Murder in the Aisle

Merry Summerfield #2

by Kristie Klewes, Kris Pearson

Hi – I’m freelance editor Merry Summerfield, and it’s another fantastic day in drowsy Drizzle Bay. That’s until Vicar Paul and I find Isobel Crombie lying dead in a sea of flowers in the aisle of Saint Agatha’s church. Who’d kill a harmless old girl like her?

In no time flat I’ve scored a house-and-pet sitting gig – Isobel’s remote seaside cottage and her two darling dogs. It comes complete with hollyhocks and seagulls and a SEAL from California who looks a lot like a younger Jon Bon Jovi. He's certainly cute, but aren’t his questions about Isobel's house a bit – well, suspicious?

Then I find a secret office stuffed with alarming files about car thefts and Black Ops assassins. Maybe Isobel wasn't as harmless as we all thought?

Sleuthing’s more fun than I’ve had in ages, but how safe am I on my own now things are unraveling? Little white Bichons are hopeless attack dogs.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Animals, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2019

Reviews

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in the Aisle by Kris Pearson
Merry Summerfield Cozy Mystery #1

Merry Summerfield is ready for a change. Living with her brother in their family home is not really BAD but she would like a bit more privacy if possible because it might be time to have a new man in her life. She is a mature divorced woman with curves she could easily put to good use if she just had a bit of privacy so she hopes that house/animal sitting will provide her with that privacy she craves if someone will hire just hire her. As she posts her advertisement saying she is available...for the house-sitting and such…the vicar and she begin to chat, go into the church and stumble upon a body. Ghastly experience but it does get Merry’s curiosity up and inspires her to try to find the murderer...and thus begins the first story in the new Merry Summerfield Cozy Mystery series.

This is a delightful cozy mystery set in fictitious Drizzle Bay, New Zealand. The characters are fun and at times quirky. Merry is rather nosy but a sweetheart with a heart of gold. She does keep her eye out for a man and sees a couple that might have potential but with her eye on figuring out who the murderer is she really doesn’t have much time for romance. That could change, though, in book two.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

[Renaye hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Aisle is the tale of quirky Merry Summerfield and the trouble she seems to always find herself in. Her life is LOL funny, and relatable in so many ways its kinda scary!
An enjoyable mystery with colorful characters and so many twists and turns you'll be dizzy.

I read an ARC of Murder in the Aisle and willingly left this honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Murder in the aisle, it gets your mind working trying to figure out the who and the why, it could be so many of the characters. I Found I had to keep reading to get to the end to find out what happens but then disappointed that I had come to the end. I would definitely recommend it. Cannot wait foe the second book. It shows that Kris cannot only write romance but mystery as well.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book as it's not a genre that I normally read but it was well written and kept me guessing to the end. I will be reading more books like this.

Merry discovered the body of Isobel in the Church and then set about trying to work out who had killed her.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🐕🎶

This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book two of eight

She is talking to the priest and they go into the church finding a body. She ends up house and dog 🐕 sitting. She keeps asking questions leading to the arrest of the killer. 🏡🤔

I would recommend this series and author to readers of mystery romantic family and friends relationship novels 🙃😕 2025 😉🤗

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddies, murder and the church

A great start to a new series. A plot that is more of a saga then anything but with a murder that the rest revolves around. Our main character is a divorcee who edits for a living but now finds herself missing male company. Whilst fearless in some respects, she is prone to panic attacks and wild flights of fancy. The main male is a vicar recovering from PTSD after a term in Afghanistan. A very handsome vicar who had had problems with both sexes when feelings aren't returned.
She had just put up her note regarding house and pet sitting and is now ogling the Vicar. That soon dies a death as they find a senior's body in the church. Dead from blunt force trauma. Now she is being asked to look after the dead woman's two dogs whilst her sister and husband go on a cruise. Add in a surfer bar owner, a secret room, files on the locals, black ops and shady deals. Will the world work together to unravel what exactly is going on before the police take over (well they would once she tells them what she's found) or before someone else decides to take care of the problem?

