Lucy Stone is training for Tinker Cove's annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot when she stumbles across the body of Alison Franklin facedown in the partially frozen pond. Is it murder, suicide, or accidental overdose? Lucy is determined to get to the bottom of the story. In addition to the death of Alison, opioid addiction and anti-immigrant hatred are rearing their ugly heads in this lovely Maine town, and Lucy must do everything she can to protect her family. Incredibly well-written (as usual, Ms. Meier!!!) and fast-paced, this cozy mystery will keep the reader up well into the wee hours of the night because they won't be able to put it down. Loved it, and highly recommend! A+++

Another delightful installment of Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone mysteries. This time Tinker's Cove must face an opioid problem as well as immigration issues. Throw in a body or two and you have the high charged holiday atmosphere that only Lucy can fix. Discovering a novel book in the series is like receiving a letter from your best friend.

# 24 in the Lucy Stone series and this one shifts from cozy into the new bigotry coming to small town Tinker's Cove Maine.

Lucy finds the frozen body of Alison Franklin, daughter of the latest retired CEO millionaire to move into Tinker's Cove, the town is abuzz with the idea of drugs playing a part in the death.

When Rey Rodriguez arrives to bring his high-class Mexican restaurant to Tinker's Cove he never expected the reception he would experience with America For Americans movement.

This isn't the warm fuzzy cozy I expected but then the US political situation isn't the warm fuzzy it has been for the past decade either. Ms Meier handled the issue of preconceived ideas and explosive emotions very well.

The 24th in the Lucy Stone Series continues her sleuthing activities while also playing journalist.

I normally have nothing but positive, glowing remarks for Lucy Meier and her mystery series but this one was rough.

Only a few page in a dead body is found and it’s immediately told this is the daughter of a wealthy town newbie who has been irritating quite a bit of the town. That isn’t my problem. My problem was a remark made that because this was a wealthy person somehow that made her death worse – yes that was actually stated. Why is a wealthy person’s death more tragic than others? Maybe it angered me because I’m part of the 99% who struggles to pay their bills, has to budget carefully, has to hear my daughter tell me it’s ok if she doesn’t participate in a school activity because she knows we need the money for food. Yes it hurt quite a bit that even if Meier didn’t intend it this way she made me feel like my death and by extension life is worth less than the 1%. Granted I already get told that regularly by the 1% but to hear it from an author I admired made it worse.

Then there were the stereotypes and ignorant comments made towards drug abuse. Don’t get me started on the racism used in the plot line because I will never get off my soapbox. I’m very pro-immigrant being part of a family of immigrants so this section of the story was playing seesaw for which part upset the most in this book.

I come to Meier and others like her in this genre so I can escape from a society that tells me how I and others like me are the reason society sucks. I don’t want it rubbed in my face again, especially in this manner, in a fiction book meant to provide escapism.

Were there any positives? It’s not your normal fluff piece by Meier but her main characters stayed true to how they’ve always been portrayed. She does provide great character work particularly since quite a few of them pissed me off so they felt authentic. The mystery aspect was her typically well-written and the planned out crime plus logical solve were what I’d come to expect from the author.

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those you will either love or hate depending on where you stand on certain issues or if you even care when hot button topics in society get used as plot points in your fiction stories – particularly if you are used to depending on the author to provide light fair to get you AWAY from the hot button topics.

Fall just started last week, but I’m ready to talk turkey. Specifically, the latest release in the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier, Turkey Trot Murder. It all starts when local reporter Lucy Stone, while training for the annual Tinker’s Cove 5K Turkey Trot, stumbles upon the body of the very lovely (and very blonde) Alison Franklin under the ice at Blueberry Pond. While her death first appears to be a tragic accident, rumors spark and spread like fire that Alison had a little opioid problem, the very same problem that seems to have taken over Tinker’s Cove in record time.

Alison’s very wealthy father, a Donald Trump stand-in named Ed Franklin, blames a group of immigrants for the drug problem and starts a local movement with a slogan, “America for Americans.” His goal is to not only insure those who he believes are responsible for his daughter’s death end up behind bars, but he wants to stop the opening of a new Tinker’s Cove restaurant, the brain-child of celebrity chef Rey Rodriguez. Rey Rodriguez fights Ed’s racism publicly and it’s not long before Ed joins his daughter six-feet under, leaving behind a very young and very pregnant trophy wife and a very resentful ex-wife.

As Lucy races to solve the mystery of both Alison and Ed Franklin’s deaths, her beloved town turns into a literal powder keg. With multiple murders, drugs and explosions, the latest from Leslie Meier is far from boring. Turkey Trot Murder was a departure in tone from past Lucy Stone mysteries with focuses on two very timely issues; the opioid addiction that has impacted so many communities like the fictional Tinker’s Cove and the ongoing debate on immigration in the United States. There are certain parts of Turkey Trot Murder that were a little uncomfortable for me to read, especially Ed's dialog and this book isn’t as light-hearted as your average cozy mystery. I still wouldn't hesitate in recommending it for fans of the Lucy Stone series.

