A Hint of Mischief (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber
About A Hint of Mischief:
A Hint of Mischief (A Fairy Garden Mystery)
3rd in Series
Setting - California
Kensington Cozies (June 28, 2022)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 1496736044
ISBN-13: 978-1496736048
Digital ASIN: B09HRDQZH5
The proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Courtney Kelly has an occasional side gig as a sleuth—with a sprinkling of magical assistance. . . .
Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.
Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .
My Review:
A Hint of Mischief is the third book in Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mystery series. Featuring fairies, cats, and a wonderful cast of characters, A Hint of Mischief is another slam dunk cozy mystery.
Courtney Kelly's fairy garden shop is booming. Between walk-in private lessons, group lessons, and individual sales, Open Your Imagination has become a popular destination for both believers and non-believers. Courtney even hosts fairy garden parties. When she's sought out by the town socialite to put together a fairy garden birthday party for a friend's 40th, Courtney jumps at the chance - even if she only has 10 days to pull it all together. Courtney also discovers Farrah Lawson, a popular actress, will be in attendance.
During a scheduled spa day with the host, birthday girl, and actress, Courtney witnesses a situation between Farrah and her beautician. Unhappy with her service, Farrah causes an uncomfortable, public disturbance. When Farrah is found dead shortly after the spa day, the police automatically suspect the beautician but Courtney and Fiona know better. Something fishy is going on and they mean to figure it out before an innocent girl takes the fall.This is a very unique story with unique elements. I enjoyed the fairy garden shop setting, complete with a live fairy. The characters are fun and exciting. I enjoyed Courtney's character. Her business is successful and thriving. She cares about her friends and citizens in Carmel-by-the-Sea and makes it her mission to help the accused in A Hint of Mischief. The author delivers several suspects with means and motive, and figuring out who committed the crime was difficult. There are twists and turns and red herrings, and while I may have suspected, I never was really sure.
My Rating:
About Daryl Wood Gerber:
Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane and hitch-hike around Ireland alone. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com
Author Links:
Sapphyria, I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks for the lovely review.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I love this series :)
DeleteIf I'm lucky enough to win it would be book #2. I own the first and have the newest on pre-order. I should be getting it very soom. Daryl is one of my favorite authors.
ReplyDelete