The Trouble with Turkeys

Zoe Donovan Mystery #2

by Kathi Daley

Zoe becomes entangled in a complex murder case involving a dead miser, tipsy turkeys, and an eclectic cast of edacious heirs, when she agrees to help Jeremy in his temporary job at a nearby turkey farm two weeks before Thanksgiving.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Thanksgiving, Fiction, Holiday, Cozy, Murder Mystery

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Reviews

[Don Gerstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

{60-Second video review of this book at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjmsZ... }

Kathi Daley’s “The Trouble With Turkeys” is a fun, easy read that can be completed in a few sittings. For those who decide to whip up a few of the recipes the author includes at the end of the story, the book will be on the kitchen counter for a bit longer.

There are a ton of characters in this book, and it was a chore to try to keep all of them straight. Much of the mystery solving was accomplished in information dumps when one character would report back to the sleuths the conversations he had with the suspects. On the other hand, once she had the information in mind, main character Zoe would toss it around and present numerous possibilities as to the identity of the killer(s). While this might put your head in a whirl as Zoe ran through all the characters as she resorted the suspects, it was enjoyable to follow the ins and outs of Zoe’s logic.

I felt the five-star element of this book is Ms. Daley’s writing style. Everything flows from one sentence to the next, and the dialogue is realistic. The characters (other than Zoe) are not fully fleshed out, although the author shares tidbits here and there, and the interactions between small town residents ring true. The descriptions of the town and its activities help to fill out what could have been empty holes in the book.

While this is not a step-by-step deciphering of clues while danger hovers nearby story, it is an engaging tale that centers more around Zoe’s life with a mystery or two thrown in the mix. Three-and-a-half stars, with the wonderful writing style helping to round that up to four stars.

[Christina/ The Blog for Teachers, Readers, & Life! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series!💖 There are a few small mysteries surrounding one big mystery. Plenty of suspects makes for a great mystery. I love the animals, too. I am also intrigued by Zoe’s estranged mother. This seems like it will be a common theme.
I love Kathy Daley books, and this was definitely a must read.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it was a bit early for reading a Thanksgiving themed mystery since I still have some Halloween ones I want to get to, but I just wanted to move along in this series. In only two books, I've grown to really love these characters and how Zak and Zoe's relationship has been growing and turning from childhood animosity (mainly she was the one who hated him) to strong feelings of caring.

Zoe and her old assistant at the shelter, Jeremy, found themselves babysitting a couple hundred turkeys on a farm, and it wouldn't be complete to Zoe without having a murder or two to investigate. With the family gathering for the inheritance, it seemed like an old time mystery where one of the family probably offed the old man, but it was a little more tangled up than that. There was a side mystery that eventually tied in with the first murder. On Thanksgiving, Zak had a very generous gift waiting for Zoe. I'll be moving along to the next book either very next or soon!

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zoe Donovan series is a quick and fun read. You get a fun adventure and interesting murder that will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed the characters and setting. The murder investigation was well done and the final reveal was a surprise. I have read more of this series and enjoy it for being fun and relaxing. This time the action takes place on a turkey farm that Zoe and her friend are caring for after the owner is murdered. The family gives us several suspects, as do former employees. This is a series for animal and mystery lovers both. Enjoy!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for me. Something is missing with this read. I can't quite put my finger on it.

[Kymm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this holiday themed series! “The Trouble with Turkeys” is the second in the series and this time we found Zoe and friends hunting for the culprit who murdered the wealthy owner of a Turkey farm!

Great characters, many of whom we met in the first book are back again. These books are just fun, easy and quick reads that will put anyone in the mood to celebrate. Next one is Christmas and I’m only waiting for the calendar to change before I jump right in! Gobble Gobble and Happy Reading!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one! There were a small number of times that info or thoughts tended to be repeated but not enough to interrupt the flow of the story. A quick, easy read in a series that I'm loving.

[Jenn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

The mystery itself was ok. I just really like Zoe and Zak and all the dogs !

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working to take care of hundreds of turkeys destined for dinner tables wasn't really a thrilling idea for Zoe Donovan. But being unemployed is a powerful motivator; especially when she has been feeling guilty about her friend, Jeremy, losing his job, as well. In order to keep her mind off the task at hand, Zoe plunges into the mystery of what really happened to Charles Tisdale, the owner of all those turkeys. His family thinks his death was an accident or the result of natural causes, but Zoe isn't quite sure. Together with Zak, her former antagonist turned friend, Zoe comes up with a long list of suspects who could have wanted Charles dead and gone - double digit long.

I will freely admit that the very long list of suspects was a little daunting and pretty confusing. But I worked the case along with Zak and Zoe and had a lot of fun doing so! And that's the thing with Kathi Daley; she makes every journey enjoyable. Her stories are filled with snapshots of small town life, friendships and families, as well as delicious recipes for later.

