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Dakota Green #2
An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds
When Dakota Green returns home for her high school reunion, she expects awkward small talk and warm beer – not a dead body on the dance floor. But at the historic Rose Palace, old flames and fresh murders are always in fashion.
In Dakota’s small-town of Aubergine, Virginia, family fortunes hide deadly secrets and diamonds aren't always a girl's best friend.
Still adjusting to veterinary school, a long-distance relationship with the town's handsome sheriff, and the bombshell revelation of her true parentage, Dakota's hoping for a drama-free weekend. But when former classmate and reality TV star Brett Brinkley drops dead at the Class of 2015’s reunion party, all eyes turn to Dakota’s childhood best friend as the prime suspect.
Now Dakota must race against time to catch a killer, uncover the truth about a missing diamond, untangle a web of secrets and somehow decide whether to accept an unexpected inheritance – all before midnight strikes. Between a fake séance, a blackmail scheme, and more suspects than she can count, Dakota's about to learn that some family jewels come at a deadly price.
Sharp-witted and charming, An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds is a delightful small-town mystery packed with twists. If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, it’s time to get hooked on the Dakota Green mystery series.
Readers are loving the Dakota Green mystery
"One of the best cozy mysteries I've ever read!" Bestselling author Ashley Winstead
"Dakota, a spunky, modern sleuth, doesn’t let high heels or outdated gender roles get in the way of her relentless pursuit of the truth and her quest to build a new life... a charming romp, featuring a quirky cast of characters with big hearts and witty humor, all set against the unforgettable backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab your sequins and tiara—this one’s a sparkling good read!” Bestselling author Ellie Alexander
"THIS WAS PERFECTION... Totally recommend on your TBR!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery… The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes…The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me laughing one moment and gripping the edge of my seat the next! Dakota Green stands out as a refreshingly down-to-earth and empowered protagonist—an unexpected beauty queen-turned-detective who quickly wins readers' hearts." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed... !" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I loved this book, simple as that! As a southern gal, and growing up in a pageant town, I could totally relate to the characters. Hard to put this one down!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"...shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama... The female relationships in this book are strong and beautifully done.
In Dakota’s small-town of Aubergine, Virginia, family fortunes hide deadly secrets and diamonds aren't always a girl's best friend.
Still adjusting to veterinary school, a long-distance relationship with the town's handsome sheriff, and the bombshell revelation of her true parentage, Dakota's hoping for a drama-free weekend. But when former classmate and reality TV star Brett Brinkley drops dead at the Class of 2015’s reunion party, all eyes turn to Dakota’s childhood best friend as the prime suspect.
Now Dakota must race against time to catch a killer, uncover the truth about a missing diamond, untangle a web of secrets and somehow decide whether to accept an unexpected inheritance – all before midnight strikes. Between a fake séance, a blackmail scheme, and more suspects than she can count, Dakota's about to learn that some family jewels come at a deadly price.
Sharp-witted and charming, An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds is a delightful small-town mystery packed with twists. If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, it’s time to get hooked on the Dakota Green mystery series.
Readers are loving the Dakota Green mystery
"One of the best cozy mysteries I've ever read!" Bestselling author Ashley Winstead
"Dakota, a spunky, modern sleuth, doesn’t let high heels or outdated gender roles get in the way of her relentless pursuit of the truth and her quest to build a new life... a charming romp, featuring a quirky cast of characters with big hearts and witty humor, all set against the unforgettable backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab your sequins and tiara—this one’s a sparkling good read!” Bestselling author Ellie Alexander
"THIS WAS PERFECTION... Totally recommend on your TBR!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery… The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes…The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me laughing one moment and gripping the edge of my seat the next! Dakota Green stands out as a refreshingly down-to-earth and empowered protagonist—an unexpected beauty queen-turned-detective who quickly wins readers' hearts." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed... !" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I loved this book, simple as that! As a southern gal, and growing up in a pageant town, I could totally relate to the characters. Hard to put this one down!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"...shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama... The female relationships in this book are strong and beautifully done.
- GenresMystery
266 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2025
8 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Bird
11 books296 followersKristen has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mixes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 6, 2025
The second book in the series and I thought I had read the first one - I should have checked because it turned out I had not! However there were enough explanations of relationships etc for me to catch on to the current story.
The MC, Dakota Green, is attending her High School reunion when one of the attendees, who is now a TV star, dies on the dance floor. The circumstances are suspicious and one of Dakota's friends is a suspect so Dakota is keen to help find out the truth. Dakota's boyfriend is the town Sheriff which causes problems between them as they try to work out how much information they should be passing to each other.
I really liked the character of Dakota Green until she unilaterally decided that her boyfriend was having thoughts about his attractive police partner and, instead of talking to him about it, talked herself into all sorts of nonsense. This aspect of the proceedings lost the book a whole star for me. However the mystery was intriguing and the murderer very hard to spot. The method of death was rather unusual too. Overall three stars.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The MC, Dakota Green, is attending her High School reunion when one of the attendees, who is now a TV star, dies on the dance floor. The circumstances are suspicious and one of Dakota's friends is a suspect so Dakota is keen to help find out the truth. Dakota's boyfriend is the town Sheriff which causes problems between them as they try to work out how much information they should be passing to each other.
I really liked the character of Dakota Green until she unilaterally decided that her boyfriend was having thoughts about his attractive police partner and, instead of talking to him about it, talked herself into all sorts of nonsense. This aspect of the proceedings lost the book a whole star for me. However the mystery was intriguing and the murderer very hard to spot. The method of death was rather unusual too. Overall three stars.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 14, 2025
I loved the first Dakota Green novel and was delighted to receive the ARC of her second. Dakota's adventures are never boring, zany moments follow her everywhere she goes!
It's her high school school reunion and she returns home and expects the typical small talk that will bring. Instead, it's time to solve another mystery and murder.
This one involves some diamonds and a lot of spunky banter from Dakota. An equally fun installment in her series, I hope to see more!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review. These opinions are my own. This one is due to come out in June of 2025.
It's her high school school reunion and she returns home and expects the typical small talk that will bring. Instead, it's time to solve another mystery and murder.
This one involves some diamonds and a lot of spunky banter from Dakota. An equally fun installment in her series, I hope to see more!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review. These opinions are my own. This one is due to come out in June of 2025.
April 4, 2025
Dakota Green is home to attend her ten year high school reunion as well as deal with some family business and spend time with local sheriff and possible boyfriend Charlie Strong. What she hadn't planned was to be thrown into another murder investigation or to have to once again try to prove the innocence of someone close to her! With a whole graduating class to choose from and a victim who had ruffled more than a few feathers Dakota knows she has her work cut out for her and that's before she even has a chance to discuss a once in a lifetime job offer with her aunt!
Book two in the Dakota Green Mysteries begins a few months after the conclusion of the first with a second visit to Aubergine, Virginia, and the Rose Palace. I hadn't read the first book, and now I don't need to, as there are plenty of spoilers here to give the game away. On the plus side, I didn't work out whodunnit which, when it's realistic, which this was, is always good.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this enough to continue with the series. 2.5 rounded up to 3 for the killer’s identity.
Book two in the Dakota Green Mysteries begins a few months after the conclusion of the first with a second visit to Aubergine, Virginia, and the Rose Palace. I hadn't read the first book, and now I don't need to, as there are plenty of spoilers here to give the game away. On the plus side, I didn't work out whodunnit which, when it's realistic, which this was, is always good.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this enough to continue with the series. 2.5 rounded up to 3 for the killer’s identity.
June 6, 2025
3.75 stars
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the Dakota Green series. I was over the moon when Storm Publishing reached out and offered me an eARC of An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds. I don't know if my expectations were a bit too high but this one had some growing pains.
Kristen Bird constructs some really puzzling mysteries. The complexity of the case compared to other cozy mysteries was one of the reasons I fell so hard for A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem. AHGtDaD absolutely lives up to that legacy. I was fully engaged in the whodunnit and while I didn't guess the culprit correctly, it's satisfying to look back and see all the clues were there if I'd been smart enough to spot them!
Another aspect that drew me to Dakota Green was the strong women-supporting-women theme of the first book. Maybe it was the beauty pageant setting that brought it out in the characters but it was great. It gave the whole book a slumber party/sorority get together vibe that was so fun. In contrast, this second book is quite dour. Dakota's unfounded jealousy is like a whole extra (unfun) character tagging along in the first three-quarters of the book. It seemed to come out of nowhere and is totally at odds with who she is in the first book. The narrative lampshades it with asides like 'this isn't who Momma raised me to be' - and I get we all have thoughts we're not proud of - but jeez, jealousy became Dakota's only character trait for awhile. It was too much. I liked how the situation was eventually resolved. You know, when they finally used words instead of Dakota's patented deep conversations via meaningful looks... but it was frustrating that she never owned how much she was keeping back from Charlie while being mad he was being cold. (He wasn't really being cold. He was doing his job.)
Which brings me to my biggest disappointment. I loved how the ABQGtMaM ended. I was excited for Charlie and Dakota to get together. But reading AHGtDaD felt like I'd somehow skipped an entire novel, or least a novella's worth of their relationship developing. Because we were thrown into their first major fight without experiencing all the cute early relationship building, half the time I was rooting for them to break up. It felt, at times, like Dakota didn't even like Charlie and was looking for an excuse to ditch him.
I'll continue the series because I do like the characters when they're not acting fools, and the small town setting is great. I'll give this one grace that it has some teething problems while the author rearranges the world to keep the series going. But I hope the next book returns to the fun, friendship is forever charm of A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem, and I hope Deputy Wright isn't pigeonholed as a perpetual rival.
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the Dakota Green series. I was over the moon when Storm Publishing reached out and offered me an eARC of An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds. I don't know if my expectations were a bit too high but this one had some growing pains.
Kristen Bird constructs some really puzzling mysteries. The complexity of the case compared to other cozy mysteries was one of the reasons I fell so hard for A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem. AHGtDaD absolutely lives up to that legacy. I was fully engaged in the whodunnit and while I didn't guess the culprit correctly, it's satisfying to look back and see all the clues were there if I'd been smart enough to spot them!
Another aspect that drew me to Dakota Green was the strong women-supporting-women theme of the first book. Maybe it was the beauty pageant setting that brought it out in the characters but it was great. It gave the whole book a slumber party/sorority get together vibe that was so fun. In contrast, this second book is quite dour. Dakota's unfounded jealousy is like a whole extra (unfun) character tagging along in the first three-quarters of the book. It seemed to come out of nowhere and is totally at odds with who she is in the first book. The narrative lampshades it with asides like 'this isn't who Momma raised me to be' - and I get we all have thoughts we're not proud of - but jeez, jealousy became Dakota's only character trait for awhile. It was too much. I liked how the situation was eventually resolved. You know, when they finally used words instead of Dakota's patented deep conversations via meaningful looks... but it was frustrating that she never owned how much she was keeping back from Charlie while being mad he was being cold. (He wasn't really being cold. He was doing his job.)
Which brings me to my biggest disappointment. I loved how the ABQGtMaM ended. I was excited for Charlie and Dakota to get together. But reading AHGtDaD felt like I'd somehow skipped an entire novel, or least a novella's worth of their relationship developing. Because we were thrown into their first major fight without experiencing all the cute early relationship building, half the time I was rooting for them to break up. It felt, at times, like Dakota didn't even like Charlie and was looking for an excuse to ditch him.
I'll continue the series because I do like the characters when they're not acting fools, and the small town setting is great. I'll give this one grace that it has some teething problems while the author rearranges the world to keep the series going. But I hope the next book returns to the fun, friendship is forever charm of A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem, and I hope Deputy Wright isn't pigeonholed as a perpetual rival.
September 22, 2025
This sequel does not disappoint, Kristen Bird is so masterful with this cosy mystery series, I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
It was so lovely to return back to the story of Dakota Green and see what adventures lay ahead for her this time, with all the usual wit and charm that is infused in this series.
Dakota Green thought her high school reunion would be nothing more than awkward small talk and stale punch. Returning to her hometown offers a chance to reconnect—not just with old classmates, but with her long-distance boyfriend, who happens to be the local sheriff. But when a former classmate turned reality TV star collapses on the dance floor, the night spirals into a murder investigation.
Determined to assist her boyfriend—whether he wants the help or not—Dakota dives headfirst into the mystery. As secrets unravel, she finds herself confronting more than just a killer. A long-buried family truth, a mysterious inheritance, and the identity of her father all come crashing into view. One thing’s for sure: this reunion is anything but boring.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
It was so lovely to return back to the story of Dakota Green and see what adventures lay ahead for her this time, with all the usual wit and charm that is infused in this series.
Dakota Green thought her high school reunion would be nothing more than awkward small talk and stale punch. Returning to her hometown offers a chance to reconnect—not just with old classmates, but with her long-distance boyfriend, who happens to be the local sheriff. But when a former classmate turned reality TV star collapses on the dance floor, the night spirals into a murder investigation.
Determined to assist her boyfriend—whether he wants the help or not—Dakota dives headfirst into the mystery. As secrets unravel, she finds herself confronting more than just a killer. A long-buried family truth, a mysterious inheritance, and the identity of her father all come crashing into view. One thing’s for sure: this reunion is anything but boring.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
June 16, 2025
I was lucky enough to get hold of an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the second of the Dakota Green series and though I haven’t read the first book, I enjoyed the second one. This book picks up shortly after the events of the first book and while I was slightly lost, the author briefly went through the major plot points of the first book to catch the reader up.
Dakota is an aspiring veterinarian going to vet school who’s recently come back home and come to terms with finding out who her bio dad is and a brand new sibling she didn’t know she had. She’s also dating the local sheriff but has no idea whether they’re exclusive? Or just casually dating? Or whether he’s even serious about her at all? She’s also battling the grief of losing her mother. All this forms the background of one of her classmates dying right in the middle of the dance floor during their 10 year high school reunion.
This book started off strong but then reached a rather tepid conclusion towards the end. Maybe it’s just me and I’ve just read far too many murder mysteries but the identity of the secret lover was very obvious from the beginning. Not to mention the murder kinda turns into….not a murder at the end? I was disappointed with the way the conclusion panned out especially when the book started off strong. But in terms of entertainment value, this book was pretty entertaining and makes for a good lighthearted mystery read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book is the second of the Dakota Green series and though I haven’t read the first book, I enjoyed the second one. This book picks up shortly after the events of the first book and while I was slightly lost, the author briefly went through the major plot points of the first book to catch the reader up.
Dakota is an aspiring veterinarian going to vet school who’s recently come back home and come to terms with finding out who her bio dad is and a brand new sibling she didn’t know she had. She’s also dating the local sheriff but has no idea whether they’re exclusive? Or just casually dating? Or whether he’s even serious about her at all? She’s also battling the grief of losing her mother. All this forms the background of one of her classmates dying right in the middle of the dance floor during their 10 year high school reunion.
This book started off strong but then reached a rather tepid conclusion towards the end. Maybe it’s just me and I’ve just read far too many murder mysteries but the identity of the secret lover was very obvious from the beginning. Not to mention the murder kinda turns into….not a murder at the end? I was disappointed with the way the conclusion panned out especially when the book started off strong. But in terms of entertainment value, this book was pretty entertaining and makes for a good lighthearted mystery read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
June 10, 2025
4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of An Heiress’s Guide To Death And Diamonds.
Dakota Green returns home for her ten year high school reunion. It is being held at Rose Palace and she is counting down the minutes until she can leave. Then a commotion on the dance floor catches her attention and alum and tv star Brett seems to be choking. Dakota tries to do cpr but it is too late Brett is gone. Small town sheriff and Dakota’s boyfriend Charlie is called to investigate. It seems that Brett did not choke he was murdered. Charlie and Dakota team up once again to investigate another murder at Rose Palace.
This is the second book in this series and the series gives me Miss Congeniality vibes. They are very quick easy reads!
Dakota Green returns home for her ten year high school reunion. It is being held at Rose Palace and she is counting down the minutes until she can leave. Then a commotion on the dance floor catches her attention and alum and tv star Brett seems to be choking. Dakota tries to do cpr but it is too late Brett is gone. Small town sheriff and Dakota’s boyfriend Charlie is called to investigate. It seems that Brett did not choke he was murdered. Charlie and Dakota team up once again to investigate another murder at Rose Palace.
This is the second book in this series and the series gives me Miss Congeniality vibes. They are very quick easy reads!
June 30, 2025
I am really enjoying the time I spend with Dakota as she stumbles upon dead bodies. She is smart, savvy, and is written as someone we can all relate to. The writing is fun, humorous, and the mashed together words Savilla comes up had me laughing throughout. The mystery itself is well-paced and I loved investigating along with Dakota as it all unfolded. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
Wow! Loved, loved, loved this one! Quirky, original, wonderful. A great read that I very highly recommend. So happy to have discovered this author.
June 18, 2025
Girrrlll, this one was even better than the first! I fell more in love with the characters and felt more of a connection to them. The mystery was fantastic and so well-plotted. Im not gonna lie, I hated Brett so much, I thought I may have been the killer there for a minute. Still love the southern atmosphere and the familiar setting. A great job, again, friend! Can’t wait to read more!
November 15, 2025
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first one. The ending felt rushed and a little empty. I was entertained though and would read a third if one was written. Best part about this series is that the cast is mostly women. Cozy mystery continues to be a fave genre for me.
April 30, 2025
Title: An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds
Series: Dakota Green Book #2
Author: Kristen Bird
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 3.7 Stars
Pages: 270
Book two in the Dakota Green Mysteries begins a few months after the conclusion of Book One “A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem with a second visit to Aubergine, Virginia, and the Rose Palace.
I read and enjoyed the first book... The blurb posted - it is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs -- and yes it delivered!
Dakota Green is home to attend her ten year high school reunion as well as deal with some family business and spend time with local sheriff and possible boyfriend Charlie Strong. What she hadn't planned was to be thrown into another murder investigation or to have to once again try to prove the innocence of someone close to her! With a whole graduating class to choose from and a victim who had ruffled more than a few feathers Dakota knows she has her work cut out for her and that's before she even has a chance to discuss a once in a lifetime job offer with her aunt!
And the adventure begins . . . .
About the author ~ Kristen Bird has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mi
I enjoyed reading Ms. Bird’s “A Letter From the Author’ - It is always fun hearing the author’s personal side in writing a story. And yes we readers are also excited as well as anxious to find out the next chapter in the lives of Dakota and Charlie and of the other folks in Aubergine.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.
Series: Dakota Green Book #2
Author: Kristen Bird
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 3.7 Stars
Pages: 270
Book two in the Dakota Green Mysteries begins a few months after the conclusion of Book One “A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem with a second visit to Aubergine, Virginia, and the Rose Palace.
I read and enjoyed the first book... The blurb posted - it is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs -- and yes it delivered!
Dakota Green is home to attend her ten year high school reunion as well as deal with some family business and spend time with local sheriff and possible boyfriend Charlie Strong. What she hadn't planned was to be thrown into another murder investigation or to have to once again try to prove the innocence of someone close to her! With a whole graduating class to choose from and a victim who had ruffled more than a few feathers Dakota knows she has her work cut out for her and that's before she even has a chance to discuss a once in a lifetime job offer with her aunt!
And the adventure begins . . . .
About the author ~ Kristen Bird has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mi
I enjoyed reading Ms. Bird’s “A Letter From the Author’ - It is always fun hearing the author’s personal side in writing a story. And yes we readers are also excited as well as anxious to find out the next chapter in the lives of Dakota and Charlie and of the other folks in Aubergine.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.
May 4, 2025
After winning the Rose Palace Pageant, Dakota Green now has money to finish veterinary school in New York. She comes home for a class reunion and to attend Frederick Finch’s will reading.
Once again we are transported to the charming town of Aubergine, Virginia, and the delightful cast of characters of Lacy, Dakota’s best friend, Charlie, her boyfriend, Jemma, who is providing the entertainment, and Savilla, who is her half-sister. It seems like an interesting reunion because classmate Brett Brinkley, a reality TV show winner, is in attendance and seems to be stirring things up. When he ends up dead, Lacy is the prime suspect because she was dancing with him at the time.
Dakota investigates because she needs to clear Lacy from suspicion. Dakota is having a rough weekend because there is some jealousy of Charlie’s deputy, who is attractive and has a familiarity with him as they have known each other for years, deciding whether to go to San Diego for a fellowship or come back to Aubergine, and processing that Frederick Finch was her father and Savilla is her half-sister..
There are plenty of suspects and Dakota has her work cut out for her solving this murder. There is also the disappearance of the family’s Rose Diamond, worth at least $50 million, which was left to Brett. The will reading scene was funny with Savilla’s mother and aunt attending, having been given a pass from jail. That seemed odd to me that they got out for that and also that they thought they’d inherit anything considering they killed Frederick. Regardless, it was amusing.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book. I find Savilla’s combining of words hilarious and I love how Dakota tries to figure how what word combination she is doing. The killer and the reason for the murder was surprising. I hope there are more books in this series because I want to see how Dakota settles into being Savilla’s sister and heir to the estate and to see her romance with Charlie grow.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once again we are transported to the charming town of Aubergine, Virginia, and the delightful cast of characters of Lacy, Dakota’s best friend, Charlie, her boyfriend, Jemma, who is providing the entertainment, and Savilla, who is her half-sister. It seems like an interesting reunion because classmate Brett Brinkley, a reality TV show winner, is in attendance and seems to be stirring things up. When he ends up dead, Lacy is the prime suspect because she was dancing with him at the time.
Dakota investigates because she needs to clear Lacy from suspicion. Dakota is having a rough weekend because there is some jealousy of Charlie’s deputy, who is attractive and has a familiarity with him as they have known each other for years, deciding whether to go to San Diego for a fellowship or come back to Aubergine, and processing that Frederick Finch was her father and Savilla is her half-sister..
There are plenty of suspects and Dakota has her work cut out for her solving this murder. There is also the disappearance of the family’s Rose Diamond, worth at least $50 million, which was left to Brett. The will reading scene was funny with Savilla’s mother and aunt attending, having been given a pass from jail. That seemed odd to me that they got out for that and also that they thought they’d inherit anything considering they killed Frederick. Regardless, it was amusing.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book. I find Savilla’s combining of words hilarious and I love how Dakota tries to figure how what word combination she is doing. The killer and the reason for the murder was surprising. I hope there are more books in this series because I want to see how Dakota settles into being Savilla’s sister and heir to the estate and to see her romance with Charlie grow.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2025
Dakota Green is back in Aubergine for her 10 year high school reunion, some quality time with her maybe/maybe not boyfriend, Chief of Police Charlie, and the reading of her newly discovered father’s will. She anticipates a somewhat relaxing weekend until one of her former classmates suddenly dies during the reunion & she’s thrown into a murder investigation. Can she help Charlie solve the case before it’s too late, all while keeping her sanity with everything else on her plate or will everything spin out of control?
While I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the Dakota Green series, I didn’t find that I was completely lost. Kristen Bird did a great job of giving book one (A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem) summaries throughout without making it feel like a complete retelling of the first story. It gave enough of Dakota’s backstory where following along with the current relationships was easy.
I really like Dakota’s character & found that she was extremely relatable in a lot of aspects. While she had confidence and strength, she also had insecurities relating to her romantic relationship with Charlie and wasn’t afraid to let those be seen. She was fiercely loyal to Lacy and determined to do whatever possible to make sure she was okay in the end & didn’t shy away from her new found sister, Savilla, even though it was not something she planned on.
The storyline itself was easy to follow and had enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I would definitely categorize it as a cozy mystery. It was quick enough where you didn’t get bored but long enough where it had enough plot to keep you intrigued. I would definitely read more about Dakota’s next case if there’s a book three.
***Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion***
While I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the Dakota Green series, I didn’t find that I was completely lost. Kristen Bird did a great job of giving book one (A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem) summaries throughout without making it feel like a complete retelling of the first story. It gave enough of Dakota’s backstory where following along with the current relationships was easy.
I really like Dakota’s character & found that she was extremely relatable in a lot of aspects. While she had confidence and strength, she also had insecurities relating to her romantic relationship with Charlie and wasn’t afraid to let those be seen. She was fiercely loyal to Lacy and determined to do whatever possible to make sure she was okay in the end & didn’t shy away from her new found sister, Savilla, even though it was not something she planned on.
The storyline itself was easy to follow and had enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I would definitely categorize it as a cozy mystery. It was quick enough where you didn’t get bored but long enough where it had enough plot to keep you intrigued. I would definitely read more about Dakota’s next case if there’s a book three.
***Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion***
May 29, 2025
Going to my reunion was something I avoided when it rolled around. After reading this book, I am glad I did because dead body aside, it still sounded awkward. Brett, our victim, was clearly still stuck in the past or at least as we learn good at playing at it. One thing that astounds me is how vile the victims in cozies always turn out to be. That makes sense so you wind up with a whole plethora of suspects from the ex to the ex's new man to the crazy girlfriend. I'm not sure what was more amusing about her between her desperation to be famous or infamous or her belief in the evil eye. As I quick aside, I have an Italian grandmother and I remember her using the same word for evil eye (not cruse.) I immediately pictured my own grandmother in the role.
Dakota's life feel like it spun on its head and could continue to do so in the book from her relationship with Charlie, to her investigation side to her awesome opportunity. I did get a little wig at how well it was described by the author when she tried to save Brett but then my brain kicked in and I realized that would never happen exactly like it did. Read the book to enjoy and ignore things like she was not wearing gloves. Dakota also had to navigate a lot of shifting dynamics from a friend becoming a sister to finding solid ground with Charlie despite the overly pretty deputy.
I had my suspicions on the killer and all I can say is don't jump to conclusions based on the first guy to act like a skunk. The mystery was good and cozy but the ending was awesome. So much happiness to go around and Dakota's grandmother's comment. It made everything truly ring true for me because God works in mysterious ways just like the ending said.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Dakota's life feel like it spun on its head and could continue to do so in the book from her relationship with Charlie, to her investigation side to her awesome opportunity. I did get a little wig at how well it was described by the author when she tried to save Brett but then my brain kicked in and I realized that would never happen exactly like it did. Read the book to enjoy and ignore things like she was not wearing gloves. Dakota also had to navigate a lot of shifting dynamics from a friend becoming a sister to finding solid ground with Charlie despite the overly pretty deputy.
I had my suspicions on the killer and all I can say is don't jump to conclusions based on the first guy to act like a skunk. The mystery was good and cozy but the ending was awesome. So much happiness to go around and Dakota's grandmother's comment. It made everything truly ring true for me because God works in mysterious ways just like the ending said.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 6, 2025
BOOK: AN HEIRESS'S GUIDE TO DEATH AND DIAMONDS
AUTHOR: KRISTEN BIRD
PUB DATE: JUNE 2025
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
First of all, the amazing cover! Then, the amazing FMC, Dakota Green, is the kind of character that makes a cozy mystery pop! Dakota was a veterinary student, dating the town's sheriff going through a massive change of her mother's death, newfound father, sister and a boat load of money. Anyway, she had enough personal baggage and amateur sleuths skills to keep me turning the pages.
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
The victim here, Brent died in front of the FMC and the suspects were close to home, so Dakota rose to the occasion to save her friends. At first, I wondered how she might do that, but she has a talent for snooping around, eavesdropping, perfect skills for an amateur sleuth. She did a good job turning over the stones, looking for suspects and their motives.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
She had help from the town's sheriff who was also her boyfriend and her new sister, Savilla. Savilla was an amazing, bubbly, enthusiastic character and made Dakota get out of her funk and familial confusion. On the other hand, I was apprehensive about the boyfriend, Charlie, at first it felt like he was a scum. However my view changed when he got Dakota to talk to him. Turns out he was actually okay.
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
I didn't expect the culprit to be who they were, but it was nice that the usual suspects were innocent so they could go on with their lives. The book was fast paced with amazing characters and a good ending, I would definitely recommend it. I didn't read the first book in the series, but I had no problem reading and understanding this.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
AUTHOR: KRISTEN BIRD
PUB DATE: JUNE 2025
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
First of all, the amazing cover! Then, the amazing FMC, Dakota Green, is the kind of character that makes a cozy mystery pop! Dakota was a veterinary student, dating the town's sheriff going through a massive change of her mother's death, newfound father, sister and a boat load of money. Anyway, she had enough personal baggage and amateur sleuths skills to keep me turning the pages.
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
The victim here, Brent died in front of the FMC and the suspects were close to home, so Dakota rose to the occasion to save her friends. At first, I wondered how she might do that, but she has a talent for snooping around, eavesdropping, perfect skills for an amateur sleuth. She did a good job turning over the stones, looking for suspects and their motives.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
She had help from the town's sheriff who was also her boyfriend and her new sister, Savilla. Savilla was an amazing, bubbly, enthusiastic character and made Dakota get out of her funk and familial confusion. On the other hand, I was apprehensive about the boyfriend, Charlie, at first it felt like he was a scum. However my view changed when he got Dakota to talk to him. Turns out he was actually okay.
👩🏽⚕️💰🕵🏼♀️
I didn't expect the culprit to be who they were, but it was nice that the usual suspects were innocent so they could go on with their lives. The book was fast paced with amazing characters and a good ending, I would definitely recommend it. I didn't read the first book in the series, but I had no problem reading and understanding this.
🕵🏼♀️💰👩🏽⚕️
June 10, 2025
💎 ARC REVIEW 💎 AN HEIRESS'S GUIDE TO DEATH AND DIAMONDS (DAKOTA GREEN #2)💎 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Murder, missing diamonds, and a high school reunion? Dakota Green is back!
Kristen Bird serves up a sparkling sequel with "An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds," and it might just outshine the first book (though that debut cover still has my heart 😍). Dakota's back in her unconventional Virginia hometown for what's supposed to be a drama-free high school reunion. Surprise—someone ends up dead on the dance floor🕺. And the search begins for a missing diamond!
Dakota's plate is overflowing: she's tackling vet school, navigating a long-distance relationship with her adorable sheriff boyfriend, and hunting down a priceless gem. Classic Dakota, armed with her lovable sass, charm, and knack for finding trouble.
The cast remains delightfully eccentric, and the mystery is twisty without being overly complicated. The pacing was smoother this time, with fun subplots that kept things engaging. It was a refreshing change from my typical fast-paced and intense thrillers!
The inheritance sometimes takes center stage, but Dakota's voice and her sleuthing shenanigans, which are so entertaining, always bring it back home.
Suppose you adore witty heroines and small-town whodunnits with a little Southern sparkle. In that case, you'll want to add this to your TBR. Dakota's Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds." It proves that cozy doesn't mean predictable—and Dakota Green is one sleuth you'll want to keep an eye on!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for this gifted ARC provided via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
Murder, missing diamonds, and a high school reunion? Dakota Green is back!
Kristen Bird serves up a sparkling sequel with "An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds," and it might just outshine the first book (though that debut cover still has my heart 😍). Dakota's back in her unconventional Virginia hometown for what's supposed to be a drama-free high school reunion. Surprise—someone ends up dead on the dance floor🕺. And the search begins for a missing diamond!
Dakota's plate is overflowing: she's tackling vet school, navigating a long-distance relationship with her adorable sheriff boyfriend, and hunting down a priceless gem. Classic Dakota, armed with her lovable sass, charm, and knack for finding trouble.
The cast remains delightfully eccentric, and the mystery is twisty without being overly complicated. The pacing was smoother this time, with fun subplots that kept things engaging. It was a refreshing change from my typical fast-paced and intense thrillers!
The inheritance sometimes takes center stage, but Dakota's voice and her sleuthing shenanigans, which are so entertaining, always bring it back home.
Suppose you adore witty heroines and small-town whodunnits with a little Southern sparkle. In that case, you'll want to add this to your TBR. Dakota's Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds." It proves that cozy doesn't mean predictable—and Dakota Green is one sleuth you'll want to keep an eye on!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for this gifted ARC provided via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one in this series, Kirsten Bird has written a murder mystery that is slightly tongue in cheek, with likeable, well rounded characters.
Trainee vet, Dakota Green was back in her hometown of Aubergine, Virginia to attend a school reunion, The Rose room was decorated and all the people that she had grown up with and counted as her friends, some more friendly than others were there, they had all gone their separate ways, some had been more successful than others.
This wasn't really Dakota's scene, although her best friend, Lacy, seemed to be really into it, Dakota was wondering when she could sneak away and spend some time with Charlie when suddenly, Brett Brinkley, now a TV star, started choking and stopped breathing. Dakota, being the only one with any medical knowledge even though Brett was neither a horse or a dog, started CPR whilst humming "Staying Alive. Relief was shrouded with something else when her boyfriend Charlie, who was the town sheriff, walked in with his very attractive deputy clinging possessively to his arm.
As this story unfolds, Dakota and Charlie work both independently and together to find out who had murdered Brett, Dakota was determined to knock her best friend off the long list of suspects. It finally took a bit of woo woo to find the unexpected answer.
Will they find the Rose diamond ?
Will Dakota get her man or will she take up the offer of a scholarship in a far away city.
I look forward to reading more of Dakota Green.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
Trainee vet, Dakota Green was back in her hometown of Aubergine, Virginia to attend a school reunion, The Rose room was decorated and all the people that she had grown up with and counted as her friends, some more friendly than others were there, they had all gone their separate ways, some had been more successful than others.
This wasn't really Dakota's scene, although her best friend, Lacy, seemed to be really into it, Dakota was wondering when she could sneak away and spend some time with Charlie when suddenly, Brett Brinkley, now a TV star, started choking and stopped breathing. Dakota, being the only one with any medical knowledge even though Brett was neither a horse or a dog, started CPR whilst humming "Staying Alive. Relief was shrouded with something else when her boyfriend Charlie, who was the town sheriff, walked in with his very attractive deputy clinging possessively to his arm.
As this story unfolds, Dakota and Charlie work both independently and together to find out who had murdered Brett, Dakota was determined to knock her best friend off the long list of suspects. It finally took a bit of woo woo to find the unexpected answer.
Will they find the Rose diamond ?
Will Dakota get her man or will she take up the offer of a scholarship in a far away city.
I look forward to reading more of Dakota Green.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
June 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!
An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds was such a fun cozy mystery! The characters were so fun to connect with and the large, old palace setting provided a fun but spooky setting. Although I did not read the first book, I look forward to going back and reading that one next!
Characters:
Charlie
At the beginning I have to admit I was not a fan of Charlie and Dakota together, Charlie came across as distant and cold towards his "girlfriend" and I don't know if this is because we got to know his character more in the first book or if this was in preparation for the change in the middle of the second book.
Aunt DeeDee
Aunt DeeDee was so sweet, she felt like a cute grandma who was always there with a shoulder to cry on and definitely helped give hint into people's true character.
Savilla
Cant wait to see more of Savilla and Dakota's relationship develop in the next book. Savilla was not at all what I would have expected from a rich girl who lives in a palace, but I think she will bring out a fun side of Dakota.
Dakota has some big decisions to make in the next book and I can't wait to see where she ends up. I had a long list of suspects at the beginning of the book and even though I figured out the murderer half way through, Kristen Bird still made the story engaging and fun to puzzle the how and why together till the last page. Highly recommend this cozy mystery.
P.S. The seance scene was so funny, definitely my favorite part!
An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds was such a fun cozy mystery! The characters were so fun to connect with and the large, old palace setting provided a fun but spooky setting. Although I did not read the first book, I look forward to going back and reading that one next!
Characters:
Charlie
At the beginning I have to admit I was not a fan of Charlie and Dakota together, Charlie came across as distant and cold towards his "girlfriend" and I don't know if this is because we got to know his character more in the first book or if this was in preparation for the change in the middle of the second book.
Aunt DeeDee
Aunt DeeDee was so sweet, she felt like a cute grandma who was always there with a shoulder to cry on and definitely helped give hint into people's true character.
Savilla
Cant wait to see more of Savilla and Dakota's relationship develop in the next book. Savilla was not at all what I would have expected from a rich girl who lives in a palace, but I think she will bring out a fun side of Dakota.
Dakota has some big decisions to make in the next book and I can't wait to see where she ends up. I had a long list of suspects at the beginning of the book and even though I figured out the murderer half way through, Kristen Bird still made the story engaging and fun to puzzle the how and why together till the last page. Highly recommend this cozy mystery.
P.S. The seance scene was so funny, definitely my favorite part!
April 24, 2025
High school reunions can be murder; literally.
Our favourite daughter of Aubergine is back in town for her 10 year high school reunion, revisiting some memories that are better suited to stay in high school along with sweaty gym socks. After winning the town's famous beauty pageant, Dakota Green is finally finishing veterinary school but she owes it to her best friend Lacy (and the upcoming willing reading of her newly discovered father) to return to town. When hometown golden boy turned reality star Brett Brinkley suddenly chokes on the dance floor, it seems that there's more secrets in the small town than anyone could have imagined.
I have been waiting with bated breath for the return of Dakota, Lacy, Savilla and crew after reading the first book of the series. Kristen Bird does not disappoint with her follow-up book. Filled to the brim with a fast-paced story, well-developed characters, and real-world issues, this book is a must have for your bookshelf.
The books in this series always fly by to me, and I love that you can clearly picture people in your own life mirrored in the book's characters. It brings a feeling of bookish camaraderie to the experience, while also trying to solve the mystery along the way.
I cannot wait for book 3, and hopefully many more to follow!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
Our favourite daughter of Aubergine is back in town for her 10 year high school reunion, revisiting some memories that are better suited to stay in high school along with sweaty gym socks. After winning the town's famous beauty pageant, Dakota Green is finally finishing veterinary school but she owes it to her best friend Lacy (and the upcoming willing reading of her newly discovered father) to return to town. When hometown golden boy turned reality star Brett Brinkley suddenly chokes on the dance floor, it seems that there's more secrets in the small town than anyone could have imagined.
I have been waiting with bated breath for the return of Dakota, Lacy, Savilla and crew after reading the first book of the series. Kristen Bird does not disappoint with her follow-up book. Filled to the brim with a fast-paced story, well-developed characters, and real-world issues, this book is a must have for your bookshelf.
The books in this series always fly by to me, and I love that you can clearly picture people in your own life mirrored in the book's characters. It brings a feeling of bookish camaraderie to the experience, while also trying to solve the mystery along the way.
I cannot wait for book 3, and hopefully many more to follow!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
April 6, 2025
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Dakota has a lot on her plate as she returns to her small hometown for a high school reunion. She is attending veterinarian school, is in a long-distance relationship with the town's sheriff, and has recently learned of her real parentage. But then there is a death at the reunion party, and the person who died is none other than Brett, a reality TV star. The prime suspect is Dakota's childhood best friend. Dakota is then thrust into a race against time, and must figure out who really committed the murder, figure out the truth about missing diamonds, decide whether to accept an inheritance, and pick through a ton of suspects.
I liked that this book had a variety of people to choose from who could have committed the murder, and their reasons were legitimate and relatable. But I could have done without the competing storyline of the inheritance. This is the second book in a series, and I felt the author did a great job of catching readers up so that they did not have to have read the previous book to understand this book's characters and storylines.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that this book had a variety of people to choose from who could have committed the murder, and their reasons were legitimate and relatable. But I could have done without the competing storyline of the inheritance. This is the second book in a series, and I felt the author did a great job of catching readers up so that they did not have to have read the previous book to understand this book's characters and storylines.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds by Kristen Bird is the second book in the Dakota Green Mystery Series, and while I haven’t read the first installment, I found it easy to catch up on the backstory and fully enjoy this one. The story begins with Dakota Green attending her high school reunion, where reality TV star Brett Brinkley dies under suspicious circumstances. With plenty of possible suspects in the mix, Dakota is determined to uncover the truth, especially to help clear her childhood best friend, who was being blackmailed by the victim.
Adding another layer to the story is Dakota’s budding relationship with the town sheriff. As a relatively new couple, they’re still navigating their dynamic, which adds a nice touch of personal drama. I also appreciated the secondary storyline involving Dakota and her inheritance, which tied seamlessly into the main mystery. The charm of this mystery lies not just in its engaging plot but also that I didn’t figure out the killer’s identity before the big reveal.
Overall, this book is an entertaining whodunit with a strong main character and a storyline that balances intrigue with personal stakes.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Adding another layer to the story is Dakota’s budding relationship with the town sheriff. As a relatively new couple, they’re still navigating their dynamic, which adds a nice touch of personal drama. I also appreciated the secondary storyline involving Dakota and her inheritance, which tied seamlessly into the main mystery. The charm of this mystery lies not just in its engaging plot but also that I didn’t figure out the killer’s identity before the big reveal.
Overall, this book is an entertaining whodunit with a strong main character and a storyline that balances intrigue with personal stakes.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
August 30, 2025
Kristen Bird’s An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds is a sparkling Southern mystery full of wit, charm, and small-town secrets. Returning readers will be delighted to see Dakota Green back in the quirky town of Aubergine, Virginia—though her high school reunion turns deadly when a reality TV star collapses on the dance floor and whispers of stolen diamonds start swirling.
Dakota remains an endearing heroine—clever, relatable, and just messy enough to feel real. Between the stress of vet school, a romance that may or may not survive long-distance complications, and an ever-growing list of suspects, she juggles sleuthing with humor and heart. Bird populates Aubergine with a lively supporting cast, eccentric enough to keep things fun without veering into caricature.
The mystery itself is engaging, layered with secrets, red herrings, and enough small-town drama to keep readers turning pages. While the conclusion isn’t as explosive as the setup promises, the ride is full of clever twists and entertaining turns.
A cozy mystery with Southern sass and plenty of sparkle, An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds is perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich, or anyone who enjoys a witty heroine stumbling into murder and mayhem.
Dakota remains an endearing heroine—clever, relatable, and just messy enough to feel real. Between the stress of vet school, a romance that may or may not survive long-distance complications, and an ever-growing list of suspects, she juggles sleuthing with humor and heart. Bird populates Aubergine with a lively supporting cast, eccentric enough to keep things fun without veering into caricature.
The mystery itself is engaging, layered with secrets, red herrings, and enough small-town drama to keep readers turning pages. While the conclusion isn’t as explosive as the setup promises, the ride is full of clever twists and entertaining turns.
A cozy mystery with Southern sass and plenty of sparkle, An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds is perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich, or anyone who enjoys a witty heroine stumbling into murder and mayhem.
April 30, 2025
Reality TV star drops dead at the reunion?? Childhood BFF is the main suspect?? Oh don’t worry—Dakota’s got a murder to solve and a diamond to find before midnight.
📚 Reasons to Read An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds
A cozy murder mystery – From blackmail and fake séances to secret inheritances, Dakota’s got her hands full in Aubergine.
Reunion – A former reality star is dead, and old high school secrets are spilling fast.
Ticking clock – Dakota has until midnight to solve a murder and decide if she’ll claim a legacy that could destroy her.
Swoony small-town romance – Between the dreamy sheriff and a shocking discovery about her past, Dakota’s life may never be the same.
Earlier this year I read A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, and immediately looked to see if there were any more. This one is coming out in June and I think Dakota Green is a main character I can’t wait to read more about. Sure there were times where you wondered why she didn’t put the pieces together like you probably will, but it doesn’t really matter here. This book is fun, the characters are memorable, and it’s just an enjoyable way to spend your time!
📚 Reasons to Read An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds
A cozy murder mystery – From blackmail and fake séances to secret inheritances, Dakota’s got her hands full in Aubergine.
Reunion – A former reality star is dead, and old high school secrets are spilling fast.
Ticking clock – Dakota has until midnight to solve a murder and decide if she’ll claim a legacy that could destroy her.
Swoony small-town romance – Between the dreamy sheriff and a shocking discovery about her past, Dakota’s life may never be the same.
Earlier this year I read A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, and immediately looked to see if there were any more. This one is coming out in June and I think Dakota Green is a main character I can’t wait to read more about. Sure there were times where you wondered why she didn’t put the pieces together like you probably will, but it doesn’t really matter here. This book is fun, the characters are memorable, and it’s just an enjoyable way to spend your time!
June 3, 2025
Dakota Green comes home to Aubergine, Virginia to attend her ten year high school reunion. All Dakota wants to do is stay for an hour, some small talk and warm beer. She is hoping to spend time with Sheriff Charlie Strong, her "boyfriend" after the reunion. What she isn't expecting is to be a witness to a murder! Brett Brinkley, a former classmate, now reality star collapses on the dance floor. If that isn't enough to get Dakota's sleuthing gene going, her best friend, Lacy, becomes a suspect. Oh and there is a missing diamond, a possible inheritance and an amazing job offer all for Dakota to sort out!
