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Deep Lakes Cozy #3

Deep Green Envy

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Summer in Deep Lakes sprouts a homegrown murder on the O'Connor farm. Frankie Champagne's hunt for clues lands her deep in sheep doo-doo, especially after rare stones surface in unexpected places. Crime-solving is no picnic for the baker/vintner as she hops from farm to field to bakery, trying to keep up with the tourist season and track a killer, too.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2024

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About the author

Joy Ann Ribar

11 books234 followers
Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. She loves to bake, read, do wine research, and explore nature. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people.
Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.
Sign up for her occasional newsletter at https://joyribar.substack.com/

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5 stars
34 (52%)
4 stars
23 (35%)
3 stars
7 (10%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Kim.
794 reviews52 followers
September 21, 2021
I’ve had the pleasure of reading the Deep Lakes Cozy Mysteries by Joy Ribar from book one, and I truly mean it when I say each book keeps getting better… and Deep Dark Secrets was really good to start!

In Deep Green Envy, Ribar is able to combine lots of diverse and well developed characters with the wines and baked goods that make Wisconsin so unique. As well as detailed descriptions of the countryside that will make readers want to visit Central Wisconsin. And she does it all with the panache that makes it seem effortless.

Add in a crime with lots of suspects and a few red herrings and you are in for a treat. Who knew Wisconsin could create such opulent wines and authors? Anyone who’s read Joy Ribar’s Deep Lakes Cozy Mysteries, that’s who!
Profile Image for Joy Ribar.
Author 11 books234 followers
July 29, 2022
I'm proud of the latest in the series. It was nominated for a Chanticleer Cozy Mystery award and I am crowing a little about that. Hope you enjoy this mystery-within-a-mystery book. - Joy
Profile Image for Quinn.
962 reviews
June 22, 2022
I received this kindle book from Goodreads.com. I did not care for Frankie, the main character. I found her overbearing, condescending, and a one dimensional character. She wanted her daughter to mature but only on Frankie’s terms. The mystery itself was fine but not written very well.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,253 reviews33 followers
October 8, 2021
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking on the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2021/10/11/4-...



Deep Green Envy is the first book I’ve read by Joy Ann Ribar, and I hope to read the first two books in the series as well.

Amateur sleuth and freelance investigative reporter Frankie seems to be one step ahead of the cops, figuring it all out. I highly doubt, however, the police would share information with Frankie.

The small town of Deep Lakes, Wisconsin, has several sheep farms and other small businesses. Frankie owns Bountiful Fruits Winery, Frankie and her partner, Carmen, own Bubble and Bake—a wine and bakery shop—which is an interesting concept. Carmen and her husband own one of the farms. All are some of the backdrops to the story. The relationships between many of the characters were heartfelt and heartwarming. They weren’t perfect, which makes them more real.

Ms. Riber weaves multiple stories together, and the emotions and intrigues along with them, and, for the most part, she does a good job. There are vivid descriptions of the lake town and the many businesses. The quote at the beginning of each chapter was food for thought of what was to come. The epilogue gave closure to the story—the more lighthearted writing by Frankie at the end of the book tied into the story nicely.

Ms. Ribar has written a fast-paced, multi-layered cozy mystery, keeping this reader on the edge of my seat as the clues unfolded page-by-page. Deep Green Envy adds up to a satisfying read.
502 reviews12 followers
October 3, 2021
enjoyed this book!

I enjoy Great Escapes Book Tours because it gives me a chance to read a book that I might not pick up otherwise.

The cover and title did not draw me in.

After I read a little and caught myself wanting to turn the pages I kept wonder about the cover and why I disliked it.

I was enjoying meeting the characters.

I liked "Frankie" from the beautiful. "Frankie" is a smart and talented cookie. I was fascinated with her bakery/wine lounge concept. And I must give author Joy Ann Ribar a thumbs up for coming up with such a clever job for our girl "Frankie"!

And an interesting choice for a boyfriend. The town coroner has our girls heart.

Joy Ann Ribar has created a page turning Cozy that kept intrigued to the end.

And then I had to figure out that cover! I looked at the earlier books in the series and then suddenly that cover grew on me. Together they lured me in wanting more.

This series is one I will want in copies for my library. Added to my wish list.

I received a complimentary copy.



Profile Image for Sherrill Joseph.
Author 5 books102 followers
September 28, 2021
Ready for some murder and international intrigue with your wine, cheese, and pastries?

Then read Joy Ribar’s recently released Deep Green Envy, Book 3 in her Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery series.

Francine “Frankie” Champagne (aptly named!) is a Wisconsin vintner and baker who co-owns Bubble and Bake, a bakery and wine lounge. When a man is shot to death in his truck next door to her vineyard, she enters the case using her experience and credentials as a news reporter for the local newspaper.

As Frankie investigates deeper into the tragedy, she discovers she has cause to double down on protecting a loved one. Also to her horror, she learns the case reaches far beyond the Midwest. Frankie is determined to piece together the strange clues, serve the criminals up for justice, and bring safety back to her home and town.

Along with an outstanding mystery, readers will relish Ribar’s tantalizing descriptions of baked goods and villainously deeds. A delectable read all around!
Profile Image for Laurie Buchanan.
Author 9 books377 followers
September 23, 2021
Frankie—a journalist, bakery, and vineyard owner—finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery, to the dismay of her daughter, but not her favorite coroner. A delightful whodunit that proves time spent in the company of this heroine is time well spent indeed. One of the strongest facets of Ribar's captivating series is her insider knowledge of baking, wines—and in this case, sheep—which lends authenticity to the plot and puts a unique spin on the cozy mystery genre. I've read all of the books in this series and am hooked!
Profile Image for Jamie Rutland.
Author 8 books716 followers
September 21, 2021
I love this entire series!! This (at least to me) was the best book in the series so far. Joy Ribar creates characters that you want to be friends with and settings that you want to step into. Her stories keep my interest and I had to read this one in one sitting. It was just that good! The sheep farm created a perfect setting for intrigue. I highly recommend this book!
141 reviews
January 13, 2024
I feel like we've become friends! The characters in the Deep Lakes Mystery Book series feel like friends and family. This book did not disappoint, both in the character development and plot. Just as I thought I had figured it out, there would be a new twist.
Profile Image for Cathy.
10 reviews4 followers
September 9, 2024
Fun cozy mystery. Love the characters Frankie and Carmen and their families and I enjoy how the characters are developing through the series.
Will definitely read the next book.
And, love the recipes!
Profile Image for Barb.
253 reviews
April 15, 2022
Enjoyed this 3 book series set in Three Lakes, WI. I wish I could visit the Bubble and Bake, the bakery by day and wine bar by night! Fun mystery stories that keep you reading and enjoying!
Profile Image for Mandi Reader.
92 reviews11 followers
October 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Found this book through the campaign and absolutely loved it. Frankie’s confidence and humor make her such a joy to read pun intended!
Profile Image for Sharon Lynn.
Author 6 books78 followers
January 6, 2022
Deep Green Envy starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up! Ribar seamless folds together threads to cook up an intricate and delicious mystery. A sheep farm shooting, delicate tea cookies, and wine are the perfect combination!
Profile Image for Kelly Young.
Author 42 books61 followers
August 15, 2021
I really enjoyed the fourth instalment of this series. This is the best one yet!
Deep Green Envy starts with a bang and doesn't let up. Joy Ann Ribar cements her standing among the up and coming cozy mystery writers with this book. With elements of an international thriller hidden inside a cozy mystery, this book keeps you turning the pages and guessing to the very end.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews