Reviews

Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard

tayparks's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition

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3.0

Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard has Nina Fleet who owns Fleet House Bed-and-Breakfast in Cymbeline, Georgia hosting Georgia Amateur Shakespeare Players (GASP). It is the town’s seventh annual Shakespeare on Cymbeline Square which includes nightly performances of Hamlet by the amateur acting troupe. Nina does not learn until the actors arrive that their director is Harry Westcott. The group is rehearsing at the B&B while they adjust to the hot temperatures for their outdoor performances. When Len Marsh fails to return from a smoke break, Nina goes searching and finds the thespian dead in the hawthorn hedge. There were tensions between Len and several of the member of GASP. Nina with her trusty Australian shepherd sidekick, Mattie reluctantly team up with Harry to unmask the killer. Peachy Scream is the 2nd A Georgia B&B Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. Nina Fleet cannot believe her luck in obtaining the actors performing at Shakespeare on Cymbeline Square for her fledgling bed and breakfast. But then the bus arrives with Harry Westcott behind the wheel. Nina was hoping she had seen the last of the actor who believes he should be the rightful owner of her Queen Anne Victorian. You can always count on laughs when Harry is around. There is plenty of fun to be had in Peachy Scream. The death of Len Marsh has Nina donning her sleuthing cap once again. The killer does not seem happy to stop with Len because attempts are made another one of the thespians. Someone is also playing pranks that are getting everyone riled up. There is a red herring as well as a variety of clues. I wish this whodunit had been more of a challenge to solve. I did feel that the killer was rather obvious. Also, there was a repetition of key details regarding the investigation. This character driven story will delight those who enjoy easygoing, humorous cozy mysteries. Peachy Scream is a blithe tale with a hawthorn hedge, amateur actors, number nine Nina, a play within a play, the Secret Squirrel Society, madcap mayhem, and playful pranks.

emilyrose_isreading's review

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2.0

I was enjoying it but the transphobia ruined it for me. We're meant to like the protagonist, yet she constantly mis-genders a character and deadnames them after finding out they aren't cisgender. 

madsmcw_reads's review

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Inappropriate handling of a transgender character. After saying how horrible it is to do so, the FMC actively dead names the person. The conversations around the character just left me feeling uncomfortable as well.

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deanapotter's review against another edition

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4.0

Peachy Scream has the most diverse cast of characters that contribute to the every twisting plot of this tale. A very entertaining read.


Nina Fleet has started over in life with a wonderful and cozy B&B that is as charming as she is. Geared up for the Local Shakespeare festival Nina’s hands just got full as the Theater group that is performing the play will now be using her B&B for their accommodations. A wonderful windfall that she cannot refuse yet comes with a bit of baggage in the form of the troop leader Harry, the newest nemesis in her life. Then to make things worse one of the guests is found dead. Nina is not having the best of weeks. Determined to figure out who the killer is and remove the tarnishment on her business his reputation, Nina is one tough cookie with some gutsy ideas that down to the bottom of the mystery.

With as much drama as a Shakespeare play itself, Peachy Scream is a very entertaining read. This is definitely a character driven story. There are so many personalities and interesting people that draw you into the story. Just wait until you get to meet the Reverend. Author Anne Gerard has done something extremely unique with the story. In retrospect the plot is really quite simple however her talented writing will constantly keep the reader guessing as to who and why. The B & B is truly charming and I’m sure I’m not the only reader that would enjoy a visit. The setting is spot on, the story is engaging and I guarantee you’ll love the way these characters interact with one another. A wonderful cozy mystery with a wonderful helping of humor add it in.

katreader's review against another edition

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5.0

PEACHY SCREAM by Anna Gerard
The Second Georgia B&B Mystery

Cymbeline, Georgia is gearing up for its annual Shakespeare festival. While Nina Fleet is too late to become an official sponsor of the event, she's happy to host the Georgia Amateur Shakespeare Players at her B&B. That is until she discovers the director is none other than Harry Westcott, the actor who previously lay claim to her Queen Anne home. Although worried about Harry's machinations, Nina allows the group in only to find the Shakespearean troupe plagued by pranks. When their Hamlet is found dead in Nina's garden the first thought is that he died of natural causes. But did he? One thing is certain, something's rotten in the Fleet House B&B and it's up to Nina to find out what!

I'm delighted to be back at Fleet House Bed and Breakfast and even more delighted to be thrust back into the world of theatre, especially Shakespearean theatre. Shakespeare and his themes are timeless, as are motives for murder and the two are intertwined beautifully in this second Georgia B&B Mystery. In addition to loving the nod to the bard I also appreciated the way in which the book acknowledges certain modern societal issues.

The characters come to life in the pages of PEACHY SCREAM and drive the story while keeping the readers invested. The characters are vibrant and unique from the young emo thespian to the trophy wife and the pastor/county coroner/funeral director Reverend Doctor Bishop. Everybody, from the actors in the troupe to the townsfolk, have intriguing symbiotic relationships. I especially love the dynamic between Nina and Harry.

PEACHY SCREAM is a delightful mystery infused with Georgian hospitality and Shakespearean dramatics. I wish I could imbibe a peach mimosa while giving Mattie a pat as I relax under the magnolia tree ready to see what happens next!

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.

leebeeloves's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

meezcarrie's review against another edition

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4.0

“Finding a dead body in your formal garden has got to rate in the top ten Bad Things that can happen to a person. To be fair, war and plague and famine do have a lock on the first three spots.”

Once again, Anna Gerard has me caught up in a book by the first few lines. I really enjoyed Peach Clobbered, the first in this Georgia B&B Mystery series, so I was very much looking forward to Peachy Scream – I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed this new installment as well.

Nina’s first person narrative voice is delightfully conversational and a little bit snarky (which I love), and the characters she encounters at her B&B and the small town of Cymbeline are as quirky and suspicious as you might expect for a cozy mystery. Instead of nuns, in Peachy Scream, Nina’s inn is descended upon by a troupe of Shakespearean actors with none other than Harry Westcott (Nina’s part nemesis, part potential love interest) at the helm. These Hamlet players bring a new level of layers (and dry humor) to the mix, making you simultaneously entertained by their drama & feeling sorry for Nina for having to put up with them. (And can I just say that I’m typing this from Georgia. In the summer. In the hot hot hot summer. And I can’t imagine being all dressed up in Shakespearean garb to rehearse and perform a play outside. Nope. Nope. Nope. lol)

I also really love the eccentricities of Cymbeline – the author has done a great job of capturing a small southern town with its offbeat way of doing things. Particularly the ‘one stop shop’ appeal (?) of the coroner who also happens to be a pastor and the funeral home director! (LOL) The police chief is refreshingly portrayed as a competent law enforcement officer and is a great supporting character – and, for her part, Nina is more responsible (sometimes) in her sleuthing than a lot of cozy mystery heroines. And, of course, Mattie the sweet & faithful dog – gotta love her!

Bottom Line: Engaging to read & smartly written, Peachy Scream is a fabulous followup to its predecessor in the Georgia B&B mystery series by Anna Gerard. The plot, with its infusion of entertaining & intriguing characters, will more than hold your attention from beginning to end, and you’ll turn the last page already eager for the next trip to Cymbeline. While my initial guess of the culprit was ultimately right, I was never 100% sure until just before the creative reveal – and I certainly didn’t guess the WHY behind the WHO. Fun series to add to your TBR list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first appeared on Reading Is My SuperPower

jen_baroness_mom's review

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5.0

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard is a fabulous mystery, set in this quaint small town in Georgia, with these wonderfully dynamic characters.

Is Len's death an accident, or is it murder?


Nina Fleet


Nina is our sleuth, innkeeper, and now an actress. Ok, that last one is a stretch, but she gives it ago. One of the things that I like about Nina is that she sees things differently than others, which can be good or bad. Nina is also curious but keeps her ethics strong. She makes a good sleuth. Oh, and isn't her dog Mattie cute. 

Harry Westcott


Harry is an actor, and his aunt was the previous owner of Nina's house, now the Fleet House Bed and Breakfast. He once said he was going to sue Nina for the house. However, I think the two of them may also have a bit of a flirtation going on. They seem to be getting along better. Harry seems lost to me. His aunt was that one person that he felt unconditional love from, and now that she is gone, he doesn't have a home. 

I like Harry, he listens to Nina and goes along with her schemes. They make good partners. Although, with Harry, I can't tell if he is scheming. Yet, I like the attraction between the two of them.

Peachy Scream CRThe Mystery


The mystery is the death of a businessman, one of the actors staying at the B&B for the Shakespeare Festival in town. Most of the others in the troupe don't like Len, and he has a way of picking on people. Yet, Len does have money and a trophy wife. Let's say there are lots of suspects with motive. The reasoning caught me off guard; that is for sure.
Five Stars

I love a good mystery, especially those with a hint of romance. This small town in Georgia is pretty lovely; I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating for Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard is five stars. I recommend this book to all cozy readers out there.


First Book in Series


Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard

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This Guest Review is for Baroness' Book Trove. 

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

jkjoy_books's review against another edition

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4.0

Revisiting Nina Fleet’s Georgia B&B in Cymbeline was another wonderful escape for me. In addition, of course, in walks Harry with the Shakespearean cast for the annual Shakespeare Festival. Once again, Nina stumbles upon another body.

I thoroughly enjoyed Peachy Scream as much as I did Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, and I cannot wait for the next Georgia B&B Mystery.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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