What do you think?
Rate this book
Trash to Treasure Crafting Mystery #1
Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel
It’s summertime in Honeysuckle, and everyone is lazing in the shade with a tall glass of lemonade. Everyone except Raelynn Pendleton. She’s stuck working at the local store to make the rent while her no-good ex-husband lives it up with a floozy.
When she inherits a Victorian house, Raelynn jumps at the chance to turn her life around. How can she afford the upkeep on such a huge place? Simple. She’ll run it as a hotel. Problem is, she has no experience and the décor dates back to the Dark Ages. She’ll have to use her secret talent for turning junk into treasure or she’ll never snag an overnight guest.
But before the new Honeysuckle Hotel even opens for business, Raelynn discovers the body of a young woman in the garden. As a newcomer in town, Raelynn is blamed for the murder. She’s fired from her job, which could mean she’ll lose the house. The only way to save Honeysuckle Hotel is to find the real killer - with or without the sexy Sheriff Kent Klein.
One way or another, Honeysuckle will be buzzing.
When she inherits a Victorian house, Raelynn jumps at the chance to turn her life around. How can she afford the upkeep on such a huge place? Simple. She’ll run it as a hotel. Problem is, she has no experience and the décor dates back to the Dark Ages. She’ll have to use her secret talent for turning junk into treasure or she’ll never snag an overnight guest.
But before the new Honeysuckle Hotel even opens for business, Raelynn discovers the body of a young woman in the garden. As a newcomer in town, Raelynn is blamed for the murder. She’s fired from her job, which could mean she’ll lose the house. The only way to save Honeysuckle Hotel is to find the real killer - with or without the sexy Sheriff Kent Klein.
One way or another, Honeysuckle will be buzzing.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2012
84 people are currently reading
587 people want to read
About the author
Rose Pressey Betancourt
73 books1,384 followersRose Pressey Betancourt is a USA Today Bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.
When she's not writing quirky and fun mysteries, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.
Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky.
When she's not writing quirky and fun mysteries, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.
Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 19, 2015
Needs a bit more polishing when it comes to the romance department. I didn't feel the love between the heroine and the (supposed to be?) hero..
The mystery was a bit alright. But I got a feeling that at the last two chapters, the writing or the story was a bit rushed.
The mystery was a bit alright. But I got a feeling that at the last two chapters, the writing or the story was a bit rushed.
April 22, 2012
Okay, so I have a confession to make. I started "Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel" this morning prior to getting ready for church. The problem is it was soooooooo good, I was late for church. Yeah, that's right and now I feel guilty. I guess I am going to have to do some serious praying (smile).
Raelynn Pendleton has been divorced from her cheating husband for one year. She is working at the only grocery store in the small town and renting a room from a cantankerous landlady. Then one day a shady looking lawyer steps into the store and informs her that she has inherited a Victorian house from an lonely elderly widow who she had been nice to.
Raelynn is left reeling and wonders how on earth she will be able to afford it. Then, her best friend, Claire Ann gives her an idea to turn the place into a hotel or bed and breakfast since the town does not have one. She moves what little things she has right away and after he first night there, she discovers a dead body in the garden of the backyard. She has not choice but to call on Detective Kent, her ex-husband's former best friend and resident cutie. Everyone in town is quick to believe Raelynn is responsible for the murder and she is bound and determined to prove otherwise in between her remodeling of course. You see, Raelynn has a knack for turning other people's junk into refurbished treasures.
In between all of her remodeling, she gains a suspicious tenant, is attacked at the annual carnival/faire and fights off the stares of the gossipy town folks. The story line is kind of quirky and cute. I just loved the character of Mitchell who loses his fake eyeball. This happens in the very beginning of the story and from that point on, I was hooked.
If I had a criticim of the story it would be that I wished there had been some lip action between Raelynn and Kent. However, considering the fast pace read, it would have been a bit premature. I for one cannot wait for the next book in the series. I just hope it is soon because I want to know where Mitchell loses his eye next (smile).
Raelynn Pendleton has been divorced from her cheating husband for one year. She is working at the only grocery store in the small town and renting a room from a cantankerous landlady. Then one day a shady looking lawyer steps into the store and informs her that she has inherited a Victorian house from an lonely elderly widow who she had been nice to.
