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Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery #5
With Sugar on Roundtop
When the town librarian is an avid mystery and true-crime reader, the local law enforcement must need a book-smart assistant like her, right?
Roundtop Mountain in Bristol, New Hampshire, is the site of Rebecca Ramsey's favorite childhood Halloween memory - The Haunted Hike. As the town's current librarian, she decides to bring all of those ghoulish and gruesome memories back to life for the children of the Newfound region. Local businesses sponsor spine-tingling stops along the trail to haunt and horrify, prank and petrify. Sweet treats and spooky scenes are the highlight of the event.
On her first outing with her boyfriend, Chief Kenny Towne, and his daughters and his ex-wife, not everything goes according to Rebecca's plans. After the last hikers finish, a terrifying discovery is made that leaves one business owner beheaded for the hills.
Without a witness or so much as a fingerprint, how will she help end this nightmare of a case?
Roundtop Mountain in Bristol, New Hampshire, is the site of Rebecca Ramsey's favorite childhood Halloween memory - The Haunted Hike. As the town's current librarian, she decides to bring all of those ghoulish and gruesome memories back to life for the children of the Newfound region. Local businesses sponsor spine-tingling stops along the trail to haunt and horrify, prank and petrify. Sweet treats and spooky scenes are the highlight of the event.
On her first outing with her boyfriend, Chief Kenny Towne, and his daughters and his ex-wife, not everything goes according to Rebecca's plans. After the last hikers finish, a terrifying discovery is made that leaves one business owner beheaded for the hills.
Without a witness or so much as a fingerprint, how will she help end this nightmare of a case?
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2023
42 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 5, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening ✨🤔🎆🤗🎉
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 15
Rebecca is part of the haunted hike where a local man is murdered. She is asking questions around the village which leads to the arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels. 2024
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 15
Rebecca is part of the haunted hike where a local man is murdered. She is asking questions around the village which leads to the arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels. 2024
November 2, 2025
2 stars. Totally forgettable. I began reading it one day and by the next I had forgotten all about it, it was quite a surprise when I turned on my kindle and it was there.
June 11, 2024
"With Sugar on Roundtop (A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery #5)" by Virginia K. Bennett is a great Halloween themed quick read cozy mystery. I really liked the change in opening from previous books in the series. It connected you more to the character. Also, I think the idea of a haunted hike is a bit scarier than a haunted house. It's nice though that it was just standard spooks and tricks not out and out scary, it is a family event.
The good and the bad thing about quick read cozy mysteries is that sometimes you don't get enough information to really make a guess at the murderer. I feel like I was just starting to get enough to make a guess when this one got to the reveal. I'm okay with that. I like the challenge of a cozy mystery and too many I know who it is right away. With this series I don't as often.
The good and the bad thing about quick read cozy mysteries is that sometimes you don't get enough information to really make a guess at the murderer. I feel like I was just starting to get enough to make a guess when this one got to the reveal. I'm okay with that. I like the challenge of a cozy mystery and too many I know who it is right away. With this series I don't as often.
November 5, 2024
In a quaint community of Newfound Lake where Halloween traditions run deep, Rebecca Ramsey is determined to revive a cherished childhood memory—The Haunted Hike. This fun spine-chilling event, once a highlight for local businesses and families alike, promises a night of thrilling entertainment. But Rebecca's dreams of a successful revival are quickly overshadowed by a horrific twist.
On the opening night, the festivities take a dark turn when a local business competitor is found dead, leaving everyone wondering if someone finally decided to take their rivalry to a whole new level—talk about a real cutthroat business! As whispers of foul play spread, Rebecca finds herself plunged into a chilling mystery. Partnering with the astute Chief Kenny Towne, the pair embarks on a desperate quest for justice.
With a tangled web of suspects, each harboring their own grudges against the victim, Rebecca and Chief Towne must navigate a labyrinth of deceit and hidden motives. The absence of witnesses and the scarcity of clues only add to the challenge. As they dig deeper, a chilling question hangs in the air: can they unearth the truth before the trail goes cold, or will this haunting mystery slip through their fingers like a ghost in the night?
Virginia Bennett's "With Sugar on Roundtop," the fifth installment in the “A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery” series, is a delightful and fast-paced mystery that will captivate readers with its charming cast of characters and engaging plot. The protagonist, Rebecca, is portrayed as caring and thoughtful, always prioritizing others' needs above her own. However, in this installment, she experiences a twinge of hurt when Chief Towne receives all the credit for solving the mystery, despite her significant contributions. Yet, Rebecca's compassionate nature remains undiminished, endearing her even more to readers.
One of the standout elements of the book is how Virginia Bennett intricately weaves Rebecca's personal life into the narrative. As Rebecca navigates complex familial ties with Kenny and his ex-wife's family, particularly concerning their twin daughters, readers gain insight into her struggles as she tried not to step on any toes. This glimpse into her personal life adds depth to her character, providing another compelling reason for readers to root for her as she gracefully handles these challenges.
The novel also shines through its enjoyable descriptions of the Halloween-themed businesses that populate the town. Bennett’s subtle yet evocative depictions of these events create an immersive setting that complements the mystery. Additionally, Rebecca’s love for cooking and baking is beautifully detailed, adding another layer of warmth to the story. Her culinary skills are not just a means to win hearts but also a clever strategy to extract crucial information from Chief Towne regarding the ongoing investigation.
Virginia Bennett ensures that readers are kept on their toes with an array of unexpected twists and turns, skillfully tying up loose ends to deliver a satisfying and unforeseen conclusion. The series is crafted in such a way that each book can stand alone, allowing readers to jump in at any point without feeling lost. Virginia Bennett continues to demonstrate her prowess in creating cozy mysteries that are both engaging and heartwarming. For those who haven't yet visited Newfound Lake, "With Sugar on Roundtop" offers the perfect invitation to get lost in its charm.
On the opening night, the festivities take a dark turn when a local business competitor is found dead, leaving everyone wondering if someone finally decided to take their rivalry to a whole new level—talk about a real cutthroat business! As whispers of foul play spread, Rebecca finds herself plunged into a chilling mystery. Partnering with the astute Chief Kenny Towne, the pair embarks on a desperate quest for justice.
With a tangled web of suspects, each harboring their own grudges against the victim, Rebecca and Chief Towne must navigate a labyrinth of deceit and hidden motives. The absence of witnesses and the scarcity of clues only add to the challenge. As they dig deeper, a chilling question hangs in the air: can they unearth the truth before the trail goes cold, or will this haunting mystery slip through their fingers like a ghost in the night?
Virginia Bennett's "With Sugar on Roundtop," the fifth installment in the “A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery” series, is a delightful and fast-paced mystery that will captivate readers with its charming cast of characters and engaging plot. The protagonist, Rebecca, is portrayed as caring and thoughtful, always prioritizing others' needs above her own. However, in this installment, she experiences a twinge of hurt when Chief Towne receives all the credit for solving the mystery, despite her significant contributions. Yet, Rebecca's compassionate nature remains undiminished, endearing her even more to readers.
One of the standout elements of the book is how Virginia Bennett intricately weaves Rebecca's personal life into the narrative. As Rebecca navigates complex familial ties with Kenny and his ex-wife's family, particularly concerning their twin daughters, readers gain insight into her struggles as she tried not to step on any toes. This glimpse into her personal life adds depth to her character, providing another compelling reason for readers to root for her as she gracefully handles these challenges.
The novel also shines through its enjoyable descriptions of the Halloween-themed businesses that populate the town. Bennett’s subtle yet evocative depictions of these events create an immersive setting that complements the mystery. Additionally, Rebecca’s love for cooking and baking is beautifully detailed, adding another layer of warmth to the story. Her culinary skills are not just a means to win hearts but also a clever strategy to extract crucial information from Chief Towne regarding the ongoing investigation.
Virginia Bennett ensures that readers are kept on their toes with an array of unexpected twists and turns, skillfully tying up loose ends to deliver a satisfying and unforeseen conclusion. The series is crafted in such a way that each book can stand alone, allowing readers to jump in at any point without feeling lost. Virginia Bennett continues to demonstrate her prowess in creating cozy mysteries that are both engaging and heartwarming. For those who haven't yet visited Newfound Lake, "With Sugar on Roundtop" offers the perfect invitation to get lost in its charm.
November 1, 2023
Obvious Suspect
Roundtop Mountain in Bristol, New Hampshire, is the site of Rebecca Ramsey's favorite childhood Halloween memory - The Haunted Hike. As the town's current librarian, she decides to bring all of those ghoulish and gruesome memories back to life for the children of the Newfound region. Local businesses sponsor spine-tingling stops along the trail to haunt and horrify, prank and petrify. Sweet treats and spooky scenes are the highlight of the event.
The culprit was obviously the girlfriend. This is a good
mystery. The girlfriend was just dumped and it was a crime of passion. I borrowed this book from KindleUnlimted. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
Roundtop Mountain in Bristol, New Hampshire, is the site of Rebecca Ramsey's favorite childhood Halloween memory - The Haunted Hike. As the town's current librarian, she decides to bring all of those ghoulish and gruesome memories back to life for the children of the Newfound region. Local businesses sponsor spine-tingling stops along the trail to haunt and horrify, prank and petrify. Sweet treats and spooky scenes are the highlight of the event.
The culprit was obviously the girlfriend. This is a good
mystery. The girlfriend was just dumped and it was a crime of passion. I borrowed this book from KindleUnlimted. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
October 24, 2025
Local librarian Rebecca had a wonderful idea for the Halloween season. She remembered an event from her childhood and wanted to recreate it for local residents.
The Haunted Hike enlisted help from local business sponsors to set up spooky scenes along the way. When local diner owner Kenny is found dead, Rebecca offers to help solve the crime. She shares her information with her boyfriend Police Chief Kenny Towne. I liked how Rebecca was not afraid to speak to everyone and ask lots of questions.
A quick fall cozy read to discover the true culprit.
The Haunted Hike enlisted help from local business sponsors to set up spooky scenes along the way. When local diner owner Kenny is found dead, Rebecca offers to help solve the crime. She shares her information with her boyfriend Police Chief Kenny Towne. I liked how Rebecca was not afraid to speak to everyone and ask lots of questions.
A quick fall cozy read to discover the true culprit.
October 22, 2023
The first chapter brought me back to my childhood Halloweens. I love the idea of a Haunted Hike. I could picture walking through and seeing all of the displays. I love cozy mysteries, but with this series my favorite part is not actually the mystery. It is the relationship between Rebecca and Kenny. I have loved reading about their friendship turning into a romantic relationship. I am totally invested in them. #TeamRebeccaandKenny
March 6, 2025
This was very good, and I'm adding this author to my themed cozy mystery list. The book was well-written and it was light. There was one fairly big question that I had that was never resolved, but it was mentioned enough to let us know that it was, essentially, being glossed over. I can accept that.
I recommend this book to themed cozy lovers, and I will be checking out some of the others!
I recommend this book to themed cozy lovers, and I will be checking out some of the others!
November 15, 2025
A fun murder mystery set in a small nh town
Rebecca is the librarian in the small NH town of Newfoundland lake. She resurrects the haunted hike that she enjoyed as a child. All starts out well until one of the exhibitors is found dead in his display. She digs in to try and solve the murder with the help of her boyfriend Kenny the town sheriff. A fun read.
Rebecca is the librarian in the small NH town of Newfoundland lake. She resurrects the haunted hike that she enjoyed as a child. All starts out well until one of the exhibitors is found dead in his display. She digs in to try and solve the murder with the help of her boyfriend Kenny the town sheriff. A fun read.
October 25, 2025
2.5 Stars
Cute characters, interesting overall mystery... horrible narration, and ridiculous ending. The first half of the book had me, then it was like all reality went out the window. At the end the murderer just simply confessed🤣
Cute characters, interesting overall mystery... horrible narration, and ridiculous ending. The first half of the book had me, then it was like all reality went out the window. At the end the murderer just simply confessed🤣
January 14, 2024
Great book
This is another great book in the Newfound Lake series by Virginia Bennett. I can't wait to read the next book.
This is another great book in the Newfound Lake series by Virginia Bennett. I can't wait to read the next book.
August 23, 2024
The new genre, The Cozy Mystery, is not my cup of tea. I like a lot of meat and substance which is not synonymous with cozy!
However, I did meet the author and she is an amazing person!
However, I did meet the author and she is an amazing person!
March 2, 2025
This was a fun book to read, since I live here in Newfound. I loved reading about all the familiar names/ places. This was quick and fun read. My first from this author.
July 9, 2025
Short and Sweet
I’ve enjoyed reading these short murder mysteries. The investigations are never very realistic, but they’re still very enjoyable to read.
I’ve enjoyed reading these short murder mysteries. The investigations are never very realistic, but they’re still very enjoyable to read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews