There are four classifications of fairies and several types. Several of these fairies play a role in this book. Courtney Kelly, the proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is hired to plan a party for a local socialite and her friends. But the friends are not as close as they seem. Courtney and the local fairies discover clues that could lead to solving the murder of one of the friends. In the meantime, Courtney juggles her business, her ex-fiance and his new family, her new love interest, and her father who does not believe in fairies.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. While I don't normally read fairy books, this one is playful and calming. I would like to read the previous books in the series and future content, too.
I didn't find the busyness of Courtney's shop to be believable. Is it possible for a fairy garden and tea shop to have a constant stream of customers?
Quotes at the beginning of each chapter set the stage for the content and introduced me to new literature, which I always appreciate.

A Hint of Mischief is the third instalment in Daryl Wood Gerber's 'A Fairy Garden Mystery' series. I've also read a few of the author's books from her 'Cookbook Nook Mystery series'.

In this fabulous cosy mystery, Courtney Kelly owns a magical fairy garden shop and tearoom, called Open Your Imagination, based in the small town of Carmel, California. She has been able to see the fairies from a very young age but there are some sceptics who don't have her ability. She teaches garden design and sells everything from fairy figurines to tinkling wind chimes and it's the perfect place for her book club teas. Courtney is putting together a posh fortieth birthday fairy garden party, requested by Misty for a former sorority friend, Odine Oates and she has only two weeks to prepare. A famous actress, Farrah Lawson will join in the fun but things go awry as there are minor thefts and upsets. Then Farrah is found dead from poison, following an unsatisfactory eyebrow wax. Courtney's fairy friend lends a hand in sorting through alibis and apprehending the murderer.

The writing style of Daryl Wood Gerber continues to impress and even with the plethora of cast members, the story is easy to follow. Narrator Courtney is a great character and I love her determination and her singlemindedness. The whodunit aspect was great with plenty of opportunities for the most diligent of armchair detectives to play along. Every clue led to a revelation and I really liked the way things were all wrapped up. This tremendously enchanting novel was a hit for me and I am looking forward to reading book four. If you adore a fantastic cosy mystery with a strong dose of magical realism, don't miss out on A Hint of Mischief.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I pick up this series because I love the idea of fairies and fairy gardens. The fairies play a much larger role in this one than in previous ones and it seems like everyone knows about them (I thought not everyone knew about them in the last one but I could be wrong). The mystery was interesting but dragged in the middle to the point where I forgot they were actually trying to solve something. Still I enjoyed the premise and will probably continue with the series.

A Hint of Mischief brings us another Fairy Garden murder by Daryl Wood Gerber. Courtney is engaged to put together a fairy garden party for a former sorority friend and she has only two weeks to prepare. A famous actress Farrah will join the group. Things start going wrong as there are minor thefts and upsets. Then Farrah is found dead from poison. Courtney's fairy friend lends a hand in the exposure of the murderer. Great read with recipes and fantasy friends.

This is the 3rd installment of the Fairy Garden mystery series. Courtney Kelly runs Open Your Imagination in Carmel and it is a tea and garden shop in which she sells and teaches how to make fairy gardens. Courtney was able to see fairies as a child and then lost that until she opened this shop a few years ago. Courtney typically hosts children parties, however, socialite Misty asks her to host an adult fairy birthday party for her friend and sorority sister Odine from college. Courtney decides to do it but has to pull this off very quickly. Farrah Lawson a famous actress and invitee arrives in town early it appears there is tension among some of the friends. Farrah is found dead under suspicious circumstances and a friend of Courtney’s daughter is taken in for questioning. Soon Courtney and her assistant Joss along with Meaghan (Courtney’s best friend) begin to do a little sleuthing. Turns out Farrah was not so nice as she comes across and could be very mean to people so lots of possible suspects, but she did not deserve to die and Courtney can’t let an innocent person get in trouble. The detectives of course warn Courtney off as does her father who is a former police officer but Courtney keeps plugging away until she puts together all the pieces and discovers the murderer. Courtney of course had some help from her fairy Fiona as well as her friends to figure this out. Courtney is a great character and her relationships with others is what makes her so strong and believable. I also enjoyed the side mystery of who was installing fairy doors around town. She brings Brady her now boyfriend in to help her take pictures and they solve that one together. This is such an enjoyable series and I am looking forward to the next installment in this series. Must read

Another wonderful and whimsical entry in the enchanting A Fairy Garden Mystery series. I cannot recommend this series enough. It's just so fun! I started reading this book and couldn't stop until I was done. I love Courtney, Fiona (her fairy), and all the characters they interact with. The mystery is intriguing and kept me guessing until the end (so many red herrings and "Could it be this person? Or that person? Or...??). And now I really, really want to make a fairy garden....or at least a fairy door. Or maybe I can find a fairy circle...