In The Trouble with Turkeys, Kathi Daley creates quite the challenging mystery, leaving a crumb-like trail of clues that don't only lead readers and characters alike to a deadly conclusion, but also draw Zak and Zoe more closely together.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not able to get into this one. At first the descriptions of the area the main character Zoe lives in with the alpine scenery, the mountains and boathouse she lives in was all very appealing, I would like to have heard more about the town, and Zoe herself, I craved to hear more about her and her interests but shortly after the first chapter I felt bombarded with too many people, too many names, too much who could be a murderer and overwhelmed with too much yet too short, I just had to stop reading it. I feel the books are too short to get any true plot going, it needed way more. Things feel way rushed in these books. I felt that way with the Whales and Tales series, though I loved them, they all end too fast, jump too fast from chapter to chapter.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I didn't like was there were too many characters. They were hard to keep up with and hard to figure out "who did it".

[Brian Frauenknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book

The second in the series is just as great as the first was. I love this series. Can't wait to read the next installment

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to bring in Thanksgiving! Zoe and Jeremy were let go of their jobs at the County Animal Shelter, which made Zoe so sad because all she ever wanted was to give aid and comfort to animals. It was shut down after Zoe partakes in solving a murder in their town of Ashton Falls. Without any job prospects, Jeremy finds a job taking care of turkeys 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. He asks Zoe for her assistance in caring for the turkeys, but Zoe is hesitant because she always wants to save animals, not wanting to get them ready for a meal, but she was being paid well, and she accepted. It turns out that the owner of the turkey farm was murdered, and then they find that there were some shenanigans going on with the turkeys. These were prime turkeys, which sold for a high price, and someone was switching them out for normal turkeys. Again it's Zoe to the rescue with a bit of help from her longtime frenemy Zak. With a bit of sleuthing, they uncover the murderer, and solve the mystery as to who was switching the turkeys out, and why! There is a very exciting surprise at the end if the book, but I will not spoil it. I will say that if you are a fan of Kathi Daley and her Zoe Donovan Mysteries, read this book! It's a truly wonderful ending. Another wonderful Kathi Daley cozy mystery. Now on to Christmas Crazy ❤🎅🎄🦃

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited liked it but didn't love it hence 4 stars. Wasn't anything stupid such as typos or anything like that, just didn't love this.

Halloween Hijinks Anniversary Edition (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 1) * - The Trouble with Turkeys (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 2) * - Christmas Crazy (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 3) * - Cupids Curse (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 4) - Big Bunny Bump Off (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 5) * - Beach Blanket Barbie (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 6) * Maui Madness (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 7) - Derby Divas (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 8) - Haunted Hamlet (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 9) - Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 10) - Christmas Cozy (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 11) - Alaskan Alliance (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 12) - Matrimony Meltdown (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 13) - Soul Surrender (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 14) - Heavenly Honeymoon (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 15) - Hopscotch Homicide (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 16) - Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 17) - Santa Sleuth (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 18) - Shamrock Shenanigans (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 19) - Kitten Kaboodle (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 20) - Costume Catastrophe (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 21) - Candy Cane Caper (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 22) - Holiday Hangover (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 23) - Easter Escapade (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery 24) {pre-order at this time}
Spin off from Zoe Donovan series Zimmerman Academy. *means NOT ku

Whales and Tails Mystery
Romeow and Juliet (Whales and Tails Mystery Book 1) - The Mad Catter (Whales and Tails Mystery Book 2) - Grimm's Furry Tail (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 3) - Much Ado About Felines (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 4) - The Legend of Tabby Hollow (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 5) - The Cat of Christmas Past (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 6) - A Tale of Two Tabbies (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 7) - The Great Catsby (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 8) - Count Catula (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 9) - The Cat of Christmas Present (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 10) - A Winter's Tail (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 11)

Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 1) - Murder at Sunrise (A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 2) - Murder at the Witching Hour (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #3) - Murder at Christmas (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #4)

Zoe Donovan, Whales and Tails, Sand and Sea, others, check out amazon page

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoe was wallowing in self pity (having had the rescue centre she ran with the assistance of Jeremy close due to her "interference in legal matters" aka finding out who had murdered a rather unpleasant sports coach!) when Jeremy phoned asking for her help for a couple of weeks on a farm, the pay would be more then generous and so Zoe agrees (mind you she hadn't realised it was a turkey farm and the reason the job was only for a couple of weeks was it is the run up to Thanksgiving or "stuff yourself with a turkey dinner day" and these birds are slated to be the main attraction of a lot of dinner tables!

A couple of days after they started it appears that the accidental death of the previous owner was anything BUT accidental and on top of this turkeys seem to be disappearing and then reappearing (very odd), so with Zak getting an "in" under the guise of wanting to buy the place and Jeremy and Zoe looking into things as well Thanksgiving could be saved.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in this new cozy mystery series by Kathi Daley, one of my favourite cozy mystery authors.

Set in Ashton Falls, Zoe loves animals and being unoccupied at the time, agrees to help her friend, Jeremy out, looking after a flock of turkeys for a couple of weeks. However, things are quite as straight forward as they seem, and pretty soon she's trying to solve a murder.

Great cozy mystery series with central characters who are all old school friends - Zoe; Zak, local millionaire after selling his software company; Levi, local school coach and Ellie, runs local cofe with her Mum.

Easy to read cozy mysteries with romance blooming in the group, as well as the antics of lots of animals too. As with most cozy mystery series, the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

There was a lot going on with this one, but I thought it was very well done. As the characters commented, this really reminded me of a murder mystery movie with all the suspects and a will. There were things that were connected thar was very clever and really made for an interesting mystery. I liked how Zoe and the gang followed the clues and solved it. Though at times it was confusing, by the end it made sense in why the murder was committed in connection to the turkey farm.

Zoe’s life seemed very complex yet very interesting from dealing with Zak and her history her mother. I may not understand all the happenings with her relationship with Zak, but I knew he was going to be the love interest. I’m assuming he has feelings for her especially with that grand gesture at the end.

[Daniell Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read. I liked all the animals in the book. It was the second book in the series and enough was explained that didn't feel that I had to read the first book to get into this story. I liked that there was a couple parts to the mystery. I did wish before it was done that I had read the first one as I felt that you might have more depth in the characters. I liked but did not love the main character as I felt it was told a little much about her being a drama queen and was more told than showed. I also felt that it came across as more spoiled or just off for me than drama queen. Over all a quick, cozy mystery for an afternoon read. I would probably try more of this author before I would make a final decision on how well I liked her books.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun to listen to. Zoe helps Jeremy to tend a turkey farm. The owner was found dead. Zoe had her misgivings because of her need to care for animals, and here she was working on a turkey farm tending turkeys raised for Thanksgiving! A few hundred turkeys that at each count would be lower, then higher. Then, the turkeys starting acting like they were drunk! I enjoyed this, aside of two mysteries to solve, I found myself laughing out loud throughout, and the ending was great!

Angel Clark was the narrator, and did a great job.

I received a free audiobook and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe is helping Jeremy with his temporary job at a nearby turkey farm two weeks before Thanksgiving. She ends up investigating not only the murder of the previous owner but also some issues with the turkeys.

I enjoyed getting to know Zoe more along with the secondary characters. I love the chemistry between her and Zak. The double mystery was interesting. I also loved that recipes were included in the back of the book. This is a great series, and I will definitely be reading the next book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Ashton Falls. 148 pp. For a book that’s part of a 36-book cozy mystery series, this was actually readable and enjoyable. I liked the main characters, the case was satisfyingly solved, and it wasn’t cutesy. Not bad!

The Trouble with Turkeys (Zoe Donovan Mystery #2) by Kathi Daley

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just awesome!

I'm going into my third Book of the Zoe Donovan mysteries, and I love these books! Kathi Daley writes amazing stories. Another fantastic location, ( she also writes the Rescue Alaska series), really great characters, and well told story. I can't recommend these books, and the author, more than I have. Must read author!

[Wulfwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. I like the turkey farm. It had a fall reading feel for me. There are a number of people in this story. I had to stop and remember who two of them were. It made for a bigger suspects pool though. I had no idea there where different types of turkeys. I learned something new!

[Arow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I am hooked, I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book in this series but by the end of the second I know that I want to see how the life of Zoe Donovan turns out.

This installment takes Zoe and Jeremy to a turkey farm where the owner has just died. They take care of the birds while uncovering the truth about the death and some bird troubles along the way.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow getting started but it picked up. This is the first in the series I have read so the background information from book one wasn't there. A quick read in keeping with my Thanksgiving theme. My first by this author and her style is easy to follow. There is nice interaction between the characters who have been friends for years.

[T.J. Puritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story for Thanksgiving.
It is part of a series that should be listened to in order
I enjoyed it for the writing but the Narrator is really bad. Her emotions and responses are all wrong. It’s as if she doesn’t know what she’s reading. Narration takes skill and like acting it requires rehearsal. This person is totally off the mark.

[Jo Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early Christmas Present!

This is the second book of a well established series I am was excited to find there are many books awaiting me this fun series

For anyone who loves animals and cozier this series is a must read!

[Kathryn Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending rocked!!!

Definitely a cozy read. Really enjoyed getting to know Zoe better. Enjoyed the sleuthing, as always especially the storyline and always the character development. I look forward to all of them in this universe.

[Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this story, the characters were good! I love how it all turn out, I'm looking forward to the next one in this series. It's a quick read. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved This Cozy

I loved this cozy with a mystery and hints of romance.
This storyline was interesting with a varied cast of characters.
This book is recommended for those who like cozy mysteries.