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Honeysuckle Bend #2
Prose, Pours and Poison
Callie had such high hopes for the big book talk. Little did she know, it would end in disaster!
Running a BnB can be tough. Like when a famous book collector drops dead in the middle of your grand opening. Suddenly, Callie finds herself wrapped up in a literary murder that’s anything but fiction.
With her bestie Maya running for town council, her maybe-boyfriend Josh acting sketchy, and her dog Smokie more interested in squirrels than catching a killer, Callie’s got to make a go of it on her own. Between small-town politics, secret pasts, and literary lies, it’s going to take more than bubble tea to crack this case.
What happens when the late book collector’s most priceless tome goes missing? What is Maya’s political opponent doing in the dead man’s room? And who is the creepy writer staying in the BnB?
Find out in the second installment of the Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mysteries!
Running a BnB can be tough. Like when a famous book collector drops dead in the middle of your grand opening. Suddenly, Callie finds herself wrapped up in a literary murder that’s anything but fiction.
With her bestie Maya running for town council, her maybe-boyfriend Josh acting sketchy, and her dog Smokie more interested in squirrels than catching a killer, Callie’s got to make a go of it on her own. Between small-town politics, secret pasts, and literary lies, it’s going to take more than bubble tea to crack this case.
What happens when the late book collector’s most priceless tome goes missing? What is Maya’s political opponent doing in the dead man’s room? And who is the creepy writer staying in the BnB?
Find out in the second installment of the Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mysteries!
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
137 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 3, 2025
3⭐️
Even though this series has been a solid 3 stars for me, there is just something about it that keeps having me come back for more. I don't know if it's the small town vibes the mystery vibes or what; maybe a combination of both.
In this book, we're following Callie again and she's up to her usual sleuthing after yet another murder in her town. I really enjoy the laid back approach to this story! Nothing was ever too serious and it's just soooo easy to fly through and binge. I literally finished this in 4 hours...oops. Just like the first one, the ending isn't shocking and it came off a bit predictable at times. Take this book at face value: there's not a whole lot to it, but damn is it entertaining.
This book had a bit more higher stakes than the first one and I liked that these are so simple and easy and fun. It doesn't require a whole lot of brain power and you can knock it out while being thoroughly entertained at the same time! Also similar to the first book, the characters didn't really have any depth, like at all. But I did like the twists and turns this came with regarding the main characters. Predictable and easy to figure out, but so fun.
Overall, this series so far is just all about comfort and vibes. I genuinely think this series is a great one to start in the fall season if you're looking for a small-town murder mystery. It has fun characters, a twisty plot, and a cozy atmosphere that I think some people would really enjoy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: ☕️💛
This cozy mystery series has me absolutely HOOKED and it's only a little of 200 pages?? Sign me up rn 💳
Even though this series has been a solid 3 stars for me, there is just something about it that keeps having me come back for more. I don't know if it's the small town vibes the mystery vibes or what; maybe a combination of both.
In this book, we're following Callie again and she's up to her usual sleuthing after yet another murder in her town. I really enjoy the laid back approach to this story! Nothing was ever too serious and it's just soooo easy to fly through and binge. I literally finished this in 4 hours...oops. Just like the first one, the ending isn't shocking and it came off a bit predictable at times. Take this book at face value: there's not a whole lot to it, but damn is it entertaining.
This book had a bit more higher stakes than the first one and I liked that these are so simple and easy and fun. It doesn't require a whole lot of brain power and you can knock it out while being thoroughly entertained at the same time! Also similar to the first book, the characters didn't really have any depth, like at all. But I did like the twists and turns this came with regarding the main characters. Predictable and easy to figure out, but so fun.
Overall, this series so far is just all about comfort and vibes. I genuinely think this series is a great one to start in the fall season if you're looking for a small-town murder mystery. It has fun characters, a twisty plot, and a cozy atmosphere that I think some people would really enjoy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: ☕️💛
This cozy mystery series has me absolutely HOOKED and it's only a little of 200 pages?? Sign me up rn 💳
December 30, 2025
"Prose, Pours and Poison: A Captivating Cozy Mystery (Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mystery Series Book 2)" by Lisa Pevey has Callie and her friends/employees full established in their new Book Store/Cafe/B&B. It's the old Louisiana plantation house from the first book all fixed up. They even have their first guests.
One is an expert on old, rare book that will be holding a book talk. The other is a bit of an eccentric, self published romance author. She's a bit demanding and may have a thing for the other guest. Well, it seems that all the ladies of a certain age have a thing for the book talk guy.
Unfortunately for the ladies, he is taken off the market in a rather permanent way. Then his rare book he was showing off goes missing too. Oh, we're not done yet. Maya's political campaign rival gets pulled into the curse that seems to be on the house. Leaving the police thinking that someone working in the house may be the suspect.
Callie wants to believe the best in her friends. However, each one shows a side of themselves she didn't think they had that leads her to have doubts of their innocence. Not enough doubt to stop defending them or try to prove their innocences though.
I'm definitely starting to see a pattern to Ms. Pevey's mysteries. The cliffhanger was a good way to hook me too. I look forward to book 3.
One is an expert on old, rare book that will be holding a book talk. The other is a bit of an eccentric, self published romance author. She's a bit demanding and may have a thing for the other guest. Well, it seems that all the ladies of a certain age have a thing for the book talk guy.
Unfortunately for the ladies, he is taken off the market in a rather permanent way. Then his rare book he was showing off goes missing too. Oh, we're not done yet. Maya's political campaign rival gets pulled into the curse that seems to be on the house. Leaving the police thinking that someone working in the house may be the suspect.
Callie wants to believe the best in her friends. However, each one shows a side of themselves she didn't think they had that leads her to have doubts of their innocence. Not enough doubt to stop defending them or try to prove their innocences though.
I'm definitely starting to see a pattern to Ms. Pevey's mysteries. The cliffhanger was a good way to hook me too. I look forward to book 3.
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June 8, 2025In this second book in the Honeysuckle Bend series, we get to revisit Callie, her best friend Maya, and the most reliable pal of them all, Callie’s dog Smokie. Following the events of the first book, we pick up with Callie’s establishment preparing to host an eminent scholar for an exciting literary talk. But of course plans go slightly awry and Callie finds herself acting as detective once more.
Honeysuckle Bend and Myrtlebough again feature as characters in themselves, but we’re also treated to the antics of numerous sparring pairs: Evelyn and Ophelia trying to outbid each other in their dramatic reactions to a death, Gina and Maya fighting it out in a political arena, and Leonard Leonard’s mystery nemesis. Even Callie must face her counterpart in the next town over, another seller of rare books.
And to top it off, among these known knowns and known unknowns comes a twist that further upends Callie’s world on a more personal level.
The return to Honeysuckle Bend is a return to Southern Gothic elements translated into cozy style, from the (literal) foggy atmosphere to a (literal) loving, dioramic perspective of the town, respecting all its moving parts as necessary cogs in the machines of place, identity, and history.
But lurking between all those cozy mystery layers, this book is also a love letter and tribute to William Faulkner. The tidy narrative itself couldn’t be less reminiscent of Faulkner, but the residents of Honeysuckle Bend each have their own experience and opinions regarding the renowned author and writing in general. These experiences and ideas may push characters down opposing paths, but always with respect for Faulkner guiding their actions.
And as per any cozy mystery, eventually the thick kudzu is torn away and the fog inevitably clears to reveal the answers that Callie has been searching for, whether she likes them or not.
Honeysuckle Bend and Myrtlebough again feature as characters in themselves, but we’re also treated to the antics of numerous sparring pairs: Evelyn and Ophelia trying to outbid each other in their dramatic reactions to a death, Gina and Maya fighting it out in a political arena, and Leonard Leonard’s mystery nemesis. Even Callie must face her counterpart in the next town over, another seller of rare books.
And to top it off, among these known knowns and known unknowns comes a twist that further upends Callie’s world on a more personal level.
The return to Honeysuckle Bend is a return to Southern Gothic elements translated into cozy style, from the (literal) foggy atmosphere to a (literal) loving, dioramic perspective of the town, respecting all its moving parts as necessary cogs in the machines of place, identity, and history.
But lurking between all those cozy mystery layers, this book is also a love letter and tribute to William Faulkner. The tidy narrative itself couldn’t be less reminiscent of Faulkner, but the residents of Honeysuckle Bend each have their own experience and opinions regarding the renowned author and writing in general. These experiences and ideas may push characters down opposing paths, but always with respect for Faulkner guiding their actions.
And as per any cozy mystery, eventually the thick kudzu is torn away and the fog inevitably clears to reveal the answers that Callie has been searching for, whether she likes them or not.
November 12, 2025
A couple of dead bodies a book event gone wrong and when some of the dust is settled we have one of our characters get arrestd which opens up another mystery. This will have you a little on the edge of your seat when things get really twisted. Callie and Maya have their hands full in solving this one.
October 30, 2025
just came across this author
This was a really good book. I enjoy having a break from my more heavy reads with a good cozy mystery. This series is definitely going on my list. This author writes well with good characters and interesting storylines. Definitely recommend!
This was a really good book. I enjoy having a break from my more heavy reads with a good cozy mystery. This series is definitely going on my list. This author writes well with good characters and interesting storylines. Definitely recommend!
May 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this Cozy murder mystery! There were so many suspects and possibilities and some major plot twists! I'm looking forward to book 3!
June 12, 2025
I loved this book. It is full of charm and intrigue with enduring and quirky characters. I will be waiting for the next book.
June 25, 2025
What a cool story! I wanted to read more after the first book in this series and it did not disappoint. And the ending! I need more :D Also, Smokie FTW.
September 19, 2025
Slow, going
Got to say this had been so far mylar favorite of the peavey books. Willing to give 8r another read through and a second shot but I wasn't impressed.
Got to say this had been so far mylar favorite of the peavey books. Willing to give 8r another read through and a second shot but I wasn't impressed.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews