Author: Thea Cambert
Genre: Mystery
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9788666350805
Independently Published
$7.99; $2.99 Amazon
July 15, 2020
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Blue Valley, Tennessee -- a cozy town nestled snugly into the Great Smoky Mountains -- buzzes with excitement every October with the return of colorful autumn leaves, chilly air, and the wave of tourists who arrive for the annual Fall Festival.
This year, Alice Maguire, owner of The Paper Owl bookshop on Main Street, is planning the festival with a little help from her best friends, Franny and Owen. All three live in tiny apartments above their shops.
The trio of friends have share a charming rooftop garden, where they meet in the mornings for coffee from Franny's coffee shop, and sweets from Owen's bakery. When a new yoga studio, Bliss, opens up across the street, Alice reluctantly agrees to take a class to promote relaxation in her life, and it actually works, much to her relief.
A fire breaks out in town, resulting in a tragic death, and Alice's brother, Blue Valley PD Officer Ben Maguire, and newcomer, Detective Luke Evans -- who has an irritating way of making Alice blush -- lead the investigation. When it is determined that the death was no accident, Alice, Franny, and Owen get pulled smack dab into investigating the case.
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Alice Maguire, owner of The Paper Owl bookstore, is chosen to run the local Fall Festival by the town council, courtesy of her friends Franny and Owen. While she's not completely displeased, she enlists the help of those two, considering they were the ones who nominated her. But when things get to be a bit stressful for Alice, Franny signs the two of them up for a yoga class at Bliss, a new studio across the street. Once the class is over, Alice tells the owner, Kira Om, that it did help her, and they leave. Later on, Alice decides to welcome Kira to town and leave her a gift. But when she enters the studio, no one is around, and she leaves a note with the chocolates she's given on the desk. Then, when she leaves the studio, she runs right into the new detective in town, Luke Evans, which embarrasses her.
But that evening there's a fire at the studio, and a body is found. When it's discovered that the person was murdered, Alice is a main suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, she tasks her friends to help her, and the three of them together make plans. But will it end in finding a killer or Alice being the next target?...
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were given a bit of depth, and even though they didn't seem to spend much time in their respective businesses, it was explained away; yet I do hope to see them do so in the future. Another thing I really liked is that there is no 'evil nemesis' in the picture. I absolutely abhor that. It's not needed to write a good mystery or create tension; the story should stand on its own without that or my other peeve, the eternal Love Triangle. How trite and overused it is, and again, not needed.
Thankfully, this story had nothing but a good, old-fashioned cozy mystery that allowed you to fall into the season with the characters and get geared up for the upcoming holidays which will be upon us soon. (Hard to believe, but yes); and descriptions of the gardens were just lovely. I can almost imagine the three gardens connecting to each other, and being able to see the town from their rooftops, and the beautiful Smoky Mountains beyond. That alone would destress anyone.
When we get closer to figuring out who the murderer is, it only comes as a bit of a surprise (only because I read a lot of mysteries and knew who it was ahead of time) but we also learn that it is believable, if rather sad all the way around. I did like the characters quite a bit, and I would like to see more of Poppy (because I love animals), and learning more about Alice and her friends. Hopefully, they will continue to evolve as the series goes on. Highly recommended.
More on Thea Cambert's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/thea-cambert/
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