A review by sparklingreader
A Treacherous Tale by Elizabeth Penney

5.0

I loved this story. Actually, both stories because this is an unusual one in that it is a story within a story. You have the main tale—a cozy mystery about murder, theft, kidnapping, and illegal goods. Then you have a secondary tale—a children’s book called “The Strawberry Sisters” whose characters turn out to be the people in the main tale. Don’t worry, it’s not as confusing as it sounds. In fact, if you read closely, you can figure out what’s going on in both tales at the same time. The characters are well-done and the imagery is wonderful with old English bookshops, villages, manors, and more.

This is not the first book in a series, but you do not have to have read the others in order to know exactly who is who and what’s going on. The author has a very light—and talented—way of drawing in the back story so you aren’t lost.

Recommendation: Highly recommended. For an entertaining read that’s both a cozy mystery and a fairy tale all in one, definitely pick this up. You won’t be disappointed.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Schuster for providing this ARC. I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”