Nina Fleet owns a B&B in Cymbeline, Georgia. She's expecting a Shakespearean troupe to be staying at her home, since they will be putting on Hamlet during the Shakespeare festival in town. What she's not expecting is that the troupe is headed by her foe Harry Westcott, an actor who insists that her home really belongs to him. She's not looking forward to dealing with him again, but unless she wants to ruin the festival, there's no way to turn him out.

Once everyone is settled in her home, she meets the rest of the troupe and soon realizes that Len Marsh, who is playing the lead, is also a bully toward the rest of the players. But when Len is found dead in her Shakespeare garden, everyone thinks it was natural causes. Everyone, except Nina. And when one of the other actors gets ill becomes ill, she wonders if that person isn't the target of a murderer, too. Once again enlisting Harry to help - once he believes her - Nina knows she has a murderer under her roof, and intends to find out who it is and who the intended next victim might be...

Nina is convinced that Len was murdered, but she obviously doesn't know who the killer is, and when she starts looking, she learns that every member of the troupe might have had reason enough to want him dead. So in between a little sleuthing on her own, she finally enlists Harry, who eventually agrees to help her. In this effort, Nina is conscripted to also work as an actor in the play, although she doesn't have any lines; presumably to keep an eye on the actors during the play and make sure no one harms anyone else.

This is the second book in the series and I have to say that it's quite an improvement over the first. I really didn't like Harry in the first book, but in this one he's a lot more human in the fact that he's not threatening to take Nina's home every two seconds. They actually become friends in this book, and I find that attractive and it made the book more enjoyable to read.

While the mystery is done well, shortly after Len was murdered I discovered who the murderer was and while the rest of the plot followed that, I can only say that I read a lot of mysteries, so I usually have it figured out immediately anyway. But I did like the Shakespeare aspect, and the fact that it was a troupe of actors involved, and that with the Hamlet background it all fell into place. It made for a good mystery with interesting characters, and that's what mysteries are supposed to do. All in all, this was an entertaining book and I will read the next in the series.

Thanks for the advance copy of Peachy Scream. A fun cozy mystery series. Draws you in and just want to keep reading. Looking forward to more in this series.

Peachy Scream is the second in the Georgia B&B series by Anna Gerard. B&B owner Nina Fleet is prepared for a two week stay by a community Shakespearean troupe but not for the arrival of her nemesis Harry, closely followed by the death, or perhaps murder, of the least popular member of the troupe. The annual Shakespeare festival hosted by Cymbeline, GA may never be the same.

I felt that the B&B aspects of the book were realistic and well-written, as was the preparation for the production. For the most part I enjoyed the book, at least until Nina threatened to “out” a transgender member of the troupe. I was appalled that the author would think that this was appropriate, especially for the protagonist and a B&B owner.

Being trans and not out is not deception. Dead naming trans people to their face and threatening to tell others is an act of violence. This book disgusts me.


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

This is the second book in the series. Nina runs a B & B and her guests are a troop of actors staying in town for the Shakespeare festival. She has a complicated relationship with their Director Harry.

The victim is not a popular man and there are plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep the plot interesting. It's a fun and enjoyable book.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of PEACHY SCREAM (Book 2 of A Georgia B&B Mysteries) by Anna Gerard. Nina Fleet’s B&B opened a little too late to take advantage of the advertising opportunities offered by Cymbeline’s annual Shakespeare Festival. So, Nina’s delighted to receive last-minute reservations for the amateur Shakespearean troupe performing this year’s play. However, Nina soon changes her mind. First, Nina’s nemesis is the director of the play. Then, the troupe forgot to leave murder as part of their playacting. Nina’s Shakespeare Garden becomes the set for the star’s final curtain call. Nina’s convinced the man’s death was foul play, but she’s also just as convinced the police won’t be able to solve the case before the festival ends. Since the players will soon go home, Nina is soon unraveling all of the troupe’s mysteries in an effort to find the truly bad actor.

I liked this book and enjoy the author’s stories. I recommend the book to fans of the series, I recommend the series to fans of the author (Anna Gerard, Ali Brandon, Diane A.S. Stuckart) and to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, ex-wives of sports stars, B&Bs, pet dogs, Georgia, small towns, frenemies, local events, and real estate.

#PeachyScream #NetGalley

A lovely cozy mystery.
Likeable characters, Interesting premise. Beautiful setting, I could just visualize it.
Hope to read more about Nina( nine a). and her B&B.

amateur-sleuth, friendship, bed-and-breakfast, pet, dog, actors, cozy mystery

Great fun and really diverse characters! Nina left the rat race and (with her rescue Aussie Shepherd) runs a B&B in a grand home she bought at auction, Harry is not only a known actor but the house had belonged to his aunt and he wants it back (covered in detail in Peach Clobbered). Instead he books all the rooms for his troupe of travelling Shakespearean actors during the local Shakespeare festival (Nina had no idea that it was him behind the reservation!). The characters certainly are and it's a safe bet as to who would be the victim, but whodunit is a different story. The sleuthing begins with the coroner who is not only a popular and colorful minister but is a forensic buff with his own lab in the basement of the Funeral Home that he runs! Lots of misdirection, plot twists, red herrings, and humor that kept me turning pages! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

"Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!"

I love me a good mystery book and after reading the blurb of this book, I immediately tapped on the 'Read Now' button on my screen. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, I faced no problem in reading this story.

This was a delightfully engaging read consisting of vibrant, well-drawn characters, humour, brisk plot, gutsy protagonist, cozy portrayal of small town setting, etc. There were enough twists and turns to keep the readers engaged. Although, since the beginning of the part after the murder, I had my suspicions pinned on Susie, the dead man's wife, it was still interesting to see how it played out.

The plot wasn't very complex but quite simple actually. The author's skillful writing is what makes this standout. The subplots like the ones involving the Reverend also added a nice touch to the story. All in all, it was a good page-turning read.

Can't wait to read the first book in the series!

Leave it to Nina to find another body, this time in her garden. With many people wishing Len, the amateur Shaeksperean actor dead, everyone around her is a suspect. Nina must once again team with with Harry to figure out who the murderer is so the show must go on.
Great second book in the series- i look forward to the next body Nina and Harry find!