Trouble Brewing (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
by Heather Day Gilbert
Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am excited to share my thoughts
about Trouble Brewing today!
About Trouble Brewing
Trouble Brewing (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Publisher : WoodHaven Press (October 18, 2021)
Print length : 200 pages
Digital ASIN : B0916DR5WL
Convinced that the elderly lady in her care didn’t die of natural causes, Macy’s friend Della determines to look into the broken relationships surrounding the woman. She books a Halloween-themed getaway at a local inn and talks Macy into coming along with her to spy on her prime suspect.
As they join a ghost tour of the candlelit town, Macy and Della feel their guide is a little too fanatical as he shares his spooky tales. He tells the story of the Greenbrier Ghost, a newlywed who supposedly came back from the grave to tell her family that her husband murdered her.
When a disturbing apparition makes its presence known, guests at the inn become apprehensive…and for good reason, because soon after, a young bride turns up dead. Although everything points to a copycat killer replicating the historical Greenbrier murder, Macy has her doubts. She’s discovered that the inn harbors secrets of its own, and when she pokes into one darkened corner too many, she might not stand a ghost of a chance.
Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown…with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.
The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Book 6: Cold Drip
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Macy’s friend Della has been caring for Lorraine Rossi for a few months and sadly Lorraine passed away when Della wasn’t present. Della feels there was just something off about the death. The woman’s family was around but they may have ulterior motives. Lorraine told Della about one of her valuable possessions that she had hidden away. She wanted Della to have the item instead of it going to her “greedy” children and she has put her wishes in her will too. So Della talks Macy into going to a Halloween event being held at the Greenbrier Inn owned by Lorraine’s daughter to see if they can keep an eye on members of the family and maybe even find the valuable possession left to Della.
The weekend is filled with spooky events including a ghost tour with stories about the Greenbrier Ghost and other notable ghouls. The Greenbrier Ghost appears back at the inn and frightens the guests but when a young newlywed is found dead the next morning killed in a similar fashion as the ghost Macy knows she needs to dig in the guests herself. One of them is a killer. She realizes the inn and its guests all seem to be harboring secrets but what drove one of them to kill. She hopes to find out before her haunted weekend comes to an end.
This series is so much fun. While the mystery takes place away from Barks & Beans we still get to check in with the adoptable pooches and the beaming baristas. This time Bo is taking care of Macy’s Great Dane Coal returning the favor of Macy’s taking care of his kitty Stormy when he was recently out of town.
The author creates such marvelous characters, humans, canines, and felines. They are all well developed. I enjoyed the introduction of Della. It takes a special person to care for people at the end of their lives and it was easy to see that she has a huge heart and was well-suited to be a caregiver. She is also ready to open her heart in another way and that little subplot added to the intrigue and touched my heart too.
We were also introduced to Lorraine’s family. Wow, what a group. Ms. Gilbert did an excellent job with those characters as well. Some got my hackles up early, others took a little time but all had me questioning their motives regarding the deaths that occurred. I loved all the twists and turns. The Greenbriar Inn and its grounds was a fantastic setting for this story. I had a great time tagging along with Macy even into some really spooky places.
The author does an admirable job of blending everyday activities, special events, and stellar mysteries together for a well-rounded read. In Trouble Brewing
I have become a big fan of Heather Day Gilbert. This cozy series is one I find so entertaining and I highly recommend them all. Wonderful characters, lively mysteries, and a big Great Dane that had me from the moment he entered the scene keep me coming back for more. Cold Drip
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About Heather Day Gilbert
Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginia gal can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.
Author Links – Website – Facebook Author Page – Bookbub – Goodreads
Twitter: @heatherdgilbert Instagram: @heatherdaygilbert
Purchase Link: Amazon
Also by Heather Day Gilbert
Great Escapes Praise for Trouble Brewing (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
by Heather Day Gilbert
. . . the best thing about Trouble Brewing is the mystery! There are lots of clues for us to follow through many lead to dead ends. Quite literally on occasion. I didn’t know who the culprit was until almost the very end! It’ll keep you guessing.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
I really enjoyed this book! I have not read any of the Barks and Beans series prior to this and it did not affect my read of this book. In some cases, it can be difficult to jump in mid-series, but I did not find that to be the case with this book.
~Nellie’s Book Nook
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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.”
This series sounds really good. I love dogs.
Thanks so much for the lovely review–I always enjoy reading yours! I’m so glad you enjoyed TROUBLE BREWING!
What a great series! Trouble Brewing is an interesting book for Halloween and I look forward to reading it.
I’ve never read any books by this author, yet.