Raelynn is left reeling and wonders how on earth she will be able to afford it. Then, her best friend, Claire Ann gives her an idea to turn the place into a hotel or bed and breakfast since the town does not have one. She moves what little things she has right away and after he first night there, she discovers a dead body in the garden of the backyard. She has not choice but to call on Detective Kent, her ex-husband's former best friend and resident cutie. Everyone in town is quick to believe Raelynn is responsible for the murder and she is bound and determined to prove otherwise in between her remodeling of course. You see, Raelynn has a knack for turning other people's junk into refurbished treasures.
In between all of her remodeling, she gains a suspicious tenant, is attacked at the annual carnival/faire and fights off the stares of the gossipy town folks. The story line is kind of quirky and cute. I just loved the character of Mitchell who loses his fake eyeball. This happens in the very beginning of the story and from that point on, I was hooked.
If I had a criticim of the story it would be that I wished there had been some lip action between Raelynn and Kent. However, considering the fast pace read, it would have been a bit premature. I for one cannot wait for the next book in the series. I just hope it is soon because I want to know where Mitchell loses his eye next (smile).
March 21, 2017
I have read a couple books by Rose Pressy before and from memory I quite enjoyed them. This book has been sitting on my kindle for almost three years now waiting to be read. But sadly I cannot say that I enjoyed it. In fact, the only thing I can say I enjoyed was how simple and fairly well written it was.
The characters where bland, the MC in particular seemed to have a screw loose. Most of her actions where odd and incredibly unlikely, I will mention them in the following spoiler tags.
The story was interesting enough if not predictable and a tad bit bland but over all I think I'll give the next one a miss.
The characters where bland, the MC in particular seemed to have a screw loose. Most of her actions where odd and incredibly unlikely, I will mention them in the following spoiler tags.
The story was interesting enough if not predictable and a tad bit bland but over all I think I'll give the next one a miss.
July 10, 2012
Raelynn has just moved into town. She works at the local grocery and is nice to everyone. One elderly lady who she had been kind to dies and leaves her a home. Before she even moves in there is a murder in her new backyard. When she meets the local, very hot, Sheriff Kent Klein, things really take a turn for the better. Or has it.
Raelynn enjoys shopping at thrift shops and repurposing furniture and household items. She decides to open up her new home as a bed and breakfast. Her first customer seems to have some secrets and the mystery of who murdered the lady in her back yard begins.
I enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud several times and found the repurposing of the furniture very interesting. It is a good ideal in this time of uncertainty. You will enjoy the story and it is a very fun book to read.
Raelynn enjoys shopping at thrift shops and repurposing furniture and household items. She decides to open up her new home as a bed and breakfast. Her first customer seems to have some secrets and the mystery of who murdered the lady in her back yard begins.
I enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud several times and found the repurposing of the furniture very interesting. It is a good ideal in this time of uncertainty. You will enjoy the story and it is a very fun book to read.
March 15, 2013
This is an ebook. There are numerous spelling errors and typos, as well as several discrepancies within the storyline. It is a cute story worth 3 stars; however, the author didn't make the effort to edit her work, so I won't make the effort to give her that third star.
Read
January 19, 2013is there a chance for negative stars? if i could take back the hour or so it took to read the first 100 pages, i would. i tried to give it a chance. but life is too short for crappy books.
August 12, 2017
I loved the premise of this book and the characters involved. The crafting on a budget that Raelynn has to do to decorate her new home is very familiar to me, so I could very much relate to her, but the ideas in the book also gave me some ideas - and I loved that the author gave instructions at the end of the book for the main projects she talked about, the same way other authors give recipes. Anyway, it's a great story, and I loved the descriptive writing style of the author - the backyard of Raelynn's new home for example is so well described that I almost feel I'm walking in it with her (and I'd love to!). This is a great Cozy murder mystery and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes them, from young adults upwards.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this boxset, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this boxset, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
July 1, 2018
Should you look a gift horse in the mouth?
Fabulous. Just the right mix of mystery, romance and great dialogue. A down on her luck divorcee finds herself the owner of a mansion like house. The only trouble is that not even 24 hours later she is also the householder with a body in her garden. Can she and her BFF find out who killed the teacher and left her body in her garden? Or will public opinion make the hunky sheriff arrest her for the crime. Great dialogue and the two female characters really play well against each other. Whilst the romance is played very low key but we'll. The plot itself has more twists and turns then you expect but nevertheless even though you will probably pick up on where the culprit is it will still take a twist at the end. Great start.
Fabulous. Just the right mix of mystery, romance and great dialogue. A down on her luck divorcee finds herself the owner of a mansion like house. The only trouble is that not even 24 hours later she is also the householder with a body in her garden. Can she and her BFF find out who killed the teacher and left her body in her garden? Or will public opinion make the hunky sheriff arrest her for the crime. Great dialogue and the two female characters really play well against each other. Whilst the romance is played very low key but we'll. The plot itself has more twists and turns then you expect but nevertheless even though you will probably pick up on where the culprit is it will still take a twist at the end. Great start.
August 24, 2017
Quick, fun read about Raelynn, a divorcee who inherits a house from a lonely old lady who was a customer at the grocery store where Rae works. Things go bump in the night, and then next day Rae finds a body in the back yard. The town gossip mill pronounces her guilty, but soon she and her best friend Claire Ann are looking for possible suspects.
Liked the trash to treasure aspect of Rae's fixing up the historic old home, interesting characters and plot, although the ending felt rushed and incomplete. Hint of a possible romance, but not enough to notice.
Liked the trash to treasure aspect of Rae's fixing up the historic old home, interesting characters and plot, although the ending felt rushed and incomplete. Hint of a possible romance, but not enough to notice.
May 11, 2021
This is another one that was on my mom's kindle. Not really sure what bothers me... it was short, so lots of things felt undeveloped. The crafting bugged me because she spray painted everything which made me cringe.... I love Victorian houses, I love repurposing items, I love mysteries.... should've really liked this, but... it just fell flat to me.
Read
July 25, 2023Love this character!
I will definitely be reading the rest of this series! I loved the main character and her best friend. The second book looks like it might be even better than this first one. Well thought out plot/storyline. Completely enjoyed it and read it straight though in an afternoon.
I will definitely be reading the rest of this series! I loved the main character and her best friend. The second book looks like it might be even better than this first one. Well thought out plot/storyline. Completely enjoyed it and read it straight though in an afternoon.
August 17, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It has a good premise and the story is engaging and kept me interested until the end. I did find the story a bit choppy in places. However, as the first book in a series I think it has potential and will likely read more from this series.
December 1, 2017
A young woman inherits a house from one of her customers and the first morning after moving in she finds a dead body in her back garden. Ok read, likeable characters.
March 18, 2018
Cute
It was a cute read. Not a thrilling or exciting book, but cute. I’m used to murder mysteries with more technical details, but I enjoyed this.
It was a cute read. Not a thrilling or exciting book, but cute. I’m used to murder mysteries with more technical details, but I enjoyed this.
February 8, 2020
A quick light mystery
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and it was a quick light mystery. Look forward to another one.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and it was a quick light mystery. Look forward to another one.
September 9, 2023
Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel by Rose Pressey is the first book in the Trash to Treasure Crafting Mystery series. Store cashier Raelyn Pendleton inherits a Victorian house, only to find a body in her backyard on her first morning at the house. A cute mystery. I liked getting to know Raelyn and her ability to decorate on a low budget. I enjoyed her projects although I did not think much of her sleuthing abilities. An enjoyable, light cozy mystery.
June 11, 2012
****EDIT*****
The author contacted me regarding this review and explained to me why this had occurred (an oversight due to the self-published nature of her works), apologized for the error, and then stated that she would immediately have the book be re-edited to correct these issues. I will be completely honest, when I saw the initial message come through, I almost threw up, because I was expecting to get reamed out for my initial lackluster review. However, Rose was nothing but courteous and professional and really took the constructive criticism well. She handled it with grace, and was proactive in her solution. That counts for a lot! Since she is a self-published author, she is accessible to her fans in ways that other authors might not be able to be. I hope that in my own way that I was able to help her with future works, and I will continue to support her by reading the other books that are currently available for Nook. The newly edited version of this book is being uploaded, so any future downloads should not have these redundancies.
******************
I would have given this 2 stars, but I just can't get over the self-plagiarizing from the other books by this author. Granted cozies are very formulaic and can start to blur in to each other after a while, but to use exact passages from one book to the next is just lazy. I am going to read one more book by this author, and if the same thing occurs in that as well, then I cannot continue to read these works.
June 1, 2013
I love a silly, light, cozy mystery. For me, over a long weekend or when life gets hectic, there is nothing better than sitting with a cup of coffee and loosing yourself in a complete fluff read. No grabbing the book (or the kindle) too tight because you just can't wait to see what happens next. No blood and guts described about the crime. Just silly sleuthing, friendships, and maybe a little romance thrown in for the heck of it.
