“A Vintage Death” By Mary Ellen Hughes: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow

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

Maryland’s small town of Keepsake Cove is renowned for their holiday and seasonal decorations. In her enthusiasm as the new owner of the vintage music box store House of Melody, Callie Reed enthusiastically volunteered to head their fall’s decoration committee.



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The first of her many responsibilities is to coordinate a book-signing event for bestselling paranormal novelist Lyssa Hammond. Staying close by at the Foxwood Inn, even scare-specialist Lyssa finds the B&B owner Clifford Ashby to be a little too creepy for her own comfort, and his overwhelming talkativeness and overbearing personality explains why he is the estranged husband of sewing shop owner Dorothy Ashby. It also leads to her becoming the primary suspect when Clifford is found murdered, although the Dorothy’s Stitches Thru Time scissors sticking out of him probably helped.
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Image Source Midnight Ink

Feeling responsible for the Keepsake Cove business community and unable to believe that her friend had the capability to murder even the most irritating of spouses, Callie begins to question both her neighbors and the B&B’s visiting guests. Callie soon learns of Clifford’s extortion list that had him going to local businesses alphabetically, demanding payment with the threat of bad reviews and ratings. As Callie investigates, someone seems to be intent on shutting the bookstore event down, using pranks and even arson for what may be a distraction to keep her from discovering the truth. When another murder occurs seeming to cement Dorothy’s guilt, Callie realizes that there is far more darkness in Keepsake Cove than she could ever have suspected.

Keepsake Cove is a delightful coastal town full of adorable shops specializing in vintage music boxes, collectable toy cars, cookery items, and of course, all things Christmas. After inheriting both a cat named Jagger (moves like Mick) and the vintage music box store, Callie embraced her new home and happily moved on without her lazy, failed-musician ex-husband. Cove Café owner Brian Greer is doing his part to help Callie adjust to her new home, as is her ever-costume-character-changing assistant Tabitha. The real surprise here is Lyssa, who switches from ghosts to mysteries as she joins Callie in her investigative pursuits. There’s still an unearthly presence being felt, though, as a music box owned by Callie’s grandfather seems to turn itself on whenever a clue should be noticed or an action taken. A very timely plot element emerges within the very cozy atmosphere, bringing to the forefront crimes that too often go unchecked. Callie is a woman who has learned to stand up for herself and for her beliefs, making her an admirable heroine finally finding a true home and her place in the world.

To enter to win a copy of A Vintage Death, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "vintage,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 26, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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 check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! New episode up featuring a story by Elaine Viets!

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. Please enter me.
    Wendy
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a book that I would enjoy. My husband and I like to go to antique shops every now and then to look for treasures or just to look at memories. Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the chance to win the book! Jwhite410@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the contest - trwilliams 69 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the cover! I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance. JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another series added to my TBR list - thanks for the contest - trwilliams69 (at) msn (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Keepsake Cove sounds like a charming town, a great setting for a cozy mystery. Would really like to read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a great read. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful cover and I love the idea of a town full of keepsake shops. Thank you for the chance. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to read this! ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. The cover rocks and the storyline will hold my interest from the first word till the last.

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  12. Sounds like a amazing series to start. Thank you for the chance❤️❤️ lilyanngill56(at)Gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks really good! sieberttracy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have to play catch up! I'd love to win the second installment of this "looks like a good one" cozy mystery! Thanks for the chance! sxygrndma48[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  15. An inviting cover sells a book for me or at least it is an invitation to pick up a book and see
    what it is all about. Mary Ellen Hughses books always promised a great read Thanks for
    the opportunity to enter your giveaway. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)comm

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to win a copy of A Vintage Death! It looks like a lot of fun. Ms. Hughes' books are always fun! Thanks for this opportunity.
    CocoIhle(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This sounds exciting - haven't started this series yet! Thanks for the chance to win! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete

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