Chloe Abbington returned home, with her dog Max, from New York City to Whisper Cove, where her family still lives. The lakeside town is beautiful, and usually has tourists abound. Her sister Izzie has started a business named Paint With A View, where people come to paint scenes and enjoy company. She's just starting out, and is looking forward to it, although she's worried about a newspaper columnist named Fiona who trashes every business in her articles.

Izzy thinks inviting Fiona to the grand opening will help. But when Fiona receives a text, she abruptly leaves, and Chloe hopes they'll get a good review. Turns out, they won't get a review at all when Chloe finds her body behind their store, with a painting knife sticking out of her neck. Now, she and her sister are suspects in the murder, and unless she can find out the truth, she just might spend the rest of her days in jail...

This is the first book in a new series, and I do like to give new authors the benefit of the doubt. But as far as doubt goes, I wonder if the author knows that painting knives are pliable, and unable to be used as murder weapons. Hmmm...

The second thing that bothered me is Izzie. If she's starting a business, wouldn't you suspect that she'd want to be there? Well, she isn't. She dumps everything on her assistant Willow and sister Chloe. Who does that? She spends about 15% of the time at her business, and disappearing somewhere else the rest of it. I also don't like their parents. Their mother is a nutcase. So what if she wants to go natural and vegan? Why does she push it on her children? They're adults. Let them eat what they want, not what you want to shove down their throats. Seems to me she's more 'hippie' than 'artsy.'

As for Chloe, she can learn to be less snarky to everyone. Get rid of the chip on her shoulder. She also doesn't tell Izzie that she needs to be at her business. Nope. She just does whatever Izzie wants. We also never learn about why Izzie hates the detective. What's up with that? Actually, the only likeable person in the book is Ross, and he's not even a permanent character. Bring him back. At least he makes the book readable.

Unfortunately, while the writing was good and the plot as well, the characters need a lot of work. Less mom and dad. More Izzie being at her store. When the ending comes and the killer is revealed, I felt rather cheated, since there weren't any clues leading up to it. But I will give this author another chance, and perhaps read the second in the series.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. ( )

A Brush with Murder takes us to the charming town of Whisper Cove that has an Artisan Alley where Izzie has located her new venture. Painting classes with friends and family are becoming popular especially when wine and food are offered. I liked Chloe but was not a fan of her younger sister, Izzie. Izzie tends to be bossy and has a laissez-faire way about running her business. You can tell she wants it to be a success, but then Izzie fails to show up for planning meetings and leaves the first event in hands of Chloe and her shop assistant, Willow North. Fiona Gimble is not well-liked in the town thanks to her nasty reviews of the local shops. It is not a surprise when she turns up dead. Chloe finds herself preoccupied with the crime. She decides to do a little snooping. There are multiple suspects in her death including Chloe’s sister. There are clues to help readers solve the crime if you pay close attention. The resolution was complete which I appreciated. Chloe’s New York boyfriend arrives in town determined to win her back. I did not feel this storyline was necessary. It will only cause a love triangle with Chloe, Detective Barrett, and Ross (and I for one am not a fan of love triangles). I also found it odd that when Izzie decided they needed to pass out flyers to promote the business, she felt it necessary for them to wear costumes (Minnie and Mickey Mouse) as well as sandwich boards. I liked Chloe’s cute dog, Max. He was a sweetie. It will be interesting to see what happens next at a Paint with a View. A Brush with Murder transports readers to Whisper Cove where there is a wrathful departed reporter, pleasurable paint projects, shop owner suspects, a cuddly canine, a determined detective, a bothersome ex-beau, and a curious Chloe. ( )

A Brush With Murder is the first book in the A Paint By Murder Mystery series by Bailee Abbott.

Chloe Addington’s expectation of becoming an artist in New York City is falling short of her hopes, and recently breaking up with her boyfriend. She has decided to move back to her hometown of Whisper Cove and help her sister, Izzy, with her new business, Paint with a View. As soon as Chole arrives at her parent’s home, Izzy insists that they go to the shop. They find Willow, Izzy’s assistant, getting the shop ready for the pre Grand Opening painting session when they arrive. Izzy asks Chloe if she can handle the evening’s program as she has someplace she needs to be. The painting class seemed to be well received, and Chole sets off to clean up the shop. After cleaning up, the only thing left before leaving is to take the trash out to the dumpster. As she is about to step into the alley, Chole stumbles against something. Turning on the flashlight on her phone, she finds the dead body of Fiona, a columnist for the Whisper Cove Gazette, with a paint knife embedded in her neck.

Fiona had had words with several of the attendees, and Chole was worried about what kind of review she would do for Paint With A View. Fiona’s reputation is well known around Whisper Cove. Fiona has nothing good about anyone and has written some scathing columns about various residents and shops. For the most part, Whisper Cove is surprised that it didn’t happen sooner.
As Chole found the body, and with the disturbance Fiona caused, Chole will become the prime suspect. As will Izzy who refuses to talk with the police. Chole will have to start her investigation to clear Izzy’s and her name.

The story is exciting and held my interest, and it reads at a good pace. There were enough twists and turns that I was surprised as to who the killer was. The characters were interesting and believable. The character that I did have trouble with was Izzy. She didn’t seem to spend much time at “her” shop and treats Chole more as an employee rather than a sister who was willing to help with the business.

I will be watching for the next book in this new series. ( )

amateur-sleuth, art, artist, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, pets, cozy-mystery****

Very interesting view into artists, galleries, and curios. Unfortunately I just wasn't invested in this one, the characters weren't terribly positive and the general atmosphere was better suited to another reader.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. ( )

There are numerous painting franchise businesses in the area where I live, and I’ve enjoyed viewing the art posted on social media after events, so I was intrigued to read the opening novel of this new cozy series.

As Chloe Abbington arrives home in Whisper Cove, New York, after a 9-hour drive from the city, she’s understandably hesitant to dash back out the door with her younger sister Izzie to view the new store, "Paint with a View." But helping Chloe’s younger sister has drawn her home, and Artisan Alley is ever welcoming and may be just the diversion needed to heal her broken heart both professionally and personally. Little did Chloe realize a murder investigation would quickly divert her attention.

This is a charming cozy in a small town with an inviting description I’m ready to pack my bag and drive up tomorrow for a pleasant visit. Izzie is very clever in planning events not only to engage the support of local businesses but as fundraisers to support local needs. I can only hope to find accommodations with a view of Chautauqua Lake. I’m going to fall asleep, picturing a window seat where I can read and gaze at the lake. On my arrival will be a stop at "Paint with a View" to ensure they received my online reservation to attend multiple events during my week’s visit, but I definitely don’t want to miss the "Paint Your Pet" event. I hardly know which business I’d visit next as the choices of "Go Fly a Kite," "Light Your Scent" candle shop, and "La Chic" to buy a special outfit for the last night in town are all enticing my interest. But before my shopping adventure, I think I’ll have a light salad at "Millie’s Diner" for lunch so I can savor my supper at "Bob’s Barbecue Pit." For my sweet tooth, I’ll definitely have a continental breakfast at the bakery "For Sweet’s Sake."

One of the most appealing delights of the author’s writing is that every minute of every day is not chronicled in minutiae. For example, at the end of one chapter Chloe and Izzie are off for an afternoon of shopping and to visit some sights in Jamestown. As the next chapter begins, it’s the following morning, but due to the author’s writing, it was a very natural transition. I knew I didn’t miss anything; instead, when these instances continued to occur, I enjoyed the faster pace.

During the quick pace of the cozy, I was constantly changing my mind about the names to be added or subtracted from the suspect list as the amateur sleuth may have a list, but mystery reader sleuths do too.

I’m already looking forward to reading the next cozy in the series!

My sincere thanks to Bailee Abbott, and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

#ABrushwithMurder #NetGalley ( )