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Ivy Bloom Mysteries #1
Murder & Spice and Everything Nice
Ivy Bloom wants to believe you can go home again and so she does, leaving her work as a writer in NYC and returning to Hydrangea Bay on Cape Cod to start the next chapter of her book-loving life.
She and her sister Gigi work to turn the rambling old mansion they have inherited into a bookstore. Baby books in the nursery, entertaining books in the dining room and romance reads in the ladies boudoir. It looked like it would work out great right up until the moment that the leader of a local religious cult turned up dead in the driveway. Soon his wife is dead as well.
Through no fault of her own, Ivy feels she has to meddle...uh help, investigate. It's not at all because the lead investigator is her high school crush. It's because her livelihood is at stake. After all, who wants to shop at a bookstore where people keep dying?
She and her sister Gigi work to turn the rambling old mansion they have inherited into a bookstore. Baby books in the nursery, entertaining books in the dining room and romance reads in the ladies boudoir. It looked like it would work out great right up until the moment that the leader of a local religious cult turned up dead in the driveway. Soon his wife is dead as well.
Through no fault of her own, Ivy feels she has to meddle...uh help, investigate. It's not at all because the lead investigator is her high school crush. It's because her livelihood is at stake. After all, who wants to shop at a bookstore where people keep dying?
This is a novella, the perfect length to read in an afternoon in your favorite cozy chair.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2017
139 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 8, 2018
Quick and easy read
A very good story. Excellent flow and easy to follow. The characters were good although not fully developed. I would enjoy following q rest of the series.
A very good story. Excellent flow and easy to follow. The characters were good although not fully developed. I would enjoy following q rest of the series.
December 21, 2017
What a delightful introduction to Ivy Bloom and the opening of her bookstore. She and her sister, Gigi have inherited an old house on Cape Cod and decide to open a unique shop with rooms in the mansion dedicated to certain type books. As they prepare for the grand opening dead bodies appear along with the books. No one wants to shop in a murder mansion. Not too long, it's a good mystery and a great start for this new series.
August 6, 2017
I love the idea of a bookstore in a large house. The killer was a surprise, which is always fun. It was a fun and quick read.
I would, however, talk with your proofreader and editor. There were 'stoppers.' I had to reread in several places because of them.
I will read the next book though.
I would, however, talk with your proofreader and editor. There were 'stoppers.' I had to reread in several places because of them.
I will read the next book though.
November 15, 2017
I loved the concept of two sisters opening a bookstore in an Victorian mansion. How neat to have subject matter shelved in the area of the house it pertained to-such as cookbooks in the dining room, romance in the bedrooms, etc. The store is almost ready to open when a disagreeable cult leader who lived nearby was discovered dead outside the front of the house. No obvious cause of death or suspect. Within a short time, his wife was found dead inside the bookstore as well. Sisters Ivy and Gigi feel compelled to try and solve the mystery of who murdered the couple. To make matters worse, the cult property is immediately put up for sale forcing the Little Flowers (what they called the members of the cult) to figure out new living accommodations in a hurry.
This was a pretty good mystery without many suspects.However Ivy did manage to dig up dirt on the leader and discover he was taking in pregnant girls, selling their babies, rehabilitating drug addicts, and doing who knows what else. It was established he was not a nice man. Several surprises come to light involving money, arson, and other family members. Unfortunately I felt like the book was gliding over things and not really digging into the story. Characters introduced were then dropped from the rest of the book. The entire book could have been more substantial. And not affecting the story, but a complaint I want to call attention to is the book cover. I love the idea of a drawing of a grand Victorian, but it is almost impossible to read the title when it is superimposed on the cover picture.
This was a pretty good mystery without many suspects.However Ivy did manage to dig up dirt on the leader and discover he was taking in pregnant girls, selling their babies, rehabilitating drug addicts, and doing who knows what else. It was established he was not a nice man. Several surprises come to light involving money, arson, and other family members. Unfortunately I felt like the book was gliding over things and not really digging into the story. Characters introduced were then dropped from the rest of the book. The entire book could have been more substantial. And not affecting the story, but a complaint I want to call attention to is the book cover. I love the idea of a drawing of a grand Victorian, but it is almost impossible to read the title when it is superimposed on the cover picture.
July 8, 2017
MURDER & SPICE AND
EVERYTHING NICE
Caryn Thomas Mitchell
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
Ivy Bloom moves back home to open a bookstore with her sister. The mansion is the backdrop for some strange murders that interrupt the opening of a store that has room for every genre - Kitchen, cookbook, etc. - you get the various divides.
During the final preparations, people come knocking to see Ivy. One being, what seems to be the leader of a cult, looking for one of his disciples who had visited the building earlier.
Minutes later, the whole town is put into a frenzy which includes a major property fire. It's not Ivy's best interest to investigate what is happening; warns her childhood friend, who is now the detective in charge of solving the crimes.
Ivy, being Ivy, a snoop, and a mystery writer to boot, doesn't listen to his admonishes. She, with her sister's help, digs deeper into the crimes leading to a potentially deadly event.
Does Ivy get her man or is it the straw that broke the camel’s back? On the local beach, a man with a metal detector helps her reach her fate.
Ms. Thomas Mitchell's writing is snappy, comical, and connects the dots in this fast-paced Ivy Bloom Mystery novel. I was surprised that it was over when it was with a knockout finish.
EVERYTHING NICE
Caryn Thomas Mitchell
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
Ivy Bloom moves back home to open a bookstore with her sister. The mansion is the backdrop for some strange murders that interrupt the opening of a store that has room for every genre - Kitchen, cookbook, etc. - you get the various divides.
During the final preparations, people come knocking to see Ivy. One being, what seems to be the leader of a cult, looking for one of his disciples who had visited the building earlier.
Minutes later, the whole town is put into a frenzy which includes a major property fire. It's not Ivy's best interest to investigate what is happening; warns her childhood friend, who is now the detective in charge of solving the crimes.
Ivy, being Ivy, a snoop, and a mystery writer to boot, doesn't listen to his admonishes. She, with her sister's help, digs deeper into the crimes leading to a potentially deadly event.
Does Ivy get her man or is it the straw that broke the camel’s back? On the local beach, a man with a metal detector helps her reach her fate.
Ms. Thomas Mitchell's writing is snappy, comical, and connects the dots in this fast-paced Ivy Bloom Mystery novel. I was surprised that it was over when it was with a knockout finish.
October 19, 2017
Three and half stars.
This novella was on amazon.com as a free kindle book and it sounded like an interesting read. I read a lot of books and this one kept my interest, just.
I like the idea of a book store in an old house and could imagine spending a couple of hours there. People and situations were not really fleshed out enough for me to be totally invested in Ivy and the story for me to buy subsequent books in the series and that is a shame as I think it would make a great read. I would have liked to have a bit more of back story of the township and the main people in it, a bit more of a background of the relationships with her sister Gigi, her brother in law George, her niece Jennifer. I would have liked a bit more background on what was her life like before she came back and the people she left behind. I realise it is a novella, but at the end when the murderer is revealed there are a lot of questions still unanswered and I felt the main characters were a bit too stereotype, not enough dept.
This novella was on amazon.com as a free kindle book and it sounded like an interesting read. I read a lot of books and this one kept my interest, just.
I like the idea of a book store in an old house and could imagine spending a couple of hours there. People and situations were not really fleshed out enough for me to be totally invested in Ivy and the story for me to buy subsequent books in the series and that is a shame as I think it would make a great read. I would have liked to have a bit more of back story of the township and the main people in it, a bit more of a background of the relationships with her sister Gigi, her brother in law George, her niece Jennifer. I would have liked a bit more background on what was her life like before she came back and the people she left behind. I realise it is a novella, but at the end when the murderer is revealed there are a lot of questions still unanswered and I felt the main characters were a bit too stereotype, not enough dept.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2023
"Murder and Spice and Everything Nice" is great fun - I read it in a single sitting.
As cosy mysteries go it ticks all the boxes (well, except tension, 'cos cosies don't go there if they can possibly help it).
Ivy Bloom has come home to Hydrangea Bay, Cape Cod, to open a bookstore in a mansion she and her sister Gigi have inherited.
The grand opening is delayed by not one but two murders on the property. The dead are the leaders of a local cult which helps young women.
Without actually doing anything Ivy receives an anonymous note - "Don't Get Nosy" - which, of course, prompts her to start investigating.
It could have done with a tighter edit - the most notable oddity is when Sherlock Holmes is confused with Dr. Watson.
The one thing that prevents it from being a 4 Star book is the ending - rather than a solution being found the murderer steps forward. It's a lazy approach and one adopted by far too many authors.
3 Stars.
As cosy mysteries go it ticks all the boxes (well, except tension, 'cos cosies don't go there if they can possibly help it).
Ivy Bloom has come home to Hydrangea Bay, Cape Cod, to open a bookstore in a mansion she and her sister Gigi have inherited.
The grand opening is delayed by not one but two murders on the property. The dead are the leaders of a local cult which helps young women.
Without actually doing anything Ivy receives an anonymous note - "Don't Get Nosy" - which, of course, prompts her to start investigating.
It could have done with a tighter edit - the most notable oddity is when Sherlock Holmes is confused with Dr. Watson.
The one thing that prevents it from being a 4 Star book is the ending - rather than a solution being found the murderer steps forward. It's a lazy approach and one adopted by far too many authors.
3 Stars.
August 5, 2018
A great cozy mystery with likeable characters & a good cozy mystery
This was a really good & enjoyable cozy mystery! The characters are likeable, interesting and have common sense. The mystery is intriguing but not violent or graphic or suspenseful but has a bit of humor. My kind of cozy mystery! Ivy and Gigi Bloom inherited a mansion and have turned it into a bookstore. During their grand opening, an unpopular neighbor dies. Ivy wants the mystery solved so it doesn't negatively impact their new business. My only complaint was editing/grammar errors. I can't wait to read the next book!
This was a really good & enjoyable cozy mystery! The characters are likeable, interesting and have common sense. The mystery is intriguing but not violent or graphic or suspenseful but has a bit of humor. My kind of cozy mystery! Ivy and Gigi Bloom inherited a mansion and have turned it into a bookstore. During their grand opening, an unpopular neighbor dies. Ivy wants the mystery solved so it doesn't negatively impact their new business. My only complaint was editing/grammar errors. I can't wait to read the next book!
October 29, 2017
Murder and Spice and Everything Nice
I enjoyed this Ivy Bloom mystery. After two dead bodies appear in the house Ivy and her sister, Gigi, are renovating to open as a bookstore, Ivy feels the need to investigate. The more she looks into the cult/rehab/home for unwed mothers, the more the people don't seem to be who they say they are. Add an aggressive realtor to the mix and you have a delightful cozy mystery.
I enjoyed this Ivy Bloom mystery. After two dead bodies appear in the house Ivy and her sister, Gigi, are renovating to open as a bookstore, Ivy feels the need to investigate. The more she looks into the cult/rehab/home for unwed mothers, the more the people don't seem to be who they say they are. Add an aggressive realtor to the mix and you have a delightful cozy mystery.
January 7, 2018
Quick cozy read. Moves back to the beach, inherited a mansion that is remade into a bookstore. Right as its ready to open, a dead body. And so arrives the old boyfriend who is the handsome Cop. Then another murder inside the bookstore. It all came together pretty quick. Not bad, not as predictable as some.
August 13, 2019
This is a cozy mystery that was short and sweet, but left me wanting more: more character development, more understanding of people's actions, more info re the scene of the crime, etc. Ok, it was a quick read, but not really satisfying to finish. The ending came along really fast without much help to the reader- I know it's the first in the sereis, but....
October 21, 2017
Wonderful cozy mystery. A book store in a mansion, a cult, a couple of murder and a possible romance. I figured out the murderer fairly early in the book but that didn't take anything away from the story. I enjoyed every minute.
October 23, 2017
Good story
Engaging characters. Ivy and Gigi are typical sisters. Story line was good but sometimes things just dropped in the middle of something else. Wanted the story to go further than it did.
Will be reading more from this author
Engaging characters. Ivy and Gigi are typical sisters. Story line was good but sometimes things just dropped in the middle of something else. Wanted the story to go further than it did.
Will be reading more from this author
September 30, 2018
Ivy is at it again.
This is only the 2nd in this series I have read so far but I enjoyed both. Enough who dun it to keep your interest. A possible romance in the making and two sisters who are totally believable.
This is only the 2nd in this series I have read so far but I enjoyed both. Enough who dun it to keep your interest. A possible romance in the making and two sisters who are totally believable.
February 13, 2020
A quick read, opening a bookstore in the mansion they inherited should have something to look forward to. But the week before opening there is a body in the driveway, then another in the house why not try to get to the bottom of the deaths. Of course, not everyone is what they seem.
September 13, 2021
Really cute entry in a new series of books. Opening a new bookstore can be dangerous although the murders don’t really have anything to do with the bookstore except one of the co-owners figures out who the murderer is. Look forward to the next book in this series.
June 4, 2017
Very good
A nice cozy mystery that kept me reading till the end . I liked the characters and the idea of a bookstore mansion.
A nice cozy mystery that kept me reading till the end . I liked the characters and the idea of a bookstore mansion.
July 28, 2017
Recommend reading
Very good book, good storyline. This is the first story I have read by this author but not my last. Cindy
Very good book, good storyline. This is the first story I have read by this author but not my last. Cindy
September 6, 2017
Gripping
A mystery to the end. I never knew nutmeg was deadly . Dont know why title did not give it away. I think because so well written.
A mystery to the end. I never knew nutmeg was deadly . Dont know why title did not give it away. I think because so well written.
October 17, 2017
very good, loved the book store idea.
October 19, 2017
Really good read - easy flow.
October 21, 2017
Great
I'm really beginning to enjoy these cozy reads.Real mystery and a whole lot of action and laughter.A good time was had.
I'm really beginning to enjoy these cozy reads.Real mystery and a whole lot of action and laughter.A good time was had.
October 28, 2017
Good
the two women and their families were starting a business in a small beach town and when two people were murdered on there property
the two women and their families were starting a business in a small beach town and when two people were murdered on there property
April 26, 2020
Familiar?
The entire time I was reading this I kept getting the feeling that I had read this store before. It is a good story. It just did not set off any bells or whistles for me.
The entire time I was reading this I kept getting the feeling that I had read this store before. It is a good story. It just did not set off any bells or whistles for me.
October 3, 2020
Enjoyed it, would definitely read more in the series.
October 17, 2024
The story is fine and fun, but this author really needs an editor to help with grammar and punctuation. The errors were pretty distracting.
September 21, 2018
Excellent beginning to a series. The author wet our appetite to continue following the characters to see what develops with the business and personal relationships. Good storyline and a few twists for good measure. I will read the rest of the series!
Read
September 15, 2018I really enjoyed this book. Me Mitchell writes in a lovely manner making it easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews