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Whistler's Cove #1
The Art & Craft of Murder
Misty Williams has finally achieved her dream of opening a teahouse in Whistler's Cove, a small town famous for its community of artists and crafters. But when the local gallery owner, Hilary Small, is poisoned in Misty's teahouse, and it begins to look as if the man Misty is in love with committed the murder, Misty must turn amateur sleuth in order to save the reputation of her teahouse and her hopes for romance.
Set in an enchanting location, this cozy mystery will delight with its entertaining cast of humorous characters, including Misty's cat Miss Mabel, who plays a crucial part in revealing the true murderer.
Set in an enchanting location, this cozy mystery will delight with its entertaining cast of humorous characters, including Misty's cat Miss Mabel, who plays a crucial part in revealing the true murderer.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2015
859 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
April 8, 2018
4,25 stars - English free Ebook - One of these days someone is going to murder that woman! -
They could not have been more right than that! Easy cozy mystery read. It made the hospital control visits a lot easier. If you like a cozy mystery this is a Nice one to read. 🌹🌸🌺🦋
They could not have been more right than that! Easy cozy mystery read. It made the hospital control visits a lot easier. If you like a cozy mystery this is a Nice one to read. 🌹🌸🌺🦋
March 25, 2016
Misty Williams owns a tea café in an artsy coastal town, many of whose residents make their living on sales of their paintings and sculptures. There is only one gallery in town, and it’s owned by a grouchy, demanding woman named Hilary Short, the sort of woman who makes Misty remake her tea three times before she’s satisfied with its temperature. She’s already the least popular person in town; now that she’s increasing the gallery’s percentage on art sales, there are many who wouldn’t mind seeing her die, as some of Misty’s regulars do when she drops dead after a taste of her order. Misty takes it upon herself to figure out where the poison that kills Hilary came from.
The Art and Craft of Murder is a seven-chapter, forty-eight page, direct-to-ebook cozy mystery by someone who calls herself Cozy Cat Parker. Her author page at the publisher’s website doesn’t say anything meaningful or interesting, and the full title of the novella as it’s listed in ebook stores reeks of obnoxious search engine optimization. I don't want to insinuate that self-published ebooks are usually amateurish, but so rinky-dinky does this operation appear that the summary of this title on Amazon calls the murder victim "Hilary Small." I was certain this short work would be sloppily edited, with mediocre writing at best and no discernible characters. I was kind of wrong. The editing is sloppy, and the writer frequently uses four words where one will do, as with this sentence:
There are at least three things wrong with this sentence (“who’s,” “also…too,” and wordiness that sounds like the writing of a high-schooler), but even through this, Parker (whoever he or she is) has a decent voice with a fair sense of the flow of language, and her main character is surprisingly likeable. There’s no room in forty-eight pages for much development of secondary characters, or any of the colorful details that make cozy mysteries especially enjoyable, so things stick tightly to the mystery itself, but there’s a time and a place for a quick mystery you can knock off in one lazy evening, and that’s what I did, and there are worse ways to spend Saturday night. This title is free on Amazon, so I certainly got my money’s worth, and I can see myself spending the ninety-nine cents to three dollars listed for the others in this series, given the right weekend weather.
The Art and Craft of Murder is a seven-chapter, forty-eight page, direct-to-ebook cozy mystery by someone who calls herself Cozy Cat Parker. Her author page at the publisher’s website doesn’t say anything meaningful or interesting, and the full title of the novella as it’s listed in ebook stores reeks of obnoxious search engine optimization. I don't want to insinuate that self-published ebooks are usually amateurish, but so rinky-dinky does this operation appear that the summary of this title on Amazon calls the murder victim "Hilary Small." I was certain this short work would be sloppily edited, with mediocre writing at best and no discernible characters. I was kind of wrong. The editing is sloppy, and the writer frequently uses four words where one will do, as with this sentence:
Because as much as there are those of us who’s blood begins to boil at the very thought of Hilary Short, she also has her fan club too.
