Slay Bells Rings by Karen Rose Smith is the seventh book in the Caprice De Luca Mystery series. Caprice is busy with holiday home staging for Chris, a friend of her dad. Chris also plays Santa for the town. Chris' strange behavior confuses his friends and family, but nothing is as bad as when he is found murdered. Caprice finds herself drawn into the mystery which is not as simple as it seems. I enjoy the characters and setting of this series. While I have read a previous book, it is not completely necessary. I found the mystery very interesting, and the side stories added to the book!
Daryl Wood Gerber's A Deadly Eclair is the first book in the French Bistro Mystery Series. Thanks to a generous benefactor Mimi realizes her dream of owning her own bistro and inn. She is set to host the wedding of a famous talk show host, Angelica. The wedding guests are an eclectic mix that do not always get along. The weekend takes an awful turn when Mimi's benefactor and uncle of the bride is found murdered. Mimi sets out to avenge his murder. The setting is fun, and the characters definitely have room for growth and development. I look forward to seeing how the series develops since the first book left me wanting more!
Garden of the Lost and Abandoned by Jessica Yu tells the story of Gladys. Gladys is a reporter in Uganda writing a column titled "Lost and Abandoned". The column features children searching for their families. Gladys takes it much further by investigating both children and families. When no families can be found Gladys takes on the children's care all while struggling to support herself. The stories are hard to read at times, but Gladys in an inspiration. The book is wonderfully written and captures the hard truth of daily life in Uganda.
Ellen Crosby's The Vineyard Victims is part of the Wine Country Mystery series. Lucie witnesses former presidential candidate Jamison Vaughn drive his SUV into a pillar at the entrance of her winery. It seems like much more than a tragic accident. Lucie dives into the mystery that becomes more and more complicated. While this book fits into the cozy mystery genre, it is more serious than a typical cozy mystery. The characters are well developed, and the mystery was filled with twists and turns. If you prefer your cozy mysteries with a bit more depth, this is the book for you!
disclosure: I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews. All opinions are my own!
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