Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Series
4****
Blurb: It’s Independence Day weekend, and Maria Dolores, the descendant of Danger Cove’s first lighthouse keeper, is the new manager of the Lighthouse Farmers’ Market. While she may be a bit uncertain about her career change—trading financial planning for flower stalls and farm fresh produce—she’s still determined to get the market into shape and onto one of the region’s “best of” lists. From the very beginning, though, events conspire against her. Her mentor and attractive local farmer, Merle Curtis, fails to show up to introduce her to the vendors, the stalls are all in the wrong place, and an earthquake shakes up everyone in the market! In its aftermath, Maria realizes the flower vendor is more than shaken up… she’s dead. Maria suddenly finds herself embroiled in a small town mystery that’s got everyone on edge. Will it all lead to the end of Maria’s new career? Or worse yet… her life?
THOUGHTS: Danger Cove is aptly named as much as Cabot Cove is for Jessica Fletcher. Even though this is the 14th book in the series, it is the first one in the Farmer’s Market part of the series. So we are introduced to Maria Dolores as she takes over as manager of the farmers’ market in Danger Cove. And it’s the weekend of the 4th of July, so there is a lot going on—including murder x 2!
I love Maria Dolores and how she deals with Cary, who seems to be autistic (it’s never said, but the descriptions of his issues show that he is). And the curmudgeon woodworker. And the earthquake. And so many other things. I’m surprised her migraine wasn’t any worse than it was! But she deals with everything, including the potato farmer who hates her (he wanted the job) and just wants to cause problems for her.
I loved how the author put her own name in as the author doing a signing at the bookseller’s tent! That was a hoot. The mystery itself is well-done with clues placed here and there and lots of suspects. And a satisfying ending as she and Merle, the previous manager, get to finally enjoy some alone time together.
Recommended.
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