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Tired of a weeks-long cold snap and longing for spring, Kate decides to fight her winter blues by joining a birdwatching tour. Determined to enjoy herself despite the weather, she ignores the sinister attentions of Richard Comeau, a fellow birdwatcher who’s clearly more interested in Kate than in birds. But when another birdwatcher is killed during the tour, Kate finds herself in the midst of a baffling mystery.

When Detective Rancourt is hurt in a suspicious accident, the murder investigation falls to the inept Officer Bouchard. Making matters worse, the investigation takes a menacing turn after Comeau shows up unexpectedly at Kate’s house, hinting that he knows of Minette the fairy’s existence. Is Comeau a killer, a fairy hunter, or both? As Kate attempts to uncover the truth, she’s forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. Can she solve the case before she loses everything?

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2019

54 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

Karin Kaufman

47 books184 followers
Karin Kaufman grew up devouring murder mysteries, especially of the cozy kind. Give her a mystery, a comfy couch, her sweet dog at her side, and (preferably) a rainy day, and she’s in heaven. She’s the author of the Juniper Grove Cozy Mystery Series, the Smithwell Fairies Cozy Mystery Series, and the Anna Denning Mystery Series. The Witch Tree, the first book in her Anna Denning series, was a finalist for a Grace Award. Karin also writes children's books in the Geraldine Woolkins and Woolkins Bookshelf series.

For giveaways and news on all Karin's latest releases, sign up for her mailing list at http://www.KarinKaufman.com. And connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorkarinka....

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5 stars
82 (65%)
4 stars
33 (26%)
3 stars
10 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Jerri Cachero.
653 reviews48 followers
March 4, 2019
A tiny hero with heart!

I love this series! The story of Minnette grows and kept me intrigued and guessing through the entire book. With the addition of a mysterious stranger, Kate, Minnette and Emily must solve two murders to ensure Minnette's existence is kept secret.

It's heartwarming to see the friendship between Kate, Minnette ,& Emily develop. There are so many wonderful themes in the books- faith, friendship, handling grief, bravery and the wonderful mystery of Minnette and her life. My favorite theme is that while we may be individuals, we all experience the same feelings....like a tiny fairy and a woman rebuilding her life.

I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
March 5, 2019
Kaufman is doing a fine job with these cozy mysteries with the addition of a tiny 4 inch fairy named Minette as a major character. This go round Minette's very life is in danger and she must return to the woods.. Kate Brew, 50ish widow who solves mysteries, is in fine form here, too. And the mysterious Laurence is given more time as well. Also the mystery surrounding Minette is building. I can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Marie McNary.
268 reviews11 followers
January 2, 2021
If you enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries this would be a good choice for you. The characters from future books are back and a new foil is introduced that I enjoy gives a new dimension to the story.
Profile Image for Catherine.
490 reviews
June 20, 2019
Cold forest, cold murders, furious fairy

Winter in central Maine is, in turns gorgeous & deadly cold. The last push of frigid air & icy snow. Kate decides to join a birdwatching tour. Since Fairy Minnette must stay in the house, Kate decides to look for a particular moss as a treat. Even before the start of the trip, there's tension Kate can feel. The oh so creepy man who makes Kate so uneasy. He mentioned fairies do exists & that he's searching for a fairy he knows is Minnette. Kate & Emily the only 2 to know about her and are determined to protect her.
When a second body is found near Minnette 's maple tree where she's been hiding from Comeau and the CDI Rannoult in hospital after an accident(or was it?)
Kate, Emily & her husband, Laurence, home for once, try to figure why the fairie believing Gavin was the second victim? Are there two murders? And will Minnette ever be safe again?
I like the way the Kate/Minnette relationships are headed. Each story is great but read them from the beginnings to trhly understand Smithwell,Maine



Emily,to
When a s

Th
. But what happen

Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
March 2, 2019
Plots and schemes

Awesome. Another great read. But this one is left open - maybe for a return of the 'baddie'? Fairies, spooks, murder and general mayhem ensue when our heroine decides to go on a birdwatching tour. A man that gives her the shivers tries to get her to admit to the existence of fairies. Whilst another member of the tour group drops hints that Ray left written notes in the house that he and his wife have just purchased. But when a female tour client drops dead things get spooky fast. Then the sinister an shows up at her house. Now worried she decides to visit the police station with her two BFF's (one human and one fairy) only to find out that there has been an accident and the detective is in hospital. A late night prowler, another murder, attempted intimidation and break-in lead her to sorting out the facts. Who killed the woman? Who killed the man? Is her fairy safe?
Profile Image for Tchipakkan.
527 reviews20 followers
April 17, 2021
per tense than earlier books

I tried this series thinking fairies would be lighter fare than witches, but this killer is chilling,rather than the ones in previous books. There is so much potential in this world, and now I am worried that the series won't continue, and I won't learn more about Kate, Emily, Laurence, Rancourt and the other characters (and what happened to the Smithfield fairies)!
493 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2019
Another Smithwell Fairies adventure

The struggle to keep the secret of the fairies in the Smithwell forest is getting harder as a threatening stranger appears in town. If you like a fun, easy read with likeable characters you will enjoy this series.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
22 reviews
April 8, 2019
Two thumbs up!

Yet another great addition to the Smithwell Fairies series. I love how the relationship between Kate and Minette is growing and how their level of trust is strengthening.
1 review2 followers
August 30, 2019
A great read.

This series is absolutely delightful. I love the characters, especially Minette and the mysteries are intriguing. Hopefully there will continue to be many more stories in the series.
13 reviews
December 7, 2019
Delightful, fun, captivating!!!

I have fallen in love the Smithwell Fairies novels!!! They're so fun to read!! Excellently written books that captivate, engage, and delight the reader every time!!
3 reviews
January 22, 2020
Yes 👍

I've read this book and the previous books. I love the way they are so sensible and then( on yeah) there are fairies. I wish I had one . The perfect friend for a lonely widow. Just read it. I'm just starting the 5th book now. I hope there will be more.
2 reviews
October 20, 2020
Fun Cozy Read

I am enjoying this series of mysteries. The people in Smithwell could be the people in your town. A heroine with her own baggage who finds that life is more than she suspected it could be.
Profile Image for Evelyn Dunbar Webb.
16 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2022
Thoroughly hooked!

Four tales down, one more to go before having to wait - these stories are fabulous reads - I've enjoyed inhaling every word, flutter, and dastardly deed since Book 1. Grab yourself a cuppa and dig in!
6 reviews
March 9, 2019
Another delightful book

Loving this series. Can't wait for the next one. Magical and enchanting as well as a good whodunit. Who could ask for more?
3 reviews
June 12, 2019
Loved the whole series

This is a well-written set of books and I can't wait for the next one. Would love to get more details on Lawrence.
141 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2020
A fun read. Wouldn't it be great to have a fairy become your new best friend?
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,880 reviews
May 10, 2021
This has unique storytelling in this series. Love the characters. The development of them was easy and blended well into the story line. Great Reading Everyone!
Profile Image for Maria.
123 reviews41 followers
February 18, 2026
I enjoyed this unique fairy mystery and plan to read more by this author!
Profile Image for Melissa.
105 reviews
February 26, 2026
3.5 stars for this one. This series is so easy and I really enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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