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Dream Club Mystery #2
Dream a Little Scream
The national bestselling author of Nightmares Can Be Murder once again gathers together the members of the Dream Club in Savannah, Georgia, where the book tour of a famous chef becomes a recipe for disaster…
Behind her down-home folksy persona, celebrity chef Sonia Scott is a real Dixie diva who’s made plenty of enemies in her climb to the top of the culinary world. One of them is the newest member of the Dream Club, Etta Mae Beasley, who claims Sonia stole her family’s recipes and used them in her latest cookbook.
After Sonia’s suspicious death from anaphylactic shock at a book signing held at Taylor and Ali’s retro candy store, Etta’s revelation sows seeds of doubt in Taylor Blake’s mind. Now the Dream Club needs to put their heads together to determine if one of their own decided to give the chef her just desserts…
Behind her down-home folksy persona, celebrity chef Sonia Scott is a real Dixie diva who’s made plenty of enemies in her climb to the top of the culinary world. One of them is the newest member of the Dream Club, Etta Mae Beasley, who claims Sonia stole her family’s recipes and used them in her latest cookbook.
After Sonia’s suspicious death from anaphylactic shock at a book signing held at Taylor and Ali’s retro candy store, Etta’s revelation sows seeds of doubt in Taylor Blake’s mind. Now the Dream Club needs to put their heads together to determine if one of their own decided to give the chef her just desserts…
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 2, 2015
13 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kennedy
139 books331 followersMary Kennedy is a national best-selling novelist and a licensed psychologist on the east coast. She has written 37 young adult novels and has a new adult mystery series with Penguin, The Talk Radio Mysteries.The first title, DEATH IS BAD KARMA was released in January 2010, and the second release, REEL MURDER, is available now. She has spoken at over 100 schools, libraries and writers' conferences all over the country. She received a grant and award for "artistic excellence in fiction" from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Please visit her online at http://www.marykennedy.net. And be sure to visit Killer Characters--it's a fun site where cozy mystery writers blog as their characters! www.killercharacters.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 29, 2015
Reading DREAM A LITTLE SCREAM was a dream come true! It was such a long year waiting for this book. And when I finally got it in my hands, I wasted no time opening it and settling down to enjoy. It was wonderful to be back in author Mary Kennedy’s world of dreams, murder, and retro candy. She brought back that same thrilling sensation I remember having when reading NIGHTMARES CAN BE MURDER.
I’ve adored the whole concept of a dream club from the moment I heard about it with the first book. It’s not only interesting, but such an original idea for a cozy mystery. I love the scenes when the group gathers. The members, including protagonist Taylor and her sister Ali, are all so diverse. That makes for some very intriguing interactions. And I’m envious of the goodies the group members get to enjoy during their meeting. All made by Ali and sold in the retro candy store she owns with Taylor. Their store reminds me of one I’ve visited in a small town in Pennsylvania. The only difference is, Oldies But Goodies, the shop in the book, also sells drinks and fresh made yummys as well. Another great idea of the author’s to mix the two types of stores together.
I found myself absorbed in this book from the very first page. With the action starting off early in the story, all I could do was hold on and enjoy the ride. And enjoy I did! With twists and turns and oh-my-goodness moments, all leading up to a fantastic ending. Ms. Kennedy has penned a winning installment to what I hope will be a long running series.
You’re going to want to add DREAM A LITTLE SCREAM to your to-be-read list. You’ll be so very happy that you did. I know I’ll be doing a lot of daydreaming while I wait for book three!
And make sure to check out the back of the book for the included Dream Symbol Guide!
I’ve adored the whole concept of a dream club from the moment I heard about it with the first book. It’s not only interesting, but such an original idea for a cozy mystery. I love the scenes when the group gathers. The members, including protagonist Taylor and her sister Ali, are all so diverse. That makes for some very intriguing interactions. And I’m envious of the goodies the group members get to enjoy during their meeting. All made by Ali and sold in the retro candy store she owns with Taylor. Their store reminds me of one I’ve visited in a small town in Pennsylvania. The only difference is, Oldies But Goodies, the shop in the book, also sells drinks and fresh made yummys as well. Another great idea of the author’s to mix the two types of stores together.
I found myself absorbed in this book from the very first page. With the action starting off early in the story, all I could do was hold on and enjoy the ride. And enjoy I did! With twists and turns and oh-my-goodness moments, all leading up to a fantastic ending. Ms. Kennedy has penned a winning installment to what I hope will be a long running series.
You’re going to want to add DREAM A LITTLE SCREAM to your to-be-read list. You’ll be so very happy that you did. I know I’ll be doing a lot of daydreaming while I wait for book three!
And make sure to check out the back of the book for the included Dream Symbol Guide!
