Murder on Devil's Pond by Ayla Rose

Murder on Devil's Pond

Book Summary

A quaint Vermont inn offers idyllic peace–until a body is found  on the property–in this charming series debut, perfect for fans of Ellen Byron and Ellery Adams.

When thirty-three-year-old Hannah Solace returns to her hometown to renovate and reopen the inn she co-owns with her sister Reggie, her mission is to give the old Victorian hotel an entirely new life. She’s even planting pollinator gardens around the inn–native flowers and fruit trees to lure honeybees and houseguests alike. 

Hannah’s fresh start is stymied by Reggie’s continual interference, unreliable contractors, a check-the-couch-for-coins budget, and townspeople Hannah left behind fifteen years ago. Her main source of camaraderie is Ezra Grayson, an eighty-year-old recluse who lives nearby. After an unsettling conversation with a disgruntled Ezra, Hannah is horrified to discover him dead on her property later that day. 

Ezra had always had plenty of people to complain about, especially locals trying to force him out of his property for its prime real estate. As buzz around town grows after his death, Hannah finds herself on the short list of suspects. Hannah starts digging and quickly discovers that secrets lurk beneath the charming surface of the town she once again calls home.

My Thoughts

Murder on Devil’s Pond by Ayla Rose is the debut of A Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mysteries.  This story does not fit into the cozy mystery mold.  There is a small town (Jasper, Vermont) with a variety of shops and residents.  The first chapter is like an information dump as we are told about various people and what they do or the shop they own (I heard the term, “just the facts, ma’am” going through my head).  Hannah Solace discovering the dead body of Ezra Grayson happens in the second chapter.  The descriptions are too gruesome for a cozy mystery.  Some elements of the whodunit are unbelievable.  There is no way a small town can get DNA results within twenty-four hours (unless you are on an hour-long television show).  Hannah was focused on getting answers (mostly about a matter relating to the murder).  

Noah, the local police officer, would pop up at convenient times to share details with Hannah (he was Johnny on the spot).  The reveal was lacking in detail (which was odd considering all the specifics in the rest of the book).  I found the story to be filled with unfriendly characters who were not fleshed out.  Everyone seems stern or unhappy.  Even Reggie’s daughter, Peach is not a happy go lucky kid (and I do not blame Peach for not wanting to eat the food presented at mealtimes).  The best characters in the story are Turnip, Hannah’s cat, and Moose, Ezra’s dog (loved Moose).  I did not appreciate the foul language (even the preacher used it).  The bed and breakfast seemed like an afterthought.  The rooms are not cleaned on a daily basis, the sheets are not changed daily (yuck), nor are the towels restocked daily (I hope she is not expecting rave reviews online).  I did not understand how a guest could stiff Hannah on the bill (she has keycards, but she did not get their credit card when they checked in).  I know I ran a little long (okay, more than a little), but Murder on Devil’s Pond was not a pleasant reading experience for me.  

Murder on Devil's Pond is available from Amazon*. Finding You by Amy Clipston also came out this week.   Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, July 16 with Matters of the Heart by Kelly Irvin.  It is the second An Amish Calling Novel.  Amazon Prime Days are next week on July 16 and 17.  My mother's birthday is on July 16th as well.  She will be seventy-nine years old this year.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend. My bike is fixed (the back chain was broken), so I will be able to ride around the village with Dickens (I have two cats, Dickens and Bucky--they are sisters who turned fourteen this year).  Dickens loves to get out and meet people (she loves people to fuss over her).  Bucky is my shy cat and prefers to stay at home (she hides when guests come over).   Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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