Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

This book was about a friendship of two girls from youth through college and on.  I found it a bit tedious, too much of the same story told over and over again, with just different setting throughout.

Normally I like Kristin Hannah's books,  this one fell short.

Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd

Anna Winslow lives on Quarry Island with her son and husband, a lobsterman.  When her brother-in-law is found dead, and it is determined that he was murdered, Anna's husband is arrested because he had an argument with his brother and because he knew his brother had forged a check stealing all their savings the police feel they have the murderer.  Anna is forced to delve into the murder to save her family.

This was a good start for a new series, but I think it needs a few more interesting characters in the future.  The characters are a bit ordinary, nothing special.

Class Reunions Are Murder by Libby Klein

Poppy McAllister has recently been widowed and  she is having a hard time adjusting, spiraling downward in depression, hiding away in her house and eating carbs galore. Her best friend Sawyer convinces her to return to her home town for her 25th class reunion.  On her arrival, she realizes that her Aunt Ginny is having some difficulties  and taking care of those will need to be a priority while she is visiting.   Poppy has received a special message from the girl who made her life miserable in high school - apparently, Barbie wants to make amends,  But circumstances don't work in Poppy's favor but before the two can reconcile, Poppy finds Barbie dead in the hallway right by Poppy's old locker.

Since Sawyer had been in a fight with Barbie right before the murder, Poppy feels the need to fid the murder and keep herself and Sawyer  from landing in jail.

My ladies group chose this book for our May read and the author was kind enough to attend our discussion.  It was fascinating to hear about the writing process and learn how the entertaining characters came to life.  Already have the next book in the series can't wait to see Poppy again.

The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss

Val Harris has opened her new PIETOWN bakery at the same time as she prepares to get married.  When the wedding is called off, Val throws everything into her bakery but she runs into a few problems - a hostile neighbor (her ex-fiancé's new girlfriend and a fitness nut) and a dead body in the shop.

Feeling worried by the town's reaction to the death, she decides that she needs to find out what happened.  The death is determined murder but not food poisoning, so figuring out who is responsible could be tricky.

Nice start for a new series, some strange characters (maybe some a few too strange) food sounds yummy, and fun mystery.

Death by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge

Liz Holt comes home to Melbourne, FL and her family's hotel, The Indialantic, to help manage the property now that it is getting a bit older and not quite in the best of condition.  Surprisingly, a wealthy patron books a suite which should help business but not when she is murdered in that suite.  Needing to clear the name of the hotel, Liz decides she needs to "assist" the police in their investigation.

This story really dragged at the beginning with too many characters to be introduced and put in place, too much background information

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith

Daisy's Tea Garden is a delightful setting that turns dangerous when the owner(Daisy)'s aunt is suspected of the murder of her boyfriend.  Daisy has so much going on in her life but still takes the investigation to protect her aunt as a priority.

The plot was crisp, the characters were warm and felt like old friends and the tea descriptions -mouth-watering.

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis

Florrie Fox has been trying to find a new place to live which would be closer to her work so when the owner of the book store that she manages offers her his carriage house right down the street, she's thrilled but she has to move in right away. It seems that her employer has an obnoxious nephew that also wants the space and to thwart him, Florrie has to make it look like she's lived there a while. 

After her hasty move, the following day Florrie finds the nephew's body in a hidden cavity in the old staircase at the bookstore.  Of course, her employer is the prime suspect for the murder, setting Florrie off to prove his innocence by finding the real murderer.

The story is set in Georgetown of Washington, D.C. (close to where I live) and so the story had me wishing that there really was this bookstore and that these characters were just around the corner.  I guess I'll just have to visit in the books when they are written,  Loved it all!

Full Bodied Murder by Christine E. Blum

Annie “Halsey” Hall inherits her grandmother's house in California and decides that it's a perfect place to start over when her marriage in New York fails.  She is invited by her new neighbors to the Rose Avenue Wine Club but enters the wrong residence only to find a dead body.  Finding that she is the chief suspect, Halsey enlists the aid of the Wine Club to find the real killer.

Great mix of characters good writing and good setting.