Birthday Party Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #9) by Leslie Meier

Birthday Party Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The whole town of Tinker’s Cove is looking forward to the celebration marking former librarian Julia Ward Howe Tilley’s ninetieth birthday. Lucy Stone, Miss Tilley’s closest friend, dreamed up the party idea—at about the same time she decided she’s not getting old without a fight.

That sounds like a plan—until Lucy realizes her daughter’s fourteenth birthday bash, a coed sleepover, may turn her hair white overnight. What was she thinking when she agreed to let Sara have the party? On her mind, instead, was the shocking death of Sherman Cobb, the town’s oldest attorney, an apparent suicide. His law partner, however, thinks Sherman was murdered.

Poking about in Sherman’s papers, Lucy turns up an intriguing tie between the dead man and Miss Tilley. Meanwhile Miss Tilley’s own past has come back to haunt her in the form of a mysterious niece named Shirley and a biker great nephew named Snake. Soon no one can get to see the elderly librarian because the brash, bossy Shirley says she’s “failing.” Now, as a killer’s ruthless plan rushes toward a conclusion, Lucy needs answers fast—or else she and Miss Tilley won’t live long enough to make a wish and blow out the candles on this year’s birthday cake…

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Another enjoyable visit to Tinker's Cove. I always enjoy the adventures that Lucy gets herself involved in. It was nice to learn a bit more about Ms. Tilley as well this time around.



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Wedding Day Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #8) by Leslie Meier

Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Already juggling four kids’ hectic schedules, a rambunctious dog, an attention-craving husband, and a full-time reporter job, Lucy Stone can’t possibly squeeze in another responsibility…or can she? When Sue Finch asks for help planning her daughter Sidra’s wedding to Internet millionaire Ron Davitz, loyal pal Lucy willingly dives into the world of white lace, roses, and chair rentals. What could be more perfect than a backyard Summer wedding in the Stones’ newly built gazebo?

Yet when the groom’s body is found floating beside his yacht, Lucy isn’t convinced it was an accidental drowning. From the picturesque waterfront to toney Smith Heights Road, Tinker’s Cove is awash with suspects. Now, fresh from planning Sidra’s wedding, Lucy finds herself contemplating her own funeral as she launches the harrowing pursuit of a killer who will do anything to keep from being unveiled…

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I enjoyed my visit to Tinker's Cove with Lucy and her family as Lucy helps her best friend Sue plan her daughter's wedding. It is always fun to see what is going on in the Stone household as the kids grow up and Lucy tries to deal with life as a small town housewife.

My favorite lines of the book --

"in moments the school bus wold arrive for the last time until next September. It was Monday, June 17 -- the last day of school. Watching the second hand jump forward, Lucy felt her freedom ticking away. This must be what it feels like to be a condemned prisoner who hears her last appeal has been denied, she thought."






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Turkey Day Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #7) by Leslie Meier

Turkey Day Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tinker’s Cove has a long history of Thanksgiving festivities, from visits with TomTom Turkey to the annual Warriors high school football game and Lucy Stone’s impressive pumpkin pie. But this year, someone has added murder to the menu, and Lucy intends to discover who left Metinnicut Indian activist Curt Nolan deader than the proverbial Thanksgiving turkey—with an ancient war club next to his head.

The list of suspects isn’t exactly a brief one. Nolan had a habit of disagreeing with just about everybody he met. Between fixing dinner for twelve and keeping her four kids from tearing each other limb from limb, Lucy has a pretty full plate already. So what’s a little investigation? But if she’s not careful, she just may find herself served up as a last-minute course, stone-cold dead with all the trimmings…

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Typical Lucy Stone mystery. I did not know who the killer was until they caught him, so that is a plus. I was actually going to give Bill credit for not being a neanderthal in this book, but in the end, he was. I enjoy reading these mysteries mostly because I enjoy visiting the folks of Tinker Cove and seeing how Lucy's kids are growing.





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Christmas Cookie Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #6) by Leslie Meier

Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


For Lucy Stone, the best thing about Christmas in Tinker's Cove has always been the annual Cookie Exchange. But this year, she's busy counting suspects instead of calories, when one of the guests is found strangled.

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I really enjoy the Lucy Stone mysteries. Probably more for the small town atmosphere and insight that we get into real life through Lucy's problems with her children and town. The actual mystery in this one was more of a backdrop of the story. This book focused more on small town life, problems faced with growing children, etc. I really enjoyed it, but worry about Lucy. She came closer this time to becoming a part of the murder mystery instead of just solving it.



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Valentine Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #5) by Leslie Meier

Valentine Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It’s Valentine’s Day in Tinker’s Cove. And while the cupcakes Lucy Stone is baking for her children will have pink frosting and candy hearts, Lucy’s thoughts aren’t centered on sugary sentiments. She’s barely arrived at her first board meeting of the newly-renovated library when Bitsy Howell, the new librarian, is found dead in the basement, shot only minutes before story hour was to start. The agitated board members assume that Bitsy was killed by an outsider, until Detective Lt. Horowitz arrives on the scene and announces that the killer is among them.

Lucy was already aware that Bitsy’s uppity big city ways rubbed some people in Tinker’s Cove the wrong way. But she has a hunch that motives for the librarian’s violent death run a lot deeper. From Hayden Norcross’s elegant antique shop to Corney Clark’s chic kitchen, Lucy relentlessly snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker’s Cove’s most solid citizens—secrets that will plunge her into a terrifying confrontation with a conniving killer…

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Another fun Lucy Stone mystery. I enjoy these books because Lucy lives in a small town very similar to mine. The mystery was okay, lots of possible suspects.



