Framed For Murder (A Pine Cove Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (June 17, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages

Synopsis

After a life-changing injury, Mel O’Rourke trades in her badge for bed sheets, running a B & B in the quirky mountain town of Pine Cove. Her peaceful life is interrupted when an old frenemy, the notorious and charismatic cat burglar, Poppy Phillips, shows up on her doorstep, claiming she’s been framed for murder. While she’s broken plenty of laws, Mel knows she’d never kill anyone. Good thing she’s a better detective than she is a cook as she sets out to prove Poppy’s innocence.

The situation gets complicated, however, when the ruggedly handsome Deputy Sheriff Gregg Marks flirts with Mel, bringing him dangerously close to the criminal she’s hiding. And just when her friendship with café owner Jackson Thibodeaux blossoms into something more, he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime in New Orleans. Should she encourage him to go, or ask him to stay? Who knew romance could be just as hard to solve as murder?

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Review

Set in the hills near Palm Springs, this cozy mystery features a former cop turned inn owner, a thief, a potential love triangle, and a cranky grandma.

This is the first in a new series, but I will admit there are times I thought it was the second based on some comments in the book about a previous murder at The Babbling Brook B&B. However, that did not detract from this cast of characters and the mystery to be solved.

Mel is working through some issues from her past career as a police officer and some tragic events that have left her a bundle of nerves and a bit of a control freak. Luckily, she is surrounded by people who care for her and want to make sure she can get past these issues.

Poppy is a professional thief and a hoot. She is tied with Grandma as my favorite character. She is whip-smart and seems to know about everything going on in town and Mel’s life. Some interesting facts come out about her later in the book, but that still doesn’t detract from who Poppy is.

Grandma is definitely a hoot. She may be cranky, but perhaps that is because she was overlooked. She has some mad computer skills, and it turns out she is more of an asset to Mel than she would have ever realized. They need to watch Grandma because sometimes she makes inappropriate comments! But that is all a part of her charm.

There is a potential love triangle between Mel, Deputy Gregg Marks, and restaurant owner Jackson Thibodeaux. I am rooting for Jason just because his character is a cajun. If he were real, we could be related due to my family’s history in Louisiana.

I thought the mystery was well crafted. I did not suspect the killer at any time. While it makes sense, there is still the mystery of where the formula is for the oil-eating enzyme that one of the murder victims created. Or maybe the enzyme doesn’t exist. To me, it was unclear. Or maybe I just missed the answer. It was late, I was tired, so anything is possible.

There is a bit of a cliffhanger with a cryptic text message from Jason. What does this mean for Mel? We will have to wait until the next book to find out.

Overall, it’s a great new series, and we give it 5 paws up.

About the Author

Marla White is an award-winning novelist who prefers killing people who annoy her on paper rather than in real life. Her first full-length mystery novel, “Cause for Elimination,” placed in several contests, including Killer Nashville, The RONE Awards, The Reader’s Favorite, and finishing second in the Orange County Romance Writers for Romantic Suspense. Originally from Oklahoma, she lived in a lot of other states before settling down in Los Angeles to work in the television industry.  She currently teaches at UCLA Extension and gives seminars about the art of script coverage. When she’s not working on the next book, she’s out in the garden, hiking, cheering on the LA Kings, or discovering new craft cocktails.

Fun facts – Something readers might find interesting about this book:

The quirky Babbling Brook Bed-and-Breakfast is loosely inspired by the Silver Pines Lodge in Idyllwild. Highly recommend staying there if you’re even in that neck of the woods.

A fact about me that readers might find interesting:

I share Mel’s nearly debilitating fear of heights. Well, not to the same extent I can climb a set of stairs, but looking down more than a few flights? No way 😀

There’s a scene where Mel does a singing bowl session. I’ve done that, and honestly, it’s pretty cool!

I accomplished the dream of becoming a published writer in my late fifties after helping other writers craft their stories for thirty years.

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