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Whisper Hollow Cozies #1
Murder With a Sip of Apple Cider
Murder in the pumpkin patch
For María Lozada, planning her best friend’s wedding is her big chance to turn her event planning dreams into reality. But when the photographer turns up dead, María’s color-coordinated plans fall apart faster than a piñata.
With time running out, María reluctantly teams up with Whisper Hollow’s new sheriff—the man who broke her heart ten years ago—to uncover who added murder to the guest list. As she hunts for the killer who is sabotaging the wedding, María must juggle a mischievous black cat, suspicious guests at the fall festival, and her abuela’s unsolicited dating advice.
But working with Lucas is its own problem, especially when María starts to suspect their history isn’t as simple as she believed. Now she’s racing to solve two mysteries: who killed the photographer and what really happened ten years ago.
If she fails, happily ever after may be the one thing she can’t plan.
(There is no explicit language or spice in any of Laura M. Drake's books.)
For María Lozada, planning her best friend’s wedding is her big chance to turn her event planning dreams into reality. But when the photographer turns up dead, María’s color-coordinated plans fall apart faster than a piñata.
With time running out, María reluctantly teams up with Whisper Hollow’s new sheriff—the man who broke her heart ten years ago—to uncover who added murder to the guest list. As she hunts for the killer who is sabotaging the wedding, María must juggle a mischievous black cat, suspicious guests at the fall festival, and her abuela’s unsolicited dating advice.
But working with Lucas is its own problem, especially when María starts to suspect their history isn’t as simple as she believed. Now she’s racing to solve two mysteries: who killed the photographer and what really happened ten years ago.
If she fails, happily ever after may be the one thing she can’t plan.
(There is no explicit language or spice in any of Laura M. Drake's books.)
- GenresCozy MysteryAutumn
201 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2026
About the author
Laura M. Drake
42 books223 followersMy name is Laura M. Drake, and I'm the youngest of five kids. I grew up in Arkansas and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. After spending three summers abroad in France, Japan, and China, I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and began teaching 4th grade near Salt Lake City. A few years later I moved back to Japan to fulfill a life-long dream of living there. When Covid got bad, I came back to America and have been living in Arkansas and writing full-time ever since. I'll soon be moving to UT and look forward to the new adventures that await me there. When I'm not writing (which isn't very often--I should probably get a life haha) I love playing ultimate frisbee, board games, writing in my journal, and spending time with friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 29, 2026
Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider is a cozy mystery in Whisper Hollow
I love that this is a spinoff from the Whisper Hollow Mysteries series, so we have a lot of returning characters, including Harper and Sebastien, whose wedding FMC Maria is planning. With only days to go, Maria is meeting the wedding photographer to go over plans, and instead Maria finds the photographer seemingly, not alive! When none other than Lucas Sterling comes strolling in as the apparently the new town Sheriff, Maria is hoping to avoid the man who broke her heart in high school, but with a murder to solve, and fast, her and Lucas may just have to work together.
I love coming back to Whisper Hollow, with Jiji (Harper's cat) and all the cozy stores and people. It would be extremely hard NOT to want to try and solve this murder, especially with Maria's event planning reputation on the line. Once she starts looking into clues and suspects, I was trying to solve the case right along with her! I love that the author intertwined Maria's Mexican heritage throughout the book, with some great one liners, as well as her family life. I always find any kind of event planning to be a ton of work, add in a murder investigation, and a high school crush that somehow looks even better now, it would be a lot to keep track of!
I enjoyed Lucas's character, while Maria tried to avoid him at all costs, it seemed he was trying to run into her as much as possible. Which in a small town, isn't too hard to do. Unfortunately for Maria, she is forced to work with Lucas as she questions the people around town. She makes quite the "detective" though, while also staying on top of her wedding planning. Fortunately for Maria, she starts to realize she may have been wrong about Lucas all those years ago.
This is such a perfectly autumnal cozy mystery, I am excited to see what happens next for Maria!
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"Crossing something off a to-do list was as satisfying as stepping on a particularly crunchy leaf."
"Even though Halloween was still weeks away, many shops had already put out scarecrows for the town’s Scarecrow Showdown, where businesses competed for bragging rights."
"“María?” My name slipped off his tongue like a surprisingly spicy bite of chile relleno—warm, unexpected, and a little sharp."
"I should not have been thinking about how Lucas smelled when we were talking about a potential murder case."
"I shivered as a crisp breeze nipped down the street, yet the sun’s warmth made it just right. Like sriracha and popcorn, some things were perfect together."
"The smells of kettle corn, caramel apples, and cinnamon donuts hung sweet and thick in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of fallen leaves."
"“I’m no expert on planning weddings, but I’m pretty sure dealing with a murder investigation isn’t usually part of the process.”"
" “You’ve always been great about accomplishing what you set your mind to.” He gave me a soft smile that made my knees go a little weak."
I love that this is a spinoff from the Whisper Hollow Mysteries series, so we have a lot of returning characters, including Harper and Sebastien, whose wedding FMC Maria is planning. With only days to go, Maria is meeting the wedding photographer to go over plans, and instead Maria finds the photographer seemingly, not alive! When none other than Lucas Sterling comes strolling in as the apparently the new town Sheriff, Maria is hoping to avoid the man who broke her heart in high school, but with a murder to solve, and fast, her and Lucas may just have to work together.
I love coming back to Whisper Hollow, with Jiji (Harper's cat) and all the cozy stores and people. It would be extremely hard NOT to want to try and solve this murder, especially with Maria's event planning reputation on the line. Once she starts looking into clues and suspects, I was trying to solve the case right along with her! I love that the author intertwined Maria's Mexican heritage throughout the book, with some great one liners, as well as her family life. I always find any kind of event planning to be a ton of work, add in a murder investigation, and a high school crush that somehow looks even better now, it would be a lot to keep track of!
I enjoyed Lucas's character, while Maria tried to avoid him at all costs, it seemed he was trying to run into her as much as possible. Which in a small town, isn't too hard to do. Unfortunately for Maria, she is forced to work with Lucas as she questions the people around town. She makes quite the "detective" though, while also staying on top of her wedding planning. Fortunately for Maria, she starts to realize she may have been wrong about Lucas all those years ago.
This is such a perfectly autumnal cozy mystery, I am excited to see what happens next for Maria!
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"Crossing something off a to-do list was as satisfying as stepping on a particularly crunchy leaf."
"Even though Halloween was still weeks away, many shops had already put out scarecrows for the town’s Scarecrow Showdown, where businesses competed for bragging rights."
"“María?” My name slipped off his tongue like a surprisingly spicy bite of chile relleno—warm, unexpected, and a little sharp."
"I should not have been thinking about how Lucas smelled when we were talking about a potential murder case."
"I shivered as a crisp breeze nipped down the street, yet the sun’s warmth made it just right. Like sriracha and popcorn, some things were perfect together."
"The smells of kettle corn, caramel apples, and cinnamon donuts hung sweet and thick in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of fallen leaves."
"“I’m no expert on planning weddings, but I’m pretty sure dealing with a murder investigation isn’t usually part of the process.”"
" “You’ve always been great about accomplishing what you set your mind to.” He gave me a soft smile that made my knees go a little weak."
August 28, 2026
MURDER WITH A SIP OF APPLE CIDER BY LAURA M. DRAKE.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Love the cover.
I loved this new book by Laura.
It's a spin off from her previous books and it's just brilliant.
Love the cozy autumn vibes of it 🍂🍁
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the new series
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Love the cover.
I loved this new book by Laura.
It's a spin off from her previous books and it's just brilliant.
Love the cozy autumn vibes of it 🍂🍁
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the new series
August 4, 2026
Laura M Drake does it again! I absolutely loved her initial Whisper Hollow cozy mystery series, and this spin off did not disappoint!
This time we follow Maria, who is trying to start her business as an event planner… but there’s been a murder mere DAYS before the wedding! And not only that, but it was the photographer that turned up dead.
I loved following Maria as she tries to solve the murder herself, navigate dating life as well as a past love returned, and also seeing characters that I came to love return to the pages.
This book is PERFECT for fall; grab yourself a warm apple cider and cozy up!
This time we follow Maria, who is trying to start her business as an event planner… but there’s been a murder mere DAYS before the wedding! And not only that, but it was the photographer that turned up dead.
I loved following Maria as she tries to solve the murder herself, navigate dating life as well as a past love returned, and also seeing characters that I came to love return to the pages.
This book is PERFECT for fall; grab yourself a warm apple cider and cozy up!
August 8, 2026
I love how cozy this book is. The story is set around solving a murder before Harper’s wedding, and I really enjoyed following Marià as she pieced together the clues. My heart felt warm when she reunited with her high school sweetheart, and I hope they get their own story! Thank you Laura for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
4.5⭐ What would you do if your first business event (which is also your best friend's wedding) was threatened because of a murder? You'd solve it, of course!
Laura M Drake mixes autumn traditions with small town vibes and gossip to bring us this cozy mystery with a dash of second chance romance.
What i especially loved about this book is how Laura leaves clues along the way like crumbs the reader can pick up or miss.
This book brings:
🍂 Fall festival nostalgia
💀 Town decorations contest
🏘️ Small-town vibes and gossip like Babette and Miss Patty in Gilmore Girls
🥟 Tasty food
💒 Wedding planning drama
🔪 Murder mystery
❤️ Slow burn
FMC Maria is an outgoing, cheerful, organized Latina who is proud of her roots and reputation, but all of that is threatened when her first even planning job faces a roadblock -- the photographer she hired is found dead in the event.
What's even worse is that her high school love, Lucas, is the new sheriff. Maria is caught in the same attraction and reminded of why things ended while also trying to prove herself and worth by solving the case before (or in spite) of Lucas.
All the wedding vendors seem to be suspects, though the connections to the victim aren't always clear.... neither is Lucas' responses to Maria. Could there be something there?
The MMC and FMC are strong personalities and tackle their history (in part) alongside the mystery and coming to terms with who they are as adults, including their goals and expectations of themselves and their families. I am eager to see how things change or continue in the next cozy read.
Laura M Drake mixes autumn traditions with small town vibes and gossip to bring us this cozy mystery with a dash of second chance romance.
What i especially loved about this book is how Laura leaves clues along the way like crumbs the reader can pick up or miss.
This book brings:
🍂 Fall festival nostalgia
💀 Town decorations contest
🏘️ Small-town vibes and gossip like Babette and Miss Patty in Gilmore Girls
🥟 Tasty food
💒 Wedding planning drama
🔪 Murder mystery
❤️ Slow burn
FMC Maria is an outgoing, cheerful, organized Latina who is proud of her roots and reputation, but all of that is threatened when her first even planning job faces a roadblock -- the photographer she hired is found dead in the event.
What's even worse is that her high school love, Lucas, is the new sheriff. Maria is caught in the same attraction and reminded of why things ended while also trying to prove herself and worth by solving the case before (or in spite) of Lucas.
All the wedding vendors seem to be suspects, though the connections to the victim aren't always clear.... neither is Lucas' responses to Maria. Could there be something there?
The MMC and FMC are strong personalities and tackle their history (in part) alongside the mystery and coming to terms with who they are as adults, including their goals and expectations of themselves and their families. I am eager to see how things change or continue in the next cozy read.
October 9, 2026
Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider is the first book in the Whisper Hollow trilogy by Laura M. Drake.
The amateur sleuth is Maria, an event planner who is planning her best friend's fall wedding. When the photographer is killed and other incidents that look like sabotage disrupt the wedding, Maria starts investigating. But she's not alone. Lucas, the small town sheriff who broke her heart ten years ago, is also on the case.
Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider is the perfect mix of mystery, romance, and fall vibes. I loved the will they/won't they suspense between Maria and Lucas. The fall elements were also really fun.
Author Laura M Drake presents an idyllic small town setting that makes you want to move to Whisper Hollow and become a part of the community.
I loved Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider and can't wait to have another cuppa when Murder with a Sip of Hot Cocoa comes out.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!
The amateur sleuth is Maria, an event planner who is planning her best friend's fall wedding. When the photographer is killed and other incidents that look like sabotage disrupt the wedding, Maria starts investigating. But she's not alone. Lucas, the small town sheriff who broke her heart ten years ago, is also on the case.
Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider is the perfect mix of mystery, romance, and fall vibes. I loved the will they/won't they suspense between Maria and Lucas. The fall elements were also really fun.
Author Laura M Drake presents an idyllic small town setting that makes you want to move to Whisper Hollow and become a part of the community.
I loved Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider and can't wait to have another cuppa when Murder with a Sip of Hot Cocoa comes out.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!
August 4, 2026
Thank you to the author for a copy of this ebook, all thoughts are my own. This was such a cute autumnal cosy murder mystery.
Set back in Whisper Hollows, we follow Marie trying to launch her event planning business by planning her best friend's wedding. Cue disaster and one of the key wedding vendors is found murdered. The key to Harper's wedding going perfectly, is for Marie to work out who the murderer is whilst having to work alongside her high school sweetheart who broke her heart.
This has got just the right amount of small town shenanigans, lovable characters and makes you want to solve the mystery alongside Marie. Reading this gives the ultimate cosy feels and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the smooth talker Lucas.
Set back in Whisper Hollows, we follow Marie trying to launch her event planning business by planning her best friend's wedding. Cue disaster and one of the key wedding vendors is found murdered. The key to Harper's wedding going perfectly, is for Marie to work out who the murderer is whilst having to work alongside her high school sweetheart who broke her heart.
This has got just the right amount of small town shenanigans, lovable characters and makes you want to solve the mystery alongside Marie. Reading this gives the ultimate cosy feels and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the smooth talker Lucas.
October 7, 2026
Such a delightful return to Whisper Hollow! We get fresh faces, a new main character, familiar faces, and all the fun and drama of a small-town with second chance romance! It's a win-win!
Maria is planning Harper's wedding, and all is going great, until...tragedy strikes. Someone wants their secrets kept and will do whatever it takes to ensure that! But Maria is on the case...with a little motivation. Because the new sheriff? Is an old flame from high school. Talk about unresolved drama right there! Let the games begin because this one is going to be a lot of fun to decipher and piece together!
Maria is planning Harper's wedding, and all is going great, until...tragedy strikes. Someone wants their secrets kept and will do whatever it takes to ensure that! But Maria is on the case...with a little motivation. Because the new sheriff? Is an old flame from high school. Talk about unresolved drama right there! Let the games begin because this one is going to be a lot of fun to decipher and piece together!
October 4, 2026
Let me start with saying i am so darn happy to be back in Whisper Hollow.same characters i loved from before but this time around following Maria. Yet another case to "solve" but also to save her brand new business. Don't worry, Jiji is still her sassy self and will make little appearances... but who did it this time and why? And what do you know... maybe theres a second chance coming...
A must read for a cozy fall day!
A must read for a cozy fall day!
August 3, 2026
Murder With a Sip of Apple Cider is such a cozy fall murder mystery! I loved meeting the new characters, as well as seeing characters from books past mentioned! Laura has such a way to make you feel all the feels and get in the mood for Fall! The characters, the imagery, and the story all just align perfectly. Thank you Laura for another wonderful read!
September 17, 2026
A cute and cozy little mystery.
October 4, 2026
I love Laura's writing !!! I totally thought id already left a review but forgot.
I highly recommend all of Laura's books ❤️
I highly recommend all of Laura's books ❤️
October 12, 2026
I was so excited when I found out Laura was going back to whisper hollow. She writes such fun, cozy stories that have me guessing for a while. I am so excited to see what happens next.
Thank you Laura for an ARC!
Thank you Laura for an ARC!
August 27, 2026
easy read
It was a slow start , but as the book went along it it sucked me in . I was happy I read this
It was a slow start , but as the book went along it it sucked me in . I was happy I read this
August 15, 2026
A cozy autumn mystery perfect for those chilly fall nights.
María Lozada has always dreamed of opening up an event planning business. When her best friend, Harper, is ready to get hitched, María seizes the chance to plan the wedding. When she goes to meet with one of the vendors, María finds her dead under a table. In order for the wedding to happen the following weekend, Sheriff Lucas, María's ex-boyfriend, must discover who the murderer is. María decides to take things into her own hands because she is not letting her first event fall apart.
I enjoyed Drake's books in the "Pride & Prejudice & Potions" series, which is a cozy mystery/fantasy series that retells Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." Since I enjoyed those ones, I figured I'd give this series a try. Thank you Laura M. Drake for the ARC copy of this book!
I haven't read many cozy mysteries, but I fear that they may not be my most favorite genre. I love that they aren't gory, but sometimes the stakes don't seem high enough or the crimes are committed for the most petty reasons. I personally thought that Drake did a solid job at balancing these things, but I still didn't find myself overly invested in this story. I think cozy mystery blended with fantasy may be where it’s at for me.
María is a solid enough main character and it makes sense that she wants to solve this case so her first event she's planning doesn't completely implode. The stakes are set due to the fact that if they don't find the murderer before Saturday, the event center will remain close and the wedding will be postponed. This isn't as intense as stopping the killer from striking again, but it is a cozy mystery after all.
I think the cozy autumn vibes are my favorite part about this book. There is a really cute fall festival, and Whisper Hollow gets very into the Halloween season. If this series remains as seasonally on point as this book, I could see it being really fun to read each book around the designated holiday.
The romance between María and Lucas is just getting set up in this one. They are exes, so this is a second chance romance. Their first relationship completely fell apart due to not communicating with each other, which is quite annoying, but it means that they have pretty much a one hundred percent chance of getting back together.
I actually didn't solve the crime in this one; I guessed like half of it correctly, but not the actual culprit. I found the murderer's motive to be a bit weak and the actually killing to be a tad unrealistic, but oh well.
I may have enjoyed this one more if I’d read Harper’s three books first, because then I would have already been invested in the world and the characters. I would definitely read the rest of both of these series regardless, because they are perfect light and fluffy palate cleansers between heavier reads.
Overall, "Murder With a Sip of Apple Cider" was a cute introduction to the cozy town of Whisper Hollow. The autumn vibes are immaculate and probably my favorite part of this book. The mystery had stakes, but I found the resolution to not be overly satisfying. We got some nice romantic crumbs in this one, and I can only assume the romance will ramp up as this series continues.
María Lozada has always dreamed of opening up an event planning business. When her best friend, Harper, is ready to get hitched, María seizes the chance to plan the wedding. When she goes to meet with one of the vendors, María finds her dead under a table. In order for the wedding to happen the following weekend, Sheriff Lucas, María's ex-boyfriend, must discover who the murderer is. María decides to take things into her own hands because she is not letting her first event fall apart.
I enjoyed Drake's books in the "Pride & Prejudice & Potions" series, which is a cozy mystery/fantasy series that retells Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." Since I enjoyed those ones, I figured I'd give this series a try. Thank you Laura M. Drake for the ARC copy of this book!
I haven't read many cozy mysteries, but I fear that they may not be my most favorite genre. I love that they aren't gory, but sometimes the stakes don't seem high enough or the crimes are committed for the most petty reasons. I personally thought that Drake did a solid job at balancing these things, but I still didn't find myself overly invested in this story. I think cozy mystery blended with fantasy may be where it’s at for me.
María is a solid enough main character and it makes sense that she wants to solve this case so her first event she's planning doesn't completely implode. The stakes are set due to the fact that if they don't find the murderer before Saturday, the event center will remain close and the wedding will be postponed. This isn't as intense as stopping the killer from striking again, but it is a cozy mystery after all.
I think the cozy autumn vibes are my favorite part about this book. There is a really cute fall festival, and Whisper Hollow gets very into the Halloween season. If this series remains as seasonally on point as this book, I could see it being really fun to read each book around the designated holiday.
The romance between María and Lucas is just getting set up in this one. They are exes, so this is a second chance romance. Their first relationship completely fell apart due to not communicating with each other, which is quite annoying, but it means that they have pretty much a one hundred percent chance of getting back together.
I actually didn't solve the crime in this one; I guessed like half of it correctly, but not the actual culprit. I found the murderer's motive to be a bit weak and the actually killing to be a tad unrealistic, but oh well.
I may have enjoyed this one more if I’d read Harper’s three books first, because then I would have already been invested in the world and the characters. I would definitely read the rest of both of these series regardless, because they are perfect light and fluffy palate cleansers between heavier reads.
Overall, "Murder With a Sip of Apple Cider" was a cute introduction to the cozy town of Whisper Hollow. The autumn vibes are immaculate and probably my favorite part of this book. The mystery had stakes, but I found the resolution to not be overly satisfying. We got some nice romantic crumbs in this one, and I can only assume the romance will ramp up as this series continues.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an ARC review. I have been an arc and beta reader for this author.
This is a spin off from the main whisper hollow books and I’m not disappointed. It’s a cosy murder mystery and we still get to see some of the characters from the main series such as Harper, Sebastian and Nancy. We also get introduced to new characters and it expands whisper hollow perfectly.
Laura writes beautifully, her descriptions put you right into the book like your there. It’s light hearted despite being a murder mystery and perfect for those who enjoy a good cosy story snuggled up. If your after intense thriller this isn’t for you.
Humour is just the right amount and if you pay attention the story is full of clues and Easter eggs so you can join in with the investigation and solve the murder. The new sheriff fits in wonderfully and I actually prefer him to the previous one. We still get to experience the shops on Main Street too which I did worry about with it being a spin off. You don’t need to read the main series but it can help with the existing relationships between the characters.
As cosy murder mysteries go this is right up there with the best and Laura has stayed true to her roots and kept this book light, fun, dramatic and mysterious blending between it all smoothly.
Highly recommend
This is a spin off from the main whisper hollow books and I’m not disappointed. It’s a cosy murder mystery and we still get to see some of the characters from the main series such as Harper, Sebastian and Nancy. We also get introduced to new characters and it expands whisper hollow perfectly.
Laura writes beautifully, her descriptions put you right into the book like your there. It’s light hearted despite being a murder mystery and perfect for those who enjoy a good cosy story snuggled up. If your after intense thriller this isn’t for you.
Humour is just the right amount and if you pay attention the story is full of clues and Easter eggs so you can join in with the investigation and solve the murder. The new sheriff fits in wonderfully and I actually prefer him to the previous one. We still get to experience the shops on Main Street too which I did worry about with it being a spin off. You don’t need to read the main series but it can help with the existing relationships between the characters.
As cosy murder mysteries go this is right up there with the best and Laura has stayed true to her roots and kept this book light, fun, dramatic and mysterious blending between it all smoothly.
Highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider, and I absolutely loved returning to Whisper Hollow! 🍎🍂
These books are just so sweet and cosy, and I love being back in this small town filled with familiar faces and wonderfully unique and quirky characters that you get to know more about with every book. This was the perfect story for the fall season, packed with descriptions of gorgeous decorations, themed music and delicious seasonal food—it really made me want to curl up with a warm apple cider! 🍁☕️
Although we were following a different main character this time, I loved that we still got to spend time with characters from previous books. The mystery was wonderfully cosy, with a lovely side helping of romance that paired perfectly with the story. There was also a little miscommunication trope, which normally frustrates me, but I appreciated that it was subtle and didn’t take over the entire book.
The cover is gorgeous, as usual, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy in my hands! 📖🍂
If you’re looking for a sweet, cosy mystery with quirky characters, a charming small-town setting and all the autumnal vibes, this series is definitely one to check out! 🍎🍁
These books are just so sweet and cosy, and I love being back in this small town filled with familiar faces and wonderfully unique and quirky characters that you get to know more about with every book. This was the perfect story for the fall season, packed with descriptions of gorgeous decorations, themed music and delicious seasonal food—it really made me want to curl up with a warm apple cider! 🍁☕️
Although we were following a different main character this time, I loved that we still got to spend time with characters from previous books. The mystery was wonderfully cosy, with a lovely side helping of romance that paired perfectly with the story. There was also a little miscommunication trope, which normally frustrates me, but I appreciated that it was subtle and didn’t take over the entire book.
The cover is gorgeous, as usual, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy in my hands! 📖🍂
If you’re looking for a sweet, cosy mystery with quirky characters, a charming small-town setting and all the autumnal vibes, this series is definitely one to check out! 🍎🍁
August 3, 2026
I could not wait for this book! I enjoyed it so much that I read it in one sitting! Going back to Whisper Hollows was a real treat! This time, we are enjoying the chaos of the cozy, cute town through Maria's perspective. Maria wants nothing more than to be an event planner... what better way than to launch your career by planning your best friend's wedding? What can go wrong? Another murder in this cute little town?
I eat up this town for some reason... I absolutely adore it and all of the detective vibes make it that much better.
I loved seeing all of the other characters and see what they were up to, Harper, Sebastian, Nancy, the sassy Jiji!
Maria is not going to let an unsolved murder ruin her best friend's wedding so she has no choice but to keep crossing paths with the boy who once broke her heart...though it was many years ago, she never got the closure she needed...and now Lucas was back forcing her to reminisce all of those feelings. I loved their chemistry and the insanely slow, slow-burn... it was sooo good!
This sweet, cozy, murder-mystery romance will keep you guessing. Just when you think you know what is going on...guess again! I cannot wait for the next book!
I eat up this town for some reason... I absolutely adore it and all of the detective vibes make it that much better.
I loved seeing all of the other characters and see what they were up to, Harper, Sebastian, Nancy, the sassy Jiji!
Maria is not going to let an unsolved murder ruin her best friend's wedding so she has no choice but to keep crossing paths with the boy who once broke her heart...though it was many years ago, she never got the closure she needed...and now Lucas was back forcing her to reminisce all of those feelings. I loved their chemistry and the insanely slow, slow-burn... it was sooo good!
This sweet, cozy, murder-mystery romance will keep you guessing. Just when you think you know what is going on...guess again! I cannot wait for the next book!
August 3, 2026
Thank you Author Laura M. Drake for this amazing Arc opportunity and the chance to go back to Whisper Hollow again! 🧡💛🧡💛
Omgs, this was amazing I pretty much devoured this book in less than an hour! I've missed Whisper Hollow and I've been dying to go back and now I finally can! I was also super excited to see a very special wedding and conclusion to my favorite couple in this new spin off series! Though now its a competition as to which couple is my absolute favorite because I absolutely love María and Lucas together even if its not official (yet). This was an absolute pleasure to read and the mystery and emotion is all there and better than ever. Plus that bonus chapter sneak peek into book 2 really had me going like Laura why would you do this to me girl! I need moreee 😭😭 I can't wait for book 2 I need it now 😫 the anticipation is killing me! Definitely full 5 stars and the golden crown of victory for this absolutely amazing story and comeback to Whisper Hollow! I love this town so much!!!
Thank you again to Author Laura M. Drake for this amazing Arc opportunity in exchange for my honest opinion and review 🧡💛🧡💛
Omgs, this was amazing I pretty much devoured this book in less than an hour! I've missed Whisper Hollow and I've been dying to go back and now I finally can! I was also super excited to see a very special wedding and conclusion to my favorite couple in this new spin off series! Though now its a competition as to which couple is my absolute favorite because I absolutely love María and Lucas together even if its not official (yet). This was an absolute pleasure to read and the mystery and emotion is all there and better than ever. Plus that bonus chapter sneak peek into book 2 really had me going like Laura why would you do this to me girl! I need moreee 😭😭 I can't wait for book 2 I need it now 😫 the anticipation is killing me! Definitely full 5 stars and the golden crown of victory for this absolutely amazing story and comeback to Whisper Hollow! I love this town so much!!!
Thank you again to Author Laura M. Drake for this amazing Arc opportunity in exchange for my honest opinion and review 🧡💛🧡💛
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Crossing something off a to-do list was as satisfying as stepping on a particularly crunchy leaf." 📃
Sometimes you just need a cosy mystery that feels like coming home and Laura M. Drake delivers every single time. I absolutely loved the original Whisper Hollow series, so I was so excited to find out we were getting the chance to return. It didn't disappoint!
This was such a fun read. I loved following María as she tried to solve the murder while juggling wedding planning, small-town gossip and the unexpected return of an old flame. The mystery kept me guessing, the romance was sweet without taking over the story and Whisper Hollow is still every bit as charming and welcoming as I remembered.
If you love amateur sleuths, whodunnits and cosy small-town mysteries, I can't recommend this enough. If you haven't visited Whisper Hollow yet, why not? Start at the beginning... I promise you won't regret it!
Tropes & Themes
🕵️ Amateur Sleuth
🔎 Whodunnit
☕ Cosy Mystery
🏡 Small Town
❤️ Second Chance Romance
📚 Series Return
Sometimes you just need a cosy mystery that feels like coming home and Laura M. Drake delivers every single time. I absolutely loved the original Whisper Hollow series, so I was so excited to find out we were getting the chance to return. It didn't disappoint!
This was such a fun read. I loved following María as she tried to solve the murder while juggling wedding planning, small-town gossip and the unexpected return of an old flame. The mystery kept me guessing, the romance was sweet without taking over the story and Whisper Hollow is still every bit as charming and welcoming as I remembered.
If you love amateur sleuths, whodunnits and cosy small-town mysteries, I can't recommend this enough. If you haven't visited Whisper Hollow yet, why not? Start at the beginning... I promise you won't regret it!
