Murder on the Ballot: A Blue Lake Cozy Murder Mystery - Book 6

Blue Lake Cozy Murder Mysteries #6

by Hadley K. Knox

★★★★★ "If you like cozy mysteries, then this series is perfect" - Reader review
★★★★★ "Excellent storytelling, character development, and a Number 1 hit. Well worth the read!!" - Reader review
_____________

Polls are open - and murder gets a vote!

When everyone has a secret, who can you trust?

Summer is back in beautiful Blue Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, where former NYPD forensics expert Celia Strong and her daughter Katie have settled into a new life in Blue Lake Village, where Celia owns Ye Olde Ice Cream Shoppe.

Four candidates are running for town supervisor in a heated race. One received an anonymous note - It was you. And I have proof. When Celia and her friends from 'the block' agree to investigate, the trail leads to deception, intrigue, and finally - murder.

Can Celia and Co. untangle a web of lies to catch a killer before it's too late?

Meanwhile, Celia confronts the man responsible for the murder of her NYPD-detective husband. A forged painting, a gangster's wife, and a compromising photograph all come into play. Who is the mysterious Mr. White?

What will happen when they finally meet face to face?

He's killed before - will he kill again?

The clock is ticking in serene Blue Lake Village in the sixth book in the Blue Lake Cozy Murder Mystery series by Hadley K. Knox. Order your copy to see if the mystery unravels and Celia and her friends prevail!

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading all of the books in this series, I feel as if I know the characters personally. When I imagine the lake town of Blue Lake, I want to escape there myself. For those like myself who have been following this series from book #1, I am waiting anxiously to see if Celia can finally have peace about her husband's death. Now she has another mystery on her hands when one of the four candidates for town supervisor receives a threatening note.

Celia and company vow to get to the bottom of who sent the note and what it means. This one was fast-paced as you are carried back and forth between two mysteries. It is a cut throat race for the office of town supervisor where each candidate had secrets. Celia's plan to hopefully get justice for her deceased husband is coming to a head as well. This was a one sitting read for me as I could not quit reading it. The final twist in the end was shocking and interesting to say the least. I hope to see more from Blue Lake, as it is one of my favorite fictional towns to escape to while reading.

Cozy mystery lovers will devour it. You do not have to read the other five books in this series. However, I would highly recommend it so you can get a good feel for the characters and their backstories, and also simply because they are all good books. I think this was my favorite of the six books.

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathy Koester · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading all of the books in this series, I feel this is one of the best stories. I love the storyline and the little town in the Adirondack Mountains. Since I live in upstate New York and Adirondacks, this town reminds me of Lake George, including the Ye Old Ice Cream shoppe, which is similar to ice cream shops also found in Lake George.

The characters are wonderful. In this story we are hoping Celia can finally solve the mystery about her husband's death.

This story is fast-paced as you are bounced between two mysteries. One mystery concerns Celia's husband's death which we followed along throughout the previous books. We are waiting to see the resolution. The other mystery concerned 4 candidates for Town Supervisor. We find out each has a secret and suddenly, a murder occurs. Between getting justice for her deceased husband and solving the mystery twist of plot, this is an entertaining story. This is a fast paced cozy mystery, which was enjoyable to read. I also recommend reading the previous 5 books. Great characters and storyline!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cozy mystery is charming. The underlying matter is four finalists for an election and three citizens who have a history of solving crimes. It almost seems like they are looking for a crime so they can solve it. The only mystery in the beginning is that one of the candidates got a threatening note. So, they throw everything thing they've got looking for the source of the note. And, of course, when you are in a cozy mystery, a crime will happen. In this case, a guy dies. What follows is almost a Keystone Cops episode of people falling over themselves to find the connections between the candidates, the threatening note, and the murder.

The book starts rather slow while the characters are introduced, but quickly becomes crazy complex. It felt like too many characters with too little to do, so it was hard to get into the book. In the end, I had a warm feeling for these bungling citizens.

Read when you have time to process the craziness.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet justice and a messy election

This book is the culmination of Celia’s long plans and her real reason for moving to Blue Lake. Along the way there is another murder this time in the next town over but still connected to the lake through the ongoing election. As I said most of the focus in this book has switched. In prior stories Celia’s plans were the background and the murder was in the forefront here the reverse is true. There’s a very surprising conclusion to her plan and an intriguing ending hinting at things to come. The pacing in these stories are methodical this book just felt slow especially considering the stakes. I’m also not sure that we needed the election drama to make this story work. I mean it was a good mystery plot to unravel but I think I would’ve liked to have this be all about Celia and her plan. I give this 3.5/5 stars.
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's election time for Town Supervisor of Blue Lake village, an office with too much power. There are four candidates and one receives a threatening note just days before the vote. He come sto Celia aand the block group for help in finding who sent it. As they search into the other candidates to see who may have been responsible Celia and Carmen's plan to get the man who murdered their husbands is moving forward. With much action on two fronts there is not a lot of slow time in this story. The many supporting characters are well written and contribute greatly to the solving of the mystery. I think it is the best of the series so far, and look forward to the new direction hinted at in the final sentances.
I received an advance review copy for free through Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in this series and I have felt that I am part of the lake resort where all the action happens. It has been a joy to vicariously live these 6 sets of events - I particularly liked that the backbone mystery theme that was the murder of Cecilia's cop spouse murder gets a kind of closure - I cannot tell more as this would spoil the read for others.

I am delighted to see that the main protagonists of the 6 books are now going to set up a detective agency and a new set of books in the Blue Lake vicinity are in the making.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celia Strong former NYPD Forensic expert and now owner of the Ye Olde Ice Cream Shoppe is asked by Preston Parker one of the candidates for the towns supervisor position for Blue Lake Village to help him as he received an anonymous treat which triggers a chain reaction. Meanwhile Celia wants to confront the man who killed her husband Joe who had also been a NYPD detective . There is a lot of twist and turns ,mayhem with forged painting , all leading to a person unknown. A intriguing read with a nail-biting finish. I received this ARC copy via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Sandy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining cozy mystery story. Celia, with her friends and business neighbors are known for solving mysteries including murder mysteries. I love her character as a small business owner, mother, and widow of a policeman whom was killed in the line of duty. She doesn't seek out credit and delegates to others to help solve the problem efficiently and accurately. She also works with the law enforcement agencies. The stories are original, well written with a variety of interesting characters and moves along quickly. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess, I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but it read fine as a stand alone. Now ,I need to go back and read the others! Celia owns Ye Olde Ice Cream Shoppe in the Adirondacks at Blue Lake Village. She also used to be a forensic analyst for the NYPD, before her husband was murdered during an undercover assignment. She’s determined to figure out who killed her husband, and has a great group of friends to help her. They also decide to investigate the interesting people running for Town Supervisor, a position with a lot of power and authority. A fun story to follow! I received a free copy of this book and write this review voluntarily.

[Yoanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of cozy mysteries. It's great the way the books always have a twist, and the author inserts reminders about the characters as the reader tries to figure out "who done it". I especially enjoy this series as it brings happy memories of a lake area in upper New York. The author creates a delightful small town atmosphere while inserting lesser known historical facts. Also, the chapters aren't long, and the author's books never drag on and on. I'm looking forward to reading more from this talented author and seeing the always inviting covers.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader copy from Book Sirens. This is the 6 th book in a series. They can be read as stand alone, but so much better in order. I have read all of them and look forward to the new series with the same characters. So much is happening, a vote for town Supervisor, an art fraud, gambling, real estate development, an accident, the mob, gangsters, a romance, a past girlfriend, and theft. It all gets connected in about a week! Great fun!

[Bette Reith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the Blue Lake series. Four people are up for election in the small town of Blue Lake, but they all hide secrets. Can Celia and the “block” uncover them before the election? Celia also will finally meet the man responsible for her husband’s death. Two great story lines, both intriguing for the reader. Sorry to see this series end. If you like solving mystery puzzles without the sex and gore, this author, is for you. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. In this case, that bad apple had long reaching threads of deceit and corruption and ran this small town. Can this small town take its' future back from the evil that possesses it, or are they doomed to be pawns of the evil??? The surprise twists at the end were totally satisfying and left me with a smile. I voluntarily read a free copy of this provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on Ballot is book 6 in A Blue Lake Cozy Murder Mystery by Hadley K Knox. Book 6 was do interesting with several different things happening. The town is holding an election a new Town Supervisor… politics is NOT always nice and this election is to die for. Celia is still looking to meet the man responsible for killing her husband. She is getting close. I could do put this book down because it was wonderful. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Lake Village is in the midst of an election for Town Supervisor. Four candidates are in fierce competition and they all have secrets. A murder occurs and Celia and her friends investigate. There is art fraud, mob ties, and other intrigue involved. Plus Celia gets more information on her husband’s death. Plenty of action to keep you turning pages. Can you solve the case before Celia?

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elections are being held in Blue Lake to replace the position of a retiring representative. Celia has a plan to solve her Husband's murder which took place in NY. She also gets involved in the election as a candidate asks for help then there is a murder. Celia is helping solve the case there are a lot of twists and turns that were unexpected. This was a really fun story and I recommend it.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Lake community is holding an election for town supervisor. A mysterious note and a murder seem to revolve around the election. I enjoyed reading along as suspects were ruled out starting with the four candidates. Art forgery, gambling, mob connections and a secondary mystery of what happened to Celia's husband add intrigue to this page-turner. I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. The conclusion is an exciting one and I for one am looking forward to reading more of Lorna and Celia's sleuthing adventures. If you love cozy mysteries this series is a must read.

[Mickey Kay Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful that I finally read this book because it was a good one! Wonderful characters and easy read. It was hard to put done once I started it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynn Winkelmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this whole series. This one was one of my favorites.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Blue Lake Murder Mystery. This is such a awesome series. Each book is so unique. I highly recommend reading each one...

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Murder on the Ballot (A Blue Lake Cozy Murder Mystery #6)" by Hadley K. Knox has a lot going on in one little book. Sometimes it felt like too much for one little book and the jumping around got a little disjointed.

We have the plot where someone sent a letter to one of the candidates claiming to know something they did. This leads to the main plot of trying to figure which knows what about each of the candidates for mayoral like position. That leads to a medical assistance fraud scam. Which results in the death of the scammer...past the half way point of the book. While at the same time, Celia is plotting with a gangster's window to take down her husband's killer with an art forgery scheme (this is one of the crossover plots between books that's funny at a conclusion).

With all that going on and the dead person not coming into the picture, this isn't a very "murder mystery" of a book as it claims to be. They're interesting mysteries without it and could be even better if it didn't have to have that aspect or maybe threw it in sooner to the book. However, this seems to be the trend of this series.