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A Small Batch Mystery #2
Mermaid Cove: A Small Batch Mystery
Though Rook Campbell's life is full of challenges with work and caring for her ailing grandma, she's decided it's time to focus on her job at a local distillery, reignite her love life, and move forward from her ex --all which proves to be much easier said than done. Meanwhile, distillers from all over have entered a prestigious bourbon contest for big bucks, prizes, and coveted bragging rights in the bourbon community. The Mermaid Cove Distillery, co-owned by Rook's friend, Patrice Dawson, is poised to take away the prize, which will solve many financial problems for the struggling business. But another distiller at the competition isn't interested in fighting fair. So when Patrice goes missing, Rook is certain the culprit is within the bourbon community. She's determined to find Patrice or die trying.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2023
About the author
Michelle Bennington
16 books89 followersAuthor. Wife. Dog "mom." Aspiring Wonder Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2023
A wonderful cozy mystery set in Bourbon country in Kentucky. So much drama and so many twists and turns leading to a very surprising ending. Well done!
August 7, 2023
Michelle Bennington has done it again! In Mermaid Cove, book 2 in the Small Batch series, she brings us back to Kentucky and gives us a front row seat to one of the most esteemed bourbon contests in the land of the Bluegrass. What’s on the line? Money, publicity, and bragging rights.
Just as the stage is set, drama ensues when one of the hometown competitors is kidnapped. Luckily for her, she happens to be the mom of Rook Campbell’s best friend. Naturally, Rook vows to help find the kidnappers and get to the bottom of the sketchy shenanigans surrounding the competition. Of course, she’s got a few connections like her current boyfriend, Deputy Jimmy, but she’s also got her hands full with her spirited Grandma Prim, who is giving cancer a good run for its money.
As with book 1 in the series, Devil’s Kiss, Bennington is a master at creating settings that become as big as the characters, and that’s saying a lot because her characters’ personalities jump off the page. To be sure, Rook herself is relatable for all the right reasons, including her bad luck, her love of moon pies and Kentucky Spice, and her convoluted love life.
Never a dull moment, Mermaid Cove hits all the right marks: mystery, humor, suspense, romance, plot-twists, and all-the-feels! I’m captivated by this series and impressed with Ms. Bennington’s style.
Is it too soon to ask for book 3?
Just as the stage is set, drama ensues when one of the hometown competitors is kidnapped. Luckily for her, she happens to be the mom of Rook Campbell’s best friend. Naturally, Rook vows to help find the kidnappers and get to the bottom of the sketchy shenanigans surrounding the competition. Of course, she’s got a few connections like her current boyfriend, Deputy Jimmy, but she’s also got her hands full with her spirited Grandma Prim, who is giving cancer a good run for its money.
As with book 1 in the series, Devil’s Kiss, Bennington is a master at creating settings that become as big as the characters, and that’s saying a lot because her characters’ personalities jump off the page. To be sure, Rook herself is relatable for all the right reasons, including her bad luck, her love of moon pies and Kentucky Spice, and her convoluted love life.
Never a dull moment, Mermaid Cove hits all the right marks: mystery, humor, suspense, romance, plot-twists, and all-the-feels! I’m captivated by this series and impressed with Ms. Bennington’s style.
Is it too soon to ask for book 3?
September 24, 2025
This has a great plot and I love the Kentucky bourbon details.
Rook Campbell does not seem to work much at her job at Four Wild Horses Distillary, but she is hard into investigating the kidnapping of her best friend Millie's mother Patrice Dawson, co owner of Mermaid Cove. She is also caring for her dying grandmother Prim with the help of her ex husband Cam and the next door neighbor.
Rook does not just assist the police and her current boyfriend Jimmy in the investigation of Patrice's disappearance, she also uncovers a pill mill, the unfair tactics of Fox Trace, and the murder of Patrice's ex fiance Mitch as she tries to find the real murderer of her mother and get the release of her father from prison. This lady multitasks beyond belief.
This is written with no graphic sex or violence and no swearing.
I purchased a copy since it was not available from my public library.
Rook Campbell does not seem to work much at her job at Four Wild Horses Distillary, but she is hard into investigating the kidnapping of her best friend Millie's mother Patrice Dawson, co owner of Mermaid Cove. She is also caring for her dying grandmother Prim with the help of her ex husband Cam and the next door neighbor.
Rook does not just assist the police and her current boyfriend Jimmy in the investigation of Patrice's disappearance, she also uncovers a pill mill, the unfair tactics of Fox Trace, and the murder of Patrice's ex fiance Mitch as she tries to find the real murderer of her mother and get the release of her father from prison. This lady multitasks beyond belief.
This is written with no graphic sex or violence and no swearing.
I purchased a copy since it was not available from my public library.
January 17, 2025
There is a lot to unpack in this latest book in an entertaining series. In her second outing in the small community of Rothdale, Kentucky, Michelle Bennington has upped her game as she takes readers a little deeper into the art and business of the bourbon industry, introduces more of Rook Campbell's community, and has Rook entwined in multiple mysteries, both current and past.
The characters are interesting, from likeable but frustrating Rook to her spunky but wise grandmother to the very different men in Rook's life to the women who complete their community. They will perplex, entertain, infuriate, and warm your heart.
This book will challenge mystery lovers and frustrate romance lovers. While I am never a fan of the love triangle trope, be prepared to enjoy the roller coaster.
As usual, Courtney Patterson does an excellent job of voicing these characters.
The characters are interesting, from likeable but frustrating Rook to her spunky but wise grandmother to the very different men in Rook's life to the women who complete their community. They will perplex, entertain, infuriate, and warm your heart.
This book will challenge mystery lovers and frustrate romance lovers. While I am never a fan of the love triangle trope, be prepared to enjoy the roller coaster.
As usual, Courtney Patterson does an excellent job of voicing these characters.
July 12, 2023
Excellent next step in the story!!
I love this follow up to Devils Kiss. The characters are so vivid and the story is full of twists.
I love this follow up to Devils Kiss. The characters are so vivid and the story is full of twists.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews