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A Georgia Peach Mystery #3
War and Peach
The author of Rest in Peach serves up another bite of Southern charm in the latest Georgia Peach mystery.
Nola Mae Harper is too busy restocking the jars of preserves and chutney flying off the shelves of her shop, Peachy Keen, to keep up with all the gossip about the upcoming mayoral election, but she does know the debate is sure to be a real barn burner.
Local farmer Clem Rogers claims he has a bombshell that could take small business owner Margie Price out of the running. But before Clem can reveal his juicy secret at the debate, his actual barn goes up in flames—with him inside of it. The town casts its vote against Margie, but Nola isn’t convinced the hardworking woman is capable of murder. Now to clear Margie's name Nola will have to work fast under pressure, before Margie gets taken in by the fuzz...
INCLUDES RECIPES!
Nola Mae Harper is too busy restocking the jars of preserves and chutney flying off the shelves of her shop, Peachy Keen, to keep up with all the gossip about the upcoming mayoral election, but she does know the debate is sure to be a real barn burner.
Local farmer Clem Rogers claims he has a bombshell that could take small business owner Margie Price out of the running. But before Clem can reveal his juicy secret at the debate, his actual barn goes up in flames—with him inside of it. The town casts its vote against Margie, but Nola isn’t convinced the hardworking woman is capable of murder. Now to clear Margie's name Nola will have to work fast under pressure, before Margie gets taken in by the fuzz...
INCLUDES RECIPES!
289 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 7, 2017
47 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
Susan Furlong
31 books834 followersSusan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.
To learn more about her writing, visit her website at www.susanfurlong.com
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Writing as: Susan Furlong/Lucy Arlington
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 3, 2020
Arriving @ Peachy Keen was a complete surprise to Nola Mae. I had been in town for a recent visit but had to come back for the election of Cays Mills Mayor. Longtime resident and farmer Clem Rogers are running against new to town (well I mean her grandmother wasn’t born here people...that makes her new by Cays Mills standards) owner of the Sunny Side B&B Margie Price. Clem has been spreading gossip around town that he has information about Margie that could be the nail in her coffin, but before he has the chance to share his information he goes up in flames in his barn. I guess the election wasn’t the only barn burner. When word gets out that Nola’s father had been to see Clem about shady business deals...he becomes the prime suspect in his death. Nola, and I must find the killer before her father takes the fall….
My thoughts:
This is another juicy, sweet, peach of an addition to this series. The characters are well developed and likeable (even busybody Francis Simms), and the setting is full of southern charm. I liked the business ideas for Peachy Keen like the themed sample baskets. I also really enjoy all the “Southern Girl Secrets”. The mystery was fast paced, interesting, intriguing, and had me engaged from beginning to end. There was a never-ending supply of suspects that left the reader guessing all the way through. All this peach talk has me hankering for something delicious...luckily some mouthwatering recipes are included.
For more book fun subscribe to my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
My thoughts:
This is another juicy, sweet, peach of an addition to this series. The characters are well developed and likeable (even busybody Francis Simms), and the setting is full of southern charm. I liked the business ideas for Peachy Keen like the themed sample baskets. I also really enjoy all the “Southern Girl Secrets”. The mystery was fast paced, interesting, intriguing, and had me engaged from beginning to end. There was a never-ending supply of suspects that left the reader guessing all the way through. All this peach talk has me hankering for something delicious...luckily some mouthwatering recipes are included.
For more book fun subscribe to my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
March 15, 2017
Fabulous!! If I could give this book 10 stars, I would... It's the best book I've read from her, including the Lucy Arlington series. So many suspects, so many motives... Never would have guessed this killer.. All I can say is run, don't walk to your library, book store, grab your kindle and press buy or amazon, or whatever site... Just READ IT!!
February 5, 2017
“Georgia, Georgia . . .” No one captures that sweet Georgia feeling, or writes a mystery like author Susan Furlong.
WAR AND PEACH, the third book in the Georgia Peach Mysteries, was worth every day spent waiting for it to be released.
I love that every chapter opens with a numbered Southern Girl Secret . . . Southern Girl Secret #045: A Southern gal never starts a fight, but she sure the heck knows how to finish one. That’s just one of the many witty sayings you’ll find. Fun!
Ms. Furlong has cooked up a story that is intriguing, witty, intelligent, and all around captivating! From the opening line I was hanging on every word of WAR AND PEACH, and was left breathless by the time I reached the exciting end. This is definitely the best of the bushel in this wonderful mystery series so far!
As with the first two books in the series, you’ll also find some delicious peach recipes. Mmmm….yum!
Make sure to pick up your own copy of WAR AND PEACH. It will be one of the tastiest books you’ll read this year!
WAR AND PEACH, the third book in the Georgia Peach Mysteries, was worth every day spent waiting for it to be released.
I love that every chapter opens with a numbered Southern Girl Secret . . . Southern Girl Secret #045: A Southern gal never starts a fight, but she sure the heck knows how to finish one. That’s just one of the many witty sayings you’ll find. Fun!
Ms. Furlong has cooked up a story that is intriguing, witty, intelligent, and all around captivating! From the opening line I was hanging on every word of WAR AND PEACH, and was left breathless by the time I reached the exciting end. This is definitely the best of the bushel in this wonderful mystery series so far!
As with the first two books in the series, you’ll also find some delicious peach recipes. Mmmm….yum!
Make sure to pick up your own copy of WAR AND PEACH. It will be one of the tastiest books you’ll read this year!
February 7, 2017
The local election for mayor is all anyone is talking about in Cays Mill, Georgia, and Nola Mae Harper has become caught in the middle. Just an hour before the last debate is to take place, a fire breaks out in Clem Rogers’s barn, and his body is found in the ruins. Since he had some dirt on his opponent in the race he was going to share at the debate, the people in town are certain his opponent did it. The sheriff has another theory, Nola Mae’s father, who has admitted to visiting the victim just before the fire broke out. Nola Mae doesn’t think either of those suspects could have done it. But can she find out the truth?
If you are tired of politics, don’t let the election angle worry you. That is only one aspect of this fun mystery. In fact, we get some delightful red herrings before Nola Mae zeroes in on the truth in the suspenseful climax. The characters are charming as always, and we get to see more growth in Nola Mae. Plus there is lots of talk about peaches. How can you go wrong with that?
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
If you are tired of politics, don’t let the election angle worry you. That is only one aspect of this fun mystery. In fact, we get some delightful red herrings before Nola Mae zeroes in on the truth in the suspenseful climax. The characters are charming as always, and we get to see more growth in Nola Mae. Plus there is lots of talk about peaches. How can you go wrong with that?
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
February 19, 2017
The Georgia Peach Mystery series became a favorite cozy series for me since the release of the first book in the series Peaches and Scream. I pre-ordered this third book as I was eager to continue with the series. Many reviewers have given a synopsis of the plot so I will relate what makes this series special to me.
First of all, the plotting is very good. So many books the reader has the who done it early on in the book. The answers came to me late in the book or when the author disclosed it. It was an interesting plot with an upcoming election, murder, secrets from the present and past and family love.
A series probably can not become a favorite without s some interesting likable characters. This series has just that. Nola Mae Harper is smart, hard working and loyal. The books are very strong on family support and love. Carla has become a favorite character of mine. I can see good things ahead for her in the Peachy Keen shop. She is innovative and hard working.
If you are looking for a new cozy mystery series to try, you might enjoy this one. I would start with Peaches and Scream first but it isn't necessary. The author is very good with characters and plotting.
First of all, the plotting is very good. So many books the reader has the who done it early on in the book. The answers came to me late in the book or when the author disclosed it. It was an interesting plot with an upcoming election, murder, secrets from the present and past and family love.
A series probably can not become a favorite without s some interesting likable characters. This series has just that. Nola Mae Harper is smart, hard working and loyal. The books are very strong on family support and love. Carla has become a favorite character of mine. I can see good things ahead for her in the Peachy Keen shop. She is innovative and hard working.
If you are looking for a new cozy mystery series to try, you might enjoy this one. I would start with Peaches and Scream first but it isn't necessary. The author is very good with characters and plotting.
March 23, 2017
It's election season in Cays Mill, Georgia. Nola Mae is rooting for the town outsider, Margie Price, to win. But when her opponent, Clem Rogers, turns up dead, Margie becomes a prime suspect, right after Nola Mae's father, who has had problems with Clem in the past. It's up to Nola Mae to discover who really killed Clem, before the local sheriff puts either her friend, or her father, in jail.
I absolutely love this series. It has great charm, and the characters are beautifully drawn. I could see Nola Mae as one of my friends, which makes me happy to visit with her each time a book is published. Even the sheriff, who is a nasty character, is so real that I could see her in real life.
I love Susan Furlong's writing. She paints scenes beautifully and crafts an intriguing mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end. She is a must-buy author for me.
I absolutely love this series. It has great charm, and the characters are beautifully drawn. I could see Nola Mae as one of my friends, which makes me happy to visit with her each time a book is published. Even the sheriff, who is a nasty character, is so real that I could see her in real life.
I love Susan Furlong's writing. She paints scenes beautifully and crafts an intriguing mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end. She is a must-buy author for me.
February 21, 2017
Nola Mae is busy with her store selling peach items, helping her dad run their peach farm and trying to get her online business going. She hasn't paid much attention to the mayors race but knows it is getting hot. Clem a local farmer, running for office says he has a secret for Margie who is also running but before he can tell, there is a big fire and his body is found. Everyone is blaming Margie but Nola Mae knows she didn't do it and sets out to find out who did it. Lots of side stories about their life makes it interesting.
February 10, 2017
Southern Girl Secret #060: “There are only two reasons someone new comes into your life: They’re either gonna be a blessin’ or a lesson.” WAR AND PEACH, the newest release in the Georgia Peach Mystery series by Susan Furlong, is chock-full of fun tidbits like this at the beginning of each chapter. Each “secret” while cute, also has a ring of truth to it that I so enjoyed! Susan has created a tight-knit Georgia peach farming family for the feisty protagonist, Nola Mae Harper. No matter what troubles they find themselves in, they know they have the full support of each other. In WAR AND PEACH, Nola’s daddy, Raymond, finds himself in the cross-hairs of the vengeful Sheriff Maudy Payne when she suspects him in the murder of his rival, Clem Rogers. Nola Mae has never understood the antagonistic nature between the two men but as she starts digging into the past to clear her daddy’s name, she uncovers secrets that both her parents have tried hard to keep buried. Despite the circumstantial evidence that is found, she has trust that she will find the truth and her daddy will be exonerated.
Susan Furlong also deftly explores the prejudices Southerners and Northerners have for each other… or any “newcomer”. Apropos for the current events going on in our world today and will hopefully make a reader give pause to consider while at the same time being entertained. The story has a strong plot with several subplots intertwined which connect at the shocking reveal…I just didn’t see it coming! With plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing I had a very difficult time pausing to take notes for this review and it was nearly impossible to put down to attend to other commitments.
Nola Mae has also just opened her peach shop, Peachy Keen. I adored the clever and humorous names she created for her gift baskets and I want to order some of them! Thankfully, the author includes a few recipes at the back of the book so some of her treats can be recreated at home. I tried the recipe for Ginny Wiggins’s Perfect Peach Cake. Using a boxed cake mix as the base, a few simple pantry and dairy ingredients are added, resulting in a delicious, beautiful dessert!
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Susan Furlong also deftly explores the prejudices Southerners and Northerners have for each other… or any “newcomer”. Apropos for the current events going on in our world today and will hopefully make a reader give pause to consider while at the same time being entertained. The story has a strong plot with several subplots intertwined which connect at the shocking reveal…I just didn’t see it coming! With plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing I had a very difficult time pausing to take notes for this review and it was nearly impossible to put down to attend to other commitments.
Nola Mae has also just opened her peach shop, Peachy Keen. I adored the clever and humorous names she created for her gift baskets and I want to order some of them! Thankfully, the author includes a few recipes at the back of the book so some of her treats can be recreated at home. I tried the recipe for Ginny Wiggins’s Perfect Peach Cake. Using a boxed cake mix as the base, a few simple pantry and dairy ingredients are added, resulting in a delicious, beautiful dessert!
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 7, 2020
La storia non è male e il colpevole mi ha colto completamente di sorpresa, ma parecchio del contorno ha urtato i miei nervi, stavolta: il pettegolozzo che assurge a prova, una pseudo-giornalista che non sa cosa sia l'etica professionale e uno (una) sceriffo che pensa solo a vendicare un presunto torto subito da ragazzina accusando sempre un membro della famiglia della protagonista. Diciamo che questo libro arriva alle 4 stelle solo per la sorpresa relativa al colpevole, fino a metà avrei tolto perlomeno una mezza stella.
March 26, 2017
This delicious third installment in the Georgia Peach mysteries was absolutely my favorite. The first two books were a delight, but in War and Peach Nola Mae has truly settled in to Cays Mill and found her stride. Business owner, peach farmer, and devoted member of the Harper family, she takes on a cartload of problems when a rival peach farmer is murdered in his barn. Even more disturbing is that sheriff Maudy Payne has set her sights on Nola Mae’s dad as the number one suspect. But Nola Mae isn’t backing down. She’ll dig until all the secrets are exposed . . . and a rotten peach is plucked from the basket.
Southern Girl Secret: War and Peach is the best of the three in a sweet cozy series!
Southern Girl Secret: War and Peach is the best of the three in a sweet cozy series!
March 16, 2017
War and Peach by Susan Furlong will delight fans of cozy mysteries as the novel has everything that makes these storied so much fun.