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Oldies but Goodies, the fantastic candy store filled with all the candy we loved when we were kids. This time Ali and Taylor are trying to expand their business by adding some yummy deserts. They have invited celebrity chef Sonia Scott to have a book signing in their shoppe. They sweetened the pot by offering to serve items only from Sonia’s cookbooks. The chef agrees and the store quickly fills with her fans. But during the book signing something goes terribly wrong and the author has an allergic reaction to something she ate and dies. The girl’s need the Dream Club to help them figure out what happened before their candy shoppe is as dead as Chef Sonia.
I just love these characters. I used to be quite a vivid dreamer and a Dream Club sounds like a dream come true when you want to determine what your dreams really mean. The club has a couple of new members, Etta Mae Beasley and Edward Giles. Edward is a botany professor and Etta Mae recently moved to town. She has a personal connection with Chef Sonia and her company. Everyone tries to make them feel welcome and of course Dorien is her normal pushy self.
I was drawn in immediately but Sonia’s nut allergy as I have a nut allergy too. I have only had one occurrence that required medical attention in my entire life and that was the day I learned of my allergy. Heck, I have not even had a Epi-Pen prescribed but when I read stories like this I think I should have one.
Kennedy has again given us quite a mystery to sink our teeth into. Of course Ali and Taylor are on the list of suspects because Sonia died at Oldies but Goodies but there are so many other suspects that could have done it. My mind was whirling with all the possibilities. But I was following the clues right along with the Dream Club and figured it out at the same time they did.
The dreams of the club added a very interesting element to the story. I learned how concentrating on something can truly effect your dreams. I love that one member of the club has a special gift that allows her to jump into other people’s dream. I also see where this can be both a good thing and a bad thing :)
This is a fabulous follow up to Nightmares Can Be Murder. I do recommend reading the books in order so you get to know this wonderful cast of characters from the beginning. They make perfect bedtime reading that could encourage some very sweet dreams or maybe dreams to help solve a murder, lol. Let’s just strive for Sweet Dreams!
June 4, 2015
This is the second book in the dream club series and it’s as good as the first.
Mary Kennedy writes with so many twists and turns you don’t know who the killer is until the very end. I love that about her.
This time a famous cook book author comes to town to promote her book. Someone thinks her family recipes were the basis for the author’s recipes. Did that person kill her, or was it one of the author’s staff? Could it have been the wife of the man with whom she was having an affair? Maybe her personal assistant? That’s the fun part of Mary Kennedy’s books, you have so many suspects and it takes the whole book to figure it out, if you’re smart enough to. I’m already dreaming of the third book in the series.
Mary Kennedy writes with so many twists and turns you don’t know who the killer is until the very end. I love that about her.
This time a famous cook book author comes to town to promote her book. Someone thinks her family recipes were the basis for the author’s recipes. Did that person kill her, or was it one of the author’s staff? Could it have been the wife of the man with whom she was having an affair? Maybe her personal assistant? That’s the fun part of Mary Kennedy’s books, you have so many suspects and it takes the whole book to figure it out, if you’re smart enough to. I’m already dreaming of the third book in the series.
August 16, 2015
Dream a Little Scream is the second book in A Dream Club Mystery. This story had so many twists that it will keep you guessing who the killer is.
Sonia Scott a famous cook comes to Savannah to promote her cookbook. Question is are those her own original recipes or did she take them from someone else's family!?
She goes to Oldies But Goodies to sign books and ends up with an allergic reaction....was it something she ate? Who made the food? Did someone want her dead? And why??
Was it her assistant, a jealous wife, or someone from her own staff??
To find out, you need to read this great book by Mary Kennedy!!
Loved being back in Savannah and the candy store..
Ready for the third book!!!
Sonia Scott a famous cook comes to Savannah to promote her cookbook. Question is are those her own original recipes or did she take them from someone else's family!?
She goes to Oldies But Goodies to sign books and ends up with an allergic reaction....was it something she ate? Who made the food? Did someone want her dead? And why??
Was it her assistant, a jealous wife, or someone from her own staff??
To find out, you need to read this great book by Mary Kennedy!!
Loved being back in Savannah and the candy store..
Ready for the third book!!!
December 2, 2015
Dream a Little Scream by Mary Kennedy.
Taylor and Ali are actively involved in their dream club which meets upstairs from Ali's candy shop-Oldies but Goodies. Taylor has been trying to put her MBA to good use in helping Ali get out of the red with her business. At the same time the dream club meetings are thriving with two newer members that have recently stopped in.
Etta Mae, one of the newest to stop by, has more than just a bone to pick with Sonia Scott. It seems Sonia is in town and her popularity may be just what Oldies but Goodies could use to bolster their sales and get Ali out of the red. Unfortunately Etta Mae is fuming over the possibilities that her old family recipes were stolen and used by Sonia in her latest cook book.
Just when Sonia is set up for her book signing at the candy shop the unthinkable happens. Taylor and Ali are swept up into a mystery that appears to have more than just one suspect.
Dream a Little Scream was the perfect follow up to the first in the Dream Club series-Nightmares Can Be Murder. The same characters joined in at the Dream Club meetings , a perfect setting to unravel this mystery.
Taylor and Ali are actively involved in their dream club which meets upstairs from Ali's candy shop-Oldies but Goodies. Taylor has been trying to put her MBA to good use in helping Ali get out of the red with her business. At the same time the dream club meetings are thriving with two newer members that have recently stopped in.
Etta Mae, one of the newest to stop by, has more than just a bone to pick with Sonia Scott. It seems Sonia is in town and her popularity may be just what Oldies but Goodies could use to bolster their sales and get Ali out of the red. Unfortunately Etta Mae is fuming over the possibilities that her old family recipes were stolen and used by Sonia in her latest cook book.
Just when Sonia is set up for her book signing at the candy shop the unthinkable happens. Taylor and Ali are swept up into a mystery that appears to have more than just one suspect.
Dream a Little Scream was the perfect follow up to the first in the Dream Club series-Nightmares Can Be Murder. The same characters joined in at the Dream Club meetings , a perfect setting to unravel this mystery.
March 30, 2018
Dream a Little Scream by Mary Kennedy was a fun afternoon cozy mystery read. The characters are developing now in this second book and I felt like I got to know all of the members of the Dream Club a little better in this one. I love the original and creative basis for this series, a dream club. I enjoy learning more about dream interpretation with each book. The writing flows smoothly and the twists kept me turning the pages to find out who murdered the celebrity chef.
October 11, 2021
Dream a Little Scream by Mary Kennedy is the 2nd book in the Dream Club Mystery series. At a book signing at Oldies but Goodies, celebrity chef Sonia Scott dies suspiciously of an anaphylactic reaction and the Dream Club investigates. It is interesting to learn how the dream club uses their dreams and dream interpretation to investigate the crime. I liked the setting and characters and enjoyed the book overall although it moved a bit slow.
August 17, 2015
Dream A Little Scream
Author: Mary Kennedy
Five Stars
https://boothtalksbooks.wordpress.com/
Dream a Little Scream
Just as things are looking up for the small Savannah candy store, Oldies But Goodies, a famous chef almost kills the business for good…or is it the other way around?
“Dream A Little Scream” is the second in the Dream Club series written by award winning author, Mary Kennedy that centers on a vintage candy store owned by two accidental amateur sleuthing sisters. Each week, they hold a meeting in their apartment above the store with a small group of ladies from different backgrounds to delve into the world of dream interpretation. Through these dreams, the “Dream Club” as they call themselves, has already solved one murder. Two new members join the club and things start to take a turn for the strange.
Famous chef, Sonia Scott, comes to town and Taylor and Ali hope having a book signing at their candy store will boost business. Instead, they find they have another mystery on their hands and the Dream Club gets right to sleeping on the job to help solve it. With another body, stolen recipes, secret affairs, seedy secrets and a missing coffee cup, Oldies But Goodies is heading toward the red again…literally.
Once again, Mary Kennedy kept my interest going in the book. I never could figure out the “who done it” until the big reveal at the end which was a shock. My bets were on the wrong person the entire time and I was happy they were. I love it when an author can trick me. This was well written, easy to follow and one that I am happy to have in my collection that will be ready again for sure.
Author: Mary Kennedy
Five Stars
https://boothtalksbooks.wordpress.com/
Dream a Little Scream
Just as things are looking up for the small Savannah candy store, Oldies But Goodies, a famous chef almost kills the business for good…or is it the other way around?
“Dream A Little Scream” is the second in the Dream Club series written by award winning author, Mary Kennedy that centers on a vintage candy store owned by two accidental amateur sleuthing sisters. Each week, they hold a meeting in their apartment above the store with a small group of ladies from different backgrounds to delve into the world of dream interpretation. Through these dreams, the “Dream Club” as they call themselves, has already solved one murder. Two new members join the club and things start to take a turn for the strange.
Famous chef, Sonia Scott, comes to town and Taylor and Ali hope having a book signing at their candy store will boost business. Instead, they find they have another mystery on their hands and the Dream Club gets right to sleeping on the job to help solve it. With another body, stolen recipes, secret affairs, seedy secrets and a missing coffee cup, Oldies But Goodies is heading toward the red again…literally.
Once again, Mary Kennedy kept my interest going in the book. I never could figure out the “who done it” until the big reveal at the end which was a shock. My bets were on the wrong person the entire time and I was happy they were. I love it when an author can trick me. This was well written, easy to follow and one that I am happy to have in my collection that will be ready again for sure.
September 16, 2015
This one was better than the first book, but I still had a hard time getting into it. Took me longer to read than normal because I would honestly put it down and do other stuff rather than getting back to the book. I do like the setting in Savannah and the candy shop, but I wish the Savannah setting was a little bit more fleshed out. I could do without the dream club. The dream club part just seems to stop the flow of the action and feels random and annoying to me. The romantic aspect of the book is rather slow and drawn out, I don't know if anything is going to happen there. The mystery was decent, with one red herring that threw me for a while. Overall, I'm glad it was a library book not a purchase. I can't say for sure if I would read the next one or not.
