A Twinkle of Trouble, fifth in the author's delightful Fairy Garden Mystery series, has all of the elements that I love about these charming books. Courtney, owner of the Open Your Imagination fairy garden shop, specializes in teaching her customers how to make their own fairy gardens. I can't get enough of the descriptions of the figures of fairies, humans, and animals that she sells, along with tiny buildings, water features, and other objects that make the fairy garden--and the client's chosen plants--come alive.

You don't have to believe in fairies to enjoy this series, although one of the plots involves Fiona, a "righteous fairy' who may eventually be the next fairy queen, and who lives with Courtney. Fiona has spent a month in the fairy realm but has returned with her sister to teach her some lessons the current queen has commanded. Most people can't see fairies, of course, but a few of Courtney's human friends have "opened their heart" enough to view them.

There is a mystery to be solved as well, and this time, one of Courtney's friends has been murdered after taking her influencer job too seriously, stooping to criticize (in print) and anger even her friends and their businesses. More mayhem ensues, as Courtney tries to help identify the culprit and motive.

But I was most interested in the details of beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea, the local Summer Blooms Festival, the lives of Courtney and her fellow entrepreneurs, her delightful cat, and a healthy portion of magical realism.

My thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber, Kensington Cozies. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I am an absolutely terrible gardener.

No, that's definitely true! If there's an opposite of having a green thumb, that would be me.

If there was ever going to be a book series to make me horticultural inclined, it would be this one!

Fairies! There are actual fairies! And adorable pets!

Oh, and a cozy mystery! Cozies are my comfort reads, and this one is just the coziest. I loved Courtney. I would love to have a BFF like Courtney in real life. Hello, actual fairy gardens!

This is such a fun read, including a little twisty mystery. The perfect springtime read to beat the winter blues. And there is lots of lovely tea-drinking! ☕️ There are delightful recipes at the end, too!

While this isn't my favorite cozy mystery series I am still enjoying it. It's just not one I find myself reading till I finish. Its one I can put down and pick up later because I don't really need to know how the mystery ends.

Courtney lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea in California, and owns Open Your Imagination, a shop that allows people to make their own fairy gardens. It helps that she has her own personal fairy, Fiona. Fiona has recently returned from the fairy realm, and Courtney is happy to have her back. Although not everyone can see -- nor believes in -- fairies, Courtney and others don't really care.

While hosting a group that are there to make their own little gardens, one of the women, Genevieve, learns that she is not invited to participate in the Summer Blooms Festival, and it rankles her. She proceeds to insult other guests, and since she is known as an influencer, uses her online forum to diss other local businesses, as well. As imagined, this doesn't sit well with people. Although it is surprising when Genevieve is found dead, and Daphne Flores, one of the women whose business she insulted, is found standing over her.

When another person is found murdered, the police are honing in on Daphne. Courtney has trouble believing her friend is a killer, but to be fair, she's not close with the woman and doesn't know all that much about her. But Courtney is nothing if not persistent, and she continues to ask questions and look for clues that might point her to a killer -- a killer who might already be aware that Courtney could be dangerous if left alive...

This is the fifth book in the series and I must say that I have found them all delightful. While I will not say whether I believe in such things as fairies or not, I will also say that I am positive that some people have no problem believing. Which is why this book is so delightful (yes, I said it again). Just like the title of her shop, it allows you to open your imagination and try to think what it would be like if there were many of them floating around us.

While, of course, the mystery takes first place as it should, we have a secondary tale in which Fiona's sister enters the human world to be mentored by her elder sister and other fairies that reside there. We learn that even in the fairy realm there is sibling rivalry and arguments, but there is also fun and enjoyment. It is a pleasure to share in these moments with the fairies.

But back to the mystery -- Courtney has no issues with asking people where they were on the nights of the murders, even though the police tell her to stay out of the investigation. There are mixed signals, with the lead detective also telling her to keep her ears and eyes open and report anything she learns. Hmm. You can't have it both ways, sir. So Courtney does what she does best, and gathers information any way she can (although she doesn't do anything illegal, which is good). With each piece of data gathered she is eventually able to dismiss people from the suspect list, leaving her with only three of them; and figuring out which one it is could put her life in danger.

While I knew the murderer long before Courtney did (Again, I read a lot of mysteries) I did enjoy watching her figure it out. Alas, it was nearly too late, but Courtney can think on her feet and she had no problem putting things in motion ahead of time. In the end, it all comes together very nicely, and we are given a glimpse of what might be to come. Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

#ATwinkleofTrouble #NetGalley. I really enjoyed this latest addition to this series.
Courtney has been missing her fairy her Fiona, so when she returns, Courtney couldn't be happier.
Fiona comes with news, that she will be mentoring her sister, Evelene, in the ways of the human world.
Courtney has her hands full, and when a friends death shakes up the small town, she can't resist the urge to investigate.
This story was well done and it kept me guessing until the end.
It's always a pleasure to get to catch up with all the wonderful characters in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.