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Apple Blossom Bay Mysteries #1
Pomeranian Puzzle
When Hannah Hart moves to the small town of Apple Blossom Bay to look after her eccentric aunt, she doesn’t expect the first thing she finds to be a murder.
Apple Blossom Bay is known for its fresh seafood and peaceful beaches, so when Hannah uncovers a dead body on her first day in town, she doesn’t know who to trust. While her aunt has a questionable alibi, every claim out of her mouth is wilder than the last. The only friend Hannah can rely on is the stray dog who was found at the scene of the crime.
With a sweet toy Pomeranian in need of a new home, and Hannah in need of a friend she can trust, the two team up to figure out who could possibly have murdered a resident of Apple Blossom Bay. If she doesn’t get to the bottom of who murdered Barb, Hannah is positive she will be on next on the killer’s list.
“Pomeranian Puzzle” is an inclusive cozy mystery filled with layered clues and quirky moments, written by Molly Maple, which is a pen name for a USA Today bestselling author.
Apple Blossom Bay is known for its fresh seafood and peaceful beaches, so when Hannah uncovers a dead body on her first day in town, she doesn’t know who to trust. While her aunt has a questionable alibi, every claim out of her mouth is wilder than the last. The only friend Hannah can rely on is the stray dog who was found at the scene of the crime.
With a sweet toy Pomeranian in need of a new home, and Hannah in need of a friend she can trust, the two team up to figure out who could possibly have murdered a resident of Apple Blossom Bay. If she doesn’t get to the bottom of who murdered Barb, Hannah is positive she will be on next on the killer’s list.
“Pomeranian Puzzle” is an inclusive cozy mystery filled with layered clues and quirky moments, written by Molly Maple, which is a pen name for a USA Today bestselling author.
218 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2022
About the author
Molly Maple
89 books87 followersMolly Maple believes in the magic of hot tea and the romance of rainy days.
She is a fan of all desserts, but cupcakes have a special place in her heart. She spends her days searching for fresh air, and her evenings reading in front of a fireplace.
Molly Maple is a pen name for USA Today bestselling fantasy author, Mary E. Twomey. Visit her online at www.MollyMapleMysteries.com.
She is a fan of all desserts, but cupcakes have a special place in her heart. She spends her days searching for fresh air, and her evenings reading in front of a fireplace.
Molly Maple is a pen name for USA Today bestselling fantasy author, Mary E. Twomey. Visit her online at www.MollyMapleMysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 27, 2022
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This is a really cute, heartfelt 'cozy mystery' that while doesn't necessarily break the mold, the evocative writing and relatable main character of Hannah, and the huge personality of her adoring Aunt Em coupled with the feel good vibes of the entire town; means this is just a fun and comforting read.
I really related to our MC Hannah, who is 25 and struggling with finding her place in life. It's clear she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents, who pushed her to strive for success (the way they see it) and get a degree in Business, but Hannah is simply not cut-throat or confident enough for that world. She's self-conscious and lost in life, having never truly asked herself what she wanted or sought out true happiness. She's Bisexual, and we are introduced to a female teacher of similar age to Hannah, who had mentioned having girlfriends in the past - I had thought these two may become a romantic thing,
Hannah is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a character, but not in the sickly sweet ways or same old trite ways. She's introverted and shy, but loves her Aunt, and wants to please people but she also has a spine to stick up for those she cares about, and gets involved in the town that is very welcoming to her, right away.
Unfortunately on her first day in town, she and her Aunt come across a dead body, and a gorgeous Pomeranian Dog that Hannah instantly falls in love with (and of course takes in!). I love the sweet doggy antics and Hannah's adoration and devotion to the dog. She's clearly quite lonely, and in need of love and support, so you root for her the entire way.
We see her slowly and quietly - in her unimposing way - look into the dead womans circumstances, trying to piece together what happened, much like the puzzles she enjoys doing! We get to see her take in the town and meet the eccentric and accepting townsfolk, and their quirky stores! It seems like such an idyllic place to live!
I do have to admit to rolling my cynical eyes a few times at the perfection of the town and most of it's residents and how wonderful they all were - but heck with the world as it is, it's damned nice to just read a lovely story with a lovely town, and a sweet girl needing that kind of 'found family' and receiving the love and support she clearly needs from them!
Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a really cute, heartfelt 'cozy mystery' that while doesn't necessarily break the mold, the evocative writing and relatable main character of Hannah, and the huge personality of her adoring Aunt Em coupled with the feel good vibes of the entire town; means this is just a fun and comforting read.
I really related to our MC Hannah, who is 25 and struggling with finding her place in life. It's clear she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents, who pushed her to strive for success (the way they see it) and get a degree in Business, but Hannah is simply not cut-throat or confident enough for that world. She's self-conscious and lost in life, having never truly asked herself what she wanted or sought out true happiness. She's Bisexual, and we are introduced to a female teacher of similar age to Hannah, who had mentioned having girlfriends in the past - I had thought these two may become a romantic thing,
Hannah is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a character, but not in the sickly sweet ways or same old trite ways. She's introverted and shy, but loves her Aunt, and wants to please people but she also has a spine to stick up for those she cares about, and gets involved in the town that is very welcoming to her, right away.
Unfortunately on her first day in town, she and her Aunt come across a dead body, and a gorgeous Pomeranian Dog that Hannah instantly falls in love with (and of course takes in!). I love the sweet doggy antics and Hannah's adoration and devotion to the dog. She's clearly quite lonely, and in need of love and support, so you root for her the entire way.
We see her slowly and quietly - in her unimposing way - look into the dead womans circumstances, trying to piece together what happened, much like the puzzles she enjoys doing! We get to see her take in the town and meet the eccentric and accepting townsfolk, and their quirky stores! It seems like such an idyllic place to live!
I do have to admit to rolling my cynical eyes a few times at the perfection of the town and most of it's residents and how wonderful they all were - but heck with the world as it is, it's damned nice to just read a lovely story with a lovely town, and a sweet girl needing that kind of 'found family' and receiving the love and support she clearly needs from them!
Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 22, 2025
Not anything new in the way of mysteries but a lot of fun, regardless. Our main character, Hannah, is finding herself in her mid twenties by moving to Apple Blossom Bay to take care of her aunt.
There is bi, sapphic, trans, and disabled rep. Along with different age groups and ethnicities. If you're looking for something similar to the procedural mysteries of the 90s but with a bit more rep, this might be for you.
There is bi, sapphic, trans, and disabled rep. Along with different age groups and ethnicities. If you're looking for something similar to the procedural mysteries of the 90s but with a bit more rep, this might be for you.
March 6, 2024
Pomeranian Puzzle was not like a lot of other cozy mysteries I've read. Although the main character was investigating the mystery in order to keep someone else from being the main suspect (like many cozy mysteries), the story wasn't really about the mystery. Instead, it was about the character growth.
I really liked the character growth aspect of the story. It was fun to see Hannah come out of her shell and realize things about herself and people's expectations for her in this new environment. I love the feel of small town cozy mysteries because of books like this, although in reality they seem too small for me.
However, the focus on the character did make the mystery aspect of this a little lackluster for me. The mystery just kind of happened, and they stumbled into it and out of it.
Overall, I'm not sure how much I liked this book. I keep going back and forth between three and four stars because I really liked the characters and their story and growth, but this didn't have what I've come to expect when I pick up a cozy mystery.
I really liked the character growth aspect of the story. It was fun to see Hannah come out of her shell and realize things about herself and people's expectations for her in this new environment. I love the feel of small town cozy mysteries because of books like this, although in reality they seem too small for me.
However, the focus on the character did make the mystery aspect of this a little lackluster for me. The mystery just kind of happened, and they stumbled into it and out of it.
Overall, I'm not sure how much I liked this book. I keep going back and forth between three and four stars because I really liked the characters and their story and growth, but this didn't have what I've come to expect when I pick up a cozy mystery.
January 6, 2023
I picked up Pomeranian Puzzle when I saw it for free during a promotion. I liked the title and cover and was in the mood for a cozy mystery, so I grabbed a copy. Not long afterwards I started reading it. Pomeranian Puzzle reads at times a bit like a Women's Fiction book with the main character Hannah moving to Apple Blossom Bay to live with her aunt and slowly starts to figure out who she is and what she enjoys doing. She also finds a dead body and gets involved in the mystery when her aunt becomes a suspect.
I thought the mystery wasn't the strongest element of this book. I do like it starts quite quickly with Hannah finding the dead body right after she arrives in town, but the way the mystery progressed didn't really make me curious to find out who did it or invested. The police seemed to do nothing, but focus on Hannah's aunt as the suspect, their reasoning for that seemed pretty flimsy. I was way more invested in Hannah's life than the mystery. There were almost no suspects and often when someone popped up who might be a suspects their name got cleared in a scene shortly after that. It felt like no one had a reason to hurt this character and then when the murderer does pop up I thought it was super obvious they were the killer. The reveal felt anticlimactic and the motive felt a bit flimsy.
Then again the rest of the book was great. I really liked reading about Hannah, the way she had low self esteem and was taught to not take up space and not make mistakes by her parents, who saw her as a failure and thus encouraged her to live with her aunt. It made sense why she was the way she was and seeing her slowly come out of her shell under the encouragement of her aunt and her new friend was awesome. I liked seeing her try and figure out what her passion was and what made her happy and who she wanted to be. The Pomeranian dog was adorable and I liked how Hannah and Cricket, the pup, interacted. The way they instantly grow close and the way the dog made Hannah feel alive was awesome to see.
The side characters and town were all wonderful to read about. Hannah's aunt Em was awesome and a great person and I was so happy for Hannah that she had her aunt to help her find her way. Hannah's new friend was there for her and liked how supportive she was. I liked how accepting everyone was and the whole town felt so cozy and friendly to read about.
To summarize: Pomeranian Puzzle was a great start to this new series. I really liked reading about Hannah and her struggles to find herself felt relatable. Hannah feels afraid to make mistakes and tries to take up as little space as possible, but when she comes to Apple Blossom Bay she slowly starts to feel more alive and do things that make her happy and try new things. The book almost had a bit of a women's fiction vibe with the focus on Hannah. There is a mystery as well, but I felt this wasn't the strongest part of the book. The mystery starts of right away, but the progression felt a bit off with almost no suspects and a lot of suspects that popped up got cleared shortly after. The reveal felt a bit off as did the motive. The character development of Hannah and her journey really felt like the highlight of this book for me as well as visiting this small town and reading about the colorful group of side characters.
I thought the mystery wasn't the strongest element of this book. I do like it starts quite quickly with Hannah finding the dead body right after she arrives in town, but the way the mystery progressed didn't really make me curious to find out who did it or invested. The police seemed to do nothing, but focus on Hannah's aunt as the suspect, their reasoning for that seemed pretty flimsy. I was way more invested in Hannah's life than the mystery. There were almost no suspects and often when someone popped up who might be a suspects their name got cleared in a scene shortly after that. It felt like no one had a reason to hurt this character and then when the murderer does pop up I thought it was super obvious they were the killer. The reveal felt anticlimactic and the motive felt a bit flimsy.
Then again the rest of the book was great. I really liked reading about Hannah, the way she had low self esteem and was taught to not take up space and not make mistakes by her parents, who saw her as a failure and thus encouraged her to live with her aunt. It made sense why she was the way she was and seeing her slowly come out of her shell under the encouragement of her aunt and her new friend was awesome. I liked seeing her try and figure out what her passion was and what made her happy and who she wanted to be. The Pomeranian dog was adorable and I liked how Hannah and Cricket, the pup, interacted. The way they instantly grow close and the way the dog made Hannah feel alive was awesome to see.
The side characters and town were all wonderful to read about. Hannah's aunt Em was awesome and a great person and I was so happy for Hannah that she had her aunt to help her find her way. Hannah's new friend was there for her and liked how supportive she was. I liked how accepting everyone was and the whole town felt so cozy and friendly to read about.
To summarize: Pomeranian Puzzle was a great start to this new series. I really liked reading about Hannah and her struggles to find herself felt relatable. Hannah feels afraid to make mistakes and tries to take up as little space as possible, but when she comes to Apple Blossom Bay she slowly starts to feel more alive and do things that make her happy and try new things. The book almost had a bit of a women's fiction vibe with the focus on Hannah. There is a mystery as well, but I felt this wasn't the strongest part of the book. The mystery starts of right away, but the progression felt a bit off with almost no suspects and a lot of suspects that popped up got cleared shortly after. The reveal felt a bit off as did the motive. The character development of Hannah and her journey really felt like the highlight of this book for me as well as visiting this small town and reading about the colorful group of side characters.
October 11, 2022
Dog lover cozy
Hannah is introverted and missing a hand, which makes gainful employment difficult. She moves from the big city to her aunt's in her small town and finds herself ..and...the murderer
Hannah is introverted and missing a hand, which makes gainful employment difficult. She moves from the big city to her aunt's in her small town and finds herself ..and...the murderer
January 28, 2024
Loved this cozy mystery ❤️
June 7, 2022
Hannah's First Case . . .
Hannah Hart moves to Apple Blossom Bay to be with her Aunt Em. But the first day she is there, she finds the dead body of Barb Reeves underneath the dining room table, her body hidden by the tablecloth. There was also a small dog at the scene who cuddles up to her!
Deputy Hanson is looking for suspects and starts to look for reasons why Aunt Em could have done the murder. He even looks at Hannah until she pulls out a gas receipt showing she wasn’t even in the state when this crime happened. Can Hannah help find the murderer? Will she be able to keep the dog who now needs a new owner and has become her best friend?
Hannah Hart moves to Apple Blossom Bay to be with her Aunt Em. But the first day she is there, she finds the dead body of Barb Reeves underneath the dining room table, her body hidden by the tablecloth. There was also a small dog at the scene who cuddles up to her!
Deputy Hanson is looking for suspects and starts to look for reasons why Aunt Em could have done the murder. He even looks at Hannah until she pulls out a gas receipt showing she wasn’t even in the state when this crime happened. Can Hannah help find the murderer? Will she be able to keep the dog who now needs a new owner and has become her best friend?
June 8, 2022
Fun Cozy Mystery with Uplifting and Inspiration Wisdom!!!
Pomeranian Puzzle is first book in Apple Blossom Bay Series.
Hannah Hart, a twenty-five year old girl with low self-esteem who was born without a right hand, moves from Chicago to the small town of Apple Blossom Bay to look after her eccentric Aunt Em 'Emily' whom she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl. On her first day Hannah discovered Barb Reeve's dead body and Aunt Em is the focus of the investigation, Hannah vows to find another suspect for police to investigate to keep her aunt out of the suspect list and she also want to get to the bottom of who did this to get justice for Barb and Cricket, Cricket is Barb's sweet toy Pomeranian that Hannah volunteer to take care while waiting for Barb's daughter to make decision of Barb's belonging. It's a love at first site for Hannah who always want a dog and the feeling seems to be mutual for the adorable Cricket who is so smart and seems to understand human language 😊
In this first book of the series we learn the background of Hannah and see her development to find her passion, happiness, and purpose in life. Growing up Hannah learned that it’s better to be quiet and careful than loudly make a mistake so she lived her life with the goal of not making waves, not taking up space, and not going after anything that might be too much a risk.
In Apple Blossom Bay Hannah starts her new adventures in life and learn the idea of "Do something good for yourself", with her Aunt Em's lively energy and sage advice Hannah comes alive.
This book offers many uplifting and inspiration wisdom for people to strive to find one own happiness such as:
"If you want something in life, don’t sit back and assume the world will wait on its keester for you to get up and do something about it. When you find the thing or the person you want, go after it with all you’ve got."
"Do something good to fill your heart. You can only run for so long when your heart is on empty." "Your heart matters. You can't ignore your most vital organ." "Life is fast. Don't forget to live it"
I love this book, it's not just entertaining and fun to read but it also teach important life lessons. The suspense keep me interested from beginning to end trying to figure out who is the murderer and why. I love cozy mystery with animal and this book has not disappointed me, the small town scene and feel of Apple Blossom Bay is very beautiful and attractive, it's sound like a wonderful place that I want to live. It's an enjoyable easy-paced mystery with delightful characters. I highly recommend it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pomeranian Puzzle is first book in Apple Blossom Bay Series.
Hannah Hart, a twenty-five year old girl with low self-esteem who was born without a right hand, moves from Chicago to the small town of Apple Blossom Bay to look after her eccentric Aunt Em 'Emily' whom she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl. On her first day Hannah discovered Barb Reeve's dead body and Aunt Em is the focus of the investigation, Hannah vows to find another suspect for police to investigate to keep her aunt out of the suspect list and she also want to get to the bottom of who did this to get justice for Barb and Cricket, Cricket is Barb's sweet toy Pomeranian that Hannah volunteer to take care while waiting for Barb's daughter to make decision of Barb's belonging. It's a love at first site for Hannah who always want a dog and the feeling seems to be mutual for the adorable Cricket who is so smart and seems to understand human language 😊
In this first book of the series we learn the background of Hannah and see her development to find her passion, happiness, and purpose in life. Growing up Hannah learned that it’s better to be quiet and careful than loudly make a mistake so she lived her life with the goal of not making waves, not taking up space, and not going after anything that might be too much a risk.
In Apple Blossom Bay Hannah starts her new adventures in life and learn the idea of "Do something good for yourself", with her Aunt Em's lively energy and sage advice Hannah comes alive.
This book offers many uplifting and inspiration wisdom for people to strive to find one own happiness such as:
"If you want something in life, don’t sit back and assume the world will wait on its keester for you to get up and do something about it. When you find the thing or the person you want, go after it with all you’ve got."
"Do something good to fill your heart. You can only run for so long when your heart is on empty." "Your heart matters. You can't ignore your most vital organ." "Life is fast. Don't forget to live it"
I love this book, it's not just entertaining and fun to read but it also teach important life lessons. The suspense keep me interested from beginning to end trying to figure out who is the murderer and why. I love cozy mystery with animal and this book has not disappointed me, the small town scene and feel of Apple Blossom Bay is very beautiful and attractive, it's sound like a wonderful place that I want to live. It's an enjoyable easy-paced mystery with delightful characters. I highly recommend it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 26, 2023
When her parents almost forcibly suggest that Hannah Hart should look after her ageing aunt, she upends her life and moves from Chicago to the tiny seaside town of Apple Blossom Bay. Not an hour into her extended visit, Hannah discovers a body and the local constabulary immediately jumps to the conclusion that Hannah's aunt is the culprit. Now Hannah is on a mission to prove her aunt's innocence.
Perhaps, when you've been derided all your life as Hannah has, your self-worth takes such a beating that you regress to a childlike state. Hannah's constant navel-gazing left me tired. I assume that Hannah didn't want pity yet she put out all the signals to pour it on. Needless to say (but I will anyway), I disliked the main character. She made me itch. The other characters were hyper-interesting and I would have enjoyed a Hannah-less story.
The mystery took a backseat to all the Hannah drama. The foreshadowing was good as I suspected the murderer but wasn't entirely sure until the reveal. The motive, on the other hand, felt tenuous, almost spurious.
While I have to conclude that this isn't a series for me, others may find it a delight for the descriptions of the town and its denizens are vast and rich.
Perhaps, when you've been derided all your life as Hannah has, your self-worth takes such a beating that you regress to a childlike state. Hannah's constant navel-gazing left me tired. I assume that Hannah didn't want pity yet she put out all the signals to pour it on. Needless to say (but I will anyway), I disliked the main character. She made me itch. The other characters were hyper-interesting and I would have enjoyed a Hannah-less story.
The mystery took a backseat to all the Hannah drama. The foreshadowing was good as I suspected the murderer but wasn't entirely sure until the reveal. The motive, on the other hand, felt tenuous, almost spurious.
While I have to conclude that this isn't a series for me, others may find it a delight for the descriptions of the town and its denizens are vast and rich.
June 6, 2023
25yr old Hannah Hart moves from Chicago to the small seaside town of Apple Blossom Bay to look after her eccentric Aunt Em, who really doesn’t need looking after despite her parent’s thoughts! On her first day in town, Hannah discovers a dead body and soon Aunt Em becomes the focus of the investigation. The dead woman had a small Pomeranian dog named Cricket - Hannah always wanted a dog and the feeling seems to be mutual as she takes care of the dog whilst the investigation continues.
Hannah is determined to clear her aunt’s name, with the help of her new friends and Cricket the dog!
This is the first book of the series so quite a lot of time is given to understanding Hannah, her background & personality. Born with a missing hand, Hannah’s disability has held her back from “normal employment” but in Apple Blossom Bay she starts to overcome her shyness, try new things & believe in herself.
The mystery was not such a strong element of the book as I expected, with Hannah’s character development somewhat overshadowing it. As the start of a series it didn’t wow me, but it did leave me interested in reading more from Hannah, Aunt Em & Cricket the dog!
Hannah is determined to clear her aunt’s name, with the help of her new friends and Cricket the dog!
This is the first book of the series so quite a lot of time is given to understanding Hannah, her background & personality. Born with a missing hand, Hannah’s disability has held her back from “normal employment” but in Apple Blossom Bay she starts to overcome her shyness, try new things & believe in herself.
The mystery was not such a strong element of the book as I expected, with Hannah’s character development somewhat overshadowing it. As the start of a series it didn’t wow me, but it did leave me interested in reading more from Hannah, Aunt Em & Cricket the dog!
May 20, 2022
Charming small town murder mystery. The setup is that a city girl, Hannah, moves out to a small town to live with her aunt and get a fresh start. Her very first day (hour?) in town she stumbles over a dead body. The cop is interested in her aunt in the murder.
The descriptions of the scenery around the town were very vivid, as were all of the characters. The writing is fantastic.
That said, I struggled to find Hannah, the POV character, interesting at all.
Hannah jumps at her own shadow, which gets to be very grating as we're forced to ride along in her head. There's also not much murder mystery in the murder mystery novel. Most of the novel is Hannah going about her days around town and then stumbling over the killer at the very end.
This almost reads more like a slice-of-life novel, with a murder casting a (very slight) shadow over the plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The descriptions of the scenery around the town were very vivid, as were all of the characters. The writing is fantastic.
That said, I struggled to find Hannah, the POV character, interesting at all.
Hannah jumps at her own shadow, which gets to be very grating as we're forced to ride along in her head. There's also not much murder mystery in the murder mystery novel. Most of the novel is Hannah going about her days around town and then stumbling over the killer at the very end.
This almost reads more like a slice-of-life novel, with a murder casting a (very slight) shadow over the plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2022
Pomeranian Puzzle by Molly Maple is a cute little cozy mystery with a sweet toy Pomeranian as a very central character. This is the first book in the Apple Blossom Bay Series. Hannah travels across country at her parents request to take care of her aging Aunt. Her first day in town she runs across a dead body and temporarily inherits her lovely Pomeranian. Just till the dead woman’s family comes to claim her. Hannah’s Aunt is accused of the murder and Hannah takes it upon herself to find out who the real murderer is.
Having been held down her whole life by her controlling parents Hannah begins to blossom under her loving Aunts care. She finds the people of this small coastal town to be friendly and loving, something she has never had.
This is a great book to start off the series and I look forward to reading all of them. It is a very easy to read, interesting story. I really enjoyed reading Pomeranian Puzzle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having been held down her whole life by her controlling parents Hannah begins to blossom under her loving Aunts care. She finds the people of this small coastal town to be friendly and loving, something she has never had.
This is a great book to start off the series and I look forward to reading all of them. It is a very easy to read, interesting story. I really enjoyed reading Pomeranian Puzzle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2023
Standalone Book 1 in the Apple Blossom Bay Mysteries with no cliffhanger.
Will be honest in that the main reason I chose this book was down to the Pomeranian on the delightful cover but I am so glad I did.
Loved Hannah, our FMC, and enjoyed being part of her metamorphism from insular and low esteemed to discovering her worth and happiness. Her Aunt Emily is fabulous mind you, I need her in my life!!
Perfect mix of low key mystery, murder and mayhem with colourful characters and feel good vibes.
An engaging, inclusive story from start to finish with the ever presence of Cricket the Pom!
It is light, quick to read and leaves you in a happy state of mind.
Perfect Tale to end a rough day on with my own Pomeranian Pack all snuggled in next to me and finished in one hit.
A new to me author and one I shall actively look for when I need a cozy palate cleanser after reading my Darker books.
Will be honest in that the main reason I chose this book was down to the Pomeranian on the delightful cover but I am so glad I did.
Loved Hannah, our FMC, and enjoyed being part of her metamorphism from insular and low esteemed to discovering her worth and happiness. Her Aunt Emily is fabulous mind you, I need her in my life!!
Perfect mix of low key mystery, murder and mayhem with colourful characters and feel good vibes.
An engaging, inclusive story from start to finish with the ever presence of Cricket the Pom!
It is light, quick to read and leaves you in a happy state of mind.
Perfect Tale to end a rough day on with my own Pomeranian Pack all snuggled in next to me and finished in one hit.
A new to me author and one I shall actively look for when I need a cozy palate cleanser after reading my Darker books.
June 6, 2022
Similar to Home Alone where the second was pretty a repeat of the first but at a different setting, