Publishers Weekly
05/16/2022
In Crowe’s sprightly follow-up to 2021’s Digging Up Trouble, bookshop manager Lexi Jones of tourist town Confection, Ore., is suspicious of the sudden death of real estate agent and chamber of commerce chair Marilyn Freeman. Though imperious Det. Chad Berg is more inclined to regard it as the result of a sudden heart attack, Lexi wonders if it might relate to shady property deals in the area. When Marilyn’s rival, Rachel Nevis, also turns up dead, Lexi is convinced that the two cases are connected and is impelled to investigate when Dash Hagen, the brother of a friend of hers and a former lover of Marilyn and Rachel, becomes the police’s prime suspect in Rachel’s killing. Members of the Macaroons book club are more than willing to assist Lexi, despite Berg’s hostility toward amateurs meddling in official investigations. Winning characters, slapstick interactions between Lexi and Berg, and an offbeat climax will keep readers riveted. Both fans and new readers will look forward to the inquisitive Lexi’s next appearance. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (July)
From the Publisher
Praise for A Poisonous Page:
“A satisfying follow-up to Crowe’s engaging debut . . . [with] perfect cozy ingredients.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Winning characters . . . Will keep readers riveted.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Kitt Crowe is a master of the cozy mystery genre.”
—Midwest Book Review
Praise for Digging Up Trouble:
“A likable heroine [and] a dog who’s the real star of the story.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Kitt Crowe has concocted a sweet confection of a mystery with lively characters and a spunky heroine. Throw in an irresistible dog named Cookie, a town with street names like Lemon Loop Way, plenty of clever clues and red herrings, and you have a cozy mystery that is sure to delight.”
—Peg Cochran, USA Today bestselling author of the Open Book mysteries
“Digging Up Trouble digs straight to the heart of what makes cozy mysteries so fun. Lexi is a smart, independent woman, who has no trouble navigating her friends, enemies, and a certain intriguing detective who may or may not have her number. A very good read. Recommended!”
—Alex Erickson, author of the Bookstore Café and the Furever Pets mysteries
“A spirited sleuth, a precocious pup, and a bevy of friends keep this charming cozy rollicking to the last page.”
—Allison Brook, author of the Haunted Library Mystery series
“I have a new favorite detective team – Lexi Jones and her K9 Cookie! You’re going to love them and your delicious trip to Sweet Fiction Bookstore in Confection, Oregon. This is a wonderful cozy, in every way.”
—Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries
Kirkus Reviews
2022-04-27
A satisfying follow-up to Crowe’s engaging debut, Digging Up Trouble (2021).
Lexi Jones’ mystery-loving book club got her out of trouble when she was suspected of murdering her neighbor. Now her friends and her very smart dog, Cookie, have to rescue her bestie Teri’s brother, flirtatious tavern owner Dash Hagen, once again putting Lexi in conflict with drop-dead-gorgeous police detective Chad Berg. In Confection, Oregon, where Lexi manages her parents’ bookstore, sweet treats and festivals entice a constant stream of tourists. When Marilyn Freeman, a stunning real estate agent with a roving eye, dies of an apparent heart attack, there seems nothing for the sleuthing Macaroon book club members to investigate. But things change once Rachel Nevis, who worked for Marilyn, is found dead in Dash’s backyard. Dash is arrested, and Lexi and the Macaroons must prove his innocence. Marilyn and Rachel were enemies, and rumors have it there was something hinky about some of Marilyn’s dealings. Rachel’s death leads the police to take a second look at Marilyn’s body, and they find enough ketamine to trigger a heart attack. The Macaroons are perfectly placed to hear all the town gossip, and Marilyn, who cherished a well-honed indifference to whether the men she slept with were married, left behind a plethora of angry wives and girlfriends. Though Berg doesn’t want Lexi sleuthing, he has to admit that she comes up with some good clues. Sparks fly when their mutual attraction is muddled by murder.
A complex mystery, a clever dog, and a fraught romance make perfect cozy ingredients.
