agonychristie27's review against another edition
5.0
such a fun, cozy mystery series! Leslie Budewitz is a favorite casual read!
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
This was terrific! I read the first in the series ages ago, but hadn’t kept up with it. That didn’t keep me from following or enjoying this 5th book in the series.
Characters I’d want as friends. A setting I would love to visit. And a twisty mystery that kept me guessing until about the same time the main character was putting the final pieces together. I really enjoyed this.
Looking forward to catching up on this series.
This was terrific! I read the first in the series ages ago, but hadn’t kept up with it. That didn’t keep me from following or enjoying this 5th book in the series.
Characters I’d want as friends. A setting I would love to visit. And a twisty mystery that kept me guessing until about the same time the main character was putting the final pieces together. I really enjoyed this.
Looking forward to catching up on this series.
morticia32's review against another edition
4.0
Book 5 in the series.
I absolutely adore this series. The small Montana town setting is fun, the characters are realistic, as are their relationships. So it's no surprise that not every family is happy at Christmas.
There was A LOT going on in this book, from the town's Christmas decorating and celebrations to planning for Erin and Adam's upcoming wedding. Add in home renovations and solving a murder and it's amazing anyone has any time to relax at the holidays, haha.
This book was a fast read that never lost my attention. I am thankful that Ms. Budewitz found a new home for this series with Midnight Ink and look forward to more.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
I absolutely adore this series. The small Montana town setting is fun, the characters are realistic, as are their relationships. So it's no surprise that not every family is happy at Christmas.
There was A LOT going on in this book, from the town's Christmas decorating and celebrations to planning for Erin and Adam's upcoming wedding. Add in home renovations and solving a murder and it's amazing anyone has any time to relax at the holidays, haha.
This book was a fast read that never lost my attention. I am thankful that Ms. Budewitz found a new home for this series with Midnight Ink and look forward to more.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
mystereity_reviews's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed the Holiday theme read so much, I added an extra Christmas book. I’ve never read this series before, so I can safely say this can be read as an entry into the series or as a standalone…but I can also safely say I’ll be going back and reading the other books.
This was a great Christmas-y read; family, friends, and community being the most important themes in this book. I really felt for Merrily, especially after the whole horrifying story came out, just tragic and really, pretty senseless. The setting in Montana really helped capture the Christmas feeling, so well in fact that my feet got cold reading about all the feet crunching in the deep snow. And the Decorating Day, that sounds like so much fun! I’d love to spend an afternoon browsing the stores and heading to get a pain au chocolate at the french patisserie. Capping off the book was a sweet wedding where MC Erin marries her boyfriend Adam, complete with hijinks from the groom’s brothers.
A wonderful read and thouroughly enjoyable, this was a perfect Christmas time read and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
This latest book in the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series would make a foodie out of anyone!
The main character, Erin Murphy, has piled way too much on her cookie plate. It's almost time for Christmas, she's getting married, and she's sticking her nose into the murder business yet again!
With so many suspects and so little time, Erin has a tough time ferreting out the culprit. As with the previous books in the series, the author keeps you guessing until the very end with engaging characters and a vibrant and detailed setting! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
The main character, Erin Murphy, has piled way too much on her cookie plate. It's almost time for Christmas, she's getting married, and she's sticking her nose into the murder business yet again!
With so many suspects and so little time, Erin has a tough time ferreting out the culprit. As with the previous books in the series, the author keeps you guessing until the very end with engaging characters and a vibrant and detailed setting! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
cgonya1's review
5.0
I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily’s turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.
When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily—until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer—and keep herself in one piece—in time for a special Christmas Eve? (Goodreads synopsis)
I have not read anything by Leslie Budewitz, which after reading this one is a travesty. I will be adding her to my list of authors.
This was a fun, entertaining, and festive story to read. I want to go to Montana so badly, especially in the winter, and I felt the holiday cheer as well as the grief. I felt the author described a winter Montana, and its drawbacks, in a way that people would remember to be prepared when visiting. While Jewel Bay is the author’s creation, she has stated that it is based off of a real village in NW Montana as well as other locations, provinces in Canada. Another location on my travel to-go list.
The characters were realistic, personable, and exactly what I figure a small-town community would be like. Throughout the story, I empathized with Merrily, and how she must have felt being shunned by her family. The scene of her mother yelling at her in public caused even my cheeks to heat up in embarrassment. I felt for Erin, when she refused to give up on finding out what exactly happened to Merrily for her daughter’s sake. I also felt for Detective Bello, being a new guy in a new village. It’s hard especially when where you have been before is so different from where you are now.
The mystery was well thought out, and provided several twists and turns. I had several suspicions, and suspected multiple people, but it wasn’t until closer to the end that things started solidifying. I followed along with Erin the whole way.
What the synopsis doesn’t mention is how Erin is solving the mystery while also planning her wedding which is only a few weeks away. While we get some details leading up to the wedding day, I would have liked a little more detail to Erin and Adam’s wedding itself. But I thought the interaction with Adam’s family was adorable.
I also was refreshingly happy that there was absolutely no love triangle, or crushes of any kind, that might make Erin question her upcoming marriage. And while Bello starts off as if he will be against Erin, it turns out that he will not outright dismiss her either. I understand his reluctance, because it is the same feeling I have about many amateur detectives. However, Erin has shown (in this novel at least) that she is smart and will not take unnecessary risks to herself.
As always I love the addition of recipes at the book of any book. I have already copied a few of them to try this holiday season. For anyone wanting a mystery but still stay in the festive mood, I would strongly recommend this novel.
Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. I will have to start back at the beginning with this series, and maybe check out her other ones as well.
In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily’s turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.
When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily—until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer—and keep herself in one piece—in time for a special Christmas Eve? (Goodreads synopsis)
I have not read anything by Leslie Budewitz, which after reading this one is a travesty. I will be adding her to my list of authors.
This was a fun, entertaining, and festive story to read. I want to go to Montana so badly, especially in the winter, and I felt the holiday cheer as well as the grief. I felt the author described a winter Montana, and its drawbacks, in a way that people would remember to be prepared when visiting. While Jewel Bay is the author’s creation, she has stated that it is based off of a real village in NW Montana as well as other locations, provinces in Canada. Another location on my travel to-go list.
The characters were realistic, personable, and exactly what I figure a small-town community would be like. Throughout the story, I empathized with Merrily, and how she must have felt being shunned by her family. The scene of her mother yelling at her in public caused even my cheeks to heat up in embarrassment. I felt for Erin, when she refused to give up on finding out what exactly happened to Merrily for her daughter’s sake. I also felt for Detective Bello, being a new guy in a new village. It’s hard especially when where you have been before is so different from where you are now.
The mystery was well thought out, and provided several twists and turns. I had several suspicions, and suspected multiple people, but it wasn’t until closer to the end that things started solidifying. I followed along with Erin the whole way.
What the synopsis doesn’t mention is how Erin is solving the mystery while also planning her wedding which is only a few weeks away. While we get some details leading up to the wedding day, I would have liked a little more detail to Erin and Adam’s wedding itself. But I thought the interaction with Adam’s family was adorable.
I also was refreshingly happy that there was absolutely no love triangle, or crushes of any kind, that might make Erin question her upcoming marriage. And while Bello starts off as if he will be against Erin, it turns out that he will not outright dismiss her either. I understand his reluctance, because it is the same feeling I have about many amateur detectives. However, Erin has shown (in this novel at least) that she is smart and will not take unnecessary risks to herself.
As always I love the addition of recipes at the book of any book. I have already copied a few of them to try this holiday season. For anyone wanting a mystery but still stay in the festive mood, I would strongly recommend this novel.
Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. I will have to start back at the beginning with this series, and maybe check out her other ones as well.
valerielong's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this latest installment in the Food Lovers' Village mysteries. It's always fun to return to Jewel Bay and visit the characters there and this book was no exception!
It's Christmas and this year is extra special because Erin and Adam are getting married on Christmas Eve!
Our victim, Merrily, seemed like a sweet girl. It's too bad she and Erin won't be able to be friends. But alas, someone has to be the victim.
The plot was great and kept me guessing. I wondered about the villain, but I was never sure until it was revealed!
I do wish there'd been a little more about the wedding, but all in all it was another fun adventure in Jewel Bay!
It's Christmas and this year is extra special because Erin and Adam are getting married on Christmas Eve!
Our victim, Merrily, seemed like a sweet girl. It's too bad she and Erin won't be able to be friends. But alas, someone has to be the victim.
The plot was great and kept me guessing. I wondered about the villain, but I was never sure until it was revealed!
I do wish there'd been a little more about the wedding, but all in all it was another fun adventure in Jewel Bay!
debrajoreads's review
4.0
This is the first book of the series that I have read as well as my first book read of Leslie Budewitz. I can say that I will definitely read the previous books in the series.
I read this as part of my Christmas in July Read A Thon. I am always concerned about picking up a book in an ongoing series; however, it read fine as a stand alone. Just like with any series, I feel like I would have had more of a connection with the characters had I started from the beginning. However, the author does a great job of character development.
I found this was on the darker side of a mystery for a cozy, which I love. Although the main mystery of the book was the murder, there were several secrets and other questionable incidents that kept you on your toes. I definitely jumped from suspect to suspect and only guessed the killer a few chapters before the reveal.
Erin runs her family business, the Merc, a boutique market filled with local delicacies in the quaint town of Jewel bay. If the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the town decorating aren't enough to keep her busy, she is preparing for her Christmas wedding too. Did I mention the murder? Yes, murder. So with everything on her plate, Erin is bound and determined to help the local police solve this horrible crime. By doing so, she uncovers some deep rooted secrets the residents of the small town have kept buried for a long time, secrets that some may be willing to kill for.
Will Erin make it through this trying time unscathed? Will everything be solved in time for her wedding? Read the book and find out.....
I received an advanced reader copy of the book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I read this as part of my Christmas in July Read A Thon. I am always concerned about picking up a book in an ongoing series; however, it read fine as a stand alone. Just like with any series, I feel like I would have had more of a connection with the characters had I started from the beginning. However, the author does a great job of character development.
I found this was on the darker side of a mystery for a cozy, which I love. Although the main mystery of the book was the murder, there were several secrets and other questionable incidents that kept you on your toes. I definitely jumped from suspect to suspect and only guessed the killer a few chapters before the reveal.
Erin runs her family business, the Merc, a boutique market filled with local delicacies in the quaint town of Jewel bay. If the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the town decorating aren't enough to keep her busy, she is preparing for her Christmas wedding too. Did I mention the murder? Yes, murder. So with everything on her plate, Erin is bound and determined to help the local police solve this horrible crime. By doing so, she uncovers some deep rooted secrets the residents of the small town have kept buried for a long time, secrets that some may be willing to kill for.
Will Erin make it through this trying time unscathed? Will everything be solved in time for her wedding? Read the book and find out.....
I received an advanced reader copy of the book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
3.0
Erin is getting married on Christmas Eve. Crazy thinking for someone involved in the world of retail! But, as with most cozy series, the main character spends little to no time actually doing their real job. In Erin's defense, she has a wonderfully well trained staff and does put in time not only running the Mercantile but also being involved in many community groups to help draw business to the area merchants. Despite it being the holidays, when a newly returned Merrily is killed, Erin can't leave it alone. Though the killer and reasoning seem obvious, Erin doesn't trust the new suave detective and begins her own investigation. By the time the killer is uncovered, things get a bit more farfetched than I felt reasonably believable. I guess the big question is: does Erin get to the church on time?
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review.