June 23, 2016
I really love the Dream Club Mystery series and enjoyed Dream a Little Scream a great deal. A celebrity visits the candy store and meets her untimely end while there. In fear of the damage to the store’s reputation the death has caused, Taylor and Ali investigate to find the real killer. I already have the next book waiting to be read and I can’t wait. Great cozy mystery read.
August 2, 2015
First book of Mary Kennedy that I have read. It was the second book of a series. Mary got you caught up with the characters in the first chapter. The book was really good. I will read more from this wonderful author. Susan Moon
July 4, 2017
This series of books are just fluff but I really enjoy the plots, surprises and characters. We need fluff sometimes.
May 24, 2020
(I don't normally add the Author's recipe that I post on A Book and A Dish but this one is special due to what Mary did with these brownies.)
Kahlua Brownies
(Author Mary Kennedy sent 200 pounds of these
to the troops in Iraq over a 3 month period)
½ cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup Kahlua
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.
Step 2
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder and kahlua. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Step 3
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. 16 servings
Dream A Little Scream - Review by Martha A. Cheves
Ali and Taylor Blake are sisters. Ali owns a candy Shop in Savannah, Ga called Oldies But Goodies. Taylor arrived in Savannah a few months ago to find the vintage candy shop, just a couple of blocks off the Historic District, struggling. Between the two sisters, changes were made, they invested in some marketing, added a cafe menu, and things were looking up. They had bone from the red to the black and felt sure their changes would keep it that way. That is until they agreed to host a book signing for cookbook author Sonia Scott. The turnout was great and everything was going just as planned until Sonia starts complaining that her chest feels so tight she can hardly breathe. Apparently she is allergic to cats, and Ali owns two. But when Sonia's employee Olivia explains that it was something besides the cats, something much worse. And when her EpiPen turns up missing, nine-one-one was called. Apparently, Sonia is allergic to more than cats. She is also allergic to nuts of any kind. But everyone who made snacks for the signing knew this and would never have put nuts into their dishes, or would they.
Taylor and Ali are part of a group they call The Dream Club. They meet weekly in the apartment above the shop, and they serve sweet tea, coffee, and a delicious array of pastries. She calls the Dream Club members their "beta testers," and she adds the most popular items to the cafe menu downstairs. With what has just happened to Sonia, it's time to call an emergency meeting of the club's members, which were all present at the signing anyway, to see if they could put their heads together and solve yet another mystery.
Dream A Little Scream had so many twists and turns that each time I thought I knew who the culprit was I found myself doubting my ability to determine the good guys, or gals, from the bad. And I must say this is the norm for Author Mary Kennedy. I've read just about everything she has written and am always hoping for more.
Kahlua Brownies
(Author Mary Kennedy sent 200 pounds of these
to the troops in Iraq over a 3 month period)
½ cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup Kahlua
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.
Step 2
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder and kahlua. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Step 3
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. 16 servings
Dream A Little Scream - Review by Martha A. Cheves
Ali and Taylor Blake are sisters. Ali owns a candy Shop in Savannah, Ga called Oldies But Goodies. Taylor arrived in Savannah a few months ago to find the vintage candy shop, just a couple of blocks off the Historic District, struggling. Between the two sisters, changes were made, they invested in some marketing, added a cafe menu, and things were looking up. They had bone from the red to the black and felt sure their changes would keep it that way. That is until they agreed to host a book signing for cookbook author Sonia Scott. The turnout was great and everything was going just as planned until Sonia starts complaining that her chest feels so tight she can hardly breathe. Apparently she is allergic to cats, and Ali owns two. But when Sonia's employee Olivia explains that it was something besides the cats, something much worse. And when her EpiPen turns up missing, nine-one-one was called. Apparently, Sonia is allergic to more than cats. She is also allergic to nuts of any kind. But everyone who made snacks for the signing knew this and would never have put nuts into their dishes, or would they.
Taylor and Ali are part of a group they call The Dream Club. They meet weekly in the apartment above the shop, and they serve sweet tea, coffee, and a delicious array of pastries. She calls the Dream Club members their "beta testers," and she adds the most popular items to the cafe menu downstairs. With what has just happened to Sonia, it's time to call an emergency meeting of the club's members, which were all present at the signing anyway, to see if they could put their heads together and solve yet another mystery.
Dream A Little Scream had so many twists and turns that each time I thought I knew who the culprit was I found myself doubting my ability to determine the good guys, or gals, from the bad. And I must say this is the norm for Author Mary Kennedy. I've read just about everything she has written and am always hoping for more.
July 11, 2017
This second in the series was just okay again. I will read the third and probably will not read any more if published. If I come across it at my library I would check it out but I will not buy any more in this series.
The character who was murdered is very similar to Paula Dean. Well except Paula is still alive and kicking and the character is dead. But it seems really to easy for a character and celebrity chef to have a well-known, easy nut allergy. Then to use something that is easily purchased at any grocery store. Makes me wonder if the author could not figure out how to kill the character and just filled in with something very easy.
Book still lacked southern charm.
Purchased at Kobo
The character who was murdered is very similar to Paula Dean. Well except Paula is still alive and kicking and the character is dead. But it seems really to easy for a character and celebrity chef to have a well-known, easy nut allergy. Then to use something that is easily purchased at any grocery store. Makes me wonder if the author could not figure out how to kill the character and just filled in with something very easy.
Book still lacked southern charm.
Purchased at Kobo
January 25, 2020
I think that I get frustrated when reading these books as they seem to drag on and on with brief periods of being very interesting. I feel frustrated when for instance the sesame seed jar found to be half full, why didn’t the main character immediately think of fingerprint and scramble to the bottle to protect it for the police. And if whole seeds were used, why didn’t anyone know rove the recipe was changed (we’re talking several food experts). For being great sleuth, it sure takes a long time for her to figure out the clues. Maybe I’ll try one more book with the hope the story doesn’t drag so much. So much even keeled angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
I love these cute little mystery books with the loveliness of a old time candy shop. The dream club has a way with solving murders at their dream club and through their dreams. And a little help from their detective friend Noah. Eager to move on to book 3
March 8, 2018
Dream interpretation interesting, moved a little slowly for me.
April 16, 2018
This 2nd installment of the Dream Club Mystery series is better than the 1st, but still not worth 5 stars. There's still something lacking that I can't quite put my finger on.
May 27, 2018
My favorite part about this series is it is set in Savannah.
January 30, 2020
This is the second book in the dream club series and it was even better then the first! The only disappointing part is there isnt much romance between Noah and Taylor's. Onto the 3rd in the series!
February 1, 2023
Really like this series. It's too bad there's only one more book left in it. I'll have to read some of the author's other books.
June 12, 2023
Loved it!
August 3, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/dr...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Mary Kennedy has taken dream interpretation to impressive new heights in Dream a Little Scream, the second novel in the Dream Club Mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone mystery but you might want to start at the beginning after being wowed by this one! The characters are quirky, some even eccentric, but one thing is certain: none of them are boring. This mystery draws the reader in with a crime that should be easily solved but somehow what seems obvious has no trail of evidence to follow.
Sisters Ali and Taylor Blake are hosting the famous chef, Sonia Scott, in a book-signing session before she leaves Savannah. The Dream Club had already been present at the taping of Ms. Scott’s special local TV appearance, and the book signing would help advertise their retro candy store and bakery. Many signed books and bookmarks later, Sonia began to show signs of breathing difficulty. She was escorted to the ladies room while Taylor tried to keep the audience calm. Sonia’s assistant Olivia ran to search Sonia’s bag and her own for an epi-pen in vain. Yes, those who readied for the signing by preparing baked goods from the chef’s recipes were aware of her nut allergy, and used all seed and nut-free recipes, so something else had to be wrong. When the paramedics arrived there was nothing they could do. Sonia was already dead. Imagine the reaction of customers, whether current or potential, when they learned that beloved TV chef Sonia had died in Oldies but Goodies – had she been poisoned by the very foods they were planning to purchase? And no matter what the inquest would reveal, many might not believe the truth when it showed that foods and beverages were not tainted. Order cancellations came in quickly and new orders were scarce. Not only did they have to find a way to re-create the store as a fun, safe place, but they also wanted to solve the murder of this very public figure.
The Dream Club had been meeting at their apartment over the shop long before Taylor moved in. It is a group comprised of mostly women who are interested in learning to not only remember their dreams but also to understand them. Until the first mystery, ‘Nightmares can be Murder’ was released last year, I had no idea that groups like this existed and I admit that the idea is fascinating. Since most of the Dream Club was present at both the taping and the book signing, they began to discuss the events and planned to focus on their dreams to see if any of them might have memories of the days released into their dreams to help them recall anything unusual. This is one of the ways that clues – actual, useful clues – were discovered that assisted the detective from their group work on the murder.
The characters are interesting, with depth and intuition. The author, with her extensive education and first-hand understanding of the human psyche, has included characters and their ideas, and allowing each character to grow and change as necessary. There is a variety of ages in the Club; some are younger, like Taylor and Ali, while others are retired from their profession. Ali is more driven by her heart and her intuition, while Taylor has the ‘business’ mindset of accounting, projections, and the bottom line. They compliment each other in their business, and each is gaining from seeing dreams – and life – from the other’s perspective. The primary characters are very well defined, and the secondary men and women have the qualities needed as respects their place in the story.
