Herbs and Homicide

Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries #1

by Carly Winter

From Hollywood, California, to Heywood, Arizona, trouble follows her…


After her husband’s brutal killing and her fall from the Hollywood elite, the disgraced Samantha Rathbone moves to Heywood hoping to forget her past and live a quiet life of anonymity as Sam Jones.

When she takes a job at the local herbal shop, Sage Advice, and the owner is found murdered, Sam is pushed back into the unwanted spotlight when she becomes the number one suspect. As she wades through ugly family drama, the questionable business practices of others, and the lies embroiled in a small town, she searches for the true killer, hoping to save herself.

Will Samantha be able to find the murderer before she’s put away for a crime she didn’t commit?

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

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2022

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Carly Winter writes fun, small town cozy mysteries, always with a dash of humor and quirky characters. When not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, on a Pilates reformer or enjoying the fantastic Arizona weather (except summer - she doesn't like summer). She does like dogs, wine and chocolate and wishes Christmas happened twice a year.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Jones had changed her name and moved to the small town of Heywood, where she hoped to remain anonymous from the Hollywood scene she'd so recently been surrounded by. With her husband dead, she only had memories, both good and bad. When Sam entered the herbal shop, Sage Advice and met the owner, Bonnie, they immediately clicked, and although Sam didn't have much knowledge of the goodness of herbs, Bonnie hired her immediately. Three months later, Bonnie was murdered, and Sam was number one suspect. She didn't know who to trust, but knew she'd have to find the killer herself, if only to stop people from discovering her past...

Herbs and Homicide is the 1st in the Heywood Herbalist series by Carly Winter and it was fun and entertaining. Sam is a solid character, not relying on others; while Heywood is a (fictional) town with great support characters. The only person I didn't like was the sheriff!! Recommended.

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but not extraordinary. I had a lot of fun and a good time with the main female character.

SYNOPSIS: "From Hollywood, California, to Heywood, Arizona, trouble follows her…

After her husband's brutal killing and her fall from the Hollywood elite, the disgraced Samantha Rathbone moves to Heywood hoping to forget her past and live a quiet life of anonymity as Sam Jones.

When she takes a job at the local herbal shop, Sage Advice, and the owner is found murdered, Sam is pushed back into the unwanted spotlight when she becomes the number one suspect. As she wades through ugly family drama, the questionable business practices of others, and the lies embroiled in a small town, she searches for the true killer, hoping to save herself.

Will Samantha be able to find the murderer before she's put away for a crime she didn't commit?"

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first in this series. I heave read a couple by the author and I really like the storylines, setting and characters. This story is set in Heywood, AZ and follows Sam Jones, formerly Sam Rathbone, a Hollywood soap opera star who is hiding out in Arizona after her Hollywood career and life went up in flames. When she arrives in Heywood, she meets the owner of an herb shop. The owner takes pity on her and gives her a job and a place to live. When the owner turns up dead, and the local law enforcement starts sniffing around, Sam feels that she must find the real killer, not only to stay out of prison, but also to keep her identity a secret.

The characters were starting to develop nicely and although there were a fair amount of characters, they were easy to keep in order. Sometimes there are so many different characters, I can't remember who is who, but that was not the case here. I also like watching how Sam deals with her transition from riches to rags. She doesn't trust, so struggles to make connections with the locals and to open up, but I think she will get there. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Samantha is just trying to move on with her life. After living in Hollywood and her life falling apart, she just wants some peace. However, she ends up finding a dead body. Now she is trying to figure out who is behind it. Thankfully, in the end she solves it.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed the Herbalist ? . . .

Samantha Jones (“Sam”) got a fresh start in Heywood, Arizona, after her husband was brutally killed. Now she is working for Bonnie at Sage Advice, the local herbal shop. But when Bonnie is found murdered, and Sam becomes the prime suspect, she will need to quickly investigate and find the real murderer before she is arrested and locked up for something she didn’t do. Can she identify the murderer? Will the town turn against her?

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and interesting murder mystery. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Interesting plot that kept me guessing as to who was the guilty party.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real twee book which never, for me, became real. More like a Hallmark movie than a book. Move on.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet ex-soap star Sam Jones in the middle of her new beginning. Harried from Hollywood, she has fled to a small town in Arizona where she has taken up life as an associate in a herb shop. When the store owner is murdered, she becomes a suspect in the killing and quickly begins an investigation to clear her name and exit the limelight once and for all.

