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Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #5
Trouble Brewing
Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.
Convinced that the elderly lady in her care didn't die of natural causes, Macy's friend Della determines to look into the broken relationships surrounding the woman. She books a Halloween-themed getaway at a local inn and talks Macy into coming along with her to spy on her prime suspect.
As they join a ghost tour of the candlelit town, Macy and Della feel their guide is a little too fanatical as he shares his spooky tales. He tells the story of the Greenbrier ghost, a newlywed who supposedly came back from the grave to tell her family that her husband murdered her.
When a disturbing apparition makes its presence known, guests at the inn become apprehensive...and for good reason, because soon after, a young bride turns up dead. Although everything points to a copycat killer replicating the historical Greenbrier murder, Macy has her doubts. She's discovered that the inn harbors secrets of its own, and when she pokes into one darkened corner too many, she might not stand a ghost of a chance.
Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.
The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Convinced that the elderly lady in her care didn't die of natural causes, Macy's friend Della determines to look into the broken relationships surrounding the woman. She books a Halloween-themed getaway at a local inn and talks Macy into coming along with her to spy on her prime suspect.
As they join a ghost tour of the candlelit town, Macy and Della feel their guide is a little too fanatical as he shares his spooky tales. He tells the story of the Greenbrier ghost, a newlywed who supposedly came back from the grave to tell her family that her husband murdered her.
When a disturbing apparition makes its presence known, guests at the inn become apprehensive...and for good reason, because soon after, a young bride turns up dead. Although everything points to a copycat killer replicating the historical Greenbrier murder, Macy has her doubts. She's discovered that the inn harbors secrets of its own, and when she pokes into one darkened corner too many, she might not stand a ghost of a chance.
Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.
The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2021
62 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Heather Day Gilbert
43 books870 followersHeather Day Gilbert, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries/psychological thrillers and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.
Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.
Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 11, 2023
The fifth installment of the popular Barks and Beans Cafe' mystery series removes Macy from the cafe' for most of the book's length, and provides her with a temporary sidekick in the person of secondary series character Della (mom to one of the cafe' employees), who was introduced in the second book, Iced Over. Della's a caregiver for elderly clients. We learn in the first chapter that the latest of the latter, one Lorraine Rosso (to whom Della was especially close), suddenly died the day before the book opens. She was bed-fast and didn't have a particularly strong heart, and the physician who examined her body attributed her death to heart failure. But while she wasn't a likely contender for any Olympic medals, she didn't previously appear to be at all near death's door; and Della has noted that one of the deceased's two pillows is unaccountably missing. (Was she smothered?) The widowed Lorraine didn't have a loving relationship with either of her two adult children, and didn't trust either of them. (She did trust Della implicitly.)
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the situation, some time before she died Lorraine gave Della a letter, to be opened in the event of her demise. Signed (and witnessed by a neighbor), it reveals that when Lorraine's husband died, he left in her keeping an unspecified "object" of great value, which had come into the possession of his great-grandfather shortly after his immigration to America. (It bears the latter's initials, "F. R.") Not trusting his kids any more than Lorraine did, and believing that they'd simply fight over the object if they did inherit it, he charged her to pass it to some other worthy person. (The kids know a valuable object exists, but not what or where it is.) It further reveals that Lorraine has hidden this treasure, not in her own home, but in some undisclosed place in the Baxter Manor, a Lewisburg inn owned and run by her daughter and son-in-law, Camilla and Phelps Baxter, and designates Della as Lorraine's choice to be the heir of the object. (Lorraine's will, recently changed, will confirm this, though the lawyer won't read her name out loud when the will is officially read.)
With Halloween approaching, the Baxter Manor --where the out-of-town contingent of Lorraine's family is staying, pending the reading of the will-- is sponsoring an upcoming "Spooks and Screams Weekend," to feature a candlelit ghost tour, a hayride, etc. Della proposes that she and her friend Macy sign up for this and book rooms in the inn for the weekend, under the guise of being a bit burnt out from their work and wanting a "girls weekend" to relax. That, she thinks, will give them a chance to secretly search for the treasure, and spy on family members who may be murder suspects. Readers who know Macy won't be surprised that she agrees. (She does have sense enough to contact her police detective friend and acquaint him with Della's suspicions.) This sets the stage for another typical Macy Hatfield outing, this one characterized by numerous red herrings, more than one mystery, faux supernatural elements, and some clean romance. Gilbert makes good use of actual Lewisburg area folklore, particularly the historical element of the "Greenbriar ghost," an instance where a claimed ghostly visitation actually provided verifiable courtroom evidence in an 1897 murder trial (https://www.wboy.com/only-on-wboy-com... ). Following the denouement, the concluding chapter brings us a couple of significant developments in the ongoing series story lines.
Like the previous novels of the series, this was one Barb and I read together. In terms of style, plotting, texture, etc., this book has much in common with the preceding ones. However, I wasn't able to rate it quite as highly, because the initial premise struck me as implausible. Although she's a stronger fan of this particular series than I am, and more of a target audience for the "cozy" subgenre (of which this is a good example), Barb shared my criticisms on this point. While it heightens the mystery element for Della and Macy to be kept in the dark as to the identity and location of the mysterious treasure (which functions as a McGuffin here), there's no discernible reason for Lorraine to conceal this information. Her stated purpose was for Della to have the object; that purpose was threatened, not furthered, by not permitting her to have this information. Since the letter was given to Della, there was no danger of the kids getting it, and no more need to conceal the withheld information than to conceal the things she did reveal. (And surely a safety deposit box, with the key held by the bank or the lawyer, would be a more secure hiding place than placing the item in the home of two people who she was particularly anxious NOT to have find it?) Nonetheless, we enjoyed the tale for the diversion that it is, and plan to continue the series!
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the situation, some time before she died Lorraine gave Della a letter, to be opened in the event of her demise. Signed (and witnessed by a neighbor), it reveals that when Lorraine's husband died, he left in her keeping an unspecified "object" of great value, which had come into the possession of his great-grandfather shortly after his immigration to America. (It bears the latter's initials, "F. R.") Not trusting his kids any more than Lorraine did, and believing that they'd simply fight over the object if they did inherit it, he charged her to pass it to some other worthy person. (The kids know a valuable object exists, but not what or where it is.) It further reveals that Lorraine has hidden this treasure, not in her own home, but in some undisclosed place in the Baxter Manor, a Lewisburg inn owned and run by her daughter and son-in-law, Camilla and Phelps Baxter, and designates Della as Lorraine's choice to be the heir of the object. (Lorraine's will, recently changed, will confirm this, though the lawyer won't read her name out loud when the will is officially read.)
With Halloween approaching, the Baxter Manor --where the out-of-town contingent of Lorraine's family is staying, pending the reading of the will-- is sponsoring an upcoming "Spooks and Screams Weekend," to feature a candlelit ghost tour, a hayride, etc. Della proposes that she and her friend Macy sign up for this and book rooms in the inn for the weekend, under the guise of being a bit burnt out from their work and wanting a "girls weekend" to relax. That, she thinks, will give them a chance to secretly search for the treasure, and spy on family members who may be murder suspects. Readers who know Macy won't be surprised that she agrees. (She does have sense enough to contact her police detective friend and acquaint him with Della's suspicions.) This sets the stage for another typical Macy Hatfield outing, this one characterized by numerous red herrings, more than one mystery, faux supernatural elements, and some clean romance. Gilbert makes good use of actual Lewisburg area folklore, particularly the historical element of the "Greenbriar ghost," an instance where a claimed ghostly visitation actually provided verifiable courtroom evidence in an 1897 murder trial (https://www.wboy.com/only-on-wboy-com... ). Following the denouement, the concluding chapter brings us a couple of significant developments in the ongoing series story lines.
Like the previous novels of the series, this was one Barb and I read together. In terms of style, plotting, texture, etc., this book has much in common with the preceding ones. However, I wasn't able to rate it quite as highly, because the initial premise struck me as implausible. Although she's a stronger fan of this particular series than I am, and more of a target audience for the "cozy" subgenre (of which this is a good example), Barb shared my criticisms on this point. While it heightens the mystery element for Della and Macy to be kept in the dark as to the identity and location of the mysterious treasure (which functions as a McGuffin here), there's no discernible reason for Lorraine to conceal this information. Her stated purpose was for Della to have the object; that purpose was threatened, not furthered, by not permitting her to have this information. Since the letter was given to Della, there was no danger of the kids getting it, and no more need to conceal the withheld information than to conceal the things she did reveal. (And surely a safety deposit box, with the key held by the bank or the lawyer, would be a more secure hiding place than placing the item in the home of two people who she was particularly anxious NOT to have find it?) Nonetheless, we enjoyed the tale for the diversion that it is, and plan to continue the series!
October 24, 2021
A wonderful fifth installment in the Barks & Beans Cafe cozy series. This series immediately became one of my favorites as it combined a coffee cafe with a side for meeting pets from a local animal shelter in hopes of adoptions. A brother/sister team run the place together. She has huge Great Dane! He has a cat named Stormy. In this story, the murder mystery is appealing; even haunting. Great cast of characters. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this series!
October 16, 2021
'I handed her my pepper spray just in case. It wasn't' outside the realm of possibility that the killer had left something behind.'
The Barks and Beans Cafe series is so good. Heather Day Gilbert sure knows how to do a great cozy mystery. A coffee bar/cafe paired with an area for shelter dogs that will hopefully lead to adoption is a very novel idea (pun intended). The Cafe is opened and ran by two siblings, Bo and Macy Hatfield, and it's a huge hit in their small West Virginia town. The only trouble is, crimes keep getting committed and the siblings, Macy especially, are a dab hand at solving them.
This time around, Macy and her friend spend a weekend at a manor house hosting a spooky tour for their guests. They have guaranteed a good and scary time for their guests and well, they do make good on that scary guarantee when someone ends up dead. Except it isn't quite a good time. You know what I mean? Can Macy once again solve a crime? I LOVE this series so much!
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
The Barks and Beans Cafe series is so good. Heather Day Gilbert sure knows how to do a great cozy mystery. A coffee bar/cafe paired with an area for shelter dogs that will hopefully lead to adoption is a very novel idea (pun intended). The Cafe is opened and ran by two siblings, Bo and Macy Hatfield, and it's a huge hit in their small West Virginia town. The only trouble is, crimes keep getting committed and the siblings, Macy especially, are a dab hand at solving them.
This time around, Macy and her friend spend a weekend at a manor house hosting a spooky tour for their guests. They have guaranteed a good and scary time for their guests and well, they do make good on that scary guarantee when someone ends up dead. Except it isn't quite a good time. You know what I mean? Can Macy once again solve a crime? I LOVE this series so much!
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
October 30, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Macy’s friend Della has been caring for Lorraine Rossi for a few months and sadly Lorraine passed away when Della wasn’t present. Della feels there was just something off about the death. The woman’s family was around but they may have ulterior motives. Lorraine told Della about one of her valuable possessions that she had hidden away. She wanted Della to have the item instead of it going to her “greedy” children and she has put her wishes in her will too. So Della talks Macy into going to a Halloween event being held at the Greenbrier Inn owned by Lorraine’s daughter to see if they can keep an eye on members of the family and maybe even find the valuable possession left to Della.
The weekend is filled with spooky events including a ghost tour with stories about the Greenbrier Ghost and other notable ghouls. The Greenbrier Ghost appears back at the inn and frightens the guests but when a young newlywed is found dead the next morning killed in a similar fashion as the ghost Macy knows she needs to dig in the guests herself. One of them is a killer. She realizes the inn and its guests all seem to be harboring secrets but what drove one of them to kill. She hopes to find out before her haunted weekend comes to an end.
This series is so much fun. While the mystery takes place away from Barks & Beans we still get to check in with the adoptable pooches and the beaming baristas. This time Bo is taking care of Macy’s Great Dane Coal returning the favor of Macy’s taking care of his kitty Stormy when he was recently out of town.
The author creates such marvelous characters, humans, canines, and felines. They are all well developed. I enjoyed the introduction of Della. It takes a special person to care for people at the end of their lives and it was easy to see that she has a huge heart and was well-suited to be a caregiver. She is also ready to open her heart in another way and that little subplot added to the intrigue and touched my heart too.
We were also introduced to Lorraine’s family. Wow, what a group. Ms. Gilbert did an excellent job with those characters as well. Some got my hackles up early, others took a little time but all had me questioning their motives regarding the deaths that occurred. I loved all the twists and turns. The Greenbriar Inn and its grounds was a fantastic setting for this story. I had a great time tagging along with Macy even into some really spooky places.
The author does an admirable job of blending everyday activities, special events, and stellar mysteries together for a well-rounded read. In Trouble Brewing readers are treated to a subplot that features a very special adoption. I challenge you not to have a tear in your eye.
I have become a big fan of Heather Day Gilbert. This cozy series is one I find so entertaining and I highly recommend them all. Wonderful characters, lively mysteries, and a big Great Dane that had me from the moment he entered the scene keep me coming back for more. Cold Drip hits bookshelves May 24, 2022. I can’t wait for my next visit to Barks & Beans.
Macy’s friend Della has been caring for Lorraine Rossi for a few months and sadly Lorraine passed away when Della wasn’t present. Della feels there was just something off about the death. The woman’s family was around but they may have ulterior motives. Lorraine told Della about one of her valuable possessions that she had hidden away. She wanted Della to have the item instead of it going to her “greedy” children and she has put her wishes in her will too. So Della talks Macy into going to a Halloween event being held at the Greenbrier Inn owned by Lorraine’s daughter to see if they can keep an eye on members of the family and maybe even find the valuable possession left to Della.
The weekend is filled with spooky events including a ghost tour with stories about the Greenbrier Ghost and other notable ghouls. The Greenbrier Ghost appears back at the inn and frightens the guests but when a young newlywed is found dead the next morning killed in a similar fashion as the ghost Macy knows she needs to dig in the guests herself. One of them is a killer. She realizes the inn and its guests all seem to be harboring secrets but what drove one of them to kill. She hopes to find out before her haunted weekend comes to an end.
This series is so much fun. While the mystery takes place away from Barks & Beans we still get to check in with the adoptable pooches and the beaming baristas. This time Bo is taking care of Macy’s Great Dane Coal returning the favor of Macy’s taking care of his kitty Stormy when he was recently out of town.
The author creates such marvelous characters, humans, canines, and felines. They are all well developed. I enjoyed the introduction of Della. It takes a special person to care for people at the end of their lives and it was easy to see that she has a huge heart and was well-suited to be a caregiver. She is also ready to open her heart in another way and that little subplot added to the intrigue and touched my heart too.
We were also introduced to Lorraine’s family. Wow, what a group. Ms. Gilbert did an excellent job with those characters as well. Some got my hackles up early, others took a little time but all had me questioning their motives regarding the deaths that occurred. I loved all the twists and turns. The Greenbriar Inn and its grounds was a fantastic setting for this story. I had a great time tagging along with Macy even into some really spooky places.
The author does an admirable job of blending everyday activities, special events, and stellar mysteries together for a well-rounded read. In Trouble Brewing readers are treated to a subplot that features a very special adoption. I challenge you not to have a tear in your eye.
I have become a big fan of Heather Day Gilbert. This cozy series is one I find so entertaining and I highly recommend them all. Wonderful characters, lively mysteries, and a big Great Dane that had me from the moment he entered the scene keep me coming back for more. Cold Drip hits bookshelves May 24, 2022. I can’t wait for my next visit to Barks & Beans.
October 6, 2021
I love love loved this book! The Barks & Beans Cafe series is so addictive! I sat down to read this as soon as I could and I finished it in one sitting! I love trying to solve these mysteries with Macy and Bo. I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
October 25, 2021
Have you ever been on a ghost walk or tour? I took one in Marietta, OH, and it was so much fun! In Trouble Brewing, Macy and her good friend Della take a Halloween weekend trip to a nearby inn after Della shares her concerns about the death of a woman under her care. During this trip, they, along with others staying at the inn, go on a frightful ghost tour. What happens? You'll have to read the book to find out!
The Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery Series has quickly become one of my favorite cozy series. Though you can read each book on its own, I highly recommend you read them in order. Trouble Brewing, along with the first four books, is a page-turner that you won't want to put down, so you'll get through them all very quickly! Trouble Brewing is mainly centered around main character Macy Hatfield, and the other books will give you the background of all of the delightful characters in the series.
Macy is a very strong character who has been through a lot in her life. She's made a huge success of the "Barks" section of the cafe. Her brother Bo created the cafe so his sister could move back to their hometown. I don't have brothers, but I'm not sure my sisters would do that for me! (I mean, they do love me, but as the oldest sister, they'd probably think I'd be bossing them around...)
