Now and Then: an innocent man behind bars? Graystone Investigations is on the case

Now and Then is the thirteenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Taylor traded her badge, and alongside her husband Sam, launched Graystone Investigations. A private detective agency fueled by grit, intuition and the pursuit of justice. Their latest case is a chance to overturn a decade old conviction when new evidence puts further doubt on the case. A man spent ten years in prison for a brutal crime, a crime he insists he did not commit. The only person who stands by his side, his wife. Taylor and Sam begin to dig into the case and discover missing evidence, unfollowed leads and truths buried. At the same time, Anna has finally found purpose in her nursing career. When a chance encounter with a new patient puts her face to face with her ex-husband, Anna finds herself falsely accused of a crime and begins the uphill battle to clear her name. 

The Hart’s Ridge series has grown to a wonderful story of family and resilience with suspense and the journey to justice. Now and Then is a story that starts slowly like a fire you didn’t know was there until it burns into a raging inferno. A man convicted by a shortsighted investigation, a wife who never gave up hope and Taylor and Sam fueled by a drive to find the truth seemingly lost in time. Anna’s story was equally engaging as I wanted to wring her ex-husband’s neck. The story does end with a cliffhanger, a heart stopping cliffhanger that I am eager to see resolved in the next book, coming soon. I loved this story as I could not put it down. If you have not read the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend it. If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, you will love Now and Then. 

Now and Then is available in paperback and eBook

Gear, Grills and Guns: another normal adventure in Normal, Kentucky

Gear, Grills and Guns is the thirteen book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. Mae West is the newest appointed member on the National Park Committee and she is taking the job seriously. She feels the need to prove she deserves to be there. She walks the new trails and she brings a big car show to Normal to fill in the slower fall month. But when Wendell Holliday, a car show participant, is found dead and a fire at a campground has Mae and the ladies of the Laundry Club back at work. The suspect list seems to be short. Is someone trying to cover up one crime with another? 

Gear, Grills and Guns was a fast read. While the suspect list was short and there was an obvious suspect number 1. However, after having read many mysteries before, I had a nagging feeling there was something more and, of course, there was! While I have been enjoying this series, this book seemed to be out of character for the series. The car show, the murder and the fire seemed to be more of a background story as Mae is dealing more with her past trauma. But I loved how tender Hank was with Mae as she dealt with the overwhelming emotions. Overall, I enjoyed Gear, Grills and Guns and I look forward to the rest of this series. 

Gear, Grills and Guns is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wishful Witness: the cozy mystery to end The Wishing Tree series

Wishful Witness by Tonya Kappes is the thirteenth and final book in The Wishing Tree series. Cheryl Paisley is the owner of The Stitchin’ Post yarn shop where she teaches knitting classes and has become grand central for the gossip of Linden Falls. The members of the Linden Falls Knitters keep everyone aware of all the comings and goings in their quaint little town. With the old King Building reopening as an artesian center, many welcomed the idea, at first. Then the local businesses began to feel the pinch and sales began to fall. Protests began. When Zeke Turner, one very vocal resident, turns up dead, there is no shortage of suspects. As the Knitters' gossip leads to real clues, they begin to work together to catch the killer. Can Cheryl and the ladies of the Knitters discover his or her identity before it’s too late? 

While it is sad to see the end of the wonderful Wishing Tree series, Wishful Witness is a wonderful, cozy mystery to say goodbye. Cheryl does not truly believe in the magic of the wishing tree. But on a whim, she ties one to the tree. When the wish seems to be coming true, a murder shocks the town. Suspicions travel with the speed of juicy gossip as Cheryl finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. The mystery has plenty of twists, turns and surprises that add to the wonderful quirkiness of the town. I did not see the reveal of the murderer coming and it was total shock as the clues are lined up. I loved the gossipy ladies of the Knitters. I laughed when one lady said “But you didn’t hear it from me.” I recommend Wishful Witness and the entire Wishing Tree series. 

Wishful Witness is available in eBook