An oldie from 2017 that's been sitting in my Kindle files awhile. I'm pretty sure I've read some of the newer releases in the series but it was fun to see Lucy's earlier adventures. I like Lucy and Tobias as a couple, and found the friends about them quite likable, too. A former investigative reporter, Lucy is still finding her legs as the owner of a small farm, always struggling for money for the inevitable repair for the older site. Chuck the dog is fun, too, even if he's on a not-very-successful diet in this installment. Seems Tobias, his vet, too, not just Lucy's boyfriend, has put him on a diet. Lucy's not the best at denying her dog anything, so it's slow. We also get a peek at some of the difficulties even small farmers experience, especially in winter weather. I loved that she seemed to enjoy it all, however, even while acknowledging the difficulties. Lucy and Tobias aren't living together at this point but she definitely appreciates his help when he's able to stay over and help.
As for the murder, it kept me guessing. The victim, Randy Stone, wasn't the best liked guy around and there were several possibilities. The side-story of the bones discovered in the old courthouse and then hidden, stolen paintings are intriguing. Lucy's ability to find time to go around asking questions while dealing with her own farm work, preparing items for the Christmas market, knitting (and she's ever so slow), keeping up with friends, and finding time to spend with Tobias when she isn't out snooping, er, asking questions, amazes me. Needless to say, her inability to let things go when she feels an injustice is being done, not to mention that the local sheriff is, well, let's be kind, inept and even literally manages to shoot himself in the foot, winds up getting her into trouble. I did like that she was smart enough to have a sort of backup plan, albeit a speedier one might have been nice.
Bottom line, a fun read that reminded me, one, that I need to find a recent installment and see where everyone/thing stands now, and, two, that while this wasn't mega-Christmas-y, this is a well written series that I'm sorry I've let slide. Check it out if you like country settings, romance, animals, a fun dog, and watching a regular person solve a twisty crime.
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