Category: Challenges

A Fall to Remember (Half Moon Bay) by Ellie Alexander #Review @ellie_alexander @stormbooks_co

Posted on By Dollycas No Comments on A Fall to Remember (Half Moon Bay) by Ellie Alexander #Review @ellie_alexander @stormbooks_co


A Fall to Remember (Half Moon Bay)
Contemporary Clean Romance
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Storm Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1837006148
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1837006144
Kindle
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1837006595
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H84265WR
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If you love cozy small-town settings, swoon-worthy autumn vibes, second-chance romance, and Gilmore Girls, pour yourself a pumpkin spice latte, and curl up with A Fall to Remember.

Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation—a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that’s been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.

Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown’s beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.

As golden leaves fall and the scent of apple cider fills the air, Miranda finds that being yourself is harder than it looks—especially when she’s falling for Jim. But when she learns his job depends on this campaign’s success, she must decide: are his feelings real, or is she just part of his marketing plan?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Miranda Brown finally took some time off from the family business, The Green Grocer, to take a nice, quiet vacation. She left her son and niece in charge of the market that has been part of the patchwork of Half Moon Bay for three generations. Miranda had a great time, but her photography skills leave much to be desired or do they? When some of her awful photos are posted on the internet, they go viral! Everybody loves her, and the comments keep rolling in.

Her video also lands on a marketing specialist’s desk at a major travel company. The company wants her to cover Half Moon Bay’s Fall Harvest Festival. When she agrees, the company sends Jim Cole and Shelby Bowerson to work out the logistics and to help Miranda through the process. Jim is absolutely delightful and appears to have Miranda’s best interests in mind. Shelby is more of a taskmaster with a completely different vision for the project.

Miranda enjoys showing Jim around the town and festival while he records her, but being her authentic self isn’t easy, especially when she is falling for Jim. But his job is to create a successful campaign that will drive tourists to Half Moon Bay. Does he have real feelings for her? Or is being affable just part of his job?

When I need a break from the mysteries I usually read, romance is my go-to genre. When the romance is written by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, I am all in!

Miranda Brown has always been a single mom. Her son Pete is now an adult with his own life, friends, and future plans. They are very close, and he works at the market regularly in addition to his full-time gig. Miranda’s niece, Elise, came to live with them after college to help run the Green Grocer. The kids easily pass for twins. They are the ones who made the montage video of Miranda’s photos and uploaded them for the world to see.

That montage brings Jim Cole and Shelby Bowerson to Half Moon Bay. Jim has been with the travel company for nearly 30 years, making him close to Miranda’s age. Pete trusts him and his pitch to help Miranda build “connection and community”. Shelby is the Senior Specialist for Partner Communications Content, and Jim’s boss. She is up for a much-needed promotion and feels the pressure to bring Miranda in as an influencer parner with the perfect campaign. I enjoyed that the story was told from multiple points of view. Seeing what everyone was thinking brought the characters to life and gave them depth.

I loved that Miranda could laugh at herself. It made her genuine and easy to identify with. I found her and Jim’s whirlwind romance heartwarming. Miranda wanted her son to be happy too. She was always on the lookout for a suitable match. Jim catches one of those moments, and it brings Pete into the limelight with the travel company. He reluctantly agreed to Shelby’s plan, but as we learn, the best-laid plans usually go awry.

Half Moon Bay puts on a beautiful and fun fall festival. When a forklift is needed to transport pumpkins for the biggest pumpkin contest, you know the event is one not to miss. The Harvest Farm to Table Dinner under the stars sounded amazing as well. Add to that a parade, hayrides, food vendors, music, costumes, and plenty to keep the kids busy too. I would love to visit there so I can understand why the travel company was so enthused.

A Fall to Remember is a clean, comfy, cozy romance with charming characters set in an idyllic town on California’s Gold Coast. As the weather gets chilly and the leaves start to turn, make yourself a cup of hot apple cider, and curl up in your favorite chair with this story filled with warmth, romance, humor, and all the fall feels. It has started this series off to an excellent start. I am intrigued to see what Ms. Alexander has planned as the series continues. Who will we meet next in Half Moon Bay?

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From Amazon

About the Author

ELLIE ALEXANDER is a voracious storyteller, a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over thirty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie, her books, and writing courses by visiting her online:

Website      Instagram    YouTube    Facebook    TikTok    Twitter    Pinterest 

Find all of Ellie Alexander’s books HERE.

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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.

2026 Reviews, You Read How Many Books Challenge

Cozy Wednesday featuring Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (A Cider Falls Orchard Mystery) by Traci Hall #Review #Giveaway @tracihallauthor @KensingtonBooks

Posted on By Dollycas No Comments on Cozy Wednesday featuring Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (A Cider Falls Orchard Mystery) by Traci Hall #Review #Giveaway @tracihallauthor @KensingtonBooks

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!

I am delighted to share my thoughts today about Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (A Cider Falls Orchard Mystery) by Traci Hall!


Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (A Cider Falls Orchard Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Washington State
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496759176
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496759177
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496759184
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G7PRDYS7
Audiobook
ASIN B0GZ4QXCFJ
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For lovers of everything cozy and fall time, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall brings all the autumn vibes to a brand new series featuring a family of Washington State apple orchard owners who become entangled in a murder investigation…

In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard is at its busiest amid the bustling autumn season—but when murder enters the mix, one bad apple may have spoiled the whole barrel . . .

If you care for the land, the land will care for you.

For generations, that’s been the Smith family’s motto. Between hayrides, apple picking, bonfires, and tasty apple treats, their Cider Falls Orchard provides an autumn bounty that draws locals and tourists alike. And now, Mcintosh “Macki” Smith—named after an apple variety, just like her siblings—is home too, after a bad breakup.

Macki is glad to be on hand when her parents are sidelined by an accident, and she’s even been persuaded to enter the Cider Falls Festival’s prestigious baking competition with her famous double crust apple pie. But someone has taken the contest to deadly serious levels . . .

It seems there are plenty of surprising motives for murder, especially after Macki learns that a crooked developer wants to buy and demolish the orchard—which makes her parents’ accident increasingly suspicious. But serving up the real killer will put her in unexpected danger, because someone in this picture-perfect town finds murder as easy as pie . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

If you care for the land, the land will care for you.

You’ll find the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains. It’s the kind of place people go for apple picking, warm apple pies, apple butter, apple cider, hayrides, bonfires, and plenty of family fun. The Smith children are all named for apple varieties, and after spending three years in Seattle with a man she thought she loved, McIntosh “Macki” Smith has joined almost all of her siblings back home, working at the orchard. As for that guy? He turned out to be a real jerk.

Macki has an impressive baking résumé, including several first-place ribbons from the Cider Falls Festival’s baking competition. She really doesn’t want to enter this year, but her sister has other ideas. Then, just as the judging is about to begin, Macki finds one of the other contestants dead, and she quickly becomes the prime suspect.

Macki and her siblings are also reeling from their parents’ horrific kayak accident. Both are in the ICU, and their father is in a coma, so the last thing the family needs is a murder investigation. Macki was already trying to fill her mother’s shoes at the orchard and the festival, and now everyone has more than enough on their plates. Still, Macki needs to find the right recipe to put the true killer behind bars.

Welcome to Cider Falls, where the leaves are starting to show their fall colors, the air has a little bite, and the apples are ready for picking. The whole town of just 1,000 opens its shops, fields, and orchards to the many visitors who travel from far and wide for the Cider Falls Festival, including Smith’s Cider Falls Orchard. Granny Honeybee is the exuberant matriarch of the family. Her son, Harrison, manages the 300-acre property, while his wife, Darla, handles the finances and serves as the main organizer of the annual festival. The Smiths have five children. Macki is the oldest; her sisters are Jazz, a champion horsewoman who manages the orchard’s stable, and Ambrosia, a marketing guru full of positive energy. Her brothers are Cortland, who works with his father at the orchard and makes the family’s hard cider, and Crispin, the youngest, who lives in Los Angeles and works as a screenwriter with no desire to do anything with apples. I truly appreciated that Ms. Hall took the time to introduce these characters and their connections in the community. With all that happens in this book, it is important to see how genuine they are and to get invested in their lives.

Readers are also introduced to many members of the community, including Hunter, who owns the Cosmic Café. Macki also reconnects with Logan Foster, whom she met in Seattle, after her parents’ accident. He is now working as a private investigator, and he offers to help Macki and her family any way he can. The supporting cast evolves nicely throughout the story.

There are two mysteries to solve within these pages. Was the kayak accident really an accident, or was the kayak tampered with? Could it be connected to the festival contestant’s death? Macki searches everywhere for answers while Logan reaches out to the company that made the tandem kayak. Harrison and Darla were no novices; they were training for a huge event. Pie baker Penny Ackerson had her share of issues, but who could have wanted her dead? I really enjoyed how Ms. Hall twisted the mysteries together while showing how hard the Smith family worked to keep the orchard running while their parents recovered. A key piece of evidence sends the kayak investigation in a surprising direction and opens up a whole can of worms. The murder mystery takes a crazy turn, too. I had such a good time following along with each twist and turn.

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival gets this series off to a grand start. It has a loving family, a charming small town, terrific whodunits, and apples, apples, and more apples. I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

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About the Author

Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty books across an array of genres, from cozy mysteries to contemporary seaside romances, YA, and nonfiction. She is also the co-author of the Salem B&B Mystery series as Traci Wilton. A member of Mystery Writers of America, RWA and former President of the Florida Romance Writers Association, Hall co-runs CommunityAuthors.com and provides editing services for many accomplished novelists. She lives in South Florida and can be found online at TraciHall.com, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Find all of Traci’s books HERE. 
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Thanks to the publisher, I have 1 PAPERBACK copy to give away!

The contest is open to individuals 18 years of age or older.
with a US or Canadian mailing address.

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter, but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Subscribe to Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book via Email for 3 Bonus Entries. See box at the top of the right sidebar or in the footer at the bottom of the page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Kensington Books on Threads for 2 Bonus Entries!

Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!

 Follow Traci Hall on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, etc., you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The Contest Will End on September 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.

2026 Reviews, Cozy Wednesday, Craving For Cozies, Cruisin Thru Cozies, Giveaways, You Read How Many Books Challenge

Eight Enchanting Elixirs (Kitchen Witch Mysteries) by Lynn Cahoon #Review #Giveaway @LynnCahoon @KensingtonBooks

Posted on By Dollycas No Comments on Eight Enchanting Elixirs (Kitchen Witch Mysteries) by Lynn Cahoon #Review #Giveaway @LynnCahoon @KensingtonBooks


Eight Enchanting Elixirs (Kitchen Witch Mysteries)
Paranormal Culinary Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Idaho
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496752856
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752857
Kindle
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752864
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G23CGZZQ
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Mia the kitchen witch has her hands full dealing with her grandmother’s undead ex, her boyfriend’s (Maltese) hellhound training, and investigating the death of a coven rep in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s irresistibly witchy cozy mystery for fans of Auralee Wallace, Eva Gates, Bailey Cates, and Esme Addison.

Mia’s grandmother is feeling stress about an ex who’s returned . . . from the dead. Mia’s boyfriend is confined to his home for six weeks in a desperate attempt to get his fluffy Maltese pup, Cerby, trained as a hellhound. And Mia herself is being hassled by the coven, which is suddenly questioning the validity of her witch credentials!

Suspected of cheating on her exam, Mia is pressured to retake it. When she not only passes but moves up two levels, national coven rep Suzanne Parker is furious. Parker, a relative of a witch hanged in Salem, threatens Mia with a witch’s worst nightmare. When she’s found dead the very next day, the coven suspects the kitchen witch’s potions contained an extra, very lethal ingredient.

With all this toil and trouble, Mia has no choice but to prove that she’s a good witch—in every sense of the word . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

How long does it take to train a hellhound? Apparently, 6 weeks, and since Trent’s Maltese pup, Cerby, didn’t complete his training at camp, Trent and Cerby are now confined to his home with a trainer until the hound finishes his training.

While Trent is busy, Mia is doing some training of her own, as some of the witches think she cheated on her previous exam. Her exam is quickly scheduled with little time to study, but our girl Mia aces the test and moves up a surprising two levels. This has national coven rep/test examiner and relative of a witch hanged in Salem, Suzanne Parker, positively livid.

After the woman threatens Mia, she is found dead. The coven suspects something lethal was added to a kitchen witch’s potion as the cause of death, landing Mia in the hot seat. Bubble, bubble, Mia has to assure everyone she didn’t concoct any toil and trouble leading to Susan Parker’s demise, but she intends to find out who did.

I love this series. Ms. Cahoon has created delightful characters. Each book is like catching up with some very crafty friends. In Eight Enchanting Elixirs, Grans’ undead ex-boyfriend Dorian/Damien returns, determined to win back her heart. Christine and Levi are reconsidering their big move in light of a new development. New hire Finley Shiley (Finn) is splitting her time working at the Lodge and Mia’s Morsels. She is fitting in well with everyone and receives some surprising news within these pages. Trent and Levi’s mom, Abigail, has Mia’s Morsels running like a well-oiled machine, and Mia wishing she could spend more time there. Kitchen familiar Gloria has moved beyond her giggles to songs and even conversations.

It turns out Susan Parker has lived many lives. She is a 300-year-old witch with an ax to grind when it comes to Mia. She had also made quite a few other enemies. Police Chief Mark Baldwin has to investigate the death, and Mia usually tips him off if an incident is witch-related, but this time she isn’t 100% sure. There have been several magical happenings as the murderer does their best to keep Mia off-kilter, almost killing her. That’s why she has a certain baby dragon watching over her. The library ghosts make some contributions toward solving the murder, as does Cleo, who works for the coven. Mia gives her all to pull all the clues together to uncover the killer.

So much happens in this story. Lynn Cahoon’s imagination continues to astound me. There were interesting revelations and several exciting events before the story is complete.

Eight Enchanting Elixirs is my favorite book in this series, but sadly this book leaves all the characters in a happy place that makes me feel like it is the final book in the series. I do have hope in that; the previous books in the series are getting new covers and are being released as trade paperbacks, with the phase-out of mass-market paperback formats.  I would love to visit Magic Springs many more times, but if this is the end, the happily-ever-afters were an enchanting ending. Magic, mystery, romance, and humor- the whole Kitchen Witch Mystery Series is entertaining and fun. I recommend starting at the beginning for maximum enjoyment.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

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About the Author

Lynn Cahoon is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of cozy mysteries including the Kitchen Witch Mysteries, the Cat Latimer Mystery series, the Tourist Trap Mysteries, the Farm-to-Fork series, the Survivors’ Book Club Mystery series, and The Bainbridge Island Mysteries. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers and her books have sold more than a million copies. Originally from Idaho, she grew up living the small-town life she now loves to feature in her novels. She now lives with her husband and two fur babies in a small historic town in Eastern Tennessee.

Author Links
Goodreads –X–Facebook –Website –Amazon Author Page

Find all of Lynn Cahoon’s Books HERE.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.

book giveaway graphic

Thanks to the publisher, I have
1 Mass Market Paperback copy to give away!

The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter, but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Kensington Books on Threads for 2 Bonus Entries!

Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!

 Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, etc., you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The  Contest Will End on September 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

 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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.

2026 Reviews, Craving For Cozies, Cruisin Thru Cozies, Finish The Series Challenge, Giveaways, Literary Escapes, You Read How Many Books Challenge

#FlashbackFriday – Organize Your Corpses (A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery) by Mary Jane Maffini #Review #AmazonGiftCardGiveaway @maryjane.maffini

Posted on By Dollycas No Comments on #FlashbackFriday – Organize Your Corpses (A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery) by Mary Jane Maffini #Review #AmazonGiftCardGiveaway @maryjane.maffini


Welcome to Flashback Friday!
According to GoodReads, I read this book back in 2011,
but didn’t post a review.
I think that was an error, because I didn’t remember
anything about this book.
Beyond the Page reissued this series in 2021,
and that is the only copy I have. 🙂


Organize Your Corpses
(A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher ‏ : Beyond the Page
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 18, 2021
Print length ‏ : ‎ 233 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1954717237
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1954717237
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1954717220
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09418HBNV
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Professional organizer Charlotte Adams finds herself caught up in a very messy murder . . .

After freeing herself from a cheating fiancé and the other useless clutter in her life, Charlotte Adams moves back to her hometown in Upstate New York to make a fresh start as a professional organizer. But she’s about to learn that foul play can creep into even the most well-ordered life.

Eager to get her new career started, Charlotte agrees to take on a job from the former high school teacher who filled all her students’ lives with chaos and confusion. But no sooner does Charlotte begin digging through years of accumulated junk than she finds her first client dead—and herself named as the main suspect.

While any number of the victim’s former students had a motive for murder, Charlotte knows that death is rarely that tidy, and she can’t help meddling in the investigation to prove herself innocent and repair her sullied reputation. But the killer has a to-do list of their own, and the first item is to clean up a little mess named Charlotte Adams . . .

Organizing Tips Included!

Dollycas’s Thoughts 

Charlotte Adams needs a new start. She’s getting rid of the clutter in her life, including her cheating fiancé. She has moved back to her hometown and is ready to offer her organizing tips to the public. Her first client is a former high school teacher who made her students’ lives miserable. Hopefully, now that Charlotte is an adult, they will be able to get along because the woman has an enormous project for Charlotte to handle.

Before Charlotte can even begin to tackle the job, she finds her client buried under the clutter and her the police’s number one suspect. She knows she can build a long list of potential suspects: the woman’s years of tormented students, all with more motive to kill. She just needs to organize that list and determine who did in Miss Helen “Hellfire” Henley before they can wipe her out.

Ms. Maffini introduces a very interesting protagonist in Charlotte Adams. She is relatable and clever, with a keen mind tuned to organization and not afraid to take on monumental tasks like investigating a murder. Her friend, Sally, has her hands full with her three “darlings”. Her husband, Benjamin, wishes there was more organization to the chaos in his home. So, maybe Charlotte can help him out, and Sally can help her investigate. Her landlord, Jack, is also willing to help follow clues, run interference, or whatever Charlotte needs, when he is not trying to get Charlotte to adopt another dog. Speaking of dogs, Charlotte already has two lovable mini-dachshunds; the black one is Truffle, and the red one is Sweet Marie. Former best friend, now Detective Sergeant Pepper O’Day Monahan, seems to have it out for Charlotte and has no problem hauling Charlotte in for questioning. For the first book in this series, the characters were very fleshed out while leaving plenty of room for growth.

The mystery was complex and well-plotted with great twists and turns, and a very surprising one at the end. The killer was a planner and took their time for pieces to fall into place. They also had no problem with adding to the body count. I enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style. She brings each person and setting to life without being overly wordy. The clues were shrewdly placed, as were the comedic moments. I had a delightful time following along for each one.

Organize Your Corpses sets this series off to a fun and entertaining start with engaging characters and a well-written whodunit. I enjoy how Ms. Maffini tells a story with depth, suspense, and humor. I may be late to the party on this series, but I have added book 2, The Cluttered Corpse, to my wish list. I hope I can squeeze it into my reading schedule soon.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Beyond the Page and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

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About The Author

Mary Jane Maffini is the award-winning Canadian author of three mystery series: crochety lawyer Camilla MacPhee sleuths around Ottawa. Failed romance writer, Fiona Silk hides out in West Quebec, and professional organizer Charlotte Adams sorts out people and crimes in upstate New York. Bad things happen. And sometimes funny things happen. It’s a mystery.

The six Charlotte Adams professional organizer mysteries have recently been optioned for television. Book five, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Murder, won the RT award for amateur sleuth in 2012. The recently released sixth Charlotte book, Death Plans a Perfect Trip, unfolds in Europe, and the trip gives us a glimpse of the dangerous sides of Paris, Lisbon, and Cinque Terre. The first five in the series were recently reissued with great new covers by Beyond the Page.

As Victoria Abbott, MJ co-writes the book collector series with her daughter, Victoria Maffini.

MJ lives in the tranquil village of Manotick, Ontario, with her long-suffering husband and two princessy dachshunds. Along with brave little Lily, she is a school volunteer in the Ottawa Therapy Dogs R.E.A.D. program.

Find out more about Mary Jane Maffini and her books on her website HERE. 

 

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I am giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter, but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Subscribe to Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book via Email for 3 Bonus Entries. See box at the top of the right sidebar or in the footer at the bottom of the page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, etc., you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The Contest Will End on September 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.

2026 Reviews, Alphabet Soup - A - Z Reading Challenge, Craving For Cozies, Cruisin Thru Cozies, Flashback Friday, Giveaways, Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, TBR Pile Challenge, What An Animal Reading Challenge, You Read How Many Books Challenge
Crying in the Chapel: A Swinging Sixties Mystery by Teresa TrentBuy Now - Click Here!
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