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Saturday, November 12, 2022

A Midsummer Night's Scheme, by Harper Kincaid

 

Publication March 21, 2023     Bookbinding Mystery #2

Tense. Full of action and, yikes, I need to let you know that if you have any phobias of snakes and spiders, even the imaginary idea of being locked in a small, enclosed space with them, shiver, you might want to give this installment of the series a miss. It's an excellent mystery with great characters that I instantly warmed up to but, well, don't say I didn't warn you. 

The plot evolves around the return of one-time bad boy, now Broadway star, Chad Frivole. He's in town to announce plans to create a drama/music based production company/playhouse. While most find it a wonderful idea, not everyone does. It seems Chad left behind more than a few broken hearts when he left town for the lights of Broadway. Now he's dead and, shiver, what a marvelously evil murder weapon. Main character Quinn and her cousin, nun-in-training Daria, aka Lizzie/Elizabeth, are there with their dogs when it happens. Despite this, they have no plans to become involved in the investigation. Then, uh-oh, Quinn's brother Bash receives threats and the wannabe killer seems to know his phobia well. Seems he shattered a few female hearts, too, when younger. Family ties are strong, even pulling Daria away from the church, so let the investigation begin. There are plentiful suspects for Chad's death, including a trio of now women who showed open disdain and even hatred toward him when he made his big announcement.

We get two viewpoints throughout, from Quinn's eyes to Daria's now more sheltered vantage point. This makes for an interesting read and offers more angles to ponder. I liked both characters, not to mention their friends. All were well-rounded and could be people we know. Quinn's relationship with detective Aiden, who saved her life in a previous book, it seems, which I haven't read, is still young but seems solid, which is good since she's had a crush on him since, well, forever. Daria has been burnt, however, so she's less open in that sense. Being a nun-in-training, however, does not make one immune to romantic attraction, making for an interesting situation....or two? Oh, that one is going to be interesting to follow into the next book. 

In the meantime, with her brother's life on the line, Quinn has little time to devote to her cousin's situation. Who wanted Chad dead? Who also wants Bash dead? Is it the same person? Where did they get that, oh, so specialized weapon? Will Quinn and Daria/Elizabeth be able to figure it all out in time....with Aiden's assistance or, okay, by helping Aiden? Nope, not sharing any more teasers. Unless you're a snake/spider phobic, and gotta admit, the murder scene gave me the heebie-jeebies, you're going to love this one. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for both the shivers and intro to the world of Quinn and Daria.

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