The woodsy, sort of creepy area the Greenbrier Inn occupies is perfect. There are a couple of abandoned buildings on the property that make perfect snooping grounds for Macy and Della. Lots of private gardens surround the inn too. It's an excellent atmosphere for a cozy mystery.
Of course, the best thing about Trouble Brewing is the mystery! There are lots of clues for us to follow though many lead to dead ends. Quite literally on occasion. I didn't know who the culprit was until almost the very end! It'll keep you guessing.
I highly recommend Trouble Brewing! It got all of the elements a cozy should have. It's well-crafted, perfectly clean, has wonderful characters, and a baffling mystery! You're going to love it!
The Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery Series has quickly become one of my favorite cozy series. Though you can read each book on its own, I highly recommend you read them in order. Trouble Brewing, along with the first four books, is a page-turner that you won't want to put down, so you'll get through them all very quickly! Trouble Brewing is mainly centered around main character Macy Hatfield, and the other books will give you the background of all of the delightful characters in the series.
Macy is a very strong character who has been through a lot in her life. She's made a huge success of the "Barks" section of the cafe. Her brother Bo created the cafe so his sister could move back to their hometown. I don't have brothers, but I'm not sure my sisters would do that for me! (I mean, they do love me, but as the oldest sister, they'd probably think I'd be bossing them around...)
The woodsy, sort of creepy area the Greenbrier Inn occupies is perfect. There are a couple of abandoned buildings on the property that make perfect snooping grounds for Macy and Della. Lots of private gardens surround the inn too. It's an excellent atmosphere for a cozy mystery.
Of course, the best thing about Trouble Brewing is the mystery! There are lots of clues for us to follow though many lead to dead ends. Quite literally on occasion. I didn't know who the culprit was until almost the very end! It'll keep you guessing.
I highly recommend Trouble Brewing! It got all of the elements a cozy should have. It's well-crafted, perfectly clean, has wonderful characters, and a baffling mystery! You're going to love it!
February 23, 2025
3.5 stars
"Staying at an inn so we could do our own private investigation felt a little like Nancy Drew, but it seemed worth a shot."
Macy Hatfield's friend Della Goddard suspected that one of her clients had not died of natural causes, she just couldn't prove it. Talking Macy into a getaway weekend at the Baxter Manor allowed the two amateur sleuths to keep an eye on the dead woman's son and daughter at the very place where Della suspected there was a valuable family heirloom hidden in plain sight. What they didn't expect to find was another corpse. It seemed that their "Spooks and Screams Halloween Package" turned out to be just a little too creepy for comfort.
Anyone and everyone is a suspect, so cozy up, there's "trouble brewing"!
Another wonderful addition to the Barks and Beans Cafe series.
"Staying at an inn so we could do our own private investigation felt a little like Nancy Drew, but it seemed worth a shot."
Macy Hatfield's friend Della Goddard suspected that one of her clients had not died of natural causes, she just couldn't prove it. Talking Macy into a getaway weekend at the Baxter Manor allowed the two amateur sleuths to keep an eye on the dead woman's son and daughter at the very place where Della suspected there was a valuable family heirloom hidden in plain sight. What they didn't expect to find was another corpse. It seemed that their "Spooks and Screams Halloween Package" turned out to be just a little too creepy for comfort.
Anyone and everyone is a suspect, so cozy up, there's "trouble brewing"!
Another wonderful addition to the Barks and Beans Cafe series.
October 19, 2021
“Baxter Manor. Have you heard of it? They're doing a Halloween-themed package.”
“I've always been interested in the ghost stories around here, haven't you?"
"She's dead."
Wow, another winner from Heather Day Gilbert. It is also a pleasure to read a mystery set in West Virginia and all the authenticity she pours into it. And I loved the Autumn/Halloween theme that had perfect cozy moments. This series has been great and always gets better. Heather Day Gilbert has a gift of creating interesting mysteries while throwing out a bunch of red herrings throughout. When anyone can be a suspect, you know you are in for an awesome reveal. I will say I suspected part of it but couldn’t fully figure it out. My only complaint is that I have to wait like 6 months to read Book 6!
“I've always been interested in the ghost stories around here, haven't you?"
"She's dead."
Wow, another winner from Heather Day Gilbert. It is also a pleasure to read a mystery set in West Virginia and all the authenticity she pours into it. And I loved the Autumn/Halloween theme that had perfect cozy moments. This series has been great and always gets better. Heather Day Gilbert has a gift of creating interesting mysteries while throwing out a bunch of red herrings throughout. When anyone can be a suspect, you know you are in for an awesome reveal. I will say I suspected part of it but couldn’t fully figure it out. My only complaint is that I have to wait like 6 months to read Book 6!
October 26, 2021
this is another great story in the series . macy and her friend della go to a weekend at a monor for hallowen, della believes the lady she was takeing care of was murdered but needs to find what the lady left to her also. when they get to the b and b they do not know what is ahead of them. macy hears agueing and her door know rattle in the night they are also looking for what have been left to della. they find a hidden room in the room they are staying in the daughter and her husband of the lady that died are the inn keepers and the son is also staying there alone with a teacher and some other people then there is a murder that macy and della find . if you like suspense and animals you will enjoy reading the story. looking forward to the next book
October 28, 2021
Great book
This is a great series by Heather Day Gilbert. If you like sleuthing and dogs this is a great series for you.
This is a great series by Heather Day Gilbert. If you like sleuthing and dogs this is a great series for you.
October 23, 2021
This is book 5.Brother and sister team Bo and Macy are going strong with their new Beans and Barks cafe that Bo does coffee and Macy help adopt dogs from Bo girlfriend Summer adoption agency that she keeps in back patio in the cafe. It was Halloween 🎃 Della one of the workers of Bean and Barks was devastated by a death of a older woman Lorriane that she took care of. But Della had a suspicion that she was smothered by one of her children Camilla or Enzo . Lorraine gave an envelope to Della saying she did not want her children to have a treasure that her husband had she his it from Camilla under her nose in her Inn. Well Della and Macy decided to go to the inn for a Halloween Spooks and Screams package that includes a ghost tour , a hayride with hot chocolate afterward and cookout and dancing on the patio. Della and Macy had a plan to find out if they could find out what Lorraine wanted Dell a to have. When they got there there were Maria an older woman Liz and her husband Farrell a English Professor and Camilla ( Lorraine daughter) and her husband Phellips and Am so ( Lorraine Son ) and the gardener Josiah and Drake a guy that had eyeliner so thick and he was obsessed with ghost he was leading to ghost tour. Macy and Della thought it would be easy to try to find her possession that Lorriane wanted to have. But all kinds of shinangins started to pop up and a murder of Liz. Her husband was the likely suspect. These books in the series are cool I love how they have great treats and a great setup for dogs to for someone to adopt. There are big dogs and small dogs choice your own with all kinds of pups yorkies, dobermans, poodles, great Danes mixed pups they all are beautiful. I like Macy character she has a great dane Coal that is so sweet. I recommend there books
January 1, 2022
4.5 stars
This time of year – when the trees are changing colors and the air is crisp – makes me want to snuggle under the covers with a spooky read for the foreseeable future. Trouble Brewing, the latest Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery from Heather Day Gilbert, is the perfect choice for just that very thing!
Siblings Macy & Bo are immediately likable – as is their unique cafe concept in their picturesque West Virginia hometown. The Appalachian setting lends itself to spooky legends, which in turn added to the overall vibe of Macy & her friend Della’s adventure at the local inn. A mysterious death or two and an inn full of people whose trustworthiness is questionable combine with those aforementioned legends to keep Macy & Della – and readers, too – on their toes! The plot is smartly drawn, and I couldn’t put it down until the culprit reveal (which I was way off about, by the way lol). The characters, too, have so much heart and I really liked spending time with them on the pages.
Bottom Line: Heather Day Gilbert crafts an excellent mystery – whether it be cozy or suspense – and Trouble Brewing is no exception. I loved every word of this latest Barks & Beans Cafe novel, from the charming setting to the engaging characters (4 legged and 2 legged) to the clever plot. It’s very easy for readers to imagine themselves in the story along with Macy & her crew, and I loved the fall vibe with dashes of Halloween spookiness. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books – the author does a good job of catching you up while also teasing just enough info that you will want to go back and read the other books, too. Delightful and entertaining, this mystery is not one to miss!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
This time of year – when the trees are changing colors and the air is crisp – makes me want to snuggle under the covers with a spooky read for the foreseeable future. Trouble Brewing, the latest Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery from Heather Day Gilbert, is the perfect choice for just that very thing!
Siblings Macy & Bo are immediately likable – as is their unique cafe concept in their picturesque West Virginia hometown. The Appalachian setting lends itself to spooky legends, which in turn added to the overall vibe of Macy & her friend Della’s adventure at the local inn. A mysterious death or two and an inn full of people whose trustworthiness is questionable combine with those aforementioned legends to keep Macy & Della – and readers, too – on their toes! The plot is smartly drawn, and I couldn’t put it down until the culprit reveal (which I was way off about, by the way lol). The characters, too, have so much heart and I really liked spending time with them on the pages.
Bottom Line: Heather Day Gilbert crafts an excellent mystery – whether it be cozy or suspense – and Trouble Brewing is no exception. I loved every word of this latest Barks & Beans Cafe novel, from the charming setting to the engaging characters (4 legged and 2 legged) to the clever plot. It’s very easy for readers to imagine themselves in the story along with Macy & her crew, and I loved the fall vibe with dashes of Halloween spookiness. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books – the author does a good job of catching you up while also teasing just enough info that you will want to go back and read the other books, too. Delightful and entertaining, this mystery is not one to miss!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
October 26, 2021
TROUBLE BREWING by Heather Day Gilbert
The Fifth Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery
With her brother, Bo, back in town, Macy Hatfield is free to have a girls' weekend with her friend, Della. It's not merely a Halloween themed getaway, however. Della is concerned that the woman she was caring for didn't die from natural causes. The woman's money grubbing relatives are all in town, staying at the daughter's inn. The same inn Macy and Della checked in to. The pair are keeping their eyes and ears open while they also enjoy spooky activities such as a ghost tour and hay ride. The screams of the Spooks and Screams weekend become all too real when one of the guests is found murdered. Was the murder a copycat of a historical event? Or could it have something to do with Della's suspicions about her client? Macy and Della will have to keep their wits about them or the next murder could be theirs.
The Spooks and Screams weekend is right up my alley. I love true hauntings as well as ghostly lore and legends so I was immediately drawn in to the story of the Greenbrier ghost, as well as the treasure hunt. I also appreciate how Macy tackles a murder, by keeping in touch with the authorities and taking precautions when hunting down spooks...and bad guys.
The mystery was multilayered with lots of great suspects behaving badly. I love Macy, adore Coal, and wish the Barks and Beans Cafe was in my town! I also really like the series wide story arc about Leo Moreau...and I'm fairly sure we haven't seen the last of him or his wife.
Smart and loving characters make you care and a tightly woven, keenly plotted story keep you engrossed in this fifth Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery. TROUBLE BREWING is a spooky Halloween treat with a chilling legend, a diabolical killer, and no calories!
The Fifth Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery
With her brother, Bo, back in town, Macy Hatfield is free to have a girls' weekend with her friend, Della. It's not merely a Halloween themed getaway, however. Della is concerned that the woman she was caring for didn't die from natural causes. The woman's money grubbing relatives are all in town, staying at the daughter's inn. The same inn Macy and Della checked in to. The pair are keeping their eyes and ears open while they also enjoy spooky activities such as a ghost tour and hay ride. The screams of the Spooks and Screams weekend become all too real when one of the guests is found murdered. Was the murder a copycat of a historical event? Or could it have something to do with Della's suspicions about her client? Macy and Della will have to keep their wits about them or the next murder could be theirs.
The Spooks and Screams weekend is right up my alley. I love true hauntings as well as ghostly lore and legends so I was immediately drawn in to the story of the Greenbrier ghost, as well as the treasure hunt. I also appreciate how Macy tackles a murder, by keeping in touch with the authorities and taking precautions when hunting down spooks...and bad guys.
The mystery was multilayered with lots of great suspects behaving badly. I love Macy, adore Coal, and wish the Barks and Beans Cafe was in my town! I also really like the series wide story arc about Leo Moreau...and I'm fairly sure we haven't seen the last of him or his wife.
Smart and loving characters make you care and a tightly woven, keenly plotted story keep you engrossed in this fifth Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery. TROUBLE BREWING is a spooky Halloween treat with a chilling legend, a diabolical killer, and no calories!
October 18, 2021
Nothing is simple with Macy Hatfield, the quirky, trouble-prone co-owner of the Barks & Beans Cafe, not even a relaxing girls weekend at a local West Virginia inn. For one thing, the weekend will involve ghost tours and hayrides for Halloween and, for another thing, the whole trip is just a cover for Macy to help her friend Della search for a mysterious treasure and investigate a suspicious death. As Macy and Della dig deeper, danger descends from all directions: right, left, and the Other Side.
Trouble Brewing is the quintessential cozy mystery. As she has in past Barks & Beans books, Macy proves to be a worthy successor to classic sleuths like Nancy Drew and Miss Marple with her sharp observation skills, empathy, and knack for landing in tight spots. The spooky setting is immersive, and the mystery unravels at just the right pace to keep readers puzzling and guessing right along with Macy and Della. Eclectic characters ranging from charming to eccentric round out the story, making Trouble Brewing a fun and engaging read.
I highly recommend Trouble Brewing, as it is a perfect mystery to enjoy on a cool autumn day or an eerie October night.
Trouble Brewing is the quintessential cozy mystery. As she has in past Barks & Beans books, Macy proves to be a worthy successor to classic sleuths like Nancy Drew and Miss Marple with her sharp observation skills, empathy, and knack for landing in tight spots. The spooky setting is immersive, and the mystery unravels at just the right pace to keep readers puzzling and guessing right along with Macy and Della. Eclectic characters ranging from charming to eccentric round out the story, making Trouble Brewing a fun and engaging read.
I highly recommend Trouble Brewing, as it is a perfect mystery to enjoy on a cool autumn day or an eerie October night.
May 26, 2022
4.5 stars
This has become not just my favorite cozy mystery series, but one of my favorite series in general. This fifth installment was another fantastic addition and features my favorite mystery so far. There were so many suspects with plenty of motives. I had absolutely no clue who the guilty party was. Not even an inkling of a guess. It could've been any one of them. I love being surprised like that. I enjoyed seeing Macy and Della working together to solve it. It's nice to see what great friends they are. I also really liked the setting of the inn. I did sorta miss being at the Barks & Beans Cafe, but it was fun to switch up the setting for a little while. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series. It's so good!
This has become not just my favorite cozy mystery series, but one of my favorite series in general. This fifth installment was another fantastic addition and features my favorite mystery so far. There were so many suspects with plenty of motives. I had absolutely no clue who the guilty party was. Not even an inkling of a guess. It could've been any one of them. I love being surprised like that. I enjoyed seeing Macy and Della working together to solve it. It's nice to see what great friends they are. I also really liked the setting of the inn. I did sorta miss being at the Barks & Beans Cafe, but it was fun to switch up the setting for a little while. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series. It's so good!
October 19, 2021
Trouble Brewing is another excellent addition to Heather Day Gilbert's Barks & Beans Cafe series. I love cozy mysteries, and the setting of the cafe where one can get a cup of coffee and a puppy fix at the same time is so inviting. Trouble Brewing is a fun cozy mystery that kept me guessing to the end who the culprit was. The characters are believable and relatable. The story moves quickly with twists and turns to keep the reader's interest high. Macy and her friend are off to a Spooks and Screams weekend to do a bit of private investigation for an inherited treasure. Once there, they encounter mysterious goings-on, a gang of bats, eerie ghost sightings, and a dead body. There might be a bit of a romantic encounter as well. And then there's just a whisper of what Leo the imprisoned mobster's wife, Anne Louise, might be up to next. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries will not want to miss Trouble Brewing.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
October 29, 2021
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.
https://novelsalive.com/2021/10/29/4-...
A fun cover, along with a cute title and series name, Trouble Brewing by Heather Day Gilbert, drew me in from the first page to the last. This is the first book in the Barks & Beans Café Cozy Mystery series that I’ve read, but it was easily read as a stand-alone. There was enough background information that helped to give the book a nice flow and not feel choppy. The book is set in West Virginia at Halloween.
Macy and her brother Bo own the Barks and Beans Café. They have a good relationship, and it comes through the pages. Bo takes care of the coffee side, and she’s in charge of the doggie section where they have dogs from the local shelter visit to hopefully get adopted. Bo’s girlfriend, Summer, owns the shelter. Multiple stories are going on, several of course involving a murder, and they mesh nicely together.
Macy and one of her best friends, Della, decide to go away for a Spooks and Screams weekend at a local inn. They had multiple reasons for choosing that location, and the reasons are always front and center as the story unfolds. There are many twists and turns, some spooky activities, arguments, anger, secrets, sleuthing, clues to piece together, crimes committed, some scary moments, lots of characters, relationships, and dogs.
The characters had a depth to them since what you saw was not always their true makeup and disposition. We get to know the characters a little at a time and get different vibes from them at different times. There are beautiful and vivid descriptions of the businesses, the inn and its grounds, some of the activities, and the mountains.
There was an air of mystery throughout and lots of clues to sink your teeth into. There was closure with solving the mysteries and finding out whodunnit, but the story ended too abruptly for me. There were the possibilities of some happily ever afters, but we won’t find out until we continue reading the series.
All in all, Trouble Brewing is a solid cozy mystery that left me wanting more. Ms. Gilbert is new to me, and I hope to continue reading more books in this series.
https://novelsalive.com/2021/10/29/4-...
A fun cover, along with a cute title and series name, Trouble Brewing by Heather Day Gilbert, drew me in from the first page to the last. This is the first book in the Barks & Beans Café Cozy Mystery series that I’ve read, but it was easily read as a stand-alone. There was enough background information that helped to give the book a nice flow and not feel choppy. The book is set in West Virginia at Halloween.
Macy and her brother Bo own the Barks and Beans Café. They have a good relationship, and it comes through the pages. Bo takes care of the coffee side, and she’s in charge of the doggie section where they have dogs from the local shelter visit to hopefully get adopted. Bo’s girlfriend, Summer, owns the shelter. Multiple stories are going on, several of course involving a murder, and they mesh nicely together.
Macy and one of her best friends, Della, decide to go away for a Spooks and Screams weekend at a local inn. They had multiple reasons for choosing that location, and the reasons are always front and center as the story unfolds. There are many twists and turns, some spooky activities, arguments, anger, secrets, sleuthing, clues to piece together, crimes committed, some scary moments, lots of characters, relationships, and dogs.
The characters had a depth to them since what you saw was not always their true makeup and disposition. We get to know the characters a little at a time and get different vibes from them at different times. There are beautiful and vivid descriptions of the businesses, the inn and its grounds, some of the activities, and the mountains.
There was an air of mystery throughout and lots of clues to sink your teeth into. There was closure with solving the mysteries and finding out whodunnit, but the story ended too abruptly for me. There were the possibilities of some happily ever afters, but we won’t find out until we continue reading the series.
All in all, Trouble Brewing is a solid cozy mystery that left me wanting more. Ms. Gilbert is new to me, and I hope to continue reading more books in this series.
October 30, 2021
Cozy and mystery are two words that just don’t seem to fit together. And yet, as a genre, it totally works. And Heather Day Gilbert does it well. (Watch out, Agatha Christie!)
Macy Hatfield is such a loveable character. I know I can always count on an adventure when I visit Barks and Beans Café. Macy has such an inquisitive mind and observant eye. She’d make a great detective—oh wait! She is. Sorta, kinda. A detective aid, maybe? She sure plays a major role in solving murders in their vicinity.
And Bo. Totally swoon worthy. Strong and silent swoon worthy. Macy’s rock and anchor.
Ms. Gilbert lays out her clues—and more than one red herring—in her stories, leading Macy to the murderer, albeit down a somewhat crooked and indirect path.
And the twists the author creates! Murder is twisted enough to begin with and Ms. Gilbert always seems to put a new spin on it.
Gotta give a shout out to Coal! Can’t leave a review in this series without it! He may be huge but he so loveable and adorable. #lovemesomeCoal
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
This book was given to me as a gift. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Wednesday, #TRD, Book Review, Trouble Brewing, Heather Day Gilbert, Barks and Beans Cozy Mystery
Macy Hatfield is such a loveable character. I know I can always count on an adventure when I visit Barks and Beans Café. Macy has such an inquisitive mind and observant eye. She’d make a great detective—oh wait! She is. Sorta, kinda. A detective aid, maybe? She sure plays a major role in solving murders in their vicinity.
And Bo. Totally swoon worthy. Strong and silent swoon worthy. Macy’s rock and anchor.
Ms. Gilbert lays out her clues—and more than one red herring—in her stories, leading Macy to the murderer, albeit down a somewhat crooked and indirect path.
And the twists the author creates! Murder is twisted enough to begin with and Ms. Gilbert always seems to put a new spin on it.
Gotta give a shout out to Coal! Can’t leave a review in this series without it! He may be huge but he so loveable and adorable. #lovemesomeCoal
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
This book was given to me as a gift. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Wednesday, #TRD, Book Review, Trouble Brewing, Heather Day Gilbert, Barks and Beans Cozy Mystery
October 18, 2021
Macy's best friend, Della, thinks one of her elderly patients has been murdered. The woman has also left Della something valuable in her will but didn't tell her what. Della and Macy head off to search for it under the guise of a Halloween-themed girls' weekend getaway. They may find more frights than they are prepared for!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I have not read any of the Barks and Beans series prior to this and it did not affect my read of this book. In some cases, it can be difficult to jump in mid-series, but I did not find that to be the case with this book.
I found the characters to be likable and believable. I didn't have any trouble connecting with them despite this being later in the series. I enjoyed the small-town mountain setting and the Halloween-themed weekend at a local inn. Also, the characters were not juvenile or silly as sometimes tends to be the trend in cozies.
The pace was good throughout the novel. I found the prose to be easy-to-read. The book had a nice flow and the story was fun and unique.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this read! I would recommend the book and series.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I have not read any of the Barks and Beans series prior to this and it did not affect my read of this book. In some cases, it can be difficult to jump in mid-series, but I did not find that to be the case with this book.
I found the characters to be likable and believable. I didn't have any trouble connecting with them despite this being later in the series. I enjoyed the small-town mountain setting and the Halloween-themed weekend at a local inn. Also, the characters were not juvenile or silly as sometimes tends to be the trend in cozies.
The pace was good throughout the novel. I found the prose to be easy-to-read. The book had a nice flow and the story was fun and unique.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this read! I would recommend the book and series.
November 12, 2022
So good
Oh gosh this was good. There were two murders this time. It was fun figuring out both of them. I am very excited to read the next book in this series.
Oh gosh this was good. There were two murders this time. It was fun figuring out both of them. I am very excited to read the next book in this series.
January 23, 2023
This book was pretty good. I love that Della and Macy are able to take a trip together and get away from everything for a week. I hate that even there, someone is killed, and they have to discover who did it. I love that Macy does everything she can to ensure her and Della's safety. I love that Bo and Titan are still there for her even though they aren't home. I love that her and Titan are going out now and are officially a thing. The murderer was smart with how she set her husband up and framed it on him. I love that she is caught and that the murder is solved.
October 20, 2021
Good cozy mystery
This is s good mystery ! Full of twists and a little romance thrown in to make it a perfect read.
This is s good mystery ! Full of twists and a little romance thrown in to make it a perfect read.
November 2, 2021
When one of Macy’s good friends suspects that her home healthcare client may have been murdered, the two women book a Halloween getaway at a local inn that belongs to the dead woman’s daughter and is rumored to contain a secret treasure. This creates a story that is part treasure hunt and part whodunnit. I found it to be an enjoyable read, though I had trouble buying into the premise that Macy and Della could locate and keep the treasure despite it being on someone else’s property. Overall, it was well written and entertaining, complete with ghostly sightings and spooky tours. A particularly good choice for reading around Halloween.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review.
July 16, 2024
Ooohhhh this one was nice and creepy, and I could totes see myself revisiting it during Sept/Oct in prep for Halloween. Anne Shirley would say it made her "deliciously scared"--it defo did that for me!
An excellent installment in the series, and probably my fave so far.
An excellent installment in the series, and probably my fave so far.
July 25, 2022
Another fun cozy mystery
Full review to come
Full review to come
February 4, 2022
Macy got to sleuth with her friend Della this time as they booked a Halloween weekend for an excuse to have a look around for Della's inheritance from the lady she was caring for. She'd immediately smelled foul play, so the girls got to poke around an old farmhouse that was complete with some Nancy Drew type fixtures.
When a guest was killed, it was time to call for reinforcements in the form of police. I always like that Macy's been trained well by her former DEA brother, and she at least doesn't go anywhere unless she's armed with her pocketknife and pepper spray. Probably not the best against a gunman, but she's safer than a lot of sleuths lol.
I wasn't sure who to trust because everyone technically could've been a suspect at the Inn, but at the showdown, it did make sense whodunit.
The ending was really good with a little suprise for Macy, then another suprise for Charity who'd just adopted her grandson she'd been fostering. I really love all these key characters and how Bo and Macy have taken their employees under their wings as more than just employees. Now that this one is done, I'll have an empty KU slot for the next in this series!
When a guest was killed, it was time to call for reinforcements in the form of police. I always like that Macy's been trained well by her former DEA brother, and she at least doesn't go anywhere unless she's armed with her pocketknife and pepper spray. Probably not the best against a gunman, but she's safer than a lot of sleuths lol.
I wasn't sure who to trust because everyone technically could've been a suspect at the Inn, but at the showdown, it did make sense whodunit.
The ending was really good with a little suprise for Macy, then another suprise for Charity who'd just adopted her grandson she'd been fostering. I really love all these key characters and how Bo and Macy have taken their employees under their wings as more than just employees. Now that this one is done, I'll have an empty KU slot for the next in this series!
June 25, 2022
I really like a lot of things about this series, it's very clean, focused on mystery and not love triangle, has true to life characters.
Things I don't like... it's a coffee series and the main character mostly drinks tea, it can be a bit lacking in suspense...the dogs are sometimes an afterthought.
Things I don't like... it's a coffee series and the main character mostly drinks tea, it can be a bit lacking in suspense...the dogs are sometimes an afterthought.
November 3, 2023
I am really enjoying this series! This is a great book!
This is such a well written and entertaining series; but, the best thing about it is each book can easily stand alone. I love how thoroughly this author presents her characters and eat plot is so wonderfully presented. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
This is such a well written and entertaining series; but, the best thing about it is each book can easily stand alone. I love how thoroughly this author presents her characters and eat plot is so wonderfully presented. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
February 6, 2022
Excellent Read
A murder within a murder. People are dying, and evil lurks just around the corner. Greed is powerful and truly evil.
This is a fast moving read, excellently written and a super plot to boot!
I really like this series with Macy and her brother Bo.
A murder within a murder. People are dying, and evil lurks just around the corner. Greed is powerful and truly evil.
This is a fast moving read, excellently written and a super plot to boot!
I really like this series with Macy and her brother Bo.
Read
February 21, 2022Another fun mystery from Heather Day Gilbert! I love this series. The characters are great, and the mysteries have all been unique. I can always count on these being enjoyable reads that are clean enough to share with my teenage daughter, even though they deal with some tough stuff at times.
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