First in a new mystery series

Chloe Abbington is going from fine arts painter in New City to owing a paint-event business in Whisper Cove. But she soon finds out that all critics are the same when Fiona Gimble writes a nasty negative review of her newly opened paint shop. When she finds Fiona’s body behind behind her shop she realizes that this town holds a lot of secrets of its own.

Suddenly Chloe is the prime suspect and her partner and sister aren’t much help. So it’s up to Chloe to find the killer before she is painted in for good. She finds out that she wasn’t the only one that Fiona used her pen to criticize and turns up quite a few other suspects.

With help from her dog Max, Chloe is determined to prove she was framed for Fiona’s murder and she better do it fast or she might be the next one in orange or worse.

I loved this new book! I will be looking forward to the next one.

amateur-sleuth, art, artist, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, pets, cozy-mystery****

Very interesting view into artists, galleries, and curios. Unfortunately I just wasn't invested in this one, the characters weren't terribly positive and the general atmosphere was better suited to another reader.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.

A Brush with Murder is the 1st book in a new series by Bailee Abbot. I found this book to be an enjoyable cozy mystery, and I would read more by this author. I did however find the story lacking in depth. It just seemed that there were details that were missing and I caught myself re-reading paragraphs to see if i had missed something.
Nevertheless I liked the book and it kept my interest all the way through.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

#ABrushwithMurder #NetGalley

A Brush with Murder was such a fun read.

Chloe thinks it will be better in Whisper Cove until she finds a critic dead behind her shop with a painting knife in her neck. Now, Chloe must figure out who the killer is before she gets framed for the murder. The task at hand will not be that easy as the victim Fiona had plenty of enemies.

The characters are all well-crafted and the storyline is easy to follow.

Great read and I highly recommend this cozy mystery.

A Brush with Murder, book 1 in the A Paint By Murder Mystery series by Bailee Abbott.

I always love reading book one in a brand new series, because I enjoy seeing new worlds created and learning about new characters. Whisper Cove is a sweet small town by the sea that's the perfect spot for a great story...and a murder!

Chloe Abbington moves home after the demise of her relationship to help her sister's business, Paint with a View. A nasty local journalist caused trouble and soon there is a murder to solve! I really enjoyed the twists and turns this plot took, and I didn't guess the ending which is always a nice way to finish a mystery. There were plenty of options for suspects and the story moved along at a nice speed. I enjoyed the quality of the writing, the fun characters (even the nasty ones!), all the cool businesses that run in Whisper Cove and I especially enjoyed the inclusion of a furry companion in Max.

This is a great start to a new series and I look forward to Chloe's next adventure.

There are numerous painting franchise businesses in the area where I live and I’ve enjoyed viewing the art posted on social media after events so I was intrigued to read the opening novel of this new cozy series.

As Chloe Abbington arrives home in Whisper Cove, New York after a 9-hour drive from the city she’s understandably hesitant to dash back out the door with her younger sister Izzie to view the new store, “Paint with a View.” But helping Chloe’s younger sister is what has drawn her home and Artisan Alley is ever welcoming and may be just the diversion needed to heal her broken heart both professionally and personally. Little did Chloe realize a murder investigation would quickly divert her attention.

This is a charming cozy in a small town with description so inviting that I’m ready to pack my bag and drive up tomorrow for a nice visit. Izzie is very clever in planning events not only to engage the support of local businesses but as fundraisers to support local needs. I can only hope to find accommodations with a view of Chautauqua Lake. I’m going to fall asleep picturing a window seat where I can read and also gaze at the lake. On my arrival will be a stop at "Paint with a View" to ensure they received my online reservation to attend multiple events during my week’s visit but I definitely don’t want to miss the "Paint Your Pet" event. I hardly know which business I’d visit next as the choices of "Go Fly a Kite," "Light Your Scent" candle shop and "La Chic" to buy a special outfit for the last night in town are all enticing my interest. But before my shopping adventure I think I’ll have a light salad at "Millie’s Diner" for lunch so I can savor my supper at "Bob’s Barbecue Pit," and for my sweet tooth I’ll definitely have a continental breakfast at the bakery "For Sweet’s Sake."

One of the most appealing delights of the author’s writing is that every minute of every day is not chronicled in minutiae. For example, at the end of one chapter Chloe and Izzie are off for an afternoon of shopping and to visit some sights in Jamestown. As the next chapter begins, it’s the following morning but due to the author’s writing it was a very natural transition. I knew I didn’t miss anything and instead when these instances continued to occur I enjoyed the faster pace.

During the quick pace of the cozy I was constantly changing my mind for the names to be added or subtracted on the suspect list as the amateur sleuth may have a list but mystery reader sleuths do too.

My one curiosity was the author’s mention of a 9-hour drive from New York City to Chautauqua Lake. I checked on Google Maps and used the center of midtown to Chautauqua Lake and the longest time estimate is 6 ½ hours. I understand Chloe is driving with her pet dog Max but 2 ½ hours for rest stop breaks seems on the high side to me. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt as perhaps Chloe left the city during rush hour and/or Max might have been more interested in exploring the rest area than for the intent of the stop.

I’m already looking forward to reading the next cozy in the series!

My sincere thanks to Bailee Abbott, and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

#ABrushwithMurder #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

I'm still trying to find my niche when it comes to cozy mysteries. Unfortunately, this one didn't do it for me. I found a lot of the characters (specifically Izzie and Chloe's parents) to be really unlikeable. I also guessed the killer pretty early on. I just feel like it was pointing so much at everyone else that it would have been too obvious, and the only person it wasn't obviously pointing at (who I guessed because it wasn't so obvious) turned out to be the killer. So I feel like the writing kind of backfired in that aspect. I honestly could have gotten over that if the characters I hated weren't so awful.

A Brush with Murder is book one in the new series by Bailee Abbott called A Paint By Murder Mystery. After her relationship ended, Chloe Abbington decided to return to her home town of Whisper Cove to help her sister run her new business. However, on arrival Fiona Gimble the local journalist who has upset every shop owner, was murder. At first, the prime suspects was Izzie Abbington and her friend Megan. Chloe decides to investigate. The readers of A Brush with Murder will continue to follow Chloe Abbington to find out what happens.

A Brush with Murder is the first book I have read of Bailee Abbott and a fantastic cozy mystery book. I love Bailee Abbott portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine throughout this book. A Brush with Murder is well written and researched by Bailee Abbott. I like Bailee Abbott's description of "A Brush's with murder" that made me wish to live in the beautiful seaside community. The readers of A Brush with Murder will learn about corruption in the small collectible industry. Also, the readers of A Brush with Murder will understand the consequences of lousy press articles on small business.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cozy mysteries. Bailee Abbott knows how to set a scene, create a character, make you feel like you’re right there next to them solving crime. Settle in for the day or night and read this fantastic page turner.

A Brush with Murder is a fast paced cozy mystery that will appeal to all book lovers.
Izzie and her sister Chloe are two fun characters that I enjoyed getting to know.
Izzie is launching her new business, a paint your own picture shop, and Chloe is helping her get started.
When a reporter is invited to preview the opening, no one is prepared for her bitter and angry words.
It shouldn't come as a surprise when the reporter is found, dead, and Chloe finds herself a suspect.
I was able to put some of the pieces together, but was still surprised by the reveal.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.