This is the third set of books in Eryn Scott’s popular Stoneybrook Mystery series. Follow jam maker, Hadley James, and her friends as they solve crimes in their usually peaceful town. Each book features a different cat and two recipes.
Book 7 - A Bitter Shot
Book 8 - A Sketchy Demise
Book 9 - A Grilled Suspect
A Bitter Shot
This barista’s in a whole latte trouble …
The new barista at Cascade River Coffee is Stoneybrook’s new obsession. Everyone loves Max and his latte art … until he’s found standing over a body, a smoking gun in hand. The coffee company's owner, Wendy, is desperate to prove her most popular employee is not guilty. She seeks out Hadley’s help with the case.
As Hadley, Paul, Suze, and Luke join together to discover the truth about the murder, they uncover more secrets than they bargained for. The victim was a Seattle-based journalist, and he was working to spill the beans on a few big scandals. But will Hadley and the gang be able to prove any of this was grounds for murder?
Recipes included: spiced coffee blossoms and cinnamon pecan biscotti
A Sketchy Demise
Bad muse travels fast …
The people of Stoneybrook are worried when billionaire Victoria VanFranken moves to town. They know that much money usually brings trouble. And they aren’t wrong. After less than a month in the valley, Victoria is found murdered in her mansion.
The most surprising part is that the main suspect is one of their own: Suzanne, a local artist and Hadley’s best friend, was the last person to see Victoria alive. The evidence overwhelmingly points to Suze, who was hired to paint a portrait of the billionaire and argued with Victoria hours before her death.
Hadley’s sure the pieces of art in Suze’s gallery aren’t the only things being framed, but can she prove it before Suze is out of options?
Recipes included: thumbprint cookies and honey-sweetened grapefruit jam
A Grilled Suspect
No roast for the wicked …
Everyone in Stoneybrook is on edge as a high-profile trial takes place up north in the city of Cascade Ridge. They’re excited for justice to be served, and the boost in business as onlookers flock to the Cascade Valley doesn’t hurt either. But when the remains of the main suspect in the case show up just outside of Stoneybrook in a burnt vehicle, they realize something sinister is at play.
Was it a freak accident? Or did one of the victims take revenge, just in case the jury wouldn’t convict?
With Paul tied up in the case, it’s up to Hadley to help Suze with wedding planning. But when the investigation points to a local couple, it’s up to Hadley and the gang to hold the real killer’s feet to the fire.
Recipes included: rosemary chicken and smashed potatoes
Eryn Scott is the author of heartwarming cozy mysteries. Her novels feature close friendships and strong families because those are the most important things in her life -- a little humor doesn't hurt either.
She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?
Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.
You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.
Book 7: Emotions ran high in this installment, so much so it made it hard to put the book down.
Too many of the suspects in this case were close the the main characters, leaving charged encounters and a lot of speculation. The ending fell into place before I knew it, leaving me sad about the outcome. Though I enjoyed how this case sleuthed out. Makes me so curious how the next few will end up with the choices Hadley made in this book.
Hadley and Luke are a dream team. Distance and truths test their relationship in this book. I love how well matched their personalities are. They are the perfect ying and yang and I am giddy for how they're inching forward with each book.
All of the characters in this series are so unique and well mapped out. Each book has me excited to see favorites pop into scenes. So heartbroken that I'm close to the end of this series.
Book 8: OMG this book is a roller coaster.
But it's also the first one that I guessed the killer as soon as they came on screen so I'm patting myself on the back for that one. LOL Not to say that the ride of Hadley figuring it out wasn't pure insanity.
The pressure is on for Hadley and the gang as they try and get of their own off the hook for murder. Seeing everyone stressed beyond reason about the case, and family drama changed the dynamic of the investigation. (In a good way—lots of solo Hadley investigating!) It gave us more insight into everyone's personality and flipped the script on how their murders are usually investigated. I liked seeing everyone rise to the occasion and step out of their normal role.
The ending of this book totally had me tearing up! So sad that there are only two more books, but I'm thinking they are going to be filled to the brim with bells. Hopefully for more than one lucky couple.
I adore how the entire town of Stoneybrook uses their nosey nancy intrigue to help solve these cases. Even if they don't know they are helping by spreading the gossip mill, it's neat to see the small town work it's magic.
You're going to love this series if you love your cozies to have series long arcs, lots of happily ever after moments, and a small town that is like one big family with the good and the bad that comes with it.
Book 9: I am devastated at how close I am to the end of this series.
Hadley and her community are one of my favorites to get lost in. Like the previous books we explore the main four characters personalities and lives deeper while getting to know another Stoneybrook local. Another cat is at the center of the mystery shenanigan's, and other case is rocking the community.
As this series gets deeper into their world, the ties to their community really shine, as well as that of the town over. Living in a small town myself, near a bigger, colder, town, I love how on point these dynamics are. Feels just like home every time I start a new book in this series.
For the first time, Hadley is experiencing life without her beloved Jam shop, and it's thrown her brain into a fog. While her store receives needed repairs she has nothing left to do with herself other than plan a wedding—oh and solve a case of course! *HADLEY FOR SHERIFF ANYONE?*
Her and Suze step in the thick of it, with both of their futures on the line, and this case has them diving deep in the the rival town. So many perfectly lovey moments between all of the cast, plus many hilarious moments from our favorite supporting cast.
I am going to miss this crew.
You'll love this series if you enjoy family centered cozies, that have deep small towns with expansive characters to love and tolerate. Plus kitties! All of the kitties are in these books.
This collection features books 7-9 in the series. They do build upon each other, so it’s definitely preferable that you have read the ones before these in the series.
Book 7 There’s a new barista in town, and cafe owner Wendy is ecstatic, right up until Max is discovered standing over the dead body of a reporter, smoking gun in hand! Hadley and Paul investigate, Hadley because Wendy is determined to use her own money to help Max out…
Book 8 Suze stands accused of murder when a client of hers is discovered dead, right after Suze and she had an argument. With all the evidence is pointing right at her bestie, Hadley has to step in to investigate when Paul is sidelined.
Book 9 The murder of a notorious con-man in Stoneybrook, leads suspicions to a number of residents in the area that the man defrauded. Hadley and Suze decide to help, while using Suze’s wedding preparations as a cover, when Paul is told he has a time limit in which to find the culprit.
These three books find our favourite sleuth helping out her twin’s investigations, initially because she wants to, but later because he needs her help! Each book features a different feline, a different murder, and the cast of regular characters (although we do see a couple of new additions in the form of nosy, elderly relatives). We also see some important relationship events for Suze.
It’s all good fun, lighthearted mystery stories, with clean romances and an absence of gore. These are enjoyable cosy mysteries, set in an idyllic PNW town, which has a plethora of cats and an abundance of murders. Recommended for cosy mystery fans.
I'm obsessed with this series! It's so good! Hadley owns a local jam making business and helps her twin brother, Paul, solve mysteries around town. Her best friend, Suze helps her sometimes, as does her boyfriend, Luke. There is a wide cast of characters throughout the town who make regular appearances, a gorgeous town, these book makes Stonybrook feel like a second home. Fun mysteries that aren't gory or too intense. I even got my teenage daughter hooked on them. Normally, she despises murder related books because it's too intense for her, but these are perfect.
This is a really enjoyable cozy mystery series with lovable characters and interesting if unrealistic mysteries and subplots. Can't wait to continue with the series.