Caroling into Murder: snow, Christmas and murder!

Caroling into Murder by Jamie Rutland Gillespie is the fourth book in the Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series. The Christmas season has arrived in the quaint mountain town. Decorated with snow and all the festive trimmings, Landry Burke is excited to join in all the small town activities. One night, while caroling, Landry and her friends discover Paul Harcourt, badly injured. As he is rushed to the hospital, they are left wondering what happened and who would be responsible? When news breaks that Mr Harcourt did not survive, the town faces another murder investigation as they try to come on with the festive season. There isn’t a shortage of suspects as the past of the quiet, loner Paul Harcourt comes to light and new, unfamiliar faces appear in town. Will the identity of the killer be discovered before another victim is taken? 

The Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series is filled with mysteries of twists and turns, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the end. It is also filled with a small town of quirky characters that seem to get into humorous and unfortunate situations that will leave readers smiling and laughing out loud. I enjoyed Landry’s confrontation with a tenant who seemed to believe the rules don't apply to her. I cheered as Landry held her ground and refused to be intimidated. I even enjoyed the surprise arrival at Landry’s door as the story closed. I guess I need to read book 5 to discover his or her motives. Overall, I enjoyed this story and seeing Landry and her friends as they enjoyed the holiday season. I recommend Caroling into Murder and the previous three books of the series. 

Caroling into Murder is available in paperback and eBook

Witching for Murder: how can one Halloween party turn into a murder mystery?

Witching for Murder by Jamie Rutland Gillespie is the third book in the Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series. Fall has come to the mountains and the town of Bobwhite Mountain is ready for the Halloween season. A surprising weekend camping is filled with mishaps that Claire, Landry’s mom, Landry and her friends, wish they had stayed home. As the Halloween costume parties start, Mayor Cartwright and his wife, Barb, kick off the season with their party. It’s a great time until a body is found and evidence points to Annie, Landry’s best friend and new resident. Despite the evidence, Landry does not believe Annie could kill anyone and is determined to clear Annie’s name and find the real killer. Who could it be? 

Witching for Murder was so much fun to read. From the disastrous camping trip to a night of fun turning into a murder investigation, this story was intriguing with its quirky characters and outlandish events. In standard fashion, the first suspect is rarely the real killer; however, when Landry discovers the real killer, it was a gasp-inducing moment. It was a person that wasn’t on my radar at all. There is the added mystery as to why Claire is in Bobwhite Mountain in the first place. Landry definitely has her hands full in Witching for Murder. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and it keeps getting better. I look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend Witching for Murder. 

Witching for Murder is available in paperback and eBook

Falling for Murder: another adventure in Bobwhite Mountain!

Falling for Murder by Jamie Rutland Gillespie is the second book in the Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series. It’s early fall in Bobwhite Mountain, Tennessee and Landry Burke loves being a part of the little town. She has thrived with her inherited businesses and made great new friends. Her relationship with Adam grows into something more and she gets a surprise visit from an old friend. But soon, the peaceful atmosphere of the town is shattered when a local woman goes missing and later found dead. As the investigation gets under way, two more local girls go missing and everyone fears the worst. Can the murderer be found? Will the two missing girls be found before it’s too late? 

Falling for Murder is a fun follow-up to Inheriting Murder. My one complaint is the Ms. Millie character. While I understand she is supposed to be outspoken and outlandish, she was irritating as the story progressed. I commend Landry for her devotion to her friendship with Ms Millie as a way to honor her aunt. I was glad to see that Ms Millie has a piece of humble pie during the course of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the mystery and its resolution. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I even loved the inclusion of Landry’s recipes and will try a few. I recommend Falling for Murder. 

Falling for Murder is available in paperback and eBook

Inheriting Murder: a cozy mystery of murder and art theft, oh my!

Inheriting Murder is the first book in the Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series by Jamie Rutland Gillespie. When her Aunt Tildie passes away, Landry Burke inherits her entire estate including a five story apartment building, the Magnolia Place, and a bookstore, Jasmine Bloom Books in the town of Bobwhite Mountain, Tennessee. On her first day in town, she and Adam Wilcox, her aunt’s attorney, discover the body of one of Magnolia Place’s doormen. Trying to adjust to her new home and now with a murder investigation to deal with doesn’t help her panic attacks and anxiety. Sheriff Wyatt Collins is on the case. Landry just can’t seem to leave the investigation to the sheriff. When the investigation leads to the discovery of art theft, Landry can’t help but wonder if the two crimes are connected? 

Inheriting Murder is the debut novel by Ms. Gillespie and I look forward to many more. With all the quirkiness of small town characters, Inheriting Murder had me laughing and smiling at the situations that Landry finds herself in. One particular incident had me shaking my head and thinking “Only you, Landry!” and I just met the character! Trouble just seems to follow her to the point that Ms Millie, Aunt Tildie’s best friend, is wary of Landry. The story isn’t short on suspects, even for a small town, that I thought would behind the murder and the art theft. The reveal at the killer was great and surprising. Overall, I enjoyed Inheriting Murder and look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Inheriting Murder. 

Inheriting Murder is available in paperback and eBook