Fowl Play

Dewberry Farm #9

by Karen MacInerney

Late summer casts its golden hue over Buttercup, Texas, but for farmer Lucy Resnick, tranquility is shattered when she wakes up to a shocking discovery -- her beloved flock of chickens has fallen prey to a mysterious chickennapping. As Lucy searches frantically for her feathered friends, her life takes an even darker turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of her renter, Jo Nesbit, in her historic rental cottage. Lucy delves into the Jo's life, and soon uncovers a tangled web of connections between the deceased woman and the townspeople of Buttercup... connections that reach back decades. It quickly becomes clear that Jo was entangled in a complex web of secrets, some of which may be linked to an unsolved murder from years past. But Lucy's relentless pursuit of the truth doesn't sit well with someone who would prefer the past stay buried. As Lucy inches closer to the heart of the mystery, threats escalate, and she realizes that the killer is willing to stop at nothing to keep their dark secrets from coming to light. Will Lucy untangle the web of lies and deceit to solve the murder and expose the secrets that haunt Buttercup? Or will she become the next victim of fowl play?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2023

About the author

I'm the author of the Agatha-nominated Gray Whale Inn mystery series, Tales of an Urban Werewolf. the Margie Peterson mysteries and the Dewberry Farm mysteries (plus a new fantasy in the works). My reading is like my writing: eclectic!

I grew up in the Northeast, but I currently live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a houserabbit named Bunny. Feel free to visit me online at www.karenmacinerney.com; I love connecting with readers.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Resnick wakes up to find her beloved flock of chickens has fallen prey to a mysterious chickennapping. As Lucy searches frantically for her feathered friends, her life takes an even darker turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of her renter, Jo Nesbit, in her historic rental cottage. Lucy is determined to find her chickens and a killer.

Lucy is a fun protagonist; she is smart, likable, and relatable. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns. I didn’t suspect the killer before the big reveal. The secondary story line of the different relationships of Lucy’s friends was interesting too. A bonus/ some yummy sounding recipes included.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
✅ well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional

PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
✅ gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown

WORLDBUILDING
✅ takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story

ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
✅ immersive
🔲 you forget you are reading a book

PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
✅ impossible to put down

A fast and cozy read once again.

[Tarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain authors that I grab each of their books as soon as they are published. Many authors have one, two, or more series and I find that there some I like and others I don't. With Karen MacInerney all of her series are different and the plots of each are unique except for the continuing characters, and I can't wait for them to be published.

Fowl Play takes place at the end of a long hot summer when the wells are running dry and so are the creeks. One morning Lucy wakes up to find all of her chickens are gone, someone is buying up all the commercial property and raising the rent to unmanageable levels, Gus and Flora have called off their engagement, and there's a dead body in her guest house.

As she and Tobias set out to find some answers, they soon find their lives in danger.

I love these characters, the way the author spins the tales, and how life keeps progressing on Dewberry Farm.

#ARC #FarmLife #SmallTownLife #Murder #Series #cozymystery

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in Buttercup with Lucy and her quick mind. Her friends and various critters are there, too, but really it's Lucy's sleuthing skills that get the job done.

This time around, she's investigating the death of her BnB tenant AND delving into what brought Jo into town. Which, for the record, is a little revenge as she does some underhanded things to get her hands on various properties around town. As you might imagine, she's not well-liked by many of the good folk of Buttercup because of this. And that's before Lucy uncovers the connection Jo had to the town before.

Throw in a chicken thief and some big life changes for some of her friends and Lucy has her hands full. By the by, chickennapping? The thief's plan wasn't nearly as well thought out as they likely thought it was. Regardless, it was a fun trip back into Buttercup with Lucy working her sleuthing magic.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so great to be back at Dewberry farm!!! I really missed Lucy and all the critters, human and furry. This story has a couple of great mysteries, the first, who kidnapped Lucy's flock of chickens, as well as some of her neighbor's, and second who murdered the woman staying in her Airbnb, the Ulrich House? Who was the women, why was she in Buttercup, was she there for business or something more? Unfortunately the first mystery didn't get as much play as I hoped, we didn't spend nearly as much time on the farm or doing farm things as I would have liked. The good news is that we get to spend time with all our favorites folks, some not having as a good time as others, and the mystery is pretty good and resolves itself thanks to smart thinking and teamwork from Lucy and Tobias. All in all another interesting trip to Buttercup.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed!

I have not read a book by this author in a long time. I loved the Gray Whale Inn series of books as Maine is one of my favorite parts of the country and also for a book setting. Although I was born and raised within spitting distance from Texas, it is not my favorite book setting. However, I had read a couple of books in this series previously, and was not particularly drawn in. But this book was excellent. I liked the love interest with the vet, I loved reading about the garden, the farm animals, and Chuck, the poodle. The theme of the story was well put together, had the right pace for rollout of the story. Lot's of daily life details that added to the story so that one could identify with the characters. So, this was a winner in my opinion, and hope to read more in this series.

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fowl Play is another great visit to Dewberry Farms. Lucy is dealing with oppressive Texas heat, friends with relationship issues, stolen chickens and now a murdered woman in her guesthouse.

I love the characters in Buttercup, TX. Every book is like visit to old friends, quirky, fun sometimes exasperating old friends. Ms. MacInerney's writing style keeps the pages turning with plenty of laughs thrown into the mystery to make this book a fun read as well. Her mysteries always keep me guessing until the end with plenty of twists.

I highly recommend Fowl play as well as this entire series.

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why it took me so long to discover another book in this series, but I'm glad I did. I was more anxious about the missing hens than the murdered woman. As she was expressing her doubts about moving in with the vet, or having the vet move in with her, I was hoping that finally she would be the strong, independent lead female character who didn't want to give up that independence.

:::::::sigh::::::

Why????????? It ruins the dynamic of the series!!!!!!!!!! Had she not agreed to let him move in with her, this would have been a 5 star rating for me!

I know the author has lots of series going. I hope we can soon expect a new one in this series.

[Kathleen Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was nice to visit with Lucy Resnick in Buttercup, Texas again. Her farm is a place that feels like home and the town of Buttercup is a warm friendly place, even with the occasional murder and other trouble. The characters draw me in and make me stay until the always satisfying conclusion. I have read this series since the beginning and I really enjoyed the plot that twisted the town we've grown to love with the town before Lucy moved to Buttercup.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters have become old friends and filled out with life. The plot is easily followed, and the premise is surviving long enough to find out who the killer is and stopping them. All's well in the end and the killer is someone who wasn't a nice person anyway. I definitely recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely book with mistakes

I love the Dewberry farm series. This book was a good edition as far as plot and expansion of series. However it was a bit sloppy for the author. I noticed a few mistakes, and it felt rushed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read, still love the characters!!

Great read still love the characters they’re evolving as you would expect and it was a good mystery. Thanks for the enjoyment. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good cozy mystery. I live in central Texas and Karen MacInerney's descriptions of drought in late summer/early fall are spot on. Great characters who I always enjoy visiting when I read a book in this series. I highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book

I love all the books about Dewberry Farms. All the characters are wonderful. I can't wait to see what is next for Lucy and her friends.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun Lucy adventure! Sure hope it rains there soon!

[Janet Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful Dewberry Farms mystery. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you'll enjoy the latest in the series.

[BonnieM☂️]

downloaded twice for kindle and nothing...

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the series and Foul Play did not disappoint. Two murders and chickennapings. The romance with Tobias gets more serous. Love the recipes at the end!

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love all the food in these mysteries.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fowl Play

Another Dewberry Farm story. I didn't realize who the culprit was until the end; it was another great read. I love this series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed the book...

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! Always makes me smile

[Melody Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery! The past catches up with the future in this Dewberry Farm mystery. Will Lucy solve two mysteries in one.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really short read

I love the premise and overall story but Karen's stories are getting shorter each book. For me not worth the price.

[Kay Wathen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Series

I enjoyed the characters and the closeness in a small town. I looked forward to each book in the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from Dewberry Farm. I enjoy this series so much.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ The mystery was a lot more developed and had more layers in this one than the last

[Rita Pierrottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Read

Another great addition to this series. This book has interesting characters,a cozy small town setting and a well written plot.

[Marseydoats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cover!
I liked this, but there are some mistakes in it, and Lucy's anti-gun stance is starting to be really annoying.

[Carola Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I love Dewberry Farm books and I enjoyed this one immensely. I was missing these books I hope next one comes sooner. This was a real mystery, with some or a lot of danger. Tobias and Lucy’s decision made me happy. And I was happy for the chickens also. Can’t wait for the next one.