Charli and her book club get a sense of deja vu when the characters in their latest selection, by an author who recently visited Hazel Rock, seem very familiar. When one of the town's residents is found dead, some can't help but compare the real-life situation to that in the book, and conclude that the real-life culprit is the same as the book's equivalent culprit. Charli can't let her friend be blamed for a murder she didn't commit, so she sets out to figure out the identity of the real-life killer.

This is the fifth book in the Book Barn series, and I've enjoyed it far more than I ever thought I would. I am not, nor will I ever be, a Texas cowgirl, so I can't identify with the setting, other than the small town-ness, which seems to be the same no matter where that small town is located. The characters ran the gamut from staid and predictable to over-the-top stereotypes, but even that works in the series' favor, for some reason. Maybe they offset one another? I would love to meet Charli and Princess, her pink pet armadillo, as well as the rest of the recurring characters, and of course, who wouldn't want to spend a day or two browsing through the Book Barn? The mystery in this book seems to take a back seat to other events, but I'm hopeful that this will change in the next book of the series, which I'm already looking forward to reading.

Love this series. It is a fun trip to a small town in Texas. Sure wish I could visit the Book Barn. The armadillo is a pleasant switch from the typical cat or dog in a cozy mystery. I eagerly await the next one.

Sometimes life imitates fiction. Is that what happened when one of the members of the Moms Book Club is found dead? The person is eerily similar to a character in the novel, Woman Scorned. Could Charli simply follow the plot in the book to solve the murder? Even before the murder, a skunk tangles with a patron at her bookstore and things go awry after the discovery of the body.

I found Killer Classics to be a fun, enjoyable read. I like the characters and want to join their book club. All of the club members are quirky and the men in their life’s hunky. Charli falls into situations seemly beyond her control that can be fun or cringe-worthy. The plot was typical for a light mystery but enjoyable nonetheless.

The only thing that was a bit difficult at first was distinguishing between Sugar and Scarlet. With the names starting the same and both having blonde hair and blue eyes, I found myself re-reading some portions to see which one was Sugar and which was Scarlet.

I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Killer Classics is the fifth book in Kym Roberts’ Book Barn Mystery series and is a well written, with well-developed and likable characters, humor, a sense of community and friendship, plus an adorable pink Armadillo, named Princess who brings a skunk, who’s her first boyfriend, home. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is until the reveal.

Charli Rae “Princess” Warren moved back to her hometown of Hazel Rock, Texas, where she helps her dad, Bobby Ray, run the Book Barn Princess. Charlie’s secretly dating Sheriff Mateo Espinosa and is helping her ex-boyfriend and attorney, Mayor Cade Calloway, with his yet to be announced senatorial campaign. Her best friend, Scarlett Jenkins, owns the beauty shop across the street from the bookstore. The Book Barn Princess hosts the Mystery Moms Book Club once a week, and their current selection is “Woman Scorned” by Nathan Daniels, which appears to be at least loosely based on Hazel Rock and its residents. Charlie’s pink Armadillo, Princess, brings her new boyfriend, a skunk, into the bookstore while the book club is meeting and havoc breaks out when they spot him, causing him to spray the upstairs room and ruining all the used books and the contents of a couple of Cade’s belongings. The books and other items smelled so bad, even the recycling center refused them; forcing Charlie to do the unthinkable … burn them! The author had spent some time in Hazel Rock, and his storyline seemed to predict events that would happen. When the health inspector shut down the Enchanted Inn because a lot of their customers became ill, a body was discovered in its water cistern. The body is identified as Maddie MacAlister, and her ex-husband, Dean MacAlister, and his live-in girlfriend, Sugar McWilliams, both appear to have motive, means, and opportunity. Charli isn’t one to sit back and do nothing and is determined to help find the killer.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I have not read the previous books in the series, although I find that it works as a standalone mystery.

My gripe is that the author keeps a lot of the cards to herself and it's difficult to actually figure out the mystery on my own. Furthermore, the plot is less mystery driven and more character driven. There's more focus placed on the relationships and drama than on the actual mystery.

The plot centers around how a murder mystery book set in their small town seems to be almost true to life. There, characters are based on real people in the town and suspicions turn on each other when one gets murdered. Someone whose in-book character was the murder victim.

Don't get me wrong- there's actually quite a varied cast of characters who managed to endear me. I just wish there was more mystery. I felt like the murderer just showed up suddenly without any real build-up. It could have had more focus on the murder investigation and the sleuthing, I feel like.

5 stars

“Small-town life in Hazel Rock becomes a Texas-size crime scene when murder takes a page from Charli Rae Warren’s book club’s latest mystery . Charli takes great pride in running one of the few independent, family-owned bookstores in small-town Texas. She vets everything carefully, with an eye to the eclectic tastes of the locals. That includes the Book Barn’s weekly book club selection. This time out it’s a mystery whose characters bear a striking resemblance to local citizens, including Charli’s friend Sugar who’s the prime suspect when her real-life nemesis is found dead in a hotel’s water tank.”


I read this book in one day and practically in one sitting. I just enjoyed it so much, in particular, Charli’s pet armadillo named princess and her new boyfriend, a skunk.

Killer Classics by Kym Roberts is so much fun! This book is set in small-town Texas with all of the requisite characters, even the annoying reporter and handsome ex-boyfriend and new boyfriend Mateo, the town's sheriff. I loved them all so much and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. This is the first book in this series I have read. Roberts wrote her book in such a way that if you had not read from the series in the past, it was easy to figure out the back story of the characters.

I cannot recommend this book enough! This is a fun, easy cozy mystery without swearing or sex. I was kept guessing until the very end of the book too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #KillerClassics #NetGalley #KensingtonBooks

Charli takes great pride in running one of the few independent, family-owned bookstores in
small-town Texas. She vets everything carefully, with an eye to the eclectic tastes of the locals. That includes the Book Barn’s weekly book club selection. This time out it’s a mystery whose characters bear a striking resemblance to local citizens, including Charli’s friend Sugar. Who happens to be the prime suspect when her real-life nemesis is found dead in a hotel’s water tank.

With help from her pet armadillo Princess, Charli campaigns to clear Sugar’s sweet name, literally, when the up-for-election mayor becomes a killer’s next target. Murder and politics make scandalous bedfellows as Charli discovers that fiction may be fatal, but reality could be just as deadly.

--

Series: A Book Barn Mystery - Book 5
Author: Kym Roberts
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Charli and Princess are at it again. Another murder, another adventure. This time Charli must save the reputation of her friend, Sugar, and keep her from going to prison for murder. Killer Classics, as with the other four books in this series is absorbing and notable. Kym Roberts has created a highly entertaining story filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Her writing is smooth, fast-paced, character-driven, and humorous. The love interest in this book is well defined, and readers will finally be able to see where Charli’s heart leads her.

Sugar is a great suspect and a delightful character. Everything that happens endears her to the reader. Ms. Roberts could do a series with just Sugar and readers would love it. Other characters are engaging as well, and everyone loves Cade as they cheer him on with his new political career. There simply is no way anyone can forget Princess. Booklovers will believe that she is a person instead of an armadillo, and it's easy to see why. Princess has a distinctive personality and is the comic relief that fills you with hope when everything seems hopeless. Her escapades put a smile on the readers face and fills them with wonder.

In the end, the murderer is revealed, and the motive made clear, a bit on the odd side but not totally irrational. Readers may have the feeling that there should have been more to the murder than what it turns out to be. Regrettably, it isn’t hard to imagine or accept the motive in a world where killing someone over trivial matters is a real possibility.

Unfortunately, this book cannot stand on its own. It is suggested that readers take the time to read the other books in this series before tackling Killer Classics. There is little to no background info provided for the reader. So if you are new to the series you may become confused and exasperated without the character background knowledge that comes from reading a series from the beginning.

Over-all I recommend this book and series to lovers of odd stories, definitive characters, and settings that are intriguing, as well as to those who want a quick read with a happy ending and an unforgettable plot.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Killer Classics by Kym Roberts
Book #3: A Book Barn Mystery
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 4½/5 stars

“They all knew I was responsible; who else could cause that much uproar in town?”

Truer words have never been spoken by Charli Rae Warren and in this installment of the Book Bark Mystery series, Charli Rae is up to her butt in trouble only she can cause.

1. There’s a new book and it bears a striking resemblance to Hazel Rock
2. Said new book describes a grisly murder of one of the locals
3. Said grisly murder occurs
4. There’s a skunk incident
5. There’s a book burning
6. There are multiple arrests
7. Charli Rae Warren is involved in all parts of the above list

One would think, based on her track record that Charli Rae is a professional trouble seeker. While that is not the case, trouble always seems to find Charli Rae and once again, the trouble involves murder. What’s more, the suspected killers are two of the kindest people in all of Hazel Rock, and with few exceptions, no one can believe they really committed the crime. With only the right thing left to do, Charli Rae dives into the fray determined to clear her friends’ names.

Meanwhile . . . .

When not solving crimes and generally causing trouble, Charli Rae is determined to see her relationship with the super sexy sheriff move forward. Mateo is the only man Charli Rae has eyes for, but the stubborn man doesn’t quite understand her feelings. Adding to the confusion is the near-constant presence of Charli Rae’s ex, Mayor Cade Calloway. While Cade may be interested in Charli Rae, he has bigger fish to fry, larger life concerns, and he isn’t the type to make a move on another man’s woman. Trouble is, Cade needs Charli Rae’s help and he isn’t quite ready to reveal the why of it to the general public. As you might expect, this sort of subterfuge causes issue for Charlie Rae and Mateo. Because, she needs one more problem in her life 😊

Meanwhile . . . .

Simply because a grisly murder and man problems aren’t enough to deal with, Charli Rae also has a frisky armadillo on her hands. Princess has always been a good girl, behaving herself, keeping herself clean, and providing loads of love and laughs for Charli Rae and her customers. It seems, Princess has found herself a new boyfriend and most certainly isn’t an armadillo. Though Charli Rae tries to convince Princess of the error of her ways, her feisty girl isn’t having any of it! As far as Princess is concerned, everyone can either get good with her new man or get gone. Ironically, because of her boyfriend’s identity most really do want to get gone 😊

The Bottom Line: Killer Classics is chock a block full of all the things I have to come love in this series! Charli Rae is once again up to her butt in trouble, Mateo is frequently found dismayed by Charli Rae and her antics, Princess is up to her brand of mischief making, there’s a murder to be solved, and the citizens of Hazel Rock whom I have come to know, and love make plenty of appearances. I sincerely feel as if this series is getting stronger with each new book, as each character evolves, and the community becomes stronger after every trial and tribulation. This series is such a great mix of mystery, light romance, humor, and friendship and it has kept me entertained from the very beginning.

I haven't read this author before but loved the book. This story I had a hard time figuring out who committed the murder. I never figured it out and found out at the end. It is a really good cozy mystery. I plan on reading more of the books by this author and especially this series.

A well written cozy mystery. Loved the plot, quirky characters and the small town setting. Mystery fans will enjoy this book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

I wish this series would never end. Charli and company- especially Princess the pink armadillo- once again solve a classic cozy mystery to exonerate one of Charli's friends who is caught up as a suspect when an author write a murder mystery set in Hazel Rock. You gotta love a heroine with a book store, much less an armadillo. There's a lot of gossip in a small town, which only makes matters worse for Charli, especially vis a vis her love interest Mateo. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is light entertainment that occasionally veers into the silly but it's a relaxing romp.

I'm on the fence with this book. Some parts were amusing, others were on the rim of ridiculousness . I liked the cover art and the store theme of books in a barn, but the nickname for the main character was overused as was the constant appearance of the skunk. The mystery part was also pretty shallow. Liza was a good antagonist and Mateo a good character for sheriff, I personally think Cade is overrated.

I have enjoyed this series through 4 previous books and I was not disappointed with the 5th book. It is as funny as the other books, Charli armadillo Princess has a boyfriend, skunk. Princess brings to the book barn and the scenes are hilarious. Charlie is helping Clyde with reelection campaign and it is bothering Mateo.
The book barn weekly book selection is a story that closely matches residents of Hazel Rock, Texas. The gossip runs fast through the town, especially when a body is found the new greens hotel. Charlie will have to work fast to clear her friend, Sugar before she is convicted of the crime.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.

Disclosure: Many Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Underground for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

PS: I am sorry to read this is the last book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. From Princess’ new stinky boyfriend to the stranger-than-fiction hot new release, Kym Roberts delivers another great cozy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

KILLER CLASSICS by Kym Roberts is the fifth novel in the Book Barn Mystery Series. It is due out on December 4th 2018 by Lyrical Underground. The other books in the Book Barn Mystery Series are FATAL FICTION (December 6th 2016 by Lyrical Underground), A Reference to murder (May 16th 2017 by Lyrical Underground), PERILOUS POETRY (October 10th 2017 by Lyrical Underground), and lethal literature (May 1st 2018 by Lyrical Underground).

In KILLER CLASSICS, art imitates life. And then life imitates art. After a brief stay in Hazel Rock, Texas, author Nathan Daniels publishes a mystery novels that is loosely based on the residents of the small town. When the real-life woman whom the fictional victim was based on is murdered in almost the same way that she was in the novel, Charli Rae Warren gets caught up in solving the murder and exonerating her friends. Charli is the proprietress of the Book Barn Princess bookstore, and she might also be the killer's next victim.

KILLER CLASSICS is the first of the Book Barn Mystery series that I've read, and I felt a bit hindered having not read the other novels. I feel like the characters, relationships, locations, and circumstances needed to be explained a bit more for others who have not read any of the previous novels. That being said, I don't really feel compelled to read the other novels in this series. I couldn't get invested in any of the characters or their lives. Charli mostly annoyed me, and her overused exclamation of "fuzz buckets!" made me want to scream. I found KILLER CLASSICS to be a bit goofy and jumbled. For me, at least, there was no mystery when it came to identifying the killer. I had the killer pegged from his first appearance in the novel, and his motive was also a bit of a stretch to believe. Overall, a mindless, sometimes funny cozy mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Why is this the last book in the series? I am in mourning. I love the A Book Barn Mystery series. There is humor, mystery, Texas charm and romance, all thrown together with a pet armadillo. I highly recommend the entire series!

Charli runs the local Texas small town bookstore with her father, and her pet armadillo Princess. Working with her ex, who is the local major but wants to run for the senate, and her hunky sheriff boyfriend leaves a few sparks flying. When Princess shows up with her new boyfriend, a skunk, the fur goes flying. What a hoot. Throw in a murder mystery and a crazy with grief huge biker named Tiny and the book was hard to put down. Highly recommend this book and author. First I've read in the series but will not be my last.

Overall I enjoyed this book; it's a well established series with interesting and dynamic characters (pets included). And the mystery was mixed in with a sub-plot around Charli's personal life which gave the book more depth.

I found it a little strange that she felt the need to burn books or that doing so could potentially harm Cade's political campaign. And Charli's catchphrase "fuzz buckets' was irritating.

But all in all it came together as relaxing mystery read with a town that could be found endearing.

Sadly this is the last book in the Barn Book Mysteries, but it has ended wonderfully. Each book always has a great mystery, wonderful characters, and great emotions that pull you into the story. Well written as always and will miss the characters.

This is a solid book in terms of a cozy mystery but it just didn’t grab me.
I strongly recommend you read the previous books in the series before you attempt this one.