I loved the first book from Little Red Truck Mysteries series by Janice Thompson, I was excited to have the chance to read the second installment, Sabotage at Cedar Creek. I thought it was once again a fun and delightful little mystery. I enjoyed RaeLyn's story and wanted to see how it would end for her and the other characters. I was entertained from start to finish.

I am going to give Sabotage at Cedar Creek a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for fans of clean cozy mysteries. I look forward to reading the next book from the Little Red Truck Mysteries series to find out what happens next.


I received a paperback copy of Janice Thompson's Sabotage at Cedar Creek from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Spiritual Elements

Christian references are present throughout, with Rae Lynn and her friends and family praying and encouraging one another in their shared faith.

There’s also a running thread about appearances versus reality, with Rae Lynn realizing that her first instincts/impressions aren’t always correct. The rich man who owns half the town may not be enjoying the luxurious lifestyle to which he lays claim, and Tasha’s cantankerous neighbor may be more lonely than troublesome.

What I Liked

This is my second book by Janice Thompson, as well as book two in the Little Red Truck series. It’s also one of the first few books I’ve read in the “cozy mystery” genre. While I’m still getting used to the lower-stakes mysteries, I like Thompson’s emphasis on character relationships, which really carry the story, for me. Thompson does a great job bringing the small-town community to life!

Once again, we’re treated to Bessie Mae’s fantastic cooking, Dot’s impressive knowledge of the community, and Tasha’s splashy personality (and wardrobe). Whereas the first book focuses on the history of Rae Lynn’s late Papaw, Sabotage at Cedar Creek gives us a glimpse into Bessie Mae’s young life. I really like the dignity and honor Thompson confers upon the older characters in these multi-generational stories, not only in their being central to the plot, but also in terms of the respect paid to them by their family members.

Rae Lynn and Mason are now officially dating, which makes room for a new romance plot centering around Tasha. In book one, we saw hints that one of Rae Lynn’s brothers, Dallas, has a crush on Rae Lynn’s best friend, and we see that continued in book two– alongside the entrance of a couple more potential suitors. As an aside, I often get the twins, Dallas and Gage, confused when I’m thinking about the story. This could be a complaint, except that it feels true-to-life, because people often mix up twins. They’re also fairly interchangeable in book one, in which they play a smaller role.

I was also excited to see Tasha’s dream coming to fulfillment in book two, as she is actually opening the long-anticipated bed and breakfast. I enjoy reading about the hospitality industry, so this was a fun plot point for me.

Content Notes

There’s a bit of gossip going around the small town, with some reflection about gossip not being a good thing to engage in. Additionally, there’s a scene where the characters feel “weirdly disappointed” when a character didn’t do something (bad) that they hoped the character had done.

There’s also multiple kisses throughout the story, but they’re not especially descriptive.

Respectful Discussion

This is a small part of the story, but there was a scene I was really forward to, in terms of the romance, that was glossed over with a quick summary sentence. I’m being vague to avoid spoilers, but I would have liked to have actually seen the event happen, rather than getting a very brief allusion to it.

Recommendation Status

With the inclusion of Tasha’s suitors, as well as Bessie Mae’s backstory (and its connection to the present), I enjoyed Sabotage at Cedar Creek more than Tracking Tilly. Recommended for readers who enjoy gentle mysteries with small town settings and sweet female friendships.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you, Barbour Books, Janice Thompson and NetGalley for my copy of this second book in the Red Truck Mysteries series. This is my own opinion about the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a sweet follow-up to the first book. It can stand-alone but I recommend the first book.
This is an excellent mystery. RaeLynn Hadley drives around in her grandfather's old red truck, Tilly. She runs a new antique business with her family. Her best friend, Tasha is trying to get her own business off to a successful start, but someone is sabotaging her efforts. RaeLynn decides to help her figure out what is going on, who is causing trouble.
I really like the feel of a close family in this series. There is sweet romance, intriguing family history coming to light and several possible suspects for the challenging mystery portion of the story. Faith, family, tradition and love sums this up for me. The Fourth of July community celebration is special. Bonus recipes are included.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, the title hints at Christmas!

This is great cozy mystery that hooks you on the first and doesn't let go. It's a sweet clean romance with a little suspense,
and themes of faith woven within the story. It's a great read that you don't want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

Small town drama and gossip, a bit of mystery, unforeseen friendships, and the cutest little fluff of a dog ever grace the pages of this fun escape.

