Berry the Evidence by Peg Cochran

 Berry the Evidence

Book Summary

An unscrupulous realtor pays the ultimate closing costs in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

Autumn is settling in on Cranberry Cove, but things are starting to heat up when Monica’s stepmother shows up at her back door gripped by panic. Gasping out an explanation, she tells Monica she’d been dozing in her realtor’s car when he was shot dead. Refusing to alert the police for fear that the killer will target her next—or that the police will consider her their prime suspect—Monica’s stepmother goes mute, and Monica decides to track down the culprit herself to clear her name and keep her safe.

Frozen Cranberry Bog

Finding the killer won’t be so easy, though, as the victim had run afoul of buyers, sellers, and even other realtors at one time or another, and it seems that nearly everyone in the small town had a reason to want him dead. Even more puzzling is that the deeper Monica digs into the background and final days of the victim, the more the clues point to her stepmother. Then a second body is found, and Monica realizes she’s going up against a devious killer who will stop at nothing to put everyone involved out of commission . . .

Includes a mouthwatering muffin recipe!

My Thoughts

Berry the Evidence by Peg Cochran is the seventh A Cranberry Cove Mystery.  Each book can be read as a standalone.  I have enjoyed reading the series in order because it allowed me to see the changes that have occurred in Monica’s life.  Monica is happily married to Greg, and she is expecting their first child.  She has hired a new baker to replace Kit Turner who will be running the new café in Greg’s bookstore Book ‘Em.  Monica’s mother is in town and helping her in the farm kitchen (making delectable cranberry muffins, salsa, cookies, and other goodies).  Monica is surprised when Gina burst into her home.  Gina was with her realtor, Richard “Rip” Taylor in his Jaguar waiting to see if they received a response to her bid on a home.  She fell asleep in the car and when she awakened the realtor was dead.  Instead of calling the police, Gina panicked and ran.  Gina refuses to contact the police.  She is afraid they will suspect her or worries the killer will come after her.  Monica is left with no choice but to dive into the case.  There is humor scattered throughout the story.   I like Peg Cochran’s writing style.  I find it light and friendly.  The characters are developed and relatable.  There are some quirky characters like Gina. 

The mystery took us on a journey around Cranberry Cove.  We follow Monica as she works to uncover who killed Rip and why.   She soon learns that Rip was not a good guy which opens up the suspect list.  There are clues to help the reader solve the crime. It depends on your sleuthing level on whether you solve early or are surprised by the killer’s identity.  The reveal was suspenseful with a smidgin of humor.  The story ends with the opening of the café in Book ‘Em.  I had to laugh at Monica’s reaction that people in town knew about her pregnancy.  I do not know how she expected it to stay a secret after telling certain people.  Readers are left with a few unanswered questions, but we will have to wait for the next installment to get the answers (will Greg and Monica have a boy or girl, will Monica’s mother stay in town, will Monica’s new employee work out).  We also have Jeff and Laura’s wedding to look forward to as well as the building of Greg and Monica’s new home.  I enjoyed my time in Cranberry Cove and I look forward to reading the next installment.  Berry the Evidence is a cute cozy with a meddling mother, pregnancy sleepiness, lovable fur babies, tasty cranberry treats, a stepmom problem, a murdered realtor, a candle get together, and a cozy new café.  

Berry the Evidence is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other six A Cranberry Cove Mysteries here.  You can follow Peg Cochran on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  I appreciate you stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart which comes out Tuesday, September 27.  I am off to see if I can find some space to store more Halloween inflatables (I cannot help myself).  I also have begun obtaining the ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I have an 11' tall archway in red and white with nutcrackers for Christmas.  I have not decided what I will have through the arch (maybe Santa in his sleigh).  I really wish my yard was bigger.  My ideas are bigger than the space I have available.  I am hoping that when I begin decorating and the neighbors stop by to comment (they always do) that I might convince them to decorate (I have plenty of inflatables and other items--zombie hands for example).  I hope that you have a fun day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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