Wreath Between the Lines (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
by Daryl Wood Gerber
About the Book
Wreath Between the Lines (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – California
Beyond the Page (November 8, 2018)
Print Length: 221 pages
ASIN: B07GC4FJK4
The Agatha Award–winning author of Pressing the Issue returns to the Cookbook Nook, where Jenna Hart is busy decking the halls and ducking a killer . . .
The holidays are Jenna Hart’s favorite time of year, but just as she’s decorating the Cookbook Nook for all the festive events, her imperious older sister makes a surprise visit, anxious that her husband’s been more naughty than nice. To make matters worse, her father’s good friend Jake shows up on her doorstep with a frantic report that his friend has been murdered—trussed with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree star.
Worried that Jake was the intended victim, Jenna makes a list of suspects and checks it twice. Swapping her Santa’s hat for a sleuthing cap, she gets busy investigating Jake’s long-lost sister, his Grinch of a neighbor, and a stamp collector who covets Jake’s most treasured piece. When Jake himself is poisoned and nearly dies, Jenna knows she’ll have to do whatever it takes to corner the culprit before it’s lights out for Jake . . .
Includes tantalizing holiday recipes!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s almost Christmas in Crystal Cove and Jenna is excited about all the upcoming festivities until her father’s friend Jake arrives at her door with tragic news. He arrived home to find his friend Geoffrey tangled up in Christmas lights and stabbed with a tree star. He asks for Jenna’s help with the police, he is certain that his crotchety neighbor is the killer but Jenna is not so sure that is the case. She thinks the killer made a mistake and that Jake was the intended victim. When Jake is poisoned at a holiday event she knows she is right. Luckily he survives but before the killer has another chance she is determined to catch them as fast as she can so everyone in Crystal Cove can enjoy the Ho-Ho-Holidays.
Again the well-developed characters shine within this story. The drama between Jenna’s sister Whitney and her husband is having a big effect on their daughter and Jenna tries her best to lend her support and smooth ruffled feathers but her main focus is solving the murder. The supporting cast plays a huge part in enabling her to do both. The dialogue is crisp and relationships stand out. We are getting to the point where a cast of characters list at the beginning of the book may be necessary as the cast grows, especially for new readers to keep everyone straight.
The author serves up a wide variety of suspects. As Jenna investigates we get to know several in depth. The clues are spread out for us to see but as the title says it is “between the lines” where things start to become clear. I enjoyed how officer Cinnamon tried to keep Jenna out of the investigation but even while on vacation her father was able to convince Cimmamon that just wasn’t going to happen.
The merchants of Crystal Cove are all decked out for the holidays. A wreath contest finds a unique wreath on every door. The events, the lights, all the decorations put this reader in a very merry holiday mood.
One of the things I really like about this series is the book title name dropping, sometimes with great descriptions of the books. Real cookbooks with great recipes and colorful photos. Cozies fitting the theme of the story, this time Christmas. It is a good idea to have a place to jot down these titles so you can check them out later and add them to your wish list. There are also recipes in the book to tempt you, so again a place to write them down is helpful.
A wonderful holiday read! Make yourself comfortable, with a cup of hot chocolate or cider, sit back, put on your sleuthing cap, and enjoy this fun holiday trip to Crystal Cove.
More Praise for Wreath Between the Lines (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
by Daryl Wood Gerber
I love Daryl Wood Gerber’s books and the Cookbook Nook series has become one of my favorites . . . The cover is beautiful, I really enjoy the cookbook shop setting, and Christmas themed cozies are always a hit with me.
~The Book’s the Thing
Wreath Between The Lines was a charming holiday mystery with a quirky cast of characters that will keep you coming back for more.
~Moonlight Rendezvous
Ms. Gerber weaves in a tight tale of estranged family, squabbling spouses, cranky neighbors, a cookie contest, and an A cappella competition to keep the reader engrossed and turning pages.
~Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
I always like the way that the author makes you feel at home within the quaint little town of Crystal Cove with all the fun characters.
~A. Holland Reads
Wonderful characters populate this charming town and the creative shops . . . Family plays a strong role in this holiday-themed cozy.
~Laura’s Interests
This is my first chance to read this series and this one was delightful. All the holiday cheer in the midst of the mystery of who did in Jake’s friend is a fun and fast read.
~My Reading Journeys
Wreath Between the Lines combines charming characters, a cozy town, Christmas festivities, romance and murder into one jolly cozy mystery.
~The Avid Reader
All in all, an exceptionally well-done mystery and story.
~Valerie’s Musings
About the Author
DARYL WOOD GERBER
Author Links
Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
Daryl’s Blog – Avery’s Blog – Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – Killer Characters
Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber
Goodreads: Daryl Wood Gerber Avery Aames
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Purchase Link – Amazon
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I like holiday themed stories.
Thank you for your review on “Wreath Between the Lines” by Daryl Wood Gerber. Love this author’s books and can’t wait for the opportunity to read this one.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Love all her series!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com