Murder at the Family Reunion: An Unputdownable Hilarious Small Town Family Feud Cozy Mystery

by Arden Gray

Family, feuds, and fried chicken. And one killer ready to ruin the potluck.

A perfect recipe for murder.

Emmy Forester, Oddity Shop owner and reluctant small-town sleuth, expected Granny sass and potato salad wars at her first family reunion, not a body on the lawn.

But when a lying local legend turns up dead, Emmy finds herself knee-deep in secrets thicker than Granny Gussie’s gravy.

Armed with her nosy dachshund, Wyatt Burp, and a chorus of smack-talking Grannies who treat gossip like gospel, Emmy stumbles into a web of hidden history and half-buried scandals.

The suspects line up a bitter business partner nursing betrayal, a resentful relative with an alibi shakier than Granny Pearlie’s gelatin mold, and a family friend whose Sunday smile hides a sinister secret.

But as Emmy digs deeper, she realizes the killer is far closer than anyone suspects. One wrong move could be a recipe for her own obituary.

“Norman Rockwell meets Harper Lee—with a hat tip to Minnie Pearl. A warm, witty small-town cozy mystery where Emmy Forester’s Appalachian sleuthing blends front-porch Americana, found family, and a twisty whodunit.” - Editorial Review

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2025

Reviews

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 6th book in the Emmy Forester mystery series that is a fantastic and fun addition to the series. Emmy, although a little nervous about the family reunion, is also looking forward to seeing her cousins and the rest of the clan! Isla is running around as the compliance czar getting in everyone's hair and warning everyone not to have a food fight. Well so much of the warning. But at the end of the reunion we now have a dead body! Of course, Emmy, Jack and her great clue-finding dachshund Wyatt who is crazy in love with the little pig, Ethel and the sassy, gossiping Grannies investigate the murder and uncover secrets, plots and potential land grabbing. Will they solve this case? There are so many twists and turns and suspects the gang have their hands full trying to piece together all the clues they find before someone else gets killed so secrets stay secret. This book is a fast-paced read with lots of humor that keeps you turning pages. Not only do I recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the sixth book in this series and I have enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed all the other books. There are lots of twists and turns along the way. With Emma not sure if she really belongs here at all and meeting a lot new cousins that she has never meet before she is a little nervous. Everything was going along just great at the family reunion until Isla Copter the Supervisor of the festivities had an allergic reaction to something she ate but thanks to Jack being a good boy scout and have a epic pen on him they were able to save her but during the night she died from something else. Emma & Jack had found her the next morning when they came over to see her. Know Emma just must solve the mystery of what Isla had died from and find out who was behind it. But during all this time there is so much going on that Emma & Jack are trying to help each out and not lost themselves due to past feuds. There are so many people who could have been the murderer so it will take time to solve this crime. I love the way the author always keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead in Bed
What a way to be found dead, perfectly tucked into bed like there is not a care in the world. Except for being dead. Being found like that at noon, when you had people coming over, and your alarm is still going off in 15-minute intervals.
Now the hard part of tracking down what happened and when, to cause her death. She reacted to food yesterday, went to the hospital, and was then released. Was there something else that happened?
This was a great story that had a really good narrative of what happened and when, and more importantly, by whom.
Thank you, Arden Gray, for a good cozy.
I received a complimentary copy of this story and this is my honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. And more on the love story of the decade, Wyatt Burp and Miss Ethel. And in between, a murder mystery for Emmy, Wyatt and the Grannies to solve. This involved not only finding the guilty party but also learning more about the criminal enterprise trying to spread it's tentacles deeper into the town. And, finally, Emmy and Jack go public at the reunion. Yummy!

I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is both voluntary and honest. I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series. I loved the book so much that I purchased a ebook when it became available.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another installment of Hope Springs. This time the family reunion got messy when Isla, the controller of the clipboard, dies be deviled egg. Emmy and Jack with the help of most of the town figure out the killer. Then the grannies immediately start planning the wedding of the happy couple, which is going to be in the next installment of Hope Springs!
I received an arc and this is my happy review.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries and am always looking for a unique, fun series to try. This is book 6 in the series and the first I read, although the author does a great job of providing Emmy's backstory I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I read the previous 5. That being said I loved the grannies, the Grizzly Grandpas, the pets, the town of Hope Springs, the family feud and Emmy's determination to discover what happened to Isla. If you're looking for a funny cozy with silly analogs this is for you! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Stephanie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.

I am giving it a four - I got confused reading it - the raccoon that we meet in the beginning pages is called "Ain't ..." referring to Aunt so and so. Then there are times that "ain't" comes upon again and I couldn't quite figure out if they were really aunt's or not aunt's?

But again this would make a great Hallmark series.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmy Forester and Jack first a murder . There is more to this murder than it seemed. Lots of suspense and mayhem to keep you captivated. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining story.

An entertaining story of murder with fun characters, including a pet pig!  Often lighthearted and amusing, this is an enjoyable and relaxing read.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Anne Pyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these characters! It’s fun to follow the clues with Emmy. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Mary Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a feel-good mystery, this is for you. Funny, enjoyable, some drama, and a good ending... Enjoy!

[Eileen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When they say no food fights, ya’ll better listen up cause maybe you’ll be wearing pie in the face or maybe you might end up dead.
Emmy is just getting comfortable in her new “home” town with all the Ainties, Uncles and Cousins when the annual Reunion comes around. She and Wyatt are enjoying all the new smells, the excitement in the air and the promise of fun. But there’s always a spoilsport and this town has a doozy of a spoilsport. All the elements are primed and ready for an unforgettable Reunion, so grab a copy and your favorite beverage and get ready to go. BTW, that means I highly recommend this book.

I was given a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Grace Eileen Smith

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, meeting up with some lovely characters and being drawn into the story - there were some lovely laugh out loud moments too. Wonderful