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A Fine Art Mystery #3
Hemlock for the Holidays
As Lonesome Valley kicks off the holiday season with its annual parade, artist Amanda Trent embraces the Christmas spirit, happy that her family will be coming to town to celebrate the season with her and her loyal pets, Laddie, a friendly golden retriever, and Mona Lisa, an independent calico cat.
Amanda has just one nagging concern: her art sales have stalled, so her checking account is starting to look a bit puny. Her financial woes pale, though, in comparison to her concern when several people eat carrot bars laced with hemlock at the high school's arts and crafts fair, resulting in one unlucky man's death. Was the poisoning an accident, or did someone with evil intent deliberately spike the sweet baked goods?
Leads the police follow don't pan out until Amanda puts the puzzle together. But, sometimes, knowledge can be a dangerous thing. . .
Amanda has just one nagging concern: her art sales have stalled, so her checking account is starting to look a bit puny. Her financial woes pale, though, in comparison to her concern when several people eat carrot bars laced with hemlock at the high school's arts and crafts fair, resulting in one unlucky man's death. Was the poisoning an accident, or did someone with evil intent deliberately spike the sweet baked goods?
Leads the police follow don't pan out until Amanda puts the puzzle together. But, sometimes, knowledge can be a dangerous thing. . .
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
17 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Paula Darnell
11 books326 followers An instructor at five colleges over the years, Paula Darnell most often taught the dreaded first-year English composition classes, but she's also been happy to teach some fun classes, such as fashion design, sewing, and jewelry making. Paula has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and a Master's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Like Laurel, the main character in Death by Association, Paula enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts. Some of her memorable projects include making a hat and a cape to wear to Royal Ascot, sewing wedding gowns for both her daughters, exhibiting her textile and mixed-media artwork in juried art shows, and having one of her jewelry projects accepted for inclusion in Leather Jewelry, published by Lark Books. She sells some of her jewelry and hair accessories in her Etsy shop.
Paula's interest in DIY craft projects and fashion led to her writing hundreds of articles for print and online national publications.
Paula lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Gary and their 110-pound dog Rocky, whose favorite pastime is lurking in the kitchen, hoping for a handout.
Like Laurel, the main character in Death by Association, Paula enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts. Some of her memorable projects include making a hat and a cape to wear to Royal Ascot, sewing wedding gowns for both her daughters, exhibiting her textile and mixed-media artwork in juried art shows, and having one of her jewelry projects accepted for inclusion in Leather Jewelry, published by Lark Books. She sells some of her jewelry and hair accessories in her Etsy shop.
Paula's interest in DIY craft projects and fashion led to her writing hundreds of articles for print and online national publications.
Paula lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Gary and their 110-pound dog Rocky, whose favorite pastime is lurking in the kitchen, hoping for a handout.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 14, 2021
This was my first time reading this author. Though it is the third book in the series, I was able to settle right in. I love Christmas themed books as well as though that feature pets. This book has both so I was very attracted to it.
The main character is Amanda. She is in her 50’s, has recently gotten a divorced, moved out of her family home, (her ex-husband kept it), into a new town, has adult children, has fur babies at home, and is an artist. Much of this I could relate to. I paint about as well as a first grader but I do appreciate the artwork of those who paint well. I like Amanda. She is starting her life over at a time when she probably thought she would be getting ready for retirement. While there was some mention of potential romance, this book was wrapped around friendship and the mystery. I found that a breath of fresh air. From my reading experience it feels like many cozy mysteries want the main character to be in a romance or very quickly moving toward one. I really enjoyed not having to add to the mix a police related partner admonishing while romancing the main character. Many older women don’t feel they need a romantic relationship to have a good life. I adored Laddie, (dog), and Mona Lisa, (cat). When the reveal came, and was I ever wrong about who did it!, they play parts in the reveal. If you love animals you won’t want to miss this scene!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I plan to read the first two books in the series. I just loved how much Laddie and Mona Lisa were in the whole story. I would definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who love cats and dogs.
*I received an electronic copy through the Facebook group, The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for review purposes. My review is voluntary and is based upon my enjoyment of the book.*
The main character is Amanda. She is in her 50’s, has recently gotten a divorced, moved out of her family home, (her ex-husband kept it), into a new town, has adult children, has fur babies at home, and is an artist. Much of this I could relate to. I paint about as well as a first grader but I do appreciate the artwork of those who paint well. I like Amanda. She is starting her life over at a time when she probably thought she would be getting ready for retirement. While there was some mention of potential romance, this book was wrapped around friendship and the mystery. I found that a breath of fresh air. From my reading experience it feels like many cozy mysteries want the main character to be in a romance or very quickly moving toward one. I really enjoyed not having to add to the mix a police related partner admonishing while romancing the main character. Many older women don’t feel they need a romantic relationship to have a good life. I adored Laddie, (dog), and Mona Lisa, (cat). When the reveal came, and was I ever wrong about who did it!, they play parts in the reveal. If you love animals you won’t want to miss this scene!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I plan to read the first two books in the series. I just loved how much Laddie and Mona Lisa were in the whole story. I would definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who love cats and dogs.
*I received an electronic copy through the Facebook group, The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for review purposes. My review is voluntary and is based upon my enjoyment of the book.*
October 11, 2021
Lonesome Valley, Arizona is the new home
for Amanda Trent. She is a divorcee in her
fifties. She is now living the life of an artist.
She has become a part of the Roadrunner
Gallery in town and runs an alternate Friday
night open house tour.
Amanda is working a shift at the
Roadrunner’s booth at the annual Christmas
craft fair at the local high school. When she
is finished her time and leaving to go home
she notices several ambulances going to
the high school. What is happening?
Turns out several people were poisoned from
bake goods brought at the fair. No one can
trace back who brought them to the fair.
But worse than that Amanda goes with her
friend at her request to visit a local artist at
his home.
They find him….Dead. There are crumbs in
his kitchen from the poisoned bake goods.
It is discovered that the poison is hemlock.
An intriguing murder mystery with a steady
stream of suspense, thrills, chills plus
diversion that keep the plot flowing at a
fast paced from beginning to end.
The fur babies, Mona Lisa the cat and
Laddie the dog added to the story.
With family coming for Christmas, hopefully
the culprit will be found before the holiday.
This is book # 3 in the Fine Art Mysteries
series. It can be read as a stand alone as
the author provides enough backstory with
the present.
A Highly Recommended Read!!!
I volunteered to read Homicide for the
Holidays. Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review
Crew for the opportunity. My opinion is
voluntary and is my own.
for Amanda Trent. She is a divorcee in her
fifties. She is now living the life of an artist.
She has become a part of the Roadrunner
Gallery in town and runs an alternate Friday
night open house tour.
Amanda is working a shift at the
Roadrunner’s booth at the annual Christmas
craft fair at the local high school. When she
is finished her time and leaving to go home
she notices several ambulances going to
the high school. What is happening?
Turns out several people were poisoned from
bake goods brought at the fair. No one can
trace back who brought them to the fair.
But worse than that Amanda goes with her
friend at her request to visit a local artist at
his home.
They find him….Dead. There are crumbs in
his kitchen from the poisoned bake goods.
It is discovered that the poison is hemlock.
An intriguing murder mystery with a steady
stream of suspense, thrills, chills plus
diversion that keep the plot flowing at a
fast paced from beginning to end.
The fur babies, Mona Lisa the cat and
Laddie the dog added to the story.
With family coming for Christmas, hopefully
the culprit will be found before the holiday.
This is book # 3 in the Fine Art Mysteries
series. It can be read as a stand alone as
the author provides enough backstory with
the present.
A Highly Recommended Read!!!
I volunteered to read Homicide for the
Holidays. Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review
Crew for the opportunity. My opinion is
voluntary and is my own.
August 18, 2021
Amanda is preparing for her first holiday celebration and it would have been successful except for that pesky murder!
When someone eats a pastry, it's lights out, and Amanda wonders if it was a deadly accident or a a horrible murder.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
When someone eats a pastry, it's lights out, and Amanda wonders if it was a deadly accident or a a horrible murder.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
December 15, 2021
Christmas themed cozy set in Arizona where Amanda Trent, a 50 year old artist, has relocated to reinvent herself after a particularly bad divorce. While concerned with sales and commissions for her artwork, she has settled in finding friends and a new life for her and her cat and dog. A number of people become ill after eating carrot bars sold at the high school Christmas fair. She becomes involved after finding a new acquaintance dead with a suspect carrot bar on his kitchen counter. Entertaining mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2021
I picked this one up for the r/CozyMystery Plant in the Title square on book bingo (I'm still not 100% sure if Hemlock is a flower or a plant. All I could come up with was "flowering plant" which didn't tell me much!) This is the third book in the series, but I'd say it can easily be read as a standalone, as any mentions of prior events didn't hamper my enjoyment or understanding. But, it was so good, I will be reading the earlier books.
This was a nice, easy read with an enjoyable community of characters, a twisty plot and all the joy of Christmas. Lonesome Valley is a typical small town where everyone knows everyone else's business and Amanda relies on her close knit group of friends to catch her up on the backstories of the townspeople. (I'm going to quote Mint's review, "...the town is charming, yet flawed, adding a realistic touch to the story" and I agree completely!) I have to say, in this one, the people definitely outshone the plot, which isn't to say the plot wasn't good (it was!) but for once I enjoyed the people more. Usually I'm all about the solving, but I just liked hanging out with Amanda and the other characters so much, I wasn't even trying to solve the mystery. Overall, a great read and I look forward to returning to Lonesome Valley!
Caution: Spoiler reveals the ending, so don't click on it if you don't want it spoiled:
This was a nice, easy read with an enjoyable community of characters, a twisty plot and all the joy of Christmas. Lonesome Valley is a typical small town where everyone knows everyone else's business and Amanda relies on her close knit group of friends to catch her up on the backstories of the townspeople. (I'm going to quote Mint's review, "...the town is charming, yet flawed, adding a realistic touch to the story" and I agree completely!) I have to say, in this one, the people definitely outshone the plot, which isn't to say the plot wasn't good (it was!) but for once I enjoyed the people more. Usually I'm all about the solving, but I just liked hanging out with Amanda and the other characters so much, I wasn't even trying to solve the mystery. Overall, a great read and I look forward to returning to Lonesome Valley!
