Review by Tracy Condie
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Murder Plays Second Fiddle is the second book in the highly entertaining Pearly Girls Mysteries. This cozy is a stand-alone that does an excellent job of providing backstory throughout without giving away the mystery of the series starter. The story is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where event planner Cassidy Jameson and her vivacious crew of active ladies are the hostesses with the mostest. What was once the family honky-tonk prior to a fire had been renovated by Cassidy’s grandma into Celebrations, a full-service venue which includes a barn, serenity garden, koi pond, and an old bootlegger’s cave. This is a great place for any event, even with a pushy as all get-out high school reunion committee leader Britt who is an over-the-top former cheerleader.
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| Image Source Keylight Books |
The Pearly Girls, so named in their youth for wearing their pearls, much like the iconic Jackie O, constantly tell Cassidy that the detective is smitten with her. Since it is not as obvious to Cassidy, she considers Zac to be particularly vexing. But perhaps what is needed is a little competition in the form of the handsome and friendly Austin Taylor, brother of Annie, the event caterer. Cassidy doesn’t have time to get involved with one, let alone two guys. She needs to help solve these crimes before people start associating Celebrations with murder and mayhem.
There are plenty of suspects for Cassidy to observe and question, like Britt’s entourage who feel more like frenemies than friends. Only Cassidy’s friends are above suspicion, and even Austin makes the suspect list. In addition to hunting down clues about the murder, Cassidy is on the trail to learn what happened to her granddad’s honky-tonk that burned down due to a lightning strike.
This is a great plot that drops hints and clues that are easy to keep track of whether you use sticky notes or a journal (my personal preference).
Some particulars that I really enjoyed involved the Pearly girls. They are the best group of slightly older ladies that I have come across in a cozy. These ladies take good clean fun to a whole new level with their yarn bombing of the town. Even the Sid Pro Quo’s no-tell motel looks nicer with the yarn enhancements.
I am eager to see what happens next with the cave renovations and Cassidy’s nonexistent love life.
To enter to win a copy of Murder Plays Second Fiddle, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "second fiddle,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 14, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
You can click here to purchase this book.
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.Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.
Sounds interesting, if over the top. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this review! I want to read about the yarn bombing they did! I am very interested in this series! nlap3414@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete