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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower takes readers back to Cascade Springs, New York. Violet Waverly and her grandmother, Daisy own and run Charming Books with its magical birch tree. Violet is the newest Caretaker and she is still adjusting to her new duties. The booksellers are heading to Morton Wineries where Belinda Perkins, a sommelier and bestselling author, will be holding a book signing for her newest release. After the signing, the Morton’s will be hosting their annual ice wine cutting party. During the signing Lacey Perkins arrives to see her estranged sister, but Belinda ends up causing a scene by refusing to talk with Lacey. Emerson, Violet’s tuxedo cat, insisted on coming to the winery with them. When they prepare to leave, Emerson takes off into the vineyard. Violet gives chase and trips over a frozen Belinda Perkins with a curved grape cutting knife in her back. Thanks to the public altercation, Lacey ends up at the top of Chief Rainwater’s suspect list. Violet knows that Lacey would not harm anyone much less her sister, but Violet needs more information if she is to clear her friend. The shop keeps giving Violet copies of Little Women to guide her in the investigation. She now needs to figure out how the Perkins sisters relate to the March girls. Join Violet, Daisy, Emerson and Faulkner in their quest to identify Belinda’s killer in Murders and Metaphors.
Murders and Metaphors is the third tale in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, but it can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included. Cascade Springs is a charming small town with a mystical spring. Charming Books has an enchanted two hundred year old birch tree growing in the middle which needs this special water twice a week from the Caretaker. The magical essence in the shop helps Daisy and Violet guide customers to the perfect book plus it has aided Violet in solving two local crimes. I thought Murders and Metaphors was well-written with steady pacing. I like the engaging yet quirky characters which include Faulkner, the talking crow and Emerson, a canny feline. Daisy is a delightful woman and I hope I am as sprightly at her age. She is a little bit at loose ends with Violet taking over the Caretaker duties, but I believe Daisy has found just the right job to keep her busy (I do not want to spoil it for you). Violet has only been the Caretaker for six months. She is a smart woman who teaches at the local college in addition to her work at the bookstore. Violet is also finishing up work on her doctoral thesis which she will defend in May (busy woman). The mystery has multiple suspects, good clues and misdirection. Identifying the killer, though, was a snap (maybe I have read too many mysteries). Violet needs to work on the way she asks questions. She is too direct (Violet needs to channel Daisy). I loved the inclusion of Little Women. The store is trying to help Violet solve Belinda’s murder, and it is not being subtle. It was interesting to learn about ice wine. I had not heard about this beverage before (I like learning new things). There is a man in town who is too nosy for his own good and may cause trouble for our bookstore owners. I have a feeling we have not seen the last of him. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting cozy mystery. Murders and Metaphors has humor, a touch of romance, a talking crow, a murder, a busy cat, magic and references to my favorite book, Little Women.
Murders and Metaphors is the third tale in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, but it can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included. Cascade Springs is a charming small town with a mystical spring. Charming Books has an enchanted two hundred year old birch tree growing in the middle which needs this special water twice a week from the Caretaker. The magical essence in the shop helps Daisy and Violet guide customers to the perfect book plus it has aided Violet in solving two local crimes. I thought Murders and Metaphors was well-written with steady pacing. I like the engaging yet quirky characters which include Faulkner, the talking crow and Emerson, a canny feline. Daisy is a delightful woman and I hope I am as sprightly at her age. She is a little bit at loose ends with Violet taking over the Caretaker duties, but I believe Daisy has found just the right job to keep her busy (I do not want to spoil it for you). Violet has only been the Caretaker for six months. She is a smart woman who teaches at the local college in addition to her work at the bookstore. Violet is also finishing up work on her doctoral thesis which she will defend in May (busy woman). The mystery has multiple suspects, good clues and misdirection. Identifying the killer, though, was a snap (maybe I have read too many mysteries). Violet needs to work on the way she asks questions. She is too direct (Violet needs to channel Daisy). I loved the inclusion of Little Women. The store is trying to help Violet solve Belinda’s murder, and it is not being subtle. It was interesting to learn about ice wine. I had not heard about this beverage before (I like learning new things). There is a man in town who is too nosy for his own good and may cause trouble for our bookstore owners. I have a feeling we have not seen the last of him. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting cozy mystery. Murders and Metaphors has humor, a touch of romance, a talking crow, a murder, a busy cat, magic and references to my favorite book, Little Women.
mkaib81's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
literately's review
3.0
So I’m still hooked on casually reading this series, but this book seemed weaker than the other two. Mainly because the author reuses a criminal from a previous book... which just felt too obvious. Otherwise the storyline was still fun to follow along with and I look forward to reading the next one (although I took a bit of a detour and read “The Mirror Visitor” series and “Where The Crawdads Sing,” which was fun.)
I do hope this series continues because it is a wonderful little cozy mystery series. I have grown to love the little town and her cat and her grandmother. The crow is obnoxious but I’m hoping something more unfolds about the magic of the shop and the animals that flock to it.
I do hope this series continues because it is a wonderful little cozy mystery series. I have grown to love the little town and her cat and her grandmother. The crow is obnoxious but I’m hoping something more unfolds about the magic of the shop and the animals that flock to it.
lesseraliterary's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a bit of a repetition problem in this book… for example it said violet shivered three times on one page.. like i get it or does she need a thicker coat like where was the editor
abooklikeyou's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I don’t know how she does it, but this woman just keeps getting better and better with each book in this series! 😍
I so enjoyed being back in Cascade Sprints with Violet, Grandma Daisy, Chief Rainwater, Emerson the tuxedo cat, Faulkner the crow, and all the other residents of this cozy little town.
I’ll never tire of the quaint bookstore setting, the sweet budding romance, and the magic in it all. I’m at a loss for words. I just need you all to give this 5⭐️ series a chance.
This last reading has just confirmed that the Magical Bookshop Mystery series is my favorite cozy mystery series to date. 🥰✨
I so enjoyed being back in Cascade Sprints with Violet, Grandma Daisy, Chief Rainwater, Emerson the tuxedo cat, Faulkner the crow, and all the other residents of this cozy little town.
I’ll never tire of the quaint bookstore setting, the sweet budding romance, and the magic in it all. I’m at a loss for words. I just need you all to give this 5⭐️ series a chance.
This last reading has just confirmed that the Magical Bookshop Mystery series is my favorite cozy mystery series to date. 🥰✨
rusticreadingal's review
5.0
Murders and Metaphors is book three in the Magical Bookshop series. This is definitely one of my favorite cozy series and I'm so happy to have a new installment!
It was so great being back with all these quirky characters. Faulkner the talking crow and Emerson the cat were just as humorous as always. And Grandma Daisy, my goodness, she was just as ornery and lovable as ever. She's gotta be one of my favorite characters in recent years.
The mystery was great and kept me guessing until the shocking reveal. And, wow, what a doozy! I so didn't see that coming!
I didn't think it was possible for this book to top the previous ones, but it's the best one yet! I highly, highly recommend it! Even if you haven't read the first two books, Murders and Metaphors stands alone great. Go pick up a copy. You won't regret it!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
It was so great being back with all these quirky characters. Faulkner the talking crow and Emerson the cat were just as humorous as always. And Grandma Daisy, my goodness, she was just as ornery and lovable as ever. She's gotta be one of my favorite characters in recent years.
The mystery was great and kept me guessing until the shocking reveal. And, wow, what a doozy! I so didn't see that coming!
I didn't think it was possible for this book to top the previous ones, but it's the best one yet! I highly, highly recommend it! Even if you haven't read the first two books, Murders and Metaphors stands alone great. Go pick up a copy. You won't regret it!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
thegingerhobbit_'s review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nevclue's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I read the first four books of this series in a cozy mystery daze in May. It's now August and I have absolutely no recollection of the characters or the plot. So the stars are for clearly enjoying it enough in the moment to pick up more than one book in the series.
I read the first four books of this series in a cozy mystery daze in May. It's now August and I have absolutely no recollection of the characters or the plot. So the stars are for clearly enjoying it enough in the moment to pick up more than one book in the series.
fionab_16's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5