Mystery

I continue to like this series and everything cranberry it has to offer. Nice surprise ending. ( )

Monica Albertson moved from Chicago to small-town Cranberry Cove, Michigan to help her brother run his cranberry business. While he works the bogs and caring for the cranberries, she bakes, runs the store and sells their products. She's curious one morning when she sees a load of crates being taken to the bogs, and discovers that they're full of bees who will pollinate the cranberry flowers to give more berries, and that they're owned by beekeeper Rick Taylor.

But later on, her brother tells her to call 911 because he thinks Rick's assistant Lori Wenk is dead. When the police arrive, it's apparent from all of the bee stings on Lori's face that she died from them. Or is it? The police also discover an injection site on her -- and later find out she's been murdered. Now Monica wonders if Rick wanted to rid himself of the woman, who was clinging to him; or his wife Nora, who disliked her, too. Then she finds out more -- that Lori had a habit of trying to file sexual harassment suits when she was rebuffed; and also that she was disliked by several other people. But who wanted her dead? That's a question Monica needs the answer to, if she can get it before the killer finds her first...

This is the third book in the series and I would like to say that they're improving, but they're not. Still, at least they're holding their own, and I have hopes yet that they might improve along the way. The reason I say this is because when the murderer appears, it practically slaps you across the face. The motive for the murder was patently obvious also, without it even being explained toward the end of the book. I honestly couldn't understand why Monica didn't figure it out immediately, with everything the murderer was saying to cement their guilt.

Still, I kept reading since I was already involved in the story and wanted to see where the author was going to take it from there. But because of this, I found that it was of no matter whoever Monica thought the killer was, I already knew; and she never even went in that direction until it was almost too late (because we know she will be walking into danger sooner or later). Therefore, there wasn't much of a mystery for me, because I had already solved it and I just wanted to see what else the book had to offer.

I was surprised at a couple of developments - I really don't like the fact that Gina is being portrayed as man hungry, since at first she seemed to be devastated that she was dumped by her husband, but now she seems desperate to have a man in her life. Gina needs some self-esteem. She needs a therapist, and now.

Then there were a couple of other developments that seemed rushed, since this is only the third book, but it's fine and didn't bother me too much. It was basically the fact that I discovered the truth so early on that I just kept reading in order to finish the book, if for nothing else than to see the murderer explain their actions to Monica. In the end, it was an okay book, and I will probably continue reading the series anyway. ( )

Monica is learning more about the cranberry bog business, even as she bakes and makes cranberry pastries and salsa. She finds out that extra borrowed bees are needed to boost the harvest of the berries, and when a helper to the beekeeper turns up dead with multiple stings, Monica decides to ferret out the killer. Monica has good intentions, but the end result is not without consequences. Much happens in this cozy of life by the cranberry bog. Though this novel could be considered to be a standalone, you’ll appreciate it more if you you read the preceding books in the series. The development of the characters and their growth just adds to the charm of the stories. ( )

Dead and Berried by Peg Cochran is the third book in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. Monica Albertson lives on Sassamanash Farm in Cranberry Cove, Michigan and provides baked goods to the farm store on the property. The cranberry bogs are full of blooms, and it is time to pollinate the flowers. Jeff, Monica’s half-brother and owner of the farm, has hired Rick Taylor of Rick’s Bees. Rick and his assistant, Lori Wenk arrive at the farm with the bees, but are unable to release them that day due to the weather (honey bees do not like wet days). Monica is back in the farm kitchen finishing her baking when Jeff comes running in asking for her to call 911. Jeff found Lori on the ground near the bee hives. Bees are swarming near the hives where someone let them out and stirred them up. Lori was stung many times and has passed away. Detective Tammy Stevens arrives and starts asking questions. It appears to be an accidental death until the toxicology report proves otherwise. Rick is at the top of the suspect list and his wife, Nora is distraught (she works at the farm store). Monica begins making inquiries about Lori and discovers that Lori had been stirring up a hornet’s nest of her own. Could this have led to her murder? But what happens when Monica gets too close to discovering the killer’s identity?

Dead and Berried contains good writing, great characters (except Gina), charming small town and a good pace (makes it a pleasure to read). I thought Dead and Berried was an engaging novel that held my attention. I like that Monica does not sneak around behind Detective Stevens back doing her own investigation (I appreciate that there are no nasty cops either). The two work together (share information) to find the killer (such a nice change). Dead and Berried can be read alone (if you really want to). The author provides the necessary background information so a reader will not be lost or confused. I give Dead and Berried 4 out of 5 stars. One issue that I had with this book was the mystery. I could identify the killer early in the story (right after the body was discovered). I wish there had been a good twist (I love it when I do not solve the crime until late in the book or not at all). I liked the information about shipwrecks that occurred in Lake Michigan (a writer has moved to town). I found it fascinating. It was also interesting to discover that cranberry flowers need migratory honey bees (or bumble bees) brought in to help pollinate the flowers. They are not capable of self-fertilization. The one character that I do not like is Gina, Monica’s stepmother. She is a piece of work. I found her extremely annoying and self-centered. I keep hoping the author will decide to make Gina a victim of murder! The ending is sweet and romantic (happy sigh). There are cranberry recipes at the end of the book. I look forward to reading more books in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. ( )