Sam Jones is immensely admirable. Her first act in the book is one of sacrifice as she puts herself in jeopardy to spare an animal's life. Then on, Sam goes about in an honourable way, behaving towards others as she would want to be treated. She is a definite leader and I was happy to follow her path. Other characters are equally well-drawn, though some are not as decent in manner.

There are times when a story flows so perfectly that the author could be describing a real event. This is the case for Herbs and Homicide. The plot is delightfully twisty though not so much that the surprises bog down the reading. The tale bookends the mystery by avoiding a quick exit immediately following the solution. Sam (by way of author Carly Winter) continues her story until it is time for her to gracefully fade out.

This is a splendid cosy with an older sleuth spearheading the investigation. It is a fabulous setup for a new series featuring the underutilised profession (in mystery stories) of herbalism.

Thank you to BookSirens and Carly Winter for the chance to view this e-Arc. My opinions are my own, honest and true.

[Rebecca Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read! The mystery builds at a fantastic pace and nothing is revealed until the end. This book was an easy read that I couldn't put down! I cannot wait to read Lavender and Lies!

[vaishnavi ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting enough to keep me hooked and finish the book, but I'm not sure if I'll be coming back for more. Maybe if I need to take a break between books with a short & sweet book I'll take up the next in the series.

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable short read with an intriguing cozy mystery.

I really enjoyed this read. I did not guess the twist at the end and I found the characters likable. I am glad that we got some background on our FMC and I hope that she fights for what is hers. I didn’t care for the fact that she didn’t trust anyone but it’s realistic to what she has gone through so it made sense. I feel like this little town has much more to tell so I will continue with the series.

[C.A. Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebrity on the run!

If you enjoy small town cozy mysteries with quirky characters you’ll want to read this one. Looking forward to Book 2.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute contemporary cozy mystery. First in a series. Should read the prequel first “Dandelions and Deception” as it explains the situation which causes daytime soap opera star Samantha Rathbone to leave Hollywood and find peace and a second chance in Heywood AZ.

[Ro Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a pleasant surprise, really enjoyed this one! excited to continue series.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good for a cozy mystery

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fine beginning to such a promising series!

Read full review in the 2022 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Victoria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series! I read this fast-paced cozy in 1 afternoon and was sorry to come to the end. The setting is delightful and the characters interesting. The mystery had a twist at the end, and I've already downloaded book 2 in the series. Great read for a cozy afternoon.

[Roxi Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this grabbed me and I ate it up quite quickly. It made me chuckle a couple of times and I didn't guess who the real killer was. I bought the next one after the book ended on a cliffhanger.

[Dianne Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many times the first in a series leaves me feeling as though the main actors have dropped onto the planet from nowhere, but such is not the case with this initial offering in the new "Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries" series by Carly Winter. Throughout the story we get small glimpses into Sam's past life, just enough to help flesh out what makes her character tick. As the story develops the reader's introduction to the people of Heywood, Arizona feels natural, as though you are tagging along while Sam is meeting her neighbors for the first time. All of this makes for a relaxing, enjoyable read.

The plot line is well written, slowly revealing that even (or maybe especially) in a small town all is rarely as it first appears. Interactions are natural and believable with no real Saints or Sinners -- just real people trying to live their best life. So what makes a person cross that line to murder? You would be surprised how someone can justify the unthinkable. This culprit was never even on my radar.

A great beginning to what I hope will be a long running series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this, but the weird implications that modern medicine is a scam were kind of off-putting. Enjoyable, yeah, but I feel like that could’ve been left out.

also, totally my own personal preference, but I felt like I could relate so much to the MC until the random mentions of menopause/hot flashes that didn’t add anything to the plot, but it kind of added separation between me and the MC?? But like I think I’m also being a tad selfish here because maybe people experiencing menopause appreciate the representation.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beginning to a new series.
Fun, clean book with a touch of intrigue.
Sam crashes her car while avoiding a deer on the way into Heywood. When Bonnie turns up dead, Sam isn’t sure who to trust. Bonnie’s “daughter” arrives the same day as her murder, so Sam puts her on the suspect list.
Can Sam find the answers before she becomes a victim herself?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this new series by Carly Winter. Sam has created a new life for herself in Heywood working at sage Advice, the local herb store. Her life is turned upside down when the owner of the store is murdered. Sam decides to try and figure out what happened. The characters were very well written and you will learn to like or dislike them. I look forward to continuing reading this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great start to what I hope is a long series. Sam, the main character is smart and relatable. And the other characters are a fun mix of believable and quirky. The mystery is entertaining, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am wondering how long Sam can keep up her secret identity and how things will change for her when her true identity comes out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diana Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book!

Really enjoyed this book. Lots going on, plus trying to figure out who the killer might be. I read so fast I don't notice any errors in spelling or any other mistakes. I don't think they have much of a life!! Criticising these novels make me so angry!! I find a few errors too, but get over it!! Seriously!! If you're not an English teacher shut up. I just finished the book and I enjoyed it very much! Some people can't find anything positive in like. Cute book!!

[Brenda Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick, light reading, but way too many questions throughout the book, which is a total bore for me. I like to think of my own questions and read for answers 😂 so when an author writes to provoke the reader to think a certain way via questions, more than they write details, or clues, it reads like lazy writing. 😴

[Nicole Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book/Story: ⭐️⭐️.5
Book Cover: ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger Warning(s): Murder
Cancer
Drug Addiction
POV: Singular, First Person
Series/Standalone: Interconnected Series
First In Series: Yes
Trope(s): None
Spice: None
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Debut Novel: No
Slow or Fast Burn: Fast
Safe or Dark: Safe
Release Date: June 9, 2022 ️

“Her toxicity spread faster than the stench of her perfume.”

I’m going through a time in my life where I needed a fun, quick, cozy mystery read, and this was the kind of cute book I was looking for. I needed the fluffiness of it right now. However, I just had such a hard time getting into the plot. Despite that, it did hold enough of my interest that I was able to finish the book. 

Sam Jones, formerly known as Samantha Rathbone, is our main character. She leaves her life as a soap opera star in Hollywood behind her. Opting for a fresh start in the small town of Heywood, Arizona, after a severe fall from grace. Her husband was a very shady person who hid things from her and destroyed their life together. His less than legal activities caused his eventual murder. All Sam wanted to do was fall off the map. Which was proving to be more difficult than she thought. 

“It must be difficult to be a reporter in a town where the front-page news consisted of a tractor being stuck on the highway or the school’s bake sale.”

I didn’t care much for Sam’s character. She often came off as judgmental of anyone and everyone around her. Her lack of trust was not enjoyable at all. I get that she had trust issues because of her past but she literally didn’t trust a one single person she came in contact with. It was so tiring. It was if every little move someone made was untrustworthy. “Oh, Anabelle side stepped to the left instead of the right. I for sure shouldn’t trust her.” (that’s not an actual quote from the book.) 

I wasn’t enjoying the dialogue. It fell flat for me more often than not. A lot of the conversations seemed forced and unnatural. Some of the characters said things that just felt off the wall and out of place given the discussion going on at the time.  

“Hello, bitterness, my old friend.”

Sam’s coworker Annabelle is a woman in her 50s who longs to be back in the 1980s again. Which is great. I loved how she dressed the part and enjoyed the music. However, her character was portrayed as being somewhat childish. I know she loved and missed a time period of her youth but having her say “like” every other word when speaking to someone was unnecessary. The characters aesthetic would have gotten across to the reader without having to do that. 

It also wasn’t very realistic (at least to me it wasn’t) that the owner of a store would be murdered and two of her employees would keep going to work and keeping the shop open the very next day.  I understand that people need to make a living but neither of the above-mentioned employees owned the store, controlled the payroll or had access to any other aspect of the business. I could understand enjoying your job and still wanting to work at the store. But wouldn't you just wait to see what happens once the estate was settled? It was just strange. 

“Some guy named Bubba in prison is going to be really happy to see you!”

There were also some very weird, low-key jabs at modern medicine and pharmaceuticals sprinkled throughout the story. I get that medications and modern medicine don’t work for everyone, but it was a bit off-putting. 

I had inklings as to who the murderer might have been, but I was presently surprised to find out at the end that I was wrong. Carly Winter did a great job of planting multiple red herrings. That was fun.

“I won’t be bullied and pushed around by two witchdoctors.”

With that being said, Sam all of a sudden figuring out who the killer was is unexpected. While she had a lot of suspects on the table who each had a motive for wanting Bonnie dead, we are not given a deep enough look into Sam’s thought process on figuring out who the culprit was. It seemed like one minute she didn’t know who the killer was, and boom, the next minute she did. It was jarring and threw off the entire flow of the story. I wish there was more investigating done on the main characters part or that we were at least let in on it a bit more.

