Description
Brenda Sheffield can’t believe her luck when she finds out that the family business, The Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, has been handed down to her upon the death of a relative. For too long, she’s been idle as an assistant to a PI – a new challenge is precisely what she needs.
Uprooting to the idyllic village of Sweetfern Harbor was tough, but it doesn’t take long for Brenda to fall for the brightly painted shopfronts and the friendly residents. However, there’s always one who spoils the bouquet. Lady Pendleton owns half of the buildings in Sweetfern Harbor, and she rules with a green-fingered fist. With a personal vendetta against everyone, she ruthlessly raises rent and rates resulting in turning many people out of house, home, and business.
One day, her flashy car pulls up outside The Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, but Brenda is shocked to find her slumped over the wheel and failing to respond. The coroner pronounces her dead at the scene, ruling it as a homicide.
With the entire town a suspect, Brenda isn’t sure whom to turn to since crime isn’t usually a factor in this New England town. Enter the handsome detective Mac Rivers, who must unravel the twists and turns of this murder. But, can an outsider’s sleuthing experience help bring the perpetrator to justice? Or will they slip out of sight unnoticed? Or strike down another victim?
This cozy mystery is a clean listen: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be listened to in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick listen.
Stacy Bender –
Listening to this short story, I kept wondering why I couldn’t get into it. Was it the narrator who read so slow as to extend the length of the audio book, or the excessive leading pronouns that made me think of a first-grade reader, and made the main character borderline narcissistic?
As I listened on with the narration speed increased, I started wondering about the plot. Granted, cozy mysteries do bend the rules of credibility in order to make a good story, but the author seems to have done this with a heavy hand, even when unnecessary.
You’ll either love or hate this story, but it’s not for me.
Faith –
This wasn’t a bad book, but it is not one I would go back and read again. The writing was less than stellar, the narrator less than I would have expected and the story did not really catch my interest.
I requested this audiobook from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.