It's the first Leslie Meier's book I read and i can say it was a great discovery.
I loved this two mysteries! They're well written, entertaining and engaging.
Even if it's a cozy mystery the setting is not the usual postcard perfect little town: there're issues, poors and it's great to read a more realistic depiction.
The cast of characters was interesting: some were lovely but other were less than perfect, with a lot of quirks.
The plot were goods and kept me guessing till the end. I couldn't put this book down and I read it in one setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

VALENTINE MURDER
Lucy has arrived at her first ever library board meeting. Unfortunately, she finds the new librarian dead in the basement. The agitated group assumes Bitsy Howell was killed by an outsider—until Detective Lt. Horowitz announces that the killer is among them. Lucy knew that Bitsy rubbed some people the wrong way. But she has a hunch the murderous motives run a lot deeper. And as she snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker’s Cove’s most solid citizens, what she finds is far from hearts and flowers.

CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER
Despite the frigid winter temperatures, to boost the economy, Tinker’s Cove is launching a travel promotion for Valentine’s Day. Lucy is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer Chocolate—and its deliciously handsome owner. But there’s another tantalizing tart behind the counter—sultry store manager Tamzin Graves. Leaving a throng of jealous women in her wake, it’s almost no surprise when Tamzin turns up dead, her body covered in chocolate. And as Lucy closes in on the culprit, she may find herself locked in the clutches of a half-baked killer.

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Series: Lucy Stone Mystery Book
Author: Leslie Meier
Genre: Cozy/Holiday Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books

Valentine Candy Murder book is a fun and entertaining read. With this book, readers get two stories in one. Valentine Murder (book 5) and Chocolate Covered Murder (book 18) which was also published in 2013 is included in this Valentine’s inspired cozy. Leslie Meier has once again created a wonderful story with her main character, Lucy Stone, that has Lucy scratching her head and causing trouble.

Lucy knows that someone murdered Bitsy, but she finds it difficult to believe that one of the town's most upstanding citizens is responsible. Why would any of them commit murder, especially the murder of a librarian and right after they had helped fund the library’s new addition and remodel? It looks like she will have to stick her nose into police business once again to solve another murder in Tinker’s Cove.

Characters in the Lucy Stone mystery series are as down to earth as they come. They remind readers of a simpler time when playing in the snow was a holiday and murder was something that happened in the big city. These characters remind us that everyone has problems, no matter where they live, and sometimes bad things happen to good people.

The characters are warm and interesting. The town is always fun to read about, and Ms. Meier does a fantastic job of describing the two and the characters. This is a long-running series, so it is advised that readers go back to the beginning. Otherwise they will be confused as the timeline in this book is not chronological.

Valentine Candy Murder is worth the read. If readers have never read one of the Lucy Stone mysteries, they will want to read them all once they read these two entertaining stories. Those who have read the series will enjoy returning to an old favorite.

ARC provided by NetGalley

I'm not sure if the book is being republished or if it is suppose to feel dated. While it is a fun story languages, setting and lingo seemed to date the story pulling readers out of the story. It is two books in one story but for some reason they do not feel as if they are book 1 and 2 but more book 1 and maybe book 4 or 5.

The Toddler in book one is now a teen in the next book. Confusing YES!

Having never read this author before I can't say I am looking forward to reading anymore stories bu her.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Kensington for the advance copy of Leslie Meier Valentine Candy Murder

Words cannot describe how much I enjoy Leslie Meier's mysteries. They are best enjoyed on snowy day curled up with a hot water bottle and a cup of tea. This latest Leslie Meier story did not disappoint . This latest cozy story is full of chocolate secrets and what else but murder. Lucy Stone I would like to say is my spirit animal, a hardworking Mother and wife who always gets to the bottom of things.

Cozy mystery at its finest. Leslie didn’t disappoint. I enjoy the small town and characters in the book.

Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier is in reality two books in one and particular two books featuring Lucy Stone but set years apart which was a tad confusing. That said, it’s a typical small town cozy where everyone knows everything about each other. Both of the books are taking place in the winter and makes you happy that you are not stuck in this icy town in Maine.