Many thanks to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

After reading this book, the third in the “Fairy Garden Mystery” series, you will want to see a fairy and have one of your own! A Hint of Mischief will make you believe in fairies and other things that are supposed to be myths. With a birthday party for a famous actress, a murder, and the introduction of another quirky fairy, readers will be enthralled.

Actress Farrah Lawson is a friend and former classmate of Misty who has hired Courtney to throw a fairy garden party for another classmate's birthday party, which Farrah will be attending. It seemed odd, an adult fairy party, but Courtney rarely turns down a playing client. The arrangements are in full swing when the birthday girl, the actress, and the rest of Misty’s guests arrive. But when a spa day turns ugly, Courtney ends up in the middle of another murder investigation.

The characters in this series are a combination of nature-loving, fairy-loving hard-working individuals. They are always a joy to read about and bring fans a new look at fantasy life. The setting of a fairy garden center is where any garden lover would want to spend a few hours, and if they get to see a fairy or maybe a famous actress, all the better. Every time I read a book in this series, I want to run out and open a fairy-inspired garden center of my own. In this newest installment to the series, the murder victim is loved and hated; readers may even feel a twinge of satisfaction when they learn what type of person the victim really was when she was killed.

There is strong evidence to follow, and figuring out who the killer is won’t take readers long, but the unveiling will have you holding your breath until the very end. The suspects keep Courtney on her toes; between the demanding actress, the rest of the party guests, and Misty, she doesn’t have a moment to spare. With a motive as old as time itself, A Hint of Mischief will keep you happy and filled with wonder. One day who knows, maybe we will all get to see a fairy, but if not, at least we can enjoy reading about them and hoping.

Fairy garden parties are a big part of Courtney's business, but this will be the first time she's organized one for adults. The event is definitely going to be more upscale than she's used to, so she's scrambling to adapt her party games for a group of forty-year-old sorority sisters...and then a spa day for the guests ends in an unsatisfactory eyebrow wax and murder.

The mystery is complicated with a ton of different suspects and didn't entirely hold my interest this time around, but I enjoyed the chance to spend some time in Courtney's fairy filled world. (Not all of her friends and family can see them, but they're definitely real!)

The third Fairy Garden Mystery from author Daryl Wood Gerber, A Hint of Mischief, is just as charming as the previous two - filled with murder, mystery, coziness, and just a hint of magic. Lots of suspects in the murder of actress Farrah, from old friends to old flames, and shop owner Courtney is on the case! A nice way to spend a lazy afternoon! A+

This is the third book in this series, but my first to read. At first I didn't think I would like it. There are a lot of characters, each with their own backgrounds. A lot to remember. But as time went on I grew to love this cast of characters and look forward to reading the next in this series.

Courtney Kelly is the owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop in Carmel, California. She offers tea parties in her enclosed garden and fairy garden classes in her workshop. She has thrown fairy garden parties for children, but now she's asked to throw one to celebrate a sorority sister’s 40th birthday. As the sorority sisters arrive in town, their hostess begins the festivities with a spa day. More activities are planned, but are cut short by the murder of one of the sisters. Since the police are blaming the wrong person, it's up to Courtney to identify the Killer with help from her friends and her personal fairy.

Courtney has a store named Open Your Imagination that sells fairy gardens and all things connected. She loves her life, and is even starting a new romance with an old friend. When trust fund baby Misty Dawn asks her to throw a birthday fairy party at her home for her and her sorority sisters, Courtney is all too happy to do so. When one of Misty's sorority friends comes to town, it is none other than actress Farrah Lawson, and more than one person is happy to see her again. The birthday is for their friend Odine, who has her own store in town.

While having tea in Courtney's fairy garden, Farrah wants to take everyone -- Courtney included -- for a spa day. While at the spa, Courtney hears a scream and finds Farrah almost hysterical. It seems the owner's daughter who was waxing Farrah's brows, accidentally caused a problem and Farrah is upset, to say the least. When her screaming stops, Misty assures her it is fixable. Contrite, the daughter wants to apologize. But before she can do so, Farrah is found dead in her rental home. And Twyla, the daughter, is the main suspect. Now Courtney, with the help of her own fairy, Fiona, is determined to find the true killer and pull Twyla out of danger...as long as she doesn't put herself in harm's way, right?...

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all. I find the interactions with the different fairies quite enchanting. It is almost as if you want to look around for your own fairy in your own garden. The book is written wonderfully, and the characters are fun to be around. Everything isn't going as well as Courtney would like, however; an old 'friend' from the past shows up and disrupts her life. Also, there's a thief running around the town, stealing small items, but stealing just the same, and no one seems to have a clue as to the thief's identity.

But Courtney has to make the birthday party magical, even without Farrah, so she and her friend Meghan and employee Joss set about creating a garden worthy of many fairies. What Courtney discovers in Misty's yard surprises her, but she continues on with her task.

As the book progresses we learn a little more about the fairies and the different types, and Fiona is learning more as well. The descriptions of Courtney's garden make me want to go to tea there myself, and spend an afternoon just enjoying it all. (If I didn't live where it was hot quite a bit, I'd probably have a garden myself).

But the suspects abound, and Courtney has a lot of alibis to sift through; and no one wants to be truthful about their whereabouts. This gives her pause and makes her wonder what everyone is hiding, and who is the most likely to be the murderer. It takes her time and much thought to figure it all out, and when she does, the climax is indeed worth reading about. Courtney can think on her feet, as it were, and I appreciate that in a protagonist.

When the ending comes, it all comes together wonderfully; and there is an epilogue that gives us a hint as to more of the fairy world, and teaser chapters regarding the next book (hurry, please!). Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

Fairy doors are popping up beneath trees all over Carmel, California.
Is it because people there are eager to welcome fairies into the community?
Some people believe and ca see fairies, others are set against such childish thoughts.

Fortunately for us, author Daryl Wood Gerber takes us to not only a fairy centered shop, with a real fairy in residence, but also to a group of shops where the fanciful and creative are respected, adored, and shared. I wish to find such a place myself to visit.

Courtney not only creates magical fairy gardens, she teaches others how and she throws fairy themed parties. Hint to my friends - I have a big birthday coming up soon!
However after one such party full of sorority sisters, now years past college days, one guest is found murdered. Oh so many motives!

I enjoyed how the life secrets were revealed. Who doesn't love a bit of gossip, even if you profess not to indulge. I loved learning about fairies and worried for Fiona who is so full of life yet so worried that she may break rules, when she is truly trying to be helpful.
Could the new fairy doors lend clues to the killer or are they a mystery all on their own?

Lots of exciting moments, some romance, and overall an enjoyable escape read.

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is a fun, imaginative series that slowly peels back the layers.

Will Courtney be able to plan an excellent adult fairy party? Can Courtney figure out who killed Farrah Lawson before the killer escapes?

Courtney Kelly and Fiona
Courtney Kelly and Fiona are back to solve another mystery. I am still loving these two sleuths as they are both so interesting and funny. Fiona is such a hoot, especially when she's being her sassy self or playing with Pixie the ragdoll cat. I did feel bad for Courtney throughout the story. Although I was happy when Fiona gets another set of fairy wings. That's right, folks are young fairy friend now has two sets of adult wings. I'm so proud of her. Everything about this book made me so giddy and happy. Wow, was the weather weird, but it's all okay. Courtney having to do an adult fairy party was kind of funny, though.

The Mystery
Courtney has at least three mysteries going on here. The first one is a thief in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the death of Farrah Lawson, and last but not least, a lot of fairy doors are being left all around Carmel. Courtney has these three mysteries to solve and to throw an epic fortieth fairy birthday party. Let's just say that Courtney has a lot on her plate.

The two things that she was the most concerned about were the death of Farrah Lawson and, of course, the party that the aforementioned victim was supposed to attend. Courtney learns a lot about Farrah Lawson and has deduced that she had two personalities. The one she shared with the world where she was this nice person and the one she shared with people who are close to her. The last basically translates that Farrah is a great actress. She hides her mean personality from the public.

Five Stars
A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is the third book in this awesome series. Ms. Gerber's writing transports me to Carmel-by-the-Sea and doing everything with Courtney and Fiona. In every new addition, I'm excited to find out more about Ms. Gerber's fairies that she has created for this world. And with each new installment, I'm never disappointed. I am loving this series still. I am giving A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber five stars and a huge recommendation to anyone that loves a good cozy culinary paranormal mystery.

Don't forget to check out these recipes in the back Apricot Preserves Tea Cake, Apricot Preserves Tea Cake (Gluten-Free Version), Brookie, Brookie (Gluten-Free Version), Chocolate Crinkles, Chocolate Crinkles (Gluten-Free Version), Fairy Cookies, Fairy Cookies (Gluten-Free Version), Raspberry Lemon Scones, Raspberry Lemon Scones (Gluten-Free Version), Avocado Toast with Bacon, Green Salsa Topping, Cauliflower Poppers, and Ranch Dressing.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

Thank you #netgalley and #kinsingtonbooks for the Arc of #Hintofmischief
This is the third book in A fairy garden mystery series.
Courtney Kelly the owner of a fairy garden and tea shop has less than 2 weeks to set up a fairy garden 40th birthday party for a well to do womens sorority sister.
As plans start to go she yet again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. With the help of her friends and a few fairies, is she able to find who done it!?
I really loved this third installment of the series. There’s a blooming romance, fairy magic and 3 different mysteries.
This book can be read as a standalone but builds on from the other two, so more characters are added and there is more tidbits into the fairy world. Personally, I’d read all in order if possible.
The epilogue at the end made me want to read the the next book and it doesn’t come out until next year. There is a teaser chapter at the end of the book but I forced myself not to read it as I want to be able to read the entire thing at once.
So if you are wanting a mystery with a little bit of fairy magic set in a cute little town by the sea and some yummy tea and food choices I’d definitely read this series.

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is the third in her Fairy Garden Mystery series. Courtney has two mysteries to solve: one a murder and the other, figuring out who is building the fairy doors around town. She had been hired to throw a fairy garden birthday party, which she had done before for kids, but this was to be for an adult. AND no expense is to be spared. She and Joss immediately started brainstorming, trying to translate kid games into adult ones. Also, the hostess wanted a full-sized mural painted on her back wall featuring, what else? Fairies. Meanwhile she had a business to run and a life to live. Her ex-fiance, Christopher, had dropped in. She was not happy to see him, but she saw no way out so she accepted when he invited her to dinner with him and his family. She got Brady, her kind of boyfriend, to come with her. Then there were the petty thefts that had been happening in many of the stores nearby. What was happening to normally magical Carmel?

This is the best series: I love fairy gardens, for one. Also Courtney and Joss lived such positive lives, both in and out of the store. Joss’s mom was in a dementia care home and in and out. Joss had taken to bringing a tape recorder for times when her mom could reminisce about Joss’s dad and their lives together. It was a very rewarding project. The best thing about the book is Courtney’s fairy, Fiona, and her fairy friends. Fiona was kind of on probation for some things she had done as a young fairy, but seemed to be doing great now and was learning new fairy “magic” all the time. She was nothing but a help to Courtney every day, both at the store and in her investigations. She could feel things about people Courtney could not and was generally encouraging. She is a fabulous character and really is the element that makes this cozy unique. It is really an uplifting experience to read these books despite the fact they are about murder. Terrific characters, good plot.

I was invited to read a free ARC of A Hint of Mischief by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #darylwoodgerber #ahintofmischief

Cute read! My first in the series and it wasn’t hard to catch up without having read anything before. Good world building, good mystery, good character building. I enjoyed the mix of fantasy with cozy mystery.