Caution: Spoiler reveals the ending, so don't click on it if you don't want it spoiled:
September 27, 2021
Amanda loves Lonesome Valley Arizona. She has made good friends and is working hard to establish herself as an artist. This is her dream. She is reinventing herself after her unexpected divorce. I like to see a woman who has the strength to overcome adversity. While she's working at a local craft fair, she learns that several people were ill. They had all eaten carrot bars. Everyone wonders if it was an accident or intentional. The police find that the sweet treat was laced with hemlock. Later a friend asks Amanda to go with her to see Eric. Things take a tragic turn They find his body along with an empty plate with traces of carrot bars. Now the Police are looking for a murderer. His death was intentional. Eric had made enemies when he declared bankruptcy. People lost money. Amanda wants to help. She can't help herself. She ask questions and follows clues. She's intelligent and observant. She focuses on details. Unfortunately her help isn't always appreciated. Josh, Eric's nephew, thinks she's a busybody. I for one was glad she was there. She's a caring person. I loved her sweet dog Laddie and even her prickly cat, Mona Lisa. I found the mystery was fast paced and complex. The ending was unexpected. In fact I have was shocked. Paula Darnell did a wonderful job. The story was well written with interesting characters and a powerful storyline.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
August 17, 2021
Artist Amanda Trent is preparing for the holiday season in Lonesome Valley when tragedy strikes. A local man dies after eating carrot bars sold at the high school arts and crafts fair - was this food poisoning gone wrong, or was there a more sinister reason behind his death?
The characters of Lonesome Valley seem like people you'd meet in many a small town. The town is charming, yet flawed, adding a realistic touch to the story. Darnell does a good job of creating interesting storylines and relationships for her characters, even if they're only background characters. These characters help make the mystery more interesting. I didn't see the mystery ending in the way that it did! However, if there's one thing that could be improved, it's the dialogue (particularly Amanda's internal dialogue). At times, it seemed a little stilted and unnatural.
It should be noted that the mystery is not always the focus of the story. I'd describe it as being only one of the major storylines that runs through this novel, the others being Amanda's slowing art sales and Amanda's first Christmas as a divorcée in Lonesome Valley. I liked the insight that we got as a reader into Amanda's life as it helped to flesh her character out, but readers who are more interested in the detective work behind a mystery itself may not find the other storylines as entertaining.
I read this book as a standalone, so I may have missed some of the character backstories. However, I don't think you need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Campbell and Rogers Press for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
The characters of Lonesome Valley seem like people you'd meet in many a small town. The town is charming, yet flawed, adding a realistic touch to the story. Darnell does a good job of creating interesting storylines and relationships for her characters, even if they're only background characters. These characters help make the mystery more interesting. I didn't see the mystery ending in the way that it did! However, if there's one thing that could be improved, it's the dialogue (particularly Amanda's internal dialogue). At times, it seemed a little stilted and unnatural.
It should be noted that the mystery is not always the focus of the story. I'd describe it as being only one of the major storylines that runs through this novel, the others being Amanda's slowing art sales and Amanda's first Christmas as a divorcée in Lonesome Valley. I liked the insight that we got as a reader into Amanda's life as it helped to flesh her character out, but readers who are more interested in the detective work behind a mystery itself may not find the other storylines as entertaining.
I read this book as a standalone, so I may have missed some of the character backstories. However, I don't think you need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Campbell and Rogers Press for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
August 19, 2021
I enjoyed this Christmas mystery with Amanda having settled in her new town. Belle and Dennis are such awesome neighbors and gave her the most amazing Christmas gift-she had just as nice of a gift for them too. There's always a good mystery with this series and plenty of small town camaraderie as well.
The killer came as a complete surprise to me, and the showdown was awesome thanks to Mona Lisa kitty. She got to dig into the killer just in time! Once the murder was solved, Amanda and Emma could finally settle into a good winter break, and Amanda managed to finally get a good sale once she branched out a bit. I always enjoy catching up with Amanda and her gallery friends as well as her sweet neighbors.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
The killer came as a complete surprise to me, and the showdown was awesome thanks to Mona Lisa kitty. She got to dig into the killer just in time! Once the murder was solved, Amanda and Emma could finally settle into a good winter break, and Amanda managed to finally get a good sale once she branched out a bit. I always enjoy catching up with Amanda and her gallery friends as well as her sweet neighbors.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
October 30, 2021
Amanda Trent moved to Lonesome Valley, Arizona after her marriage fell apart. She's trying to make a new life for herself as an artist, but is struggling to make ends meet. She's displaying her artwork at the Roadrunner Gallery, where she also works part-time. While working at the high school's arts and crafts fair, some people fall ill from eating poisoned carrot bars, but luckily, they survive.
When she and her friend Susan visit a widower named Eric because he asked Susan to stop by so he could show her something, they find the house locked up tight. But looking in the window, they see Eric on the floor and call the police. When the police enter the house, it's too late for Eric, who also seems to have consumed the bars. Now Amanda is wondering if it was a deliberate poisoning or just an accident, and who would have wanted the kind widower dead? Unfortunately, looking into murder can kill you...
This is the third book in the series and I have not read the other two, so I can only review on this book, which gives me several questions. Why did she leave Kansas City without demanding her husband sell the home and give her half the proceeds? They were married almost thirty years, she deserves that; or at least give her a decent settlement so she doesn't have to struggle? This doesn't make any sense.
