This was a super fun, unique cozy mystery.

Courtney used to see fairies when she was little, but she lost the ability as she was growing up. When she finally decided to start her own business away from her father, she found the ability again. When another local business owner is found dead in her shop, Courtney and her fairy friend Fiona help the police to solve the mystery.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It felt super unique. I haven't come across a cozy with fairies yet. And I feel like a lot of the recent portrayals of fairies are more sinister. I liked that these fairies felt more like the Tinkerbell movies. Courtney and her friends are super engaging and were interesting to read about. I liked that Courtney wasn't completely taken over by her attraction to a guy. It was refreshing that she was able to still participate in life without that getting in the way. I did feel like it was odd that when the author was describing some people she used nationalities. She had "Danish," but with characters of color, it was a generic "Asian." That kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

Fairies. Magic. Mystery. As in so many cozies, everything runs swimmingly until a dead body turns up on the page. Fortunately, author Daryl Wood Gerber has found a winning detective in Courtney. Smart and determined, she’s the perfect sleuth to crack the case. She’s backed up by a quirky cast of secondary characters including a particularly rambunctious fairy, Fiona, and each of them add some spark to an already engaging world.

A fairy garden/tea shop makes for a unique backdrop, and Gerber grabs every bit of whimsy from it that she can. Cute garden scenes crash against a broader murder investigation, though, and the result is a heightened sense of tension. Adorable fairies might be frolicking in a garden, but that doesn’t mean danger isn’t lurking around every corner. Add in numerous suspects, a few red herrings, and some enchanted investigating, and the result is a well-rounded, fun mystery.

Ultimately, Gerber has conjured up an absolutely charming start to a new cozy series.

This was a very engaging read. It kept me interested and guessing as to who the culprit was. I also enjoyed reading about fairy gardens others had created even though I have yet to create my own. Hopefully someday.

Courtney is the owner of Open Your Imagination, a shop for you to create fairy gardens and all things magical. She even has her own fairy, Fiona, that is working on getting her grown set of wings by behaving better and being more helpful. When Fiona wakes Courtney up in the middle of the night saying she has to go to the shop quickly. She finds her neighboring shop owner dead by the fountain in her shop.

I enjoyed the first book in this brand new series so much! I just love Courtney's playful and sometimes mischievous fairy, Fiona. She really was trying to be good in order to earn her complete adult wings. It was so cool how some people could see her, and others either just didn't want to believe or were totally ignorant. The whole magical feeling of the story was so much fun. I enjoy the author's other series and feel that she did a great job with a fantasy mystery and her fairy garden-making research.

I had sort of guessed the killer but their reason was very hidden. I always enjoy a book more when the killer gets caught in a way that doesn't cause any nail biting or harm to the main character. And it's great when there's a wrap-up afterward. It's going to be hard to wait till next year for the next book, but there was a little preview after all the recipes. And the recipes...they all sound amazing especially those brownies with the salted caramel sauce!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

I wasn't expecting this book to have actual fairies in it and it took me a while to warm up to the idea. Fiona, Courtney's fairy friend, is trying to earn her adult wings but keeps getting into trouble with the Fairy Queen. Helping to solve the murder will get Fiona closer to her wings. Probably the most unique thing about this new series is that Courtney is so open with everyone about the existence of fairies. Some of her customers can see Fiona and others can't, depending on how open they are to the possibility.

I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review. This book was a joy to read. The author created and developed characters that were rich with detail. The topic was interesting and I love that we learned about fairy gardening as well. The main character, Courtney, was well written and the world was well developed. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

A Magical Fairy Garden shop! What's not to love. There were lots of suspects to keep me guessing as to who had killed the guy that dies in Courtney's garden. I think the thing that drew me into the story so much was the whimsical thread that runs through the well written mystery. Sometimes a little whimsy is just what we need. Look forward to reading the next in this wonderful new series.

Who would have thought fairies could help solve a murder in California?
This is the first book in Daryl Wood Gerber's new Fairy Garden Mystery series. Courtney Kelly runs a gardening shop specializing in fairy gardens. When a neighboring business owner is found dead in the middle of her shop, she sets out to figure out who did it and why, with a little help from her staff, friends, and her fairy companion.
This is a cute new series idea. Daryl embraces the flower fairy aesthetic thoroughly. From the descriptions of the gardens, to the society she has created around fairy life, it is a charming read. The plot is good as always. She keeps you guessing with all the secrets you uncover along the way. The characters have that small town charm that she always conveys so well. I am interested in seeing how they grow over time.
I would recommend this book to people who want a good mystery, but not a lot of violence. The murder is the most violent thing that happens in the book, and the rest is uncovered in a method that very much ties into the feel that adding fairies to a mystery changes the cozy genre. It is a sweet trip into a fairy assisted world where humans and fairy work together to solve mysteries.

In this first book of a new series we are introduced to Courtney who decided it was time to make a change in her life. Courtney left her father's landscaping business to open her own, a fairy garden business along with a tea shop. You see from an early age Courtney had a connection with fairies that is until her mom passed and she lost her way. She rediscovered all those lost feelings from long ago and fairies are a part of her life once again. Things are going well until she finds the bottom of Mick Watkins, a local businesses dead owner, dead in her shop. How had he gotten in and why was he kilked? It looks like the police have Courtney as one of the main suspects but she doesn't know why, she hardly knew the man and had no issues with him. Courtney realizes that she must investigate to clear her name and to keep her shop open. Follow along as she delves into each new lead and gets help from a tiny and unexpected source. This was a truly enchanting read that will have you not only believing in fairies but it will get you in your own garden searching them! I loved the charming characters and the plot was definitely original.

This was my most anticipated book of the year, simply because there were cozies. I love the cover, it's amazing.

The story gets kudos for bringing in fairies on page one. The plot itself is a traditional cozy with the addition of fairies. I think I hoped for more integration of the fairy world into the story... to be clear, I liked the story I just wanted MORE fairies. BUT I read the first chapter of book two at the end of A Sprinkling Of Murder, and I believe the author has just waited to bring in more of the fairy world which is fine.

The plot is solid, characters interesting and I really love the setting. I AM SO going to create a fairy garden this summer.



I'll definitely read the next book in the series as I seek to learn more about the fairy world in this intriguing series.

A truly magical first in a new series! Such a unique setting, a store for fairy gardens. The author does a great job of setting the stage for the characters and mystery without overloading the reader with too much information at once. The mystery keeps you guessing until the very end. Definitely a story you can read again and again.

“Sprinkling of Murder” by Daryl Wood Gerber the first instalment in “A Fairy Garden Mystery" series. What a great start to a new cozy series, I love all the whimsical characters and learning about fairy gardens.

I found the story to be charming, whimsical and especially liked that Courtney had a Ragdoll cat named Pixie and a Fairy named Fiona. I always enjoy cozies with a hint of magic and this was no exception. The side characters were also intriguing and I can see them developing more over the next few books.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I didn’t guess the ending either so that was nice.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

The first book in a new series. With fairies and fairy gardens and magical things happening all over Courtney's shop. Courtney loves fairies. At least she did until her mother died when she was only ten, after that she lost her connection. Now she has left her dad's landscaping business to follow her own dreams. Running a fairy garden business along with a tea shop. 

Situated in lovely Carmel, Open Your Imagination, sells any and everything one would need to entice fairies into their gardens. She is even teaching classes and at 29 she has found her passion.

Until the dog groomer from across the street is found dead in her space. Courtney is now a suspect! With a little help from a friend or two, she is going to have to clear her own name!

What an enchanting new series! The characters are interesting and the pixie dust has some of them acting oddly. Grab a copy of this one.

NetGalley/June 30th, 2020 by Kensington

A SPRINKLING OF MURDER, the first book in the brand new Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, is an enchanting tale that captured my fancy! With a charming setting in Carmel-by-the-Sea situated on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the reader can’t help but feel like they’re on vacation. I adored the fairy garden and tea shop, Open Your Imagination, owned by protagonist Courtney Kelly. It was a treat to learn some of the ins and outs of creating fairy gardens for personal home gardens as the story unfolded. This is one of the times I wish it were possible for pictures to be included within the text as I read along. (However, if you visit the author’s website, she has photos and YouTube videos posts on her “just for fans” page.)

Sometimes first books in a series introduce a large cast to set the stage for future books and that happens here. However, the author provides a helpful list of characters at the front of the book for easy reference. I liked the protagonist Courtney. She is smart and curious but doesn’t come across as overly nosy or in-your-face. When she discovers the murdered body of her shop’s neighbor on her patio late one night and then becomes a suspect, Courtney knows she needs to get to the bottom of the crime and clear her name. Assisting her in sleuthing is the adorable fairy, Fiona, who is on probation after being expelled from fairy school for too many pranks. Fiona is a fun sidekick to Courtney with her penchant for shenanigans! The introduction of this surprising fantasy element brought a lightheartedness to the story which I greatly enjoyed. To tie in the magical fairy theme, the author also includes lovely “fairy” quotes from literature at the beginning of each chapter. I was tempted to page ahead to read them all before starting the story.

Ms. Gerber is well-known for her other cozy mystery books and her expertise in crafting a well-plotted mystery is on full display here. The pace was even and kept me turning pages wanting to see what happens next. The number of suspects and the way Courtney presented them as she asks questions made it difficult to guess who the culprit was. They all seemed entirely viable. With a surprising twist at the Agatha Christie-style reveal, I was left feeling highly satisfied and entertained!

While this may be a cozy mystery set in a fairy garden shop, they do serve tea and treats there. Courtney also frequents the Hideaway Café which is owned by her potential love interest, Brady, so there’s plenty of yummy food mentioned. True to Ms. Gerber’s love for creating delectable recipes, she’s included several at the back of the book.

A Sprinkling of Murders is a fabulous start to A Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber! I had just finished a different cozy mystery that was just okay and what makes the difference between that one and a great cozy is showing not telling when it comes to the story, characters I could see myself being friends with in real life and wanting to come back book after book to read what is going on in their lives, and a hobby or town that is talked about in detail. Gerber does all three of those things perfectly in A Sprinkling of Murder.

Getting to know Courtney, her friends, the fairies, and the pets (there were as many pets as people… if not more!) was very enjoyable. Courtney has a great community in her little village and the fairies and fur babies added another level to it all.

There was no jumping right into the story with a love interest which is a nice change of pace. And even better, for a moment I thought there might be a love triangle, but I was happy to see that potential mate was already with someone else by the end of the book. Courtney isn’t hooking up with a police officer or someone on the newspaper staff so I’m looking forward to seeing how Gerber deals with that in future books, since so many authors have their amateaur sleuth getting help from people in those professions in their book series.

One of the things that draws people to cozies is the hobby or cooking that the series centers around, and learning how to make fairy gardens is such a fun concept. I am super excited to take the knowledge I gather from A Sprinkling of Murder and make one (or many!) for my backyard.

This was an unusual beautifully written cozy mystery. The main character and her fairy were the investigators. The setting was charming in its description, and seemed warm and inviting. The plot was fast, quirky and fun. The only thing that bothered me was the way the mystery was solved. I'm not going to give the ending away. You should read this, and form your own opinion. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A SPRINKLING OF MURDER by Daryl Wood Gerber is a California set cozy that incorporates an imaginative fairy garden store and tea shop setting. Owner Courtney Kelly has her own personal fairy, Fiona, who joins Courtney in her sleuthing endeavors when Mick Watkins, the owner of a local pet grooming salon is murdered in Courtney’s shop and she becomes a “person of interest”.

There are plenty of suspects to go around including Mick’s wife, his sister, his mistress, his landlord, and a few others who may have been interested in preventing Mick from continuing with the dossier he was compiling concerning a decades old town tragedy.

The result is a magical adventure with an impressive supporting cast of characters, a bit of romance, and an interesting murder mystery. The icing on this confection are the many recipes for the tasty treats mentioned throughout the narrative which the author has included for the bakers in her audience.

I loved this whimsical new cozy debut. Although I’ve yet to create my own fairy garden, I’ve imagined them and enjoy looking at pictures that others have designed. Protagonist, Courtney Kelly believes in fairies because she has real one—Fiona! Only those who ‘believe’ can see Fiona. Even Courtney’s precious kitten can see her.

The Mystery begins when a death occurs on the patio of Open Your Imagination, Courtney’s fairy garden and tea shop. I was delighted to find a story written with the combination of the two! The plot zips along with Fiona helping Courtney find clues that pinpoint the killer. The author shares tasty recipes with readers, too.

A SPRINKLING OF MURDER is an enchanting beginning to what I hope will be a long-running cozy series.

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington. Thank you.

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the A Fairy Garden mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber.

This is one of those books where you will have to suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy it. If you believe in fairies, GREAT! If you don’t, take a few hours while you read this and believe in them. It will make this book so much easier too digest.

I have always been a fan of magic anything. So this book really speaks to me in a unique way. I don’t physically see fairies, although that would be cook, I do believe in earth spirits who work with us in magical ways even if we can’t see them.

Courtney Kelly has a love of making fairy gardens. And it only seems natural since she has her own fairy friend who spends time with her. When she is not knee deep in soil and fairy houses, she runs a tea shop. When the man who owns the pet shop next door is found dead, Courtney finds herself suspect number one.

There are actually a lot of suspects in the whodunit part of the book and that makes the discovery so much more satisfying. Then add in the fun fairy helper in training and thisw makes for a super fun book.

Totally enjoyed it and look forward to seeing more books in the future.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

What a wonderful start to a new cozy series. A fairy and an amateur sleuth join hands to solve a murder. With a sprinkle or two of fairy dust, this story is charming, entertaining and engrossing. I absolutely adored Fiona(the fairy) and Pixie (the cat). I cannot wait to see what's next for Courtney Kelly. Wonderful character portrayal and marvellous plot to story development, I highly recommend this book.