Playing with Fire

Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery #2

by J.J. Cook

Welcome to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s home to the hottest and sweetest peppers in the world—as well as at least one ghost and a hotbed of secrets…
 
GETTING WARMER
 
Fire Chief Stella Griffin is working to solve the mysterious death of her predecessor, Eric Gamlyn—who also haunts her cabin. Yet the more she learns, the more burning questions she must answer. Just as Stella thinks she has a lead from Deputy Chum, someone snuffs her hopes—and the lawman.
 
Adding fuel to the fire, Stella’s parents soon arrive—with her ex-boyfriend—hoping to persuade her to return to Chicago. Now Stella is torn between the life she left behind and uncovering what happened to her ghostly friend. But she’d better think fast or more than her investigation could go up in flames…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy, Fiction, Romance, Ghosts

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

A pseudonym used by Joyce And Jim Lavene

Reviews

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I haven't told you before, I'll tell you now, every book that the Lavenes (J.J. Cook) write is better than the one before. Their talent for story telling amazes me with every book they write.
Stella's parents, from Chicago, turn up in Sweet Pepper, TN. hoping to convince Stella that she needs to return home with them. They also brought Stella's cheating ex-fiance with them, (now why did they think that would help their case?). The last thing Stella wants is to be stuck entertaining dear old Doug for any length of time. Stella knows that she should go back to Chicago and resume her life there, but just can't seem to force herself to leave.
What might the murder of newly retired police officer, Mace Chum, have in common with a 40 year old cold case involving Fire Chief Eric Gamlyn? Stella is pulled deeper and deeper into Eric's murder, especially as she shares a cabin with his ghost. She had moved to Sweet Pepper a year ago, planning to stay for just a few months until she had trained a volunteer fire department there, now she won't leave until she feels that Eric will be left in peace.
As always the Lavenes (J.J. Cook) leave us with just the right ending, to keep us all on the edge of our chairs, waiting for the next book. I love the fact that they place strong, inspiring women into roles that are not main stream for them. From Sheriff Sharyn Howard, in the mysteries of the same name, to Fire Chief Stella Griffin, in this series, any young lady who patterned themselves after one of these heroines, would have a step up in life. I have and will continue to urge my granddaughters to read the books by the Lavenes, and even if they absorb just a small piece of these women, I will be content.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this mystery 4-1/2 stars Of the three Sweet Pepper books I liked this one the best. Stella has her hands full in this story with her parents coming to town, the fire station catching on fire and losing some members of her squad. Her relationship with Eric Gamlyn, former fire chief and now a ghost haunting his cabin where Stella lives is bittersweet for Eric and confusing for Stella. This series is a winner with great characters and a quick paced plot.

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Pepper Fire Chief Stella Griffin stood in the middle of a field of red, yellow, and green hot pepper plants that looked as though it went on forever.

This is the second book in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series. Stella continues to look for the person or persons that murdered former Fire Chief Eric Gamlyn. Information she receives results in another murder and she starts to put things together.

I enjoy this series. I love the part of Tennessee that the town of Sweet Pepper is depicted. The characters are well written and believable. It was interesting to meet Stella's parents and her former boyfriend. I loved the bit of jealousy that Eric displayed towards the ex.

The small town has some questionable citizens including town councilmen. The mystery was well plotted and I was saddened by the conclusion to a part of Eric's murder.

There are some tasty recipes in the back of the book that I would like to try. The pepper relish in particular.

This is the book for you if you like strong willed women, ghostly roommates, a town filled with mystery and cute puppies.

I look forward to reading the next book.

3.75 stars

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chief Stella Griffin is really a strong character lead in this book along with her ghostly friend Eric. I really like this series.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second in the Sweet Pepper mysteries was OK, but not so enjoyable for me. It had lots of good aspects, but I didn't enjoy the incessant conflict with family over return to Chicago, lasting 2/3 of the book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had one of my favorite story elements in it - a cold case. It was also interesting having Stella’s family in town. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLAYING WITH FIRE by J. J. Cook

Welcome to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s home to the hottest and sweetest peppers in the world—as well as at least one ghost and a hotbed of secrets…

GETTING WARMER

Fire Chief Stella Griffin is working to solve the mysterious death of her predecessor, Eric Gamlyn—who also haunts her cabin. Yet the more she learns, the more burning questions she must answer. Just as Stella thinks she has a lead from Deputy Chum, someone snuffs her hopes—and the lawman.

Adding fuel to the fire, Stella’s parents soon arrive—with her ex-boyfriend—hoping to persuade her to return to Chicago. Now Stella is torn between the life she left behind and uncovering what happened to her ghostly friend. But she’d better think fast or more than her investigation could go up in flames…

PLAYING WITH FIRE is the second installment in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series by J. J. Cook…A.K.A. authors Joyce and Jim Lavene.

I have been looking forward to this story since reading the first in the series THAT OLD FLAME OF MINE. PLAYING WITH FIRE not disappoint and was certainly worth the wait! (If I had my way, this series would have a new installment at least 2 times a year. But if the authors keep doing downloadable shorts such as HERO’S JOURNEY to keep me in the Sweet Pepper loop, I can live with, though restlessly, a new main title once a year.)

I really felt for Stella in this story. Not only is she trying to discover what really happened to her predecessor, Chief Eric Gamlyn, trying to find justice for her friend and ghostly house mate, but she is torn about her job. Should she stay in Sweet Pepper as their Fire Chief or should she return home to Chicago and her life and job there. If her parents, ex-boyfriend and a few Sweet Pepper residents have any say in the matter, she’ll go back to Chicago. But if the rest of the fire brigade, other residents and Eric have their way, Stella will stay put in Sweet Pepper. Either way, she’s not leaving until she gets to the bottom of what really happened to Eric, which turns out to be easier said than done.

I was drawn in from page one and each page there after held my attention. Mysteries, danger and question after question left me captivated. Sweet Pepper and the fire brigade are vividly brought to life. The characters are so rich and the situations so real, I felt I was part of the story. PLAYING WITH FIRE was one of those stories that I really dreaded to see end because I knew I would have a hard time finding another book to draw me in as fast as it did.

My advice…Do yourself a favor (and a friend or two while you’re at it), buy this book as fast as you can! You won’t be sorry.
If you haven’t read THAT OLD FLAME OF MINE and HERO’S JOURNEY, remember to get them as well!

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please note there are two reviews of this title!! Check out guest review Mary C's review here---> http://openbooksociety.com/article/pl...


Heidi's review at the following link or read it below:

http://openbooksociety.com/article/pl...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

playing-with-fire-sweet-pepper-fire-brigade-mystery-j-j-cookIt’s been months and Stella is still in Sweet Pepper trying to solve the murder of the former fire chief, Eric Gamlyn, who is also currently haunting his cabin, which Stella is living in temporarily. She still has no leads on who shot and killed Eric and left him in the firehouse wall.

Stella’s parents are losing patience waiting for her to return to Chicago and they decide to come to Sweet Pepper to collect her, bringing her cheating ex-boyfriend with them, in hopes of a reconciliation, and getting her home that much quicker!

But right when Stella is about to agree to leave with her parents, she finally gets a break in the case, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get Eric the answers he deserves!

I’m really enjoying this series, and this book was another fun addition to it!

It looks like I was wrong about the budding romance between Stella and John though. That fizzled out pretty quickly! But that’s ok because ghost Eric more than makes up for it! This book quickly reminded me why Eric is my favorite character of the series. He is just too much fun, especially when he got to play tricks on Doug! I’ll be honest I wish I had a sexy ghost housemate that would cook for me and keep the undesirables away! This book definitely made me think that Stella and Eric are eventually going to find a way past the human/ghost barriers and be together. I’m not sure when or how, but I’ll definitely be going along for the ride!

I had a few ideas about who killed Eric, but I wasn’t exactly right. I did enjoy seeing the story unfold and getting to the bottom of what happened.

This was a good book, but I could have done without the last chapter, which really wasn’t an ending to this book, but more of a start to the next! At least I know there will be another installment! I’m glad to hear it because I just can’t get enough of Eric Gamlyn, and Stella isn’t bad either:)

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella, the Fire Chief of Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, is still trying to find out what happened to the Fire Chief who was murdered years ago. (Here's where you must suspend your disbelief.) As we learned in the first of this series, Stella is living in the cabin Eric built, and his ghost also inhabits the cabin. Stella is able to see, talk to, and actually touch Eric's ghost, and has developed feelings for him. However, she is being pressured to return to her job in Chicago by her parents, but she needs to solve Eric's murder, first. Stella's life is further complicated when her parents show up on the scene, bringing her cheating ex-boyfriend. Stella's mother, Barbara, is the daughter of the wealthiest man in the area, and she is able to reunite with her father after years of self-imposed exile. And, if that isn't complication enough, the retired sheriff's deputy, Chum, is murdered. How Stella is able to unravel all the interwoven threads of this tale, provides a riveting tale. The mood is upbeat with quirky and amusing characters as well as the requisite villains, and the setting of Sweet Pepper is always a lovely place to visit. The story ends in a real cliff-hanger, so I can't wait to read the next one!

[Linda]

Ok, I'm only on page 10 and already have so many questions. First, Stella is taking a pepper tour....yet spends the tour on the phone with her dad? Second, Stella has been in Sweet Pepper for almost a year....yet her old job is still waiting for her if she wants it? I don't know of any job that would do that. Third, in the first book they find Eric's real body behind the wall.....yet now they won't exume his first body that's buried because it was 40 years ago? I can't imagine any law enforcement department going "eh, it was 40 years ago. Who cares anymore?" YOU HAVE 2 DEAD BODIES AND ONLY ONE IDENTITY!!!!

If I didn't love the first book so much, I would stop reading. I'm going to keep plowing through, in hopes it gets better!!


Edited to add: on page 133, when they all get the fire call, Stella tells Marty he's too drunk to go out. Marty says "it's ok, I won't drive"....then a few sentences later, he goes out and gets his car. What? Little details like that that don't make sense seem to happen alot in this series.

Edited to add: on page 154, Stella tells about how "steady and calm" John is....yet, this is the man who broke up with her because of her family relation to Ben Carson.....doesnt sound real calm and steady to me.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a great book with a good mystery, realistic characters and a flawless setting. however this book had a few moments that left me thinking "wait... what?"

To start the characters seemed to have changed a lot between this book and the last one. I felt like a lifetime had passed. At the end of the last book Stella and Jon were a great couple who had a few problems, but I thought they could work it out, however this book has some points that totally reverse almost everything that happened in the last book. There are two main examples that I can think of where this happened in this book, but I don't want to say them because they are sorta-major spoilers.
The dialogue was choppy and the POV was really hard to keep up with. One point Stella would be thinking about something and the next it was Eric thinking about something, with no breaks.

Overall, however the mystery, setting, and some of the characters give this book the four stars.

[Fermentum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing with Fire by J.J. Cook

Stella Griffin is a Harley riding TN Fire Chief. Her family wants her to come back to Chicago, but she's not ready to leave. Another MURDER? That makes two and she wants to find out who-did-them.

This book caught my attention right away. I did not put this book down till I was finished! I stayed up half the night to finish it. It was an interesting and exciting book. It kept my interest through the whole book. Great writer(s)and a great mystery.

J.J. Cook has done it again,created a great story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Playing With Fire, the second installment of the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series by J. J. Cook. Fire Chief Stella Griffin, with the assistance of Walt Fenway, the retired Sweet Pepper police chief, finally gets to the bottom of the mystery of "who" killed former fire chief Eric Gamlyn. I am hoping that book three, In Hot Water, explains the "why"!

[Sillylittlefishey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying the series! I love Eric! Watching him playing tricks on Doug was tons of fun!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Fire Chief Stella Griffin continues her investigation into the mysterious death of the previous fire chief, Eric Gamlyn – who happens to be haunting her cabin, she gets a few unexpected visitors. Her parents arrive in Sweet Pepper, along with Stella’s ex-boyfriend. The plan is to convince Stella to leave her temporary fire chief job and return to Chicago where she has a job, friends and family waiting. Stella, however, isn’t ready to make a decision. She loves Sweet Pepper and has grown close to her very own ghost, Eric. She doesn’t want to leave, but she’s not ready to turn her back on her old life either.

When Deputy Chum makes a shocking confession to Stella, on his way out of town to his own retirement, she starts getting closer to the truth. Then, tragedy strikes. Chum is murdered leaving even more questions unanswered, not to mention some of the most influential people in town scrambling to cover their tracks – including Stella’s wealthy grandfather.

