Karen MacInerney

Margie Peterson is a private eye with some of the same real-world problems most of us have. Don't read "Mother's Little Helper" if you want to read about a tough as nails spit-polished detective who always knows the answer. DO read it if you want to snort your soft drink out your nose when Single-Mom Margie tries to bring the miscreants to justice while dealing with dysfunctional people, in-laws, unpredictable kids and pets, and well meaning friends and relatives. I admit, sometimes it is show more all so realistic it aggravates me, but I still cheer on Margie to persevere in her own unique way. Mike Hammer couldn't handle it! show less

This is the 8th novel in Karen MacInerney's Texas set "Dewberry Farm" mysteries. Lucy is selling her farm produce at a local fair held at a neighbor's peach orchard, when the farm manager ends up killed in a forklift accident. OR WAS IT AN ACCIDENT? The deceased, Jorge, was a charming and popular man, perhaps a bit too popular with the ladies, given that he was married. And a city-bred developer is looking to buy the orchard, but Jorge was helping the owner make a go of it. And the silent show more partner in the orchard is also anxious for a sale. And the local sheriff is convinced it's all an unfortunate accident. It makes for a fairly decent puzzle, though certainly not unsolvable. And the characters are for the most part, sympathetic. The solution is rather sad, but it all makes for a solid cozy read. show less

Lucy Resnick is an ex-investigative reporter who moved to her late grandmother's farm in Buttercup, Texas. She's struggling to make ends meet, and doesn't know if her truck will make it through the winter. But she's doing her best, and determined to make something of her farm. While in bed one night, her poodle Chuck starts barking and won't stop. Lucy hears noises outside, and goes to investigate, armed only with a hoe. But she trips and is hit over the head, awaking two hours later.

The show more next morning, she goes to pick up two goats from her friend Peter, and while there, they see smoke in the distance. When they go to see what's happening, a home is on fire. Peter, a volunteer fireman, tells Lucy to call 911 -- and runs inside to see if anyone is home. He comes out with a young woman, and then once again with a black puppy. The woman is Krystal, a waitress for her friend Quinn, and it appears she was dead when the fire started.

When people are questioned about who wanted Krystal dead, the first person thought of is Lucy's friend Molly, who had an argument with her about Molly's daughter Brittney. Now Molly is in jail for murder, Lucy's trying to keep her goats penned, her parents have come for Christmas, and she finds out her boyfriend, local veterinarian Tobias's ex-wife Mindy is in town. Not an auspicious start for a memorable Christmas, but if she doesn't find the real killer, Molly isn't going to be celebrating it at all...

I read the first in this series and really enjoyed it. But with the beginning of this book, I wasn't sure how the rest of the book would go. It seems there are times when Lucy is Too Stupid to Live. She hears someone outside, doesn't own a gun (stupid of her living in Texas and in the country, to boot), and decides to investigate - in the dark - armed only with a hoe. Then she trips and gets hit over the head, knocking her out. Did I mention she was wearing only pajamas and a robe? In winter? And was out for two hours? When she wakes, she's not even cold. My family's from Texas, and it gets chilly in the middle of the night there, though not frigid. Then, she doesn't even call the sheriff because she 'knows he won't do anything.' Say what? I don't care if he hates her. She was knocked out on her own land. The sheriff needs to investigate.

Why is this man sheriff anyway? He doesn't know his job, and when he arrests someone, it's for his convenience, not because they're guilty. Why isn't anyone running against him? Why isn't he removed from his position? I rarely hate the 'evil nemesis' enough to want to see them done in, but I sure hope in the next book he's the victim; having someone this detestable and worthless in the book just nearly ruins it.

Now that I'm done with my rant - for the rest of the book, I thought the mystery was fine, and there were a few red herrings strewn about, which is always a nice thing. While it didn't seem that Krystal had done anything to get herself murdered, the fact is that she was, and Lucy is trying to figure out who not only killed her, but committed arson to hide the crime. Obviously, the horrible sheriff isn't going to do anything and would rather send an innocent woman to prison, but at least Lucy has help from her friend Quinn, who has a few ideas of her own.

I do like Lucy's parents, and would hope to see more of them in future books. Her dad indulges her, and her mom's a softy, although she doesn't want anyone to know that. Lucy's lucky to have them. While there aren't a lot of descriptions of the farm nor the surrounding countryside, we may forgive that because there was plenty of action in this story, with everything occurring at the same time.

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it's a bit of a surprise, but there are clues leading up to it, though as I mentioned before, the red herrings move things in other directions. When everything is said and done, aside from Sheriff Do-Nothing, the book was very good and I will read the next in the series. Recommended. show less

You know that a book is really good when you've just started reading on your Kindle and the power goes out and you quickly find an external charger and a backup so that you can finish the book the same day! This latest release in Karen MacInerney's Snug Harbor Mystery cozy series did not disappoint! Great setting, interesting mystery (with bonus mysteries within!), and wonderful characters. I love the character development of the main character's daughter. Karen MacInerney has the wonderful show more ability to make her characters relatable, to bring real-life situations into her stories, and deal with them in realistic ways that her readers can relate to. Being able to relate to the characters make the books that much more enjoyable and makes you want more books in the series to read to see what happens next in their lives. Thanks to the author for the chance to read and review this advanced release copy of this terrific cozy mystery!! 📚💗 show less