Disappointing entry in the Lucy Stone series.

After 23 books, I realize that an author may get tired of a genre or a set of characters.  I give Ms. Meier credit for trying to update the setting by adding current events.  However, the white supremacists in this novel are just ethnic stereotypes that sound suspiciously similar to Trump supporters.  That choice may offend some readers.  In addition, I felt like I was being hit over the head with the numerous references to the opioid epidemic.  I get it.  Opioids are baaaad. Unfortunately, now my head hurts so much that I need to take some opioids (just kidding). The quick resolution of the plot had so many coincidences that it was totally unbelievable.

I have to say that I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.  If you like cozy mysteries, please read any other book by this author.  I guarantee it will be better than the Turkey Trot Murder and many of the other cozy mysteries currently being marketed. However, I have to reluctantly (because I love the other books in the series) give 1 star for this one.

Thanks to the publisher, Kensington Books, and netgalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

While training for the upcoming Turkey Trot run Lucy comes across the body of a young girl named Alison on the ice, who happens to be the daughter of a rich community member. It's not visible what killed her so gossip runs rampant about the drugs that have become prevalent in the small town and people are sure that is the cause. It doesn't help that her father, Ed Franklin, is becoming increasingly harsh in voicing his opinion about the people that he feels are immigrants in Tinker's Cove. When Ed is found dead in his Range Rover the discontent between the towns people reaches a new high. Can Lucy figure out what caused Alison to go out on that ice and who killed her father. With an uneasiness taking over the town will the answers come to Lucy before it's to late. I appreciate how the author took several issues relevant to our times and worked them into her book.

This is a series that I've come to love and this book did not disappoint! I love Lucy and the way she approaches any mystery in the town. Tinker Cove has become a favorite place that I'd like to visit and I felt like I was visiting an old friend. This is another mystery that is easy to read with interesting twists and turns. It also speaks to the issues of immigration with its perceptions that people believe to be true.

I'm already ready to read the next in the series! Thank you for allowing me to review!

Small town Maine setting sees a murder in their normally placid community, then another. An interpid small town newspaper reporter finds herself looking for the answer to these crimes. Family, community events, friends who help and interfere add to the story. I am hopeful that there is a sequel to this book. I enjoyed the characters and the small town setting and how they play into the story.. I saw several threads that I would love to see pursued further, for example, the story of the Cali Restaurant opening, and what happens with Hank's recovery.

The stereotypical murder: a runner finds a body. Ms. Meier does a little twist on this where the murder victim is also a runner. That made me chuckle. What didn't make me chuckle was the inclusion of two very current topics: immigration and drug abuse. While I didn't have so much of a problem with drug abuse being one of the story plots, I felt the book really presented a simplified view of both the dealers (people who couldn't find other jobs) and users (people who are bored). However, the immigration and racism issue was too much for me. I am a politically conscious person. I am not trying to put my head in the sand. However, I read to escape reality and having to read racist rants and uneducated garbage about immigrants (even in a fiction book) is not what I want to get out of my reading. Ms. Meier, through her characters, made some very important points but I wanted to read about Lucy, fall leaves, turkeys, her questionable training plan, and a dead body or two. And fingers crossed that some holiday soon that body is Sue. Was she always this bad?

I'd stopped reading this series because I honestly could not keep. up with the murder rate in the small town of Tinker's Cove but thanks to Netgalley and the ARC I read, I'm back. Meier has formed her series around holidays and events in the life of Lucy Stone. Lucy's grown up a lot since the first book, as has her family but her friends remain. I love Bill, who is a stalwart man. This time there are two murders- and topical issues, including opioid use and prejudice against immigrants. Trust that Lucy will sort things out in her stolid, intelligent way. Thanksgiving doesn't really factor in here, it's just a backdrop for the story, which is fine by me. This one had me thinking, though, of changing leaves and warm sweaters.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving has Lucy Stone and her family preparing for Thanksgiving and the annual 5K race when murder takes over the gossip in town. Lucy is busy as ever at the Pennysaver writing about the town meetings and the murder. Love this series, I think Leslie Meier has every holiday covered.