The author does an excellent job of showing us the camaraderie between the members of the fire brigade as they all get closer with each book and becoming a family of their own. The dialogue throughout the book is snappy, witty and laced with humor especially between Stella and Eric. There is a ton of chemistry between these two, even though one of them is a ghost. It doesn’t matter, the sparks fly between them.

This series has become one of my top favorite cozy series. Stella is one of the best heroines to come around in a long time. I fell in love with her in both the first book in the series and in the following novella. I love her even more after this book.

It was edge-of-the-seat reading for me as I tried to figure things out along with Stella. I read through this book quickly and I just can’t get enough of it. I want more and I want more right now! I was so sad to finish this book and now have to wait for the next one to be released. Hopefully it won’t be too long a wait.



FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have discovered a new-to-me series that is going on my favorite mystery series list. This one falls into the female amateur detective genre. The series title was a bit off putting but it is just the name of the volunteer fire department and the name of the town. Stella is a Chicago firemen on rehab leave; there is a little more to the story but I will leave that for you to discover in the book. In the first book, she discovers that she is living with the ghost of the last fire chief. In this book, she investigates his death which seems to be quite different from what everyone believed. The finger of suspicion points in several directions including at her grandfather. Her parents push her to return to Chicago but she refuses to leave until can help Eric get closure. Of course since they don't know that she can communicate with his ghost, no one understands her need to find out what happened. I love the volunteer firemen whose lives and work we see often as they hone their new skill through the book. In this book, we also get to see Stella's ex-fiancé and I was really impressed with the way J.J. Cook handled their relationship. I cannot wait to get my hands on the other books in this series.

[Katreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with Fire by J.J. Cook
The second Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery

Come back to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee with Playing with Fire, by J.J. Cook. There’s a lot going on in this, the second Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery. Everyone is wondering when Stella is going to leave Tennessee and return to Chicago, including Stella. Now that it’s known that Eric was indeed murdered, Stella feels she should stay to attempt to figure out what actually happened, shouldn’t she? She’s also growing attached to the town…and her ghost is growing attached to her. To add to the quagmire her parents have come to town, bringing along her philandering ex-boyfriend. When another murder occurs it seems it must be related to the former fire chief’s murder. Is it?

I love this series and I was just as pleased with this book as I was with its predecessor. I love the fact that Eric can actually cook, actually physically prepare food and that he does so when stressed. I also appreciate the fact that he’s developing feelings for Stella and I’m wondering if she will begin to reciprocate. And what can happen if she does. I know that there can be ghostly happily ever afters in romance novels…but this is a mystery. Still, I’m quite enjoying the romantic aspect…especially Eric’s reaction to Doug! But never fear, to those of you who prefer not to get sidetracked by romance and the paranormal in your mysteries there is a good solid mystery story here. More than one actually.

I was more than pleased to be back in Sweet Pepper, Tennessee and highly recommend this book. The author deftly weaves mysteries, both new and old, with a glimpse of romance, a touch of the paranormal, and a pleasant dose of humor.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Pepper, Tennessee is the place for peppers of all kinds and home to Stella Griffin, Fire Chief. Recruiting volunteers for the fire department has kept Stella busy for the last few months. On leave from her job as a Fire Captain in Chicago, she has made an all out effort to become familiar with her new home. Training the volunteers keeps her busy and at the same time, she is investigating the death of the last Fire Chief, forty years ago. This second book in the series picks up shortly after the events in the first book. The characters are fascinating and well defined. The setting and fire theme are well done. Murder, long held secrets, jealously and millions of missing dollars make a great story and twisted murder plot. There is a little paranormal involved as Stella lives in the home of Eric, the former Fire Chief, and she can see and interact with him. This only enhances the story and murder plots. In this book we get to meet Stella's family from Chicago and learn more about her heiress mother's father and his pepper company that employs many of the townsfolk. This is an absolute page turning book and I am moving right on to the third and fourth books in the series. There is enough background that you can read each book as a standalone but for the maximum adventure, read them in order.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing With Fire is the second book in the A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series. There is also an e-book novella titled Hero's Journey which gives a great overview of the characters in the series and let's Hero' the Dalmatian come to the front.

The story starts with a phone call from Stella's parents wanting to know when she is coming back home. Stella still has mixed emotions about leaving Sweet Pepper until she has found out exactly what that night that Eric Gamlyn died and ended up being buried in a wall at the fire station. Retired Deputy Crum wants meet with Stella to share some information pertaining to that night. After meeting with Stella, as he is heading to join his wife, he is shot and killed. Stella now knows that she is on the path and continues to pursue her leads. Things start to be clearer once Gamlyn's casket is exhumed and it is finally learned who was buried in Gamlyn's casket.

To add to this problem, Stella's parents and former boyfriend arrive to try and convince her to pack up and return to Chicago with them. While in Sweet Pepper, Stella's mom, Barbara, does have an amiable meeting with her father

Looking forward to the next book to see what will be happening with Stella's life next.

Recipes are also included with the book.

[Michelle Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with Fire by JJ Cook
Stella Griffin has been in Sweet Pepper for 10 months as temporary Fire Chief. Her three month leave from the fire department in Chicago has long been up. It’s time for her to make a decision to either stay or head back to her life in Chicago. Her parents Sean and Barbara along with her ex boyfriend Doug show up to convince her its time to go come home. Stella is reluctant to leave without solving the forty year old cold case of the murder of Fire Chief Eric. Eric is the resident ghost of the cabin she is living in. He was thought to have died in a fire at the silo but his remains turned up in the wall of the fire station. Who is in Eric’s coffin? With the help of Eric’s friend retired chief of police Walt Fenway they look into the murder.
Eric may be a ghost but the pranks he plays on Doug are hilarious. I loved his escapades. The author JJ Cook does an outstand job of bringing the characters to life. They have such personality. She did a great job of incorporating Hero, the fire brigade’s adopted Dalmatian puppy from the novella Hero‘s Journey into this book. Playing with Fire earns five stars from me and I hope there is another to soon follow.

[Alice Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh noooooo" is how this book ended for me. Continuing on as temporary fire chief of Sweet Pepper, Stella Griffin is seeking to uncover the truth behind Eric Gamlyn's murder. That is what any good fireman would do for another, though Stella has to wonder how much it has to do with her feelings for Eric, her ghost-in-residence. There are many obstacles to her investigation, including men with attitudes towards women (police chief and former boyfriend), men with aspirations to power and money (including her grandfather), men with dangerous, old secrets (just about everyone), and even...after the reveal in the last book...seemingly good guys (everyone else). It made me suspicious of everyone! Stella has a healthy wariness about her, but nothing prepares her for her family showing up and trying to foist her cheating ex back on her. J.J. Cook's characters are always so well developed, and so layered with depth, that though there is much action and mayhem, the outcome resolves in a manner that feels true...except for the parts that are unresolved and lead me back to my original, "oh noooooo!" I think Stella is more in love with her ghost than she realizes. It will be interesting to see how this impossible love will ultimately be resolved.

[Cmgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley riding Sweet Pepper, TN Fire Chief, Stella Griffin is back. She is under pressure from her family to come back to Chicago. Her job can’t be kept on hold for much longer. However, there are too many questions that have not been answered. Stella is still looking into the death of Eric Gamilyn. Retired Deputy, Mace Chum, takes the time to see Stella before leaving town. He gives her some more information about the murder of Eric Gamlyn. Unfortunately, he does not live to enjoy his retirement. Now Stella has two murders to solve. Will she stay long enough to unearth the murderers?

This is another great addition to the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade mysteries. The plotting is red hot – I found it impossible to put down. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading to find out whodunit. This was a fast-paced fun read. So, if you like your mystery with a hunky ghost, then you should be reading Playing with Fire.

FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Griffin has a good job (even if it is temporary), a nice cabin to live in (even if it is haunted), and a nice dog (Hero). She is the chief of the Sweet Pepper
Fire Brigade and is responsible for organizing all the volunteers into a n efficient group of firefighters. She is also concerned and working on solving the death of her favorite ghost, Eric, the former fire chief and her current roommate at the cabin. She knows that she either needs to return to Chicago, or lose her job there, but she's not ready to leave without answers and solving Eric's sudden death. When retired Deputy Chum comes to talk to her about the night Eric died, he gives her more information, but then he is apparently the victim of a traffic accident.

However, things really heat up when her parents and ex-boyfriend Doug come to town to convince her to return to Chicago. What is Stella going to do?

I really like this series. Stella is a capable, confident fire chief with an unusual group of volunteers who are shaping up into a good team. Hero, the puppy is just precious. The small-town gossip mill is spot-on. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series so far this one is about Stella Griffin trying to solve a 40 year old mystery of what happened to Eric Gamlyn the previous fire chief who wound up dead under unusually circumstances. Add to that the fact Stella's parents have come back to town to drag her back to Chicago, Stella is torn about what to do. Especially considering her parents brought Doug Stella's no good cheating ex-boyfriend.

The big problem is there is so little information to go on about the murder. Most people are dead or just not talking, and everyone seems to be pointing a finger at Stella's grandfather Ben. It's up to Stella to find out what is really going on.

I love reading this series probably because of the ghost aspect is really interesting. To have Stella talk to Eric and have Eric being how Eric was in life is great to read about. I also love reading about the other characters in the books. Like Eric's good friend Walt and how Walt helps Stella sort through the crime to find the guilty party.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Sweet Pepper series by JJ Cook (Jim and Joyce Lavene).Chief Stella Carson was supposed to return to her home in Chicago months ago but something is holding her back.She just can't seem to leave until she finds out what really happened to resident ghost Eric Gamlyn, her current roommate. The former fire chief has been dead forty years and it's still a mystery what really happened to him. One of the officers that was there the day Eric died comes to visit Stella and share a new bit of information, only to be murdered soon after. She becomes more determined than ever to find the truth. There are many suspects but who is really guilty?
Adding to her frustration is a visit from her parents who bring along her ex-fiance.. most of the town thinks her wealthy grandfather is involved and Stella is not so sure they aren't right..and she is still trying to get the fire brigade in top form. Can she find the truth and keep herself out of trouble? Is the killer closer than she thinks? I highly recommend this bookt that kept me guessing till the end.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing With Fire by J. J. Cook was as good as I expected it to be. Having read the first book and the novella I knew what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. The characters continue to be developed and their relationships continue to grow. They are very likable and you can't help but care about them and worry about them. The mystery ( in this case, who killed Eric, the old fire chief, 40 years ago) was carried out throughout the entire book and for me there was some surprise as to who did it and how it happened. And there is another mystery at the very end of the book that will be addressed in book three. The writing style was easy to read and it was a quick read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozies and mysteries. A cozy with a ghost is one of my favorite genre and this series fits into that genre perfectly. I would suggest reading the series in order so that you can see the growth and development of the characters. Can't wait for book three.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series, this book follows up on what happened in the previous one regarding what happened to the earlier fire chief, whose body was found crammed in a wall at the fire house. Stella Griffin, current fire chief, has made it her mission to find out what really happened to him, helped somewhat by his ghost, which haunts her cabin. Things get complicated, because Stella must make a decision to remain in Sweet Pepper and continue as fire chief, or return home to Chicago to her old job. Little did Stella know when she took this job that her mother grew up in this town, daughter of the area's richest citizen. When Stella's parents come to try to take her home, her mother has to face her past as well as the father she always believed was the one who killed her mother. Lots of complications arise in this story, and Stella manages to figure out most of them while solving the murders old and new.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so enjoyable and fun to read!

The characters were realistic, from the ones I liked to the ones I cringed at when they come onto the page. I loved the supernatural element and the fire brigade. I loved the gentle humor and the sweet relationships that popped up here and there.

A couple of items that bugged me were the wishy-washy main character not making an important decision but agreeing with everyone no matter which side of the choice they were on. Also, the investigation seemed to go on for a really long time. I think I took it like that because there was so much repetition repeating things we already knew. Not the biggest deal but it did detract from my enjoyment a tad.

But I highly recommend this solid, wonderful, warm book.

[C. Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in an enjoyable cozy mystery series. I like most of the characters. Ends like an old movie serial with a cliffhanger. Now I have to get the third installment to find out what happens to Stella's cabin. I do not usually read books with ghosts as a main character, but this ghost has a limit of a 50 yard radius to the cabin, which I find acceptable.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of finding out who killed the fire chief that haunts the cabin. However, event though we found out who was responsible, we didn’t find out the motive for the killing or what happened to the missing $30 million. Unless they answer these questions in the next book, I’m left kind of hanging here.