This book is one that I wanted to try as I am trying to branch out in Cozies. I love the author and read a lot of her books. If you are interested in fairies, this is a good read. This was not a subject that I could really get into.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really liked the concept for this cozy mystery. The main character builds fairy gardens and also sees fairies. The unique concept is what convinced me to give this one a try. This was such a fun read and I really liked the whole fairy concept, the fairies had a fun role in the story without overtaking the plot and the fairy garden store was great to read about.

The mystery is the one thing that didn't fully work for me actually. When the owner of the dog grooming business is found dead in Courtney's store she gets involved in the mystery. For some reason that I still don't understand she becomes a suspect. And she is determined to clear her name. I liked the fact that not only did she try to find the real murderer, but she also tried to prove her innocence, although it did bother me that the police didn't look into that as it was an easy way for them to cross off a suspect, but instead with the help of her friends she had to try and find the proof that she was at home during the murder.

The mystery seemed to go in multiple directions. There were plenty of suspects, but no motive or suspect seemed quite right somehow. The dead guy wasn't always liked, but none of the suspects really seemed to have enough of a motive for murder. It continued that way for most of the book and I thought the reveal was a bit anti climactic. It was a bit sad and not as intriguing. It does explain the course of the mystery when you know what actually happened. I do like that there were plenty of red herrings and that Courtney actually manages to cross some suspects off her list. I also liked how her investigating was pretty subtle for the most part and it made sense how she handled things.

I liked main character Courtney, with how she believes in fairies and has her own store. She is curious, but not too nosy. She seemed like a kind person who cared about others and I liked how she gave some people the benefit of the doubt. I liked reading about her and learning more about fairy gardens and her her store.

The book has quite a lot of side characters, it could be a tad difficult to keep them all straight at times. But it got easier once the book progressed, even so I think it could've benefited from a few less characters as now the ones with a small role could be hard to remember as there are already plenty of side characters with bigger roles, like Courtney's friends, customers and suspects. I liked Courtney's fairy and her friends Joss and Megan. Although the focus is mostly on Courtney and the mystery and I hope we get to know the side characters more in future books.

There is a little hint of possible future romance, but it really is nothing more than a hint at this point. The love interest seemed nice enough and I liked how they had a bit of history and already knew each other from school. I was happy that the police officer wasn't the love interest in this case as that's so common in cozies. The police officer could be a bit gruff and they did seem a bit incompetent at times, but mostly they seemed to want to do their job well, so I was happy with that as far as police characters go in cozies.

To summarize: This was a fun cozy mystery with a sprinkle of magic. I liked the fairy and fairy garden theme of this book. I liked how the fairy theme was sprinkled throughout the book and was a solid part of it, but didn't overtake the plot. It was fun and interesting to read about Courtney's store and how she made fairy gardens. The mystery didn't fully work for me, I didn't really like the reveal of who was the murderer and the mystery seemed a bit directionless at times with how no suspect or motive seemed quite right or believable. I do like how some suspects were crossed of the suspect list throughout the book and the way Courtney got involved was well done and I liked how most of her investigating was done. I thought Courtney was a likable character and there were some fun side characters as well. I did think the amount of side characters was a bit much as I had trouble keeping them all straight at times. All in all I enjoyed this book and look forward to more books in this series.

A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first in a new magical cozy series that was an absolute delight to read.

Ms. Gerber has set this mystery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA in a courtyard of small businesses. Courtney Kelly has opened her own business, Open Your Imagination, a fairy garden and teashop. Courtney believes in fairies and has one in her own garden, Fiona. This well crafted mystery has well developed characters, a little humor, provided by Fiona, several suspects, red herrings and twists which kept me reading until the end. I had only a small inkling who was behind the murder but wasn't ever sure if I had guessed right. I am already looking forward to the next one in this series which will be out in the summer of 2021.

This book is a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber.
Courtney owns a fairy garden shop, in Carmel, California. That actually has its own fairy named Fiona. Courtney also has her cat companion named Pixie.
When the shop owner across the courtyard turns up dead in her shop, Courtney needs to clear her name.
An enchanting story that will keep you engaged to the end.
Can't wait for the next book!

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Thank you NetGalley, Daryl Wood Gerber and Kensington Publishing.

This is the first book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series and I loved it! I really liked the main character, Courtney. She is the owner of a fairy garden store. I really enjoyed the fairies in the book,also! This book has me wanting to make a fairy garden. I highly recommend this book.

I reviewed a digital ARC provided by Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review. Thank you

A Sprinkling of Murder is the first book in a new series titled 'A Fairy Garden Mystery' written by Daryl Wood Gerber in 2020. I've ready a few of the author's other series (both cozy mysteries and more suspenseful ones), and she's already written the second book in this series due out in 2021. I really enjoy her writing style and character creation, so when she had a new series, I decided to give it a try.

The story takes place in a small town where Courtney Kelly runs a magical fairy garden shop. Most people cannot see the fairies, but Courtney can, and possibly a few others around her. While the books have a paranormal element to them, it is not entirely set in a magical world. Courtney had the gift as a child until something happened and it disappeared. Her ability to talk to fairies, in particular Fiona, a fairy who's been an unruly teenager of sorts and was kicked out of her world until she behaved better), recently returned. So... Courtney set up her garden in a larger complex of stores. Some people don't like her and think she's a fake. Others adore her. Her dad's a former cop but retired. Her bestie works at the shop. And one day, a fellow shopkeeper turns up dead. Whodunit?

The mystery was my favorite aspect of this debut novel in the series. There are at least ten viable suspects, and it's a little more than normal because the author has to set the stage with the characters and background. It's handled well, and I kept jumping around in my decision on who was most guilty. Gerber does a great job presenting the possibilities, and when we finally settle on the top two or three, it looks mighty suspicious; there's something bigger than this individual death going on, but how does it tie into the property, the town, and the anger between tenants? Gerber presents Courtney as a smart amateur sleuth by accident. The guy died in her garden, so she looks the most guilty. We know she's innocent, and I enjoyed the tale as it unfolded.

Although I enjoyed the story and the writing, I didn't click with the characters in this one. The book is written well, but perhaps because I'm not that interested or knowledgeable about fairies, I didn't feel a strong connection. Fiona is the main fairy we get to know, and she helps solve the case... but because she's a bit of a nuisance at times, I didn't take to her... it might get better for me in the next book. The stage is set well, and I see lots of promise. That said, Gerber excels as she always does in these types of books. I will definitely read the next one, and I ended up with a solid 4 that might get higher if I found my connection to the fairy garden world.

That said... it's purely my personal taste for paranormal or magic... sometimes it's not quite right for me...but the author is great and the mystery is wonderful, so I'm a fan and I'll keep reading. You should give it a chance, especially if you like a little magical realism, and you might be the one to give it the full 5 stars it deserves!
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I had hard time getting into this book at first but after the first couple of chapters I was hooked. Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down and I am a little sad I have to wait a whole year for the next book. Though I did think the ending was rush but over all a very good book. The characters are great and I loved how they interacted with each other. Courtney Kelly the main character has made me want to start my own fairy garden and wish I could see fairies.

What a great start to a new cozy series! I thought this one was very unique as our MC not only has a cozy cat companion (Pixie), but she also has a fairy companion (Fiona) which made it that much more fun! There were a lot of fun side characters .... I am actually interested to see how all of them develop as the series goes on. Typically with cozies, the focus is on a love interest and maybe a couple best friends, but rarely does each character mentioned have a distinguishable personality. I also liked that even though the MC was a main suspect -which again, is also common in cozies - law enforcement didn't let that deter them from actually conducting a proper investigation and look into other POIs.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the eArc provided via Netgalley in exchange for review.

This is the first in a new paranormal mystery series featuring fairy garden shop owner Courtney Kelly and her fairy helper, Fiona.

If you’re a cozy mystery fan, this book hits a lot of the usual beats - a single, shop-owning, amateur detective with a quirky best friend and a trusty employee always willing to do whatever’s necessary, a potential love interest and a small town setting with lots of charm and hidden secrets.

One evening, stopping in her shop after hours, Courney discovers the body of a neighboring business owner. She needs to find the real killer to clear her name and save her business.

A solid effort with the added whimsy of the main character having a fairy sidekick. Also contains recipes for some of the delicious treats mentioned in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the DRC.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review. I loved the book. The setting is Carmel by the Sea, among the most beautiful places on Earth.

Kelly is a shop owner selling fairy gardens. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter about fairies. The characters are interesting people.

I flew through this book quickly. This is exactly what I need - a light escape. This is a Cozy mystery for readers who enjoy mysteries without the graphic violence.

Although I like all of the books by Daryl Wood Gerber, I think this series is going to be my favorite series by the author.

Courtney Kelly is the owner of the fairy garden/tea shop Open Your Imagination where she shares her love and belief of fairies. Some people want to believe or think that they believe, but only certain staff members are privileged enough to actually see Fiona, a fairy currently on probation by order of the fairy Queen. Fiona, to get off probation must work to help others, so when Courtney finds her neighbor murdered in her courtyard, Fiona and Courtney work together to figure why and who.

What a wonderful start for this new series! I love the characters and the delightful way that the magical essence of feisty Fiona is "sprinkled" throughout! Can Courtney solve the murder before the police arrest her?

Can't wait for the next sighting of Fiona!

A Sprinkling of Murder, set in Carmel, California, is the first in a new series by Daryl Wood Gerber. The protagonist Courtney owns a fairy garden shop, Open Your Imagination, with its own resident fairy Fiona. When the shop owner across the courtyard is murdered in her shop, Courtney needs to clear her name and mounts her own investigation.

With a secret door into the shop and no end of red herrings, this mystery stays engaging until the end. While the concept of the fairy is fanciful the characters are realistic - some likable and others not so much. The descriptions of the fairy gardens and the charming small town lend a sense of place that is whimsical and enchanting. I can’t wait for my next visit with Courtney and her friends.

An excellent book! Fun and full of whimsy. I loved the magical aspect of it. It was a page turner; I read it in one day! I thought the characters were great and liked the plot. The setting was described beautifully. This book made me want to look more about fairy gardens. It was cute while still being a mystery. I truly loved it. I can’t wait to but this and rest of the series! I highly recommend

"A Sprinkling of Murder" is full of whimsy and charm! It is exactly what I needed to take my mind off of a global pandemic.

Courtney Kelly believes in fairies. She can even see them, as can others who believe. She followed her dream by opening a fairy garden store called Open Your Imagination in the quaint California town of Carmel. But even quaint towns have bad blood between residents.

It's not long before the owner of the dog grooming store across the street is found murdered inside Open Your Imagination. Courtney is suspect #1 in the eyes of the police, but the dead man had some enemies. Those included his wife, who knew he was having an affair, and a peeved landlord.

Courtney has to clear her name before she winds up in jail and loses everything.

The characters are quirky and funny, the town of Carmel is the type of place I'd love to visit, and I definitely want to make a fairy garden for myself now. This is a fantastic cozy mystery and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

4.5 stars

Fairies, magic, and gardens make for a fun, lighthearted read. Fiona the fairy was adorable and loved the relationship with the main character Courtney. Charming and well-written, looking forward to more in this series.

In the first of a new series, Courtney Kelly is proud owner of her own fairy garden shop. She sells all the components for and teaches people how to make their own fairy gardens, with the help of her fairy friend Fiona. Everything is going well until she finds a body in her shop.

As a fairy garden fan, I was excited to see a new series with them as a theme. I enjoyed Courtney‘a relationship with Fiona. They are fresh pairing for a mystery-solving team! The setting was wonderful, I was able to picture it clearly.

However, I struggled reading this. There was no buildup of tension. There was a murder, she investigated, annoyed the detectives, and someone confessed. There was no danger posed to the lead character, nothing to keep me on the edge of my seat.

This book features a protagonist, Courtney Kelly, who has left her father's landscaping business to open her own small business of a fairy garden store. A delightful premise I must say. (Fairy gardens intrigue me so the thought behind this book immediately piqued my interest.) In doing so, she has recaptured some of the childhood magic she had lost when her mother died. She is assisted by her own personal fairy, Fiona, who has to get back into the good graces of the queen fairy to get her full powers back.

The author has written a charming protagonist with an adorably quirky little fairy assistant, along with an interesting Village full of fun individuals. The characters are wonderfully detailed and described and I found the setting to be quite wonderful. My favorite character is Fiona by far. She doesn't take away from the story at all, in fact, she adds to it. I love her whimsical interplay with Courtney, she's like a sassy Jiminy Cricket.

This is the perfect book for lovers of cozy Mysteries and light-hearted humorous interplay, especially in these days with the trying times we are all going through. I thoroughly recommend this book.

I would like to thank Daryl Wood Gerber, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for fair and honest review.

Courtney Kelly owns a fair garden and tea shop after leaving her father’s landscaping business and following her passion. As a child she and her mother saw fairies, but after her mother’s death she lost the ability to see them…that is until last year when she opened herself up again. And now she has a fairy, Fiona, that is assigned to her and life is beautiful again.

Things are going well with her business until she finds a fellow business owner dead in her shop. When the police confirm the man was murdered, Courtney is at the top of the suspect list. Fiona and Courtney’s friends step up to help clear her name, and with a long list of suspects, it won’t be an easy task.

This is a great start to a new series by the very talented Daryl Wood Gerber. The location in Carmel is the perfect setting. The writing is so solid that you can see the cottages and smell the salty air. A solid whodunit it with a slew of suspects and red herrings to keep you changing your mind and guessing until the very end. I cannot wait for the next entry in this series.

This cozy is different from the cozy mysteries that I usually read. I really enjoyed delving into the world of fairies. Fiona the fairy be am e my favorite cjaracter. Not to say I didn't like Courtney, but the impish fairy was too adorable. I enjoyed the descriptions of the many fairy gardens that were constructed during the story. The mystery had many twists and turns. I did not guess who did it until the emd. I would definitely read the next book in the series when it comes out.

I reviewed this title for Mystery Scene Magazine to read the entire review please refer to the May 15th issue.