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Havenwood Cozy Mystery #9
The Frenzy at the Faire
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26Crowns, costumes, and a cup of deadly mead.
Harper Sullivan thought Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire would mean harmless medieval fun, turkey legs, and jousting matches. Instead, the newly crowned Faire queen collapses after a single sip of mead and the town festival suddenly becomes the scene of a deadly mystery.
With the queen’s life hanging by a thread—and a rogue spell cutting Harper off from the friends she usually relies on—she must untangle a web of secrets hiding behind colorful tents, costumed performers, and suspicious merchants before time runs out.
Can Harper unmask the culprit before the Faire’s grand finale turns fatal?
Harper Sullivan thought Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire would mean harmless medieval fun, turkey legs, and jousting matches. Instead, the newly crowned Faire queen collapses after a single sip of mead and the town festival suddenly becomes the scene of a deadly mystery.
With the queen’s life hanging by a thread—and a rogue spell cutting Harper off from the friends she usually relies on—she must untangle a web of secrets hiding behind colorful tents, costumed performers, and suspicious merchants before time runs out.
Can Harper unmask the culprit before the Faire’s grand finale turns fatal?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
L.L. Gray
31 books118 followersL.L. Gray writes captivating, fast-paced fantasy full of wit, warmth, and magic. Her books transport readers to charming, cozy worlds brimming with lovable characters and whimsical adventures. A lifelong enthusiast of fantasy and myths, L.L. Gray blends humor and heart, inviting readers to escape into her spellbinding stories that feel like home—cozy, magical, and impossible to put down.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Harper Sullivan thought Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire would mean harmless medieval fun, turkey legs, and jousting matches. Instead, the newly crowned Faire queen collapses after a single sip of mead and the town festival suddenly becomes the scene of a deadly mystery.
With the queen’s life hanging by a thread—and a rogue spell cutting Harper off from the friends she usually relies on—she must untangle a web of secrets hiding behind colorful tents, costumed performers, and suspicious merchants before time runs out.
Can Harper unmask the culprit before the Faire’s grand finale turns fatal?"
So happy to be back in Havenwood, it feels like forever since I last had my Havenwood fix!
Harper is back & ready to enjoy the residents only day at the Havenwood annual renaissance faire! Costumes mandatory! Some of which are beyond perfect & in Harper’s own words "Everything felt perfect. Which, in my experience, was usually the first clue that something was about to go horribly, irreversibly wrong." 😂🤣 I think Harper needs a warning label or something coz if there is trouble afoot you can bet Harpers gonna be knee deep in it!
Honestly these books have had me chuckling from day one & this one had EVEN more Easter eggs tucked away (two of my favourite movies featured in one book) Havenwood feels like a slice of home 10/10 highly recommended
With the queen’s life hanging by a thread—and a rogue spell cutting Harper off from the friends she usually relies on—she must untangle a web of secrets hiding behind colorful tents, costumed performers, and suspicious merchants before time runs out.
Can Harper unmask the culprit before the Faire’s grand finale turns fatal?"
So happy to be back in Havenwood, it feels like forever since I last had my Havenwood fix!
Harper is back & ready to enjoy the residents only day at the Havenwood annual renaissance faire! Costumes mandatory! Some of which are beyond perfect & in Harper’s own words "Everything felt perfect. Which, in my experience, was usually the first clue that something was about to go horribly, irreversibly wrong." 😂🤣 I think Harper needs a warning label or something coz if there is trouble afoot you can bet Harpers gonna be knee deep in it!
Honestly these books have had me chuckling from day one & this one had EVEN more Easter eggs tucked away (two of my favourite movies featured in one book) Havenwood feels like a slice of home 10/10 highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from Author
Life in Havenwood is rarely boring, and likewise, a town celebration such as the Renaissance Faire rarely goes off as planned.
Harper and her friends all attend the Faire in costume as various famous characters: Harper as Robin Hood, Gabriel Silverthorne as the Dread Pirate Roberts of Princess Bride fame, and Bella and her boyfriend Alex as a Starfleet captain and her security detail. (Alex somehow manages to portray at least three different people, since, in true Star Trek fashion, being a red shirt, his characters seem to die, but he just pops up later as another security officer). If that alone wasn't enough to worry about. Lucas Silverthorne and Luna attend as the Black Knight & rabbit of Caerbannog, of Monty Python, respectively.
Everything seems to be going well enough at first until the ceremony at the trial run before the Faire's official opening; Vivienne Silverthorne is apparently poisoned.
Through her connection to the heartwood, Harper unintentionally manages to have the entire fairgrounds locked down by magic, and all those present behave as if they were the people they are dressed as, with no memory of Havenwood or each other.
That's when things really start to get interesting and dangerous.
Harper and her friends all attend the Faire in costume as various famous characters: Harper as Robin Hood, Gabriel Silverthorne as the Dread Pirate Roberts of Princess Bride fame, and Bella and her boyfriend Alex as a Starfleet captain and her security detail. (Alex somehow manages to portray at least three different people, since, in true Star Trek fashion, being a red shirt, his characters seem to die, but he just pops up later as another security officer). If that alone wasn't enough to worry about. Lucas Silverthorne and Luna attend as the Black Knight & rabbit of Caerbannog, of Monty Python, respectively.
Everything seems to be going well enough at first until the ceremony at the trial run before the Faire's official opening; Vivienne Silverthorne is apparently poisoned.
Through her connection to the heartwood, Harper unintentionally manages to have the entire fairgrounds locked down by magic, and all those present behave as if they were the people they are dressed as, with no memory of Havenwood or each other.
That's when things really start to get interesting and dangerous.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’d really like to live in Havenwood, it’s a wonderful magical town.
Harper is excited for the Havenwood Renaissance Faire, good entertainment, food, drink and friends but something goes wrong. When the queen for the day is crowned and collapses, trouble starts. Wanting to make sure whoever caused the problem doesn’t escape, Harper calls on the Heartwood tree to make sure no one can leave town.
There is one problem with that, everyone is frozen into the character they dressed up as. Gabriel is the Dread Pirate Roberts, Bella and Alex are Star Trek characters (they are exploring the strange new world of the Renaissance Faire, and Luna is the Rabbit of Caerbannog from Monty Python.
Even though her friends have no idea what is going on or who they are, they still band together to solve the mystery.
And it’s an interesting mystery, lots of suspects that can change quickly. There is also magic, the usual great characters and humour. But there is a bit of a dark line running through the book due to the attempted murder.
This was a fun, easy quick read.
As always, I highly recommend any of the Havenwood books.
Harper is excited for the Havenwood Renaissance Faire, good entertainment, food, drink and friends but something goes wrong. When the queen for the day is crowned and collapses, trouble starts. Wanting to make sure whoever caused the problem doesn’t escape, Harper calls on the Heartwood tree to make sure no one can leave town.
There is one problem with that, everyone is frozen into the character they dressed up as. Gabriel is the Dread Pirate Roberts, Bella and Alex are Star Trek characters (they are exploring the strange new world of the Renaissance Faire, and Luna is the Rabbit of Caerbannog from Monty Python.
Even though her friends have no idea what is going on or who they are, they still band together to solve the mystery.
And it’s an interesting mystery, lots of suspects that can change quickly. There is also magic, the usual great characters and humour. But there is a bit of a dark line running through the book due to the attempted murder.
This was a fun, easy quick read.
As always, I highly recommend any of the Havenwood books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a delightful read!
Once again, L.L. Gray does not disappoint in her latest Havenwood Cozy mystery. This time around, it’s time for Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire and somewhat differently than normal, all inhabitants of Havenwood have been invited to participate, including humans. What starts out as a fun day at the Faire turns deadly when the temporary Queen of the Festival—none other than Vivienne herself—is supposedly poisoned. Not surprisingly, Harper takes it upon herself to do something, anything and thus begins the crazy adventure. Honestly, these stories are not only full of humor, but also integrity, and Harper always doing what she believes to be the right thing. Naturally, we also have a bit of romance as well, which never hurts. I have yet to be disappointed by anything I read which has been written by L.L. Gray.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Once again, L.L. Gray does not disappoint in her latest Havenwood Cozy mystery. This time around, it’s time for Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire and somewhat differently than normal, all inhabitants of Havenwood have been invited to participate, including humans. What starts out as a fun day at the Faire turns deadly when the temporary Queen of the Festival—none other than Vivienne herself—is supposedly poisoned. Not surprisingly, Harper takes it upon herself to do something, anything and thus begins the crazy adventure. Honestly, these stories are not only full of humor, but also integrity, and Harper always doing what she believes to be the right thing. Naturally, we also have a bit of romance as well, which never hurts. I have yet to be disappointed by anything I read which has been written by L.L. Gray.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A hectic time in Havenwood. Everyone is busy preparing the site for the annual Renaissance Faire. For the first time none magical people are being allowed to help. The day before it opens to tourists, the locals are the only ones there. Harper goes as Robin Hood! Vivienne is crowned the Queen, she is given a goblet and makes a toast. After one sip she falls down and appears in a deep sleep. Harper, in her panic to close the site so no one can escape, uses all the power she didn’t really know she had. This causes people to assume the character they are dressed as! And, of course, they don’t recognise each other for who they are really. A very interesting trail to follow as she tries to find the culprit & remove the spell!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
“AS YOU WISH!”
L.L. Gray has written a very exciting and totally action filled story.
Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire is getting ready to happen, and everyone has perfect costumes. Who would have guessed that a young person’s heartache could cause such chaos. Or Harper’s spur of the moment request, that is not thought through completely could cause such a change…in everyone! Wonderful fun filled, action filled, character driven story. Love all the innuendos.
Love Luna, radishes and being the rabbit of Caerbannog - Monty Python!!!! Hilarious.
Love…
Friends are the only treasures more valuable to my people than gold, and we don’t leave our friends behind.”
L.L. Gray has written a very exciting and totally action filled story.
Havenwood’s Renaissance Faire is getting ready to happen, and everyone has perfect costumes. Who would have guessed that a young person’s heartache could cause such chaos. Or Harper’s spur of the moment request, that is not thought through completely could cause such a change…in everyone! Wonderful fun filled, action filled, character driven story. Love all the innuendos.
Love Luna, radishes and being the rabbit of Caerbannog - Monty Python!!!! Hilarious.
Love…
Friends are the only treasures more valuable to my people than gold, and we don’t leave our friends behind.”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I just finished this, and I think this is my favorite book so far in the series! It was times funny, heartwarming, sad, romantic, and so many other emotions. Usually, I don’t like the trope this book has in it, but the way the author skillfully weaved in so many culture references for few cult classics had me in tears of laughter and telling my husband about it (tis but a flesh wound!! He appreciated that as he’s a fan, me not so much. IYKYK LOL!). This is a perfect way to spend a few hours, and I just love this series, especially this latest. Give it a try! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
August 10, 2026
I read this book as an ARC.
Another fun and engaging Havenwood Mystery! Although book nine in the series it could be read as a standalone if you wanted, you just might end up with some spoilers about characters’ lives if you decided to go back to the beginning. Luna had so many excellent lines. There are definitely lots of recogniseable characters, from Havenwood and beyond! The mystery itself was interesting, too! I would recommend this read if you enjoy: cosy fantasy/mysteries, tie ins such as Princess Bride, The Holy Grail, and Star Trek, magic going a bit awry, characters working together.
Thank you to the author for a copy!
Another fun and engaging Havenwood Mystery! Although book nine in the series it could be read as a standalone if you wanted, you just might end up with some spoilers about characters’ lives if you decided to go back to the beginning. Luna had so many excellent lines. There are definitely lots of recogniseable characters, from Havenwood and beyond! The mystery itself was interesting, too! I would recommend this read if you enjoy: cosy fantasy/mysteries, tie ins such as Princess Bride, The Holy Grail, and Star Trek, magic going a bit awry, characters working together.
Thank you to the author for a copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ms Gray has another fun story filled with Harper Sullivan type chaos. I was enchanted, along with the other Havenwood Renaissance Faire goers, and thoroughly enjoyed the frenzy required to fix what Harper tried her best to do correctly.
Enchanting characters, humor throughout, just all around enjoyable reading.
Get your own fun here!
Enchanting characters, humor throughout, just all around enjoyable reading.
Get your own fun here!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another absolutely fantastic story in the magical little world! While this one wasn't as cozy as most of them (the stakes were a bit higher, and things felt more intense), it was still a super fun read! I really loved the faire elements and all the costumes and such!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fabulous paranormal cozy mystery! Clever and unique, suspenseful and exciting..
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews