A Flicker of a Doubt
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4.4 • 17 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Fairies are trending hard, especially when it comes to fairy garden décor in Walmart and Target and on Amazon. The latest installment in the nationally bestselling Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden mysteries is a perfect read for Laura Childs readers and all fans of whimsy and charm.
With a theater foundation tea and an art show planned at Violet Vickers’s estate, Courtney is hired to create charming fairy gardens for the event. It’s not so charming, however, when her best friend Meaghan’s ex-boyfriend turns out to be Violet’s latest artistic protégé. Even worse, not long after Meaghan locks horns with him, his body is found in her yard, bludgeoned with an objet d’murder.
There’s a gallery of suspects, from an unstable former flame to an arts and crafts teacher with a sketchy past. But when the cops focus on Meaghan’s business partner, who’s like a protective older brother to her, and discover he also has a secret financial motive, Courtney decides to draw her own conclusions. Fearing they’re missing the forest for the trees, and with some help from Fiona the sleuthing fairy, she hopes to make them see the light . . .
Praise for Daryl Wood Gerber’s A Sprinkling of Murder
“Enchanting series launch from Agatha Award winner Gerber. . . . Cozy fans will wish upon a star for more.” —Publishers Weekly
“A winner. . . . Fans of Laura Childs’ work will enjoy.” —Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., Agatha winner Gerber's well-crafted fourth Fairy Garden mystery (after 2022's A Hint of Mischief) finds Courtney Kelly in her shop, Open Your Imagination, creating fairy garden centerpieces for a charity tea when her best friend, Meaghan Brownie, bursts in on the verge of tears. Meaghan's ex-boyfriend, artist Nicolas Buley, is in town and wants her back. Meaghan owns an art gallery, along with her partner, Ziggy Foxx, and still represents Nicolas's artwork. Nicolas doesn't take rejection well, and following an ugly altercation, he's found murdered in Meaghan's yard. Nicolas has enemies galore, including his own brother, so there are suspects aplenty. But when Ziggy, Meaghan's protective friend and mentor, is accused of the crime, Courtney takes it upon herself to assist the investigation whether the police want her to or not. It doesn't hurt that Courtney has the help of her intrepid companion, Fiona, a fairy on probation who's earning her way back to the fairy realm by helping humans solve problems. Readers will keep turning the pages to see what happens next to the appealing leads. Recipes round out this gentle cozy with a touch of magic.
Customer Reviews
Fairies galore and murder too.
Interesting personalities . I don't know how Courtney keeps her days straight, she is so busy. Her gardening and tea shop sounds so fun to wander around in. But, still she can't stop trying to solve the mysteries her neighbors present her with. And, it's set in one of the most beautiful places there is--Carmel by the Sea, Calif.
Another great addition to the series
Flicker of a Doubt is the fourth in the series by this author, but if you have not read any of those beforehand, do not be afraid to dive into this one. The author does a fabulous job of describing characters, and giving you details that it could be a stand alone if it wanted to be. However, this is a good series, so one might want to check out the others.
This one, like the others, centers around Courtney Kelly, her fairy garden gift shop, and her friends…both human, and fairy. In the course of her daily classes and her relationships with the other shop keepers, Courtney gets involved in solving murders. This one is the murder of her best friend’s former boyfriend. And, the suspect, is her friend’s coworker. A man, Courtney is sure is innocent.
Working to help clear her friend, and find out who really killed the boyfriend, Courtney also has to work on making fairy gardens for an artistic charity function. All of the clues, and adventures come together, as you expect in any good murder mystery..
I enjoyed this cozy mystery with its touch of magic built in. I also love the descriptions of fairy gardens and the making of fairy doors as it has pique my interest in making my own. The author does some herself, so the descriptions are very well done. Something that I feel adds to the storyline, and the characters.
I highly recommend this book for those who love this series, as well as those who have not. A very nice romp with a magical touch that will leave you smiling.