A Wasp in the Woods - Geri Krotow (Tule Pub - Sept 2023)

Series: Shop 'Round the World (Book 3)
 
Retired Navy Pilot Angel Warren's sleuthing days are behind her. At least, that's what she tells herself after finding two dead bodies during her first year back in Stonebridge, Pennsylvania. Murders make customers wary and Angel's sales are suffering. With her daughters back in college and the cases behind her, Angel focuses on attracting more customers into her novelty shop.
 
Hoping to boost local tourism, Angel researches how to create a walking history tour. During a dry run for her inaugural walk, her brother's Pomeranian leads her through the woods and to her third body, the apparent victim of multiple stings from a nearby wasp nest. Angel recognizes the deceased as her sister's cherished employee who was days away from being married.
 
The scene doesn't sit right with Angel's best friend, Detective Trinity Colson, however, who suspects foul play. When the autopsy reveals a different cause of death, Angel dives into her most dangerous case yet. Soon Angel, along with her eclectic crew featuring two dogs and a feisty parrot, are once again on the hunt for a murderer. But is Angel also being hunted?
 
This was another fantastic visit to Stonebridge, Pennsylvania, and the intriguing shop owned by Angel Warren. Not only am I fascinated by the merchandise Angel carries in her shop, but I am equally fascinated by her propensity to attract trouble in the form of dead bodies. It's only been two months since the last murder she solved, and her sales are still suffering. To help bring business into the shop, Angel plans a local walking history tour with a spooky element for the upcoming Halloween season. Her most recent recruit is fellow veteran Mariah, who will join the tour as the Headless Horseman, with a trial run scheduled for that night. The last thing she expects is to find Mariah's wasp-stung body as they reach her assigned spot.
 
This time, Angel has the full approval of the Stonebridge Police Department behind her, thanks to her friend and detective Trinity encouraging her to become a consultant. Something about Mariah's death doesn't sit right with either woman, and it isn't long before the evidence points to murder. As in the previous books, I was immediately engrossed in attempting to figure out the killer. Angel has a knack for getting people to talk, and sorting through people's theories was challenging. I liked seeing her thought processes, especially as she came closer to the truth. I loved how the final puzzle piece was revealed, and the confrontation kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
I also enjoyed seeing more of Angel's relationship with Nate, the coffee shop owner. His more laid-back personality complements her intensity and keeps her on an even keel when events spiral. It is easy to see their love, from cozy dinners to morning coffee dates.
 
Angel's family plays a big part in the book. The murdered woman is her sister Crystal's employee, and her brother Bryce's dog is the one who led Angel to Mariah's body. I love the closeness of the three siblings, especially since Angel's return to Stonebridge from her time in the Navy. It's a realistic portrayal of sibling relationships, too, as there are times when each gets on another's nerves. However, they also have each other's backs in a crisis, and that support is evident here.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes - Karen Rose Smith (Kensington - Dec 2017)

Series: Daisy's Tea Garden (Book 1)
 
In an old Victorian in the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish country, Daisy Swanson and her aunt Iris serve soups, scones, and soothing teas to tourists and locals—but a murder in their garden has them in hot water.
 
Daisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling protective, so when Iris started dating the wealthy and not-quite-divorced Harvey Fitz, she worried—especially after his bitter ex stormed in and caused a scene at the party Daisy's Tea Garden was catering. Then there was the gossip she overheard about Harvey's grown children being cut out of his will. Daisy didn't want her aunt to wind up with a broken heart—but she never expected Iris to wind up a suspect in Harvey's murder.
 
Now the apple bread and orange pekoe is on the back burner while the cops treat the shop like a crime scene—and Daisy hopes that Jonas Groft, a former detective from Philadelphia, can help her clear her aunt's name and bag the real killer before things boil over...
 
Terrific start to the series. After her husband died, Daisy and her two daughters moved home to Willow Creek, a community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Amish country. She and her Aunt Iris started Daisy's Tea Garden, a tea shop that serves soups, scones, and tea to locals and tourists. Things are going well for Daisy: the shop is thriving, and her daughters Violet and Jazzi are settled, with Violet recently off to college. She's a little worried about Iris, who is dating wealthy and not-quite-divorced men's shop owner Harvey Fitz. Then Harvey is found murdered in the tea shop's garden, and Iris is at the top of Detective Rappaport's suspect list.
 
I enjoyed seeing Daisy get involved in attempting to clear Iris's name. Her work is cut out for her, as the detective indicates that he believes Iris is the killer. She has plenty of suspects to choose from, whether it's Harvey's soon-to-be-ex, his possibly disinherited children, or one of several business rivals. The mystery was well done, as it kept me guessing who did it until the end. The final confrontation was intense, with Iris and Daisy surprised by the killer. The takedown was fantastic - I loved how Iris and Daisy kept their wits about them and saved themselves with a little bit of outside help.
 
I enjoyed the variety of characters. Daisy's family love each other but have their own personalities. Iris and Daisy's mother, Rose, are sisters who don't always get along. Rose can be a bit judgmental, which puts her at odds sometimes with others. Iris is sweet and well-liked by the guests at the tea shop but shows a feisty side when she gets riled up. I liked Daisy's daughters, Violet and Jazzi. Violet is away at college though we see some of her at the end. Jazzi is involved in a secondary storyline as she expresses her desire to find her birth mother. I liked how Daisy handled this issue.
 
Outside the family, we meet the tea garden employees, other business owners, and two intriguing men. I enjoyed the various employees who have unique personalities and stories of their own. I enjoyed Tessa, one of Daisy's friends and baking assistant. Tessa is also an artist, and I liked the scene of her gallery show and getting to know that side of her. Her new employee, Foster, is an interesting young man. I loved how easily he fit in and seeing his ideas for the tea shop.
 
There is a hint of romance running through the book. Cade, one of Daisy's high school classmates, appears to be interested in her. He's a nice guy, though he tends to be cautious. His warnings against investigating irritate Daisy though it doesn't stop her from going out with him. Jonas is new to Willow Creek. A former police detective, now a furniture maker and store owner, is often on the spot when Daisy runs into trouble. He is sweet and attentive, and I loved how he helped Daisy, Iris, and Jazzi. Daisy is a little surprised by the feelings he sparks in her. I look forward to future books and seeing what happens with both men.
 
The descriptions of the tea shop, the teas, and the food made me feel like I was there. As a tea drinker myself, I would love to pop in at Daisy's and enjoy a cuppa and a lemon tea cake or cinnamon scone. 

A Mid-Summer Murder - Geri Krotow (Tule - May 2023)

Series: Shop 'Round the World (Book 2)
 
This small Pennsylvania town once again becomes a hotbed of secrets.
 
Only Angel Warren, a retired Navy Pilot and owner of Shop 'Round the World, can turn a summer day at the river into a murder investigation. But when her brother Bryce's unicorn float snags on a corpse's hand, suddenly Angel and Bryce are suspects. It doesn't help that Angel knows the victim and was one of the last people to see Hank Price alive, or that Angel witnessed a disturbing argument between Hank and his wife. Plus, she and Bryce may have heard the shot that killed Hank.
 
Once more, Angel inserts herself into the middle of the investigation, this time with her best friend Detective Trinity Colson's tacit approval. Who could have wanted Hank dead? Angel soon discovers Hank had a secret life that included sketchy business dealings and a gambling addiction.
 
The question isn't how Angel will juggle her sleuthing alongside managing her gift store during the height of tourist season, family drama, and a burgeoning romance. It's how will Angel solve the crime without stumbling into the killer's sight
 
Terrific second installment in the author's Shop 'Round the World series. This one picks up a few months after A Santa Stabbing. Summer has come to Stonebridge, and the tourist traffic has the cash register at the shop ringing. Angel also has some steady local customers like Verity Price. As the book opens, Verity is in the shop with her husband, Hank, checking on an order she placed. Angel is disturbed by the argument she witnesses between the couple but is distracted by the arrival of her boyfriend, Nate.
 
Later that day, Angel is set to spend quality time with her brother Bryce, tubing on the local river, Jacob's Run. I laughed at the unicorn float Bryce brought along for the cooler and munchies they took. The author's description of the setting was so vivid I could practically feel the cool breeze coming off the water. The trip is quite relaxing until the unicorn float gets caught on something in the water - an Angel discovers her second dead body since moving back to Stonebridge. What's worse, the body belongs to Hank Price, the man she'd seen just a few hours earlier.
 
Angel's connection to the deceased, her natural curiosity, and her earlier experience propelled her to want to know the truth behind this death. Fortunately, this time she has the willing permission of her best friend, Trinity, the town's lead detective, to involve herself in the investigation. The only catch is that she must keep Trinity informed each step of the way. I loved following Angel's progress as she put her intuition and logical mind to work. The investigation has some intriguing twists, including surprises about the chiropractic business and Hank's leisure activities. But when Angel stumbles over a vital clue, it puts her in the killer's sights. The final confrontation was a nail-biter but ended successfully. I liked the around-the-kitchen-table wrap-up that filled in all the blank spots.
 
Angel's family plays a more prominent role in this book. Her daughters are home from college for the summer and are involved in Angel's shop. Their love and concern for Angel are evident in their pleas for her to be careful. I liked the bits of their history as a Navy family that came out during the book, especially the benefits of their worldwide travel. There is also some concern about Angel's mother when she is the victim of a mysterious shooting. Is it related to Hank's murder or the archeological investigation into an ancient weir she is involved in?
 
Angel's BFF, Trinity, gets some extra page time, also. A visiting professor involved in the weir investigation makes quite the impression on her, which appears to be mutual. It will be interesting to see if that develops further in the next book.
 
Meanwhile, Angel's relationship with Nate is perking right along. Seeing the little things he does to brighten her day is very sweet. I had to laugh at the dinner he shared with Angel and her daughters, as he is not used to their teasing ways. He handled it well, and it is evident that both girls liked him. I enjoyed the last scene in the book, where Angel takes Nate flying. 

A Santa Stabbing - Geri Krotow (Tule - Nov 2022)

Series: Shop 'Round the World (Book 1)
 
She didn't realize she'd traded "Naval Aviator" for "amateur sleuth"…
 
Retired Navy pilot Angel Warren’s new life awaits in Stonebridge, Pennsylvania, where she’s opening Shop ‘Round the World, her travel-inspired gift and novelty shop. A newly empty nester and longtime widow, she’s looking forward to leaving her flying career and its many life-or-death decisions behind and reconnecting with family and friends. Right now, Angel’s biggest challenge is getting the shop ready for its grand opening just weeks before Christmas.
 
Until she finds a dead body in the shop murdered with one of her specialty Santa figurines. Even worse, Angel’s fingerprints are on the “weapon” and she’s a prime suspect. It doesn’t help that the deceased is an old friend who’s collected a long list of enemies as a cut-throat real estate agent. And then there’s the Stonebridge Chief of Police—and Angel’s high school BFF—who brings her in for questioning.
 
Terrific start to the new series. I am a huge fan of the author's romantic suspense books, and this book continues the trend. The main character was believable, the small-town setting was fun, and the townspeople were distinctive and quirky.
 
Angel returned to her hometown after a long career as a Navy pilot. Her twin daughters are off to college, and she is beginning her new life by opening a unique shop inspired by her travels. Her grand opening is two weeks away, and she's immersed in getting the shop ready. All of that comes to a screeching halt when she discovers the murdered body of an old friend in her shop. The murder weapon is one of her Russian Santas, and her fingerprints are on it, making her a prime suspect. After being questioned and quickly cleared by Detective Trinity Colson, her childhood BFF, Angel is determined to help identify the killer.
 
Angel has been away from Stonebridge for a long time, and as she catches up on the local gossip, she gets ideas about who might know something about what happened. Trinity isn't happy about Angel's plans but knows she can't stop her, so she lays some ground rules. I liked that Angel isn't trying to go around or interfere with the official investigation; just trying to help. The victim had many people with reasons to dislike her, so the suspect list was long. Angel's methods are believable, and we learn about different residents as she talks to them. I loved following Angel and her thought processes as she pursued the clues and exposed motives. The possibilities kept me guessing until the very end when an intense confrontation brought everything together.
 
A hint of romance running through the book adds a little complication to Angel's life. A longtime widow, she didn't expect the feelings stirred up when she met Nate, the owner of the local coffee shop. I enjoyed their encounters and seeing her embrace this new step. Nate impressed me with his care and support of Angel at the end. There also seems to be a bit of mystery to his past. Hopefully, their relationship will be further developed in the next book.
 
I loved the secondary characters in the book. Angel is close with her family, and I enjoyed getting to know her sister, Crystal, and her brother, Bryce. It was sweet to see her reconnect with her BFF Trinity. Their interactions over the murder and Angel's actions are significant. My favorite character is Angel's pet parrot, Ralph. He is a trip with his commentary and plays an important role in the resolution of the mystery.