Sherry Lynn

Murder Under the Mistletoe by Sherry Lynn has Kinsley Clark’s business Seascapes decorating Harborside, Maine for the holidays. Kinsley gets help from volunteers to make the numerous kissing balls she needs to bedeck the town. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town decorated for the holidays as well as the homes Kinsley and her crew adorned. A boat parade is something that I am familiar with living in Florida. At least I do not shiver (not most years) while watching it. The author captured the chilly temperatures of Maine. I could imagine the cold wind coming in off the water (brr). The town alderman dressed appropriately as the Grinch gets murdered during the boat parade. The suspect list is longer than a five-year-olds Christmas list for Santa. Kinsley accompanied by bestie, Becca set out to solve the murder. I wish the guilty party had not been so obvious (there might as well have been a neon arrow pointing at the person). The mystery is neatly wrapped up at the end of the book in time for the holidays. Kinsley’s brother is home for a month, but some unexpected news gets his visit off to a rough start. There is a secondary mystery that is not resolved in this book. I could have done with less romance. There are numerous mentions of Pete and how Kinsley feels about him. I like the gift Kinsley receives from her brother for Christmas. I had a feeling she would receive this particular gift from the references throughout the story, but I still enjoyed her reaction to it. Murder Under the Mistletoe is the second A Mainely Murder Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read Digging Up Daisy. Murder Under the Mistletoe is a Christmas cozy with a chilly climate, a petty politician, a bar bruhaha, a slew of suspects, a surprising secret, scrumptious cocoa, and a Happy Holiday!… (mais)

Digging Up Daisy by Sherry Lynn takes us to Harborside, Maine. I enjoyed the descriptions of the coastal town of Harborside, Aunt Tilly’s bed and breakfast and the grounds of the Salty Breeze Inn, and the lovely plantings created by Kinsley. The author brought the cliffs and sea to life. We get to know Kinsley, Kinsley’s bestie, and Aunt Tilly. Aunt Tilly is a sweet, hardworking woman. I can understand why Aunt Tilly and Kinsley enjoy living on that property. The views sound amazing. I could envision living in Kinsley’s cozy cottage with the ocean breeze and the sound of the ocean lulling me to sleep (it would be a peaceful place to read). The mystery started off in a unique way with Kinsley finding a recently murdered woman’s shoe under a plant while sprucing up the landscaping on the grounds of the Salty Breeze Inn. The last thing Kinsley wants is to bring unwanted publicity to her aunt’s bed and breakfast with the annual parade of homes, The Walk Inn fast approaching. Kinsley is also worried that her aunt will be a suspect in what has been dubbed the Cinderella Murder. Kinsley, with help from her best friend, Becca begins investigating. I like that Kinsley shares information with Detective Rachel Hayes. There are several suspects in the crime. There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit. The guilty party is obvious early in the story. I would have preferred a more perplexing whodunit. I did find the reason for the crime spree to be lame. The characters were a touch awkward. The dialogue and behavior are off (we need less of people thinking everything is about them and taking things the wrong way). Digging Up Daisy had aspects I liked and others that could have used improvement. Digging Up Daisy is the first of A Mainely Murder Mysteries. This gives the author an opportunity to make changes. Digging Up Daisy is a floral fiesta with an unearthed shoe, sea breezes, plant problems, an amazing aunt, a planted threat, and a lurking killer.… (mais)