On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Beating the Wrap (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Cozy Queen Publishing LLC (November 15, 2021)
Paperback : 208 pages
ISBN-10 : 1954878117
ISBN-13 : 978-1954878112
Kindle ASIN : B09782VVYN
Bonnie Balfour adores the changing seasons, fabulous fall activities and holiday hoopla, but will a corpse on the porch squash her holiday plans?
Thanksgiving is right around the corner in historic Bliss, Georgia, and Bonnie is trimming display tables at Bless Her Heart, especially for the occasion. A Gift of Gratitude display, beside the front door of her second chance dress shop, encourages shoppers to leave messages of good tidings for neighbors and friends. Unfortunately, someone has left a cornucopia of complaints instead.
And they’re all about Bonnie!
When the scrooge turns out to be a neighbor, fed up with Clyde’s habitual petty theft and trespassing, Bonnie’s claws come out in defense of her kitty. The heated exchange leaves a bad taste in Bonnie’s mouth, but the man turns up dead before she can dish out a proper apology.
Determined to see justice served, Bonnie and Clyde dig into the case with gusto, only to land in hot water with the handsome Sheriff Wright. A series of anonymous attacks soon have the town wondering if Bonnie can find the killer before it’s time to cut the turkey. Or if she’ll be the next one on his carving board.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Bonnie Balfour and her kitty Clyde are back and Clyde has been getting into a bit of mischief. Bonnie had no clue until she found a batch of complaints in her A Gift of Gratitude box. The idea was to encourage people to ” leave messages of good tidings for neighbors and friends”. Instead, her neighbor across the way used the opportunity to spout off about Bonnie. After a little public argument, Bonnie does try to make things right but unfortunately, someone killed the man before she can make amends. Thankfully that fine-looking Sheriff Wright knows Bonnie had nothing to do with the murder even though the evidence points her way. But, he doesn’t like her nosing into his investigation especially after it is clear she is on the killer’s radar. As Thanksgiving quickly approaches will the good people of Bliss be thankful the killer is behind bars? Or will they be mourning the death of the owner of Bless Her Heart?
Another stellar cozy from Julie Anne Lindsey!
Ms. Lindsey has created a wonderful cast of core characters. Bonnie is crafty and creative, she’s also very smart and becoming quite the amateur sleuth. She has a great assistant at Bless Your Heart in Lexi. The girl is wise beyond her years and a good friend and helper to Bonnie. Then you have Gigi, Bonnie’s grandmother. Most people Gigi’s age would be slowing down but this woman is opening a new bake shop right next to Bonnie’s store. She is strong in health and opinions and not afraid to take anyone on. Bonnie’s parents Bud and Blossom own a flower farm and are just as sweet as can be. They are always around to lend a hand. Sheriff Mason Wright aka HANS (Handsome New Sheriff) may just be Bonnie’s, Mr. Right. And I can’t forget Clyde, Bonnie’s black cat who wears bow ties to match his owner’s attire and is as cute as can be but sometimes he is very naughty. All these characters are genuine and dynamic and continue to develop nicely.
The mystery was very well-plotted and written with all the real-life subplots entangled perfectly. Ms. Lindsey threw in some great twists, a red herring or two, and just the right amount of humor and romance. She sets a brisk pace which makes it virtually impossible to put the book down.
I really value the author’s descriptive writing style. I could easily visualize everywhere Bonnie traveled. I felt like I walked right into Bless Your Heart and pulled up a chair to take in all the store has to offer. I could look out the window and see all the happenings Bonnie’s friend Cami has organized on the square. I even caught a ride out to the victim’s place and took in what his neighbor had going on and to Bonnie’s new home and the Sheriff’s unique place too. Yes, her words allowed me to escape right into this book.
Beating the Wrap
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than forty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks, and Crooked Lane Books.
When Julie’s not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, she can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life. And probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Learn more about Julie at julieannelindsey.com
Author Links
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Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N –
Also by Julie Anne Lindsey
Written Julie Chase
Find more by Julie Anne Lindsey here.
Julie also writes as Bree Baker
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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.”
