Book: Murder at Hollow & Hearth
Reviewed by Tessara
Rating: 4/5
Fiona Mathis arrives in Moonfall Valley, ready to inherit and then immediately sell her departed great-aunt’s home. Her talking cat companion, Jasper, disapproves…but Fiona is determined; unfortunately, she is in for two very nasty surprises. One: her aunt stipulated that she must reside in the home for a year before she can inherit it outright, or she will lose it all to the local historical society. Even worse, though, is two: a dead body crops up in the back storeroom of the antique store in town, a store owned by a woman she’s just begun to befriend. The dead man is a real estate developer who’s been trying to threaten, bribe, or blackmail half the town into selling—there’s no shortage of people who had motive. But opportunity? Fiona believes that her friend Hazel couldn’t possibly have killed the man, but the evidence keeps pointing in her direction. Even the sheriff, Ethan, doesn’t think Hazel’s a killer, but he’s bound by the evidence. Now, Fiona only has a handful of days to find the true killer, or her new friend may be arrested for a crime she almost certainly didn’t commit.
This was a very fast read, and a fun one! Jasper, the talking cat, is obnoxious in the most lovable way. The other residents of the town are similarly wonderful: the patient, quiet librarian whose research holds many clues; the cheerful, gossipy cafe owner convinced there’s something developing between Fiona and the sheriff; Hazel, the antique shop owner who habitually appraises things aloud, even when it’s not the most appropriate time; Hazel’s capable and helpful assistant; and Sheriff Ethan Cross, who desperately doesn’t want to arrest the wrong person, but who is bound by legal procedures. Fiona’s developing clairvoyant powers were a useful and interesting plot device, without being the only thing driving the plot forward. It is the second in the series, and there were a couple of moments where it felt like I was missing context, but I’m already planning to go back to read the first one. There were also a couple of chapters that end too abruptly with Fiona deciding how to feel or how much to reveal to Ethan, without fully resolving exactly how those scenes end, but it didn’t really impact my enjoyment of the story much.
This story has wit, heart, lovable characters, a hint of small town romance, and plenty of series potential, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the next one goes. It’s out on September 10th, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes witchy stories, psychic sleuths, talking animal companions, and cozy mysteries!
Thanks to the author for providing an advance reader copy!