Amanda is getting ready for the holidays and is excited to celebrate her first Christmas in her new tiny house. Her son and daughter are coming, and so are her parents, who live in Florida. But there's a lot to do, and she would really like to sell a painting or two to help cover the costs and keep her warm over the winter months. Finding the body didn't help any, especially when the lead detective isn't fond of her and won't listen to any clues she hands him. But Amanda plugs on, and looks for clues where she can.
Much of the book was normal conversation between Amanda and her friends, and perhaps it could have been shortened without these conversations, as they had nothing to do with a murder investigation. They slowed the book down, and it took me two days to read this, when I can normally finish a book a day. The mystery wasn't given the time it deserved, so the clues were few and far between, and it seemed the motive came out of the blue, since the murderer didn't appear to have any reason to 'do in'
the victim. However, it gave a satisfactory ending, with something to look forward to in the next book.
Aside from what I've mentioned above, the writing flowed smoothly eventually and I will more than likely read the others in the series.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
When she and her friend Susan visit a widower named Eric because he asked Susan to stop by so he could show her something, they find the house locked up tight. But looking in the window, they see Eric on the floor and call the police. When the police enter the house, it's too late for Eric, who also seems to have consumed the bars. Now Amanda is wondering if it was a deliberate poisoning or just an accident, and who would have wanted the kind widower dead? Unfortunately, looking into murder can kill you...
This is the third book in the series and I have not read the other two, so I can only review on this book, which gives me several questions. Why did she leave Kansas City without demanding her husband sell the home and give her half the proceeds? They were married almost thirty years, she deserves that; or at least give her a decent settlement so she doesn't have to struggle? This doesn't make any sense.
Amanda is getting ready for the holidays and is excited to celebrate her first Christmas in her new tiny house. Her son and daughter are coming, and so are her parents, who live in Florida. But there's a lot to do, and she would really like to sell a painting or two to help cover the costs and keep her warm over the winter months. Finding the body didn't help any, especially when the lead detective isn't fond of her and won't listen to any clues she hands him. But Amanda plugs on, and looks for clues where she can.
Much of the book was normal conversation between Amanda and her friends, and perhaps it could have been shortened without these conversations, as they had nothing to do with a murder investigation. They slowed the book down, and it took me two days to read this, when I can normally finish a book a day. The mystery wasn't given the time it deserved, so the clues were few and far between, and it seemed the motive came out of the blue, since the murderer didn't appear to have any reason to 'do in'
the victim. However, it gave a satisfactory ending, with something to look forward to in the next book.
Aside from what I've mentioned above, the writing flowed smoothly eventually and I will more than likely read the others in the series.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
October 12, 2021
It is Christmas time in Lonesome Valley, Arizona where Amanda Trent is spending her first Christmas in her new home since moving after her divorce. For her first Christmas in Lonesome Valley her children and her parents are coming to celebrate and spend Christmas with her along with her pets Laddie and Mona Lisa. Amanda is a talented artist and is a little concerned about her sales at the Roadrunner Gallery as they are down. Suddenly her mind takes a different path as several people that attended the craft fair get food poisoning from some decorated carrot bars. No one seems to know where the carrot bars came from, but they are laced with hemlock sending multiple people to the hospital with food poisoning. Were the desserts deliberately tampered with or was this accidental?
Now turn to the following day when Amanda and Susan go to her friend Eric’s house. Upon their arrival they find a tray that has the same carrot bars on it that were eaten at the festival; laced with Hemlock. Eric has eaten the carrot bars and is now dead! Was Eric’s death intentional or an accident.
As Christmas is approaching and the family is arriving Amanda has so many different things going on. She needs to sell some artwork and also find a Scottsdale gallery to represent her, prepare for the family arrival, but also, she can’t help but wonder what really happened to Eric? She quickly finds herself involved in the investigation with more and more information just falling into her lap. Will Amanda be able to solve this mystery and find the culprit before her family arrives for Christmas?
I love how the author tied in the pets in the story line of this book. Being a dog lover, it was great to hear about Laddie the Golden Retriever and Mona Lisa the Calico cat. I also loved how so many people can relate to the characters in this book. Amanda isn’t perfect but she is trying to make good headway towards a new life. A lesson that many people have experienced. This book was a great cozy mystery and had a great pace within the book. This was my first book that I read in the series. Even though it is book three in the series I wasn’t lost with the characters. I am excited to go back now and read the first two books in the series.
Now turn to the following day when Amanda and Susan go to her friend Eric’s house. Upon their arrival they find a tray that has the same carrot bars on it that were eaten at the festival; laced with Hemlock. Eric has eaten the carrot bars and is now dead! Was Eric’s death intentional or an accident.
As Christmas is approaching and the family is arriving Amanda has so many different things going on. She needs to sell some artwork and also find a Scottsdale gallery to represent her, prepare for the family arrival, but also, she can’t help but wonder what really happened to Eric? She quickly finds herself involved in the investigation with more and more information just falling into her lap. Will Amanda be able to solve this mystery and find the culprit before her family arrives for Christmas?
I love how the author tied in the pets in the story line of this book. Being a dog lover, it was great to hear about Laddie the Golden Retriever and Mona Lisa the Calico cat. I also loved how so many people can relate to the characters in this book. Amanda isn’t perfect but she is trying to make good headway towards a new life. A lesson that many people have experienced. This book was a great cozy mystery and had a great pace within the book. This was my first book that I read in the series. Even though it is book three in the series I wasn’t lost with the characters. I am excited to go back now and read the first two books in the series.
