Series: An Otter Lake Mystery, #2
Publisher: St. Martin's
Published: August 30, 2016
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: 352 pages

I had a great time with the first book in this new series, Skinny Dipping with Murder. It's a cozy mystery series set in the small town of Otter Lake, New Hampshire. Our main protagonist is Erica Bloom and she, along with her best friend Freddie Ng, can't help but get involved when murder is suspected.

Erica is back in Otter Lake for the annual Fall Festival. There have been some changes since she left a few months prior. Her best friend Freddie has opened a security company and is playing up to the local residents. So much so that Erica's love interest and local Sheriff Grady, has been taking a beating in the popularity polls.

Erica came back to see if she and Grady can make a relationship work. That is until the death of a prominent member of the town. A married man who died while on the Tunnel of Love ride with Erica's "Aunt" Tweety, who was not his wife. Now Erica is determined to make sure that neither Tweety nor her twin Kit Katt take the fall for his murder.

There was an interesting twist in this book, with the introduction of a second love interest for Erica. One that I think suits her better than Grady. But we will have to see how that plays out in future books. I was also glad to see that Erica would be staying in Otter Lake instead of returning to Chicago. We knew it would have to happen and I was happy that it wasn't drug out.

St. Martin's and Netgalley provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When murder strikes in the Tunnel of Love, Erica Bloom has to rock the boat to catch a killer…

For a small town like Otter Lake, New Hampshire, the annual Fall Festival is a big deal: a Ferris wheel, corn maze, caramel apples and pumpkin pies—even a Tunnel of Love. Back in her hometown, Erica Bloom is trying to enjoy herself, which includes getting better acquainted with Sheriff Grady Forrester. But when a swan boat sails out of the heart-shaped exit of the tunnel with a dead man slumped over a wing, her own romance will have to take a backseat.

PUMPKIN PICKING WITH MURDER

Speaking of love affairs, the other passenger in the boat—and only witness to the elderly Mr. Masterson’s swan song—is not his wife. It’s Erica’s beloved and feisty “aunt,” Tweety, who quickly becomes the prime suspect. Vowing to clear Tweety, Erica teams up with her sassy BFF and self-appointed security expert Freddie Ng to solve the murder—despite the objections of Grady, who’s convinced the amateurs are going overboard in their investigation. And he just may be right. But as Erica and Freddie start to dredge up long-kept small-town secrets, will they heading straight into troubled waters?

     

Another fun outing with Erika and her buddy Freddie. Their murder-solving is putting some obstacles in her budding relationship with Grady, but this time its personal. This is a silly book, but endearing.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

Series: An Otter Lake Mystery, #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Published: March 1st 2016
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: 305 pages

I think all of us have some high school trauma that we just never get over. Whether it's a small embarrassing moment, or something on a grander scale, high school is the time when we are at our most awkward and our emotions are at their most volatile. It can leave a last impression. Ant that's just where this book has it's plot roots, in a teenage prank that left her the laughing-stock of the town.

Erica Bloom hasn't been back to Otter Lake since she left, nearly 8 years ago.  She's only home because her mother's Island Retreat, is having some serious issues, and Erica was needed at home.  But with the anniversary of the Raspberry Festival, the night of her most embarrassing moment, just days away, Erica would rather be anywhere else.  And when one of the three pranksters ends up dead, everyone can't help wonder if Erica has come back with revenge in mind.

There were many things to like about the book.  The secondary characters were a charming mix of wack-a-doodle and corny. Starting with Erica's mom, and the two elderly women who live on the island with them, Kit Katt and Tweety, to Erica's best friend Freddie.  Then there is Erica herself. She has tried so hard to reinvent herself, but it seems that nobody in her hometown wants to recognize those changes. In many ways, this is a book about going home and second chances, about seeing events through the eyes of an adult and realizing that maybe, things weren't as bad as you remember them. 

This is my first book by the author, though she was on my radar for another series she has, Sidekick in the City. Of course a superhero book is going to be on my radar. ;)

This was a light-hearted read, that didn't mind poking a bit of fun at itself. Erica and Freddie bumble along, putting no faith in the local police force, and trying to solve it themselves. Needless to say, hi-jinx ensued. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one, due out at the end of August. I gave this book 4 stars.

St. Martin's Press provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Welcome to Otter Lake, where the relaxing, restorative atmosphere is to die for.

Erica Bloom is in no rush to return to Otter Lake, the site of her mother's spiritual retreat for women. Erica met her inner goddess years ago and she's happy to have forged a new identity on her own, thank you very much. But her new-age-y, well-meaning mother is losing her grip on the business, and needs Erica's help. So she heads back to her New Hampshire hometown, where nothing much has changed-except for maybe the body in the well...

SKINNY DIPPING WITH MURDER
When Erica was a teenager, she fell prey to a practical joke that left her near-naked in Otter Lake's annual Raspberry Social. The incident was humiliating, but it wasn't like anyone got killed-until now. Those who were behind that long-ago prank are starting to turn up dead, and Erica's appearance in town makes her a prime suspect. To make matters worse, the town sheriff just happens to be Erica's old nemesis, Grady Forrester...who also happens to be hotter than ever. Can Erica find a way to dig up the truth-before someone digs her grave?

The first book in Auralee Wallace's Otter Lake Mystery series is a killer good time!