The Fourth of July always means endless celebrations in Cranberry Cove, and this year Monica and Greg have the added pleasure of spending it with Monica’s college roommate, Kelly Cargill. When they join Kelly and her family to watch the fireworks, it’s all very exciting—until the elderly matriarch of the family dies on the spot. Then evidence comes to light that she was poisoned, and Monica promises to do what she can to catch the culprit.
Just about everyone in Kelly’s family wanted to get their hands on what was sure to be a sizable inheritance. But Monica also discovers that one of them was trying to hide a messy love affair the older woman had discovered, and that the victim’s caretaker may have wanted revenge for enduring years of mistreatment. And just as more secrets surface and the clues begin to fall into place, Monica realizes that as she’s closing in on the killer, the killer is closing in on her . . .
Includes a mouthwatering cookie recipe!
My Thoughts
Berried Grievances by Peg Cochran takes us back to Cranberry Cove where Monica is nine months pregnant when it is so very hot. Everyone keeps asking Monica when her baby will arrive, which she found annoying, and I did as well. Monica is not Kreskin. Greg is so sweet and supportive. He cooks, takes Monica out to eat, and works at his bookstore. I did wonder about Greg attending an estate sale on a Friday evening. I have never seen a yard or estate sale in the evening (just seemed like an odd detail). The mystery was uncomplicated. A relative of Monica’s college roommate dies during the Fourth of July fireworks. The family is stuck in town until the crime is solved. When Kelly, Monica’s friend and former college roommate, asks her to look into the crime, Monica cannot say no (you know she is dying to dive into the case). Monica asks questions, manages to overhear a conversation or two, and happens upon a juicy tidbit. Each new detail helps Monica get closer to identifying the killer. There is a suspenseful reveal and good wrap up at the end. It seemed unfathomable that Monica would do some of the things she did while in her condition.
The story moved at a relaxed pace. We get to follow Monica as she goes about her daily life (over a two-week period). There is plenty of cooking, eating, and relaxing. We get to catch up with Mittens and Hercules. I can tell that the author has pets from her descriptions of the animal’s behavior. I was extremely disappointed with the ending. I was surprised that the author ended the story without providing two important details (she should have revealed at least one). Berried Grievances is not my favorite story in A Cranberry Cove Mysteries (as you can tell). Berried Grievances can be read as a standalone for those new to the series as the author provided the needed background information. Berried Grievances is a relaxed cozy mystery with a creative cranberry cookie, sweltering temperatures, a murdered grandmother, a belated baby, an absent tome, and a surprising solution.
Berried Grievances is available from Amazon*. You can find the other seven A Cranberry Cove Mysteries here. You can find Peg Cochran's other novels here. Thank you for stopping by today. Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Read to Death at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers. It is the third A Lakeside Library Mystery. I am off to work in my bedroom. My room along with my closet is a disorganized mess. I am trying to do a little bit each day (I will be glad when it is orderly). The heat and humidity have caused fibromyalgia flare ups which means I get less done each day (increased pain and tiredness). I will be glad when fall weather arrives. I hope that you have an upbeat day. Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!
Kris
The
Avid Reader
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, 
, and 
. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
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