I want to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity.

Publication: 11/8/17

Synopsis: Callie makes an overdue visit to see her aunt Mel at Keepsake Cove. Callie is considering breaking up with her toxic boyfriend Hank and needed to see her Aunt. When Callie arrives in Keepsake Cove, the two women reminisce and bond over all the good times. Aunt Mel shows Callie her Grandpa Reed's music box that has been in the family for years. She tells Callie that she will inherit the music box if anything ever happens to her. After a goodnight of bonding and catching up the two ladies head to bed. When Callie wakes in the morning she realizes Aunt Mel is nowhere to be found. She knows it's out of character for her to leave without notice. Callie checks The House of Melody which is her Aunt Mel's business that is right next to her cottage.

Callie is stunned and heartbroken by what she finds, Aunt Mel laying dead on the store's floor! The police rule the death as an accident but it doesn't sit well with Callie. Callie busies herself and goes to Aunt Mel's funeral and meets with the lawyer afterwards thinking she will be getting the music box. Callie is shocked to learn she inherrited Aunt Mel's business, cottage and even her cat Jagger.

Callie decides to start over and keep the business and end her long-term toxic relationship. She still feels something is not right with her healthy Aunt Mel's sudden death and strange things are happening in Keepsake Cove. Will she be able to start a new life? Will Callie be able to discover what really happened to her Aunt Mel? I suggest read A Fatal Collection to find out!

Review: This cozy mystery recieves 4.5 out of 5 cozy stars! I feel this book was a great way to unwind and was nice and cozy! Fatal Collection had likeable characters and was full of small town joy. I really enjoyed how the different stores had names related to their collectible products. The only reason I'm not giving this mystery 5 stars is that I figured out the mystery pretty much right away but it didn't change how enjoyable this book was. There was even a touch of paranormal activity in this cozy. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend!

The first adventure in a new cozy series finds Callie Reed visiting her Aunt Melodie who owns House of Melody, a collectible store specializing in music boxes.

The action moves quickly as the aunt dies the night Callie arrives. Surprised by the fact she inherits the House of Melody, she decides to stay and manage the store.

Callie is suspicious of how her aunt died and starts investigating while trying to keep the store's customers happy and purchasing music boxes. Of course she finds support from her aunt's friends, area shop keepers and sometime employees of her aunt's shop. And she finds the usual detractors who provide appropriate tension.

The pace of the mystery is good and a couple of twists nicely done. The primary characters and relationships are well developed and realistic. Following Callie's experience of learning about music boxes and how to run a successful store makes this a little more interesting than the typical cozy.

A Killer Collection is the first book in the Keepsake Cove Mystery series.

Another wonderful cozy series from Mary Ellen Hughes

Callie knows that she owes her Aunt Melody a visit and with the break up with boyfriend, she feels that this is the perfect time for a visit. So she jumps in her car and heads for Keepsake Cove. Keepsake Cove is a quaint area of the little town of Mapleton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and is home to numerous shops featuring various collectible items. Callie’s aunt’s shop is called House of Melody and has an interesting selection of music boxes both every day and a fine collection of collectible music boxes.

The next morning when Callie wakes she goes in search of her aunt and notices that back door of the shop is ajar. She pensively enters the shop and soon finds the lifeless body of her aunt. The police, after finishing their investigation, rule the death an accident. But Callie and owner of the shop next door, Delia, don’t think that was the case. First, their was no reason for Aunt Melody to be in the shop in the middle of the night and they can’t believe a simple fall would be enough to cause her death.
After talking with Delia and some of the other shop owners, Callie learns that the shop owner of the store next door, Karl Eggers, has wanted to buy her aunts shop, or at the very least to be able to put collectible toy cars in the shop for his nephew to run. Another suspect comes to light when Callie learns that Aunt Melody was going to ask their business association to consider having an outside auditing company come in and review the association accounting records and that the treasurer’s position should become an elected post. This did not sit well with some of the members and of course with Duane Fletcher, the current treasurer.

With the help of Delia and Brian Greer, owner of the Keepsake Diner, sets off to find the murderer of her aunt

This is another delightful cozy mystery from Mary Ellen Hughes. It provides the reader with an exciting story and a cast of interesting and believable characters.

I will definitely be watching for next book in this very enjoyable series. With Callie having inherited House of Melody and the cozy little cottage behind I will be interested in seeing what her next adventure will be and am looking forward to learning more about the shop owner in Keepsake Cove. And who knows, Callie might even be able to find a love interest.

Callie Reed hasn’t seen her aunt Melodie for ten years since her father passed back when she was in college. With one thing or another getting in the way ever since Callie had been putting off that visit. Now however with her relationship up in the air she decided to take the time to head to the quaint little Keepsake Cove that got it’s name for it’s collectible shops and Callie’s aunt Melodie had opened a music box shop.

After arriving Callie and Melodie get a bit reconnected as Melodie is working her shop that day then the ladies head back to Melodie’s cottage behind the shop for bed. When Callie awakens things just don’t see right however with the cottage being quiet and now sign of her aunt. Thinking aunt Melodie simply went over to the shop to work Callie heads there only to find Melodie lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

The events after finding her aunt become a whirlwind as the death was ruled an accident and the funeral passes in the blink of an eye. Callie is ready to head home after the tragedy until Melodie’s lawyer announces that being the only living relative Callie has now inherited everything, including the music shop. Seeing this as a chance to start over and begin again Callie decides to move to Keepsake Cove and begins to get to know the town but still has that question of just what happened to her aunt in the back of her mind. Was it really an accident or should Callie worry about her new neighbors?

A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes is the first book in the new Keepsake Cove Mystery series. The book is mainly a cozy mystery but it does have just a touch of a supernatural element to it as Callie begins to hear her aunt’s music box playing at times with no explanation to why since no one had been able to wind it or make it play. Otherwise the story is that of a typical cozy with the main character worried that there could have been a murder that’s being overlooked so she begins to ask questions.

This series has such a lovely setting that I was ready to go visit the little village myself. Getting it’s name from the fact that the shops in the area all catered to collecting with each having little cottages for the owners behind them sounded like such a fun place. Add just the right mix of likable characters along with those you just have to have your doubts about it made for a fun little cozy read. I was kind of on the fence if the music box playing should have been included or if maybe it needed touched upon more but in the end I’d give this first installment 4.5 stars and look forward to seeing where the story heads next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the first in a new series by Mary Ellen Hughes and is a great start to meeting new characters. I found the characters interesting and engaging. I thought the music box aspect of the mystery to be a little fantastical which added a fun element to the story. All in all, a great read!

Callie Reed is visiting her aunt, Melodie at her cottage in picturesque Keepsake Cove. Home to a bevy of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The morning after her first night with her aunt, Callie discovers Melodie’s body on the floor of the music box shop. Grief-stricken, Callie doesn’t believe that Melodie’s death was accidental, but she’s not sure why. It just doesn’t make sense. How could her robust and healthy aunt take a fatal fall? Why was she even in the shop in the middle of the night?

Callie searches for the truth after finding out that her aunt left everything, the house, the shop, even the cat to her. Callie finally has a new life, away from her lackluster life thanks to her aunt. She is determined to find out the truth about Melodie’s death, and her aunt seems to be helping her from the grave, sending signs through an old family music box.

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Series: A Keepsake Cove Mystery - Book 1
Author: Mary Ellen Hughes
Genre: Business/Career Cozy
Publisher: Midnight Ink

A Fatal Collection is a beautiful start to a new series by Mary Ellen Hughes. It combines mystery, intrigue and a slight touch of the paranormal without overwhelming the reader. Ms. Huges’ writing is fluid, transitioning from one chapter or character to another without missing a beat or bogging down the plot. The characters are interesting, and even though this is the first book in a new series, the characters have established backgrounds and characteristics that make them believable and memorable.

Callie is a perplexed woman who has drifted from one thing to another most of her life. No real career or ambition. Her boyfriend is a country singer whom she has spent years trying to please and making herself miserable in the process. With the death of her aunt, she realizes that her life needs to change, including her boyfriend. She makes the decision to stay in Keepsake Cove and run her aunt's shop. She also decides it's time to ditch her useless boyfriend. This is probably the smartest thing she has ever done.

The character of Callie is very much in tune with today’s world. A young woman who really doesn’t know what to do with her life. It is easy for the reader to connect with Callie and her circumstances. Many young people in today’s world have no direction and no idea of what they should do for the rest of their lives. Many people dream of being able to start life over, with a new profession, home, town and most of all, new relationships. Callie is perfectly written to encompass all of these things.

Other characters in this book are a study in small-town life, and jobs that are dependent on the tourist trade. Delia and Brian are fantastic supporting characters who give a level of realism to situations that can sometimes be unimaginable. However, most of the situations in the story are very believable and not in any way outrageous for even the most grounded reader.

The town of Keepsake Cove would be a lovely place to visit with its old-time collectible shops. It has everything from children’s toys to glass ornaments, jewelry and music boxes, items from a bygone era. It has the feel of a small town where a person can spend endless days exploring and finding treasures at every turn. The author's description of the stores and restaurants are detailed without being flowery and at times are mouthwatering.

