Country Cousin Mysteries Collection Two

Sam Cheever

Jan 2021 · Country Cousin Mysteries Collections Book 2 · Electric Prose Publications

About this ebook

In a small country town, justice might be swift…but rumor is swifter!

Deer Hollow is a small community built in a verdant, rolling countryside. Big city ways are rejected at the Hollow. Things like murder, which can turn a sunny Sunday in June right over onto its bucolic head.

Ratings and reviews

Good, clean romantic mysteries. I was able to read Country Cousin Mysteries Collections One a couple of weeks ago and it was a real treat to be able to read this collection so soon after finishing collection one. Even though these are all stand-alone stories, I enjoyed reading them in chronological order with the Box Collections. It was like binge watching a favorite season of a favorite tv show. Previously, I read Book 5, then Book 6, then Book 4, then Collection One (Books 1&2) and now Collection Two (books 3-5). They are such good reads that I enjoyed reading books 4 & 5 again. I have added them to my 2022 To Be Read List because I really love this series. Some of the stunts that Joey’s animals pull have me laughing out loud while some of the storylines have me shedding a few tears as they pull at my heartstrings. It is rare for me to find such a well-written series that elicits so many emotions while reading. I really enjoy a good, clean, well-told, romantic mystery. There are more than a few red herrings in each of these entertaining whodunits. And the red-herrings all seem to be likely of being the murderer, so I was stumped to name the murderer until the reveal at the end, with more than one of the stories, and that is always fun for me. The romance that is interlaced into the stories is a plus for sure. Hal and Joey are such a cute couple that have each other’s back. There are also other recurring characters in the story that I foresee as becoming romantic duos in the near future. I recommend this box collection to anyone who loves to delve into a good murder mystery with a bit of romance woven into the story. I received a free copy of this box collection from the author via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This gift did not affect my review of the book. This review is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This collection of three mysteries in the Country Cousins series are great examples of the art of the cosy mystery, they don't follow the current trend for paranormal 'cosies', instead they rely on good writing to generate the mystery. I was lucky enough to read the first collection, of two stories in the series, and thoroughly enjoyed reading these, it was particularly nice to read all five books in chronological order in a short space of time. The central character is Joey, a young woman who lives alone in a town called Deer Hollow following the death of her parents, her boyfriend Hal lives next door, and she shares her heart and home with her pitbull Caphy, her cat La Lee and is joined by a house-trained pig called Ethel. In this collection each book has a murder at its heart and Hal (a PI who also helps out the local police) and Joey must sort through lots of clues to find out who is responsible. There are a number of things that make a good mystery, and these stories have them all, great characters who are well written and believable (both the good ones and the not so good ones!) great writing which really makes you feel as if you are there with the characters, and a clever plot with lots of clues hidden in plain sight. These stories also have a bit of clean romance and eccentric animals to keep things interesting. I really love that although each story is a perfectly good standalone read, they make a great ongoing story when they are read in sequence. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Part One When the town sociopath is murdered and the Deputy’s mother is there holding the bloody murder weapon he asked Hal and Joey to discover the truth. This was another good book/story. I love the characters in this little town. Each book we learn about new characters and the author dives deeper into the main characters so well you feel as if you know them. I love the drama and suspense. It’s the kind of book you don’t know and can’t figure out whodunnit until the end! Part 2 Who killed the towns beloved Santa? Joey and Hal are on the case. Rudy was a shy reclusion man except at Christmas time. Joey and Hal work to uncover his life and secrets. In the meantime they adopt Rudy’s pet pig, Ethel. This book had lots of surprises in it. Joey quickly learns not everyone is as they seem. I enjoyed this book too. Never in a million years would I have guessed who the killer was! That’s what I love most about these books. Some books you know who the killer is by the second chapter not here! We are introduced to more new characters who I can’t say were exactly nice people but they added to the plot! Another must read! Part 3 When Joey decides to sell her family’s auction business it’s an emotional occasion. When taking the realtor through the buildings they discover a dead body. When it’s connected to armor car heists in Indy Joey and Hal are on the case, looking for the robbers and money. This book had a more fast paced plot along with new characters. When an enemy of Joey’s comes to town she doesn’t believe a word he says but it raises more questions than answers. Once again I didn’t figure out the whodunnit until the very end. That is a sign of a really good writer. I look forward to reading more books from this author! I highly recommend this book and this author!

About the author

In a small country town, justice might be swift…but rumor is swifter!

Deer Hollow is a small community built in a verdant, rolling countryside. Big city ways are rejected at the Hollow. Things like murder, which can turn a sunny Sunday in June right over onto its bucolic head.