The books are very entertaining as most cozies are and are very easy reads. I recommend this book and thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for letting me read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review. I happily give it 4 stars

In Valentine murder, Lucy is a brand new board member for the library. She goes to her first meeting and they find the librarian has gone missing. When she goes down to the basement to see if she's there, she finds her dead. This is not a good start to a new job...

Kensington Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published December 18th.

No one knows why someone would have killed the new librarian. There really aren't any clues to be found. But it almost had to be someone with library access or they wouldn't have a key to the basement door.

Lucy's boss is all excited. She's one of his journalists and she was right on the scene! But Lucy doesn't want to just talk about it. She wants to solve it. Unfortunately, this isn't the only death planned...

Chocolate Covered Murder is even more deadly. It begins with an ice fisherman's death. Then a candy shop employee who flirted with all the men in town dies. This is a small town and everyone knows everyone else. Who would commit murder? The cops arrest a suspect but no one thinks she's the murderer except them. Can Lucy figure out it? And, if she does, can she stay alive?

Two previously published cozies by the same author- a treat for Meier fans who want a stroll down memory lane but perhaps a bit confusing to new readers. Lucy Stone, Tinker's Cove, and the world have changed quite a bit between the first- number 6 in the series-and the second-number 20 in the series. That's not to say that Lucy's essence is different, just that she has matured as a person and a character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I appreciated the chance to take another look.

A couple of reprints from books written earlier for Valentine's day. The first one is the VALENTINE CANDY Lucy Stone has accepted a job on the Library Board of Directors. At her first meeting, Lucy finds the librarian Bitsy Howell shot in the library 's basement. Bitsy had a habit of noticing the books people checked of library gossip about the books with others. Detective Lt. Horowitz feels the Killer was among the patrons at the Library that day. Lucy decided to look for an answer to Bisty's death.
CHOCOLATE COVERED BODY
Tinker Cove is experiencing the coldest winter on record and the economy is poor and a lot of people are hurting financially. Chanticleer Chocolate has stored for chocolates and the manager, Tamzin Graves has the women in an uproar as she flirts with men of the Cove. Tamzin's body is played out on the counter of store cover with chocolate. Lucy must act fast or she might join Tamzin in death.
I enjoy both books as I did when I first read them. A visit with Stones is a relaxing read. I recommend the book and series

Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Two Fast Moving Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries
This book consists of Two Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries: Valentine Murder and Chocolate Covered Murder. Both stories take place at Valentines, only about 10 years apart. Both stories are great! The crimes are interesting, the plot includes plenty of suspects and lots of motives. That makes for a very interesting book with lots of plot twists and no way for a reader to guess the culprit. These are the only books by this author that I have read. Now I want to read the entire Lucy Stone series! I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Whether reading a new book or revisiting an older one, Leslie Meier never fails to keep you entertained. Lucy is a fantastic character that just cannot stay away from "trouble". Her stories are always very well written and entertaining. 📚

I was looking for an interesting cosy for Valentine’s Day and happened upon The Valentine Candy Murder which will be published in December.

The Valentine Candy Murder is a compilation of two previously published works by Leslie Meier. She did something similar for Halloween and now we have this, two books in one. The first is Valentine Candy Murder in which a librarian is murdered shortly before a library board meeting. Newly appointed board member, Lucy, searches for answers when she believes the local detective has arrested the wrong person for the murder. The second, Chocolate Covered Murder, revolves around a rather intense rivalry between two chocolate shops in the small town of Tinker’s Cove. Lucy, a freelance reporter for the Pennysaver newspaper, begins her own investigation once again.
If you already are a fan of Meier’s work and/or have followed along the amateur sleuthing of Lucy’s, then having these two holiday themed books under one cover will be delight for you. The characters are vivid and fascinating and the plots themselves lend well to a cosy type read.

I came into these books fresh having never read about Tinker’s Cove or Lucy before now. The first, originally published long ago, felt a bit dated to me. If I had known that the action was taking place in, say, the 80s then I would have better understood perhaps. As it was, there are multiple references to the computer and searching for things online that came across as very antiquated – appropriate for the 80s but not for today. Because there were so many of these references, I found them a bit distracting. The second book skips ahead considerably on Lucy’s timeline so I found myself, once again, rather confused. The toddler in the first book is now a teen and the son is grown and married. I just don’t think that putting these two books together was wise given their vast time difference – at least not for new readers.

If you already are a fan then I’m quite sure you will enjoy these two books together. For the rest of us, I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series and read each individually. The writing is good and cozy and the characters are interesting.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #Kensington Press for my advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous novel by Leslie Meier. This volume contains "Valentine Murder" and "Chocolate Covered Murder". Both were wonderful additions to the Lucy Stone Murder series. All the loved characters were back as we follow along their lives and see what trouble Lucy manages to get herself into.

In "Valentine Murder" the town librarian is found murdered prior to a meeting of the library board. As usual Lucy wants to investigate and is told by Detective Lt. Holowitz to mind her own business.

In "Chocolate Covered Murder" a local ice fisherman drowns in what they say is an accident but Lucy doesn't believe it. The manager of the towns new chocolate shop is the next to be found murdered. Are these murders being committed by a bitter ex-wife or the candy making rival in town? Only drawback to this book is the amount of time Lucy spends worrying about her self-image, her weight. Not a positive message for anyone.

Overall, two delightful books by Leslie Meier, extremely enjoyable reads.

First, I wanted to note this is another compilation of two already published Lucy Stone mysteries. I know the recent compilation of Halloween themed stories may have caught some unawares, believing it was a new title. But with that said, it’s enjoyable to revisit one of our favorite cozy sleuths with a quick trip down memory lane. The two featured stories, Valentine Murder and Chocolate Covered Murder have been previously released but it’s always fun to be reminded of where our favorite characters have come from - like a flashback into the past when the kids were little and some members of the town were still innocent... and alive. I like the idea of rereleasing these stories and I do hope they find their way into the hands of some newer readers who will learn to love Lucy, her family and friends and community as much as I have!

I had not previously read anything by Leslie Meier but I certainly will read more now.
Her characters jump from the page fully formed and lifelike and realistic. The reader can picture the characters vividly.
The writing is very smooth and easy going and one enters the world created by Ms. Meier and is reluctant to leave it at the end of the book.
The story was well written and suspenseful and the murderer a surprise, which is unusual in today's mysteries.

Lucy Stone novels # 6 (Valentine Murder) and # 20 (Chocolate Covered Murder) are combined in this book released under a new title makes for one long-lasting satisfying read.

In the first book, (#6), Lucy Stone is a freelance writer at the Pennysaver newspaper while raising four young children, the youngest in preschool three mornings a week. As the newly appointed Library Board member, Lucy becomes a murder suspect when she finds the body of librarian Bitsy Howell.
Threats to Lucy's family has her more determined to solve the crimes.
Set in the late 1990's cellphones and home computers were the new rage and the www an eye opening invention.

In the second book (#20) Tinker's Cove has two chocolate shops and the rivalry between newbie Trey Meacham and Ferns Famous Fudge's Dora Fraser becomes intense when Dora's ex-husband Max is found dead then Tom's store manager is murdered. Small town Tinker's Cove presents its best reasons to celebrate winter that include a baking contest and a Valentine's Day dance. Lucy & Bill are still a loving couple and great support to their family and their community.

Overall a good reading experience even if I had read these when they were originally published I still enjoyed the time spend in Tinker's Cove with Lucy Stone.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

Books like this are so handy. I love it when you can get more than one title in a book. Too many times you get condensed version, which I think is extremely irritating. Most authors choose every single word with care and having a stranger decide that they can cut out whatever they want hardly seems like a legitimate action to encourage.

A sweet cozy mystery for a cold day. Lucy Stone mysteries always end up making me happy. I love reading about her life and her town and the hunt she goes on when murders occur in her quaint oasis.

These two Valentine Mysteries packed together in one book make for a perfect back to back reading day.
I couldn't think of a better mystery to curl up and read on a cold and dreary day! Lucy's life is so fun to read about and how she stumbles about solving crimes makes it even better.

What a great book to read curled up by the fire on a cold and dreary day!

Fast becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery author's I was delighted to find out these are a couple of stotries previously published that I hadn't read yet. I was able to enjoy these while waiting in an unpleasant environment. A good way to make my time a little less uncomfortable.