Monday, January 8, 2024

Review: Shade Grown (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #8) by Heather Day Gilbert

About the Book
Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

During Lewisburg's popular summer home and garden tour, Macy and her brother Bo discover new aspects of their hometown's history. One of the last homes they visit features a lush commemorative shade garden marking where a Civil War soldier's bones were buried. As Macy pauses to admire a bed of blue hostas, she glimpses a shadowy shape lying beneath the dinner-plate leaves. It turns out to be the body of famed movie star Cody Franklin, who'd purchased the garden house as a quiet country retreat.

Back at the cafe, Macy speaks with Cody's distraught sister, who lets slip that she's afraid her brother's killer will target her next. Macy's heart goes out to the bereaved sibling, and she agrees to speak with Cody's local acquaintances in hopes she'll uncover some helpful backstory.

But someone powerful is lurking behind the scenes, and Macy has to zoom in on the killer before everything fades to black.

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.


MY THOUGHTS

I was so excited to visit the Barks & Beans Café again. This is my favorite cozy mystery series, and this latest installment did not disappoint.
 
The mystery was really good and kept me guessing until the shocking reveal. My jaw was on the floor; I was so surprised! I never would’ve guessed the guilty party, but it made perfect sense.

I can never get enough of spending time with these characters and their adorable dogs. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, pick up a copy of this series. You’ll love it!

Fave Quote: “I’d received an extra helping of social awkwardness in my genetic code." (Yep, that’s totally how I feel, lol! Macy is so relatable!)

FIVE STARS

2 comments:

  1. That quote is hilarious! No wonder you like this series and these characters so much. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so relatable, but still so funny! It's a great series! :)

      Delete