Mad About Murder by Cindy Vincent

 

Maddie Montgomery is once again involved in a murder mystery in her neighborhood. Even though her new beau has warned her to stay off the case Maddie is determined to solve who killed her philandering neighbor. Not only is she dealing with a murder investigation, but she is also dealing with a young teenager bent on sabotaging Maddie's book sales. Between disastrous kitchen episodes from said teen, nightmare hair appointments from one of her neighbors jilted loves, and an evening of speed dating will Maddie be able to solve the murder? And there is still the mystery that her husband left when he passed away. Once again, will Maddie be able to survive a murderer on the loose?

This is the second book in the Maddie Montgomery Mystery series. I enjoyed it very much and it gave me several chuckles along the way. Like Maddie, I wasn't happy with the way Remy treated her when he went on duty, but I also wasn't happy with the way their relationship is still kind of up in the air by the end of the story. And what about the new guy in her life? Guy seems like a nice enough man, but I have a feeling there is more to him than we get to see in this installment of the series. There were a few things left hanging by the end of the story. What was Maddie's husband mixed up in that are now coming to light? Who will Maddie choose, Remy or Guy? And what is up with Maddie's neighbor Spencer Poe? Is he former CIA as Maddie thinks or is there something more mysterious about him? The humor in the series is entertaining. Oh my goodness, Maddie's hair mishaps about killed me! The teenager trying to replicate Maddie's recipes found in her books about did me in! The speed dating scene had me cracking up! If you enjoy cozy mysteries and light humor then try this series. You'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower

 

Bailey and Aiden are finally getting married! Of course chaos reigns the days leading up to the wedding! It wouldn't be Bailey, Harvest or of course Margot if chaos didn't reign. And of course what is a wedding without a murder? And of course said murder keeps Bailey and Aiden from starting out their married life with a honeymoon! 

So many thoughts! I'm thrilled that Bailey and Aiden are finally married. We've waited for this for a long while now. That being said, I found the lack of sparks between the new Mr. and Mrs. kind of disappointing. I know the point of the story is the mystery, but a steamy happy marriage kiss would have been nice, and called for. There were such few scenes between Aiden and Bailey in fact that it was like business as usual and nothing special. Which kind of was disappointing. Moving on...Margot! Oh my gosh! Margot! I got so frustrated with her pushiness and Bailey's constant waffling under her. Just say NO people! Even Juliette! Everyone expects a piece of Bailey and for Bailey to fix everything. Great, but what happens when Bailey runs out of Bailey to give? The good and fun parts? Oh my! Lois and Jean-Pierre? Hysterical! And what a marvelous duo! I love them together! Who'd have thought? The "who-done-it" had me waffling until the reveal. I always am surprised by the end of the mystery of the motive and the who. Always clever and always has me saying "of course!" All of the usual characters were present and accounted for. Ruth? Oh she's a piece of work for sure! Definitely a fun read and a clever mystery. I want to give the author and her husband a shout-out for their Etsy shop. All the proceeds of what they sell go to their cat rescue efforts. I can't remember how many cats they themselves have adopted, helped, fostered, etc. but they have a passion for these pets and if you are interested in learning more you can visit their Etsy shop: AmandaFlowerDesigns.