Lucy Stone is back and she finds herself involved with not one, not two, but three mysteries. While out running by Blueberry Pond with her dog, Lucy discovers the body of Alison Franklin under the thin ice. Lucy doesn't believe that her death was drug related as the police would have people believe so she starts looking into Alison's personal life and her family. At the same time a well known Hispanic TV chef Rey Rodriguez moves to Tinker Cove to open a new restaurant on the wharf which has some of the townsfolk turning against the chef and the new restaurant for moving into their space. Shortly after Alison's death her father Ed is found inside his car shot to death during a small group demonstration against Rey for opening a restaurant, The prime suspect for Ed's death is Matt Rey's son. Shortly after Ed's murder Rey's restaurant is firebombed while Lucy's husband Bill is doing construction work inside. Lucy finds herself dealing with this family emergency, while trying to figure out how the three crimes are related and who committed them and why. Leslie Meier writes characters that are so well individualized that they keep you guessing about who the culprits of the crimes are and what their true motives are.

From the title I was expecting a fluffy cozy mystery. The book deals with some serious topics: racism and drug addiction. Lots happening in this little town, in addition to murder. Good addition to the series. I am eager to read the next one as Leslie Meier grabs my attention and doesn't let go.

I really enjoyed this book!! I have read every single Lucy Stone mystery that has been written. This one did not disappoint. I love the fall/Thanksgiving theme and it put me in the mood for the upcoming season!!

It's November and Lucy is training to run in the Turkey Trot 5K. She is running early one morning with her dog when she stumbles across a dead young lady that she happens to know. Alison's a college friend of her youngest daughter, Zoe. Everyone is saying the Alison is a drug addict and that's why she was found frozen in a pond. But the few people that really knew her say that she had kicked her pain pill addiction and was clean & sober. Her stepmother is very pregnant and her mother is a little crazy. There is also trouble brewing in town. A famous Chef wants to put in one of his restaurants in Tinker Cove. That shouldn't be a problem. But unfortunately, since he is Hispanic there are people who want to keep him from doing it. The main person racist is the victim's father, Ed Franklin. Her husband, Bill, is trying to help remodel the building the restaurant will go in when there is an explosion. Lucy has to deal with all of this and figure out whodunit.

I enjoy most of the Lucy Stone mystery series and this one is no exception. I liked the mystery of course but I also liked that Leslie Meier put in real-world problems we are still facing today. The characters are enjoyable mostly but that's life. There are always people we don't like.

Ripped from the headlines would fit some of the storylines in this new Lucy Stone mystery, including racism, opioid/drug addiction and anti-immigration sentiment. I do enjoy this series and especially some of the characters. There certainly are a lot of murders in this small town!

We all want to believe that living in a small town will protect our children and keep our family and friends safe. No drugs, no gangs, no murder. Everyone gets along and you never need to lock your doors. Lucy Stone is discovering that drugs are being sold at the nearby community college. Lucy stone is surprised when she learns of a drug problem on the campus of the community college. Could this be what led Alison Franklin to mistakenly tread on the thin ice that led to her death? Alison’s dad, the wealthy Ed Franklin, is blaming the influx of immigrants and targeting the new owner Rey Rodriguez and ‘his kind.’ Lucy’s afraid that things are changing in her little town and not for the better. Not willing to leave things alone, Lucy is determined to figure out who is responsible for the trouble brewing in her town.

In her 24th installment of the Lucy Stone series, Meier turns to the headlines and brings them into the town of Tinker’s Cove. I don’t normally pick up books that rip themes from the well-trod news but Meier gives her protagonist a backbone and initiative to step up and create change and understanding of these pivotal issues. She doesn’t get on a soap box and brow beat the issues. They are treated fairly and diplomatically and wraps it up in a nice little cozy mystery. Oh, don’t think for a minute that this isn’t gritty. It has grit and substance but you will walk away with a good feeling of justice being served and friends uniting.

Yet another great read by Leslie Meier. Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in advance. Lucy Stone happens to be training for the town's annual Turkey Trot 5k when she and her lab, Libby, stumble upon a body in the frozen lake. But that's not the only death in town. Even her own husband ends up with an injury of his own!

This book also brings about the topic of racism towards a new family looking to build in the town of Tinker's Cove, and what (some of) the town citizens think of them. It made me feel frustrated, but happy in the end. I have not read all of the Lucy Stone mysteries but this is a new topic that I have not seen addressed in any of her other books (so far).

I love Lucy Stone. From the first book to this one, I will always be a devoted fan.
Lucy is still writing for The Pennysaver and things seem about the same in Tinker's Cove, Maine. Lucy's kids are getting older, her grandson Patrick is still in Alaska and her husband Bill is still renovating homes.

This story begins before Thanksgiving with the death of a local resident. Naturally Lucy gets involved with writing a story for the paper, and before long she is wrapped in the middle of an investigation.

I will always love reading a Lucy Stone book. I've read several of them over and over, to me, Lucy Stone is like family and having the chance to follow up with her is a wonderful feeling.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.