Murder and Metaphors

Magical Bookshop Mystery Series, Book 3

By: Amanda Flower

Narrated by: Rachel Dulude

January means ice wine season in the Niagara Falls region, but the festivities leave Charming Books owner Violet Waverly cold, still reeling from a past heartbreak. Little do either Waverly women know, the ice wine festival will turn colder still when Violet finds Belinda in the middle of the frozen vineyard - with a grape harvest knife protruding from her chest.

Belinda grew up in Cascade Springs, but she left town years ago after a huge falling-out with her three sisters. One of those sisters, Violet's high school friend Lacey Dupont, attends the book signing in the hope of making amends with her sister, but Belinda and Lacey end up disrupting the signing with a very public shouting match and Lacey quickly becomes the prime suspect in the sommelier's murder.

Violet is sure Lacey is innocent, and to keep her friend out of prison, Violet asks for guidance from her magical bookshop. The shop's ethereal essence points her to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, but what have the four March sisters to do with the four Perkins sisters? If she can't figure it out, Violet, herself, may turn as cold as ice.

©2019 Amanda Flower (P)2019 Tantor

Murder, Intrigue, and Friends

I like how the books, the animals, and the town are woven into the story.

Love these cozy mysteries!

Amanda Flower writes the best cozy mysteries! Especially in a time when I’m trying to avoid stress (2020!), these books are just a fun comfort. I love Violet and her role in solving each crime. Another hit!

An amazing series!

I stumbled upon this as I was recuperating from surgery. It was a great distraction and the story was well developed as well as the characters. I can't wait for the next part of the series! A great book makes the characters feel like you know them. The narration was wonderful as well! 👍

VIOLET AND GRANDMA DAISY ARE BACK!

I LOVE THIS SERIES, ITS CHARACTERS, AND THE PREMISE. THE MAGICAL BOOKSTORE IS AT IT AGAIN, BUT VIOLET STRUGGLES WITH THE CLUES PROVIDED. IN FACT, I STRUGGLED A BIT MYSELF, BUT NOT TO WORRY, IT ALL COMES TOGETHER. OH, AND CHIEF RAINMAKER IS NOT GIVING UP - ON THE CRIME OR VIOLET. AMANDA FLOWER PROVIDES ANOTHER GREAT READ, WITH MYSTERY, FRIENDSHIP, JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ROMANCE, AND THE MAKINGS OF NEW ADVENTURES TO COME. BUY IT. READ IT. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

Life Struggle

I have enjoyed the struggle of the main character and how the mysteries tie in all of the town and their personal struggles

The characters

Love the story and the characters. A wonderful cozy mystery. Would recommend to anyone. Thank you

Great series

Amanda Flower has written another great installment in the Magical Bookshop mystery series. All the characters are well developed. Violet, Grandma Daisy, the tuxedo cat Emerson, and the crow Faulkner soon become more like family than simply characters in a book/audiobook. Rachel Dulude, as always, gave a stellar performance as she brought the story to life and gave each character distinct voices. I highly recommend this book/audiobook to cozy mystery fans.

Light and enjoyable

A great listen to have when you want something you can multitask with. I’ll be getting the next.

One thing - how to not spill water while running

This is a fun series, a nifty escape into an interesting town with a set of core characters you look forward to hearing more about. Perfect to listen to while painting or gardening or washing windows!
One small thing that could be fixed in future editions is the way the author describes the main character clutching her watering can to her chest when she has to run from something while carrying the magical water back to her tree. Anyone who has ever run with a watering can or bucket knows the best way to prevent water sloshing over the sides is to hold the item at arm's length, where the bouncing can be minimized. Holding a container of liquid against your chest is a fast way to get soaked and lose it all to sloshing!

mystery with humor and just a bit of romance

I love the series, it is just the light read (listen) I need while doing chores or going for a walk. And no embarrassing sex scenes if the grand kids walk in.