A Flock and a Fluke

Clucks and Clues Cozy Mysteries #2

by Hillary Avis

The plot chickens…

It’s springtime in Honeytree, and Leona’s pullets are finally laying. Customers are flocking to buy her farm-fresh eggs.

But during the town’s Easter Egg Scramble, Leona finds more than hidden treasure when she stumbles on the dead body of the pastor’s wife. And the death isn’t a fluke—it was poison.

After Leona’s eggs are blamed for delivering the fatal dose, her customers fly the coop along with her reputation. With her nest egg dwindling, she doesn’t have time to brood. Her only hope to rise back to the top of the pecking order? Figure out who held a grudge against Honeytree’s golden girl—and why.

But things get tricky. Her two leading suspects also happen to be running for mayor. And neither one of them is crowing when Leona fowls up their campaigns with her clucking around.

Can Leona take the heat of small-town politics? Or will she be forced out of the frying pan with egg on her face?

Flock and a Fluke is the second book in the clever, irreverent Clucks and Clues Cozy Mysteries series that will keep you chuckling and guessing until the end.


No gore, swears, or other yucky stuff. Just good, clean murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Friendship, Romance

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2020

Reviews

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2. Leona is starting a new life with a chicken farm instead of her rich lifestyle. She had different chickens like for brown eggs aqua eggs they laid. The aquas were Called Easter Eggers. She even had a sweet chicken Boots that was an indoor chicken. Leona had found some places that were buying her eggs now. Like Sara of the RX Cafe. . It is Eater and the Town Honey Tree, Oregon is having an Easter Egg Hunt in the square for children and adults. The adults will get 50.00 , 100.00 , or 1.000 dollars a golden egg is 1,000. Well went it was time for the hunt everyone was stampeding places they thought the eggs would be. They had clues that the mayor Margie and Pastor Cal made up. Leona found the golden egg. But unfortunately the golden egg a hand was holding it. Leona found that it was Amelia Pastor Cal wife. So Her boyfriend from when she was young Eli a detective was on the case. And her friend Ruth was helping her too. Some ladies that were gossiping said that Amelia became sick right after she had eaten eggs. So Leona was a suspect in there eyes. But Eli knew better. Leona was wondering about Sara the owner of the cafe RX because she seemed suspicious then she thought of Amelia husband Cal and even Mayor Margery. It was a good book. It made me guessing about who really did it. Like the characters. Fun read

[Charles Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Leona and the book quite well, though there were a couple of times I'd have gladly kicked her butt.

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cogiendo carrerilla con esta serie porque he visto que el cuarto libro es navideño 🤣
Este segundo libro también me ha gustado. Ha habido momentos en los que lo he pasado mal por las gallinas y Leona, la prota, me ha sacado un poco de quicio. A veces parece que la pisotean un poco y en otras ocasiones es muy, pero que muy cabezota.
La relación amorosa sigue avanzando pero me gustaría más profundidad en los personajes. En mi opinión, falla un poco en esto aunque la ambientación muy bien así que tampoco me quejo.
Por cierto, me equivoqué: la protagonista tiene cincuenta y tantos, no está en los sesenta como dije en el primer libro.
El misterio ha estado, también, bien. Aunque puede ser que a algunos lectores les resulte predecible. En seguida supe quién era el culpable.

Seguiré con esta serie.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 bk 138. I tried to stay away - after all I only have about 100 physical books to read - but none of them were quite right. I wanted a cozy, an author who followed Edgar A. Poe's rules to create a mystery to engage the mind, a book with characters that created empathetic feelings in me and none of the physical titles would quite do. So I went back into the world of Kindle and thought I would check out Hillary Avis' 2nd title in the Clucks and Clues Cozy series to see how consistent she would be. She is and was, consistent in delivery a mystery that follows the rules (give clues with nothing hidden, but in such a way that the reader has to think), engaged my mind in figuring out who done it, and creating characters that I could create an empathetic feeling about. Good job. I'll hold book three until the need sneaks up on me again!

[Kim Loomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cluck, cluck, cluck and lots of eggs makes Leona happy that her chickens are laying so well. But during an Egg Scramble in town she comes across a dead body and the yoke hits the fan. Leona and her best friend are trying to find out what happened and who killed the person and why. It is a very good mystery right to the end and now I am really interested to see what is going to happen in the next book. Eggs are good for you so don't miss this book.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite interesting. I made the mistake of reading #2 instead of 1 first but hey I could follow along OK so no big deal.

The mystery was nice, felt a little frustrating that no one wanted to believe it was murder, it did get a little silly but still interesting murder mystery I didn't really catch who the culprit was.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery itself was straightforward. What kept me reading was Leona's drive to keep her egg farm going despite all the set backs. She has a sudden lack of customers, someone reporting her farm for violations, and the threat of new neighbors who want her to close her chicken farm because the coop obstructs their view.

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[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free audio copy of this book through Tantor Audio and voluntarily reviewed it.

After listening to the first book in this series I was excited to start listening to book 2. This was a great sequel and I am really enjoying this series so far. The chicken theme is a fun one and the mysteries are great.

A Flock and a Fluke takes place a few months after book 1. Leona has settled in a bit more and the chickens have started laying eggs, so her egg business is slowly starting. When Leona and her best friend stumble upon a dead body during the town's egg scramble there are rumors the dead person was poisoned and Leona's egg business might close before she ever had a chance to get it off the ground.

I liked this mystery, there was enough to keep me guessing and I like the way we continue to get hints as the mystery progresses. Even with only a few suspects it was tough to figure out who had done it. A few times I was thinking in totally different directions, but by the end I settled on two suspects and one of those was right. And only then it was obvious how far out some of my earlier guesses were. I really enjoy how this author writes the mysteries. It feels like it's constantly progressing with Leona finding out new information, but at the same time it's hard to figure out who had done it and it kept me guessing till the end.

I liked seeing more of Leona and her farm. It was great seeing her egg business starting now and the progress she made since the last book. Just as in the previous books she can be a bit confrontational at times when confronting suspects, but I liked how she kept going till she figured out who was the murderer and how determined she is to find out the truth. She still has a tendency to push her friends away at times, but she does better than in book 1 and I like how she apologizes when she was wrong. I like how realistic she feels. I also like how the detective hears her out even when he doesn't think it's murder. There is still the hint of romance in this one as well.

The narrator did a great job with this book as well. I liked her voices for the characters and it was pleasant to listen to this one. I do like to speed the narration up a little bit for this one, which I usually don't do.

To summarize: I was happy to return to the town of Honeytree in this second book. This was a great sequel, more of Leona and her friends and another great mystery. It was fun to see how Leona's chicken farm and egg business has progressed since last book. This book again had a great mystery, even with only a few suspects it kept me guessing. I enjoy how the mystery has a lot of progress throughout the book with Leona constantly finding out new bits of information, but at the same time I wasn't sure who had done it till the end. And some of my guesses along the way were really far away, but by the end I ended up with two suspects one of whom was correct. I like Leona and how she feels realistic, sometimes making mistakes and letting her emotions lead her, but she's also very determined to find out the truth and apologizes when she was wrong. The narrator does a great job with this series and I look forward to the next book!

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

She ate a newt?

About the Author:
Hillary Avis lurks and works in beautiful Eugene, Oregon, with her very patient husband and a menagerie of kids, cats, dogs, and chickens. When she’s not thinking up amusing ways to murder people, she makes pottery, drinks coffee, and streams The Great British Bake-Off, but not all at the same time. Hillary is the author of cozy mysteries about smart women who uncover truths about themselves, their communities, and of course any unsolved crimes they happen to stumble across. You can read more about her and her work at www.hillaryavis.com.

I m had to add that tidbit about the author, because it’s cool that she writes what she knows. Well, not the murders specifically, but the chickens and Oregon, which is where this story takes place.

There was a lot of back and forth about blackmail and whether the death was a murder or an accident. You can bet your bottom dollar that Leona was right in the middle of figuring everything out and she was sure to be extra loud and passionate about her beliefs.

Then there’s her possibly new next door neighbors that are dead set against Leona’s chicken farm and Leona may just give up her chicken dream in order for her best friend Ruth to get a sellers commission.

I still have my fingers crossed that Leona and Eli end up together. However, if they do will they combine households? Where will they live? Eli’s or Leona’s? I guess that’s a problem for another book.

I’m really enjoying this series.

[Hilary Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free for an honest review.

Hillary Avis has done it again! Another clucky adventure in Honeytree: one crazy Easter Egg Scramble, food poisoning, life-ruining potential neighbors, and a mayor that's trying to run our plucky heroine out of business and town, even if Leona doesn't exactly live in town...

Things are never dull in Honeytree, especially when Leona finds the dead body of the good Pastor Goodbody's wife during the Easter Egg Scramble. There are rumors flying left and right. When the coroner admits that the Pastor's wife was most likely poisoned... the local busybody-woman claims that one of the two local diner's served the last meal she ate and that one of the last things the deceased ate was eggs.

When the town finds out that the eggs were from Leona's farm... No one will buy her eggs. With everyone avoiding the diner that the eggs were served in, it's set to close up, if business doesn't pick up soon!

Who killed the Pastor that is running for the town's Mayor-ship's wife, and will they kill again? Or is this just an elaborate scheme to run two local business owners out of town? Read to find out more!

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine my be a bit over the hill, but that won't stop her from trying to figure out who killed the pastor's wife and is trying to kill her business.

This is book two in the series but it works just fine as a standalone. No prior reading is required.

This is a cozy mystery featuring one old goat (okay, elder lady) and a bunch of chickens. I have heard about crazy cat ladies before, but chicken ladies is something new. The story is well written and easy to read as long as you can put up with the occasional pun and not so occasional sarcasm. That's all good with me. The characters are well developed and, frankly, a bit nuts in my book, but then that keeps things rather entertaining. I felt the plot was excellent with enough twists and turns to keep things moving and the reader engaged right up until the end. Overall, a highly entertaining story and I look forward to visiting the chicken farm again.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the author for review purposes.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avis' decision to put the first book up as a Kindle Reads (i.e. for free for those with Kindle Prime, Kindle Unlimited not required), definitely paid off, in my case. After reading the first book, I bought both it and book two in physical form, a) so I could have book 1 on my shelf, and b) because I wanted to continue the series. It's cute. I like the older characters. I love the way they talk (I am so sick of 20 something idiots [we were all idiots at 20] and I am so tired of 30 year olds who are constantly drinking wine and talking about inanities like social media). These characters are refreshing. I also love the chicken facts. While this particular mystery was a little bit rushed in its delivery in comparison to the first book, and while this one required a higher suspension of disbelief, it was still an enjoyable ride and I have already bought book 3, which should get here later this week. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leona is hard at work with her flock of hens trying to collect enough eggs for an Easter Brunch order, when chaos happens.

Her license is threatened, someone is poisoned, by the town believes it was her eggs, the big restaurant order falls through, and a scheming mayor blocks her farmer’s market efforts.

The yolk might literally all be on Leona if things aren’t resolved soon. Attempts to move things along put her in harm’s way . New folks at the blueberry farm stir things up.

It’s all clucked up !

Really enjoy the connections between friends and the challenges the ladies face in a dating pool with grown up baggage and folks you knew since grade school. Remembering the days when he ate paste or she stuffed with sweat socks does not make for the sexy unless you have a creative- or kinky- imagination.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Hillary Avis. I really do enjoy these cluck reads. This story stars out with the town’s Easter Egg Scramble. Each egg is a different color and holds different amounts of money. You look for the eggs with clues given at the start. Leona decides to read the clue for the big prize and heads out to look for it. She has to cross the water to get to the other side where she saw a glint of gold that she was sure was the prized egg. Not only does she find the prized egg, but a hand still holding the egg. The body she found was the pastors wife. When the town gets to talking all heck breaks out. Rumor has it the pastors wife was poisoned by Leona’s eggs that she sells to the diner. Then more trouble follows. There are twists and turns that keep you reading not knowing what will happen next. The book was hard to put down. Really looking forward to the next one.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second outing of the Clucks and Clues Series, Ms. Avis creates a broadens her cast of core characters and readers get to know each one in a bit more depth. Amateur sleuth Leona continues to develop in her style of investigation, brash and sometimes foolhardy, while continuing to grow her egg business and protect it from assault on more than one front. Leona and Ruth are relatable - both in their own individual personalities and within the bond of friendship between them. It is a complete joy, and sometimes riot, to read their interactions. Ms. Avis’ writing is solid, engaging and includes a good amount of humor.
Solid continuation of this series. I look forward to seeing how Ms. Avis further develops and strengthens Leona and her crew.
I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leona and Ruth along with the town are after some great prizes in the town held Scramble. Leona does find the top prize...in the hand of a dead woman! The woman is the wife of Pastor Cal who is running for Honeytree mayor against Margie Morrow. Things get pretty strange as Leona tries to prove that Amelia was murdered and not an accident. Then her egg business is in jeopardy when everyone assumes that Amelia was poisoned by her eggs, and no one will buy one more of them. But who is the killer or is there a killer? You will need to read the book to find out all the antics that happen to the citizens of this small town. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Katie Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Actually, I love both books in the series. Hillary Avis is a master at making humor and puns flow naturally. Leona is a smart cookie and knows what she wants, and though it seems to come in fits and starts for her, she does not give up. The story moves along nicely with twisty turns that kept my attention and, of course, the dialog is wonderful. I like that she has a solid friend in Ruth and stands right up to Eli. I can't wait for the next one!

I received and advance copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read From Hillary Avis. There is so much going on in Honeytree - the farm, the Easter egg hunt, the dead body, mayor race and the blueberry farm for sale. Not to mention Leona thinking that Ruth and Eli are dating. You gotta read to find out who killed the Pastor’s wife, the current mayor’s blackmailing and Leona temporarily losing her license. Leona keeps getting better and better and slowly letting her guard down with Eli. There are so many twists and turns that will keep you glue to the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m realllllllly trying to like Leona, but man is it hard. When she thinks she has better interviewing skills than Eli, a detective of 20+ years, buts into his interrogations, gives him the “finger” because he chastised her for intruding, ughhhghh …

The antics of the chicken somewhat make up for how much I don’t like her. I wish Eli would find another love interest and ignore her. Ruby is great, and Leona doesn’t deserve her as a best friend. Basically, I like everyone but Leeona, the mayor and the murderer.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very poultry-pun filled cozy with an unexplained death

We are in a small isolated town in Oregon. A town where everyone knows everyone. A town full of gossips, former HS rivalries and friendships.

This reader is tempted to add her own poultry puns to describe author Davis's writing style. Lets just say it was cute but a bit too much for normal speech. Sadly, the suspect is pretty obvious but the solving was still entertaining.

If I can obtain more of the series cheaply, I will continue the series.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the chicken-themed play on words throughout the book. At times I laughed so hard tears came to my eyes. I really enjoy the role her chickens play in this series and how some of them she’s named, with their unique personalities. Leona’s struggles selling her eggs to keep her chicken farm afloat and her loyalty to her best friend Ruth pulled at my heart. Eli’s flirting with Leona continues to grow in this book. Will it lead to something more? Will their high school romance be rekindled even though they are decades older?

[Sylvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this new book from Hillary Avis. What a treat! This is a cozy mystery with funny characters and situations and you ask yourself: How will Leona get out of this situation or even how does she manage to always get in one of these!

I had nothing against chickens before but now I am hooked on Boots! Good read, good story and I will be waiting for the next one to get out!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this mystery down until I'd finished reading it start to finish in one enjoyable evening. The caracters are vibrant and the chickens are laying. Then some one up and dies and the mystery is full of intreage and humor as well as the writing skills of Hillary Avis are sublime, there is a twist near the end of the mystery that I didn't see coming and I bet neither will you. I'ts time for you to aquier a copy and start enjoying "A Flock and a Fluke "as much as I have. 😀🙄☺ Kat

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!! Leona goes back to her hometown, best friend and ex sweetheart from high school, after her divorce. She is raising egg laying chickens. But what happens after she gets her business up and running, selling eggs to local businesses, could really destroy her business and her life. Gotta love a small town and all their antics.

I received this as an ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent but not great

Compared to the first book in the series, this book was a bit disappointing. It seemed absolutely ridiculous in the plot, and the characters acted in very unrealistic ways. Even for a small town sheriff, Eli acted like he didn't know his job and couldn't get the case under control. If I read the words "mother clucking" again, I might have given up entirely. I don't think I'm going to continue reading the series.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chickens, chickens everywhere and plenty of eggs to eat. This is a fun book. You will love Leona who is stubbornly trying to make her second chance at life a success. A murderer is afoot and she is the only one who believes. Can she solve the mystery before her dream of a successful chicken farm becomes a distant memory? A really good cozy mystery.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. I absolutely love this series, almost (but not quite) makes me wish I had a Boots. Who knew a race for a small town mayor would cause so much uproar. Leona is in the middle of the uproar, even if she does not live in town. I really liked this book and recommend it, you will love it.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eggstraspecial Small Town Cozy Mystery
This fun cozy mystery is the second in a series. It has both small town and egg farm humor. There is a mystery to solve, an election to watch and eggs to sell. This story can stand alone but will be a bit better is read in order. I received this ARC book for free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Teri Griffis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ebook from the author. This is my honest, voluntary review. I love this series already! Even though there are murders the books are filled with humorous situations from the characters while searching for the perpetrator. The characters are well developed with their own personalities. Very enjoyable read! 📚

[Artist_carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. A small town with alot of secrets. When a body is found Leona’s eggs are blamed and no one in town wants to buy eggs from her, some not really nice people would like to buy the property next door to her and change everything. I love this series. Can't wait for more.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.