Pineapple Easter Egg

by Amy Vansant

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Every book can be read as a standalone mystery - hop in anywhere in the series. By USA Today, Wall Street Journal & Amazon All-Star bestselling author Amy Vansant.

A super fun and unique mystery full of hidden "Easter eggs" for you to spot - Famous actor anagrams, Jimmy Buffet song references - find them all!

Easter eggs surround the body. One of them has a note. Charlotte teams up with Sheriff Frank to solve a cryptic murder in a do-or-dye situation...

Too bad she won't have help. Uncle Seamus and Bob accompany Declan to his charity swim in Tampa, Florida, only to find themselves in pursuit of a stolen life-sized Jimmy Buffett cutout. Darla and Mariska travel to the center of Florida to meet Mariska's newly found cousin at an art festival, where a man with a crush on Mariska bobs up in the lake. After she's thrown in jail as a murder suspect, it's up to Darla and some very familiar locals to hatch a plan, solve the crime, and clear her name.

It's all very egg-citing!

Genres: Mystery, Humor

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Amy Vansant is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author who writes with an unique blend of thrills, romance and humor (occasionally with a touch of time travel or fantasy). Check out the Pineapple Port Mystery series or her Urban Fantasy Thriller, the Kilty Series!
Website: http://www.amyvansant.com/
She loves interacting with fans when the dog isn't laying on top of her, so stop by her blog or Twitter and say hi!

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍍 Pineapple Easter Egg: An Easter Mystery by Amy Vansant

A pastel-coated whodunit where chocolate bunnies hide secrets and small-town charm masks deadly mischief.

✨ Review
**🕵️ Triple-Layer Mystery: Three interwoven puzzles—a missing heirloom, a poisoned Easter brunch, and a decades-old grudge—keep you guessing like an egg hunt gone rogue.

**😂 Humor with Bite: Vansant’s signature wit shines (think Murder She Wrote meets Gilmore Girls), though some one-liners land softer than others.

**🐩 Quirky Cast: Retiree sleuth Charlotte and her nosy Pineapple Port neighbors steal scenes, especially the scene-stealing corgi with a nose for trouble.

**🎨 Easter Egg Extravaganza: Clever hidden references (literal and literary) reward attentive readers—like finding the golden ticket in a chocolate box.

**⏳ Pacing Puzzle: The middle sags slightly under backstory dumps, but the finale’s breakneck reveal is worth the wait.

⭐ Star Breakdown (0–5)
Plot Twists: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (One twist made me gasp aloud—but another felt like a recycled eggshell.)
Cozy Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club’s blend of mischief and murder.)
Character Chemistry: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Charlotte’s banter with the sheriff? Adorable. Some sidekicks? Forgettable.)
Seasonal Charm: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Dye-stained fingers and pastel crime scenes—Easter has never been so sinister.)
Originality: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5) (Tropes aplenty, but Vansant dyes them in her own vibrant palette.)
Overall: 4.3/5 - Like a chocolate bunny with a surprise caramel center—sweet, playful, and delightfully unpredictable.

🙏 Thank you to Amy Vansant for the advance review copy. Pair with Knives Out for more quirky sleuthing, or The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie for another candy-coated crime romp.

(Note: The “egg hunt” climax—complete with a villain monologue in a bunny costume—is pure cozy-genius.)

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. There is a lot going on with three investigations going on. Charlotte and Frank are investigating two murders with a strange twist, Bob and Seamus work a theft case and Darla and Mariska are accused of murder. Each case is very different from each other and has its own chapter, making it easy to follow and highly entertaining as they unfold. I think I liked Darla and Mariska's case the most as the author had a lot of fun with that one, especially with some new characters. Charlotte's was more about mystery and working out what the clues in the Easter eggs meant, with a lot of references to films. While Seamus's is purely about humour. Add them altogether and you have one big entertaining story.
When Mariska discovers a cousin she has never met, she and Darla visit an arts festival she is running to met her. Unfortunately while there somebody kills the mayor and Mariska with no alibi is in the frame for the death, unless her counter parts can clear her name. Declan signs up for a charity swim and ends up taking Seamus and Bob along for the ride. When the swim proves to much for them, Bob and Seamus decide to keep the bar propt up only to find there detective skills are needed when somebody steals from the bar. Charlotte rather than having a quiet day, finds herself called in to a murder scene. Things escalate and she soon finds herself looking at two dead bodies and lots of Easter eggs. Could the eggs hold a clue to solving the murders?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the twenty-first installment of the Pineapple Port Mystery series. It has three mysteries:
1. Charlotte & Frank are investigating an Easter Egg killer;
2. Darla & Mariska are investigating the death of a smalltown mayor that no one likes; and
3. Seamus and Bob are investigating the missing Jimmy Buffet cutout from a bar.

I enjoyed the premise around the Easter Egg killer; didn’t care for Darla & Mariska’s adventure; and I was entertained by Bob & Seamus misadventures. I found humor in all but Darla & Mariska sad tale. What I did like about the Darla & Mariska tale was the introduction of Deena And Mitzi as wannabe Darla & Marika sleuths. They learned of the two via Lucy’s podcasts.

This was not my favorite book but it was entertaining. I would rate it overall a 3.5. I was given an advanced readers’ copy and these are my opinions.

[Alicia Luechtefeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pineapple Easter Egg by Amy Vansant is the 24th book in the Pineapple Port Mystery Series. I have always enjoyed this series and this one was very enjoyable. This book had three mysteries that kept you guessing.

Charlotte is called away to a murder. The victim is surrounded by empty Easter eggs. But one egg has a clue. Charlotte must work with Frank to figure out who the killer is before more people die.

Mariska and Darla head to meet Mariska’s new found cousin. But when the mayor winds up dead and Mariska is being the accused they must figure out who did it to clear her name.

Declan is heading to Tampa for a charity swim when Seamus and Bob tag along. Instead of swimming the two decide to drink. But when a Jimmy Buffet cut out goes missing at the bar the two work out a deal if they can find it.

These books always make me laugh. While I figured out the Mariska mystery relatively early the others kept me guessing. I’ll definitely read more in this series!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best book of the series. It has multiple storylines. Declan, Seamus and Bob go to a charity swim. While Declan swims Bob and Seamus search for Jimmy Jr
Charlotte and Frank at home solve several murders that happen all in one day. They meet interesting characters along the way at a different retirement community.
Mariska and Darla go to meet Mariska’s missing cousin! Then Mariska is framed for murder.
This book has plenty of action, mystery and drama. I loved all the stories. It was easy to keep track of each one. I highly recommend this book and this series! Fantastic book!

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting and very creative especially the murders. They were all very well thought out. The characters were also developed well. Unfortunately many were well developed as extremely annoying people. I was at a slight disadvantage because this was book 24 of an ongoing series. It didn’t take long to catch up and it was nice to see the book was able to be read and enjoyed without having to read all the books that came before. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I will now find the first book in the series and read that one too.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte and Frank investigate murders where there are clues and helpful (or not) neighbours whilst Seamus and Bob investigate a missing pub sign while Declan tries in vain to get some peace to do a charity swim. Meanwhile Mariska and Darla find themselves embroiled in a murder in a town with odd personalities. As ever there is a lot of fun amidst and chaos and unexpected twists. Totally enjoyable.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

25th book in the series? HOWWWWWWW?? I started with number one (back in the day, when the day happened) and suggest that you do, too. I belong to the writer's newsletter and get occasional freebies - such as this book! I really enjoyed the read, its a long way from Charlotte living in the original 'hood, but it works.. and I did find some eggs. No spoilers, but my fave was "pink crustacean"...This writer excels in humor AND snark, and I have loved every book so far.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to an already stellar series. Yes there’s a murder, yes it’s a mystery, but there is so much humor sometimes it’s hard to remember that. I was actually laughing out loud as I read this. Maritska and Darla are a hoot and Bob and Shamus were running a close second in this story. Even if you haven’t read any of the other books, this one shouldn’t be missed.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many mysteries

I used to enjoy this series, but the past few have been hard too read, too many different mysteries in one book. I understand the need to have things happen outside of Pineapple Port, but three different stories at one time is too much. I hope future books go back to one story being told.

[Kerrie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good edition to the series!

I love there's 3 different scenarios. Charlotte and Frank are investigating murders at home. Mariska and Darla have gone to an art show to meet Mariska's cousin she just found out about and a man is found murdered there and Mariska is accused. Then Seamus and Bob get involved looking for a Jimmy Buffet cutout! Shenanigans abound! Love this seties!

[Richard Cowart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

A standard weird start to the day in Pineapple Port, Declan is going to a charity swim with Bob and Seamus, Mariska and Darla are headed to a small town in Central Florida to meet a long lost cousin. That leaves Charlotte to help Sheriff Frank with 2 1/2 murders just your typical morning. Excellent reading

[D'Ann Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best yet!

These characters just get better and better, as do their adventures. Every time a new Pineapple Port mystery comes out I drop whatever I'm reading to start it. Always slam through too fast, swearing I will slow down and I'm done in a day. If you haven't read them all, stop denying some really great reads.

[Doris Brase · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Easter Surprise

So many mysteries. And so many investigators. There's ,Darla and her shadow who go looking for a long lost relative in a rustic camp ground. Then there's Declan who just wants to swim and is cornered by Seamus and Bob. Lastly, Charlotte is truly helping the Chief track down a murderer. It's a bit hard to keep straight but really fun to read.

[Sue Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute and fun cozy mystery series with some interesting characters. There were 3 mysteries in the book being looked into my different members of the core characters. Some humorous hijinks ensue in the solving of these cases. This is the 24th book in the series.

Thank you Goodreads and Amy Vansant for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pineapple Easter Egg: Pineapple Port Mysteries book 24

Fantastic characters who real
Y can make you laugh. There are two different mysteries, so it takes a little getting used to changing chapter to chapter but worth it in the end.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series
Great recurring characters as well as the main ones. This time there are three crimes to solve, two with murders and one more a comedy of errors than a hard-core crime. The series is always entertaining. Highly recommend! Number 24 in the series.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 24 in the series

Mariska and Darla attend an art festival to meet Mariska’s new-found cousin and get involved with a murder. Charlotte is asked by Frank to help solve what looks like three murders. Bob and Seamus have their own adventure. A great story.

[Vicki Tibbitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for Easter

Another raucous read. Laugh out loud hijinks and Interesting characters. It is a bit odd to have 3 mysteries in one book. Jumping from one group to another with each chapter is a new one for me, but it didn't detract from the book as a whole.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully quirky. I found it slightly challenging to keep track of all the many unique characters, but I don't think I would have had that problem if I had read any of the earlier 24 books in the series.

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pineapple Port Mysteries

This one had so many twist and turns. Charolette was with the Sheriff and her two “adopted” aunts. Her two adopted aunts can get in a heck of of a mess. I have to admit they had plenty of help this time. Enjoy.

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romp by Amy Vansant. And this time we don't get just one mystery, not just two mysteries, but three mysteries as the main characters divide into three groups and conquer!
Don't miss it!

[Ruth Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

3 story lines with 3 different mysteries. It was enjoyable a so well written I want to re-read this book again.

[Bonnie Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not her best book. I really thought it was going to be about Easter which is why I saved it for this week.

[sandra fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!

I've read the whole series but especially liked this because of the format. Three different murders one for each of the teams. Well worth the reading.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the latest book in this series. Great characters and loved the three challenging mysteries that were revealed. Can’t wait for the next novel.

[Marilyn Dykstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! One of the funniest yet. Three great capers going on in this one. Loved the Jimmy Buffet song Easter Eggs in the guys adventure. This was a fun story.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun entry in the series. Interesting characters, a good feel for the setting, twists and turns, and murder. And hilarity.

[Helen Plunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

pineapple Port

It is always a good time visiting Pineapple Port with its wacky cast of characters! Murder mayhem and plenty of laughs!

[Val Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I absolutely love these books. I'm always looking out for the next one! I live in Florida so it makes it that much better to read!