As the third Fairy Garden Mystery, A Hint of Mischief is a wonderful addition. Courtney gets to plan an adult fairy garden party. It is such an interesting concept and I wish there was such a store in reality because I would visit in a moment.
The death of actress Farrah Lawson brings out much personal drama amongst the women and men who interacted with her from college onward. There were plenty of motives for the murder. Courtney’s investigation was a bit hampered by the police’s determination to try and keep her out of it. It didn’t stop her questions though.
Courtney also has some of her own personal drama that plays out. Her former fiancé comes to town with his wife and children. That adds an interesting twist to the story.
I love the fairy doors that pop up around town and the person that is behind it. I love all the things we learn about the author’s version of fairies in this story and the epilogue.
If you have any interest in fairies or love cozy mysteries, you definitely need to check out A Hint of Mischief. It is marvelous all the way around.

A HINT OF MISCHIEF by Daryl Wood Gerber is the perfect title for this novel. The newest book in the Fairy Gardens was beautifully written. It is a contemporary cozy mystery set in Carmel by the Sea. I loved the descriptions of the houses and the fairy gardens in Carmel by the Sea.

Courtney Kelly, the protagonist, believes in fairies while her father, a former cop, is skeptical. Despite their difference of opinions, they respect each other.

In this novel, a bully gets their comeuppance with fatal results. Meanwhile a mysterious person is creating new fairy doors and there is a phantom thief stealing from the shops in the same shopping area where Courtney owns a garden shop. We revisit familiar characters like Brady and family/friends of Courtney.

Highly recommended for readers who like to read about fairies.

New readers should know that this charming cozy series features a fairy- Fiona- who helps Courtney, who owns a tea shop in Carmel by the Sea solve mysteries. Murders! It's not woo-woo because Fiona is, among other things, a hoot. This time (and this will be fine as a standalone), Courtney was excited to put on a big fairy party for grownups and even more so that Farrah, a famous actress would be there. Well, until she and everyone else met Farrah. Someone really didn't like her because they poisoned her. Courtney, her employee Joss, and Fiona snoop and question. I like this series for the characters, including Courtney's love interest Brady, as well as for the mysteries, which are pretty classic. It's the fairy thing I really enjoy though. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. OH- and the recipes!

Every time I read one of these books, I want to make a fairy garden. One day I will. I love the descriptions of the gardens they create and the fairies in the stories. This book was hard to put down. I loved the fairy door side story. This book was just adorable!

The third book in 'A Fairy Garden Mystery' series, A Hint of Mischief is as enchanting as the first two. Drop all your disbelief of the existence of the Fae Folk and just jump in!

Owner of a tea shop and fairy garden emporium, Courtney helps people build fairy gardens, offers tea and sweets, and helps solve murders. Seems reasonable. With the help of her trusty fairy, Fiona, Courtney is on the job.

A party for sorority sisters is being planned, but without much time to get everything done. One of the sorority sisters is now a famous actress and has been found murdered. There are many suspects. Our girl Courtney is on the job!

Can she get to the bottom of this case? Will she question the wrong person? Is she falling in love? Mystery, murder, mayhem, and muffins. You can't go wrong with this book!

This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I do feel that there is much backstory that you benefit from if you read all of the books in order.

“A Hint of Mischief ” by Daryl Wood Gerber the 3rd instalment in “A Fairy Garden Mystery" series. I think this was my favourite so far, I love catching up with Courtney, Fiona her righteous fairy, Joss and Meagan and Pixie. Plus I love all the recipes at the back of the book! Courtney Kelly, the owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop in Carmel, California. It’s a special place brimming with good vibes and the kind of magical assistance its proprietor will need to prepare for an old sorority sister’s birthday bash awhile solving a puzzling murder!

I found the story to be very entertaining as well as full of twists to keep you guessing till the very end. I’m also liking where things are going between Courtney and Brady …

I’m anxiously awaiting for the next instalment as I want to know if Fiona gets her wings as well as learn more about the other fairies as it seems lots of people have them even if they can’t see them.

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.

Courtney Kelly owns a fairy themed business called Open Your Imagination located in Carmel-by-the-Sea. She sells fairy gardens and teaches her customers how to create them. The rest of her business is the tea room part of the business with a dash of sleuthing on the side. She is aided in her investigating by a young fairy named Fiona. There are other fairies connected to other people and I can't leave out Courtney's Ragdoll cat, Pixie.
Misty Dawn has decided to throw a 40th birthday party for one of her sorority sisters and has invited the other sisters for a fairy party to be put together by Courtney. Misty has money to burn and if that's the bash she wants, that is what Courtney will provide. The added touch is that one of the sorority sisters is a famous actress and that kind of exposure will help Courtney's business. It turns out there is a killer lurking in their midst and the actress is found dead at the spa. Is it one of her sorority sisters with a long term grudge? Is it the young spa employee who had a heated run in with her? Courtney is certain the young woman isn't the guilty party but then who is? The cast of characters is large, the list of suspects long enough and the mystery is a well written puzzle.
Along with the main mystery of who killed Farrah Lawson, there are a couple of side mysteries - who is creating the fairy doors that have appeared around town and who is behind a string of thefts? It makes for a very entertaining puzzle to unravel and a fun mystery series.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Do you believe in Fairies? If you're in doubt you should ask Courtney Kelly. She knows they are real. Fiona, a righteous fairy is Courtney's. As the owner of Open Your Imagination, she specializes in the whimsical which is perfect fit for Carmel-by-the-sea. Misty Dawn, a wealthy resident, wants to celebrate her friend's birthday with a fairy themed party. Farrah Lawson, a famous actress, will be one of the guests. Tension mount between friends as past grudges resurface. Farrah can be difficult to deal with. The latest upset is her meltdown at the local spa. Everyone is on edge. The situation gets worse. Farrah is murdered. A worker at the spa is the prime suspect but Courtney doesn't believe she did it. She starts asking questions and following clues even though the police aren't happy. I love how Fiona and her fairy friends help. Daryl Wood Gerber has written an interesting mystery. There are plenty of suspects and unexpected twists. I enjoyed learning fairy lore as well as helpful information on how to make my own fairy garden. I loved Courtney's romance with Brady. I thought he's perfect for her. The characters are quirky and fun. The dialogue sparkles and the mystery kept me guessing. This is a great addition to the Fairy Garden Mystery series. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.



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A Hint of Mischief
Fairy Garden Mystery #3
by Daryl Wood Gerber
Publisher’s Description
From Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber, the third in an enchantingly whimsical series featuring Courtney Kelly, the owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop in Carmel, California. It’s a special place brimming with good vibes and the kind of magical assistance its proprietor will need to prepare for an old sorority sister’s birthday bash awhile solving a puzzling murder!

Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.

Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .

My Thoughts

Catching up with Courtney Kelly and her fairy, Fiona, is always fun. I enjoyed reading about the different fairy gardens Courtney comes up with for her clients; I always want to craft my own. I also enjoyed learning more about Fiona. Fiona has come a long way since the first book. Gerber reveals just a bit more of Fiona’s backstory in each book, while at the same time letting the reader know Fiona’s story is far from done.
The mystery this time involved the death of a movie star. The suspects were plentiful-a former boyfriend, sorority sisters in town to celebrate a sister’s birthday, and a jewelry maker whose work was dissed on social media by the movie star, costing the jewelry maker business. There are plenty of suspects and motives to keep a reader busy trying to crack the case.

Adding in a few new fairies and fairy doors popping up all over town really made this a fun read.

What I don’t like are the constant descriptions of the clothing Courtney wears and the food she eats. For me, those don’t add anything to the story; they are details that slow the story down. Overall, though, I enjoy reading these books and hope there is a fourth one in the series.


Publishing Information
Kensington Books
368 Pages, 5.49 x 8.23 x 0.96 in
ISBN: 9781496736048
ON SALE: 06/28/2022
FICTION / MYSTERY & DETECTIVE / WOMEN SLEUTHS

Thanks to #Netgalley for providing a free copy of #AHintofMischief

I have really enjoyed The Fairy Garden Mystery series because these books are so whimsical and fun- and if I'm being honest makes me hopeful that I'll see a fairy! I usually finish these books in a day and have read them more than once.

This author has been a favorite of mine for a long time and have read her other series The Cookbook Nook and A French Bistro series (which by the way wish she'd write more of these).

Courtney and her fairy Fiona, have a knack for solving crimes with the help of other fairies in town. In Carmel by the Sea, most people have their very own fairy. Some people can see them and some can't. In A Hint of Mischief, there's several things happening - a shoplifting thief and a murder - which they wonder if they're related, and someone putting fairy doors on the base of trees. This book has a lot going on, in a good twist and turn way, you will be surprised by who the thief is (I'm still shocked) but not so much on who was putting the fairy doors on the tree (although I never thought that person would be it). OMG, that ending!!! The queen fairy makes an appearance................

Courtney Kelly lives in Carmel by the Sea, she owns a fairy garden shop and she can see fairies. She has been asked by, Misty a trust fund baby to host a fairy birthday party for a former sorority member. When one of the party members is found dead. Courtney tries to find the killer to help a friend.

I kind of figured who did it right off. But I wasn't sure with what clues were being represented. I really enjoyed learning about the fairy world. This is the third book in the series and my first. I'll definitely need to read the first two. I loved the setting and all the characters. This is a fun magical cozy mystery. This will definitely be a series I will continue to follow.

A Hint of Mischief is the third book in Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mysteries.

I love this series and while it can be read as a standalone, I think that more enjoyment will be had if you read the other books in the series.

This book is such a wonderful, fantastic well written magical tale.

Courtney Kelly owns the fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-By-The-Sea.
There is a murder, and this isn't the first one that Courtney gets involved in.

I really love reading about the fairies and the magical fairy garden.

The characters are beautifully drawn with a well written intricate mystery.

I look forward to more books in this series.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

<i>A Hint of Mischief</i> is a modern cozy mystery set in Carmel, California that follows Courtney, a shopkeeper who makes and sells fairy gardens, and who really can see and speak with fairies. Her resident fairy, Fiona, help her as she meddles with murders and intrigue around Carmel. The fantasy element is light and fluffy. There's no big worldbuilding here--the fairies are pretty much the pop culture standard.

This is the third book in the series but I had no issues at all getting into the mystery. There is a massive cast of residents and visitors to town; normally, I have trouble keeping track of a lot of names, but the author did an excellent job of adding physical descriptions and hints to help me track who is who. (I wasn't surprised to find out the writer has experience with many mystery novels--it shows). There's a light romantic subplot, too.

This book focuses on Courtney's contract job to make an elaborate fairy garden party for a group of forty-something sorority sisters with a lot of drama. When one of the guests ends up dead, Courtney can't abide that a friend is under suspicion, so she begins her own investigation. There were two aspects that grated on me: 1) the murder victim is famous, and yet there's no mention of media attention at all, and it's not like the matter is kept secret. 2) Courtney is... well, rather obnoxious. She's not a listen-and-watch quiet kind of amateur sleuth, but the kind who is nosey and pushy. It's a wonder she has any friends; I sure wouldn't want to associate with her unless she could help me evade suspicion of murder!

That said, I liked the book overall. I loved the setting of Carmel, and the author does a great job of making the small town feel vibrant and fun. Fairy gardens make for a unique angle for a series and I enjoyed learning more about them. The fairy themselves are pleasant, and I do appreciate when the sleuth is a cat lover. I'd be willing to read more in the series to see if the sleuth is more likeable under other circumstances.

Courtney has been hired to do an adult fairy party for a sorority sisters birthday party. She and Joss work up ideas and Courtney meets some of the guests. A local business woman, a famous actress and the party giver, Misty, spend time together and include Courtney in their activities around town. When the actress is found dead there are many suspects, including one of Courtney's friends. Courtney is quickly invklved and is hands on in trhing to find the killer. Several sub plots also add some angst to the story. Another great read in this series. I was delighted to visit Carmel and learn more about the fairies who live there.

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is the third book in her Fairy Garden cozy mystery series. It was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages.

Courtney once again inserts herself into a murder investigation in her hometown of Carmel-by-the-Sea when a famous actress, who is visiting a customer of her shop, is poisoned. I found Courtney to be a little to assertive and abrasive this time as she questions people. The people she was questioning were merely acquaintances who she had just recently met. The story was smoothly paced with several twists and enough red herrings that I honestly didn't have a clue who had done the deed until the chapter before the dramatic reveal. The mystery was well crafted, the secondary characters are delightful and I was glad to see that Courtney and Brady's romance is beginning to blossom.

Courtney Kelly, owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop, has hosted children's fairy tea parties but now she has been persuaded to hold an adult tea party for a wealthy socialite and her sorority sisters - there are even movie stars on the guest list. Every thing is in place but murder makes an appearance - but would one of the guests kill one of their own.

This series is so fun with the mix of humans and fairies, those and that believe and see and those that haven't clue. Wonderful story to continue to watch the characters - human and fairy - evolve and grow.

I suspend my disbelief and dive right into Daryl Wood Gerber's delightful A Fairy Garden Mystery series and I am never disappointed. 'A Hint of Mischief' elevates the series with an intriguing mystery, wonderful character growth and development and chapter heading quotations and recipes that elevate book to something special. It is fun to share in the history and character of Carmel, California and to become acquainted with all of the lovely people in the story. I was surprised by the reveal, something I always enjoy in a mystery. I look forward to many more in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Another magical entry in A Fairy Garden Mystery series: A Hint of Mischief!

I really enjoy reading this series, the combination of cozy mystery and fairies/magic is wonderful and unique. The birthday theme in this book is a fun idea, and I feel inspired to create a fairy garden of my own. Courtney and her fairy partner Fiona, are a fun team. It's charming to read about them and see how they solve this latest mystery. I definitely recommend reading this book! The story and characters are wonderful to read.

My thanks to Kensington Publishing for a early digital copy of this book for my review. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Daryl Wood Gerber’s Fairy Garden Mysteries are a uniquely whimsical and engaging read. Courtney Kelly, owner of the fairy gardening shop Open Your Imagination, literally keeps company with her fairy, Fiona, and her Ragdoll cat, Pixie.

In this third installment of the trio’s adventures, a local trust fund socialite engages Courtney to throw a birthday party for a sorority sister with all trimmings of the fairy garden parties she often puts on for children. One of the sorority sisters flying in for the festivities is famous actress Farrah Lawson. The day before the party, police find Farrah’s body and later determine it is murder.

Courtney begins investigating, and Fiona taps into her network of local fairies, both chasing clues. Ms. Gerber’s storytelling skills enchant as she shares the interaction between fairies and humans living in Carmel. A Hint of Mischief bewitches readers with just a hint of magic.

Such a fun series! Even though I’m fairly sure there aren’t fairies running around it’s fun to imagine them in this series. Fiona, a fairy on probation, helps the main character in her fairy garden and tea shop. One of the invited guests to a garden fairy themed lawn party ends up dead. Courtney feels she must investigate because she believes the first person of interest cannot possibly have done it. As she investigates and eliminates one suspect after another she finds the real culprit has a motive to kill her. I love not being able to figure out the killer until nearly the end of the book. That makes for a good book,I believe. I recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries and is open to the idea of fairies. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.