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Back to School Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #4) by Leslie Meier

Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


TINKER COVE'S OWN AMATEUR SLEUTH LUCY STONE

DISCOVERS THAT SCHOOL DAYS CAN BE MURDER.



It’s back to school time in the peaceful Maine town of Tinker’s Cove, and for mother-of-four Lucy Stone it isn’t a moment too soon. But trouble at the local elementary school soon has the sometime crime-solver juggling family, job, and night classes with another mystery to solve. And it starts with a bang.

A bomb goes off with the noon lunch bell, but not before all the kids are safely evacuated, and Carol Crane, the new assistant principal, is hailed as a hero. But days later, Carol is found murdered and everyone is stunned when the most popular teacher at the school is arrested for the crime. However, not everyone is buying the open-and-shut case, including Lucy Stone, who senses there’s more to things than meet the eye.

It soon becomes clear that Lucy is flirting with danger, as sizzling secrets and explosive surprises provide a primer for the most diabolical of motives. Hot on the trail of a clever killer, the dedicated mom and seasoned sleuth must harness the courage and cool aplomb to uncover a crime that just might give her an education in the fine art of murder.

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Being from a small town similar to the one that Lucy Stones lives in and being employed in the education system, I found this book more interesting for that aspect, than for the actual mystery. I found it interesting how the author managed to portray the very real to life atmosphere of a small town. The prejudice and bigotry that you find in small towns. Suspicion of anyone different or from 'elsewhere'. I also found the whole negative attitude towards schools, teachers and the education system to be realistic as well. Especially from folks who never set foot in a school besides dropping their children off there in the mornings.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I figured out Carol Crane prior to getting half way through the book and the 'whodunit' was a bit rushed and lackluster. Lucy's husband is a neanderthal. But overall I do enjoy reading the Lucy Stone mysteries. I like the fact that Lucy is a real life mom and woman who faces all of the real challenges that women face today.

My favorite line was when Lucy stated that her family viewed her as 'just another kitchen appliance.' What mother can not relate to that feeling.



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Trick or Treat Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #3) by Leslie Meier

Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Haunted-house parties and ghostly galas…grinning pumpkins, mayhem and murder. It’s going to be one heck of a Halloween for Lucy Stone and Tinker’s Cove…

It’s October in Maine, and everyone in Tinker’s Cove is preparing for the annual Halloween festival. While Lucy Stone is whipping up orange-frosted cupcakes, recycling tutus for her daughters’ Halloween costumes, helping her son with his pre-teen rebellion, and breast-feeding her brand-new bay, an arsonist is loose in Tinker’s Cove. When the latest fire claims the life of the owner of the town’s oldest house, arson turns into murder…

While the townsfolk work to transform a dilapidated mansion into a haunted house for the All-Ghouls festival, the hunt for the culprit heats up. Trick-or-treat turns deadly as a little digging in all the wrong places puts Lucy too close to a shocking discovery that could send all her best-laid plans up in smoke…

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Another good read in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. I like Lucy probably because she is just a regular housewife with 4 kids and all the typical problems those of us in her situation have. I did not know who done it till the end, but I had my suspicions. Looking forward to more in the Lucy Stone cozy series.



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Tippy Toe Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #2) by Leslie Meier

Tippy Toe Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


With three kids underfoot, a fourth on the way, and an oppressive heat wave bearing down, homemaker Lucy Stone is hardly enjoying an idyllic summer. But her preoccupation with swelling ankles, Bavarian creme doughnut cravings, and sewing endless sequins on ballet recital tutus gives way to dread when Lucy learns that her waistline isn’t the only thing that’s recently vanished from Tinker’s Cove…

The strange disappearance of a retired dance instructor has the tiny coastal town in a tizzy that turns to terror when a notoriously cantankerous shopkeeper is slain right on Main Street. Now Lucy’s up to her bulging belly in local suspects and red herrings. Eluded by a cold-blooded killer, with her due-date looming and the thermometer soaring, Lucy figures something has to break soon. With any luck, it won’t be her water…

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I enjoyed this second book in the Lucy Stone mystery series. Lucy Stone is a likable chatterer. The story was a bit dark as it deals with domestic abuse. The mystery itself kept me guessing to the end.



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Mistletoe Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #1) by Leslie Meier

Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As if baking holiday cookies, knitting a sweater for her husband’s gift, and making her daughter’s angel costume for the church pageant weren’t enough things for Lucy Stone’s busy Christmas schedule, she’s also working nights at the famous mail-order company Country Cousins. But when she discovers Sam Miller, its very wealthy founder, dead in his car from an apparent suicide, the sleuth in her knows something just doesn’t smell right.

Taking time out from her hectic holiday life to find out what really happened, her investigation leads to a backlog of secrets as long as Santa’s Christmas Eve route. Lucy is convinced that someone murdered Sam Miller. But who and why? With each harrowing twist she uncovers in this bizarre case, another shocking revelation is exposed. Now, as Christmas draws near and Lucy gets dangerously closer to the truth, she’s about to receive a present from Santa she didn’t ask for–a killer who won’t be satisfied until everyone on his shopping list is dead, including Lucy herself…

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Very much enjoyed this cute cozy mystery. Love that it is set in a small town as I can relate to a lot of the descriptions and happenings living in a rural area. I like the characters and the mystery itself was interesting enough to keep me reading. Will definitely be continuing with this series.



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