Sabotage at Cedar Creek can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Book One first so you can fully appreciate the characters and Tilly. It was fun "reconnecting" with this crazy bunch, seeing how a certain couple's relationship has progressed, and watching Tasha be able to live her dream. The faith is woven in well, the romance is clean and sweet, and the Fourth of July celebration is patriotic and makes you want to visit, if for nothing else than to try some of Bessie Mae's pies.

I am anticipating Book Three, which looks like it'll be an even wilder ride than Sabotage.

If you're looking for a fun, wholesome book with mystery, heartwarming characters, and that reminds you of the importance of family, I definitely recommend Sabotage at Cedar Creek.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in joint conjunction with NetGalley and JustReads. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

I love when books are based in Texas, one of my fave places to visit. This is book 2 and unfortunately, I missed book 1. I loved the mystery and the romance and the small town feel of the book with its interesting characters. There is a little suspense, but is definitely a cozy mystery. There is also a bit of humor in the book. I love going to B&B's and so this story definitely resounded for me. There were several possible suspects that were making it a bit difficult to be certain of who was doing the sabotage and why. You will enjoy the fun story.
I received an ARC copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I gave this one a solid 3/5 rating. I absolutely adore just about everything Janice Thompson writes, but this one just seemed to fall a little flat. It's a cute story with light mystery elements, but the prose just wasn't quite on-par with what I expect when I pick up one of Thompson's books, and the characters seemed to fall kind of flat or repetitive (and they're usually the most memorable part of her stories!) I liked the premise of the story overall, and there were definitely some interesting spots that kept me turning pages, but it wasn't one I would reread or really dwell on after the fact.

I read an eARC from Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a sweet romance with a dash of mystery? This is the book for you.

RaeLyn and Bessie Mae are back for another adventure. This time it centers around Tasha, RaeLyn’s BFF. She has renovated a lake side cabin as a business venture.

But there are several people who don’t want her to succeed. Why?who are these people? What has Tasha done to them that they would not want her to be successful?

As Tasha, Raylynn and Bessie Mae go through each day, the other question that remains is will they find true love?

I did find that this story started out pretty slow. I also feel that the romance and the love stories between the main characters are the focus rather than the mystery.

Still an enjoyable read and will be looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

#netgalleyreads #netgalley #sabotageatcedarcreek #whattoreadnext #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Janice Thompson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Sabotage at Cedar Creek coming out February 1, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I need to read the first book. I loved the setting. It felt very small town and cozy. The antique business seems fun. I really enjoyed RaeLyn’s character. It was a fun mystery and there was some romance. I really enjoyed it. I would read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

This is the second book in the Little Red Truck series, but it’s my first time diving in, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story is filled with charm and sweetness. The chapters were short but plentiful, which I loved—it made the story feel like it moved quickly while still keeping me engaged. If you’re a slower reader, it might take a few days to get through, but I managed to knock out a big chunk in one go thanks to a rare, uninterrupted six hours away from my girls (mom win!).

Having the story set around the Fourth of July was a fun touch. As a Canadian, I’ve only experienced the holiday through TV shows, so it was interesting. The first-person POV wasn’t my favourite, but honestly, it was such a minor thing that it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. The mix of humour and mystery made this a delightful read, and I can confidently say this won’t be my last Janice Thompson book! I’m already looking to see if I can get a copy of Tracking Tilly for my Kobo. 3/5 stars from me.

A cozy mystery, with friendly familiar faces, in a small southern town, with a dash of romance.

Raelynn is back with her signature red truck ready to help family and friends while running her antique store. She is happy to help Tasha untangle the legal mess and sabotage surrounding her rental property, as more and more suspects emerge. My favorite part of the book though, was when Raelynn spent time cooking with her Aunt Bessie May. It was so fun learning about her aunt's past, and uncovering the secrets from years ago.

A heartwarming read with great characters, and a cozy mystery, that adds moments of light suspense. It was so easy to come back to Mabank, TX and the friendly faces there.

A highly enjoyable read, with a lot of things going on and a full cast of characters, strong themes of faith, as well as a strong sense of community. I'm excited to read more in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This sequel, 'Sabotage at Cedar Creek', continues to deliver on the heart-warming community aspect of a cozy mystery. The fact that this story follows an Aggie (Whoop!) in Texas who is deeply involved in her church, along with many of her family and friends, heightens my enjoyment! Honestly, the heart of this story isn't mystery or romance, but the interesting characters surrounding RaeLyn in her hometown.

If you enjoy reading small-town Christian fiction, then you'll love this book! This is a wholesome read with hints of suspense and romance.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sabotage at Cedar Creek is book #2 in the Little Red Truck Mysteries series by Janice Thompson.

This was a nice wholesome story. It had interesting characters, good Southern setting, delicious food, a mystery, and 2 of Bessie Mae’s recipes. I was able to read this fine as a stand-alone book, but I will be going back to read the first one. I recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, Barbour Fiction, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Summer in Mabank, Texas, is buzzing with excitement as RaeLyn Hadley cruises around in her grandpa’s antique red truck, Tilly, hunting for treasures for her family’s shop. Meanwhile, her best friend Tasha is set to open a vacation rental, until sabotage threatens to ruin everything. With a nosy neighbor, a jealous heiress, a worried resort owner, and even a disgruntled squatter in the mix, RaeLyn has her hands full solving the mystery before opening day. Can she crack the case in time? This charming small-town whodunit is a relaxing cozy read.

Sabotage at Cedar Creek is an intriguing story in the Little Red Truck Mysteries Series by Janice Thompson. RaeLyn Hadley’s family run an antique store in Mabank, Texas except it is her friends Tasha who is having problems in this cozy mystery. Since this is the second book in the series, I missed some about how the antique business began but no matter since they are not the focus of this story. The plot is easy to follow, as well as the characters easy to get to know. I appreciate RaeLyn’s sleuthing help after Tasha new B&B has some strange sabotaging happening. It was certainly a problem that needed to be solved rather quickly.

Heavy on the Texas slang and culture, it is a fun story. Not with what happens to Tasha’s new business but in the local life. I liked the idea of driving my grandfather’s old truck so could well imagine RaeLyn’s love for it. As for the mystery, it becomes more complicated than she thought. Now I want to read the first book. However, the enjoyment of this story was not hindered by not having read it.

Such a fun read! This book is set in Texas and talks a lot about the local places especially Brookshire Brothers and Blue Bell ice cream. Get ready to drool as well since there is lots of yummy food in Texas and the best part is the author includes 2 recipes at the end. I love the faith and the humor that are displayed throughout the book!


Thanks to netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Thompson does it again in a sweet and delightful cozy mystery that continues following the Hadleys and a whole new mysterious adventure. RaeLyn and her best friend once again finds themselves in the middle of a whodunnit that will keep you turning the pages tile the very end. Great read!

This was a cute cozy mystery that can be read as a stand alone but it makes me want to read the first in the series and the next one too.
In a small Texas town, best friends RaeLyn and Tasha are getting ready for Tasha to open the resort house to guests looking for a lakeside getaway. It focused on someone trying to prevent the grand opening. It seems the whole town is along for the ride as friends help with the final preparations. The author shows the true home town cooperation with the Fourth of July events. There are a few romances going on. In fact, Tessa has three guys interested in her!
A favorite character is Aunt Bessy, an old maid who lives with RaeLyn and her family and cooks up a Texas storm of goodies. Recipes in the back are included!
This story captured me from the start and did not shy away from portraying people of faith and how they showed compassion. Although there were a few suspects, the solution to the mystery was a complete surprise and very well done.
Put this one on your feel good list!
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

"Sabotage at Cedar Creek (Little Red Truck Mysteries #2)" by Janice Thompson is set around 4th of July. It also is a very Christian faith based story. Lots of mentions of prayer and other Christian morals. So if that's something you're looking for then it's in this book. I don't personally look for that but I don't mind it if it's done well. It seems to have been done well to me.

This is also a super cozy mystery. Vandalism, trespassing, and theft are the worst the crimes get to. RaeLyn's best friend is finally opening her rental home but several obstacles try to prevent its grand opening. RaeLyn and friends do a little sleuthing.

I’m really enjoying this series! This second installment was so much fun!

This book features a light cozy mystery with no murder. RaeLyn’s best friend Tasha is renovating a house that she hopes to turn into a vacation rental, but after multiple attempts of sabotage, it appears as though someone doesn’t want her to do that.

There were plenty of suspects. I didn’t figure it out until right before the reveal, and even then there were still a couple of things that surprised me in the end.

I loved the wonderful cast of characters. They were all so amusing, especially Aunt Bessie Mae. She’s a hoot!

I loved the small-town setting. It reminded me of the town where my great-grandparents lived. Speaking of, there was a sweet nostalgia to this story. Even though it takes place in contemporary times, it reminded me of simpler days, which I really enjoyed.

Even though this is the second book in the series, it can easily stand alone. If you’re looking for a lighter cozy mystery with small-town vibes and sweet characters, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.