This is a fun cozy that will make you laugh. Although this is the second book, the author provides enough background that it can be read as a stand-alone. (I will say that I enjoyed the first book, A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem, a little more.) There are twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along. The author leaves enough threads unanswered so we can expect another book, I hope.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Storm Publishing, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
This is a fun cozy that will make you laugh. Although this is the second book, the author provides enough background that it can be read as a stand-alone. (I will say that I enjoyed the first book, A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem, a little more.) There are twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along. The author leaves enough threads unanswered so we can expect another book, I hope.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Storm Publishing, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
April 24, 2025
Lots of laughs and groans, plenty of angst, and coming home for a reunion can be a really bad idea. Things are a lot different now that her mom is gone and the killers from the Beauty pageant murder are in prison, but murder happens anyway and the victim is a really disgusting piece of work. A rich old man has died and she has to be on hand for the reading of the will, finds out she is half owner of a nearly bankrupt estate, and her friend is really her half-sister. Enough things happening with assorted boyfriends and insights into past events to drive anyone to distraction. Addictive read that just keeps moving along. Loved it.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Storm Publishing courtesy of NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 10, 2025
#AnHeiresssGuidetoDeathandDiamonds #kristenbirdwrites #DakotaGreenMysteryBk #NetGalley @stormbooks_co #cozymystery #bookbub #goodreads # #veterinarian #realitytv #tvcrew #familymadness #personalhistories #fiction #librarythingofficial #the.storygraph
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Storm Publishing courtesy of NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 10, 2025
#AnHeiresssGuidetoDeathandDiamonds #kristenbirdwrites #DakotaGreenMysteryBk #NetGalley @stormbooks_co #cozymystery #bookbub #goodreads # #veterinarian #realitytv #tvcrew #familymadness #personalhistories #fiction #librarythingofficial #the.storygraph
August 7, 2025
SYNOPSIS
Dakota Green returns home for her high school reunion. True, her long distance boyfriend also lives in her home town so she's up for any excuse to see him too. Dakota's expecting a boring night of small talk at her reunion, however the night takes a turn when her classmate and successful reality TV star drops dead on the dance floor. She's determined to' help' her sheriff boyfriend solve the case while dealing with her own stuff including finding out who her father is and coming to terms with an unexpected inheritance.
MY THOUGHTS
While this is part 2 of a book series, it can absolutely be read as a stand alone story. I will definitely go back and read the 1st book as this one's a modern, delicious, small town murder mystery, ferociously funny and with enough surprises to keep you guessing till the end. Dakota's a smart and likeable character who you'd be happy to be friends with and who you'd want on your side. A quick, easy and quirky read.
Thanks to NetGalley and @stormbooks_co for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐⭐⭐.5
Dakota Green returns home for her high school reunion. True, her long distance boyfriend also lives in her home town so she's up for any excuse to see him too. Dakota's expecting a boring night of small talk at her reunion, however the night takes a turn when her classmate and successful reality TV star drops dead on the dance floor. She's determined to' help' her sheriff boyfriend solve the case while dealing with her own stuff including finding out who her father is and coming to terms with an unexpected inheritance.
MY THOUGHTS
While this is part 2 of a book series, it can absolutely be read as a stand alone story. I will definitely go back and read the 1st book as this one's a modern, delicious, small town murder mystery, ferociously funny and with enough surprises to keep you guessing till the end. Dakota's a smart and likeable character who you'd be happy to be friends with and who you'd want on your side. A quick, easy and quirky read.
Thanks to NetGalley and @stormbooks_co for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐⭐⭐.5
May 6, 2025
I've got to learn to stop jumping in the middle of a series when doing ARCs.
Perhaps if I'd read the first book, I'd have known there was a bit of language and a lot of 'modern morals' included. Personally, I'm not a fan of sleeping together before marriage and especially not a fan of recording said actions. Granted, this is a text-filled book, and there are no visuals but what my mind creates. There was enough for my mind to go places I didn't necessarily want it to, and the examples of the abuse of power that occurred were hard to read.
Did the mystery keep me guessing? Yes. Did I have the murderer figured out? I'd narrowed it down to two, and yes, one of the two I'd chosen was correct. I liked the patience extended between Dakota and the Sheriff, but not the emphasis on their sexuality.
I think this series by this author is simply not the choice for me.
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
Perhaps if I'd read the first book, I'd have known there was a bit of language and a lot of 'modern morals' included. Personally, I'm not a fan of sleeping together before marriage and especially not a fan of recording said actions. Granted, this is a text-filled book, and there are no visuals but what my mind creates. There was enough for my mind to go places I didn't necessarily want it to, and the examples of the abuse of power that occurred were hard to read.
Did the mystery keep me guessing? Yes. Did I have the murderer figured out? I'd narrowed it down to two, and yes, one of the two I'd chosen was correct. I liked the patience extended between Dakota and the Sheriff, but not the emphasis on their sexuality.
I think this series by this author is simply not the choice for me.
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
June 9, 2025
Glad to be back in Aubergine, reading about another murder!
I really am enjoying the Dakota Green series. These are such fun, fast-paced murder mysteries that just hit the spot every time.
Dakota is back in town for her High School reunion, and boy do things go off the rails.
It's a classic small-town murder mystery - everyone has a motive, things get twisty, Dakota gets quippy and then comes up with some zany way to get the killer to confess. what more could you want?
I will say that some of the relationship bits between Dakota and Charlie were a little annoying, mainly that we get told sort of anecdotally what happened between them since book one; and as a romance lover, I would have loved to read about the sweet romance happening on the page!!
That aside, this is another fun installment in the series, and I can't wait to keep reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC! All thoughts & opinions are my own.
I really am enjoying the Dakota Green series. These are such fun, fast-paced murder mysteries that just hit the spot every time.
Dakota is back in town for her High School reunion, and boy do things go off the rails.
It's a classic small-town murder mystery - everyone has a motive, things get twisty, Dakota gets quippy and then comes up with some zany way to get the killer to confess. what more could you want?
I will say that some of the relationship bits between Dakota and Charlie were a little annoying, mainly that we get told sort of anecdotally what happened between them since book one; and as a romance lover, I would have loved to read about the sweet romance happening on the page!!
That aside, this is another fun installment in the series, and I can't wait to keep reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC! All thoughts & opinions are my own.
April 30, 2025
This is a fun cosy mystery with a sassy main character! Dakota is at her high school reunion event, desperately counting the minutes before she can she, when one of her former classmates collapses. Can she help Sheriff partner Charlie solve the mystery, and clear best friend Lacy's name?
This is the second in a series, and you definitely need to read the first one before this if you intend to read them both. I hadn't read the first, but now don't have to as the story from number 1 was VERY clearly revealed in this! It's always quite disappointing when a book rehashes the complete story of a previous, but I do understand why that had to happen in this case as the story follows closely on timewise. That all said, I loved Dakota, and Savilla's word mix ups were brilliant. I will definitely look out for book 3.
This is the second in a series, and you definitely need to read the first one before this if you intend to read them both. I hadn't read the first, but now don't have to as the story from number 1 was VERY clearly revealed in this! It's always quite disappointing when a book rehashes the complete story of a previous, but I do understand why that had to happen in this case as the story follows closely on timewise. That all said, I loved Dakota, and Savilla's word mix ups were brilliant. I will definitely look out for book 3.
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