What do you think?
Rate this book
Sierra Pines B&B mystery
Blooming with Murder
Ali Winston, owner of The Sierra Pines B&B, is excited for the Spring Fling Festival, until the school board president is poisoned with face paint, and Ali's best friend, is accused of his murder.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2023
3 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Long
16 books220 followersKathryn Long’s passion is writing mysteries, creating the intricate details and weaving them into the clues which the reader will enjoy collecting to solve the crime. However, she’s worn many hats over the years – bookseller, teacher, mom, wife, and author.
To date, readers can find her self-published cozy Lilly M Mysteries, and her traditionally published work, romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows, traditional mystery Buried in Sin, and cozy mystery Boarding with Murder at online retailers.
As Bailee Abbott, she writes the Paint by Murder Mysteries. A Brush with Murder will release October 12, 2021.
Kathryn lives in the City of Green located in northeast Ohio with her husband and little pooch, Max.
Learn more at www.kathrynlongauthor.com
**Represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency
To date, readers can find her self-published cozy Lilly M Mysteries, and her traditionally published work, romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows, traditional mystery Buried in Sin, and cozy mystery Boarding with Murder at online retailers.
As Bailee Abbott, she writes the Paint by Murder Mysteries. A Brush with Murder will release October 12, 2021.
Kathryn lives in the City of Green located in northeast Ohio with her husband and little pooch, Max.
Learn more at www.kathrynlongauthor.com
**Represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 7, 2023
I have a been a fan of Ali, Quint, Gladys & Ollie right from the beginning, and if the Sierra Pines B&B were a real place I’d definitely be booking a stay there! After the events in Snowed Under Murder, I was thrilled to see the bed and breakfast thriving in this new book. Ali and the Bellweather siblings have worked hard to help it succeed, honoring Ali’s late aunt Julia and her memory by doing so.
A new batch of guests have filled up the B&B ahead of the town’s Spring Fling, including a couple of surprises – a diva actress recuperating from plastic surgery (aka hiding) and Ali’s own mother who seems to be troubled about something that she won’t talk about. Both of these guests would be enough to keep Ali’s hands full, along with her work for the Spring Fling festival, but of course the author also had to give her a murder mystery to solve. No problem! Ali is savvy and smart, and she makes juggling all of the above – and a relationship with swoony Quint – look simple. I love that she maintains a bright outlook (for the most part) while also being empathetic to the troubles of those around her and looking out for her friends. She is an easy character to like and she’s the perfect balance for the Fred-and-Ethel style bickering between Gladys & Ollie, the Bellweather sister and brother team who help her run the inn.
The mystery is very well-plotted, with the suspects continuing to pile up until the very end. Instead of eliminating people in the course of her own sleuthing, this time Ali seems to just add more to the list. This keeps readers on their toes right along with her, and I confess to being completely shocked by the culprit’s ultimate reveal, despite suspecting a variety of characters before all was said and done. I also loved that the classic movie theme from the B&B spreads to the mystery solving this go-around, too.
Bottom Line: If you’d love to experience the magic of old Hollywood tempered with a relaxing small-town vacation – murder notwithstanding – then a visit to the Sierra Pines B&B would be right up your alley! Ali and her people (namely, Gladys, Ollie & Quint) are immediately likable and layered, helping readers feel right at home with these characters. The clues, red herrings, and surprising twists add further enjoyment to the story and keep readers invested in the outcome. Blooming With Murder is another engaging read from Kathryn Long!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
A new batch of guests have filled up the B&B ahead of the town’s Spring Fling, including a couple of surprises – a diva actress recuperating from plastic surgery (aka hiding) and Ali’s own mother who seems to be troubled about something that she won’t talk about. Both of these guests would be enough to keep Ali’s hands full, along with her work for the Spring Fling festival, but of course the author also had to give her a murder mystery to solve. No problem! Ali is savvy and smart, and she makes juggling all of the above – and a relationship with swoony Quint – look simple. I love that she maintains a bright outlook (for the most part) while also being empathetic to the troubles of those around her and looking out for her friends. She is an easy character to like and she’s the perfect balance for the Fred-and-Ethel style bickering between Gladys & Ollie, the Bellweather sister and brother team who help her run the inn.
The mystery is very well-plotted, with the suspects continuing to pile up until the very end. Instead of eliminating people in the course of her own sleuthing, this time Ali seems to just add more to the list. This keeps readers on their toes right along with her, and I confess to being completely shocked by the culprit’s ultimate reveal, despite suspecting a variety of characters before all was said and done. I also loved that the classic movie theme from the B&B spreads to the mystery solving this go-around, too.
Bottom Line: If you’d love to experience the magic of old Hollywood tempered with a relaxing small-town vacation – murder notwithstanding – then a visit to the Sierra Pines B&B would be right up your alley! Ali and her people (namely, Gladys, Ollie & Quint) are immediately likable and layered, helping readers feel right at home with these characters. The clues, red herrings, and surprising twists add further enjoyment to the story and keep readers invested in the outcome. Blooming With Murder is another engaging read from Kathryn Long!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 1, 2025
who would have guessed? 😅
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews