“Bones to Pick” A Brie Hooker Mystery By Linda Lovely: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow


Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review & links to purchase it.

The unofficial meat-and-grease capital of the South, Ardon County, South Carolina, is not the first place one would expect to find a vegan chef. Yet that’s where Brie Hooker finds herself following the sudden death of her feisty Aunt Lilly. In the ultimate ironic twist, Aunt Lilly has willed Brie a run-down Southern mansion that would be the dream site of her future vegan Bed and Breakfast. The only stipulation is that she hoped that Brie would first stick around to help Aunt Lilly’s twin Eva run their Udderly Kidding Dairy. Brie knows next to nothing about goats, chickens, or pigs, but she adores her Aunt Eva and won’t hesitate to stay and help. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese potbellied pig Tammy helps out as well, digging up a skull long-buried on the farm.


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Aunt Eva is the first to admit that it probably belongs to her husband Jed Watson, who disappeared forty years ago. After three years of abuse, the then-twenty-one-year-old Eva fled seeking a divorce, only to have Jed disappear a week later. Jed’s entire family, which includes Ardon County Sheriff Robbie Jones, has always held Eva responsible, especially after she inherited the Watson family farm. More probable suspects are Jed’s many floozies, fellow boozehounds, and jealous kin, and with the law distinctly biased, it will be up to Brie and her family to find the truth. Bree’s father has the credentials of being the president of the Upstate Southern Carolina Chapter of Sisters in Crime, while her mother has the more practical skills of being the City of Clemson’s attorney. Nearly getting axed during the Ardon Flea Market and facing the rage of an infuriated manicurist are but mere warm-ups compared to task of convincing these meat-eaters that tofu can be edible.



Image source: Henery Press

This debut series will appeal to fans of the quirky humor and distinct Southern settings featured in the books of Donna Andrews and Margaret Maron. This is the place where the War of Northern Aggression hasn’t been forgotten, nor have the rivalries and resentments that last for generations. Enhancing the complex mystery are lovably eccentric characters, from the aunts who “video selfie” their will to Brie’s New Age friend who bears a tattoo of a quilt print.

Animal lovers will delight in the farm’s five Grand Pyrenees, not to mention Brie’s own teacup Maltese-Yorkie Cashew. Vegan chef Brie faces an uphill battle persuading the natives to accept her unfried, baconless vegetable cuisine, but it’s a challenge she’s willing to accept. A love triangle may be a common trait of cozy mysteries, but the rivalry between veterinarian Andy Green and (legal) moonshiner David “Paint” Paynter is more friendly than petty. This is an exciting and promising start to a series that abounds with Southern flavors and wit.

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Bones to Pick, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “pick,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 23, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please included your mailing address. If entering via comment please be sure to include your email address. DELIVERY OF THE BOOK TO THE WINNER MAY BE DELAYED DUE TO CLOSER OF THE PUBLISHER'S OFFICES FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:





Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.


Comments

  1. This sounds like a fun book! Thank you the the giveaway!
    debprice60@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a fun read. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This would be a fun read, thanks for the giveaway! barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute cover. So idyllic except for the skull! I have visited a dairy once and would not want to have to do that again. Goats and chickens have no appeal either. I would not mind the B & B though.
    karen94066 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a new author to me. "Bones to Pick" sounds like a great new series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't read anything by this Author but I need to...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks good! I love cozies with humor
    raineybird (at) yahoo (dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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