini snickers bars. Add in the monkeys who throw coconuts and steal food, a mariachi band, and one unexpected quest.

The latest in the Fiona Quinn Mysteries combines limited suspects with unlimited motives. Fiona and Nathan are there for a vacation while Rita and Hal's goal is to uncover a catfishing scheme. The pace is steady and escalates quickly as everything comes together. A bit of unexpected intrigue adds to the story. A beautiful setting and well told story. If you're a fan of Fiona Quinn mysteries, you won't be disappointed. The story can be read as a standalone easily, though you'd miss out on all the fun in the other books. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

BUY THE  BOOK

Audible ~ Amazon 

 add to Goodreads 

__________________________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: MURDER ON POINTE : A Fiona Quinn Mystery #1 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 219 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Jul 19, 2016 

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!) 

Book Description: 

Fiona can't wait to attend the performance of Coppelia at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Her old friend, Silja Ramsay, is dancing the principal role. They have dinner after the show, but when they return Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is down one dancer! Ballerina, Alexis Cartwright, has been found dead in the dressing room. Is this murder a result of hot tempers among the cast members? Or is it a random act of violence? Will there be more murders? Homicide Detective Nathan Landry isn't taking any chances. After finding out Fiona has a strong background in ballet, he recruits her to go undercover among the cast of Coppelia. Can Fiona help catch a killer, or will she be the next victim? 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads 

____________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: MERRY MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #2 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 219 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Sep 16, 2016  

Content Rating: G -The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!) 

Book Description: 

The cookies are baked. The tree is trimmed. The shopping? Well, it's almost done, and Fiona's parents have finally returned home for a holiday visit - along with some unexpected unruly friends. Yep, Fiona's perfectly planned Christmas is coming together, but how could've she planned for her favorite uncle's murder? Who could possibly kill a sweet old man who's played Santa at the local mall every year without fail? Fiona's boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry, is determined to find out - before Christmas day arrives. There's only one problem: Nancy Quinn. Fiona's mom is just as determined as the detective to catch the murderer, and she isn't shy about getting the job done - even if it includes breaking a few pesky laws! Will Fiona and her mother find the killer first or will the killer find them? ​

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads 

____________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: WAVES OF MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #3 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 190 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Apr 11, 2017  

Content Rating: G -The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!

Book Description: School's out for the summer! Kindergarten teacher Fiona Quinn is looking forward to spending some quality time in her yard and with her boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry. However, Fiona's plans get squelched when her mother volunteers her to edit a manuscript for famous romance author Wyla Parkes. What's so bad about that? The author insists Fiona must work on the manuscript at her beach cottage on Presque Isle - three hours away from her yard and Nathan. Spending six weeks in an adorable cottage on a private beach doesn't really seem all that bad until people start turning up dead - beginning with the author! Fiona's summer of sun and sand is instantly transformed into a murder investigation. Can Fiona and Nathan crack the case or will the murderer getaway on a wave of deceit? Join Fiona and the gang for a hot whodunit on the sandy beaches of Presque Isle, Pennsylvania! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads 

______________________________________________________

 

Book Details: 

Book Title: TASTES LIKE MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #4 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 202 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Nov 23, 2017  

Content Rating: G -The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

The bridesmaid dresses are ruffles and ruffles of ugly, one bridesmaid is trying to micro-manage…well, pretty much everything, and the bride-to-be is a total bridezilla! Wedding bells will soon be ringing, but as usual, Fiona is a bridesmaid and not a bride. As the maid of honor, how can Fiona keep the volatile pre-wedding festivities running smoothly? The problem is abruptly solved when the bride drops over dead at the elegant wine-tasting wedding rehearsal. Yikes! Who poisoned the wine? The suspects are lining up, and Fiona finds herself at the top of the list! Double yikes! It’s a vintage murder case for Fiona, Detective Landry, and the gang. Cheers! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads 

____________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: GOOD LUCK TO MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #5 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 148 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: June 1, 2018 Formats  

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

Dreams, wishes, fantasies, and... murder? Fiona's good friend and fellow teacher, Lucky Maguire leads everyone to believe he has won a huge jackpot! Only Lucky turns out not to be so lucky - he winds up dead and his supposed winning lottery ticket missing! Yikes! Did Lucky really win the lottery and if so, where is the ticket hidden? Who knew for sure if he truly was Pittsburgh's newest millionaire? Double yikes! ​ Join Fiona and the gang for this winning cozy mystery that's sure to keep you betting on the suspects! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads

____________________________________________________

 

Book Details: 

Book Title: MAMBO AND MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #6 

Author: C.S. McDonald

​Category: YA Fiction, 160 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: October 31, 2018  

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

Three ballroom dancers were murdered over 40 years ago. Wow, that’s one old cold case. What’s more, the murderer, who was thought to have been killed during a police chase, has resurfaced in Pittsburgh. Yikes! How can that be? Worse, ballroom dancing simply isn’t Detective Nathan Landry’s forte. After weeks of practice, Nathan still has two left feet. Can Fiona step in to guide Nathan through this dancing debacle or will it take 40 years for the detective to find his footing? Double yikes! Join Fiona and detective Landry in this high-stepping whodunit! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads

__________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: SADDLE UP FOR MURDER: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #7 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 178 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: May 14, 2019  

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

Fiona is in total shock when her mother arrives unannounced on her doorstep. What’s going on? Why, she’s left Fiona’s father, that’s what. Yikes! Worse, a horse trainer is murdered outside his ex-wife’s home in Pittsburgh, and the trail leads directly to a Thoroughbred racetrack in the neighboring state of West Virginia. Get ready, because the suspects are mounting up and heading down the stretch. Whoa! Fiona and Detective Landry aren’t horsing around with this homicide! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

Add to Goodreads

______________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: BON VOYAGE TO MURDER (A Fiona Quinn Mystery #8) 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 198 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Nov 5, 2019   

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

Hooray! Fiona has finally convinced her boyfriend detective Nathan Landry to go on a romantic Caribbean cruise. Unfortunately, their fun on the high seas is interrupted by murder. It isn’t long before they discover a boatload of suspects, who have motives deeper than the ocean for wanting the victim out of their lives. ​

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon

Add to Goodreads 

____________________________________________

​

Book Details:  

Book Title: TAKING NOTES ON MURDER (A Fiona Quinn Mystery #9) 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: YA Fiction, 184 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: May 19, 2020  

Content Rating: G - The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too! 

Book Description: 

Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom, claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case. Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect Nancy Quinn! Can Fiona crack this cold case, and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder! 

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon

Add to Goodreads 

____________________________________________________

Book Details: 

Book Title: MATRIMONY, MAYHEM AND MURDER (A Fiona Quinn Mystery #10) 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​

Category: Adult Fiction, 242 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Nov 10, 2021  

Content Rating: G - C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description: 

The venue is set, invitations sent, and the flowers ordered. It’s almost time for Fiona and Nathan to get married…again. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing…well, until the wedding planner is found dead. Then the woman Fiona has never met shows up--Nathan’s enigmatic mom, Rita Landry. And she’s wearing a gorgeous but mysterious necklace. Worse, Rita is being followed by two sinister-looking men, forcing her to flee the country. And who gets dragged along? None other than the bride-to be! How does a girl prepare for all of that? Looks like Fiona’s perfectly planned matrimony has morphed into mayhem and murder! ​ You’re formally invited to Fiona and Nathan’s wedding. Question is: Will the wedding happen? ​

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon 

 add to Goodreads 

_________________________________________________

Meet the Author: 

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. 

Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes eleven books. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. 

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! 

Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister. 

Connect with the author: 

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

DEEP BLUE MURDER (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) GIVEAWAY

<

DEAD AMID THE DOGWOODS (Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth #5) by Cassidy Salem

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing disrupts a celebration quite like an uninvited corpse. 

Adina already knows the city can be a dangerous place. That’s why she’s looking forward to a stress-free weekend in rural Pennsylvania with her favorite detective. Maybe not all that stress-free. 

They are attending an engagement party and Adina will be meeting Jonathan’s family for the first time. Except the holiday weekend takes a deadly turn when leading industrialists, a hard-core environmentalist, and a bevy of wealthy partygoers converge on the Riverfront Lodge, and the couple stumbles upon yet another dead body. 

Drawn into the ensuing investigation, making a good impression on Jonathan's parents is the least of her worries. A standalone novella, Dead amid the Dogwoods is the fifth mystery in the Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth Series. 

Available in digital, audiobook, and print formats from all your favorite retailers - GET IT HERE 

The Adina Donati Series

THINK MURDER 

DYING FOR DATA 

KILLER REPUTATION 

FIT FOR MURDER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cassidy Salem has always been an avid reader. She is especially fond of mysteries (both cozy and traditional) and police procedurals. Over the years, her favorite mystery authors have included Agatha Christie, Kathy Reichs, Mary Higgins Clark, and John Grisham. 

When she’s not reading, she enjoys music and spending time with family and friends, and travels with her husband and son whenever possible. Her travels have taken her to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia. 

A member of Sisters-in-Crime, Cassidy is the author of the Adina Donati Mystery Series, which includes Think Murder, Dying for Data, Killer Reputations, Fit for Murder, and Dead Amid the Dogwoods. Cassidy co-authors, together with Christa Nardi, a YA mystery series, which includes The Mysterious Package, Mrs. Tedesco’s Missing Cookbook, The Misplaced Dog, Malicious Mischief, and Mayhem on the Midway. You can find Cassidy on her blog (https://cassidysalem.wordpress.com/) or on Twitter (@csalem11).

Book Review: TASTES LIKE MURDER (A Fiona Quinn Mystery #4) C. S. McDonald

Today I'm reviewing Tastes Like Murder, the 4th in the Fiona Quinn Mysteries as part of the launch of the newest in the series, DEEP BLUE MURDER.

Book Details: 

Book Title: Tastes Like Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #4 

Author: C.S. McDonald ​Category: YA Fiction, 202 pages 

Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books 

Release date: Nov 23, 2017 

Formats available for review: audiobook (audible download), ebook (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf) 

Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!) 

About the Book 

The bridesmaid dresses are ruffles and ruffles of ugly, one bridesmaid is trying to micro-manage…well, pretty much everything, and the bride-to-be is a total bridezilla! Wedding bells will soon be ringing, but as usual, Fiona is a bridesmaid and not a bride. As the maid of honor, how can Fiona keep the volatile pre-wedding festivities running smoothly? 

The problem is abruptly solved when the bride drops over dead at the elegant wine-tasting wedding rehearsal. Yikes! Who poisoned the wine? The suspects are lining up, and Fiona finds herself at the top of the list! Double yikes! It’s a vintage murder case for Fiona, Detective Landry, and the gang. Cheers! 

Review

Once again, Fiona Quinn is at her best, trying to avert crises and solve a murder, without becoming a victim. Her cousin, Tatum, is the original bridezilla and very demanding. At the same time, her other cousin, Johnny Lynn comes up with various ideas (like male and female strippers) to liven up the rehearsal dinner and more. Fiona tamps down the craziness as best she can but the closer it gets to the wedding, the less patience she has. Then Tatum dies after drinking cranberry juice, handed to her by Fiona and captured on film by many. 

Fiona quickly discovers things about her cousins and others she wasn't aware of. All of it leads to more questions. Her mother decides to help out with the narcoleptic detective assigned to the case since Nathan has a personal relationship with Fiona and she's initially a suspect. There are many humorous moments along with subtle clues and red herrings. 

The story is easy reading, well-written, and evenly paced. The characters you're supposed to like are likable and personalities are well-developed for those important to the story. It is the fourth in the Fiona Quinn mysteries, but can easily be read as a stand-alone mystery. As with others I've read in this series, McDonald has again crafted a fun who-dun-it.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

BUY THE BOOK: 

Audible ~ Amazon

Add to Goodreads 

About the Author

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. 

Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. 

In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Deep Blue Murder - the focus of this blog tour - is the 11th in the  Fiona Quinn Mysteries. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. 

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister. 

Connect with the author: 

 Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

DEEP BLUE MURDER (a Fiona Quinn Mystery) Book Tour Giveaway