October 14, 2021
Hemlock for the Holidays, the third book in Paula Darnell’s Fine Art Mystery series, is the perfect blend of hometown charm and holiday spirit.
The winter holidays have descended on Lonesome Valley, Arizona, and artist Amanda Trent has joined her friends from the Roadrunner Gallery at the local arts and crafts fair. The festivities turn toxic when several attendees are sickened by hemlock-laced carrot bars. However, no one seems to know who brought the bars to the fair. Things go from bad to worse when Amanda accompanies her friend Susan to Eric Thompson’s house where they find he has been fatally poisoned by the carrot bars. Hoping to divert police suspicion from the Roadrunner group, Amanda begins an investigation on her own. Can she solve the murder before the culprit paints her into a corner?
Hemlock for the Holidays is a strong entry in the series and can easily be read as a standalone. Although I had not read the first two books, I felt right at home with the characters and the town of Lonesome Valley. And the Christmas setting, with the impending arrival of Amanda’s daughter Emma, brought added warmth to the book. Subplots about Amanda’s art sales, her pet portraits, and several local citizens also enhance the experience. The mystery is not complicated, but that’s okay. Amanda and her friends are the heart of this story. Amanda is a great character, and I enjoyed the inside look into the world of a struggling, but ultimately optimistic, artist. Amanda has a good heart, loyal friends, and adorable pets, Laddie (the dog) and Mona Lisa (the cat). This is one mystery that is truly “cozy.”
Hemlock for the Holidays may have been the first book I read in this charming series, but it won’t be the last. I look forward to catching up with the first two books in short order.
Note: I received an ARC of Hemlock for the Holidays from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. The above is my honest review.
The winter holidays have descended on Lonesome Valley, Arizona, and artist Amanda Trent has joined her friends from the Roadrunner Gallery at the local arts and crafts fair. The festivities turn toxic when several attendees are sickened by hemlock-laced carrot bars. However, no one seems to know who brought the bars to the fair. Things go from bad to worse when Amanda accompanies her friend Susan to Eric Thompson’s house where they find he has been fatally poisoned by the carrot bars. Hoping to divert police suspicion from the Roadrunner group, Amanda begins an investigation on her own. Can she solve the murder before the culprit paints her into a corner?
Hemlock for the Holidays is a strong entry in the series and can easily be read as a standalone. Although I had not read the first two books, I felt right at home with the characters and the town of Lonesome Valley. And the Christmas setting, with the impending arrival of Amanda’s daughter Emma, brought added warmth to the book. Subplots about Amanda’s art sales, her pet portraits, and several local citizens also enhance the experience. The mystery is not complicated, but that’s okay. Amanda and her friends are the heart of this story. Amanda is a great character, and I enjoyed the inside look into the world of a struggling, but ultimately optimistic, artist. Amanda has a good heart, loyal friends, and adorable pets, Laddie (the dog) and Mona Lisa (the cat). This is one mystery that is truly “cozy.”
Hemlock for the Holidays may have been the first book I read in this charming series, but it won’t be the last. I look forward to catching up with the first two books in short order.
Note: I received an ARC of Hemlock for the Holidays from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. The above is my honest review.
September 20, 2021
Paula Darnell gives us another delightful cozy mystery. Amanda can get herself involved in a mystery without even trying. Three guest at a festival ate some carrot bars that were laced with hemlock and became very ill but recovered. The next day Susan ask Amanda to go to her friend Eric’s house with her, when they get there they find a tray that has the same carrot bars on it with evidence many have been eaten and Eric is dead. This is the beginning of the mystery, who gave these to Eric, was it an accident or intentional. Christmas is coming and Amanda has so many things to do, her parents and both of her children are coming for the holidays, her first in her cozy home. She also needs to sell some art work and find a Scottsdale gallery to represent her but all of this will not keep her curiosity about how Eric got the carrot bars from being on her mind. Because hemlock doesn’t seem like something that would grow around Lonesome Valley, one of the first things she does is find out if anyone knows where it grows. Of course once she really starts investigating she has trouble stopping because information just seems to fall into her lap. In the end Amanda and her family have a wonderful Christmas and she and Brian are having a great start to the New Year. I am always looking forward to the next book in the Fine Art Mystery series.
October 1, 2021
Our main character, Amanda, has decided to pursue her passion of making a living as a full time artist after her life turns topsy turvy in a mid-life divorce. It is refreshing that she isn't perfect but doesn't have so many troubles that they overwhelm the story. She is making strides in making a new life a lesson we all have experienced. The supporting cast are interesting and I look forward to further development in additional books in the series. The pets in all of their lives offer some comedic relief. I keep going back to the fact that the story and characters felt real. The mystery takes place in a situation that most of us have experienced at one point or another and I really didn't guess the villain. My only disappointment is that I missed the first 2 books in the series but I will be correcting that soon. All in all an enjoyable read that was different than many of the cozy mysteries currently available.
October 7, 2021
This is the third book in the Fine Art Mystery book series, however it is the first one that I have read. I found that this book can easily stand on it's own, however I will enjoy going back and reading the first two books not only for their stories, but for the character backstories as well. I felt that the setting for the mystery was well-described and you were provided with additional storylines to round out the book nicely. The mystery was well-plotted and not obvious. Overall a very enjoyable book!
December 15, 2022
A slow-paced cozy mystery that wasn't really for me.
A struggling artist moves to Arizona after her divorce and becomes involved in solving a mystery after someone dies while eating a hemlock laced carrot bar at an arts and craft festival. Christmas themed I enjoyed the cat and dog character better than the main character.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
A struggling artist moves to Arizona after her divorce and becomes involved in solving a mystery after someone dies while eating a hemlock laced carrot bar at an arts and craft festival. Christmas themed I enjoyed the cat and dog character better than the main character.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
September 25, 2021
Picking up Hemlock for the Holidays means you won't be doing anything else. Very fast paced Hemlock for the Holidays keeps you turning the pages as quickly as possible. Characters that you would like to meet on the street, doing activities that you want to be part of, make this book a wonderful escape for a couple of hours. The art world has never been so appealing. And the added bonus of recipes make this a perfect book.
October 6, 2021
Arizona isn't exactly a winter wonderland, but Amanda getting into the holiday spirit. She is looking forward to spending her first Christmas in Lonesome Valley with her family, until a rash of poisonings pust a damper on the celebrating. Now in addition to trying to boost her art sales, prepare for family visit and take care of her Golden Retriever and persnickety feline she also has a murder to investigate.
The book was a cozy holiday mystery, but it wasn't so Christmasy that you couldn't enjoy it any time of year. I always love the author's vivid descriptions of the art, pets, and food in the novel, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.
The book was a cozy holiday mystery, but it wasn't so Christmasy that you couldn't enjoy it any time of year. I always love the author's vivid descriptions of the art, pets, and food in the novel, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.
August 29, 2021
What a way to start the holidays with a murder. Amanda is preparing food for company but someone dies instead. How will this all end. Definitely enjoyable with suspense added to keep your attention.
October 14, 2021
This was a fairly speedy, pleasant little cozy. I would venture to say that this is THE definitive COZY mystery. It was incredibly pleasant: the scenery, the townspeople, even the crime. It wasn't overly aggressive. I recall thinking "really, somebody got food poisoning and is sick?! THAT'S not a cozy..." but sure enough, somebody was MURDERED!
I wish the cover art was more captivating. If I saw this on the shelf, I would probably overlook it because it looks on the cheaper end. One of the things I love so much about cozy mysteries is the gorgeous cover art and sadly, this misses the mark.
All in all, the story is solid and enjoyable. I would recommend this series!
I wish the cover art was more captivating. If I saw this on the shelf, I would probably overlook it because it looks on the cheaper end. One of the things I love so much about cozy mysteries is the gorgeous cover art and sadly, this misses the mark.
All in all, the story is solid and enjoyable. I would recommend this series!
October 14, 2021
This charming and delightful series continues to get better with a great cast of characters and a well-written mystery that quickly became a page-turner. I feel like Amanda Trent was talking directly to me and that added to my reading pleasure and I loved her dynamic with the others in Lonesome Valley, Arizona. If you are looking for a great holiday mystery that you can't put down, don't miss "Hemlock for the Holidays" by gifted author Paula Darnell. I look forward to trying some of the bonus recipes that follow the novel. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. I liked it so much, I purchased a copy.
September 28, 2021
A fun cozy mystery! This mystery will introduce you to some quaint characters in a setting of a art community. Along with the mystery that will keep you guessing and interested it also shows that you are never too old to start over. I will be reading the rest of the series!
October 18, 2021
This book, Hemlock for the Holidays, is the latest installment of Paula Darnell’s cozy mystery series, Fine Arts Mystery. The hemlock premise is a unique one and led to an interesting mystery. Amanda Trent, newly divorced artist trying to make a living with her landscapes and pet portraits is an engaging character. Her relationship with her fur babies, Laddie, her dog, and Mona Lisa, her cat, is also an integral part of her life. This series is delightful with interesting mysteries and delightful characters and of course, art.
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July 22, 2021New Cozy Mystery!
Hemlock for the Holidays is the third book in A Fine Art Mystery series. Pub dates: ebook - August 5, 2021; paperback and large-print hardback - August 19, 2021.
Would you like to review Hemlock for the Holidays? You can obtain an advance review copy from the following sites:
NetGalley
BookSprouts
StoryOrigin
Hemlock for the Holidays is the third book in A Fine Art Mystery series. Pub dates: ebook - August 5, 2021; paperback and large-print hardback - August 19, 2021.
Would you like to review Hemlock for the Holidays? You can obtain an advance review copy from the following sites:
NetGalley
BookSprouts
StoryOrigin
May 24, 2022
I liked this installment. The murderer was young, sociopathic, and spooky. 3 stars!
August 21, 2021
Hemlock for the Holidays by Paula Darnell is part of the Fine Art Mystery series whose protagonist is Amanda Trent, who is a 50-ish divorcee who has moved to Lonesome Valley, Arizona, to live the life of a working artist. She has purchased as small house, and become a part of Roadrunner Gallery in town, and the alternate Friday artists' studios open house tour. Today she was working the Roadrunner booth at the annual high school Christmas craft fair. They were having a good day and there were some fine baked goods available, of which she partook. As she and her friend were leaving, they saw ambulances approach. As she eventually learned, several people had come down with food poisoning, ostensibly from baked goods bought at the fair. Within the next couple of days she had gone with a friend to see a man she knew, and came upon his dead body, as well as the remnants of the poisoned basked good from the fair. What a mystery.
This was a good mystery, with plenty of red herrings. Amanda leads a full life, with plenty of things going on as well as keeping her eyes and ears open for clues. She is trying to earn a living as an artist and that means following lots of leads and creating all kinds of art. She has plenty of friends and a blossoming romance with her backyard neighbor. The murder turned out to be the first person one would expect, but also the last. This is a good book. A fun cozy scenario, complete with not only a cat but as dog as well, and dogs of her friends and neighbors. The plot was good and the pacing was excellent. There are plenty of semi-well-rounded characters, interesting enough to fill out the holes in the book. It was a compelling murder mystery. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Hemlock for the Holidays by Campbell and Rogers Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #campbellandrogerspress #hemlockfortheholidays
This was a good mystery, with plenty of red herrings. Amanda leads a full life, with plenty of things going on as well as keeping her eyes and ears open for clues. She is trying to earn a living as an artist and that means following lots of leads and creating all kinds of art. She has plenty of friends and a blossoming romance with her backyard neighbor. The murder turned out to be the first person one would expect, but also the last. This is a good book. A fun cozy scenario, complete with not only a cat but as dog as well, and dogs of her friends and neighbors. The plot was good and the pacing was excellent. There are plenty of semi-well-rounded characters, interesting enough to fill out the holes in the book. It was a compelling murder mystery. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Hemlock for the Holidays by Campbell and Rogers Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #campbellandrogerspress #hemlockfortheholidays
September 5, 2021
Read my full post review on Rosepoint Publishing.
Amanda Treat is getting ready for the Christmas season in Lonesome Valley. She is a fairly new resident, divorcée, and starving artist. She is expecting both her parents and her children for the holidays and looking forward to a high school arts and crafts fair, in which she participates with her co-op Roadrunner Gallery. A slump in her sales, she is sweating having enough income to get through the next couple of months.
Amanda has a golden retriever named Laddie and a “mercurial” calico cat named Mona Lisa and interaction with her animals, their feeding, playing, and pet sitting is featured in the narrative as well as the struggles for sales of both her landscapes and pet portraits, with the mystery the other third of the novel. I’m thinking that was part of my problem with this one, the third in the series. My first.
Several high school students are poisoned at the art fair and a few days later there is a death, which becomes her focus when not dealing with the other two. I could not relate well to Amanda and felt few of the support characters stood out. Dialogue was awkward at times, but worse (for me) was the excessive description of minutia.
While the novel was well-plotted, I found the pace slow and had difficulty retaining interest. I just couldn’t get immersed sufficient to care which character was dog-sitting and I’m not a person looking for recipes at the end. Not a cozy for me, but I’m sure there are many who will enjoy.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and these are my honest thoughts. 3.5 stars
Amanda Treat is getting ready for the Christmas season in Lonesome Valley. She is a fairly new resident, divorcée, and starving artist. She is expecting both her parents and her children for the holidays and looking forward to a high school arts and crafts fair, in which she participates with her co-op Roadrunner Gallery. A slump in her sales, she is sweating having enough income to get through the next couple of months.
Amanda has a golden retriever named Laddie and a “mercurial” calico cat named Mona Lisa and interaction with her animals, their feeding, playing, and pet sitting is featured in the narrative as well as the struggles for sales of both her landscapes and pet portraits, with the mystery the other third of the novel. I’m thinking that was part of my problem with this one, the third in the series. My first.
Several high school students are poisoned at the art fair and a few days later there is a death, which becomes her focus when not dealing with the other two. I could not relate well to Amanda and felt few of the support characters stood out. Dialogue was awkward at times, but worse (for me) was the excessive description of minutia.
While the novel was well-plotted, I found the pace slow and had difficulty retaining interest. I just couldn’t get immersed sufficient to care which character was dog-sitting and I’m not a person looking for recipes at the end. Not a cozy for me, but I’m sure there are many who will enjoy.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and these are my honest thoughts. 3.5 stars
September 15, 2021
My first in this series although it is the third instalment, Hemlock for the Holidays sees artist Amanda Trent looking forward to the holiday season as Lonesome Valley begins its annual parade. Amanda's family will be in town to spend Christmas with her and she is already dreaming of sugarplums and spending some time with her next-door neighbour, Brian who works on an oil rig. Short of cash, she is helping at the high school Christmas craft fair where there are carrot bars available. When the students start falling ill and someone eats one then drops, the emergency services are called but the man dies so Amanda starts some sleuthing.
I loved Paula Darnell’s fun writing style and I thought the plot was wonderfully engaging. The main character, in her fifties, was warm and someone I could relate to and I liked the contributions of her pets, a calico cat named Mona Lisa and her golden retriever, Laddie. Also worth mentioning is her neighbour Belle, though there is great camaraderie between most of the supporting cast.
The setting of Arizona at Christmastime was lovely to imagine and the author made this easy for me with charming Yuletide descriptions. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with a Christmas holiday theme, then you need to check out Hemlock for the Holidays. It's comical, and it will definitely keep you guessing. This very happy reader highly recommends it!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Campbell and Rogers Press via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
I loved Paula Darnell’s fun writing style and I thought the plot was wonderfully engaging. The main character, in her fifties, was warm and someone I could relate to and I liked the contributions of her pets, a calico cat named Mona Lisa and her golden retriever, Laddie. Also worth mentioning is her neighbour Belle, though there is great camaraderie between most of the supporting cast.
The setting of Arizona at Christmastime was lovely to imagine and the author made this easy for me with charming Yuletide descriptions. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with a Christmas holiday theme, then you need to check out Hemlock for the Holidays. It's comical, and it will definitely keep you guessing. This very happy reader highly recommends it!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Campbell and Rogers Press via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
August 7, 2021
The Deadly Carrot Bars . . .
Christmas is coming to Lonesome Valley as the annual parade marks the start of the holiday season. Amanda Trent’s family will be joining her and her pets, Laddie the golden retriever, and Mona Lisa the calico cat. Amanda is worried about her lack of art sales, but her mind is quickly taken elsewhere when several people eat carrot bars laced with hemlock at the arts and crafts fair and are taken to the hospital with food poisoning. Was this accidental or did someone deliberately tamper with the desserts?
When Amanda was meeting Susan for dinner, her car wouldn’t start, so Susan picked her up, but first had to stop at Eric Thompson’s house. He said he had something to show her. When he didn’t answer the door, they walked around to the side and saw Eric Thompson’s body on the floor. As the police and EMTs arrived, the ladies followed them inside and it was obviously too late to save Eric. The police officer asked them to wait in the kitchen. But as they walked in, they spotted a cup of coffee and one of the carrot bars on the counter. Would Eric have even attended the fair to get one of the tainted carrot bars? Apparently Amanda is convinced this was murder with hemlock and she is off to investigate to track down the killer. Can she find the culprit before her family arrives for Christmas?
Christmas is coming to Lonesome Valley as the annual parade marks the start of the holiday season. Amanda Trent’s family will be joining her and her pets, Laddie the golden retriever, and Mona Lisa the calico cat. Amanda is worried about her lack of art sales, but her mind is quickly taken elsewhere when several people eat carrot bars laced with hemlock at the arts and crafts fair and are taken to the hospital with food poisoning. Was this accidental or did someone deliberately tamper with the desserts?
When Amanda was meeting Susan for dinner, her car wouldn’t start, so Susan picked her up, but first had to stop at Eric Thompson’s house. He said he had something to show her. When he didn’t answer the door, they walked around to the side and saw Eric Thompson’s body on the floor. As the police and EMTs arrived, the ladies followed them inside and it was obviously too late to save Eric. The police officer asked them to wait in the kitchen. But as they walked in, they spotted a cup of coffee and one of the carrot bars on the counter. Would Eric have even attended the fair to get one of the tainted carrot bars? Apparently Amanda is convinced this was murder with hemlock and she is off to investigate to track down the killer. Can she find the culprit before her family arrives for Christmas?
September 5, 2021
It’s always a sure thing for me that when there’s a dog on the cover of a cozy mystery that I’ll love it. Hemlock for the Holidays was no exception. I haven’t read the first two books in the series but it seems it wasn’t necessary to have done so in order to thoroughly enjoy this one. Artist Amanda Trent is looking forward to her human family’s arrival in town to celebrate the holidays with Amanda and her beloved fur babies Mona Lisa the cat and Laddie the Golden Retriever. When several people become ill after eating carrot bars laced with hemlock at the high school’s winter craft sale and no one can figure out where the carrot bars came from, Amanda can’t help stepping up to investigate. When Amanda and her friend Susan find the body of Eric Thompson, a local man who angered several of his creditors by filing for bankruptcy. Around his body are the remains of a carrot bar that looks exactly like the ones that were involved the food poisoning incidents at the high school. Of course, Amanda goes into amateur detective mode and launches a murder investigation. There are enough plot twists to keep readers guessing. The characters are well-developed and interesting. I’ll definitely be reading the first two books in the series.
August 9, 2021
Christmas Season Murder Mystery!!!
It's the start of Christmas season in Lonesome Valley, Arizona and artist Amanda Trent is looking forward to her children and her parents visit to spend Christmas with her and her golden retriever, Laddie and her calico cat, Mona Lisa.
When several people at the high school's winter craft fair get food poisoning from some carrot bars that no one knows where they come from and the police find out that the carrot bars contained hemlock.
Couple of days later when Amanda and Susan stop by to see Eric Thompson, they find him dead with poisoned carrot bars, there are many suspects and Amanda need to jump in to investigate and find the killer before Christmas.
This is a fun cozy mystery that keeps you entertained as you try to figure out who the murderer is. It's a well written mystery that caught my attention from the start. I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans. I am looking forward to read the next books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's the start of Christmas season in Lonesome Valley, Arizona and artist Amanda Trent is looking forward to her children and her parents visit to spend Christmas with her and her golden retriever, Laddie and her calico cat, Mona Lisa.
When several people at the high school's winter craft fair get food poisoning from some carrot bars that no one knows where they come from and the police find out that the carrot bars contained hemlock.
Couple of days later when Amanda and Susan stop by to see Eric Thompson, they find him dead with poisoned carrot bars, there are many suspects and Amanda need to jump in to investigate and find the killer before Christmas.
This is a fun cozy mystery that keeps you entertained as you try to figure out who the murderer is. It's a well written mystery that caught my attention from the start. I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans. I am looking forward to read the next books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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