Tropes & Themes
🕵️ Amateur Sleuth
🔎 Whodunnit
☕ Cosy Mystery
🏡 Small Town
❤️ Second Chance Romance
📚 Series Return
August 5, 2026
First: I love the Spanish that is mixed in this book! When a author adds another language into a book makes me love it more. And Spanish is my love language 🖤 IF you love cozy mystery with Halloween/ fall added in and some love! This would be the book for you. You have Maria and she is trying to start her business off right by planning her best friend wedding but when a unliving happens to the photographer everything start to fall apart!
Then you have a new hot sheriff in town come back that just happens to be maria old boyfriend. With that on her mind and trying to save and solve a murder. What will happen next! Will be catch who did this and get the her man back?
This overall was a cute read. I love all the part this author added and the mystery I didn’t see coming! You had mess up after mess up and just want Maria to win!
Favorite part: Maria and Lucas stake out in the dress store!
I notice there is a little bite of a 2nd book at the end of this one and can’t wait to read that one aswell.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
-Screams & Reviews 🎃🖤📚💋
Then you have a new hot sheriff in town come back that just happens to be maria old boyfriend. With that on her mind and trying to save and solve a murder. What will happen next! Will be catch who did this and get the her man back?
This overall was a cute read. I love all the part this author added and the mystery I didn’t see coming! You had mess up after mess up and just want Maria to win!
Favorite part: Maria and Lucas stake out in the dress store!
I notice there is a little bite of a 2nd book at the end of this one and can’t wait to read that one aswell.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
-Screams & Reviews 🎃🖤📚💋
October 11, 2026
I always love returning to Whisper Hollow so I was so excited to see this spin off series!
Maria Lozada is planning her best friend Harper’s wedding (to read more about Harper, see the Whisper Hollow Mysteries series) and is excited for a chance to turn her event planning business into a reality. When the photographer is found dead at the wedding venue, Maria must reluctantly team up with an old face from the past before the entire event falls to pieces.
I love the small town feel of Whisper Hollow and it definitely gives me Gilmore Girls vibes! Maria is tenacious, stalwart and determined to solve this murder and save her best friend’s wedding - even if it means working with the man who broke her heart. The banter between those two had me silently hoping for a second chance for them and I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes!
If you love a good cozy mystery with small town vibes, quirky characters and a bit of romance, you’ll definitely want to pick up this series and envelop yourself in Whisper Hollow!
Maria Lozada is planning her best friend Harper’s wedding (to read more about Harper, see the Whisper Hollow Mysteries series) and is excited for a chance to turn her event planning business into a reality. When the photographer is found dead at the wedding venue, Maria must reluctantly team up with an old face from the past before the entire event falls to pieces.
I love the small town feel of Whisper Hollow and it definitely gives me Gilmore Girls vibes! Maria is tenacious, stalwart and determined to solve this murder and save her best friend’s wedding - even if it means working with the man who broke her heart. The banter between those two had me silently hoping for a second chance for them and I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes!
If you love a good cozy mystery with small town vibes, quirky characters and a bit of romance, you’ll definitely want to pick up this series and envelop yourself in Whisper Hollow!
August 2, 2026
Murder with a Sip of Apple Cider is a fun, cozy mystery that's perfect for fall. It was so nice to be back in Whisper Hollow and see some familiar characters while getting to know Maria. She's planning a wedding when the photographer is found dead, and to make things even more awkward, her high school ex is the town's new sheriff.
The mystery was fun to follow, with lots of clues that kept me guessing until the end. I also liked the little bit of romance, but it never took away from the mystery.
Whisper Hollow is still such a cozy town, full of friendly faces, cute shops, and plenty of small-town charm. The fall setting made me want to grab a warm drink and curl up with this book.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, small-town settings, second-chance romance, and all the autumn vibes, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
The mystery was fun to follow, with lots of clues that kept me guessing until the end. I also liked the little bit of romance, but it never took away from the mystery.
Whisper Hollow is still such a cozy town, full of friendly faces, cute shops, and plenty of small-town charm. The fall setting made me want to grab a warm drink and curl up with this book.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, small-town settings, second-chance romance, and all the autumn vibes, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
August 3, 2026
Murder With a Sip of Apple Cider is another visit to the charming cozy town of Whisper Hollow. The main character of this story, Maria Lozada, an event planner, is busy making all the final preparations for her best friend Harper's wedding. When the photographer turns up dead, the wedding plans are put in jeopardy. Marie is determined to solve the mystery and make sure that her friend Harper has the beautiful wedding that she deserves.
I enjoyed spending time in the cozy small town atmosphere of Whisper Hollow. This book takes place in the fall and I loved the detailed descriptions of all the amazing decorations along with the changing colors of the autumn leaves and cool crisp air. The town also has a delightful fall festival complete with music and a variety of delicious seasonal food. I think this book is the perfect combination of fun cozy mystery and sweet romance!