The protagonist, Nola Mae Harper, is the type of character with whom readers immediately identify and enjoy cheering on. Other characters are unique or delightfully quirky, and the relationships among the characters keep readers fully engaged.
The setting is interesting and fun. The series is set in the town of Cays Mill, Georgia, where peach farmers, shop owners, and gossips gather at the same diner for breakfast. Everybody knows everything about everyone else.
The whodunit is complex and surprising. Readers keep guessing and turning pages!
Readers of War and Peach will want to read every book in the series, and the Harpers of Cays Mill will keep readers wishing the story never ends!
The protagonist, Nola Mae Harper, is the type of character with whom readers immediately identify and enjoy cheering on. Other characters are unique or delightfully quirky, and the relationships among the characters keep readers fully engaged.
The setting is interesting and fun. The series is set in the town of Cays Mill, Georgia, where peach farmers, shop owners, and gossips gather at the same diner for breakfast. Everybody knows everything about everyone else.
The whodunit is complex and surprising. Readers keep guessing and turning pages!
Readers of War and Peach will want to read every book in the series, and the Harpers of Cays Mill will keep readers wishing the story never ends!
May 26, 2017
The third in a simply delightful series, War and Peach was a wonderful book full of lovable characters, and a solid mystery.
The characters are wonderful, for the most part. Ms. Furlong does a wonderful job of creating lovable characters that a person becomes emotionally invested in. However, there is one character that I feel is underdeveloped; Cade. Cade is Nola's love interest, yet I feel as if I barely know him at all. I don't know if it was just me, but I failed to connect with him, and the thing I look for most in a book is the ability to connect and feel as if you've known a fictional character for a lifetime. I don't get that with Cade.
The setting is wonderful, but I have trouble picturing all of it in my mind. Parts of it, like Nola's shop, the diner, the peach farm, and the entire downtown I can picture perfectly, but I have trouble picturing the outskirts of the town, the landscape, properly. The mystery is wonderful, I loved the different ways the author chose to go with it, and I did not see the end coming at all!
Overall a wonderful book that I really enjoyed. This book left off as if it were the last in the series, which I hope it isn't. Highly recommend this series, and recommend this book!
The characters are wonderful, for the most part. Ms. Furlong does a wonderful job of creating lovable characters that a person becomes emotionally invested in. However, there is one character that I feel is underdeveloped; Cade. Cade is Nola's love interest, yet I feel as if I barely know him at all. I don't know if it was just me, but I failed to connect with him, and the thing I look for most in a book is the ability to connect and feel as if you've known a fictional character for a lifetime. I don't get that with Cade.
The setting is wonderful, but I have trouble picturing all of it in my mind. Parts of it, like Nola's shop, the diner, the peach farm, and the entire downtown I can picture perfectly, but I have trouble picturing the outskirts of the town, the landscape, properly. The mystery is wonderful, I loved the different ways the author chose to go with it, and I did not see the end coming at all!
Overall a wonderful book that I really enjoyed. This book left off as if it were the last in the series, which I hope it isn't. Highly recommend this series, and recommend this book!
February 7, 2017
War And Peach is the third book in the A Georgia Peach Mystery series.
Another wonderful addition to this delicious series.
Nola Mae Harper is enjoying success with her specialty shop Peachy Keen. Not only is the shop doing a good business, but the online business is also picking up. Nola Mae has hired a young lady, Carla Fini, to help in the store and with their website. Not only does she do well helping the customers, but is equally adept at updating the website. In addition, he has come up with some exciting new additions to the product base.
The residents of Cays Mill are looking forward to the Mayor’s election, it pits Clem Rogers, a local peach farmer against Margie Price, owner of the Sunny Side Up B&B and a transplanted Northerner. Ray Harper, Nola’s father, has paid Clem Roger a visit to discuss his undercutting Ray deal with Snyder. Shortly after Ray returns home the family notices the sky filling with smoke from a fire. They realize that it must be coming from Clem’s farm and head over to see what’s on fire. Upon arriving they find that the farm’s barn is on fire, but no one knows where Clem is. Once the firemen are able to enter the barn they find the body of Clem dead, having been stabbed with a pitchfork. Suspicion immediately falls on Ray as they have had bad feelings that went back to when they were teenagers. When Maudy Payne, the local sheriff, comes to take Ray is for questioning, he is experiencing chest pains and she accuses him faking. Payne has had it out for the Harper’s since she was in high school and Nola’s sister beat her up. Nola needs to look for the murderer before her father is jailed.
Clem had claimed he had information that would show Price was unfit to be mayor and would reveal the information at a debate had been scheduled for the night of his death. Another suspect is John Whitaker, a guest at Price’s B&B. Whitaker is not willing to share much information about himself and has been seen sneaking about the B&B and a shed in the backyard. Also on Nola’s radar is the boyfriend, Lucas, of Clem’s niece, Tessa. Lucas has supposedly been fired by Clem. With the help of Nola’s former boyfriend, Dane, a PI that had been hired by Price, set off to clear her father’s name.
Most all of the regular characters are back once to provide whatever help they can for Nola Mae. The pesky reporter, Frances Simms, is back once again trying to get information to embellish on and publish. Every book needs a character that you love to hate!
Included in this book are Southern Girl’s Secrets at the beginning of each chapter, a much-appreciated map of Cays Mill and also delicious recipes.
Will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.
Another wonderful addition to this delicious series.
Nola Mae Harper is enjoying success with her specialty shop Peachy Keen. Not only is the shop doing a good business, but the online business is also picking up. Nola Mae has hired a young lady, Carla Fini, to help in the store and with their website. Not only does she do well helping the customers, but is equally adept at updating the website. In addition, he has come up with some exciting new additions to the product base.
The residents of Cays Mill are looking forward to the Mayor’s election, it pits Clem Rogers, a local peach farmer against Margie Price, owner of the Sunny Side Up B&B and a transplanted Northerner. Ray Harper, Nola’s father, has paid Clem Roger a visit to discuss his undercutting Ray deal with Snyder. Shortly after Ray returns home the family notices the sky filling with smoke from a fire. They realize that it must be coming from Clem’s farm and head over to see what’s on fire. Upon arriving they find that the farm’s barn is on fire, but no one knows where Clem is. Once the firemen are able to enter the barn they find the body of Clem dead, having been stabbed with a pitchfork. Suspicion immediately falls on Ray as they have had bad feelings that went back to when they were teenagers. When Maudy Payne, the local sheriff, comes to take Ray is for questioning, he is experiencing chest pains and she accuses him faking. Payne has had it out for the Harper’s since she was in high school and Nola’s sister beat her up. Nola needs to look for the murderer before her father is jailed.
Clem had claimed he had information that would show Price was unfit to be mayor and would reveal the information at a debate had been scheduled for the night of his death. Another suspect is John Whitaker, a guest at Price’s B&B. Whitaker is not willing to share much information about himself and has been seen sneaking about the B&B and a shed in the backyard. Also on Nola’s radar is the boyfriend, Lucas, of Clem’s niece, Tessa. Lucas has supposedly been fired by Clem. With the help of Nola’s former boyfriend, Dane, a PI that had been hired by Price, set off to clear her father’s name.
