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The second book in the Poppy McGuire Mystery Series! 

While life in Sunset Ridge is quaint and charming during the day, what happens after the sun goes down might shock the citizens of this small town. Things are heating up in Poppy McGuire's home town, and it isn't just the July weather. 

Poppy and her new partner Alex have their eyes opened to the realities of Sunset Ridge after dark when a traveling salesman is murdered in his room at the Hotel Piermont, a common destination for cheating spouses on the outskirts of town. When they find out what he sells, the mystery gets even more interesting. 

Look for the rest of the Poppy McGuire series too! The Eleventh Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #1)Top of the Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #3)The Darkest Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #4)Happy Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #5) The Witching Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #6) The Finest Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #7)The Poppy McGuire Mysteries Box Set #1The Poppy McGuire Mysteries Box Set #2

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2016

248 people are currently reading
366 people want to read

About the author

Anina Collins

16 books160 followers
Anina Collins has always loved a good mystery. As a child, her favorite books were Nancy Drew books passed down from her grandmother, and as she grew up, she moved on to Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and their famous detectives. She currently lives in North Carolina and writes her Poppy McGuire Mystery series.

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5 stars
125 (40%)
4 stars
112 (36%)
3 stars
63 (20%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
1,383 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2018
I didn't enjoy the first half of this book. The character Poppy explains everything. She explains not only what she saw and thought but why she had each thought. She even explains the expressions on Alex's face and why a person's name caused her misjudgement of their age. We are also told, over and over, that Poppy and Alex are opposites. However, once you get through the first half of the book, there is some improvement. The over-explaining slows down and they focus more on the relationships, characters and the mystery. I won't be reading any further in this series.
341 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2021
I don't do book reviews

I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
13 reviews
June 27, 2020
I am enjoying this light-hearted mystery series. In this, the second, installment, Poppy and Alex need to solve a murder committed at the local ‘rendezvous’ hotel. There is a list of likely suspects, which Poppy’s gut feeling rules out, much to Alex’s chagrin. As these two work to make sense of the clues and sort out various alibis, they share more of themselves in order to make the partnership work.
Profile Image for Rose Smith.
73 reviews
January 27, 2022
Whodunit fun!

Loved this book! It's a mystery but full of twists and turns. Poppy is writing for a newspaper and wants to be in crime writing. She becomes partners with Alex who is in this case. They each have a take into who the killer is but let's see if you guess correctly.
Would recommend this book because it's a page turner and fun trying to figure out who did it. Do enjoy reading this.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
March 8, 2018
'After Hours' was a good addition to a fun series. I enjoyed the story line and how it played out. Poppy is always a fun, honest and intriguing character. I love her tenacity. She gets an idea and runs with it. Alex is a great detective and between them, they make an awesome pair. I look forward to reading more.
92 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2018
A good mystery and a good read.

I like the characters. Poppy McGuire, amateur detective and full time journalist is full of self doubt and insecurity as she solves a murder mystery with her self-assured Detective partner who is trying to live with the lost love of his recently deceased wife.
7,756 reviews49 followers
February 13, 2018
Murder at the hook up hotel, guess this little town does have a seedy part.
Was he staying there because of what he was selling, and who was buying his items, Looked like, jealousy, revenge killing. Interesting, good plot of what led to this happening.
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2018
Jealousy

It seems like all the suspects in the latest murder have one thing in common--jealousy. Including Poppy when her friend Bethany decides to go for Alex. Their little town is turning into a hotbed of crime.
Profile Image for Marcia-Lee Finocchio.
604 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2018
Poppy McGuire

Very entertaining book, second in the series, was free so I downloaded the book. Surprised how entertaining the storyline is. I loved the characters and storytelling. Can’t wait to read the others books.
796 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2018
I really liked this book(the first one I've read by this author) it was well written with very believable characters. I enjoyed the little hint of romance but it didn't take away from the mystery. I look forward to reading another book by this author.
937 reviews7 followers
March 8, 2019
An enjoyable read with a non detective and a real detective teaming up to solve crimes and to find a way to deal with the pain of loss. Two different people with two different ways to solving crimes and two different ways of solving their individual losses and solving crimes! Enjoy!
333 reviews
April 30, 2020
Loves it. Just bought the next one. Good character building, but do get frustrated with Poppy and Alex. You can tell they have feelings for each other why can't they admit it. Good.plot.keepanyou guessing til.the end.
Profile Image for Lissa Harkness.
102 reviews
July 27, 2020
The Mystery Just Keeps Getting Better

I’m loving this series. I just read Books 1&2 over the weekend. This mystery involved someone from out of town so a road trip or two was involved. You learn a little more about Alex. Fun mystery that keeps you turning the pages.
Profile Image for Vicki.
229 reviews
September 19, 2020
Small town cop from the city and a small town reporter join forces to solve a murder - each different in their investigation methods and bounce off each other.
Found this book a good, quick read. Enjoyed the differences between the main characters and the unfolding of their individual histories.
Profile Image for Mickey Kay Troxell.
249 reviews
January 25, 2022
Enjoyable

I enjoyed this 2nd book about Poppy, and I even felt annoyed at times about the lack of romance connection occurring between Poppy and Alex. I will still read the next book of the series but it would be sad to them with someone else.
Profile Image for Betsie Erickson.
198 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2022
The Poppy McGuire series is cute and funny, I love the characters. But this is the second one, and both books, as soon as the murderer was introduced I said "he seems like a murderer". I'm looking forward to seeing if I can do it in the next book!
Profile Image for Ruth Caves.
477 reviews3 followers
Read
March 3, 2025
What if

Fast read. Lots of self doubting and what it's. Nice YA type story. Don't know why just the women were suspects though, especially with a jealous and controlling husband involved.
516 reviews4 followers
February 22, 2018
Goid series.

Love these books by this author. Love the characters and their interactions with each other. These books offer drama, mystery, family and a little romance too.
47 reviews
June 8, 2018
Which way did she go?

I loved this book. It was a fun mixture of mystery, detective work, romance(almost), and hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone who likes a few twists.
Profile Image for Edna Ritchie.
20 reviews
July 24, 2018
Murder two

Good news this is better than the 1st one so keep reading it got better. Have to go back and fourth at one point then it's up to you.
Profile Image for Rita Dempski.
154 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2018
Enjoy

This book was well written. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading my friends.
Profile Image for E.
1,816 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2019
Another fun cozy mystery and a Kindle freebie.
22 reviews
October 5, 2020
I have really enjoyed the first two books and look forward to reading more of Anina's books.
1 review
December 19, 2023
I loved this book. I'm on the last book in the series that she has written so far. I hope more are coming.
Profile Image for Naznin Azeez.
349 reviews
January 22, 2025
I can't say I like the protagonist Poppy much. For not doing certain things, you will feel like banging some common sense into her head. Go with your gut, Poppy, come on..
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,098 reviews27 followers
November 20, 2016
Second book in the series and I recommend starting with The 11th Hour, book 1. Popp and Alex are at it again. Their partnership is set now and they are still fighting their way through their feelings, but as far as murders go, they are on their game. This time, a traveling salesman is murdered in his hotel room on the outskirts of Sunset Ridge. This isn’t your Hilton or Four Seasons, this is the place you go and can pay for a few hours of privacy with the person who’s not your spouse.
As Poppy and Alex delve into this mystery, they discover a whole other side of their sleepy little town. One that most didn’t even know existed.
Ms. Collins is doing such a good job at rounding out the town and the cast of characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this duo!!
Profile Image for DreamsAndScrems Bookaholics.
152 reviews50 followers
March 22, 2017
Second book in the series and I recommend starting with The 11th Hour, book 1. Popp and Alex are at it again. Their partnership is set now and they are still fighting their way through their feelings, but as far as murders go, they are on their game. This time, a traveling salesman is murdered in his hotel room on the outskirts of Sunset Ridge. This isn’t your Hilton or Four Seasons, this is the place you go and can pay for a few hours of privacy with the person who’s not your spouse.
As Poppy and Alex delve into this mystery, they discover a whole other side of their sleepy little town. One that most didn’t even know existed.
Ms. Collins is doing such a good job at rounding out the town and the cast of characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this duo!!
Profile Image for Kim.
69 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2016
Loving this series

Alex and Poppy are at it again. I love seeing their relationship build even if they can't seem to figure it out. Bethany may not be what she seems time will tell. I can't wait to see what happens next with Alex and Poppy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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