Sunday, April 3, 2016

Book Review: Crime and Poetry - Plus a Giveaway





Kerry Hammond is here to tell us about a new series by author Amanda Flower. Don't forget to comment at the end to win a pencil bag signed by Amanda (US residents only.)


Crime and Poetry is the first book in the new Magical Bookshop Mystery series by Amanda Flower, author of the popular Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. I have been enjoying the Quilt Shop series since it started and when I heard that the author was starting a new series that takes place in a Bookshop, and includes a little bit of magic, I wanted to give it a try. I was not disappointed.

In Crime and Poetry, Violet rushes back to her hometown, one she hasn’t set foot in for twelve years, after a troubling phone call with her Grandmother. During the phone call in question, Grandma Daisy was coughing and begging her to come, basically at death’s door. When she arrives, Violet is thrilled and infuriated to find out that Grandma Daisy is the picture of health and the call was a hoax to get her back to town. A town that Violet left after she was blamed for the death of her closest high school friend. She’s never gotten over the anger at the accusation, the sadness of her loss, and the guilt she has felt for not being there when her friend died. The betrayal of her so called friends stung so much that she never wanted to return.

After her Grandma’s stunt, she’s all ready to go back to her life in Chicago, when Daisy’s boyfriend is found strangled…with one of Daisy’s scarves. Violet ends up staying in town to defend her Grandmother, running into her old acquaintances, including the boyfriend who turn against her, and meeting the new sexy police chief. The book takes place in the fictional town of Cascade Springs, New York, located just outside of Niagara Falls. As the name implies, the town contains a natural spring that is coveted by the locals as well as the business that wants to claim all rights to it. Flower weaves the controversy this creates into her story as Violet searches for the killer.

Flower is a skilled writer and reading her books is like listening to a friend tell you a story. Her characters are engaging and the reader becomes easily invested in the outcomes of their lives. The town was portrayed as the quintessential small tourist town, with shops and carriage rides. Be prepared, you will be upset that it doesn’t exist and you won’t be able to spend your next vacation at one of its Bed & Breakfasts.


Win the Make-up bag pictured above, signed by author Amanda Flower. Just comment on the blogpost to be entered.


This book was provided to Mystery Playground by the publisher. The review is fair and independent.

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14 comments:

  1. Just love cozy mysteries and especially the first one in the series. ptclayton2@aol.com

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  2. What a great premise for a new series. And great giveaway. Thanks!

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  3. Sounds like a fun new series! Can't wait to read it!! njcar22@aol.com

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  4. This definitely goes on the TBR pile!

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  5. Can't wait to read this book. I have it preordered from Amazon and it will be here Tuesday. Can't wait!

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  6. Amanda Flower is a great author. Whether she is writing about an bookmobile or a haunted bookshop, you will love each and every page in the book. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  7. Can't wait to read this! cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  8. Thanks for this captivating and fascinating mystery feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. A new cozy mystery series which I would enjoy. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this one and a few others I am missing too! I LOVE these books!!!

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  11. I have enjoyed Flower's other series, she is such a great writer. Can't wait to read the new one.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. The book sounds great. My favorite B&B was a former jail. I did not spend the night in a cell, but a lovely room. Bobbipad at gmail dot com

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  13. Looking forward to starting this new series. Jlvamk at gmail dot com

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  14. Thank you for the intro to this new series. Cozy mysteries are my favorite sub-genres. Always enjoy your newsletter & thanks for a chance to win!

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