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The Silver Six are known for their arts and crafts—but they’re about to be tested in the art of catching a crafty killer.

It’s early October, time for the Fall Folk Art Festival and Bake Sale in Lilyvale, Arkansas. Every business along the town square will benefit from the event, including the craft store run by Leslee Stanton Nix—aka Nixy—and the Silver Six, a group of retirees. In charge of making the festival go smoothly, Nixy is confident that it will be a success.

But things become knotty when local troublemaker Cornell Lewis is found dead with a plate of Snickerdoodles from the bake sale. Two members of the Silver Six are accused of cooking up a murder plot, but Nixy knows that the cookies weren’t literally to die for. With time running out, Nixy and company must catch the actual killer...before the Silver Six find their number permanently reduced to five.

294 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 5, 2017

41 people are currently reading
313 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Haddock

8 books421 followers
Nancy writes cozy mystery and mystery romance, and is published by Berkley (Penguin Random House).

The Silver Six Crafting Mysteries published with Berkley Prime Crime are BASKET CASE, PAINT THE TOWN DEAD, and A CRIME OF POISON.

Her previous Berkley titles are LA VIDA VAMPIRE, LAST VAMPIRE STANDING, and ALWAYS THE VAMPIRE. All are light mystery romances set in St. Augustine, FL featuring a heroine who's Gidget with fangs.

Nancy reads across genres but prefers stories with mystery, history, and romance. You can reach her at nancyhaddockbooks@gmail.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,101 reviews3,020 followers
January 24, 2018
Leslee Stanton Nix – Nixy to all – was happy with the way the preparations for the Fall Folk Art Festival were progressing. The entire weekend was devoted to the fun and activities and lots of people were expected to attend. The Silver Six, which included Nixy’s Aunt Sherry and five other senior citizens, were part and parcel of the festival in Lilyvale, and they were all looking forward to it.

But when one of the stall owners began to cause trouble, and his offsider turned out to be a person with a past connected to some of the Silver Six, the atmosphere became tense. But it was the following morning when one of them was found in his car, with a plate of cookies from the festival by his side – and he was dead, that trouble started for Nixy and the Six. Detective Charlene Vogelman was on the case…

Would the killer be found? Or would two of the Six members be convicted of murder?

A Crime of Poison by Nancy Haddock is the third in the Silver Six Crafting Mystery series and I enjoyed it as much as the first two. Fun, laughter, lots of delicious food and a murder to solve. And of course Nixy’s burgeoning relationship with Detective Eric Shoar. Highly entertaining and definitely recommended.
6,242 reviews80 followers
September 15, 2020
The usual amateur sleuth is helping put on an art festival in Southern Arkansas. Things are going swimmingly, when a man from the past comes back to town.

He used to be the super for an apartment building, and bullied all the inhabitants, even causing one to break her arm. He claims to be reformed, but most don't believe him and want him to leave. Soon enough, he's murdered.

The sleuth's super cop boyfriend has a new super cop partner. She's from the big city of Tulsa, and is beautiful and supposedly intelligent. Assigned to the case, she immediately suspects the sleuth's friends. This forces the sleuth to investigate, and put the partner in her place.

Not too bad, although the climax isn't very climactic.
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,870 reviews327 followers
December 16, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts

We arrive in Lilyvale, Arkansas, just in time for the Fall Folk Art Festival and Bake Sale and for Cornell Lewis’ return. The man left town several years ago and many were happy about his departure. Those same people are upset about his return especially when he stops by The Handcraft Emporium. He leaves after a little fracas with the Silver Six. When the man is later found dead in his car in what looks like a case of anaphylactic shock. With Detective Eric Shoar sidelined because of his close relationship with Nixy and the Silver Six, Detective Charleen Vogelmen takes over the case and she quickly zeros in on Maisie and Aster, and their bake sale cookies found in the victim’s car. Nixy with some assistance from Eleanor starts her own investigation keeping Eric in the loop hoping he’ll pass whatever she discovers on to Charleen. Maybe she can find other suspects for the detective to focus on and prevent her friends from baking in the big house.

I have loved the Silver Six since we met them in the first book of this series, Basket Case. They are an interesting group brought all together under one roof for a variety of reasons. I wish I had half their energy. They are always on the go and when someone messes with one of them or two as in this story, look out, because, they will not take it lying down. They are a family and they all care about Nixy. The author has created a wonderful cast of characters. I would love to meet them in real life and maybe become one of the group.

The plot was very interesting as we found how many people he was actually connected to in Lilyvale. Eleanor was a real asset as she and Nixy reached out to new people every day that could have the motive to kill the man. I enjoyed the process they took to narrow down the suspects and the way all of the Silver Six was involved in one way or another. I loved their meeting complete with a “murder board”. The story flowed so well and the mystery was nicely plotted The final reveal and the manner of poisoning was surprising. I was so happy because I had the person still on my own suspect list.

Nancy Haddock has written a fun series, they have all been “perfect escapes” for me. I recommend starting at the beginning for maximum enjoyment but this book read well all its own too.
Profile Image for Doward Wilson.
752 reviews18 followers
January 19, 2018
Meet Leslee Stanton Nix, know as Nixy to her family and friends. Nixy runs a consignment craft store in Lilyvale, Arkansas with her Aunt Sherry and the Silver Six. The Six are retiree's who live in Aunt Sherry's huge old house and do various crafts to sell at the shop. They are like family and work together when two of them become suspects in a murder case. A local man has been released from jail and is trying to amends for the pain and suffering he inflicted on tenants who lived in the apartment complex that he managed. No one is willing to believe that he has really changed and are keeping a sharp eye on him and his movements. When he is found dead inside his car with a plate of poisoned Snickerdoodles supposedly baked by two of the Six, the gang goes to work to find the real murderer. Who in the man's past hated him enough to kill him?

This is the third book in the series and each one features well defined characters and intricate murder plots. The story will keep you turning the pages to discover who did the crime and why. I enjoyed this mix of young and older sleuths that make up a warm and loving family group. The crafting aspect adds dimension and entertainment to the storyline. Mystery reading crafters will really enjoy this well crafted book.
2,939 reviews38 followers
March 30, 2018
Nixy and her group of senior citizens, the silver six are getting ready for the fall folk art festival. The local trouble maker is found dead from eating peanut cookies when he had a peanut allergy and two of the silver six are blamed. Nixy knows that they didn’t make cookies with peanuts in them and the group sets out to find out who did it. Some humor with the actions of the Silver Six.
Profile Image for Mr Francy Reads.
772 reviews23 followers
July 19, 2022
Such an improvement over the course of the series!!! xoxo.
Profile Image for Lisa Ks Book Reviews.
842 reviews141 followers
December 27, 2017
Author Nancy Haddock has turned silver to platinum!

I fell in love with this series on the first page of book one, BASKET CASE. Brilliant writing, and a fabulous cast of characters, have ensured the Silver Six Crafting Mysteries will always be one of my favorite series.

I made sure I had a day cleared to read, A CRIME OF POISON. I knew once I started reading, I wasn’t going to want to put this book down. And I didn’t! This third installment of the Silver Six was even more delightful than the first two. Spending time with Nixy and her half dozen quirky seniors is always fun. I laughed out loud so many times I lost count! Even when murder strikes town, and two of the six are suspects, the fun just kept coming.

A CRIME OF POISON was also a first rate mystery. Author Haddock certainly has what it takes to build suspense, and keep her readers guessing until the end. From the time the body was found, until the exciting reveal, I was enthralled by the cleverness of this tale. I had no idea how it was going to play out, and had to force myself not to peek ahead.

If you’re looking for a well written mystery, and you like to have fun, look no further. A CRIME OF POISON, I think fans of this series will agree, is the best book in this series so far!
Profile Image for Diane ~Firefly~.
2,205 reviews86 followers
March 2, 2019
This was interesting as it was about a quarter of the way through the book, before there was a crime, but I think I enjoyed that first part with just catching up with everyone the best.

What I enjoyed:
* The Silver Six - love them and want to be in a group of them when I retire!
* Most of the townspeople are awesome as well.
* Eric and Nixy are cute together, although Nixy needs to work on her temper.
* Bernice! The next door neighbor who never leaves her house. I love her relationship with Nixy.

What could have been better:
* The police. I think they brought in a partner for Eric just so they could have someone be the incompetent bad guy.
595 reviews15 followers
April 10, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I do the series, I was thrilled to be able to revisited these characters. Nixy is in charge of the Folk Festival in town and is anxious that everything go well. She has a run in with a hot dog vendor and a former local with a bad past shows up.
The Silver six, they are energetic with unique personalities that you can't help but love. They are always ready to jump in and help which sometimes keeps Nixy on her toes. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Profile Image for Shirley.
Author 2 books11 followers
April 26, 2019
Love Nixy, her Aunt Sherry, and the Silver Six. Though most of them are not related by blood, I love the little 'family' they have created. The mystery was interesting and the budding relationship between Nixy and Detective Shoar added a satisfying touch of romance that had been slow to bloom in the first two books. Good read and would recommend.
Profile Image for Cozybooklady .
2,179 reviews127 followers
January 15, 2024
Fantastic Story

I love this series featuring Nixy and the Silver Six.
This book revolves around a craft fair and a a returning resident who had not only been abusive and cruel to those he met, he was a true bully who met his end in a brutal manner.
The Silver Six and Nixy are determined to ask questions, especially since two of their tight knit group are under suspicion of murder.
The group's investigation may put a crimp in Nixy's relationship with her detective boyfriend, but her friends and family mean the world to her, so she is ready to risk everything to find the truth.
Profile Image for Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews).
1,475 reviews142 followers
March 12, 2018
4.5 stars

I’m a huge fan of Nancy Haddock’s Silver Six Crafting Mystery series. “The Silver Six are always entertaining.” A Crime of Poison details how the group of over 65-year-olds came together and shows just how dedicated and protective they are of each other.

Before the Silver Six all moved in to Sherry’s farmhouse, they all had their own homes or apartments. Maise, Aster, and Eleanor all lived in the same cheap, rundown apartment complex managed by Cornell Lewis. Cornell was a lot of things however, caring and nice would never describe him. He’s now returned to Lilyvale to work at the Fall Folk Art Festival and to also apologize and make amends for his past horrible behavior. Not only did Cornell wrong Maise and Aster, he mistreated a majority of the residents at Ozark Arms.

Cornell says he’s a changed man and after Nixy sees him being nice to a little boy and then witnessing him being nice to her pets, she believes him. Later, Nixy is shocked when Cornell is assaulted and no one bothers to step in and help him. Her shock later turns to dread when she discovers Cornell’s dead body in his car and a plate of snickerdoodle cookies made by Maise and Aster nearby. When Cornell’s death is ruled a homicide by anaphylactic shock, Maise and Aster become the prime suspects. Nixy and the Silver Six know that Maise and Aster would never kill anyone, “Which means the Silver Six just may have another case to solve.”

Once Nixy starts to investigate the life of Cornell, she’s disgusted by all the things he has done in the past. She finds a whole list of people wronged and no one caring about his death. The suspect list is a mile long and she’s running out of time. The Silver Six zero in on a surprising person and concoct a scheme to bring them down. “I do believe you’d best give in Nixy.” Young and old go head to head in a battle of wits. Nixy and “Fix It” Fred are put in a life threatening situation.

I love this series because the characters are simply amazing. The Silver Six may be senior citizens, but they are fun and full of life. They definitely keep Nixy on her toes. And speaking of Nixy...I love the blossoming romance between her and Detective Eric Shoar. A Crime of Poison is definitely a standalone read. It’s the third book in the series and potentially the final book. I hope that it isn’t. But if it is, Nancy ended the series perfectly.

**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed the book.**
Profile Image for T K Nelson.
447 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2018
After scanning and seeing the amount of 5 star reviews it appears I must not have been in the right mood for this book. I have really enjoyed the previous two but this one was a schlog to get through. Too much Nixy and not enough Six. Also pegged the evil-doer right off but will admit the reason was hidden till the end so that’s a plus.

Nowadays so many series are written with 3 book publisher contracts I’m not sure if the ending was tying this series up with a bow or if it leaves the door open for further adventures. If there are more I hope we see more involvement from the Six. Nixy is a nice enough character but she’s a bit lackluster. In my opinion the Six is where the diverse personalities are.
Profile Image for Kayt18.
416 reviews
December 28, 2017
This is absolutely one of my favorite series. I adore the characters and everything about it. "A Crime of Poison" is no different. It is so much fun, so entertaining and the mystery is intriguing. The characters in this series are so well developed, intelligent and just plain fun. This can be read as a standalone, but I would read all three if for no other reason than to have 3 times the fun. Nancy Haddock is definitely one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait for the next book! This is everything and much more anyone could want in a cozy.
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,109 reviews136 followers
January 6, 2018
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...

A Crime of Poison (Silver Six Crafting Mystery #3)
Author: Nancy Haddock
ISBN13: 9780425275740
Author website: http://www.nancyhaddock.com/
Brought you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:

The Silver Six are known for their arts and crafts—but they’re about to be tested in the art of catching a crafty killer.

It’s early October, time for the Fall Folk Art Festival and Bake Sale in Lilyvale, Arkansas. Every business along the town square will benefit from the event, including the craft store run by Leslee Stanton Nix—aka Nixy—and the Silver Six, a group of retirees. In charge of making the festival go smoothly, Nixy is confident that it will be a success.

But things become knotty when local troublemaker Cornell Lewis is found dead with a plate of Snickerdoodles from the bake sale. Two members of the Silver Six are accused of cooking up a murder plot, but Nixy knows that the cookies weren’t literally to die for. With time running out, Nixy and company must catch the actual killer…before the Silver Six find their number permanently reduced.

Review:

Well first I just have to say I absolutely love this series. The characters are fun and entertaining and even quirky. The mysteries are intriguing and keep me guessing. The writing by author Nancy Haddock is crisp, enjoyable, and pulls me in and never lets go. In the third installment of “The Silver Six Crafting Mystery” series Nixy is as always a fabulous protagonist. A Crime of Poison starts in early October as the Fall Folk Art Festival and Bake Sale is getting started in lovely Lilyvale, Arkansas. This is going to be a benefit to every business in the town square. This includes the craft store ran by Nixy and the Silver Six. If you have not met the Silver Six yet, you have to. They are the best!

Poor Nixy is in charge of making sure the festival goes off without a hitch. I guess that should mean making sure no one is murdered, but then what fun would that be. The Silver Six are pulling most of their products from the store out to booths and everyone else on the square is too. Things are going smoothly and sales are good. Nixy does have to deal with one curmudgeon and his attitude, but then she already knew he would be a problem. Little did she know the man he had working for him was an even bigger source of pain for most of her friends. Cornell Lewis had been a thorn for several of the Silver Six and Nixy’s coworkers too, but he had been gone. Why did he have to come back and why did he end up dead?

Of course Nixy has to find answers since her dear friends are implicated in his murder. Who knew snickerdoodles would be deadly? I love how Nixy and the amazing Silver Six work out clues, suspects, motives. They are the best. Did I mention there is also a wonderful dog and cat in the cast of fabulous characters? I love these people like friends or even long lost family. I wish I had the energy of the Six (six talented seniors living together in Nixy’s aunt’s home). I love the setting of this series, the flow of the storylines and well everything about it. You really cannot go wrong with this outstanding cozy series.

