Strawberry Vanilla Peril

Dolphin Bay #7

by Leena Clover

Champion Cyclist Found Dead in Gorge

It's spring in Dolphin Bay and a big cycle race is passing through town. Anna's Cafe sets up a stall with snacks and drinks for the participants. When a well known cyclist crashes to his death in the woods, the police blame the lemonade.


Suddenly, Anna's granddaughter is the top suspect because she was seen handing out drinks to the dead guy. Anna and company are stumped because the victim was a total stranger who didn't know any of them. The new detective in town wants to close the case soon and time is running out.


Meanwhile, the mayor and her minions target Meg and convince the locals to blackball her.


Can Anna and the Firecrackers use their sleuthing skills and solve the murder before it's too late?


Strawberry Vanilla Peril is a clean, cozy mystery with fast paced action, twists and turns and a baffling murder mystery that will keep you guessing till the end.


Don't miss this latest instalment in the much loved Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery series.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2021

About the author

Leena Clover is a popular, bestselling author of cozy mysteries with heart.

You can expect fearless heroines, small town drama, quirky characters and friendships that last a lifetime in her books. Yummy food and a murder or two are guaranteed!

Visit her website at leenaclover.com to learn more.

Reviews

[Sharon]

There is a cyclist race heading for Dolphin Bay. They can stop there for a snack, water, and fresh lemonade which was Meg's idea. Later that day, a cyclist died. The man fell off into a small gorge. His number and helmet were missing so they didn't know who it was. After a few days, the police took Meg in for questioning. The police thought he had been poisoned from something he drank, and he had drunk Meg's lemonade. Later on, Meg was arrested for murder.
The Firecrackers started their own investigation with help from Gino. The cyclist was Gil Richards, a pro, well-liked, and a top contender. There were other people who could be suspects. A racer, Sheldon Prince, he got into a fight with. His wife Erin. They were separated and got into a big fight. His coach, Peter Tang. His girlfriend, Clara. Come along on this ride and find out how this mystery gets solved. The plot is well constructed and the story is well written. I enjoyed this story and recommend it.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.

[Sue Ruhl]

Another winner for Ms. Leena Clover!

I'm completely taken by Ms. Clover's method of writing! She gets into the characters so completely that I feel as though I know them! This, the seventh installment of the Dolphin Bay series. The Firecrackers and Gino, plus a few other Dolphin Bay residents, have their work cut out for them to prove that Meg is innocent of a crime the local police have her pegged as being the guilty party! As is her usual way of unfolding the story so that the reader has no idea who the guilty one actually is, it keeps me guessing till the very end. Each book can be read on its own, but the best way to really get the most from the series, I would suggest reading them in order. Good reading!

[Gail Souter]

Ridiculous plot

Absolutely dreadful. Anna is a hopeless detective and believes everything suspects tell her. The fact her grand daughter, Meg, is arrested for supposedly poisoning lemonade given to the cyclist who died is ludicrous. There is no evidence yet she is their top suspect as the police THINK she did it. The author 's take on forensics is astonishingly inaccurate and laughable. Furthermore if the author mentions one more time they eat eggs and avocado on toast then I will be the one guilty of a crime.
A very poor story, with half the prose taken up with what they are going to eat. A disappointing read. Time for this series to end.

[Brad Hellman]

What about Blue Hill?

I have more questions! I really dislike endings that are rushed! I get the explanation but there are so many additional questions! Remember "Electric Company" the PBS tv show was marketed to young people too old for Sesame Street but too young for most adult driven programs... The show always ended with the tv soap opera style show called "for the love of chair" and always had "What about Naomi?" I feel like this cozy mystery pulled that same irrelevant question; What about Naomi?

[Sandy]

When a famous rider dies during a bicycle race through town, Meg becomes a prime suspect. Can Anna and the Firecrackers find the real killer? This skilled author delivers a great tale with heartwarming characters, lots of plot twists and a beautiful beach setting. It was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to future installments. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Patricia H. Phelps]

Anna, Cassie and Meg Butler

Several story lines join to make for an interesting book. Cassie was an actress who became pregnant and gave up her baby girl to a good couple who later perished in an automobile accident and Meg ended up in the foster system. She found her mother when she was college age and now lives with her and her grandmother. Anna and her friends are amateur sleuths.

[Sandy T]

Audiobook review (listening to the series' box set): the narration is done by virtual voice and does absolutely nothing to enhanced the story. Sometimes it makes it worse as the pauses or continuations doesn't fit the scene.

Story review: I did not like this story. I thought the plot was weak and the investigation by both the police and the amateur detectives was poor and unbelievable.

[Marianne McGinnis]

The plot thickens

Another great read by Leena Clover! Join Anna, Cassie, and Meg on another difficult path to solve a murder..Will they solve it, or will they be left to see Meg take the blame for what happened?

[Rita]

Dolphin Bay 7

This story is a fantastic read. The author the details were well lined out and filled out the balance of the story. It’s hard to believe that life can change in a heartbeat.

[Christina Blake]

Enjoyable read.

This seventh book in the Dolphin Bay Cozy Mysteries series was an interesting and intriguing storylines.

Cassie, Meg, Gino, Leo and the Firecrackers are all likeable characters, and their support of one another is touching.

I look forward to reading book eight.

[Mary Jasen]

Hooked on this series

I cannot stop reading these books, each get’s better with each new mystery. Looking forward to the next murder and story line of what John had found with his research!

[JANE VAN HORN]

Great book

This is another great book in the Cozt Murder Mystery series by Leena Clover. I can't wait for the next book.

[Karin]

Who was the cyclist and who killed him, how did he die, AND who knew enough to remove both the bib and the microchip??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.

[Connie]

Strawberry Vanilla Peril

Meg is in trouble in this series. Will Anna and Cassie be able to prove her innocence? A must read in this fun series.

[E]

Really enjoyed it

Well written cozy mystery with great characters and a beautiful setting. Love the family dynamics between Anna, Cassie & Meg. I look forward to reading more.

[Karen Geurts]

Another good book with many twists. Strong characters !

[Carole]

This one was a little silly as the murderer had no part in the story until almost the end. I read these for escapism as they are easy to read, however some of the backstories are taking an age to move on and the reference to food is relentless. I did give it 4 stars only because it doesn't tax the brain too much.

[Penny Perse]

Strawberry Vanilla Peril

Another great story in this series. The best part being that the youngest in the group is cleared of murder.