Barnyard Murder

Strawberry Shores Mystery #2

by Mak K. Han

Laura is a librarian living in Strawberry Shores. There has been a murder before, but surely there wouldn’t be another one so soon, would there?

Laura is back as the sleuth working on her second murder case. With a list of all new suspects, she enlists the help of her trusty sidekicks, Emily and Alex to help solve the crime to leave Strawberry Shores safe for tomorrow!


This is a standalone, second book in a sweet cozy mystery series filled with humor, suspects, and lots of books! It also has some mild paranormal elements, and is suitable for all ages.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2016

About the author

My name is Makenzie "Mak" K. Han and I am from New York City, living the dream!

I have always wanted to be a writer, probably since I was in 5th grade and my teacher said I had one of the most creative minds she had taught. That was I think the most significant moment of my writing career. I love reading as much as I love writing. I hope that my stories are entertaining for you as much as they are for me :).

Like me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMakKHan. Sign up for my mailing list for updates and promotions at http://eepurl.com/bIHqmv (There will be NO spam sent! That is a promise.)

Reviews

[Teresa Kander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun easy read. Although it is the second in the series, it is easily read as a standalone book. I have not read the first book in the series and had no problem following this story.

Laura, Emily, and Alex have a wonderful relationship which serves them well in working together to solve this current mystery. The three girls were the last to see the victim alive, making them prime suspects, so they have a vested interest in finding the real killer.

There is a little bit of quirky paranormal to the story....and it's something I've never seen in a cozy prior to this one. This series is equally as appropriate for young readers as well as adults. I look forward to future installments!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable cosy mystery which I liked but didn't love for a few reasons. I was just getting into the story, enjoying the setting of Strawberry Shores which is very well done, when I reached the end. The book is only 79 pages long which I didn't realise at the start. There are some good characters and the style is easy-going. I'm not sure about Laura's special ability to tell if someone is lying or not by picking up on radio waves - that didn't work for me. I felt this book has a lot of promise but somehow it just falls short. There was no real suspense and the ending all happened rather too quickly to be satisfying.That aside, there are many good qualities to the book and I would happily read more by this author.

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short murder mystery with a touch of magic in!?!. This is book two and I think you do need to have listened to the first book to understand the unusual aspect to this story, which isn't explained and I think the author should have gone into more detail about, it would have also made it a longer story. Other than that it is a fun mystery that can be heard in just a few hours. The characters are like able, if a little bit weird. And for a short story there was just enough suspects with a motive for murder to keep listening all in one sitting.
The town of Strawberry shores is divided after the death of one of it resident's. The elderly grumpy resident wouldn't let anyone on his property, despite owning a falling down barn and a dead tree. After his death his daughter wants to leave everything how it is in honour of his memory but the town council wants to tear down the eye saw and the town is taking sides. Laura new to town can see both sides of the argument and just wants someone to make a decision. But the decision is taken out of everybody's hands when while protesting the dead man's daughter is killed. Laura and her friends set about putting her unique skills to work in order to find the killer. She might just have to carry a radio around with her everywhere, as her skills prove to be hit and miss without it but if it mean she and her friends won't get kidnapped its worth everyone thinking she is weird.
I liked the narrator and she is an asset to the story because she does such a good job.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

Another sweet little cozy mystery by Mac K. Han. Strawberry Shores mystery series make's a great little afternoon of reading fun.

A sleuthing they will go.....This is the second book in the series I've read and enjoyed them both.

The story is a good one. It's always nice to have friends like Laura had. It was a quick, funny read. The girls had a good relationship that came out nicely in the story. The humor and mystery of "who done it" keeps you turning the pages to find out. I liked the twist of her "static" ability.

This is a nice clean book I wouldn't hesitate to hand it over to my little girl to read as well. This book would be a fun mystery for all ages.

Barnyard Murder
Laura is a librarian living in Strawberry Shores. There has been a murder before, but surely there wouldn’t be another one so soon, would there?

Laura is back as the sleuth working on her second murder case. With a list of all new suspects, she enlists the help of her trusty sidekicks, Emily and Alex to help solve the crime to leave Strawberry Shores safe for tomorrow!

This is a standalone, second book in a sweet cozy mystery series filled with humor, suspects, and lots of books! It also has some mild paranormal elements, and is suitable for all ages.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably the shortest mystery I've ever read at only 79 pages. Yup, it's an itty-bitty cozy mystery that has a cute setting and is packed full of characters. Unfortunately a book this short doesn't have the time to give readers a chance to get to know the characters let alone multiple twists or even a healthy dose of suspense. The limitations of this book's size made this cozy mystery lackluster for me.

The characters were okay but underdeveloped. I liked that Laura was a librarian but the attitudes and behaviours of her friends (who initially I thought to be her tween/teenage daughters) came off as overly juvenile for characters who were actually grown adults.

Unfortunately this book had potential but missed the mark for me. I would have given it a higher rating if it had more suspense, a stronger murder plot as well as a better explanation and use of Laura's paranormal powers (which I felt were underutilized).

My Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to author Mak K Han for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnyard murder is the second book in the Strawberry Shores mystery series. Laura lives and works in Strawberry shores as a Librarian. Laura , Alex and Emily are back investigating another murder. The town is excited because they can finally tear down the old burnt barn and the tree next to the library and Frederick Ferdinand the owner can't stop them as he has died. Just when they are ready to tear it down Jennie his Daughter stops it. Now Dana Jones of thee CBSS and Jennie are fighting over the tree! Soon the whole town is involved next thing you know Jennie has chained herself to the tree and is soon found dead. Emily and Alex talk Laura into trying to solve the murder as they were some of the last people to talk to Jennie. I loved this book the story was easy to follow , filled with humor, suspects and some mild paranormal elements. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun cozy mystery set in Strawberry Shores. Laura, a local librarian, has a special talent for telling when a person is lying. Unfortunately there has been another murder, and since Laura and her friends were the last to see the victim alive, they are considered suspects. Laura must use her gift to find out who the true murderer is.

This is the second in the series. While I've read both, you don't need to have read the first one before diving into this one. The author writes with a lightness, making for a fun cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing about who the murderer is. She also adds just a hint of a romantic relationship between Laura and Harold, tying in a second storyline - this time with Harold lying to her.

I definitely recommend this book! It's a nice, easy read for a winter weekend.

*I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

'Barnyard Murder' was a great addition to a must-read series, 'Strawberry Shores Mystery'. The storyline was fast paced and full of possible suspects which led to some pretty funny scenarios. This book is a quick read but definitely a great read. Laura is honing her skills and it's quite humorous in the process. Add in Alex and Emily, you have a trio that cracks me up. An author/human lie detector, a cupcake baker and a clothing designer make up the amateur sleuths that have a strong friendship, opinions and a knack for finding themselves in the middle of trouble that make for a great story. A great add to your tbr list.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and different type of cozy and the first book I have read by this author. The premise of the story is good, but I felt the characters acted a little young for their ages. It has a touch of the "paranormal" that I have never seen before in a book. This series shows great promise. I will gladly read future books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Robbi Leah Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strawberry Shores is hit by another murder and these people will murder anyone with very little cause. You just got to figure out who....
It's time for our static hearing, lie detector Laura and her two friends to get involved and try to solve the murder by weeding out the lies.
Fun read, chapters and solid plots. This is a series and I will keep reading. New author is getting better with each book! Recommended for any lazy, cool day at home or a quick beach read!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 for Strawberry Shores starts you out in the mid-70s for some background information. In this story, Laura is still fine tuning her lie detection skills. And once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. A fun short read that left you wondering who-done-it.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion, and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.”

I just love this quirky series. The dynamic between Laura, Emily and Alex cracks me up. It is such a fun series to read. I am looking forward to the next adventure for the girls.

[Diane Tosney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a fun lighthearted murder mystery, this is the book for you. I like all kinds of mysteries and some romance too. I can't read grizzly murders all the time, this is the perfect who done it if you want a little humor along with your mystery. I will be watching for another Strawberry Shores Mystery.

[Linda Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

This book delivers a easy to follow cozy with a dash of humor. Laura is still working on using her gift and her friends still fuss. The murderer was a little obvious in this book

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read

As the headline said this was a good quick read. As cozy mysteries go it was a good one and I look forward to reading more from this series and author.

[Charlotte Skibicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick enjoyable read

Though this is the second in the series you do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one. It was a quick enjoyable read.