With all that being said, Rose Pressey's "Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel" fell in that "cozy mystery" category I love to read when life get crazy. You won't be screaming from the rooftops that this was your favorite book and a must read for everyone you know, but it is still a nice little read. The story is quite far fetched and unrealistic but that's what makes it fun and light to read. Raelyn and her best friend Claire Ann cracked me up. Their ridiculous adventures and sleuthing in Honeysuckle had me laughing out loud. Sheriff Kent is a police officer every lady would love protecting their hometown - handsome, down to earth, caring, and happens to show up just at the right time.
This is a fun read. This would be great to take with you for a long weekend, to the beach, vacation, or when life gets nutty. Like I stated, nothing to scream from the rafters about, but definitely a great read.
With all that being said, Rose Pressey's "Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel" fell in that "cozy mystery" category I love to read when life get crazy. You won't be screaming from the rooftops that this was your favorite book and a must read for everyone you know, but it is still a nice little read. The story is quite far fetched and unrealistic but that's what makes it fun and light to read. Raelyn and her best friend Claire Ann cracked me up. Their ridiculous adventures and sleuthing in Honeysuckle had me laughing out loud. Sheriff Kent is a police officer every lady would love protecting their hometown - handsome, down to earth, caring, and happens to show up just at the right time.
This is a fun read. This would be great to take with you for a long weekend, to the beach, vacation, or when life gets nutty. Like I stated, nothing to scream from the rafters about, but definitely a great read.
December 18, 2016
This was pretty good. I liked the characters a lot and the trash to treasure concept is one I like. I wish I had the talent to do things like that but I don't have the ability to look at something and see it as useful for something else. That is why I like those hack videos that show you how to use simple items that you would normally discard.
Raelynn is newly divorced and trying to put some semblance of a life together. She is working at the local market where she takes the time to chat with the customers if they want to talk. When she inherits a old Victorian home from one of the elderly ladies she had befriended, she is beyond surprised. She decides that she is going to use the house to open a small hotel in the hopes that someone else will decide to do something with the historic buildings in the downtown area. The day after she takes possession of the house she finds the dead body of a local school teacher. Raelynn feels the entire town turning against her. Will she need to help the police find the clues to clear her name so that she can get on with her life?
Good read.
Raelynn is newly divorced and trying to put some semblance of a life together. She is working at the local market where she takes the time to chat with the customers if they want to talk. When she inherits a old Victorian home from one of the elderly ladies she had befriended, she is beyond surprised. She decides that she is going to use the house to open a small hotel in the hopes that someone else will decide to do something with the historic buildings in the downtown area. The day after she takes possession of the house she finds the dead body of a local school teacher. Raelynn feels the entire town turning against her. Will she need to help the police find the clues to clear her name so that she can get on with her life?
Good read.
March 7, 2016
I was hooked from the first page
so there was murder, mystery, adultery, weird guests a slice of romance and great friends, what more can you ask for in a small town oh yeah lot's of gossip.
Raelynn Pendleton is divorced and ready to start her life again now she has kicked her cheating ex to the curb.
Her best friend Claire Ann has her back always even when Raelynn stumbles across a dead body or when the whole town thinks she is there murderer Claire Ann has her back oh and when Claire Ann is trying to get Raelynn to admit her attraction to Kent the local sheriff Claire Ann is right there to push Raelynn into his awaiting arms.
There was a lot to love about this book great quirky funny characters with such an awesome small town feel, you know you want to come back and visit again and again.
so there was murder, mystery, adultery, weird guests a slice of romance and great friends, what more can you ask for in a small town oh yeah lot's of gossip.
Raelynn Pendleton is divorced and ready to start her life again now she has kicked her cheating ex to the curb.
Her best friend Claire Ann has her back always even when Raelynn stumbles across a dead body or when the whole town thinks she is there murderer Claire Ann has her back oh and when Claire Ann is trying to get Raelynn to admit her attraction to Kent the local sheriff Claire Ann is right there to push Raelynn into his awaiting arms.
There was a lot to love about this book great quirky funny characters with such an awesome small town feel, you know you want to come back and visit again and again.
September 20, 2012
I read this while stuck waiting at the hospital. As stated by Rose this was outside the normal paranormal mystery or cozy expected and since ut came out between awaited new books of her other series it was a nice side path.
Feeling blue I am glad I choose this to read. I found myself holding my breath at times, thinking Rae was plum crazy at others, smiling at her willingnesss to.seize the day and feeling bad for her with the craziness of a small.Southern town. I have been her, divorced and in a town that wasn't home. Now it is home and I to have made it work and become my own little haven, minus the dead bodies!
Thanks for another wonderful anfmd fast paced mystery, Rose. Your.books.keep me smiling everytime I read one! Oh and the added tips or recipes.at the end? Brilliant!
Feeling blue I am glad I choose this to read. I found myself holding my breath at times, thinking Rae was plum crazy at others, smiling at her willingnesss to.seize the day and feeling bad for her with the craziness of a small.Southern town. I have been her, divorced and in a town that wasn't home. Now it is home and I to have made it work and become my own little haven, minus the dead bodies!
Thanks for another wonderful anfmd fast paced mystery, Rose. Your.books.keep me smiling everytime I read one! Oh and the added tips or recipes.at the end? Brilliant!
September 28, 2012
This is a fun story featuring Raelynn who moved to honeysuckle about a year ago with her ex husband. Working in a store and trying to live her life she suddenly inherits a house from an elderly customer who has passed away. Raelynn is excited and has plans to turn the house into a hotel but her first night on the house she discovers a dead body in the backyard. While everyone is blaming her except her gossip happy friend Claire, Raelynn is determined to keep her dreams of the hotel alive while doing some sleuthing of her own. Add in a handsome sheriff and lots of trouble and this is one fun great mystery. Rose Pressey has done it again looking forward to more of the Honeysuckle townsfolk!
March 9, 2013
What a fun, quirky read. When Raelynn Pendleton receives a large Victorian home from the late Mrs. Mathers, she hardly knows what to do. She decides to make a hotel out of it and the money goes towards upkeep and bills so that she can keep it.. When a neighbor threatens her, because she should have received the home.
Her first night in her new home, someone shows up dead in her backyard. When Mr. Littlefield stays at the hotel he is really rude. What is he up to?
Everyone in town dislikes Raelynn thinking she is the murderer. She must get to the bottom of this mystery before its too late.
Her first night in her new home, someone shows up dead in her backyard. When Mr. Littlefield stays at the hotel he is really rude. What is he up to?
Everyone in town dislikes Raelynn thinking she is the murderer. She must get to the bottom of this mystery before its too late.
March 30, 2013
I cannot believe that someone(s) rated this book 4 stars! I found it frothy, saccharine, and inconsequential. The characters are rather much stock--yes, around here we have had meth labs--and the plot mostly predictable. Of course, the handsome sheriff--don't you love how he is described every time as gorgeous, etc.--is going to fall for Raelynn, the ex wife of his best friend who is apparently a real jerk. If I hadn't been asked to review it for Barnes & Noble, I would have deserted it. I did give it a nicer review for them.
February 13, 2014
Cute is the first word that popped into my head after reading this. It was cute but not really much of a mystery book. Yes a person was murdered but Raelynn doesn't necessarily solve the case like most cozy mysteries so much as has the murderer screw up and get themselves caught for sheer stupidity. Raelynn was a cute character and very likable and the plot lagged a bit in places, but overall a fun read.
January 2, 2015
I have read several books with this same formula....down-on-her-luck divorcee inherits a house from an acquaintance, finds a body at the house, the handsome kindly small town law enforcer takes up her case and they fall in love. It was a quick read, fortunately or I wouldn't have finished it. If the sequels are on Book Bub I would purchase them, but not at full ebook prices. Have too many other books already on my TO DO list to deliberately add this series.
September 1, 2016
This was a cute novel. Every woman has her special gift and we learn that Raelynn’s gift does not include solving a murder. Embarrassing herself, stumbling into trouble, decorating, and catching a hunky sheriff are more her specialties.
I really enjoyed the decorating tips sprinkled throughout the book as murder and mayhem occurred all around her.
I really enjoyed the decorating tips sprinkled throughout the book as murder and mayhem occurred all around her.
November 26, 2014
Honestly this was more of a 2.5 stars but I like the author a lot so I'm being generous. There was nothing inherently bad aside from a few editing errors (continuity, spelling). It just didn't really grab my attention. The dialogue felt forced, there was too much "tell" not enough "show". Not my favorite.
February 25, 2016
This was an ok book. The narrator (Marjie Lenhart) was enjoyable and the reason why I kept listening. I think there is a tad too much filler and not enough plot. However, good enough that I will listen to the next book. Easy plot to listen to while driving. Don't let my comments put you off though. I'm getting kindof picky. :)
November 30, 2013
This book was fun. A little hard to believe, but a lot of fun. A tiny town,a divorcee,she's left a house much to the gossiping hordes chagrin. She's almost killed....and meanwhile she opens her house up as a hotel? Like I said, a lot of fun
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews