In this delightful cozy mystery from the Sweet Fiction Bookshop series, the author skillfully crafts a captivating story that seamlessly accommodates readers who haven't experienced the first installment. The narrative revolves around Lexi, her lovable dog Cookie, and her endearing uncles, with the banter between her and Detective Berg adding charm to the plot. As the mystery unfolds, involving the murder of two chamber members and the accusal of Lexi's friend Dash, the protagonist takes on the challenge of proving his innocence, leading to a suspenseful yet heartwarming tale with a touch of romance.A Poisonous Page by Kitt Crowe
Series: Sweet Fiction Bookshop #2
Genres: Cozy Mystery

Kitt Crowe's second Sweet Fiction Bookshop mystery whips up an array of intriguing suspects and motives into a diabolically deft read, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Joanne Fluke.

It’s summer festival time in Confection, Oregon, and that means a barrage of tourists making cash registers ring at Sweet Fiction Bookshop. But what should be bookseller Lexi’s most lucrative time of year turns disturbing when a member of the chamber of commerce suddenly dies of a heart attack. Not entirely unexpected—considering her family history—but it’s a different story when another chamber member dies just one week later…also, presumably, of natural causes.

Something about this doesn’t read right to Lexi. And it gets more unfathomable when her friend Dash—who dated both women—stands accused of murder! With Cookie, her lovable border collie mix, at her side and countless volumes of inspiration on her shelves, Lexi opens the book on another perplexing case. Who could have murdered two prominent townspeople without leaving even a hint of evidence on the scene? And why is an irksome-but-intriguing detective always seeming to catch her and Cookie working the case?

Lexi’s Confection Rose-colored glasses come off when she learns of thorny discussions among the council members, involving a string of secretive real estate transactions. Enlisting her faithful fellow members of the Macaroon Book Club, Lexi sets out to bind the clues together and clear Dash’s name. But if she can’t devise a clever trap for the real killer, she may soon end up with a very unhappily ever after of her own.

It’s summer festival time in Confection, Oregon, and that means a barrage of tourists making cash registers ring at Sweet Fiction Bookshop. But what should be bookseller Lexi’s most lucrative time of year turns disturbing when a member of the chamber of commerce suddenly dies of a heart attack. Not entirely unexpected—considering her family history—but it’s a different story when another chamber member dies just one week later…also, presumably, of natural causes.

Something about this doesn’t read right to Lexi. And it gets more unfathomable when her friend Dash—who dated both women—stands accused of murder! With Cookie, her lovable border collie mix, at her side and countless volumes of inspiration on her shelves, Lexi opens the book on another perplexing case. Who could have murdered two prominent townspeople without leaving even a hint of evidence on the scene? And why is an irksome-but-intriguing detective always seeming to catch her and Cookie working the case?

Lexi’s Confection Rose-colored glasses come off when she learns of thorny discussions among the council members, involving a string of secretive real estate transactions. Enlisting her faithful fellow members of the Macaroon Book Club, Lexi sets out to bind the clues together and clear Dash’s name. But if she can’t devise a clever trap for the real killer, she may soon end up with a very unhappily ever after of her own.

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Review

While I hadn’t delved into the first book of the series, diving into this one didn’t leave me feeling like I missed any crucial details, and the story was easy to follow.

Crafted by an engaging author, this cozy mystery from the Sweet Fiction Bookshop series captivated me with its three-dimensional, charming characters. The dynamics between Lexi, her dog Cookie, her endearing uncles, and the banter with Detective Berg added layers to the narrative, making it thoroughly entertaining. With a well-woven plot filled with twists and red herrings, the murder mystery involving two chamber members kept me intrigued, even though I hadn’t read the preceding installment.

Lexi’s determination to clear her friend Dash, accused of the murders, added a suspenseful touch, and the cute interplay between her and the persistent policeman added a delightful element to this cozy mystery that seamlessly blended a bit of romance into the investigation.