4 and ½ stars

Melissa “Mel” Craig is a quite well known mystery writer who goes on a writer’s retreat at Uphanger Estate. The police officer called to deal with the murder is DCI Ken Harris, who happens to be Mel’s love interest.

Stewart Haughan is the victim. He has received what he believes are threatening notes. He is not a very likeable person. He berates his employees and his wife. He rages at the little things that happen in the office.

Mel arrives in the orchard and finds the gardener staring at a body. It turns out to be the unlikeable Stewart Haughan. She doesn’t want to get involved, but not to her own surprise, she does. She is soon joined aby another writer who happens to be a journalist. Together they brainstorm. Mel notices that the journalist likes his drink and seems to have a very strong dislike for someone he says he only met once.

When Ken appears on the scene, he is surprised to see Mel but takes her presence in his stride. He believes that it must be a business associate or other outside person who committed the crime. Mel thinks otherwise and begins to put the pieces together and in an exciting conclusion, the murderer is revealed.

This is a great little cozy mystery. It is well written and the story flows nicely. I like Mel and Ken. (She just can’t seem to stay out of trouble – it just finds her). The story moves along at a good pace, the pages fly by so quickly that the reader hardly notices time passing. Very nice! This is my first Betty Rowlands boon, but it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for others of her novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

Enjoyable Mystery that had me laugh at some moments it remind me of the hallmark mystery movies and I can totally see this on tv I kinda wish someone will put it on screen. Can't wait for the next book. I can totally see two actresses that can play Melissa Craig Roma Downey or Jane Leeves

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite mystery series I devour each book as it comes out and look forward to the next.A peaceful country home a place Melissa Craig is there to write her next book,Then a dead body and the twists and turns begin.Grab this book #netgalley #bookoture