“Read Herring Hunt” A Mystery Bookshop Mystery By V.M. Burns: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review, and there are links to purchase it.

In the year since her husband’s death, Samantha Washington finally fulfilled their dream of opening the Market Street Mysteries bookstore in the town of North Harbor, Michigan. In addition to that, Sam achieved her other goal of writing her first historical novel depicting the adventures of the Marsh family in 1938’s English countryside. A dark cloud is looming over her near future though, in the form of Melody Hardwick, a gold-digging college student intent on bagging Sam’s favorite bookstore assistant. When Melody’s inability to take rejection leads to a physical confrontation with Dawson Alexander, the promising star quarterback becomes the prime suspect in her murder.



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With Dawson’s scholarship, NFL prospects, and especially his freedom in jeopardy, Sam isn’t about to sit on the sidelines and watch his future be destroyed. While Sam’s legal-eagle sister Jenna handles matters with the law, Sam and her grandmother Nana Jo begin investigating Melody’s less-than-above-board activities. While her fellow classmates at Michigan Southwest University barely seemed to know her, the school coach and players were all too aware of her “honeypot” goal of becoming a trophy wife tied to a prospective NFL player. Fortunately for Sam, whenever she is in danger of becoming too disillusioned by humanity, she is able to retreat into the delightful intrigue involving the fictional Marsh sisters and their upcoming meeting with the notorious Wallis Duchess of Windsor.

mystery book cover
Image Source Kensington

This second in the series lives up to the high bar set in its debut, The Plot is Murder. The Sam we see here is now more confident, not to mention slightly more ready to move past her grief and take the next step in her life. Eager to assist her in this matter is a Sean Connery-like university professor, as well as a genial neighboring restaurant owner. Nana Jo continues to be a delight with her tart wit and observations, providing more than her share of humorous asides and smart remarks.

Always an unexpected delight are the chapters of Sam’s new work-in-progress, which in a follow-up to her own first attempt at writing showcases the surprisingly layered and not-as-flighty-as-she-would-appear Daphne Marsh. Her more logical and practical sister Penelope found love during their past involvement with murder, and it is Daphne’s turn even as the upstart American Wallis Simpson brings in enough complication to take down a country. The mix of classic English mystery with the contemporary American Cozy perfectly blends together into a novel sure to make new fans of both genres.

To enter to win a copy of Read Herring Hunt, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “herring,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 9, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via comment please be sure to include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And watch for our new mystery podcast coming very soon!

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



Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section over on Kings River Life and the Mystery section here at KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also watch for our new mystery podcast coming June 5!


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. Would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. This series intrigues me and is on my TB list. So glad the second one lives up to the precedent set by the first one. Thanks for the giveaway! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for the chance to win! I've heard great things about this series! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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