A Fatal Groove (Record Shop Mystery #2), by Olivia Blacke

 Publication July 25, 2023

With this one, you get two mysteries, one old, one new. The old one involves a bank robbery and the never recovered loot supposedly buried...somewhere. The robbers were killed before they could recover it. The second, newer mystery, who killed Cedar River's Mayor Bob? Juni(per) Jessup finds the ineffectual but relatively harmless mayor dead in his office during the town's bluebonnet festival. He's still holding a coffee cup from, you guessed it, the Sip & Spin Record shop which Juni co-owns with her family. Her sister Tansy made the coffee for him. The investigator in charge is Juni's old beau, uh, Beau. 

Cedar River, near Austin, is a small town and gossip spreads fast. How fast? Almost before Juni can ever return home after giving a statement about how she came to discover the body. In this case, the gossip seemed to spiral, from a mutilated body to little green men with probes, no lie. So, outrageously humorous and insightful into small towns and how gossip grows wilder with each sharing. Although sworn not to talk about the case, Juni does attempt to calm minds, albeit with limited success. Mayor Bob's wife is reportedly away on an Alaskan cruise.

Juni is soon investigating with the help of sisters Tansy and Maggie, with input from Uncle Calvin, who has mellowed a tad since book one, I note. His stories still tend to be long and rambling, however, they're also often revealing once Juni manages to get him to the point. What connection did Mayor Bob have to used car salesman Marcus? Does Marcus have an ulterior motive for dating Juni's widowed mother? Juni could use a map to sift through all the clues piling up, so where is that map when she needs it? Why doesn't Juni simply share the info she gets with Beau? Will people ever trust Sip & Spin for coffee again?

And, will Buttercup be a recurring character? Don't ask, just read. Daffy the cat gets some space, too, I'll note. Bottom line, it's a fun, relatively quick read with humor and romance, so lots going on. Heck, first time I've ever heard of a hole digging contest. I'm not a fan of love-triangles, however, so hope the Beau or Teddy triangle is resolved soon. Both seem great guys.

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #StMartinsPaperbacks for inviting me back to Cedar River, Texas. The bluebonnets are lovely.

Vinyl Resting Place (Record Shop Mystery #1), by Olivia Blacke

 

Publication Dec. 27, 2022

A fun record shop outside Austin and a punny title. How could I resist? I mean, I still own vinyl records, so this one spoke to my heart. I'm glad I dropped in as it was a fun, quirky read, full of characters who were, well, characters, and lots of down-home, Texas country charm. 

Even Uncle Calvin, who seems to tread only the edge of the law was likable, even if he created a major headache for the Jessup sisters, Tansy, Maggie (don't you dare call her Marigold), and main character Juni (Juniper). They've invested everything they have in Sip and Spin Records and when they find a body in their supply closet after the grand opening, Calvin is a suspect. He's arrested but disappears after they put up the shop as bail. The sisters, lead by Juni, set out to prove his innocence but, well, first they've got to find him. Hence, they have two mysteries to solve, who killed Monica Mayhew and where is Uncle Calvin. It's actually the second that dominates much of the book as, quite frankly, Juni doesn't even know the name of the victim for some time. In her defense, it's because everyone thought she'd recognized Monica since she'd babysat her as a child. 

While I found Juni likable, she didn't strike me as the person I'd want trying to prove my innocence of even a traffic ticket, however. Her investigative tactics are basic, in her defense not abnormal for someone new at it, and she's quick to not just jump to conclusions but confront suspects with accusations of being the murderer. Heck, she even accuses her own brother-in-law of being the murderer. What is Juni basing her accusations on? Will withholding information from ol' flame Beau, now detective, slow down the investigation? Will she get glitter bombed again? Who attacked her in Calvin's house? Why does she arrive at the shop on day to find it surrounded by firetrucks and rescue personnel? What is the "game" some are asking about? Is Beau using or or genuinely still attracted to her? How about ol' friend Teddy? Could he become more than a friend or is she still too tied emotionally to Beau? What could possibly go wrong when she borrows Calvin's unused truck? Uh, lots.

And, wait, enough teasers. This brand new series has promise and I look forward to seeing how it develops. As with most new series, the characters aren't fully fleshed out, so it'll be fun to get to know them as it progresses. Heck, even prankster Uncle Calvin was showing promise at the end. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for introducing me to Sip and Spin. I'm looking forward to many a return visit.