Vickie Fee

This was cute! My library has themed collections at times, and this theme was "Home Improvement." I was a little surprised because it's about a party planner, but it turns out there's a running joke in the book about how her husband says he'll repair things in the house (the bathroom, mainly) but never does. I think this is what's considered a "cozy" mystery. I sometimes try reading books categorized as that, and this is probably my first success. It was such an interesting angle to take. The descriptions were fascinating. The world-building was good! I've never been to the South, so I appreciated it. I felt like the author explained how things looked and certain cultural aspects well. The final twist was blah, okay, is there anything else? for me. Not a letdown, just kinda blah. I don't plan to continue reading the series but I am glad I did read this.… (mer)

Halley Greer's great uncle Leon leaves her an old movie theater in Utopia Springs, AR. She has wanted a new direction for her life, and decides to use her experience as a barista to make a go of renovating the Star Movie Palace into a classic movie theater with a coffee and wine bar. Just as she gets started, problems begin. It starts with vandalism, and escalates when a local is murdered in the theater on opening night.

This is the first book by Vickie Fee that I've read....and I loved it! I like Halley as a main character, and the local quirky characters are great! The idea of renovating an old theater, combining classic movies and a coffee bar sounds so cool! The mystery was interesting and kept my attention from start to finish. All in all, a fun, entertaining cozy mystery. I will definitely be reading more of this series! Can't wait for the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Henery Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**… (mer)

Liv McKay is quite busy with her party planning business in this 2nd installment of the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series. She comes up with the best themes for her events -- Riverboat gamblers, Murder Mysteries, and even ghost hunting! But little does she know that this Halloween the murder mystery is going to be real. When Morgan Robison's body is discovered in the cemetery, the girls are on the case once again. Robison was a wild girl, chasing married men and causing drama wherever she went. There are plenty of suspects who might have wanted her dead. Sorting through the angry wives and scorned lovers won't be easy, but Liv and Di are determined to get to the truth.

This is a very well-written mystery filled with southern charm. The main characters are best friends and delightfully fun. The plot is filled with many possible suspects, quirky supporting characters and many twists and turns. The Fall/Halloween theme was fun -- ghost-hunting divas, dead bodies in grave yards....loved it!!!

And, what's a mystery book about a party planner sleuth without some party planning tips?? At the end of the book, there are tips for planning a riverboat gambler themed party and a murder mystery dinner.

Plus for those readers who haven't read Death Crashes the Party (the 1st Liv and Di Murder Mystery) the first chapter is included at the end of the book as well. It isn't necessary to read the books in order. I followed the characters and plot easily in this second book without having read the first. But, I will definitely be reading the other book now! The characters and southern charm made this a very enjoyable cozy mystery!

Check out the author's website for more information on her books & events: www.vickiefee.com… (mer)

Halley Greer didn't even know her great-uncle Leon - but he's left her everything he had, which includes not only an old Art Doc movie palace, his apartment, boxes of his belongings, and a calico cat named Eartha Kitty. Now she's moved to Utopia Springs, Arkansas to see if she can make a go of it.

Luckily, she's also inherited his best friends, George and Trudy Mayfield, who have made her feel welcome and introduced her to others, especially Kendra, who's Halley's age and owns Escape Rooms across the street. While she and Kendra have become fast friends, Halley's decided to make the movie theater her own by offering a coffee and wine bar (and of course, movie snacks) along with the classic movies she intends to show, beginning with My Fair Lady.

What she doesn't count on is a dead body on opening night. Or the fact that she's seen the man before, peeking in her windows. Or the fact that the police think she's the main suspect. So she and Kendra, along with a bit of help from Trudy and George, decide to hunt down the killer on their own- discreetly, of course. But when Halley realizes that the police are onto them, they realize they need to up their game..but then again, so does the killer...

This is the first in a new series by Vicki Fee, who is a talented writer. Even if you're not interested in classic movies (as I am), you should find this interesting. Halley has a troubled past and is slightly broken emotionally, which makes her eager to reach out to the new people around her who want to become part of her new life. It's subtle but lovely to watch.

The mystery itself is shrouded not only in the present, but the past also and comes off as completely believable. Old stories and legends surround many areas of the country, and this one could be part of that. I do love old legends and read about them frequently.

Much of the book is about Halley establishing her new life; deciding what will work in her theater as she meets the people of Utopia Springs; but it also brings her in contact with those same people who could, just as well, have one of them as the murderer. While we aren't given a lot of background on many of those, we do learn about both Halley and Kendra's past, and it explains a lot about the people they are. George and Trudy are a hoot, and I love the fact that they're playing major roles in the book.

When Halley discovers the murderer, it comes as a bit of a surprise, but the clues are there if you look for them. I do like how the climax came about, and the reason for the murder was, while as old as time, thoroughly convincing. This is a delightful start to a new series and I wait eagerly for the next. Highly recommended.… (mer)