REVIEW: Getaway With Murder

 Getaway With Murder
Author: Diane Kelly 

I started reading this series the first time when this first book came out in 2021. Then life got in the way. I since returned to this series and started over. Glad I did! I enjoyed reading book one again and look forward to the other books in the series!

The basics: Misty Murphy is in her 50's and newly divorced. To start her life over, she purchases a lodge in Western NC. Things immediately go wrong -- unexpected building repairs and even a murder. Yikes! But she's a strong woman and starts making friends quickly....and doing more than a bit of amateur sleuthing. 

I can't even imagine going through what Misty did in this first story. She just starts to put her life back together.....and has the first group of guests staying at her lodge....and there's a murder. I would be freaking out!! 

Great story! The mystery moves along at a nice pace. The side characters are entertaining and fit well with Misty. There are plenty of suspects and surprises. I had a great time reading this book! 

I'm very much looking forward to the next books in this series!

REVIEW: The Cider Shop Rules

 The Cider Shop Rules
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

This book is the 3rd and final book in this series. At times publishers make decisions based on book sales before a series ever really gets off the ground....and this series is one that got cut a bit short. However, I enjoyed this final story and the ending was satisfactory for me. I'm not left wondering what happened to this character or that one -- it ended in such a way that I feel glad I read the books but not overly sad that there aren't more. I wish there were more, but I'm happy with 3. 

This time Blossom Valley is being visited by lots of Civil War re-enactors. Tourists in town mean lots more business at the orchard and cider shop. When a well liked local businessman ends up dead and his body discovered in a dramatic way, Winnie finds herself doing a bit of amateur sleuthing again. Much to the chagrin of the local sheriff. 

I enjoyed this book! The addition of a surprise new character really made the story fun to read. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, and there was a nice amount of sleuthing and unexpected developments. 

After completing this series, I will definitely be reading more by this author. I like her writing style and hope her other cozy mysteries have similar fun plots and entertaining characters! 

REVIEW: Pulp Friction

 Pulp Friction
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

I'm loving this series! Pulp Friction is the second book in the 3-part Cider Shop Mystery series.

Winnie Montgomery has opened her Cider Shop on her grandma's apple orchard. She can finally market her hand-crafted ciders from her refurbished and remodeled barn on the property. But trouble seems to be following her....even after solving the murder that happened in the first book, strange happenings are still happening at Smythe Orchards. 

This time, the orchard hosts a wedding party...but one party member doesn't survive the night. And someone close to Winnie is the main suspect. Seems like every time Winnie just wants to get down to business and make cider, a dead body pops up. 

Great second book in this series! And yummy recipes in the back! 

I love the setting for this series. An apple orchard that does public tours and events with a barn that opens daily as a cider shop. What a cool place! I would go there if it were a real business and anywhere near where I live! I like the side characters. Granny is awesome. The former boyfriend is a perfect annoyance for the main character. The best friend/animal lover fits right into the plot. And the two kittens are a cute addition for some humor. The cranky sheriff is a bit of a trope, but works into the story perfectly. Winnie is a great main character. She's independent, intelligent and a good amateur sleuth, although her stealth mode isn't nearly as great as she believes it is (The Sheriff tends to always know she's at it again). 

Great story! Luckily, I have book 3 on my TBR bookshelf -- already got it down and getting ready to dive in. 

I really really hope that this is a finished series and not just one that the publisher dropped. A few years back several big publishers dropped cozy series contracts.....and several series I was in the middle of reading just ended abruptly. Really made me mad! This genre is very popular, and authors deserve to get to finish what they start and continue their creativity. Book 3 is the final book -- if it ends on an unsolved cliffhanger, I am going to be so sad. We shall see!! I was curious enough to send a quick message to the author and ask. I will edit this review and add her response if I hear back from her. 

I like this author's writing style. She has other series (including a Christmas Tree Farm series I really want to read!) and I'm definitely going to check them out! You should, too!! Warning -- reading these books will make you crave cider and apples! I don't usually eat many apples...and found myself ordering honeycrisp and gala from the local CSA supplier I buy my veggies from. :) Got my cinnamon and cloves out and I'm baking an apple for lunch today! Yum!!