Dollycas's Thoughts
I ate this mystery right up!
We are back in Cranberry Cove just in time for the Winter Walk. The mayor had this grand idea to bring tourists to town during the off season. Sadly he didn't get to see the fruits of his labor. As the parade is ready to start the horse drawn sleigh carrying him takes off. When the horses are reined in the mayor's body is found. In a unique twist both Monica's mother and step mother are at the top of the list of suspects. It doesn't help that a key piece of evidence is found on the family's cranberry farm. Monica finds herself trying to clear both women of the crime, landing herself right in the killer's sites.
You wouldn't think there would be much to be done to a cranberry bog in the winter but there is plenty to keep Monica's brother Jeff busy. Monica is baking everyday, the farm store is still open and she is selling things at the Winter Walk as well. When her mother makes a surprise visit and there are no rooms available at the motel or B&B's Monica finds herself with a house guest. She has been getting along with her stepmother but her mother's visit may mess up that relationship.
This was a fast paced mystery. The story never gets "bogged down", the pages were turning pretty rapidly as we reached the climatic end.
I really like these characters. They are engaging and believable. I love the relationship Monica has with Detective Stevens. They actually share information. Having both her stepmom and mom in town could really have gone wrong but the author really wrote the story is a wonderful way, even when another visitor came to town.
This is another delightful cozy from Peg Cochran. She even makes winter in Michigan sound like fun, with the wind blowing and the chill in the air. Bundle up and enjoy this trip to Cranberry Cove.
I ate this mystery right up!
We are back in Cranberry Cove just in time for the Winter Walk. The mayor had this grand idea to bring tourists to town during the off season. Sadly he didn't get to see the fruits of his labor. As the parade is ready to start the horse drawn sleigh carrying him takes off. When the horses are reined in the mayor's body is found. In a unique twist both Monica's mother and step mother are at the top of the list of suspects. It doesn't help that a key piece of evidence is found on the family's cranberry farm. Monica finds herself trying to clear both women of the crime, landing herself right in the killer's sites.
You wouldn't think there would be much to be done to a cranberry bog in the winter but there is plenty to keep Monica's brother Jeff busy. Monica is baking everyday, the farm store is still open and she is selling things at the Winter Walk as well. When her mother makes a surprise visit and there are no rooms available at the motel or B&B's Monica finds herself with a house guest. She has been getting along with her stepmother but her mother's visit may mess up that relationship.
This was a fast paced mystery. The story never gets "bogged down", the pages were turning pretty rapidly as we reached the climatic end.
I really like these characters. They are engaging and believable. I love the relationship Monica has with Detective Stevens. They actually share information. Having both her stepmom and mom in town could really have gone wrong but the author really wrote the story is a wonderful way, even when another visitor came to town.
This is another delightful cozy from Peg Cochran. She even makes winter in Michigan sound like fun, with the wind blowing and the chill in the air. Bundle up and enjoy this trip to Cranberry Cove.
Berry the Hatchet by Peg Cochran is the second book in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. Monica Albertson is getting the Sassamanash Farm stand in town ready for the Winter Walk. Their mayor, Preston Crowley came up with the Winter Walk as a way to bring tourists to Cranberry Cove during the winter. People are waiting for the arrival of the sleigh with Miss Winter Walk (the mayor's niece, Candy) and Mayor Crowley. All of the sudden the sleigh comes down the street at a very fast pace (run away sleigh). When they finally get the horse to stop, they find Preston Crowley inside with a unusual knife in his neck. Why would someone kill the mayor? Turns out that Preston was dating both Monica's mother and step-mother at the same time (talk about a busy bee). Both women end up suspects. Monica is determined to get them off the suspect list. There have to be other people who were not happy with their esteemed mayor! Can Monica find the killer while not ending up a victim herself? Can her mother (Nancy Albertson) and step-mother (Gina Albertson) stand being in the same town without hurting each other? You will have to read Berry the Hatchet to find out!
Berry the Hatchet was just delightful. The book has engaging characters, a beautiful setting (can you imagine a lovely, small town with snow), and a fun mystery. I just wish the murder mystery had been a little more difficult to solve. I did, though, enjoy following the clues (the author provided some good clues) to the conclusion (where I confirmed I picked the right killer). Berry the Hatchet can be read as a stand-alone book if you have not read the first book in the series. I look forward to the next novel in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. I give Berry the Hatchet 4.5 out of 5 stars (if I had not been able to solve the mystery it would have been a 5). Berry the Hatchet had just the right blend of mystery, romance, friends (and quirky characters), and family. Peg Cochran did a very good job constructing Berry the Hatchet.
I received a complimentary copy of Berry the Hatchet from the author (as a part of the Cozy Mystery Review Crew) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Berry the Hatchet was just delightful. The book has engaging characters, a beautiful setting (can you imagine a lovely, small town with snow), and a fun mystery. I just wish the murder mystery had been a little more difficult to solve. I did, though, enjoy following the clues (the author provided some good clues) to the conclusion (where I confirmed I picked the right killer). Berry the Hatchet can be read as a stand-alone book if you have not read the first book in the series. I look forward to the next novel in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. I give Berry the Hatchet 4.5 out of 5 stars (if I had not been able to solve the mystery it would have been a 5). Berry the Hatchet had just the right blend of mystery, romance, friends (and quirky characters), and family. Peg Cochran did a very good job constructing Berry the Hatchet.
I received a complimentary copy of Berry the Hatchet from the author (as a part of the Cozy Mystery Review Crew) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Berry the Hatchet (Cranberry Cove, Bk 2) on + 885 more book reviews
Solid follow-up to Berried Secrets. Nice setting and good characters.
