Skeletons, Secrets, and Speakeasies by Fran Heap

Skeletons, Secrets, and Speakeasies

Book Summary

Some legacies are lost to time. Others are waiting to be found.

Tammy Rumbelow never imagined her fresh start in small-town Michigan would lead her into decades-old mysteries. But beneath the cozy book readings and bakery scents, Willowcroft hides the tangled roots of betrayal, buried truths, and a heist that was never meant to be uncovered.

With the help of her cat and a mismatched team of amateur sleuths—including a bookseller and genealogist, a tech-savvy teen, a sharp-eyed retiree, and a former sheriff—Tammy stumbles upon a hidden past woven through dusty tunnels, long-lost letters, and the fading whispers of women history tried to forget.

Together, they’ll piece together a mystery that spans generations—one that may rewrite everything the town thought it knew.

My Thoughts

Skeletons, Secrets, and Speakeasies by Fran Heap is the second A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery.  I have not read Murder, Mystery, & Mothers (nor the prequel Bears, Berries, & Beginnings) and I felt like I was missing vital information. I had trouble with the multiple points of view.  I found it jarring as it bounced between the group of amateur sleuths and the main character.  In addition, there was diverting internal dialogue. The characters lacked development. I especially felt that Tammy, as the main character, should have fleshed out more.  I thought it was amusing that Tammy’s cat was the most realistic and developed character.  The mystery was interesting. 

I cannot resist a whodunit that involves secret tunnels.  I enjoyed the genealogical and historical aspects.  Each member of the sleuthing group contributed to the investigation.  I wish the pacing, though, had been peppier. There was more talking than action.  There were times when I wondered if the mystery would ever get resolved.  The story has good elements, but it needed more fine tuning.  Skeletons, Secrets, and Speakeasies is a leisurely story about missing money, a network of tunnels, secret entrances, a murder board, a canny cat, an anxious teen, and a humorous radio broadcast.  

 

Skeletons, Secrets, and Speakeasies is available from Amazon.  The first A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery is Murder, Mystery, and Mothers. Bears, Berries, and Beginnings is the prequel to A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery series.  If you follow Fran Heap on Amazon, they will email you when she has a new book release.  Thank you for popping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, June 24 with Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner.  If you enjoy stories with suspense, secrets, twists, and more, then you will enjoy the engaging Echoes of Darkness.  

This is the cat house that I purchased.  It is a little bland.

I am off to put together a cat house for the outdoor cats that visit me.  I want them to have a safe space to eat and sleep.  They are scared of the new screened porch (they will not go near the cat door), so I am hoping the cat house will be a good solution. I am going to add some cute details (any ideas for a mini doormat) and color.  Take care 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.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

A Study in Chocolate by Amber Royer

A Study in Chocolate 

About the Book

Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she’s intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. However, when a murder takes place the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity’s artist friends becomes the main suspect.

When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty – and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.

Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers – and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.

Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist’s cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?

My Thoughts

A Study in Chocolate by Amber Royer was not an enjoyable story to read.  It is the fifth a Bean to Bar Mystery and I recommend reading the series in order.  There are numerous mentions to the past murders that Felicity helped solve.   My trouble with the story began with the first chapter.  I had trouble with the writing style. The story is told in the first person.  Felicity’s thoughts seemed to tumble around from subject to subject.  The descriptions are detailed (which slows down the pacing).  The mystery was interesting.  The killer seems to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes.  A Study in Scarlet is at the center of the puzzle.  The mystery was higgledly piggledy.  I wish the whodunit had been more of a challenge to solve.  The whodunit can be cracked before the murder takes place.  Felicity also has two love interests (my biggest pet peeve).  She cannot decide between her two beaus.  Felicity told the gentlemen that she will make a choice before her friend’s wedding.  It does not help that both men are going to be groomsmen. 

Felicity with help from her investor has purchased the shop next door.  This will allow customers to view how chocolates are created (the process from start to finish).  I am surprised that a small chocolate shop owner would invest money in such an endeavor.  I could see allowing customers to view the dipping of chocolates or the making of fudge at the front of the shop but not utilizing a whole shop for the purpose.   Especially with the shop being on an island where your income relies on tourists.  My favorite character was Satchmo, the retired police dog who is now a therapy dog.  I did enjoy the lushing descriptions of the chocolates (highlight of the book).  While A Study in Chocolate was not for me, I suggest you download a sample so you can judge it for yourself.  A Study in Chocolate is a molten mystery with a private party, a cat companion, pocketed chocolates, a book clue, a paramour predicament, and a scarlet solution.  

A Study in Chocolate is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other Bean to Bar Mysteries here.  You can follow Amber Royer on Amazon and receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix.  It is the debut of The Bookstore Mysteries.  I wanted to let you know how the toilet seat with rusted bolt turned out.  It helps to have a reciprocating saw in house.  Since nothing would loosen the bolt, I attached a metal blade to the reciprocating saw and went to work.  It was not easy, but I managed to cut the head off the bolt.   I now have a new toilet seat in place that has a slow close lid.  I am glad that my father taught me how to use power tools.  I hope you have a beautiful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Heart Knows the Way Home by Christy Distler

 The Heart Knows the Way Home

Book Summary

The Heart Knows the Way Home by Christy Distler has Janna Carpenter returning to Lancaster County with her daughter after having left fourteen years ago with her mother.  She pulls up in front of her new rental to find a tree has fallen onto the roof causing damage.  Until work is completed, Janna and Kayla are unable to move into their new home.  Needing time to think, Janna drives around until her car runs out of gas.  They are fortunate to be rescued by twin sisters whom Janna know quite well.  She grew up near the Martin family and spent more time at their home than her own.  Luke Martin was her friend, and his grandmother was the mother figure in her life.  The Martins offer her the use of the daadi haus until their new home is ready.  It seems like the perfect arrangement.  There are times, though, when Janna and Luke butt heads.  Janna is used to being independent while Luke, the head of the Martin family, is used to taking care of the women in the family.  As Janna and Luke renew their friendship, they begin to feel something more for each other.  Their differences, though, could keep them apart.  What does God have in store for them?

My Thoughts

The Heart Knows the Way Home by Christy Distler is a sweet Plain story.  I thought it was well-written with developed characters.  Janna Carpenter and Luke Martin are both strong characters.  I liked seeing them work through their issues and grow as individuals.  Kayla and Joah were sweeties.  I like how their friendship mirrored that of Janna and Luke as children.  I enjoyed the setting of the Martin farm.  It sounded beautiful and peaceful.  It was interesting learning about the differences between Amish and Mennonite.  I was not aware of the different levels of Mennonite (Old Order, Progressive, Wenger are the ones mentioned in the book).  There is much discussion regarding head coverings for women.  I like the scripture that was quoted and how it is the woman’s personal choice after much thought and prayer.  I like how the romance developed between Janna and Luke.  It was not something that was rushed into. There are obstacles that must be overcome before they can think about a romantic relationship. It was interesting to learn about the diseases that affect the Amish and Mennonite people.  The author incorporated the Clinic for Special Children (CSC) into the book.  This is a wonderful nonprofit medical facility in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.    I enjoyed reading this charming story.  I hope Christy Distler continues to write Plain fiction.  My favorite phrase from The Heart Knows the Way Home is, “The wings do the flying, but the heart knows the way home.”  The Heart Knows the Way Home is a special Plain tale about friends, family, and faith.

The Heart Knows the Way Home can be obtained from Amazon*.  It can be borrowed if you are a Kindle Unlimited member.  Thank you for reading my review today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on From Rome with Love by Kate Lloyd.  I hope all of you have an inspirational day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Flame Within by Liz Harris

The Flame Within by Liz Harris

Book Summary

The Flame Within by Liz Harris has Alice Linford returning to London in 1923.  She is becoming a companion to Mrs. Violet Osborne in Belsize Park, London.  Alice applied for this position because of the proximity to her estranged husband, Thomas in Kentish Town.  Alice made a misstep that lost her Thomas.  She fell in love with Thomas the moment she laid eyes on him back at Queen Mary’s Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital when he arrived severely injured.  Alice does not know if Thomas will give her another chance, but she cannot move forward with her life until she tries. 

My Thoughts

The Flame Within by Liz Harris is the 2^nd novel in The Linford Series.  The Flame Within can be read as a standalone.  We do, though, get to catch up with Robert and Lily from The Dark Horizon.  This historical tale takes us back to 1904 when Alice Forster is ten years old.  Her mother works twelve hours a day in the weaving shed while her father works at the local quarry.  Alice is determined to get away from Waterfoot, Lancashire when she grows up.  She wants a better life for herself and begins by improving the way she talks.  We follow Alice as she attends school, does chores, and spends time with her friend.  Life throws a detour in Alice’s way, but that does not stop her determination to get ahead.  Alice becomes a registered nurse and gets a position in London at Queen Mary’s Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital where she meets Thomas Linford.  Thomas’s family owns a construction company that is doing very well in the post-war economy.  Thomas lost a limb along with some fingers as well as being badly scarred.  Alice and Thomas fall in love, but their path is a bumpy one.  We also spend time with the rest of the Linford family.  I thought The Flame Within contained good writing with the story moving along at a gentle pace.  The author captured the time-period with the clothing, current events, people’s attitudes, politics, etc.   I did feel that some things were described with too much detail.  The details allow readers to imagine the scenes but makes for a slow-moving book (that had me skimming at times).  We get to see what soldiers who lost limbs went through following the war.  How it affected their mood and the prostheses available to them.  The Flame Within is a lovely historical tale that will transport you back to learn what happens with Alice and Thomas. 

The Flame Within is available from Amazon*.  The first book in The Linford Series is The Dark Horizon.  Both books are on Kindle Unlimited.  You can find Liz Harris' other novels here.  The two images I used today relate back to the book.  In the first image, a woman is making shoes (Alice's first job) and in the second image we see nurses from Queen Mary's Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital. Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I am just about done clearing out the one shed (we call it The Annex).  I have kept the trash men busy with all the junk I found inside.  Once I sweep it out, I can then fill it with items for the garage sale.  I have also been busy inside the house.  We have accumulated quite of a bit of detritus in the last twenty years.  I am doing an extensive fall cleaning as you can tell.  Tomorrow I am featuring Saddled with Murder by Eileen Brady.  It is the first book in Dr. Kate Vet Mysteries.  It is a spin-off of the Kate Turner, DVM Mysteries. I hope that you have a fruitful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.