The Graveyard Thief

Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery #2

by Danielle Collins

There are supposed to be dead bodies in a graveyard. Just not above ground.

Eva Stewart has been focusing on her bed and breakfast in the Florida Keys since a murder mystery turned her life upside down. When her morning walk takes her near the cemetery, she stumbles across another dead body. With the help of her murder mystery book club, she sets out to help the police solve another mystery, whether they want the help or not. Can she sort through mysterious guests, surprising revelations, and police force intent to keep her safe and away from the investigation?

The Graveyard Thief is the second story in the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery series. If you like fast-paced mysteries with interesting characters, a talkative bird, and unexpected twists, you’re going to love the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction, Crime, Contemporary

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2021

Reviews

[Laura ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book in the “Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery” series, and I thought it was a fine continuation. I, quite frankly, was pretty bored for most of it though 🙃 the murder just didn’t seem as interesting as it could’ve been, and the premise had so much potential. Finding a fresh dead body in a cemetery? Hello, that’s good stuff! I just didn’t love the storyline as much as I did the first book. Once it got to the end and we found out who the murderer I was like “who..?” Just wasn’t great character development. Sure, I’ll still read the rest of the series though! I may feel better about some of the other mysteries 🕵️‍♀️

[Cyndi Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't make sense

The story line was ok. The action was hard to follow. Why did the bad guy have to dig up the bones from the grandfather for DNA testing, when he could have gotten a sample from the father? The love triangle wasn't believable. Could use a little work on the plot.

[Oleander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, satisfying, conventional mystery. It wasn't outstanding in anyway but just a pleasant mystery for a quick read.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a tough mystery to figure out, so I just let Eva, Vicky and the good detective Jerome take care of doing that while I read, lol. In the last book, I didn't feel like I knew much about the book club members, but this time I didn't feel that way anymore. I know it usually takes a couple or three books into a series to be able to flesh out characters when the books are under 200 pages.

Willard and Elijah got their turns to do a little more for the case this time. Usually it was Vicky giving all the good info since her job of coroner gave her that advantage. She always swore the book club to secrecy, so when said secrets were leaking out to the media, Eva knew she had a mole in either the group or the B&B. And as she told Jerome, she trusted the group with her life. Elijah worked with Vicky on part of it, and I thought it'd be cute if they ever became a couple.

A little side mystery had a weird little honeymoon couple checking in who didn't seem to be what they claimed they were. I kinda knew right off what their story was, but it was fun to watch as Eva caught on. At least they weren't serial killers or anything like that, lol.

I love when a sleuth plans the showdown with the police. It takes a little of the anxiety out of it (which is good to me), but this one was still exciting. Now that the group was winding down from another mystery, I'm eager to borrow the next book on KU and see what kind of murder case they run into.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just slightly better than book 1.

[Destiny Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

There Are Easier Ways to Get DNA

I like this book, but I didn't like it as much as the first one in the series. It seemed like the main character got lucky and made some weakly backed assumptions in the end. And not to let loose any spoilers, but there are easier ways to get DNA.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These a light, quick reads. Eva (Ava?) and the MMBC have another mystery on their hands after Eva finds a body in the cemetery while out on her morning walk, now yes, a body in the cemetery is not abnormal, but this was a “fresh one” The victim was a member of Wendell’s “Gentlemen’s Club” no, not that type, women are now allowed apparently. With a less than grieving widow and son, family secrets, shifty B&B lodgers, the team has a lot to sort out to solve this mystery.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Eva Stewart is out for a morning walk when she finds a dead body in the cemetery. She is told by detective Makos to stay away from the investigation. She goes on with the book club asking questions about the case. They learn the truth leading to a arrest of the killer. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Millie Picker · Rating 4 out of 5]

She writes a pretty good cosy, I’ll probably read more of hers.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun to solve mystery, but check trigger warnings.

💖 Rating: ⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery, book #2

💕 Positives:
* The Key West setting is cozy and perfect for summertime reading.  

* I enjoyed hearing more about Eva's sleuthing and having Vicky included more in the book. 

* The mystery was kinda hard to solve yet interesting. 

🚫 Negatives:
* The abuse topic wasn't necessary and pretty much killed the story for me.  

* The side story with the reporters was a bit dumb. That was easy to see from a mile away. 

⚡Trigger Warning: cheating by both parties involved and an abusive father. The cheating topic is revisited multiple times and makes sense for the storyline. The abusive father topic is thrown in on the last chapter and doesn't make sense for the storyline. It's completely unnecessary and unfortunately in detail regarding the mother's death.

🌟 Overall, this book was great at the beginning and kept my interest without any issues. I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but the last segment on abuse just killed it for me. Abuse isn't apart of a typical cozy mystery and isn't something that I would willingly read about.  I might give this series another shot with book 3. Hopefully it's better than this one.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this cozy mystery series! The characters are likable and interesting and the mystery is intriguing but not suspenseful. The Graveyard Thief is the 2nd book in the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery series. Eva owns a B&B in the Florida Keys. She goes for a walk one morning and cuts through a cemetery and spots a pair of feet, which leads to the mystery. Eva belongs to a mystery book club and the members add character to the book. One of the book club members knew the deceased man. Eva and the book club do some research, play some tennis, and ask a lot of questions. Eva helps Detective Jerome Makos and he gives her a lot of information.. Not realistic but it works. I thought a romance might be developing between Eva and the Detective but that is up in the air.. There was a twist at the end that kept it interesting! Very enjoyable! I can't wait for the next book.

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series!!!!!

Great book!!!!!
When Eva takes her daily walk before work in the cemetery, she sees the last thing she expects to see above ground among the tombstones.
Detective Makos has to be called and now on with the investigation.
Eva gets help from Willard and his wife while they wait for the police, a d he tells Eva as they look at the body, Willard knows the man from The Gentleman's Club he is a member, but now it is changing to let women in!
Eva now has to find out who and why, and the MMBC start their investigation and boy does it get twisted.
There is cheating, lies, deception, framing someone for murder and attempted murder to look like suicide.
And so many suspects with motives and false alibis.
Now you read this book to fill in the blanks!!!!
You won't be disappointed!!!!!

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant balance between cozy and mystery and I love the Florida Keys bed and breakfast setting. The author's vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the lobby, ready to check in for a fabulous stay. And who can resist an innkeeper who also hosts a 'murder club' (mystery book club) with a multi-talented eclectic group of locals who bring unique skill sets to their sleuthing....because, of course they are on board for solving the murder. :-) Especially since Ava discovered the body and one of their members knew the victim. There's great rapport with the detective (heading for a romance, I believe) where there's enough give and take (and frustrated sighs on Jerome's part) to make it believable. Such a fantastic read and I'm happy that I'm at the start of the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery series 'cause that means there's so much more to enjoy.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast cozy mystery series.
Eva runs a B&B in the Florida Keys, she belongs to a murder mystery book club. She's out for a walk one morning and stumbles upon a dead body and of course her and the members of her murder mystery book club think that they can solve the murder better than the local police and it wouldn't be much of a book if they were wrong.

There's a mystery, clues, red herrings, potential romance - all the good stuff.
These books are relatively short (less than 200 pages) so you can fly through them but the length also limits a lot of the character development that I like in cozies but other than that, I really enjoyed this book. It had good pacing, a decent mystery, good clues, good (to great) characters and I'm really looking forward to continuing this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just something about finding a dead body in a cemetary

On her morning walk, Eva finds a dead body above ground in the historic cemetery near her bed and breakfast. That brings her new best friend, Vicky, the medical examiner around, as well as reporters outside her gate, a serious case of the heebie jeebies, and handsome detective Jerome Makes. The members of the Murder Mystery Book Club rally together to solve the crime when they find out that Willard knew the deceased. Makes one want to book a room at The Key's Bed and Breakfast, take a stack of mystery novels, and hang out on the Veranda with this interesting group of people.

[Darlene C Robold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well thought out second book in this series. Lots of plot twists. The best aspect about this book is that Eve does not assume she knows better than the police. I am so tired of that idea in Cosy mysteries. I really like the fact that the police aren’t bumbling, stupid, mean, or obnoxious. Other than figuring out almost immediately who the “guests” were, there were plenty of good mystery elements for me here. About to start Book #3

[Engie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and Fun

This book gave me more moments to "gasp"than I thought it would. I didn't expect the story to develop the way it did... and I'm glad it allowed for me to make my own assumptions about the Why and Who of the murder.
It could have had more of an impact towards the end when the murderer was revealed. And I would've like to have heard and "seen"more from the other book club members but overall, it was a pleasure to read.

On to the next book 📖 ☺️

[Ann Caroprese · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are in the mood for a predictable story line and familiar characters this book fits the bill. This is the second in the series and this time the book club has to solve a body found in the cemetary. Why are there traces of poison in his system. This author always sets up the last chapter as a fore shadowing of the next book. I am sure there are authors you read that you know what you will be getting and this is one of them.

[Shelbylynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good, cozy mystery

I am still really enjoying this series. This mystery kept me guessing about Whodunit, almost to the end. The only thing in this book that threw me was the main character's age. From the first book I thought her in her mid-thirties at most. I would not have pegged her as closer to 50, but it is still really enjoyable either way.

Looking forward to the next book.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m enjoying the heck out of this series! As I wrote in a previous review, this series is just what I needed-the right summer cozy audiobook at the right time! Key West, book club, good friends, mature, self assured main character, potential for romance, fun, entertaining, solid mystery. Narrator boosted it to 5 stars for me-talented and a good match for the story. I will definitely listen to the remainder of the series. Highly recommend the audio version.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this on Hoopla via my local library. This book’s crime didn’t make sense. Especially, the DNA angle. There was a simpler way to obtain the DNA to test. That said, it wasn’t that difficult to figure out who did it.

I did like the character development and do plan on checking out the next installment. I have a three book boxset.

[Zermeena]

This book was a formulaic cozy which didn't make it very interesting. It is set in Key West which has a lot of personality. Unfortunately none of that personality comes through.

I also found the narrator lacking. The dialogue was good, but when she was narrating, her tone was dark and not in keeping with the cozy theme.

[Joyce Dealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fast Read!

This is a new author to me, and I very much enjoy her writing. In some ways these first two books are like so many others; i.e. handsome detective new to the area and beautiful amateur sleuth who solves the case. What makes these books different are great plots. So far I am enjoying the series and I think you may also if you like light murder mysteries

[Carole Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this new series! I did notice, however, if the parrot on the covers is supposed to be Eva's parrot, it is the wrong kind! I used to own two green and yellow Amazon's, and the one on the cover is a macaw! Wonderful series though, and I am enjoying getting to know the characters.

[Jennifer Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery

This was a really good mystery! Eva runs across s dead body at a cemetery. Also there are sparks when she sees the handsome detective again creating some cute romance.

[Alexandra Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Reader

This book is definitely an easy reader. Quick and fills time. Not any huge plot twists, but not a bad book at all. It's kind of like reading a magazine for an advanced reader. The author crafts stories well but there's really nothing special about the story telling.

[Sue Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one quite as much as the first book in the series, but it was still a good read. I like the friendship between the main character and the coroner. I felt more distance to the rest of the members of the book club this time around.

[Joan W. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cemetery

Finding a dead body is bad enough, in a cemetery has to be worse! The MMBC have to get their theories in and see if they can help the police. As usual Eva is in it up to her eyeballs. Read you will enjoy.

[Lynn W Stubenrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series.

I like that it takes place in Key West at a B&B. The Murder Mystery Book Club is a book club I’d love to join! The mysteries are good, the characters interesting and I am looking forward to the next book!