Title: An Apple a Slay
Author: Louise Stevens
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
Autumn in tiny Maple Hills brings leaf-peepers, apples galore, and... murder? I’m Amanda Seldon, and I never imagined when I returned to my Connecticut hometown to pursue my dream of being an author that sleuthing would be my side hustle.
But I just found my second body in four months. My childhood crush turned current boyfriend is a prime suspect, and because the state police took over the case, even his police chief brother can’t help him. The victim was unpopular in town, and plenty of people had motives to knock him off, but the police are laser-focused on Dylan. If I don’t step up, I’m afraid the real murderer will get off scot-free.
Looks like Fluffy my attack shih tzu and I are on the case again. But now the killer is after us. Can we solve the crime before Dylan goes to jail for a murder he didn’t commit?
My Review:
Sometimes things just get better with time—like Louise Stevens’ cozy mystery series featuring Amanda Seldon as our amateur sleuth.
In this book, An Apple a Slay, we find Amanda working at the local apple orchard owned by her boyfriend, Dylan. He’s arguing with Dennis Millikan, a Chicago transplant and owner of a microbrewery. And shortly thereafter, Millikan is dead.
Well, Amanda knows her boyfriend didn’t do it even though the state police are hyper-focused on him. She’s out to find the real killer with the help of her rescue attack shih tzu, Fluffy.
Ms. Stevens has written another entertaining cozy mystery where suspects are as abundant as apples in the fall. There’s the gazillionaire who wants to buy Dylan’s orchard for a development that would double or even triple the size of tiny Maple Hills. There’s mousy Bitsy Van Dyke, who blames Millikan for her son’s drunk driving accident, and the mysterious stranger in town from Chicago.
You’ll recognize the characters because the author has painted real people. Amanda’s best friends from high school will transport you back to your younger years and the friendships forged. Her quirky aunt is filled with a love for life and for her niece.
The dialogue is witty and playful. The banter among the characters is guaranteed to have you laughing out loud.
The writing overall is crisp as an autumn apple. (I promise that’s the last apple reference.) The pace flows, the plot is taut, and you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough.
But once again, the true star of the story is Fluffy, Amanda’s rescue shih tzu. I love this pup!
An Apple A Slay is everything a cozy mystery should be and more. It’s a story wrapped around the love of friends and family. When you read it, you feel as if you’re in that very special circle.
The author hints at another book coming soon. I personally can’t wait for it.
My Rating: 5 stars
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Author Biography:
Louise Stevens is the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries, and the Second Act Cozy Mystery series. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. She lives in Maryland with her husband, who also loves a good mystery, in a house packed with books.
Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta.
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Reviewed by: Terry