Readers will be entertained throughout the story from start to finish. A Fatal Collection is a fast-paced page-turning read that leaves the reader with a smile on their face. This book is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys small town politics and business based cozies. As well as characters that will evolve with the series into family and friends who are always there to help when Callie needs them.

An ARC was provided by Netgalley

Callie visits her Aunt who runs a Music Box store in a quaint community called Keepsake Cove. They hardly have any time to visit before tragedy strikes. Aunt Mel leaves Callie all her possessions, including her shop. Callie does not believe her Aunt's death was accidental. Callie doesn't really snoop, but she does meet the residents of Keepsake Cove and tries to understand them and figure out if one of them could have wished her Aunt harm. But why? Lots of suspects, some obvious, others not so openly hostile. Plus Callie inherited her Grandpa's music box, which starts playing at odd times. Is someone from the other side trying to tell Callie something. They characters of Keepsake Cove are a fun and diverse group. Their is the cute guy down the street, Brian. Karl Eggers who is hostile and wants her shop. Delia, her Aunt's best friend and so many others.

This is a fun cozy and was easy to read and get lost in the pages. This is the first book in this series. I would read another book by this author.

This was a great first installment in a new cozy series. I really enjoyed meeting Callie, along with the rest of the residents of Keepsake Cove. This was one of those mysteries that start right from the beginning - Callie visits her Aunt Melodie, who owns a music box collectible store, and she finds her dead the first night of her visit. Callie sets out to find the killer, but it is someone she would never expect it to be and the reason why is even more compelling.

I will post this review on Goodreads and Amazon once it is released.

3.5 stars
Callie Reed takes a break from her unsatisfying life and boyfriend to visit her Aunt Melodie, owner of a charming music box shop on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. But no sooner had Callie arrived then her aunt died under mysterious circumstances.

Callie is stunned to hear that she has inherited her aunt's shop and she soon has left her old life behind and resettled in her new home. She is forced to accept that her uneasy feelings about her aunt's death point toward murder and she vows to investigate. Several of the small community's collectibles shop owners appear to have something to hide.

Pleasant series debut with the normal assortment of interesting local characters. Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

*3 1/2 stars*
This
I thought this was a solid beginning to a new series. The main character, Callie Reed is a 29 year old whose unhappy with a lot of her life choices to date. After her aunt's death she inherits a music box shop and a cottage and uses this opportunity to start life afresh.

I liked a lot about her character, I thought she was friendly and warm, eager to succeed but happy to acknowledge the superior knowledge of others when called upon. However, her attitude towards men (particularly Brian, Dwayne and Jonathan) really bugged me! She seemed to think that they were all interested in her romantically without any of them actually making definite overtures! It made her seem arrogant and bugged me!

The mystery itself was really good. I had an inkling about who had done the crime, but there were other viable contenders so I was really kept guessing! I also liked the fact that though one mystery is solved by the end of the story, some of the plot threads are left without a resolution and this has left me eager to read the next book in the series to see what happens.

*ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review*

This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Mary Ellen Hughes. You all should know about my love of cozy mysteries by now, but if not let me fill you in on their greatness.

You've got a main character facing some turmoil in their lives, a dramatic murder takes place (usually someone close to them for the first book) and then you get to watch them bloom as they work to solve the case. There's always a great cast of interesting characters, a town so cool that makes you wish you could visit, a couple of love interests, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. They are simple, fun, and totally engrossing. Like chocolate for your mind.

This one was just what I was looking for. It's about Callie Reed who makes an over due visit to her aunt in the little village of Keepsake Cove which is home to a bunch of collectible shops. Her aunt runs one that sells music boxes. When she finds her aunt has passed away on the floor of her shop from an apparent fall, she stays, believing that her aunt was actually murdered and seeks to find the truth of what happened. She enlists the help of her aunts next door neighbour who was also her aunts best friend, as well as a few other shop keepers in this small little village.

It was easy, but lovely. A quick read, but still one that kept me from putting it down. The characters, the shops, the feel of the town seems like it could really be a real place that would be wonderful to visit. The characters are so interesting that I really do want to know what happens next for Callie and the rest of the people living in Keepsake Cove.

This book will be hitting shelves in November and I do recommend snapping it up! I was given the e-book version of this book by NetGalley to review and I am so happy that I did!

Recommendation: This is for my cozy mystery people out there. You will not be disappointed!!

Ramblings:
This series should be pitched to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries! If they can give viewers Garage Sale Mysteries, then surely, the network can give us Keepsake Cove Mysteries.

Summary:
After her aunt's untimely death, Callie Reed is ready to turn over a new leaf. That means leaving behind a self-absorbed boyfriend and an apartment in Morgantown. Life does seem brighter as she learns the ins and outs of running Aunt Mel's music shop. Unfortunately, that brightness is about to dim. The picturesque town of Keepsake Cove has plenty of small town charm. It's everything you'd want, with one thing you wouldn't:a cold-blooded killer. Let's hope Callie can discern who's friend or foe before she's eternally silenced in the House of Melody.

Review:
A Fatal Collection marks the first book in the Keepsake Cove series written by author Mary Ellen Hughes. As I mentioned earlier, it really should be adapted into a movie. It meshes the small town charm similar to the Cedar Cove (tv) episodes with Garage Sale Mysteries. I loved the idea of shops with collectibles! There's Callie's newly acquired House of Melody, with its music boxes; Glorious Glass, which sells beautiful glass items; and Shake-It-Up and its collectible salt and pepper shakers. That's three of at least ten shops.

Yes, but how's the mystery? Wonderful. There's a music box which plays at random times. Is it Aunt Mel speaking from the great beyond? I had a mental count of three suspects throughout the story. You'll ask yourself, could it be him? Or "him"? What about...? Mary Ellen Hughes is a new-to-me author, but she's on my radar now.

You'll like this story if:
You watch Garage Sale Mystery movies, like small town mysteries with paranormal elements, or if you enjoyed Hot Rocks by Nora Roberts. Why? The protagonists, in A Fatal Collection and Hot Rocks, run stores in small towns located in Maryland.

Disclosure:
I received an eARC from Midnight Ink via netgalley. My review is an honest reflection of my thoughts.

A good first in a series.
All the usual components of a cozy are in this book.

This story of a small community of people who own bespoke shops is thoroughly charming. The characters are well rounded and I wanted to get to know more about them. This book is quaint without being sickly. There is some intrigue, and of course the murder. The food is mouth watering, the shops intriguing and the people delightful. I would thoroughly recommend this book if you want to be charmed and to totally escape into a world with some mystery but above all warm sincerity.

From the author of the Craft Corner Mysteries and the Pickled & Preserved Mysteries, comes the first book in the new Keepsake Cove collection. In A Fatal Collection, Callie Reed makes a visit to her aunt Melodie (Mel, for short) at her music box store, The House of Melody. Their reunion is short-lived, however, because Callie soon finds her Aunt Mel dead in her shop. The authorities believe it was an accident, but Callie isn't so sure. Then she is shocked to learn Aunt Mel left Callie her cottage, shop, and all contents. Callie finds she is ready for a change, but is she ready to move to a community with a killer on the loose?

I have read other books of Ms. Hughes in the past, so was interested to try this new series. It certainly is set in a cozy, small-town atmosphere. The characters are friendly, also. There really is no spark, however. While I am intrigued enough to read the second installment in the series, by the last third or quarter of the book, I just wanted to find out who did it (and it was exactly who I THOUGHT did it). There really were no big twists, and there was no humor to be found. However, if you like your cozies...well...cozy, this fits the bill. So far the new series is somewhat enjoyable, but I suggest waiting until your library gets it instead of running out to the store the day it is released.

Callie Reed is having boyfriend troubles so she decides to make a long overdue visit to her aunt Melodie on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Before they can have their visit, Callie discovers Melodie on the floor dead in her Music box shop. Devastated by the turn of events that have her inheriting her aunt's estate, she decides to stay and find out why she died.

Having visited the Eastern shore frequently in my life, I thoroughly enjoyed this series start at this locale. The characters will need more fleshing out but the start was a great deal of fun.

Great start to this new series by Mary Ellen Hughes! Callie inherits a music box store from her aunt Melody after her aunt is murdered and Callie must figure out who would want to kill her aunt. Great premise and interesting, full-fledged characters. The setting is quaint and friendly. There is suspense and twists and turns to keep the reader guessing! Looking forward to more of this series!

When a chance at what seems like a 'perfect' new life, in a picture-perfect new town, drops into your lap, how do you know who you can trust? Light and easy to read story of a surprise new start in a quaint seaside town--where everyone has a secret past of their own.

Character development: 8/10
-Each character is unique. Hughes provides enough detail to understand the mindset of each character.
Plot development: 9/10
-The plot is formulaic. Yet, Hughes has crafted a plot line that had me framing the wrong person.
Quality of writing: 10/10
Well-paced: 10/10
- The story has a smooth pace, just fast enough to keep the pages turning.
Thought provoking: 9 /10
-One character made a statement that resonated with me: “We get hints and clues, but it’s up to use to put it all together.”
Entertaining: 9/10
-Being a Maryland resident, I was delighted to see the story set in an area I am familiar with.
Enjoyable: 10/10
-We gain a beautiful glimpse of Keepsake Cove’s lovely boutiques as the narrator tells us Callie’s story.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.