[Anne-Kathrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I liked this book as much as other reviewers. I found Merry to be kinda all of the place, and very boy crazy although she is supposedly well grown up. The mystery was ok. Overall I was happy when the book was done.

[TiffyHoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Aisle: Cats and Dogs Super-Sleuthing is Book 1 of the Merry Summerfield Cozy Mysteries and represents Kris Pearson's first foray into the cozy mysteries genre. I have previously enjoyed the author's romance stories known for rich, interesting characters set in her homeland of New Zealand and this story lives up to these same high standards. Murder in the Aisle is told from the first person POV and had me cracking up in getting to know about the quirkiness that is Merry. She lives with her brother, having both inherited their parents' home but seeks to get creative to allow her private time to potentially "mingle as a single" by offering to home & pet-sit. Things get ever the more interesting when Merry goes to post her new business availability on the church bulletin board and she and the town Vicar discover a townswoman responsible for arranging the church's flowers dead inside the church. I found myself drawn in to the vast array of characters making up the small town of Drizzle Bay wondering how they potentially fit in to the murder and Merry's efforts to solve it. Murder in the Aisle is such a delightful read and had me guessing throughout! I can't wait for the next one in the series.

-- I received an advance complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to voluntarily offer this review.

[Pam]

The main female character is very sex obsessed. I sruggled though 18% and quit.

Amazon synopsis:
It’s another fantastic day in drowsy Drizzle Bay until Vicar Paul and I find old Isobel Crombie lying dead in a sea of flowers. He searches the church while I call the cops. Rumors break out like rash in the shops.

I’ve soon scored a house-and-pet-sitting gig – Isobel’s remote seaside cottage and her two darling dogs. It comes complete with hollyhocks and seagulls and… a gleaming wet man striding up from the ocean. His dogs are much bigger than mine. In fact, everything about him is… impressive. But aren’t his questions about Isobel's house a little suspicious?

I’ve hardly unpacked before I find a secret office stuffed with alarming files about car thefts and Black Ops assassins. Maybe Isobel wasn't as harmless as we all thought? Perhaps the rumors of drugs and people-smuggling are true?

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation

Murder in the Aisle is book 1 in the new Merry Summerfield Cozy Mysteries series by Kris Pearson and her first of many mysteries to come.

Merry Summerfield is quirky, laugh out loud funny and between living in her parents home with her brother, having a potential home and pet sitting business and finding one of the church parishioners dead in the church aisle leads her to investigate what happened...

Secret files, mysterious SEAL from California, twists, turns and tiny dogs who think they are attack dogs...not...this book will keep you guessing...

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel MURDER IN THE AISLE: Merry Summerfield Cozy Mystery Book 1 by Kris Pearson and this review was given freely.
An interesting combination:Colorful characters in a quaint little town, A dead body in a church, freelance editor Merry Summerfield, a fit and handsome vicar with PTSD, an ex- Navy SEAL now bartender, and a jack of all trade sixteen year old are mixed in with multiple dogs, a murder, and some illegal dealings. Set in Drizzle Bay, New Zealand, this cozy mystery is told by Merry Summerfield in a conversant way, has some drama, hints of romance and a few twists.

[Linda Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER IN THE AISLE is a real page-turner! Beautiful locations, quirky characters!

MURDER IN THE AISLE is a real page-turner!
Beautiful locations, quirky characters, & convoluted storylines converge in a very satisfying conclusion. Our heroine, Merry Summerfield, carries you along with her as she stumbles through Isobel's murder investigation and barely makes it out alive! The "Teddies", involved in every step of the way, make it a treat to follow once Merry takes temporary ownership of those two "fluffies". An adorable diversion! Don't miss a second of this very entertaining, informative murder mystery! You won't regret it!

[Evelyn Grabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Love Merry as she is cute, lovable and rather comedic in her natural desire to have a man in her life. She is also a smart woman, not some ditzy female on the prowl. But, if she is interested in some marriage-less pixie playtime, she would be better concentrating her efforts on John, who, I am sure would be more than willing to oblige. Vicar is a hunk, but his sense of training and morals would put a kabash on any extra circular activity, leading only to frustration.
In any case, I heartily recommend this series and look forward to reading the next book and those thereafter.

[Carol Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns of this very unpredictable cozy mystery! Merrie, the main character, is feisty, down-to-earth and has a great sense of humor that bubbles over constantly, even in serious and deadly situations. I found myself trying to figure out the mystery, with clues popping out here and there but no solution readily apparent. It was good reading, and a true challenge to sort obvious and not so obvious clues with the answer full of surprise and some amusement.included. Cannot wait to read the books following this character!

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first book in a new series.......

My first time for this author but won't be my last. Set in New Zealand, where I just spent a week recently, it is a charming cozy mystery. Great storyline. A murder in the village church, a handsome single vicar and a heroine who plays amateur slueth. All the expected sub plots but we'll written and holds your interest tight. Clean enough to be appropriate for 12+ ages. Highly recommended.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Summerfield did not expect her libido to take a long stretch when she saw the man painting the church fense!
Nor did she expect to find a murder victim!
A good story line with natural dialogue and real characters
More please!
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Secrets

Merry Summerfield is a freelance editor who just found a dead body along with Vicar Paul! As the police investigate, Merry finds herself learning about unscrupulous individuals in her community as well as a Navy Seal, Black Ops assassins and a seaside cottage with a secret.

An adventurous whodunit that will keep you guessing.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, Enjoyable Cozy!

I loved Merry and the unpredictable trouble she runs into. The double alpha men of the town Paul and the surfer are interesting and I’m hoping she can find her HEA with Paul. I love the dogs in the storyline that keep the storyline fun and unpredictable. I will continue with the second book. I recommend this book.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read

I thoroughly enjoyed this Cozy Mystery. It was highly amusing and I am looking forward to more Merry Summerfield stories. Set in New Zealand and revolving around a divorced book editor who, together with the local vicar, finds a dead body in the church. She sets out to uncover the mystery. This was a nice gentle Murder mystery and I really recommend it.

[mary arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a light hearted yet thrilling murder mystery. The main characters are well defined and believable. The plot flows easily and with enough humor to make for easy reading. The resolution is thorough, wrapping up all the questions throughout the book. The murderer is never apparent until the end. Nicely done. I look forward to more in this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Summerfield is a friendly and curious woman. She loves her brother but she's is more gregarious. As she moves around town and talking to people she helps resolve the murder in the Aisles. But is she sweet o n the Minister?

[Rita Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

This was an enjoyable read, slowing a bit at times, but so I'm all it progressed along nicely to the end. Interesting premise. Well thought through and implemented. I would read governor's work again.

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, and the development of the main characters, although I'll have to say I was a bit put off by the opening scene of Merry ogling some man's legs. Who does that? Otherwise, it all calmed down and was a good tale with a very surprising ending.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Zealand. . .New murder

Losses is a new author for me. The book reads quickly. The characters are interesting. The Kiwi slang adds a nice touch. Its a place I would like to visit.

[Lois Hinderliter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book.Merry and Paul the minister find a dead body. Then Paul volunteers Merry to watch the dead woman's home and dogs. Then the fun begins. Many more characters get involved and lots of mischief. This is a can't put down to you finjsh.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good first book in a series. I like that it had a first person narrator and that she had a sense of humor. The other characters are interesting too. I didn’t guess the murderer at all. I’m ready for book #2.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the characters in it. I would have liked a bit more loose ends being tied up. Rated PG13

[Sue Lassiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. I enjoyed this one.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to read more in this series

[Donna Whitmire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titled correctly

Enjoyable story. Makes me want to live in a small town. Nice reading about a more mature woman. The dogs were a great addition.