I enjoyed spending time in the cozy small town atmosphere of Whisper Hollow. This book takes place in the fall and I loved the detailed descriptions of all the amazing decorations along with the changing colors of the autumn leaves and cool crisp air. The town also has a delightful fall festival complete with music and a variety of delicious seasonal food. I think this book is the perfect combination of fun cozy mystery and sweet romance!
August 3, 2026
When you just need an easy cosy mystery read then picking up a book written by Laura M. Drake is the perfect author to turn to.
This was a great little fun read. What determination María has she tried to solve the murder while juggling the wedding planning, along with the unexpected return of an old flame. The whodunnit kept me guessing as like Maria I didn’t quite connect all the dots in the right order and the romance was quaint and did not take over the story.
If you like amateur sleuths, whodunnits and cosy small-town mysteries, I can't recommend this enough.
I received this as an arc from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Laura M. Drake
This was a great little fun read. What determination María has she tried to solve the murder while juggling the wedding planning, along with the unexpected return of an old flame. The whodunnit kept me guessing as like Maria I didn’t quite connect all the dots in the right order and the romance was quaint and did not take over the story.
If you like amateur sleuths, whodunnits and cosy small-town mysteries, I can't recommend this enough.
I received this as an arc from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Laura M. Drake
August 1, 2026
Another story set in the cozy small town of Whisper Hallow—what could possibly go wrong? Well, as usual, another murder shakes the town. This time, readers meet Maria, a new main character who has just started her own event planning business and is organizing Harper’s wedding. Everything seems to be going perfectly until the wedding photographer is found dead. To make matters even more complicated, Maria’s high school ex-boyfriend turns out to be the town’s new sheriff.
With its Gilmore girl like small-town atmosphere, lovable comforting characters, and intriguing mystery, this is the perfect cozy read for the upcoming season. As always, Laura Drake has written a delightful cozy mystery!
With its Gilmore girl like small-town atmosphere, lovable comforting characters, and intriguing mystery, this is the perfect cozy read for the upcoming season. As always, Laura Drake has written a delightful cozy mystery!
August 8, 2026
This was such a fun and sweet cozy mystery. The title alone speaks of how cute this was. I'm a holiday kind of girl, so I found this to be a perfect read going into the fall season. Who doesn't love to grab a cup of cider and read a good mystery?
I loved Maria and Lucas. She's on the hunt for what happened ten years ago. And her abuelas advice was fun and maybe something Maria should listen to lol.
As for the photographer, who's not a suspect at this point? It could be anyone. On the Hunt she goes to solve this mystery. It was so much fun going along with her trying to solve this. Trying to solve her and Lucas. And trying to save the day. A seriously great little mystery.
I loved Maria and Lucas. She's on the hunt for what happened ten years ago. And her abuelas advice was fun and maybe something Maria should listen to lol.
As for the photographer, who's not a suspect at this point? It could be anyone. On the Hunt she goes to solve this mystery. It was so much fun going along with her trying to solve this. Trying to solve her and Lucas. And trying to save the day. A seriously great little mystery.
September 13, 2026
I always find a cozy mystery is the way to take myself out of a reading slump. Sometimes cozy mysteries can veer too far into unrealistic, but this just has the perfect balance.
- Event planner turned amateur sleuth
- Slow burn romance with the new sheriff who was also her high school love interest
- Eccentric characters and small town gossips galore
- Light hearted but also just a very lengthy almost convoluted plot of the mystery. It all makes sense though!
This is a series, but it turns out there’s a whole other series of characters that predates Marie’s story so I have plenty of cozy reads to catch up on!
- Event planner turned amateur sleuth
- Slow burn romance with the new sheriff who was also her high school love interest
- Eccentric characters and small town gossips galore
- Light hearted but also just a very lengthy almost convoluted plot of the mystery. It all makes sense though!
This is a series, but it turns out there’s a whole other series of characters that predates Marie’s story so I have plenty of cozy reads to catch up on!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought the story would simply focus on Maria's professional fresh start and the feeling that, even after so many years, she still fears she doesn't truly belong in the town or isn't good enough or capable enough. But I was surprised by the range of emotions brought on by the twists and turns of the case throughout the book. If you've ever had something left unresolved or never fully processed, it's easy to relate to the protagonist and start reflecting on how a misunderstanding, whether your own or someone else's, can have, or may already have had, unexpected consequences.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited to know that we are able to go back to whisper hollow!! I absolutely love this cute small town. It was so great to be able to return and see it from another characters perspective.
As usual the ease in which I was able to read was thoroughly enjoyable. I love how Laura makes the reading super easy to follow even when you have a tired mum brain that’s running on fumes. I love the mystery element and the whodunnit vibes.
Another fantastic book by Laura M Drake and I can’t wait for the next one.
As usual the ease in which I was able to read was thoroughly enjoyable. I love how Laura makes the reading super easy to follow even when you have a tired mum brain that’s running on fumes. I love the mystery element and the whodunnit vibes.
Another fantastic book by Laura M Drake and I can’t wait for the next one.
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