Mary Kennedy leads us through an engrossing plot with enough twists and turns to keep the reader as an active participant in the murder investigation. She has thoroughly explored the characters for those who made the best potential suspects, bringing in conflict within members of the club as might be anticipated in real life. Her excellent writing continues to grow the suspense through the very last minute, keeping this reader on edge and woefully wrong about who the bad guy really was. It is a story that is written with intelligence and intuition, and would appeal to readers at either end and the middle of the spectrum.
I highly recommend ‘Dream A Little Scream’ to adults of any age, possibly including older teens, who appreciate a well-written cozy mystery and might be open to learning a little about dreams and dream interpretation, how dreams might be used when in daily situations, with a little cooking and romance on the side. After all, what more can one need to relax with but a little bit of mystery served wtih sweet bakery delights and tea, and a cat or two to cuddle with?
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Mary Kennedy has taken dream interpretation to impressive new heights in Dream a Little Scream, the second novel in the Dream Club Mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone mystery but you might want to start at the beginning after being wowed by this one! The characters are quirky, some even eccentric, but one thing is certain: none of them are boring. This mystery draws the reader in with a crime that should be easily solved but somehow what seems obvious has no trail of evidence to follow.
Sisters Ali and Taylor Blake are hosting the famous chef, Sonia Scott, in a book-signing session before she leaves Savannah. The Dream Club had already been present at the taping of Ms. Scott’s special local TV appearance, and the book signing would help advertise their retro candy store and bakery. Many signed books and bookmarks later, Sonia began to show signs of breathing difficulty. She was escorted to the ladies room while Taylor tried to keep the audience calm. Sonia’s assistant Olivia ran to search Sonia’s bag and her own for an epi-pen in vain. Yes, those who readied for the signing by preparing baked goods from the chef’s recipes were aware of her nut allergy, and used all seed and nut-free recipes, so something else had to be wrong. When the paramedics arrived there was nothing they could do. Sonia was already dead. Imagine the reaction of customers, whether current or potential, when they learned that beloved TV chef Sonia had died in Oldies but Goodies – had she been poisoned by the very foods they were planning to purchase? And no matter what the inquest would reveal, many might not believe the truth when it showed that foods and beverages were not tainted. Order cancellations came in quickly and new orders were scarce. Not only did they have to find a way to re-create the store as a fun, safe place, but they also wanted to solve the murder of this very public figure.
The Dream Club had been meeting at their apartment over the shop long before Taylor moved in. It is a group comprised of mostly women who are interested in learning to not only remember their dreams but also to understand them. Until the first mystery, ‘Nightmares can be Murder’ was released last year, I had no idea that groups like this existed and I admit that the idea is fascinating. Since most of the Dream Club was present at both the taping and the book signing, they began to discuss the events and planned to focus on their dreams to see if any of them might have memories of the days released into their dreams to help them recall anything unusual. This is one of the ways that clues – actual, useful clues – were discovered that assisted the detective from their group work on the murder.
The characters are interesting, with depth and intuition. The author, with her extensive education and first-hand understanding of the human psyche, has included characters and their ideas, and allowing each character to grow and change as necessary. There is a variety of ages in the Club; some are younger, like Taylor and Ali, while others are retired from their profession. Ali is more driven by her heart and her intuition, while Taylor has the ‘business’ mindset of accounting, projections, and the bottom line. They compliment each other in their business, and each is gaining from seeing dreams – and life – from the other’s perspective. The primary characters are very well defined, and the secondary men and women have the qualities needed as respects their place in the story.
Mary Kennedy leads us through an engrossing plot with enough twists and turns to keep the reader as an active participant in the murder investigation. She has thoroughly explored the characters for those who made the best potential suspects, bringing in conflict within members of the club as might be anticipated in real life. Her excellent writing continues to grow the suspense through the very last minute, keeping this reader on edge and woefully wrong about who the bad guy really was. It is a story that is written with intelligence and intuition, and would appeal to readers at either end and the middle of the spectrum.
I highly recommend ‘Dream A Little Scream’ to adults of any age, possibly including older teens, who appreciate a well-written cozy mystery and might be open to learning a little about dreams and dream interpretation, how dreams might be used when in daily situations, with a little cooking and romance on the side. After all, what more can one need to relax with but a little bit of mystery served wtih sweet bakery delights and tea, and a cat or two to cuddle with?
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
May 25, 2020
This book was a little different. Talking about dreams I found to be interesting.
October 4, 2016
A celebrity chef died during book signing at Taylor & Ali’s retro candy store.
the girls desperate to solved the case to clear their reputation.
with the help of Noah, Sara and the dream club members, their discover seedy secret and affair surrounding the late famous chef.
Quote from chapter 11:
When you’re so undecided, it’s better not to do anything, the right course of action is to take no action at all
the girls desperate to solved the case to clear their reputation.
with the help of Noah, Sara and the dream club members, their discover seedy secret and affair surrounding the late famous chef.
Quote from chapter 11:
When you’re so undecided, it’s better not to do anything, the right course of action is to take no action at all
September 25, 2016
When a celebrity chef dies during a book signing at Taylor and Ali's candy store, naturally the only way to deal with the situation is to involve the members of the Dream Club. Members share their dreams, help with interpretations, and use the dreams to solve murders. I really liked Mary Kennedy's Talk Radio Mystery series, but I have trouble suspending my disbelief when I read about a woman who can "jump" into other people's dreams. Or my skepticism when all the dreams the club discusses contain clues to the murder they're trying to solve.
August 30, 2015
Reviewed by Kim
Savannah, Georgia is all abuzz when celebrity chef Sonia Scott arrives in town to film a television taping. Sonia seems nice and personable when the cameras are on. But when they’re off, she’s a totally different person. When there is a mechanical issue with her private plane, Sonia wants to use the time to do additional publicity for her new cookbook. Oldies But Goodies, the retro candy store owned by Taylor and Ali Blake seems to be the perfect place.
In order to pack the store, Taylor and Ali invite the members of their Dream Club group to attend, including two new members. The signing seems to be going well, when to everyone’s shock, Sonia has an allergic reaction and dies. Now, people are avoiding Oldies But Goodies and Taylor enlists the help of the Dream Club members to look for clues and help find who killed Sonia.
Dream a Little Scream, the second book in Mary Kennedy’s Dream Club Mystery series marks my first time reading one of her books. I had absolutely no problem jumping in and losing myself to the mystery of dream interpretation and trying to solve the whodunit. Mary Kennedy is a clinical psychologist and I have to say, I find the series to be very intriguing. Yes, I know this is just a book, but I was in awe of the members dreaming about the case when they didn’t have the details before hand.
Mary has written a wonderful story that will leave you guessing as to who actually killed Sonia. She throws in just enough additional information and twists to have you second guessing yourself. While I really enjoyed Dream a Little Scream, I did have some minor issues with the book. First off, Oldies But Goodies is branching off from only selling candy to selling desserts and sandwiches. I would have loved to have had one of the recipes to try from all the delicious treats mentioned in the book. Yes, the descriptions made me hungry. Secondly, I picture Taylor and her on again/off again boyfriend, Noah, to be between the ages of 30 to 40 years old. No one under the age of 40 uses a flip phone. But yet, a former professional and a former FBI agent seem to. I just find that hard to believe.
Bottomline, Mary Kennedy has a new fan in me. I’m really looking forward to more of the Dream Club Mystery series.
**Received a copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**
Savannah, Georgia is all abuzz when celebrity chef Sonia Scott arrives in town to film a television taping. Sonia seems nice and personable when the cameras are on. But when they’re off, she’s a totally different person. When there is a mechanical issue with her private plane, Sonia wants to use the time to do additional publicity for her new cookbook. Oldies But Goodies, the retro candy store owned by Taylor and Ali Blake seems to be the perfect place.
In order to pack the store, Taylor and Ali invite the members of their Dream Club group to attend, including two new members. The signing seems to be going well, when to everyone’s shock, Sonia has an allergic reaction and dies. Now, people are avoiding Oldies But Goodies and Taylor enlists the help of the Dream Club members to look for clues and help find who killed Sonia.
Dream a Little Scream, the second book in Mary Kennedy’s Dream Club Mystery series marks my first time reading one of her books. I had absolutely no problem jumping in and losing myself to the mystery of dream interpretation and trying to solve the whodunit. Mary Kennedy is a clinical psychologist and I have to say, I find the series to be very intriguing. Yes, I know this is just a book, but I was in awe of the members dreaming about the case when they didn’t have the details before hand.
Mary has written a wonderful story that will leave you guessing as to who actually killed Sonia. She throws in just enough additional information and twists to have you second guessing yourself. While I really enjoyed Dream a Little Scream, I did have some minor issues with the book. First off, Oldies But Goodies is branching off from only selling candy to selling desserts and sandwiches. I would have loved to have had one of the recipes to try from all the delicious treats mentioned in the book. Yes, the descriptions made me hungry. Secondly, I picture Taylor and her on again/off again boyfriend, Noah, to be between the ages of 30 to 40 years old. No one under the age of 40 uses a flip phone. But yet, a former professional and a former FBI agent seem to. I just find that hard to believe.
Bottomline, Mary Kennedy has a new fan in me. I’m really looking forward to more of the Dream Club Mystery series.
**Received a copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**
November 30, 2015
When the climax of the story is peaking, the first thing that came to my mind was “he’s got a flip phone?” Somehow I am thinking that this is not what the author had intended for me to be thinking about; but this story had gone on for so long that I was easily distracted.
For me, it was hard to take a crime mystery seriously when it revolves around receiving clues from dreams. I know that the premise of the book is dream interpretation and since this is a cozy mystery, I went along with it. When the storyline becomes stagnant, the group is very fortunate in that someone will have a dream that will point them in the right direction. I know I should not be insulting since I am the one that chose this book and continued to read, but there has to be limits.
When Taylor Blake and her sister Ali are not running their candy shop in Savannah, Georgia, they are hosting Dream Club meetings in their apartment. When Sonia Scott, a celebrity chef, arrives in town and agrees to a book signing, Taylor and the club have their hands full when one member swears that Sonia has stolen her family’s recipes, one member holds her responsible for a family member’s career demise and Sonia herself is embroiled in an affair with a person on her own team. What the dream club had not anticipated was Sonia’s sudden death. Now the real question to the group is -- can their dreams help them to solve this crime before Taylor and Ali lose their shop.
Add in the usual side romance of the main character and cats and you have a typical cozy mystery. The location and the unique way that the mystery is solved, through dream interpretation, and a little bit of private detection, makes this series a little different than the rest. Will the premise appeal to everyone, I cannot say but it was a way to spend a couple of hours on a quiet weekend.
For me, it was hard to take a crime mystery seriously when it revolves around receiving clues from dreams. I know that the premise of the book is dream interpretation and since this is a cozy mystery, I went along with it. When the storyline becomes stagnant, the group is very fortunate in that someone will have a dream that will point them in the right direction. I know I should not be insulting since I am the one that chose this book and continued to read, but there has to be limits.
When Taylor Blake and her sister Ali are not running their candy shop in Savannah, Georgia, they are hosting Dream Club meetings in their apartment. When Sonia Scott, a celebrity chef, arrives in town and agrees to a book signing, Taylor and the club have their hands full when one member swears that Sonia has stolen her family’s recipes, one member holds her responsible for a family member’s career demise and Sonia herself is embroiled in an affair with a person on her own team. What the dream club had not anticipated was Sonia’s sudden death. Now the real question to the group is -- can their dreams help them to solve this crime before Taylor and Ali lose their shop.
Add in the usual side romance of the main character and cats and you have a typical cozy mystery. The location and the unique way that the mystery is solved, through dream interpretation, and a little bit of private detection, makes this series a little different than the rest. Will the premise appeal to everyone, I cannot say but it was a way to spend a couple of hours on a quiet weekend.
September 6, 2016
So I didn't know there was already a new book in this series. The first one while good, I had some trouble getting into. Same can be said for this one. Though what kept me reading was the characters.
For the most part, it took me a little longer to read this than I thought. But I kept at it, because I found I liked the characters and the setting. The mystery itself was interesting as well.
Near the end, I thought the mystery wrapped out too quickly or maybe its from reading one too many cozy mysteries and expecting the usual solve the mystery ending or something like that.
So it was a nice change of pace. The ending as well, was also good. Though it felt like a conclusion than leaving it open for another sequel. Or maybe not. I don't know. Maybe its the writing style?
Anyway, the writing was good, the slow pacing I didn't mind. And the characters are just as interesting in both books.
Also liked, the dream club members had more to do this time around. I mean they did in the first book but here they helped with the crime solving as well...again. If that makes sense. Anyway, a pretty sequel.
For the most part, it took me a little longer to read this than I thought. But I kept at it, because I found I liked the characters and the setting. The mystery itself was interesting as well.
Near the end, I thought the mystery wrapped out too quickly or maybe its from reading one too many cozy mysteries and expecting the usual solve the mystery ending or something like that.
So it was a nice change of pace. The ending as well, was also good. Though it felt like a conclusion than leaving it open for another sequel. Or maybe not. I don't know. Maybe its the writing style?
Anyway, the writing was good, the slow pacing I didn't mind. And the characters are just as interesting in both books.
Also liked, the dream club members had more to do this time around. I mean they did in the first book but here they helped with the crime solving as well...again. If that makes sense. Anyway, a pretty sequel.
September 8, 2016
This certainly is a detective series with a difference – with its very own dream team … literally. Two sisters are running a candy store in Savannah and, once a week, invite certain members of the community to talk about their dreams which somehow translates into solving crimes.
It’s an intriguing setup and somehow does seem to work – the idea is that these people substitute the ‘gut feeling’ with listening to and analysing their dreams instead. Can you really teach yourself to remember dreams and even direct them onto certain topics? That’s the titillating question here.
Mary Kennedy certainly spins a captivating tale around this Dream Club and this is apparently the second in this series and going strong. The characters are well-defined and diverse, with a detective and reporter part of the ‘investigating’ team – although I am not sure that a police officer should be quite as open and forthcoming with information as in this case. But then, I guess, that does form part of the storyline.
It’s an intriguing setup and somehow does seem to work – the idea is that these people substitute the ‘gut feeling’ with listening to and analysing their dreams instead. Can you really teach yourself to remember dreams and even direct them onto certain topics? That’s the titillating question here.
Mary Kennedy certainly spins a captivating tale around this Dream Club and this is apparently the second in this series and going strong. The characters are well-defined and diverse, with a detective and reporter part of the ‘investigating’ team – although I am not sure that a police officer should be quite as open and forthcoming with information as in this case. But then, I guess, that does form part of the storyline.
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