I don’t know if I would read the next book in this series (Lavender and Lies). That is still to be determined. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens if I come across it in the future. 

“But isn’t the fact that she’s feeling better the result we all wanted?”

TLDR: A CUTE COZY MYSTERY! A GOOD FLUFFY READ!

As always, please remember that reading is subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. 😊

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is the first book in the series and it's a well-written cozy mystery that kept my attention, the storyline is intriguing and kept me guessing. I liked Sam, a strong and resilient character. Can't wait for the next book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

The small town was the perfect place to hide her identity and to start over in a completely different lifestyle of learning about and selling herbs. However, the murder of the herb shop owner raises questions and suspicions.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mid-Life Cozy Whodunnit

This is just the type of cozy mystery I love. It takes place in a small town, as all good cozies do, but although it is a small town, it has a surprising number of suspects who may be the murderer of an herbalist shop owner. As the female protagonist has only known her for a short time, she hasn't seen her more prickly or darker side, but most of those who have lived in the community for longer know the victim had a side that could rub others the wrong way. Who amongst them would have wanted to stab her in the heart? Because the female protagonist, one of the herbalist shop assistants, found the body and was soon discovered to be the shop owner's primary heir, she becomes suspect number one. So, of course, in good cozy mystery fashion, she begins a little amateur sleuthing.

The heroine is a former Hollywood actress currently lying low and hoping for a new life after a personal and professional disaster caused by her now-deceased husband. She was on a soap opera similarly named to As the World Turns! I found it amusing because back in the '80s, both my parents watched that soap opera daily! This story also had more than a few nods to the '80s, which as someone who graduated from high school in 1985, I appreciated! I didn't quite appreciate, however, the author's attitude toward the '80s sometimes. The other 50-something shop assistant is quite into the '80s … such fun! But the author mocked her more than just letting her enjoy being who she is and letting her freak flag fly! Another aspect I wasn't wild about was how the author portrayed these 50-something women, both the female protagonist and the other shop assistant. My guess is that the author is young, or at least under 45, because her depictions of what life is like for women in their 50s--how they perceive themselves, how they view their pasts, and how they look at the present—were just completely off. It was more of stereotypes and what millennials think of Gen X (based on Boomers and the Silent Gen!) than 2020's reality. Again, as a 50-something myself, I know what I'm talking about! I did like, however, how the author gave the female protagonist the potential for a romance in future books with a 50-something supposedly George-Clooney-looking Sheriff. The epilogue sets up the next story, a literary device I appreciate.

Despite its ageist flaws, however, I did enjoy this cozy mystery, and I was genuinely surprised by who the culprit turned out to be. That doesn’t happen to me often when reading mysteries, so that was enjoyable. The author certainly did provide red herrings, many likely suspects, quirky townsfolk, and twists and turns that make cozies—and mysteries—so much fun. Recommended.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Lia (Roman) Rusu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend HERBS AND HOMICIDE to all those who enjoy detective / action / mystery novels and prefer light reading.

The book is well written, the plot is tightly weaved, and some of the characters are pleasantly non-linear.

The main character is a former Hollywood actress seeking anonymity in a seemingly peaceful small town. Herein lies the charming peculiarity of the book: the former actress turned private detective in order to clear herself off the suspect list following the murder of her current boss, filters people and information through a Hollywood type of analysis, leading to bits of humour and irony, and more often than not chooses her strategy and course of action based on the character she used to play in a soap opera. These details add originality and appeal to the perspective and story development.

Without being 'littérature extraordinaire', Carly Winter's book is a gem within its own category ─ a nice, intelligently flowing cozy mystery, lacking brutality or gore. The writer is somewhat gently unveiling unlikeable traits in people such as our next-door neighbour, in subdued tones and plausible scenes.

A note of suspense at the right time, as well as the presence of an interesting feline named Catnip are there to keep the reader both entertained, and alert.

A detail that made it an even more engrossing story for me, personally, was the fact that most characters are middle aged (>50), setting it light-years apart from most mystery novels, where young performers stand in the spotlight. HERBS AND HOMICIDE offered me a delightful reading experience.

I look forward to the next book in the series and hope to be among its first readers! I am happy I was part of the ARC reviewer team.

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What the novel is missing to be awarded the 5th star is depth and intricacy ─ I wish for a less comfortable read and more writing flair.


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Disclaimer

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.