About the Book
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Fall is the most beautiful time of the year…
Until it turns deadly.
Blue Valley, Tennessee—a cozy town nestled snugly into the Great Smoky Mountains—buzzes with excitement every October with the return of colorful autumn leaves, chilly air, and the wave of tourists who arrive for the annual Fall Festival.
This year, Alice Maguire, owner of The Paper Owl bookshop on Main Street, is planning the festival with a little help from her best friends, Franny and Owen. All three live in tiny apartments above their shops.
The trio of friends share a charming rooftop garden, where they meet in the mornings for coffee from Franny’s coffee shop, and sweets from Owen’s bakery. When a new yoga studio, Bliss, opens up across the street, Alice reluctantly agrees to take a class to promote relaxation in her life, and it actually works, much to her relief.
A fire breaks out in town, resulting in a tragic death, and Alice’s brother, Blue Valley PD Officer Ben Maguire, and newcomer, Detective Luke Evans—who has an irritating way of making Alice blush—lead the investigation. When it is determined that the death was no accident, Alice, Franny, and Owen get pulled smack dab into investigating the case.
Will they solve it before you do?
Find out in this fun and fast-paced Cozy Mystery!
My Review
The small town of Blue Valley, Tennessee is getting ready for their annual Fall Festival and Alice Maguire is in charge. Alice owns the local bookshop on Main Street. This year she is asked to organize the festival. She recruits her two best friends, fellow Main Street shop owners, to lend a helping hand. They have their work cut out for them.
Then, tragedy strikes. One of the Main Street shops is on fire, and it results in a death. When the police declare this is murder, Alice is the main suspect. Alice, along with her friends Franny and Owen, investigate. They are determined to prove her innocence.
This is the first book in the Rooftop Garden Cozy Mystery series and it’s off to a delightful start. I immediately fell in love with the setting. It’s a quaint tourist type town with small shops on Main Street. Each shop has a rooftop garden. It’s the perfect place for a cup of tea, a good book and a cozy mystery.
The cast of characters are all written well, very lively and vibrant. Sometimes first books are stiff as we are introduced to the cast, but not this one. I thought the author did very well in bringing the characters to life.
The storyline is fast-paced and keeps you guessing. I kept changing my mind as to who I thought was the culprit. There are several different possibilities, and I had my suspicions about all of them. There’s even a little romance thrown into the mix.
It’s a short read and a great way to spend an afternoon. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series.
Craving for the Cozies Reading Challenge 2024
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2024 (Tennessee)
Disclosure: This one is from my own e-book collection. I received it as a freebie. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteLooks fun and I love the setting!
ReplyDelete