[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
When Charlotte inherits her great-uncle’s farm, the timing couldn’t be better. While she’s sad her great-uncle is gone, she was in the exact right place in life to leave Chicago and move to California. Her best friends, Diane and her brother Beau, have time to join her on her first trip back to the farm since childhood.
Sadly, the farm is looking run down. The bank says they are barely breaking even. And Charlotte has to wonder if it is even worth her time – and money – to try and make a go of life as a produce farmer. She might be better off selling the place. Although the thought of that about breaks her heart. It also doesn’t endear her to the employees who have kept the place running.
Coming to the farm has introduced Charlotte to some trouble makers in town, crass men who seem to have it out for Charlotte and the Finn Family Farm. But on the plus side, Charlotte also met the charming and bright little pig she names Horse (because he eats like one) and a sweet little ladybug she calls Mrs. Robinson who caught a ride on Charlotte’s car and seems to be sticking close to Horse.
While the animal discoveries have been delightful, the other discovery on the farm – the dead body – could ruin Charlotte’s chances of doing anything with the farm, including selling it. But maybe if she can help the police figure out who the man was, and who might have wanted to kill him, she might be able to see a future for herself with the family farm.
Review
What a fun series launch!
This cozy mystery has all the right ingredients:
- A fun setting – A produce farm (strawberries and tomatoes) with potential for so much more.
- Likable characters – I loved Charlotte from the start. She’s spunky and doesn’t put up with much guff. I loved that she stood up to some of the blow-hard personalities in this. Horse and Mrs. Robinson and the rest of the animals were a hoot. And I liked the human characters around the farm as well.
- Twisty clues and increasing suspense – The mystery here was great! There was no shortage of trouble for Charlotte to deal with, but it was well paced throughout the story. I was guessing on the culprit until about the last quarter of the book. The way the mystery wraps up was perfect.
- Balance between character development and the mystery – There’s nothing more frustrating to me than a cozy mystery without much mystery. But the interplay between the characters is what will make a series go from good to delightful. When an author can put both together – a cast you care about and want to spend time with alongside a well-plotted mystery – I will read everything they want to write.
This was a delight to read. I will definitely be watching for a sequel. Cozy fans should check this one out!