A Crime of Poison is another super read by one of my favorite authors Nancy Haddock. It is everything and more and more and more you could ask for in a cozy! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars, more like 100. This series is just wonderful. Although you can read this installment as a standalone, I would suggest reading the whole series so you can see the character development, the growth of their friendships and just have more of them to read. I cannot wait for the next in this super series. Hurry up Nancy Haddock, lol.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,267 reviews58 followers
December 12, 2017
The Silver Six and Nixy are back in another murder mystery that hits a little too close to home. When Cornell Lewis, a hated former resident, returns to Lilyvale during the folk art festival the whole town goes up in arms. He claims to have turned over a new leaf but very few people are buying it. Someone seems especially put out, if his dead body is any indication. Unfortunately, a series of events leads Lilyvale's newest police detective to the the Silver Six's front door. Nixy knows that no matter what Cornell did or didn't do, her aunt and friends did not commit the murder. Now, in true Silver Six and Nixy fashion, it's time to investigate and find who really committed the horrendous act.

Paint the Town Dead is the third book in the Silver Six Crafting Mysteries and another 5 star story. I love the unique crafting back drop and the town-wide folk art festival organized and by Nixy and crew. The murder mystery was well thought out and the path to figuring out who did it was executed well. I had a sneaking suspicion who the murderer was but it wasn't solidified for me until the appropriate time.

Nixy does some typical clueless heroine things throughout the murder investigation but I did little more than shake my head at her. Nixy is a great character that has tenderness for Aunt Sherrie and the rest of the Silver Six and the author is able to convey that to the reader. Her interactions with Eric are sweet and loving and they are great together.

I'm hooked on this series; it's fast paced and engaging. The author created a world and developed characters that are entertaining and realistic. I'm from a small town and everyone knew everything about everyone else. It's what small towns do best. The foundation for a spectacular cozy mystery series has been laid and I can't wait to read how the author builds it up!! I certainly hope that the author continues with the series. The Silver Six and their sleuthing is far from being over.

I reviewed an ARC of A Crime of Poison.
Profile Image for Short, Sweet and Cozy.
1,505 reviews
August 11, 2025
A Crime of Poison is the 3rd and final book in Nancy Haddock's Silver Six Crafting Mysteries and it was my favorite. Nixy, her Aunt and her Aunt's 5 retired housemates team up to solve the mystery. I love Nixy and the Silver Six! They are smart, funny and supportive of each other. Nixy and the Silver Six opened up Homemade Emporium where they sell crafts they and other locals have made. It's October and it's the Fall Folk Art Festival and Nixy is in charge of the festival. There is a fight and later on unpopular Cornell Lewis is found dead with cookies baked by a couple of the Silver Six. Nixy's boyfriend is Detective Eric Shoar and because of his relationship with them, his new partner is in charge of the case. She doesn't know anyone and is tough to deal with which is bad news for the Silver Six. Nixy's dog Amber and cat TC are cute and supportive. I loved the ending! This
was an enjoyable book and series. #ACrimeOfPoison #SilverSixCraftngMystery #BerkleyPublishing #TantorAudio
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,462 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2018
A Crime of Poison by Nancy Haddock is the third book in the Silver Six mystery series and was a spell-binding read for me. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I love each one of the characters in this series as each one of the Silver Six are likeable and quirky yet they all blend well together to make a cohesive "family". Nixy is determined in this one to clear the names of two of her "family members". There weren't too many suspects this time but plenty of red herrings as Nixy and the Silver Six try to solve the murder of not one but two bullies. I can hardly wait to spend more time with Nixy, Eric and the Silver Six.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
1,513 reviews
August 21, 2018
Around the Year in 52 Books 2018 Reading Challenge. A book featuring a murder.

The Crafty Six are staging their craft fair this year in town in order to bring customers to local businesses. Unfortunately, one man who apparently has friends in high places is making trouble. All goes very well with sales and everyone is happy EXCEPT that a man who had returned to town claiming to want to make amends is found dead next to a plate of cookies. Two of the six are suspected in his murder because they had sold similar cookies. Can the real murderer be identified before anyone has to spend time in jail. Wonderful tale of people who choose to be family though not related.
Profile Image for Cdomin2.
101 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2022
This book was very slow paced. Couldn't hold my attention. It normally takes me 2-10 days to read a book and this one us taking me an entire month because it is such a chore to finish it (50 more pages to go). It was full of mundane things, all these pointless details cluttered the pages such as describing every single dish the main character brought to an old lady, or whether she should wash her hair tonight or tomorrow. I started to skip passages, which is something I rarely do.

I never read any other books in this series so that might be another reason I didn't enjoy the book. The target audience must be seniors or someone who wants to read before they fall asleep.
Profile Image for Deborah Almada.
1,253 reviews40 followers
December 20, 2017
I really love this series, the crafts, friendships, the small town feel and of course Nixy and the Silver Six!!!!!! This series always has a good myself and this edition is no exception and of course with two of their own on the hot seat, the Silver Six will not back down, can Nixy keep up and save the Silver Six from themselves or have they taken on more than they can handle!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Ana.
384 reviews22 followers
October 1, 2018
I had a hard time when I started the book, because this is the first one I've read in the series, and the Silver Six confused me. Once I got to know them (I had to write down their names and something about them), then the plot began to make sense. I liked the character of Nixy, her pets, and bf Eric and the small town setting.

The killer was on my suspect list, but I could not figure out why they killed until close to the reveal. I will be going back and reading the first books.
1,068 reviews11 followers
May 19, 2020
This appears to be the ending of the set of three books. I do like the term the Silver Six and Eric and Nixy appear to becoming closer in their relationship. This book was the right size with not too long and not too short nor did the author skip around. The clues are around but it takes the Silver Six to find out what was going on and to pinpoint who was the person who do the poisoning and killing. Everything does not get tied in until the last few chapters and a real good ending as well.
459 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2021
Great story. I absolutely love the dynamics of the silver six. Between them and the pets there is never a dull moment. I definitely learned something new about peanut allergies, who ever thought there was such thing as peanut flour.... I always hate having a series end. Nixie definitely recieved a good ending. Which you can only imagine what happens next. A good series to read, maybe some day there will be an addition.
6 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2022
A Sweet Find

These three cozy mysteries are particularly enjoyable to me because they are "inclusive", like REAL life--multigenerational, male & female, multi racial, & with multi-talented & VARIED personalities contributing to solving the mysterious circumstances of "Murder du'jour!!"
In other words, "it takes a village", & the outcome isn't always predictable, but always satisfying!!
498 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2018
This was book three in the series and I certainly hope there are more coming because they are delightful! The killer in this one was really quite easy to deduce and should have made me offer it only four stars, but the overall story and the antics of the silver six were such that I still enjoyed it so much that I read it in one sitting. Highly unusual for me.
Profile Image for Barbara.
Author 1 book12 followers
January 1, 2020
2.5. Fairly engaging but so very twee. Endless updates on what human the "critters" were favouring and food leftovers being exchanged. The mystery tied together fairly well but hinged on information provided by someone who was on the "talk to" list from day one, but whose interview kept being delayed for stupid reasons, which made reading it annoying: go talk to the librarian already!
Profile Image for Cindie.
534 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2020
Generally this is a good read, and the characters are very likable. This is the first book where I questioned the intelligence of the main character Nixie. Most of the time she and the silver six were smart in their decisions, this time Nixie and Fred actually go to "meet" with the murderer. Dumbest move ever. Overall a good ligh hearted romp into soft chick light mystery.....
Profile Image for Karen S Sayre.
67 reviews
January 15, 2018
This cozy mystery is super one to add to your cozy mystery list to read. It has characters you can love, a mystery to solve that keeps you guessing whodunit, and a superb humor throughout book. I personal own all these novel in this delightful series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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