I love hanging out with Fiona and Courtney. I wish I had a Fiona. How much fun would it be to make a fairy garden or to even just hang out at Open Your Imagination. So many interesting things go on there. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were awesome as always. I love the smalltown feel, where you know your neighbors and customers. I always enjoy going into a store where they know my name. I can’t wait to go back again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

A local socialite has asked Courtney to put together a fairy garden party for the birthday of one of her sorority sisters and she is happy to take her money. It doesn't hurt that Farrah Lawson, a famous actress, will also be attending the party. Courtney has only two weeks to prepare for the upcoming festivities but with a little help from some friends she is sure everything will get taken care of. Meanwhile the sorority sisters are off for a spa day hoping for some relaxation. Farrah decides on a getting a facial which ends up being her last. She was rude to the staff, could one of them have killed her? Courtney decides she must find out who the killer is and in doing so learns that Farrah had quite a few enemies. Follow along as Courtney and her fairy friends put the puzzle pieces together in hopes of figuring out who the killer might be. This is such a charmingly magical series that will have you hunting through your own garden looking for fairies. I can't wait to see where the magic will take me next!

A HINT OF MISCHIEF is the third book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. This charming and magical tale combines the best of cozy mysteries: a well-plotted murder, delightful characters, and an inviting setting. And I can’t overlook the cover… it’s magic all on its own. With a wide cast of characters, both human and fairy alike, the author thoughtfully provides a list at the front of the book for easy reference. But despite the number, Ms. Gerber does an admirable job with unique descriptions and the ability to make each character come to life on the pages. I also like how she opens each chapter with a literary quote about a fairy—who knew there were so many mentions out there?!

The protagonist, Courtney Kelly, is owner of the adorable shop, Open Your Imagination, in Carmel-by-the-Sea in coastal California. The garden shop specializing in creating fairy gardens gives Courtney plenty of opportunities to teach customers how to craft their own fairy gardens, which readers can replicate at home. And stealing each scene she inhabits is Courtney’s adorable fairy, Fiona. Ms. Gerber’s detailed description of Fiona and all her fairy folk, brings magic to the pages and makes it entirely believable that fairies do exist.

While all the charming characters and the fairy garden shop might seem to make the reader forget that this is a murder mystery, the author starts the action from the very first page, which sets the pace for the book. She does an admirable job of weaving everyday work and play into the untimely death of a celebrity in town, who came to celebrate an old friend’s birthday. With the large gathering of sorority sisters for the birthday, there are plenty of suspects to go around. Except, fingers point toward a local young woman with a troubled past, who the celebrity gets into an altercation with. Courtney and Fiona jump into the investigation, intent on finding the real killer. Ms. Gerber expertly doles the clues out and leads the reader on a chase to find the truth. Courtney, at times, can be a bit overly forward in delving into the truth, but her tenacity is rewarded. Fiona is more actively involved in the investigation this time, which adds to the overall appeal and I’m happy to know that another Fairy Garden Mystery is in the works!

While this might be a fairy garden book, there are plenty of mouthwatering dishes being served at the garden tea, at the birthday party, and at Courtney’s boyfriend’s restaurant. If you’ve read any of Ms. Gerber’s other books, you’ll know that she is an excellent cook and provides almost mini cookbooks with each mystery. A Hint of Mischief is no different with plenty of yummy recipes to choose from.

A Hint of Mischief is the third book in Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mystery series. Featuring fairies, cats, and a wonderful cast of characters, A Hint of Mischief is another slam dunk cozy mystery.

Courtney Kelly's fairy garden shop is booming. Between walk-in private lessons, group lessons, and individual sales, Open Your Imagination has become a popular destination for both believers and non-believers. Courtney even hosts fairy garden parties. When she's sought out by the town socialite to put together a fairy garden birthday party for a friend's 40th, Courtney jumps at the chance - even if she only has 10 days to pull it all together. Courtney also discovers Farrah Lawson, a popular actress, will be in attendance.

During a scheduled spa day with the host, birthday girl, and actress, Courtney witnesses a situation between Farrah and her beautician. Unhappy with her service, Farrah causes an uncomfortable, public disturbance. When Farrah is found dead shortly after the spa day, the police automatically suspect the beautician but Courtney and Fiona know better. Something fishy is going on and they mean to figure it out before an innocent girl takes the fall.

This is a very unique story with unique elements. I enjoyed the fairy garden shop setting, complete with a live fairy. The characters are fun and exciting. I enjoyed Courtney's character. Her business is successful and thriving. She cares about her friends and citizens in Carmel-by-the-Sea and makes it her mission to help the accused in A Hint of Mischief. The author delivers several suspects with means and motive, and figuring out who committed the crime was difficult. There are twists and turns and red herrings, and while I may have suspected, I never was really sure.