MULBERRY MISCHIEF
SERIES: A Berry Basket Mystery #4
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Kensington
RELEASE DATE: August 27, 2019
PAGES: 352
Autumn has arrived on the shores of Lake Michigan, but Marlee Jacob, proprietor of The Berry Basket, is feeling a chill for other reasons …
With the Harvest Health Fair in full swing, Marlee makes sure to stock up on elderberry products for cold and flu season. But this year there’s also a run on mulberry when an eccentric customer wants to use the dried berries to ward off evil forces. True, it’s almost Halloween, but something else seems to be spooking Leticia the Lake Lady, Oriole Point’s oddest resident. She believes someone plans to kill her—and the ghost. Only mulberries can protect them. Marlee doesn’t take her fears seriously until a man named Felix Bonaventure arrives in the village, asking questions about a mysterious woman.
The next day, Marlee finds Bonaventure dead on Leticia’s property—shot through the heart with an arrow made of mulberry wood. And Leticia has disappeared. Marlee soon learns the Lake Lady has a deadly past that is connected to the famous Sable family who are in town for the health fair. A bunch of clues start to come together—and figuring out what’s going on puts Marlee in a real jam …
Includes Berry Recipes!
Other Books In This Series
Mulberry Mischief is my first read of the Berry Basket Mysteries. I jumped right into this series with no problem following the characters or the setting, etc., and though it was obvious that there were books/storylines before this one I didn’t feel lost.
Marlee is a really likable protagonist, and the supporting characters in her friendship circle are equally engaging. I especially liked her friend Theo and her boyfriend (and swoony police officer) Kit. The former has a sincere heart, despite his social awkwardness, and even though this was my introduction to Theo I could see his character growth across the series based on the author’s seamless descriptions in this book. Kit is protective and smart, and he seems to be a great match to Marlee. As with any good cozy mystery small town, there are a bevy of quirky characters, two of whom play an important role in Mulberry Mischief. And considering that we meet most of her friends in costume at the Harvest Health Fair they all seem a bit quirky 😉
Leticia the Lake Lady’s story is absolutely fascinating, and as the pieces began coming together the layers intrigued me even more. Lots of twists and turns – and suspects – in this well-developed plot, and you’ll be riveted to the story until the final reveal. Which, by the way, is a brilliant mix of heart-in-your-throat suspense and small town hilarity.
Bottom Line: Mulberry Mischief is everything delightful that you want in a cozy mystery. Quaint small town, intriguing & layered characters, solid & diverse friendships, and a smart plot that unravels at the perfect pace. This may have been my first visit to Marlee’s Berry Basket shop (and mysteries), but it definitely won’t be my last.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 stars / Loved it!
Reviewer’s Note: Reviewers may want to be aware that there is some cursing scattered throughout this novel.
Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. A freelance writer since her twenties, she has been published in mystery, fantasy, and romance. Sharon currently writes The Berry Basket cozy mystery series for Kensington. The series debuted in 2016 and is set along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline where she now lives. She is also one half of the writing team D.E. Ireland, who co-author the Agatha nominated Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries.
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This giveaway is hosted by Great Escapes, not RimSP
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What about you? What berry is your fave? Do you have a yummy berry recipe you’d like to share with us? 😀
I really like blackberries when they are in season.
Unfortunately berry season is almost over here.
I guess my favorites are blueberries and blackberries. I have read one book in this series and I really liked it. Thank you for this chance to win.
My 4-year-old nephew can eat his weight in blueberries and blackberries 🙂
Good for him! Berries are tasty AND nutritious.
Although I’m fond of all berries, blueberries are my favorite.
So glad you enjoyed it. Good luck in the giveaway.
Love all berries, but I’d have to say it’s a toss up for first place between blueberries and strawberries. Once recipe I have that is super easy and oh so yummy is Blueberry Crunch. Here is the recipe –
Blueberry Crunch
Butter cake mix
20 oz. can crushed pineapple – undrained
3 cups blueberries
¾ cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ cup sugar
Directions
Spread pineapple & blueberries in 9×13 inch pan. Sprinkle with ¾ cup of sugar. Spread dry cake mix over the fruit layer and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with mixture of pecans and ¼ cup of sugar.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes (I find that it takes a bit longer to cook). Cook until browned on top and doesn’t have that “raw” look to the cake mix on top. (If pecans start to brown too much just turn down the temperature some.) After first 25 minutes cut through mixture in several places with a spoon. (I cut through with a spoon about every 10 minutes after the first 25 until done.)
My notes:
The person that gave the recipe to me said she made it all the time with Splenda instead of sugar. I’ve never tried it.
I mixt the pineapple and sugar in a bowl before putting in pan then then sprinkle with the blueberries.
I also melt about 2 more tablespoons of butter and toss the pecans before sprinkling with sugar and stirring for the top. I also use about twice the amount of pecans as the recipe calls for.
I have made this in an 8×8 inch pan by making a half batch by using only ½ of each ingredient as called for above.
LOVE the cover for “Mulberry Mischief”! Love Sharon Farrow’s books and can’t wait for the opportunity to read this one.
YUM!!!!! filing this away for weekend baking. Thanks, Kay!
This recipe sounds fantastic, Kay! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Hope you enjoy the latest Berry Basket Mystery.
Raspberries are my favorite berry and I actually grow them in my garden. It’s so nice to pick them fresh off the bush.
I grow raspberries, two types of blueberries, and boysenberries. My boysenberries are ready for picking now!
Strawberries are my favorite with raspberries and blackberries as a close second! Idk why but I don’t like the skin on blueberries but I like them baked in things lol!
i don’t like just eating straight blueberries either – but baked in something? yes please! LOL
There are few things better than a warm blueberry muffin.
you speak truth.
Love berries (especially strawberries and raspberries) and this series.
Glad you like berries AND my series! 🙂
Strawberries are my favorite!
mine too!
I also love anything decorated with strawberries. For example, I put strawberry wallpaper up in my first kitchen. And my keychain has a big rhinestone strawberry.
how fun!
Love all kinds of berries! Thanks so much for the chance to win! Book looks really good!
Good luck in the giveaway, Faith!
I love, love, love blueberries – regular, frozen, in a crumble, etc., etc. Thank you for the chance to win.
yum!
I’m a big blueberry fan, too. It’s my favorite topping for cereal.
Such an adorable cover.
Thank you, Nancy. I like it, too.
I love cozy mysteries! This sounds fun. I love strawberries.
What’s not to love about cozies and strawberries? Especially strawberry ice cream.
mmmmm!!
What about you? What berry is your fave? Do you have a yummy berry recipe you’d like to share with us?
I love raspberries. It’s too bad that the growing zone where I live is not conducive to them. No recipes, but raspberries in a small bowl of cream or on your ice cream is wonderful.