Another good book in this series. The Literary Ladies are a hoot. Interesting ending to the story. ( )

Synopsis: The town fathers' have decided to have a Bastille Day celebration attracting a few Charles Dickens impersonators and a rock band called Guillotine. When the guillotine turns out to be a very deadly prop, Bea and the Literary Ladies once again investigate a sudden death.
Review: Bea's and Levi's entire backgrounds continues to be hinted at; not surprisingly the hook-up between Bea and Levi is still looming. The murder is a bit fanciful and the clue as to how it was accomplished is missing. The book the ladies are reading is at once a clue and a red herring. ( )

The first book in this series, Mayhem at the Orient Express, was a rare first-in-series 5 star read for me. The setting was ripe for mischief, the characters instantly likeable, the romantic tension palpable (for a cozy) and the plot divine.

The author set the bar high for herself. Did she reach it with A Tale of Two Biddies? Well, no. But it was still an excellent read and I'd gladly recommend them to anyone who enjoys cozies.

Why not 5 stars? The characters are still instantly likeable. If asked "which book character comes closest to yourself?" I'd have to answer that Bea probably does. Minus the stalker. Oh, and the independent wealth part - definitely not. The four mile island in the middle of Lake Michigan they call home allows for the never-ending influx of tourists and summer-residents, all possibly capable of murder, that allow for varied plots.

No, what kept if from being 5 stars for me is I guessed a major plot point. I'd say it gave away the murderer, but Ms. Logan did throw in a sort-of red herring that had me wondering for a bit. I still enjoyed the book from beginning to end because I wanted to know more about the characters. Specifically Levi. Also, a small raspberry to the author for almost-but-then-not revealing Levi's secret (or one of them anyway). Levi's mouth is open in one scene, set to 'fess up to Bea and they're interrupted. This is in the first third of the book, so I spent the rest of the book waiting for them to resume that conversation. > They don't. Hmph.

This series has skyrocketed up to one of my top favourites and I'm pleased I won't have to wait another year to read The Legend of Sleepy Harlow, coming out in time for Halloween. Looking forward to it. ( )

The Literary Ladies Society has kept meeting as ordered by the magistrate and have formed friendships although they still have to work to keep from confronting each other at times. Now they have another murder to solve. Using Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities as the book club read, Put-In-Bay has a Charles Dickens contest as part of their spring festivities. Along with that is the rock band going to perform at the festival. They stay at Bea's B & B and their groupies follow along. After 20 years it seems the truth may be out about their lead singer but is he capable of murder to keep his secret safe? The ladies are fun as they try to keep from getting caught investigating. Levi seems to want to get closer to Bea but she does not know if she wants him to get any closer especially since he knows what she is hiding. I did not see who the murderer was coming. All the clues were there but I never pieced them together. I got caught up in the theft mystery and missed the murder clues. It was well done and paid homage to Dickens. ( )

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2014/04/review-tale-of-two-biddies-by-kylie.html ( )