Most all of the regular characters are back once to provide whatever help they can for Nola Mae. The pesky reporter, Frances Simms, is back once again trying to get information to embellish on and publish. Every book needs a character that you love to hate!
Included in this book are Southern Girl’s Secrets at the beginning of each chapter, a much-appreciated map of Cays Mill and also delicious recipes.
Will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.
February 2, 2021
One of the funny things about cozy's is that no matter how many of the books you've done in a series, or how many characters you've come to like, there are always new ones introduced in each book. I always wonder...how big are these towns anyway???
this time instead of a murder kicking things off, it's a fire then a murder and it’s Nola's father in trouble this time. Also there’s a mayoral election in the mix.
Good mystery & characters.
This time I was busy at work so it didn't get my full concentration.
But there were a lot of clues & suspects to go around and I kept thinking, "that one is too obvious...i don't think it's that one..." i didn't guess the killer nor were my theories correct. ah well!
the negative is that there were a lot of characters.
a sweet HEA.
i look forward to reading more books in the series.
this time instead of a murder kicking things off, it's a fire then a murder and it’s Nola's father in trouble this time. Also there’s a mayoral election in the mix.
Good mystery & characters.
This time I was busy at work so it didn't get my full concentration.
But there were a lot of clues & suspects to go around and I kept thinking, "that one is too obvious...i don't think it's that one..." i didn't guess the killer nor were my theories correct. ah well!
the negative is that there were a lot of characters.
a sweet HEA.
i look forward to reading more books in the series.
February 8, 2017
This book is just like a juicy peach, bursting with flavour. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down!
This third book is my favourite in the series.
I love this cozy series for the characters, especially the family dynamic, small town setting and the rich, well written mysteries.
This book grabbed me from the get go, and did not let me go.
I sincerely hope I can look forward to reading more books in this series.
This third book is my favourite in the series.
I love this cozy series for the characters, especially the family dynamic, small town setting and the rich, well written mysteries.
This book grabbed me from the get go, and did not let me go.
I sincerely hope I can look forward to reading more books in this series.
January 22, 2021
Fun and fabulous story! I love the small town charm and what comes with it. There is an election happening and one of the candidates ends up dead. There's several suspects including Nola's dad so of course her and her crew work to clear his name. I can't say I'm really fond of the sheriff. She does stuff that seems not-so-sheriffy but maybe that's what happens when you're sheriff in a small town? With several things going on, I can't say I saw the ending happening the way it did. I did enjoy it though and I hope there are more books to come in the series!!
July 3, 2017
"War and Peach" by Susan Furlong is a great read! From the very first page until the last, I "lived" in a small town in Georgia, steeped in southern tradition, where I got to know the main character, Nola Mae, and many of the locals.
When Nola's father becomes the primary suspect in their neighbor's murder, she's determined to discover the true identity of the killer in order to clear her father's name. But in the process, she uncovers secrets from the past and puts her own life in serious jeopardy.
I highly recommend this book!
When Nola's father becomes the primary suspect in their neighbor's murder, she's determined to discover the true identity of the killer in order to clear her father's name. But in the process, she uncovers secrets from the past and puts her own life in serious jeopardy.
I highly recommend this book!
April 30, 2017
I love this series! 🍑
February 7, 2017
4.5 stars
WAR AND PEACH is the fantastic third installment in the Georgia Peach Mystery series and is as juicy as you would expect the first bite of a peach at the peak of season to be. Strong, well defined characters, an interesting setting, engaging mystery, and a sprinkling of Southern charm make this book a favorite.
I always enjoy my time spent in Cays Mill, Georgia, and WAR AND PEACH is worth every minute. It is election season in the rural farming town, and the residents are divided by the mayoral candidates. Clem Rogers, a farmer himself, is the candidate of choice for the residents whose livelihood comes from the land. “Newcomer” Margie Price, who owns the local Bed and Breakfast, has the ear of town business owners. Nola Mae Harper is torn since she has a small “all things peach” shop but is also part of her family’s peach farm. Clem claims to have dirt on Margie that will ensure his victory, but he is murdered before the secret can be revealed at the debate. As expected, Margie is a suspect. Did she kill him to keep her secret safe…or to ensure she wins the race? Quite unexpectedly to Nola Mae, her father becomes the prime suspect. Once upon a time, Clem and her father were the best of friends but no longer. Gossip burns through the town about the Harpers’ relationship, both past and present, with Clem, and Sheriff Maudy Payne is ready to pin it all on Raymond Harper. Desperate to clear her daddy’s name, Nola Mae sets out to find the real murderer.
Susan Furlong pens some of my favored cozy reads. With great attention to detail, she creates the wonderful Southern setting in which the story takes place. Cays Mill feels like a real place complete with gossip, Nosy Nellies, and true to life concerns. It never comes across as a caricature of the South; there is nothing over-the-top about it. This book includes a map of the area in the front that further cements the setting in my mind. One of the special things in the book is the Southern Girl Secrets presented at the beginning of every chapter. Some are familiar (yes, I am a Southern girl), some are witty, and some are wise. One of my favorites is #060 There are only two reasons someone new comes into your life: They’re either gonna be a blessin’ or a lesson.
Nola Mae is a wonderful protagonist. She is smart, worldly, level headed, and pretty methodical in her investigations. Perhaps what I find most endearing is her obvious love for her family and friends. Her friends and family are equally appealing. Her relationships with her friends Hattie and Ginny, her parents, brother, and sister, and her love interest Cade all feel real. Even her interactions with her ex Hawk are reasonable and ring true. The characters specific to this mystery add variety and color, providing plenty of suspects to investigate. To me, the least likable character is Sheriff Maudy Payne. Her constant bias against the Harper family, which has never been fully explained, can be annoying. That said, I did feel sorry for her by the end of the book.
The mystery surrounding Clem’s death is well plotted with enough twists to keep me guessing. Nola Mae’s suspects are all viable believable motives. I did not guess whodunit until very late in the book. This rarely happens, and is, to me, a sign of a well executed mystery. The sub-mysteries involving some thefts around town and Margie’s secret from her past only add to my reading pleasure. I like how all of the plot threads come together at the end to make an exciting climax.
I highly recommend WAR AND PEACH to any cozy reader. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Nola Mae and hope there are many more forthcoming adventures.
Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book. I have voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
WAR AND PEACH is the fantastic third installment in the Georgia Peach Mystery series and is as juicy as you would expect the first bite of a peach at the peak of season to be. Strong, well defined characters, an interesting setting, engaging mystery, and a sprinkling of Southern charm make this book a favorite.
I always enjoy my time spent in Cays Mill, Georgia, and WAR AND PEACH is worth every minute. It is election season in the rural farming town, and the residents are divided by the mayoral candidates. Clem Rogers, a farmer himself, is the candidate of choice for the residents whose livelihood comes from the land. “Newcomer” Margie Price, who owns the local Bed and Breakfast, has the ear of town business owners. Nola Mae Harper is torn since she has a small “all things peach” shop but is also part of her family’s peach farm. Clem claims to have dirt on Margie that will ensure his victory, but he is murdered before the secret can be revealed at the debate. As expected, Margie is a suspect. Did she kill him to keep her secret safe…or to ensure she wins the race? Quite unexpectedly to Nola Mae, her father becomes the prime suspect. Once upon a time, Clem and her father were the best of friends but no longer. Gossip burns through the town about the Harpers’ relationship, both past and present, with Clem, and Sheriff Maudy Payne is ready to pin it all on Raymond Harper. Desperate to clear her daddy’s name, Nola Mae sets out to find the real murderer.
Susan Furlong pens some of my favored cozy reads. With great attention to detail, she creates the wonderful Southern setting in which the story takes place. Cays Mill feels like a real place complete with gossip, Nosy Nellies, and true to life concerns. It never comes across as a caricature of the South; there is nothing over-the-top about it. This book includes a map of the area in the front that further cements the setting in my mind. One of the special things in the book is the Southern Girl Secrets presented at the beginning of every chapter. Some are familiar (yes, I am a Southern girl), some are witty, and some are wise. One of my favorites is #060 There are only two reasons someone new comes into your life: They’re either gonna be a blessin’ or a lesson.
Nola Mae is a wonderful protagonist. She is smart, worldly, level headed, and pretty methodical in her investigations. Perhaps what I find most endearing is her obvious love for her family and friends. Her friends and family are equally appealing. Her relationships with her friends Hattie and Ginny, her parents, brother, and sister, and her love interest Cade all feel real. Even her interactions with her ex Hawk are reasonable and ring true. The characters specific to this mystery add variety and color, providing plenty of suspects to investigate. To me, the least likable character is Sheriff Maudy Payne. Her constant bias against the Harper family, which has never been fully explained, can be annoying. That said, I did feel sorry for her by the end of the book.
The mystery surrounding Clem’s death is well plotted with enough twists to keep me guessing. Nola Mae’s suspects are all viable believable motives. I did not guess whodunit until very late in the book. This rarely happens, and is, to me, a sign of a well executed mystery. The sub-mysteries involving some thefts around town and Margie’s secret from her past only add to my reading pleasure. I like how all of the plot threads come together at the end to make an exciting climax.
I highly recommend WAR AND PEACH to any cozy reader. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Nola Mae and hope there are many more forthcoming adventures.
Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book. I have voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
February 25, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Politics can get heated but in Cays Mill, Georgia it gets burning hot when one of the mayoral candidates is killed when barn becomes an inferno. The deceased, Clem Rogers may have had some dirt on his opponent but Nola Mae has a hard time believing Margie Price would have killed him to shut him up. The sheriff has set her sights on the Harper family, of course, specifically Nola’s dad, which takes a toll on him. Nola sets her mind on some other suspects but finds herself in a bit of hot water as she gets close to solving the case.
Full of Southern charm, I love jumping right into these stories.
Southern Girl Secret #104 – Don’t be one of those women who follows her heart and forgets to take her brain with her.
Nola’s ex is back in town investing the murder for Margie and the makes her current beau a little nervous, but every good cozy needs a little bit of romantic tension.
Southern Girl Secret #057 – Strong Southern gals are made up of ninety percent good-heartedness and 10 perfect badass.
Nola needs to break out that badass percentage near the end and it was AWESOME!
All these characters are entertaining. When the Harper’s rally together with their friends no one can hold them back. They are all so real and genuine and want the best for each other and the town. The dialogue rings true and if they were real they would be people I would want in my daily life.
The author has the recipe for another peachy keen mystery. Twists and turns and an ending I sure didn’t see coming at all.
Being the 3rd book in a series I get nervous that this will be my last visit to Cays Mill. I hope not, I would love to see the series continue, these are wonderful characters, but the author has left us in a good place either way.
All this reading about peaches has me craving them so I may be trying the recipes in the back of the book very soon.
This was another perfectly peachy read from Ms. Furlong. I am delighted to recommend it to all cozy lovers.
Politics can get heated but in Cays Mill, Georgia it gets burning hot when one of the mayoral candidates is killed when barn becomes an inferno. The deceased, Clem Rogers may have had some dirt on his opponent but Nola Mae has a hard time believing Margie Price would have killed him to shut him up. The sheriff has set her sights on the Harper family, of course, specifically Nola’s dad, which takes a toll on him. Nola sets her mind on some other suspects but finds herself in a bit of hot water as she gets close to solving the case.
Full of Southern charm, I love jumping right into these stories.
Southern Girl Secret #104 – Don’t be one of those women who follows her heart and forgets to take her brain with her.
Nola’s ex is back in town investing the murder for Margie and the makes her current beau a little nervous, but every good cozy needs a little bit of romantic tension.
Southern Girl Secret #057 – Strong Southern gals are made up of ninety percent good-heartedness and 10 perfect badass.
Nola needs to break out that badass percentage near the end and it was AWESOME!
All these characters are entertaining. When the Harper’s rally together with their friends no one can hold them back. They are all so real and genuine and want the best for each other and the town. The dialogue rings true and if they were real they would be people I would want in my daily life.
The author has the recipe for another peachy keen mystery. Twists and turns and an ending I sure didn’t see coming at all.
Being the 3rd book in a series I get nervous that this will be my last visit to Cays Mill. I hope not, I would love to see the series continue, these are wonderful characters, but the author has left us in a good place either way.
All this reading about peaches has me craving them so I may be trying the recipes in the back of the book very soon.
This was another perfectly peachy read from Ms. Furlong. I am delighted to recommend it to all cozy lovers.
February 4, 2017
There is something so special about Susan Furlong's "Georgia Peach Mystery" series. And the newest installment "War and Peach" is even more amazing. I don't know if it is the way her characters love their family or the way they fight for not only each other, but for what is right. Whatever it is, this book really touched me while at the same time was an amazing mystery read. I love this family, Nola Mae Harper is such a powerful protagonist. The writing and pacing is perfect. The story line draws the reader in and hold your attention and never lets go. With a fierce mayoral election coming up and a debate that will definitely be a barn burner, Nola Mae and her friends are going to be in for some fireworks. You do not have to be a southerner to enjoy this book and series. It does not push that southern spirit down your throat. Now if you are a southern woman, you may be able to chuckle a bit more since you lived through some of it. Sprinkled with pearls of wisdom from Nola Mae's mother in the form of Southern Girl Secrets - #089 The reason we Southern gals like diamonds is because they're a lot like us, beautiful, shiny and unbreakable; or #040 A Southern gal doesn't wish for it to happen; she makes it happen. And truly my favorite line in this book about the Harpers "Through the many happy times and the sometimes trying, desperate times, the one thing that always held true was our love and support of one another." That is the magic of this book. That is that special something it has that makes me crave more. Thank you Susan Furlong for this gift in the form of a fabulous mystery.
February 7, 2017
I enjoy this series for the family loyalty, the struggles that the family faces which are not superficial and reflective of the struggle of farmers everywhere. I also enjoy the relationship between main character Nola Mae and her family, friends and customers. The main mystery in this story had me guessing until the big reveal and I was actually caught up and enjoying the political twist in this book. I love the dog Roscoe as well! I hope this series continues beyond this third book and I can not wait to try the peach cookie recipe in the back of the book.
March 5, 2017
My favorite Georgia Peach mystery book by far. Full review coming soon!
February 6, 2017
Oh, I could almost smell the peaches while reading ‘War and Peach’, third in A Georgia Peach Mystery series. The cover art invites the reader to step into the home of this Southern cozy mystery, and the novel does not disappoint.
Politics isn’t always peachy, especially when someone threatens to reveal a past secret of Margie’s, a mayoral candidate who moved to Cays Mill a few years earlier and owns and operates the Sunny Side Up B & B. Clem, the candidate who was going to tell all is found dead, victim of a grisly murder. With the election only days away, another man replaces Clem. Since Margie is a murder suspect with a suspicious past, the new candidate could win it all…even though he could be the real bad guy. Unfortunately, Nola Mae Harper’s daddy is the prime suspect, due in part to Sheriff Maudy Payne’s dislike for the Harper family as well as what time her dad went to see the late Clem Rogers about his sneaky peach business.
Nola returned to Cays Mill and her family’s peach orchard many months earlier after 15 years as a relief worker. She owns Peachy Keen, a shop for specialty condiments and preserves made with Harper’s peaches. Nola and her right-hand gal Carla continue to come up with ideas for new products and gift baskets. She is settled into her life ‘back home’, and is seeing Cade, her BFF Hattie’s brother, who had once won her heart when they were teens.
The murder is very ugly business, and Nola doesn’t believe that either her father or Margie are guilty. She is determined to find the real murderer to get her father off the hook and then to help. Margie hires a PI with whom Nola has a ‘past’, but thankfully he is dating one of the stylists at the local salon. The two of them exchange their findings to help solve the murder.
The author has designed very likable folks, including Nola’s BFF Hattie, preparing for her wedding, their close friend Ginny, co-owner of the diner where they prepare peach products to sell, Cade, and Carla. We see people and events through Nola’s eyes; she is so well-defined I would expect to see her step from the pages to deliver the peaches. There are a couple ‘downside’ folks, but we won’t talk about them!
There are so many things about this novel that I like! The map of Cays Mill helps give perspective to the readers. I love the Southern Girl Secrets that introduce each chapter! One of my favorites is #078: “You know your family roots are strong when other peoples’ hot wind can’t knock you down.” (pg. 65)
There are several suspects. Nola asks questions in an attempt to not only solve the murder, but find who the creepy man is who is one of the B & B’s clients. There are plot twists that sometimes change the course of the mystery, including changes that result from Nola’s father’s illness. We see Nola’s brother Ray, an attorney, give his special help, and Ida, their sister and a mother of young children. I tried to figure out who the bad guy/ gal might be mystery, followed a couple red herrings, and still couldn’t get the whole picture. I was completely surprised, then sadly stunned by part of the denouement! I am, however, satisfied with the ending, and look forward to my next visit to Harper’s. I highly recommend ‘War and Peach’, especially to those who enjoy the included peach recipes.
From a grateful heart: I was given this book by the author and publisher and this is my honest review.
Politics isn’t always peachy, especially when someone threatens to reveal a past secret of Margie’s, a mayoral candidate who moved to Cays Mill a few years earlier and owns and operates the Sunny Side Up B & B. Clem, the candidate who was going to tell all is found dead, victim of a grisly murder. With the election only days away, another man replaces Clem. Since Margie is a murder suspect with a suspicious past, the new candidate could win it all…even though he could be the real bad guy. Unfortunately, Nola Mae Harper’s daddy is the prime suspect, due in part to Sheriff Maudy Payne’s dislike for the Harper family as well as what time her dad went to see the late Clem Rogers about his sneaky peach business.
Nola returned to Cays Mill and her family’s peach orchard many months earlier after 15 years as a relief worker. She owns Peachy Keen, a shop for specialty condiments and preserves made with Harper’s peaches. Nola and her right-hand gal Carla continue to come up with ideas for new products and gift baskets. She is settled into her life ‘back home’, and is seeing Cade, her BFF Hattie’s brother, who had once won her heart when they were teens.
The murder is very ugly business, and Nola doesn’t believe that either her father or Margie are guilty. She is determined to find the real murderer to get her father off the hook and then to help. Margie hires a PI with whom Nola has a ‘past’, but thankfully he is dating one of the stylists at the local salon. The two of them exchange their findings to help solve the murder.
The author has designed very likable folks, including Nola’s BFF Hattie, preparing for her wedding, their close friend Ginny, co-owner of the diner where they prepare peach products to sell, Cade, and Carla. We see people and events through Nola’s eyes; she is so well-defined I would expect to see her step from the pages to deliver the peaches. There are a couple ‘downside’ folks, but we won’t talk about them!
There are so many things about this novel that I like! The map of Cays Mill helps give perspective to the readers. I love the Southern Girl Secrets that introduce each chapter! One of my favorites is #078: “You know your family roots are strong when other peoples’ hot wind can’t knock you down.” (pg. 65)
There are several suspects. Nola asks questions in an attempt to not only solve the murder, but find who the creepy man is who is one of the B & B’s clients. There are plot twists that sometimes change the course of the mystery, including changes that result from Nola’s father’s illness. We see Nola’s brother Ray, an attorney, give his special help, and Ida, their sister and a mother of young children. I tried to figure out who the bad guy/ gal might be mystery, followed a couple red herrings, and still couldn’t get the whole picture. I was completely surprised, then sadly stunned by part of the denouement! I am, however, satisfied with the ending, and look forward to my next visit to Harper’s. I highly recommend ‘War and Peach’, especially to those who enjoy the included peach recipes.
From a grateful heart: I was given this book by the author and publisher and this is my honest review.
June 27, 2023
This is my favorite book of the entire trilogy. I hope that maybe one day Furlong will write another installment as I have to know if Nola ever marries!
The town sheriff has a bee in her sheriff's hat thanks to getting beat up by Ida Harper back when they were in school. It's hard to imagine prim and proper Ida so much as taking a wrong step let alone beating the tar out of someone! So when it looks like Nola's daddy may have killed a fellow peach farmer who is running for mayor...let's just say that the Sheriff refused to look past either Nola's daddy or Margie, the owner of the local bed and breakfast who is an outsider as she grew up in Michigan.
The backstory between Nola's mom and Clem was so sad and I feel that I should included a trigger warning in the form a spoiler:
I loved seeing Carla really grow into her role at Peachy Keen and share her ideas with Nola. She is such a blessing to her and to the sweet shop!
Hattie has some wedding dress drama that made me sad, but it was fixed by the end of the book, so that was nice to see! Some women really need their mamas with them when they are wedding dress shopping and it is sad when they're no longer here to help their daughter make that big decision on what to wear on their special day.
Nola Mae really grew on me over the three books and I'm sad that I don't have another book to read about her! Three was just not enough. But almost all loose ends were tidied up and the book ended on a very good HEA.
The town sheriff has a bee in her sheriff's hat thanks to getting beat up by Ida Harper back when they were in school. It's hard to imagine prim and proper Ida so much as taking a wrong step let alone beating the tar out of someone! So when it looks like Nola's daddy may have killed a fellow peach farmer who is running for mayor...let's just say that the Sheriff refused to look past either Nola's daddy or Margie, the owner of the local bed and breakfast who is an outsider as she grew up in Michigan.
The backstory between Nola's mom and Clem was so sad and I feel that I should included a trigger warning in the form a spoiler:
I loved seeing Carla really grow into her role at Peachy Keen and share her ideas with Nola. She is such a blessing to her and to the sweet shop!
Hattie has some wedding dress drama that made me sad, but it was fixed by the end of the book, so that was nice to see! Some women really need their mamas with them when they are wedding dress shopping and it is sad when they're no longer here to help their daughter make that big decision on what to wear on their special day.
Nola Mae really grew on me over the three books and I'm sad that I don't have another book to read about her! Three was just not enough. But almost all loose ends were tidied up and the book ended on a very good HEA.
February 25, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/wa...
War and Peach
A Georgia Peach Mystery, Book #3
By Susan Furlong
ISBN13: 9780425278963
Author website: http://www.susanfurlong.com/
Brought to you by OBS review Kayt
Synopsis:
The author of Rest in Peach serves up another bite of Southern charm in the latest Georgia Peach mystery.
Nola Mae Harper is too busy restocking the jars of preserves and chutney flying off the shelves of her shop, Peachy Keen, to keep up with all the gossip about the upcoming mayoral election, but she does know the debate is sure to be a real barn burner.
Local farmer Clem Rogers claims he has a bombshell that could take small business owner Margie Price out of the running. But before Clem can reveal his juicy secret at the debate, his actual barn goes up in flames–with him inside of it. The town casts its vote against Margie, but Nola isn’t convinced the hardworking woman is capable of murder. Now to clear Margie’s name Nola will have to work fast under pressure, before Margie gets taken in by the fuzz…
INCLUDES RECIPES!
Review:
I cannot begin to say how much I love visiting with Nola Mae and her family in Cays Mill, Georgia. The love of family, the fantastic storytelling, the witty and intelligent writing style of author Susan Furlong, all of that and more are a true delight to read. It makes waiting for the next installment in this fabulous cozy mystery series (A Georgia Peach Mystery) worth the wait, hard, but worth it for sure. Being a southerner, sometimes reading books set in the south is hard to enjoy. The over use of southern accents or southern slang and mannerisms can be a bit much. Author Susan Furlong has such a light touch with these things, but brings the southern charm and delights one would expect. Her writing is so enjoyable. Reading War and Peach is more delightful that a heaping serving of warm peach cobbler covered in vanilla ice cream.
There is a major mayoral race going on and the candidates are getting ready for what is touted as being a real barn-burner of a debate. Everyone is going to be there. Margie Price, who is not from town so suspect of course and farmer Clem Rogers are going to go head to head on the issues. Secrets are going to be revealed as well. Unfortunately Clem is unable to appear, he has been murdered and Nola Mae is worried as her father becomes the main suspect. What a horrible coincidence that he was at Clem’s farm right before hand and had been in a dispute with him as well. There is no way Nola Mae is not going to get involved if her family is in trouble. And when Sheriff Maudy is once again ready to hang the Harper family high, she knows she has to find out who really did this, who is the murderer.
The interaction of the fun and fabulous characters is stellar, charming and makes this book impossible to put down. At the beginning of each chapter, we get to see Nola Mae’s pure southern mother’s truisms in the form of Southern Girl Secrets. #89 – The reason we Southern gals like diamonds is because they’re a lot like us, beautiful, shiny and unbreakable. #40 A Southern gal doesn’t wish for it to happen; she makes it happen. The mystery is suspenseful and fun. This book is full of character, wit and intelligent, enjoyable dialogue and writing. Author Susan Furlong writes such wonderful stories, her books speak to me in ways a lot of other books do not. And it truly does not have anything to do with this series being set in the south. It goes far beyond that.
There is just something so very special about the “Georgia Peach Mystery” series and this the third book War and Peach is even more magical and delightful for me. The love of family and friends is so strong in author Susan Furlong’s books and at the same time the protagonists are tough and intelligent. You do not want to mess with Nola Mae especially when it comes to her family. I just love visiting with the characters of Cays Mill. I was transformed to the small town and thought I had the mystery solved several times. Yet, I was wrong. This was so enjoyable to read. You do not have to read this series in order, but read them all when you can. They are more than worth it. There were so many things I absolutely loved about this book, but truly my favorite line in this book about the Harpers “Through the many happy times and the sometimes trying, desperate times, the one thing that always held true was our love and support of one another.” That is the magic of this book. And really that is what this book is, magic and totally entertaining.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
War and Peach
A Georgia Peach Mystery, Book #3
By Susan Furlong
ISBN13: 9780425278963
Author website: http://www.susanfurlong.com/
Brought to you by OBS review Kayt
Synopsis:
The author of Rest in Peach serves up another bite of Southern charm in the latest Georgia Peach mystery.
Nola Mae Harper is too busy restocking the jars of preserves and chutney flying off the shelves of her shop, Peachy Keen, to keep up with all the gossip about the upcoming mayoral election, but she does know the debate is sure to be a real barn burner.
Local farmer Clem Rogers claims he has a bombshell that could take small business owner Margie Price out of the running. But before Clem can reveal his juicy secret at the debate, his actual barn goes up in flames–with him inside of it. The town casts its vote against Margie, but Nola isn’t convinced the hardworking woman is capable of murder. Now to clear Margie’s name Nola will have to work fast under pressure, before Margie gets taken in by the fuzz…
INCLUDES RECIPES!
Review:
I cannot begin to say how much I love visiting with Nola Mae and her family in Cays Mill, Georgia. The love of family, the fantastic storytelling, the witty and intelligent writing style of author Susan Furlong, all of that and more are a true delight to read. It makes waiting for the next installment in this fabulous cozy mystery series (A Georgia Peach Mystery) worth the wait, hard, but worth it for sure. Being a southerner, sometimes reading books set in the south is hard to enjoy. The over use of southern accents or southern slang and mannerisms can be a bit much. Author Susan Furlong has such a light touch with these things, but brings the southern charm and delights one would expect. Her writing is so enjoyable. Reading War and Peach is more delightful that a heaping serving of warm peach cobbler covered in vanilla ice cream.
There is a major mayoral race going on and the candidates are getting ready for what is touted as being a real barn-burner of a debate. Everyone is going to be there. Margie Price, who is not from town so suspect of course and farmer Clem Rogers are going to go head to head on the issues. Secrets are going to be revealed as well. Unfortunately Clem is unable to appear, he has been murdered and Nola Mae is worried as her father becomes the main suspect. What a horrible coincidence that he was at Clem’s farm right before hand and had been in a dispute with him as well. There is no way Nola Mae is not going to get involved if her family is in trouble. And when Sheriff Maudy is once again ready to hang the Harper family high, she knows she has to find out who really did this, who is the murderer.
The interaction of the fun and fabulous characters is stellar, charming and makes this book impossible to put down. At the beginning of each chapter, we get to see Nola Mae’s pure southern mother’s truisms in the form of Southern Girl Secrets. #89 – The reason we Southern gals like diamonds is because they’re a lot like us, beautiful, shiny and unbreakable. #40 A Southern gal doesn’t wish for it to happen; she makes it happen. The mystery is suspenseful and fun. This book is full of character, wit and intelligent, enjoyable dialogue and writing. Author Susan Furlong writes such wonderful stories, her books speak to me in ways a lot of other books do not. And it truly does not have anything to do with this series being set in the south. It goes far beyond that.
There is just something so very special about the “Georgia Peach Mystery” series and this the third book War and Peach is even more magical and delightful for me. The love of family and friends is so strong in author Susan Furlong’s books and at the same time the protagonists are tough and intelligent. You do not want to mess with Nola Mae especially when it comes to her family. I just love visiting with the characters of Cays Mill. I was transformed to the small town and thought I had the mystery solved several times. Yet, I was wrong. This was so enjoyable to read. You do not have to read this series in order, but read them all when you can. They are more than worth it. There were so many things I absolutely loved about this book, but truly my favorite line in this book about the Harpers “Through the many happy times and the sometimes trying, desperate times, the one thing that always held true was our love and support of one another.” That is the magic of this book. And really that is what this book is, magic and totally entertaining.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
March 19, 2021
I discovered the Georgia Peach Mystery series a year ago and have really enjoyed reading about these characters and setting.
Nola Mae is a great lead. I loved watching her bring new, innovative ideas to her family’s peach farm and successfully launch her new Peachy Keen business. Talk about a place I would love to shop at. All kinds of peach preserves, candles and even talks about homemade candy .... yes, please. Sounds like the perfect place to pick up special treats and gifts. Loved seeing Carla shine in her new position too. This series has always had a strong emphasis on family and friends, which I love. They might get on one another’s last nerve, but they all come together to support each another through a crisis - wether it’s a emotional bridezilla or an ailing father. Just makes everyone seems more realistic and minimizes the everything is perfect persona. I enjoyed watching the tough, personal decisions that many of the main cast had to confront and work through.
The mysteries were intriguing and some kept me guessing for a bit. I figured out the scrap metal storyline, but couldn’t quite place the other suspects.
The only parts that didn’t work for me were Maudy and the love interests. I’m over a vindictive lead law enforcement, especially when their actions seem rather childish. The whole triangle with Nola, Cade and Hawk just fell flat. Cade felt like an afterthought and while there was plenty of flirting with Hawk, he disappeared towards the end.
The book includes some fun debutante rules and concludes with a few recipes. I definitely have my eye on that peach hot sauce.
Nola Mae is a great lead. I loved watching her bring new, innovative ideas to her family’s peach farm and successfully launch her new Peachy Keen business. Talk about a place I would love to shop at. All kinds of peach preserves, candles and even talks about homemade candy .... yes, please. Sounds like the perfect place to pick up special treats and gifts. Loved seeing Carla shine in her new position too. This series has always had a strong emphasis on family and friends, which I love. They might get on one another’s last nerve, but they all come together to support each another through a crisis - wether it’s a emotional bridezilla or an ailing father. Just makes everyone seems more realistic and minimizes the everything is perfect persona. I enjoyed watching the tough, personal decisions that many of the main cast had to confront and work through.
The mysteries were intriguing and some kept me guessing for a bit. I figured out the scrap metal storyline, but couldn’t quite place the other suspects.
The only parts that didn’t work for me were Maudy and the love interests. I’m over a vindictive lead law enforcement, especially when their actions seem rather childish. The whole triangle with Nola, Cade and Hawk just fell flat. Cade felt like an afterthought and while there was plenty of flirting with Hawk, he disappeared towards the end.
The book includes some fun debutante rules and concludes with a few recipes. I definitely have my eye on that peach hot sauce.
February 8, 2017
Nola Mae Harper loves her family and will do everything in her power to protect them. When a neighboring peach farmer is murdered, her Daddy becomes the prime suspect. He argued with Clem Rogers right before he was killed. Nola Mae knows that he's innocent, but Sheriff Maudy Payne has a grudge against the Harpers and she's determined to arrest Daddy Harper. Can Nola Mae find the real killer before her father ends up in jail? I love Nola Mae. She's a strong woman who's smart and sassy. I enjoy her quick mind and determination as she tracks down clues. Her romance with Cade is sweet and adds a touch of spice to the story. Cays Mill is always a hotbed of gossip and intrigue, but even more so with the election happening. Was Clem killed because he was running for mayor or was there another reason that someone wanted him dead? The action is non-stop with so many suspects and unexpected twists. I couldn't stop reading until I knew that the murderer was caught. The characters are charming. Of course,there are a few exceptions. Frances Simms gives reporters a bad name. I love the Harper family. I cared what happened to them. Susan Furlong blew me away with the ending. I never saw it coming. I'm a fan of the Georgia Peach mystery series. The stories are suspenseful and the characters are quirky and endearing. An added bonus is the Southern Girl Secrets and the recipes.
February 24, 2017
War and Peach is the third book in the Georgia Peach mystery series. This was my first book by this author and I never felt confused or like I was missing any information even though I haven't read the previous two books yet. War and Peach is going down as one of my favorite reads so far this year. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Each one has their own unique personality. They are very well developed so you can get a good feel for who you are reading about. I especially liked Nola and her love for her family. Carla really caught my attention also. I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing more about her and how she continues to grow as a person. The mystery hooked me from the beginning and kept me interested until the end. The author did a wonderful job at keeping me guessing as to who the murderer was. Each suspect seemed guilty in different ways. I went back and forth several different times as to who I thought was guilty. When the murderer was revealed I was completely surprised since it was someone I hadn't suspected at all. Another thing I really enjoyed about the book was the Southern Girl Secret listed at the beginning of each chapter. Being a southern girl myself, I thought those were a really fun addition to the book. The recipes included in the book all sound delicious so I'm definitely going to be giving them a try sometime!
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