There are at least three things wrong with this sentence (“who’s,” “also…too,” and wordiness that sounds like the writing of a high-schooler), but even through this, Parker (whoever he or she is) has a decent voice with a fair sense of the flow of language, and her main character is surprisingly likeable. There’s no room in forty-eight pages for much development of secondary characters, or any of the colorful details that make cozy mysteries especially enjoyable, so things stick tightly to the mystery itself, but there’s a time and a place for a quick mystery you can knock off in one lazy evening, and that’s what I did, and there are worse ways to spend Saturday night. This title is free on Amazon, so I certainly got my money’s worth, and I can see myself spending the ninety-nine cents to three dollars listed for the others in this series, given the right weekend weather.
July 4, 2020
I picked this book as a free cozy mystery when I was writing n the mood for it a couple of weeks a go. I saw that it was a short one that I can read it in one sitting and that’s what I did. The truth I give this novela a 2.5 stars because of the plot it is an ok plot, the characters are mediocre and it so short that it didn’t have anywhere to be expended.
I like the the small town idea and the crafting community. I thought it will have to do more with arts and crafts but after reading I understand what kind of art it talks about.
It was an ok read for a free kindle book, I would have been more disappointed if I had bought it as a print book.
I like the the small town idea and the crafting community. I thought it will have to do more with arts and crafts but after reading I understand what kind of art it talks about.
It was an ok read for a free kindle book, I would have been more disappointed if I had bought it as a print book.
March 27, 2023
2.5
This was just a “nothing” book. It was too short for anything of interest to actually happen. I figured out the mystery and the climax was lacklustre at best.
This was just a “nothing” book. It was too short for anything of interest to actually happen. I figured out the mystery and the climax was lacklustre at best.
May 2, 2017
Fun read
She and I are correct when l can stand alone. When I can't stand alone, uses the word "me" instead of "I". Mary and I went to town; but Sam said "hi" to Mary and me; not Mary and I. Sam wouldn't say hi to I. That is what I am only giving this writer three stars. It was an interesting mystery and, other than the use of the personal pronoun not a bad read at all
She and I are correct when l can stand alone. When I can't stand alone, uses the word "me" instead of "I". Mary and I went to town; but Sam said "hi" to Mary and me; not Mary and I. Sam wouldn't say hi to I. That is what I am only giving this writer three stars. It was an interesting mystery and, other than the use of the personal pronoun not a bad read at all
April 23, 2017
I downloaded this free cozy mystery short called The Art & Craft of Murder by Cozy Cat Parker. This (at time of publishing free) cozy was a lovely artist/tea shop themed cozy murder mystery that was good for a quick evening read. I loved the setting for the story and the idea behind a community of artists, the mystery is not too complex and easy to deduce but a good story, I did enjoy. To be totally honest I hate the cover, but the story was worth the second look. The cover did not capture the essence of the story at all, nor did it do justice to they way the cozy setting is described in the book all in all it just seems very out of place.
October 23, 2023
Got it on stuff your kindle day and, presently suffering from a sore eye, I had Alexa read it.
Who could have told me I would reallyyyyy enjoy it?! Nice writing, cosy scenery, interesting plot with a quite unpredictable twist at the end. I am certainly going to read more of this author's books. If you're looking for a cosy, well-written short story, just grab it!
Who could have told me I would reallyyyyy enjoy it?! Nice writing, cosy scenery, interesting plot with a quite unpredictable twist at the end. I am certainly going to read more of this author's books. If you're looking for a cosy, well-written short story, just grab it!
July 24, 2018
"Harmless"
A very quick read. Like one of those fancy tea cakes, it's only a mouthful.
A very quick read. Like one of those fancy tea cakes, it's only a mouthful.
April 15, 2019
This was a great novella. This book has a tea house sandy beaches and murder. I enjoyed it very much.
January 2, 2020
This was a good first entry into this mystery series set in Whistler's Cove. It was well-plotted with good characters. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
April 24, 2021
An exciting clean cozy mystery
I loved this book. It is a very exciting and clean cozy mystery. It is just long enough and exciting enough to hold your interest all the way to the end. It also has a surprise ending, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean cozy mystery.
I loved this book. It is a very exciting and clean cozy mystery. It is just long enough and exciting enough to hold your interest all the way to the end. It also has a surprise ending, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean cozy mystery.
July 17, 2016
Misty owns a tea shop in a small artist community-town. The owner of an art gallery is killed in her shop and there are too many suspects because the woman wasn't very nice.
This read almost as if it happened to someone else rather than the main character, Misty. The writing was good, just needed to feel more of a connection. This was a novella so perhaps the next book will be able to bring in the connection.
This read almost as if it happened to someone else rather than the main character, Misty. The writing was good, just needed to feel more of a connection. This was a novella so perhaps the next book will be able to bring in the connection.
August 6, 2020
Surprise, Surprise!
Great story in a wonderful setting. I do wish I could see the artwork described and visit the village itself.
Great story in a wonderful setting. I do wish I could see the artwork described and visit the village itself.
January 1, 2016
Review to come soon.
June 11, 2020
~It’s okay
~A very light-weight short story. My first and major complaint about this “book” is the length…it is 47 pages. In my opinion, that is not a book, but rather a short story. This is a series of books…all the others are similar in length, 49-48-55 pages. Combining all four books together under one cover, might create an interesting full-length book to read.
~The story did move along at a quick pace…again, due to the length…sometimes it was almost too fast.
Enough about the length.
~Cozy mysteries are, by their very nature, somewhat light-weight in plot content. I did not feel that I really got to know the characters. Misty Williams seems a bit of a “air-head”, she is definitely a business person. Purchasing baked goods and throwing them out, because they are uneatable, but not wanting to hurt the feelings of the local baker is not realistic business. Rude customers are frequently asked to leave an establishment…the owner is not required to accept the sort of behavior that is forced upon her by the town bully. The town has only one art gallery…this is an artist’s haven and a tourist location…again unrealistic. A town like that should have a number of competing galleries. It would be realistic for Miss Williams to open up space in the diner for display local art.
Enough of the unrealistic town lifestyles.
~A “cozy” novel usually has some element of romance incorporated into it…perhaps antagonistic in the beginning, perhaps a love-at-first-sight…but, something to evolve as the story progresses. What I believe to be the love interest in the story, Misty and David, hardly spoke to one another.
~Given enough time and space to flesh out the characters and the storyline, I think this series has potential. It was okay, but I’ll not be reading any of the other short stories in this series.
~A very light-weight short story. My first and major complaint about this “book” is the length…it is 47 pages. In my opinion, that is not a book, but rather a short story. This is a series of books…all the others are similar in length, 49-48-55 pages. Combining all four books together under one cover, might create an interesting full-length book to read.
~The story did move along at a quick pace…again, due to the length…sometimes it was almost too fast.
Enough about the length.
~Cozy mysteries are, by their very nature, somewhat light-weight in plot content. I did not feel that I really got to know the characters. Misty Williams seems a bit of a “air-head”, she is definitely a business person. Purchasing baked goods and throwing them out, because they are uneatable, but not wanting to hurt the feelings of the local baker is not realistic business. Rude customers are frequently asked to leave an establishment…the owner is not required to accept the sort of behavior that is forced upon her by the town bully. The town has only one art gallery…this is an artist’s haven and a tourist location…again unrealistic. A town like that should have a number of competing galleries. It would be realistic for Miss Williams to open up space in the diner for display local art.
Enough of the unrealistic town lifestyles.
~A “cozy” novel usually has some element of romance incorporated into it…perhaps antagonistic in the beginning, perhaps a love-at-first-sight…but, something to evolve as the story progresses. What I believe to be the love interest in the story, Misty and David, hardly spoke to one another.
~Given enough time and space to flesh out the characters and the storyline, I think this series has potential. It was okay, but I’ll not be reading any of the other short stories in this series.
December 6, 2019
First in series
A woman owns a tea shop in a former fishing village.While the fishing may be gone, artists have taken over and attract tourists to the quaint town. The only problem is the spiteful owner of the local art gallery. So when she does in the tea shop, the owner wants to find the killer as soon as possible.
This short story is the first in a new series. Usually, a first book focuses more on establishing the characters and the deft and the mystery tends to be weak. This is a fairly solid mystery, despite the fact that I guessed the solution before the end.
I did have a small problem with the premise. I live in an area with a thriving tourist industry and quite a few artists. I can't imagine there only being one gallery. There are tons of small galleries, co-ops of artists, Nd seemingly a fair or craft show every weekend. Even the local DMV office has a selection of paintings for sale. So , I find it hard to believe the artists in this town would let one person dictate to them so much.
A woman owns a tea shop in a former fishing village.While the fishing may be gone, artists have taken over and attract tourists to the quaint town. The only problem is the spiteful owner of the local art gallery. So when she does in the tea shop, the owner wants to find the killer as soon as possible.
This short story is the first in a new series. Usually, a first book focuses more on establishing the characters and the deft and the mystery tends to be weak. This is a fairly solid mystery, despite the fact that I guessed the solution before the end.
I did have a small problem with the premise. I live in an area with a thriving tourist industry and quite a few artists. I can't imagine there only being one gallery. There are tons of small galleries, co-ops of artists, Nd seemingly a fair or craft show every weekend. Even the local DMV office has a selection of paintings for sale. So , I find it hard to believe the artists in this town would let one person dictate to them so much.
January 1, 2022
My first finish of 2022 is a short and sweet cozy mystery. I do enjoy this genre and I want to read more of them this year.
In this one the main character Misty has opened up a teahouse in the small town of Whistler's Cove. This town is popular with the artist community but the woman who runs the gallery is rather vile and all of the towns people dislike her.
When she is poisoned right there in the teahouse, Misty decides to try to figure out who in town could have been responsible.
I don't feel the cover art really captures the plot but for the story itself I really enjoyed it.
It's light and easy to read. I really liked all the mixture of characters we are introduced to, and Misty is a great lead character.
As I definitely want to read more about Misty and Whistler's Cove I will purchase the other books in the future. This is the first in a series and is currently free on amazon UK.
In this one the main character Misty has opened up a teahouse in the small town of Whistler's Cove. This town is popular with the artist community but the woman who runs the gallery is rather vile and all of the towns people dislike her.
When she is poisoned right there in the teahouse, Misty decides to try to figure out who in town could have been responsible.
I don't feel the cover art really captures the plot but for the story itself I really enjoyed it.
It's light and easy to read. I really liked all the mixture of characters we are introduced to, and Misty is a great lead character.
As I definitely want to read more about Misty and Whistler's Cove I will purchase the other books in the future. This is the first in a series and is currently free on amazon UK.
April 14, 2020
I'm giving an extra star since the story is well-written and the town and characters are fleshed out pretty well. This short story takes approximately an hour to read. It features a small business owner (Misty Williams) as the owner of a tea house and the property where a murder occurs. Misty owns a cat named Miss Mabel. Misty uses her sleuthing skills to solve the mystery. The story takes place in the imaginary tourist town of Whistler's Cove. Whistler's Cove appears to be a heavy for artists of all types including painters, collagers, and sculpters. I just wish the artistic parts of the story were more prominent as the main character (Misty) is not an artist. This is a four-part series, so perhaps art takes more of a front seat in one of the next books.
June 16, 2025
This book was pretty okay. It was a very, very quick read. I think it took me less than an hour and I read it all in one sitting. If you like cozy mysteries, you should definitely check this out. The premise is a small business owner (Misty) owns a tea-house that serves coffee, tea and sweet treats. A very crabby woman owns an art gallery in the sleepy seaside town. The crab decided that the artists that display art in the gallery don't respect her enough and is doing shady stuff (i.e. the main artist gets moved out of the front window and her art gets put in the back). Someone retaliates by poisoning her to death. The list of suspects is quite long because she is pretty much a b-i-t-c-h to everyone. I was actually hoping it was a little longer. It was a free Nook download.
April 17, 2023
A short and sweet bite-sized (sorry!) mystery. A perfect quick read for before you settle for bed or in your dinner hour.
I wish characters were fleshed out a bit more as there is so much life in the quick read that is there, and then it's over. There is a skill of making every word count, and when thinking of the setting, I feel as if I could step into Whistler's Cove, but the characters felt slightly lacking. There were glimmers there, but I didn't really find myself connected to anyone, really, other than sweet Elsie.
That being said, I found myself buying the second book in the series immediately afterwards.
I wish characters were fleshed out a bit more as there is so much life in the quick read that is there, and then it's over. There is a skill of making every word count, and when thinking of the setting, I feel as if I could step into Whistler's Cove, but the characters felt slightly lacking. There were glimmers there, but I didn't really find myself connected to anyone, really, other than sweet Elsie.
That being said, I found myself buying the second book in the series immediately afterwards.
March 27, 2019
Had Potential But Ended Up Being Okay
Simple story, a cozy mystery, mostly made up of dialogue. I like the idea of a teahouse with a guard cat that's terrified of everything. I like that the main character Misty was doing something she enjoyed and was kind to others. I also thought the who-done-it was well thought out. I didn't see it coming. I just felt like the story fell flat because of the pacing. We know a lot about the victim, but I don't really feel attached to anyone else in the book. Except for Miss Mabel.
Simple story, a cozy mystery, mostly made up of dialogue. I like the idea of a teahouse with a guard cat that's terrified of everything. I like that the main character Misty was doing something she enjoyed and was kind to others. I also thought the who-done-it was well thought out. I didn't see it coming. I just felt like the story fell flat because of the pacing. We know a lot about the victim, but I don't really feel attached to anyone else in the book. Except for Miss Mabel.
March 28, 2019
The Art & Craft of Murder
This is a wonderful cozy mystery about a small little beach settlement of artists trying to make a living selling their art. There is a teahouse in which they all meet and discuss their thoughts and accomplishments over tea, coffee, sandwiches and baked goods. The main shop selling the art of the village is owned by a egotistical and hateful woman. All the old men in the village are in love with her. Then,she is poisoned. Who poisoned her and why? This is a good quick read for when you have a little time to wait. I recommend this book.
This is a wonderful cozy mystery about a small little beach settlement of artists trying to make a living selling their art. There is a teahouse in which they all meet and discuss their thoughts and accomplishments over tea, coffee, sandwiches and baked goods. The main shop selling the art of the village is owned by a egotistical and hateful woman. All the old men in the village are in love with her. Then,she is poisoned. Who poisoned her and why? This is a good quick read for when you have a little time to wait. I recommend this book.
June 9, 2019
I love the mystery in this book, but I felt the book was way too short. Misty and Karen were well-developed characters. I would have liked to read more about David as the main suspect. Many of the other characters that frequent the Teahouse would be good suspects if the details of their character were better developed. This would have created a longer storyline with more twist and turns up to the surprising ending. The book had great bones, but I was disappointed, when just as the story was getting started it was over.
August 8, 2019
Entertaining story, but very short, about 45 pages. In the course of running her teahouse, Misty relies on her close interactions with her customers to compile a list of suspects when the town shrew drops over dead in the shop. While checking facts, she puts herself in danger and almost becomes the next victim.
First in the series, but would have liked to see the story and the budding romance developed more. Perhaps in the next book. Recommend.
First in the series, but would have liked to see the story and the budding romance developed more. Perhaps in the next book. Recommend.
July 4, 2017
Novella
Interesting concept of barista turned detective, a scared cat, a best friend, a live interest, a busybody, grouchy old men and of course, a mean-spirited gal who might even deserve what happens to her. Writing is adequate; seems like a missed opportunity to flesh out the characters and expand on the stories.
Interesting concept of barista turned detective, a scared cat, a best friend, a live interest, a busybody, grouchy old men and of course, a mean-spirited gal who might even deserve what happens to her. Writing is adequate; seems like a missed opportunity to flesh out the characters and expand on the stories.
May 14, 2020
Refreshing
I very much enjoyed my first visit to Whistler's Cove. The people were ones I'd like to get to know better and Miss Mabel reminds me of a friend's cat. It was a well written short story. The ending was just as good because I didn't guess, which is a treat. Truly enjoyable.
I very much enjoyed my first visit to Whistler's Cove. The people were ones I'd like to get to know better and Miss Mabel reminds me of a friend's cat. It was a well written short story. The ending was just as good because I didn't guess, which is a treat. Truly enjoyable.
August 28, 2020
Poor
Apologies to the writer, but I found this poorly written, completely illogical with more holes than my daughters' stories and without their charm. The characters are one dimensional and boring and the story put together by formula rather than good writing. I would not recommend this to anyone
Apologies to the writer, but I found this poorly written, completely illogical with more holes than my daughters' stories and without their charm. The characters are one dimensional and boring and the story put together by formula rather than good writing. I would not recommend this to anyone
June 30, 2017
Well written (and well edited). When one of her customers dies after having her daily afternoon snack in her tea shop, Misty is determined to find out who offed one of the most despised people in Whistler's Cove.
January 8, 2018
I absolutely love Cosy Mysteries and I’m glad I came across this book. I read it in one setting and it was a quick and cute read. I would definitely recommend this book if you like this genre. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews