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A Brighton Village Mystery #2
Of Valentines and Vendetta
Chocolate, coffee beans, and a side of murder.
When Page Hamlin’s baker vanishes on the opening day of the annual Chocolate Festival, she begs her sister-in-law Ellie to roll up her sleeves and help keep the Purple Page Bookshop and Café humming. For Ellie, the distraction is welcome—it’s the anniversary of her husband’s death, and baking is easier than crying.
But the celebration turns bittersweet when the missing baker is discovered in the dumpster out back…with her mouth stuffed full of chocolate-covered coffee beans. Even worse, the police find “evidence” that makes Page their prime suspect.
Ellie refuses to let her sister-in-law take the fall. Armed with curiosity, determination, and a dash of chocolate-fueled courage, Ellie sets out to uncover the real killer. But with too-perfect clues, simmering secrets, and plenty of suspects, she’ll have to be careful—or risk becoming the next victim on the menu.
In Brighton Village, murder has a way of spoiling even the sweetest treats.
When Page Hamlin’s baker vanishes on the opening day of the annual Chocolate Festival, she begs her sister-in-law Ellie to roll up her sleeves and help keep the Purple Page Bookshop and Café humming. For Ellie, the distraction is welcome—it’s the anniversary of her husband’s death, and baking is easier than crying.
But the celebration turns bittersweet when the missing baker is discovered in the dumpster out back…with her mouth stuffed full of chocolate-covered coffee beans. Even worse, the police find “evidence” that makes Page their prime suspect.
Ellie refuses to let her sister-in-law take the fall. Armed with curiosity, determination, and a dash of chocolate-fueled courage, Ellie sets out to uncover the real killer. But with too-perfect clues, simmering secrets, and plenty of suspects, she’ll have to be careful—or risk becoming the next victim on the menu.
In Brighton Village, murder has a way of spoiling even the sweetest treats.
- GenresMystery
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
About the author
Sylvie Kurtz
48 books26 followersSylvie Kurtz is a New Hampshire-based author of uplifting women's fiction and cozy mysteries. She writes the Love in Brighton Village series and the A Brighton Village Cozy Mystery series, both set in the fictional small town of Brighton Village, New Hampshire. Every story Sylvie Kurtz writes ends with a happy resolution — because she believes the world needs more of those.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 10, 2026
Ellie heals from her grief by spending time in her kitchen baking up a storm. And it's a good thing too because her sweet treats are needed at her sister-in-law's (Paige) coffee shop. Love and loss aside, what a delightful read. A small town community, quirky personalities, years of friendships and a murder mystery that will take the cake. What more could you want?
When Ellie doesn't think the local authorities are doing their job she takes it upon herself to do some sluething and there are twists and turns galour. You'll enjoy the ride that Ellie takes you on as she takes on the mission of uncovering a who done it! Of Valentines and Vendettas combines all my favorite things - books, coffee, treats and a home town belonging! A great cozy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Ellie doesn't think the local authorities are doing their job she takes it upon herself to do some sluething and there are twists and turns galour. You'll enjoy the ride that Ellie takes you on as she takes on the mission of uncovering a who done it! Of Valentines and Vendettas combines all my favorite things - books, coffee, treats and a home town belonging! A great cozy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2026
A second act in progress
Ellie is lost after her husband was killed in the line of duty. When her sister in law Page asked well begs for her to help out at her bookstore/cafe when her baker doesn’t show she reluctantly agrees. When the two find the baker dead in the dumpster later that night Page is in deep trouble as prime suspect. Ellie has already lost too much and won’t let Page take the fall. So she sets out to find the truth wherever it may lead.
There’s heartbreak, grief, loss and redemption. Steps toward healing and moving forward and grieving while still struggling to find purpose. It’s not. A sad book per se but there is a good deal of sadness in the characters. I enjoyed the camaraderie between Page and Ellie. I enjoyed the sense of dawn after darkness at the end, a very good mystery too. I had a good guess but I was stumped after all. Good story but be mindful of the characters and their sadness if that is triggering for you.
Ellie is lost after her husband was killed in the line of duty. When her sister in law Page asked well begs for her to help out at her bookstore/cafe when her baker doesn’t show she reluctantly agrees. When the two find the baker dead in the dumpster later that night Page is in deep trouble as prime suspect. Ellie has already lost too much and won’t let Page take the fall. So she sets out to find the truth wherever it may lead.
There’s heartbreak, grief, loss and redemption. Steps toward healing and moving forward and grieving while still struggling to find purpose. It’s not. A sad book per se but there is a good deal of sadness in the characters. I enjoyed the camaraderie between Page and Ellie. I enjoyed the sense of dawn after darkness at the end, a very good mystery too. I had a good guess but I was stumped after all. Good story but be mindful of the characters and their sadness if that is triggering for you.
February 11, 2026
Of Valentines and Vendetta is a cozy mystery with a missing then found dead baker right at a busy time for the Purple Page Bookshop and Café. Ellie is still in the middle of grieving a great loss, but she is determined to help her sister-in-law, who has become the prime suspect in case of the murder. Sylvie Kurtz has written an excellent mystery but also one that is sensitive to those experiencing grief, healing and recovery. There are twists, turns and more than one suspect. It kept me reading to see Ellie work through the clues while also to continue working though the loss of her husband. Part of the Brighton Village Series but can be enjoyed without having read the entire series so far.
February 12, 2026
Opening day of the annual Chocolate Festival in Brighton Village is marked by the disappearance of Page's baker. To keep things going, Ellie steps in to help. When the baker is found dead in the dumpster, the police peg Page as the prime suspect! Ellie jumps into the investigation to find the killer and clear Page's name. Secrets, too-perfect clues, and a host of suspects means Ellie has her hands full! Not just a great cozy, it's also a touching story dealing with grief and healing. I highly recommend this one!
February 13, 2026
I enjoyed reading this story. I found this to be an interesting mystery and will be looking for more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2026
This quick-paced book kept me guessing. I was able to enjoy the story without having read book one, but it made me want to know more the quirky residents of Brighton Village.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2026
great
Would love to see a third installment!
The protagonist is fun, strong and someone you want as a friend! enjoyable!
Would love to see a third installment!
The protagonist is fun, strong and someone you want as a friend! enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews