Tag Archives: Cozy Mystery

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch – a Review

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Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch – a Review

 

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Description:
In this one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit.

Pony has been passed from owner to owner for longer than he can remember. Fed up, he busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to reunite with the only little girl he ever loved, Penny, who he was separated from and hasn’t seen in years.

Penny, now an adult, is living an ordinary life when she gets a knock on her door and finds herself in handcuffs, accused of murder and whisked back to the place she grew up. Her only comfort when the past comes back to haunt her are the memories of her precious, rebellious pony.

Hearing of Penny’s fate, Pony knows that Penny is no murderer. So, as smart and devious as he is cute, the pony must use his hard-won knowledge of human weakness and cruelty to try to clear Penny’s name and find the real killer.

This acutely observant feel-good mystery reveals the humanity of animals and beastliness of humans in a rollicking escapade of epic proportions.

 

 

Review:

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch is a unique standalone novel about a Pony and his former owner, Penny.  Years have passed, and Penny has never forgotten her childhood memories of her love for her Pony, when she was 12 years old: she is now 37 years old.   The story opens when Penny opens the door, and the police are arresting her for a murder, that she may have committed when she was 12 years old.  She is whisked back to Ithaca, NY, where she grew up. 

Pony has constantly been passed over from many different owners, and now he is fed up, determined to find the only girl he ever loved; Penny.   Pony busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to find her. Pony can talk to all animals, and gets help from them, but the mission that he embarks on is a long-drawn-out journey.  It was fun with Pony being one of the narrators, and listening to him talk to the other animals; dog, birds, rat, sparrow, goat, butterflies and other species, who will eventually lead him to where he can find Penny.  Each animal has a distinct personality; including other horses who give Pony advice. Pony will also learn along the way, that Penny is in danger, and he needs to save her.   

Penny works with a law student, as her actual attorney only appears in the courtroom. Slowly, Penny’s memories begin to remember that day 25 years ago, when someone else committed the murder.  Pony also remembers when another horse played a prank on Penny and the boy she was riding with, leaving both stranded in the woods.  Of course, Pony feels guilt, as he is determined to rescue Penny; since she was attacked, and someone was killed; but Penny was not the murderer.  The family moved away, and Penny never was able to say good-bye to her wonderful Pony.

Penny’s daughter pays a big part closer to the end, as she finds Pony, and together they will help Penny discover the two villains who were the true murderers. I really loved Pony, and his friends who helped him to find Penny, and the real culprits. This was a wonderful ending.   Pony Confidential was an interesting and different kind of story, which was so very well written by Christine Lynch.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

 

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Description:
This book club is hooked on traveling into books to become the amateur sleuths! In this journey, the club travels to the Kingdom of Everglow.

The royal family is rocked to the core when a key staff member falls dead at a community event. In the turmoil that follows, any evidence of what happened is destroyed, so they must go by the recollection of witnesses who were too busy enjoying the celebration to offer any valuable testimony.

The royal family is further distressed when they return to the castle to see signs of a break in that somehow defied their complex security system. They wake the next day to discover that one member of the royal family has fallen into a deep, deathlike sleep.

Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family? Can they find the antidote to wake the sleeping royal from a supernatural slumber? Can they bring peace back to the worried royal family and the frightened community?

Let’s hope they can, since they must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book and back to their home in Colorado.

 

 

Review:

Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley is the 6th book in another enchanting and fun Magical Mystery Book Club series.  Refresher: Paige and Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

The surprise beginning has us discovering that there is more to our wonderful talking cat, Frank.  We learn everything about Frank’s past, which covers hundreds of years, including being a king, with an evil sorcerer changing him into a cat. Of course, now, Frank is a very content enjoying the mystery trips that are part of the mystery book club.

The Snapdragon club members pick a book and they are whisked away into the Kingdom of Everglow, which is comes across as a fairyland location, with sprites.  Upon arrival, they see a key member of the staff being killed during a celebration, shocking the royal family.   The Royal family welcomes the group, to help solve the murder, with them treated like royalty; especially king Frank, who is considered and treated like royalty.  Lots of fun with this.

The next day, everyone is shocked that one of the princesses is in a deep sleep, and no one can wake her.  The Snapdragon members are assigned to try and discover who did this to the Princess, as well as solving the murder of the staff member.  The crew will need to interview people within the community, who may have clues to both incidents.  A garden party gathering with most people in the community, enables them to find information as they mingle, eavesdrop, question and observe those attending.  Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family, as well as find the antidote to wake the princess?

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. I loved most of the characters, especially Frank, my favorite.  I also like Mollie, the resident ghost, who in Everglow is unseen, and she secretly discovers some clues. 

Sprites & Scuttlebutt was another terrific, enchanting and fun magical addition to this series, with wonderful characters. There were a few surprises, especially learning all about our hero, Frank.  Sprites & Scuttlebutt was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Murder Uncorked by Maddy Day – a Review

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Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day – a Review

 

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Description:
Raise a glass to Cece Barton, a widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in this sparkling new mystery series from Agatha Award–winning and national bestselling author Maddie Day.

As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cecelia “Cece” Barton’s first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity. Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed & breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. But Cece barely has a moment to enjoy her new home in between worrying about her estranged college-age daughter, juggling her responsibilities at the bar, and navigating the sticky politics of the local wine association. Just when it seems things can’t grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community . . . and Cece is identified as a possible suspect!

With her reputation and her livelihood on the line—and the Sonoma County deputy sheriff breathing down her neck—Cece has no choice but to open up her own murder investigation. Tensions are already high in the valley, as a massive wildfire creeps toward Colinas, threatening homes, vineyards, and the vital tourist trade. And now, with a murderer on the loose, and Cece’s sleuthing exposing the valley’s bitterest old rivalries and secret new alliances, Colinas feels ready to pop! But with Allie’s help, Cece is determined to catch the killer and clear her name before everything she’s worked so hard for goes up in flames . .

 

 

Review:

Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day is the 1st book in her new Cece Barton Mystery series. We meet Cece Barton, who is widowed, with a daughter away at school; Cece moved to Colinas, California, to be close to her twin sister, Allie.  Cece is the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar working long hours, but she has a couple of part time people, who help cover her during late hours, giving her time to go home or dinner.  Her sister, Allie owns a Victorian Bed and Breakfast, and is always there for Cece.

Having heard two men arguing, Cece fills their glass of wine to break it up.  But the next day one of the men is found murdered, which causes a detective to visit her to find out what was the argument about, as well as her own emails from the victim. Cece decides to start her own investigation, to ensure that the detective is not looking at her.  She constantly talks to those she knows asking questions, which does begin to annoy some possible suspects.  At times, Allie will also help Cece look for evidence, but when Cece nearly is hit by a truck while on her bike, she realizes that she is putting herself in danger, getting too close to the culprit.

What was really nice about this cozy mystery, was getting to meet her friends, not to mention other neighbors and colleagues.  I got a kick out of her eating at some friend’s restaurants, such as Ko, Eddie and Henry. I also loved her friendship with, Mooncast, who though part time, she was always willing to cover for Cece. Her relationship with Allie was fantastic. Allie tries to get one of her customers, Benjamin, a hunk, to get together with Cece. I really enjoyed this book, especially all these wonderful friends, sister and her wine bar; which made this such a fun, delightful story.  I also enjoyed all the different dishes she ate at the restaurants, which was more vegetarian style.

Cece does spend a lot of time checking into the victim’s past, trying to look into their relationships. She really was an excellent sleuth, smart, always asking questions, which also put her in direct danger.   The last third of the book was exciting, with Cece in a life-threatening situation.  I liked when the detective expressed appreciation for Cece findings on who killed the victim. To say too much more would ruin the story.

Murder Uncorked was a very good story, with great friends, family, suspects and a possible future romance.   Murder Uncorked was very well written by Maddie Day.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
With all the guests at Sara and Sean’s wedding suspected of murder, her walk down the aisle will need to wait…

Everything is going perfectly on the big day until Sara opens the door of her bridal suite. Darlene Day, who made the wedding cake, falls into the room, a serving knife plunged into her back.

As the organists start to play “Here Comes the Bride,” Sara calls a pause to the proceedings. There’s a murder to solve, and the motive may be in the icing.

Darlene wasn’t the most loved person in the small town of Cotton Spring Falls, but rumor has it that she refused the offer of a big franchise to buy her bakery. Did they go so far as murder to put her out of business?

But when it’s discovered their wedding cake was poisoned, Sara and Sean could have been the intended victims all along. Did Darlene stumble upon the killer’s conspiracy and they silenced her before she could reveal their secret? Is it someone on the invitation list or the mysterious wedding crasher?

As long as the coffee is hot, and Sara has Sean and her beagle, Magnum, at her side, she isn’t going down in a heap of tulle and lace.

 

 

Review:

Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series. I am a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, having read all her different series; and I am happy to say I have been enjoying Sara and Sean Cozy Mysteries.

Sara and Sean are getting married, with Sara, her mother, and bridesmaids ready to move out of the dressing room, when Darlene, the wedding cake baker pushes through the door.  She stumbles and collapses, with a knife in her back, crying “icing” and dies.  Of course, the wedding is now on hold, with 400 guests locked in the venue, while the police arrive and begin their investigation.

Sara and Sean decide to do some of their own investigation, since it was their wedding and the victim was a friend.  The detective in charge, Ryan, who used to work with Sara, was very belligerent, threatening them to be arrested, if they tried to do their own sleuthing. In time, Ryan and his partner agree to let them help with the investigations, especially with so many suspects.  Darlene, it seems had enemies, since a company was pushing to sell her bakery to them, and many townsfolk wanted her to sell, so that it will help promote the town better. We learn that another person was also out to hurt Sean from a past case.  Who poisoned the icing on the wedding cake? Who killed Darlene and was the person trying to kill Sean part of the murder?

There were so many suspects, with Sara and Sean looking at every angle; Darlene’s niece, Mercer the bad guy after Sean, Bakery company owner who wanted her to sell, a wedding crasher and other suspects along the way. I really loved Sara and Sean together, as they made such a great couple.  I adored their dog, Magnum (a beagle), and their ex-Sargent, Jimmy was a great help.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining, and fun story. Both Sara and Sean manage to find a number clues with some twists, that will help find the real killer. To say too much more would be spoilers, especially with so many suspects that keep you on the edge of your seat.  Wedding Bells Brew Murder was a wonderful murder mystery, in a small town, dangerous killers, as well as a fun romance. Wedding Bells Brew Murder was very well written by Carolyn Arnold. This is a fun series, which I suggest you start to read with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

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Description:
When this club selects a book, magic happens. They become the main characters in the story when the mystery comes to life.

This month’s book selection takes them to a charming island community that’s abuzz over a mysterious boat that washed ashore. Rumor has it that it’s the same pirate boat that sunk a year ago in the bay. The one that supposedly sank with treasure aboard.

When the club meets the ghosts of the men from the boat, they learn the astonishing secrets of the treasure. These ghosts can’t move on until it is found.

Can the motley group find the treasure and free the ghosts? They better, since it’s the only way they can exit the book and get back home.

 

 

Review:

Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley is the 5th book in her fun entertaining Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a lighthearted and fun series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

Our mystery book club gains a new member, Valeria, as all the current members welcome her, and explain how things work in their special secret magical library.   The book they choose contains pirates and lost treasure, which takes them to a charming island community. The residents are all taking about the boat that washed ashore, and it was the same boat that was attacked a year ago, by pirates.

The club meets the 4 ghosts and Bucko (ghostly parrot) from the boat, who are able to communicate with them, but unable to touch.  They learn about the secrets of the treasure, which the captain pleads with them to help take on a quest to free them.  Seems the pirates that destroyed their boat, stole their treasure, but most important, they stole a valuable bracelet that belonged to the captain’s mom. The club needed to retrieve the necklace, for them to enable them to be free and continue their mission to stop the bad pirates.

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues where the missing necklace and gems might be found.  I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige and Glo being the leaders, and Frank (the talking cat) always enjoyable. I really like all of the club members, and get a kick out of Mollie, their own resident ghost.

Secrets and Scallywags was another terrific and fun addition to this series, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery; trying to save the ghosts. There were a few surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read. Secrets and Scallywags was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed  by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

Prolific Works

Description:
This club gets whooshed into a book. They become characters! To get out they must find the killer.

Whenever this group chooses a book, magic happens. The mystery comes to life, and they find themselves part of the story. To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a book set in a mansion atop the mountains of Arizona. They discover a strange antique oil lamp that contains a shocking surprise.

Could this enchanted lamp have something to do with their host’s fall from a door to nowhere? Or could he have been pushed out the door by one of the strange people who belong to the quirky group who live here?

This brave, crazy, motley group must work together to unravel the mystery in their latest inside-the-book journey.

 

 

Review:

Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley is a novella that is set in between book 4 and 5, in her fun Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo run a magical library, that consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with mysteries that they have to solve. This is a lighthearted and fun series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery. Whenever this group chooses a book, they read the first page of this cozy mystery, and the magic comes to life, as they are transported into the story. Once the mystery is solved, they are able to return home.

The book chosen by the club members has them sent to a mansion on a mountain in Arizona, where they meet the wealthy owner, who is not only extravagant, but is also not very well liked by staff, as well as his own book club members. The group arrives at the mansion and the owner happily allows them to join in on their meeting.    In a short time, the owner is found murdered, with so many people who are suspects, including the neighboring club members and the soon to be ex-wife.

The group discovers a mysterious oil lamp, which Moonbeam accidently rubs, which brings a genie or two. Since she is the one who rubs the lamp, the genies insist she make three wishes, which she refuses to do, causing problems for the genies.  Eventually, everyone convinces Moonbeam to make a wish, which will force suspects to reveal the truths, including the genies. 

I really enjoy this series, as it is so much fun to read.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige and Glo being the leaders, and Frank (the talking cat) always enjoyable, Mollie the ghost, a recent new member, and all the rest of the group a lot of fun.

Genies and Gibberish was another terrific and fun addition to this series, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery. There were many suspects, with different clues, as they continued to get more information to solve the crime. There were a number of surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read.  Genies and Gibberish was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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IN$URED TO THE HILT (John Smith Mysteries 1) by Charlotte Stuart-review

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IN$URED TO THE HILT (John Smith Mysteries 1) by Charlotte Stuart-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Everyone wants to make money off of insurance. In In$ured to the Hilt this includes a greedy claimant and her voluptuous daughter, an ambitious administrative assistant, a desperate insurance agent, and a man obsessed with maintaining his reputation. In the end, they are all “insured to the hilt,” some more literally than others.

•••••••

REVIEW:  IN$URED TO THE HILT is the first instalment in Charlotte Stuart’s contemporary, adult JOHN SMITH MYSTERIES, a cozy mystery series focusing on former private detective turned insurance investigator John Smith.

Told from first person perspective (John) IN$URED TO THE HILT follows John Smith as he is tasked with investigating a car accident claim in which the ‘victim’ alleges to have permanent injuries. As John’s investigation appears to take on a life of its’ own, the bodies begin to amass, and a number of ‘accidents’ place John in the direct line of fire. John’s investigation quickly spirals out of control when an accident claim turns to insurance fraud turns deadly, and the threats against John become personal and deadly.

We are introduced to police officer Sargeant Bruno McGinty, who appears to be a friend of the family; John’s mother and amateur sleuth Heloise Smith, as well as John’s boss Martin Van Droop, and receptionist Emma.

IN$URED TO THE HILT is a character driven story of greed and vengeance, deceit and murder. John Smith’s investigative techniques are questionable at best, his career as a private investigator should have prepared John for the consequences of crime and punishment, and getting involved without the protection of the police. IN$URED TO THE HILT is a lighthearted and spirited look at greed, murder and insurance fraud.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

 

 

Review:

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is the first book in her new Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series.  I am a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, having read all her different series; and I looked forward to this new cozy mystery.

We meet Sara Cain, our heroine, who is a homicide detective with the Albany police department.  She is a detective by day, and writes a mystery novel at night; one night she decides to take a walk and finds a loose dog she recognizes. When Sara brings the dog, Magnum back to his home, she finds the owner of the dog dead.  Another detective is assigned to the murder of Cliff Cunningham, a famous bowler; but when Sara’s mother asks her to investigate the murder, because her friend was arrested, Sara decides to be a sleuth at night.  Her partner Sean McKinley is currently working with Sara, on another case, searching for the killer of Aubrey Southgate; but he agrees to help her with looking into this other case, without letting their boss know.

We learn quickly that Sean has a strong crush on Sara, though she likes him, but she won’t let any possible romance happen between them, since it against the rules.  I really liked Sara and Sean together.  Sara is smart, savvy, independent, fun and is a coffeeholic; Sean is the opposite, more skeptical, but very charming.  It was great to watch how both Sara and Sean work on the two different investigations. The third partner is Magnum, the cute beagle, who Sara brought home, and occasionally helps.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining, and fun story. Both Sara and Sean manage to find clues with some twists, that will help find the real killer in their case, including discovering the person behind the wrongful arrest of Sara’s mothers friend.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as once you get to the second half of the book, you really need it all. Detective Davenport was not a good cop, and totally bad news with his minimal quick investigations, thankfully Sean and Sara will discover the truths. Bowled Over Americano was a wonderful murder mystery, in a small town, dangerous killers, as well as a fun romance and some humor.   Bowled Over Americano was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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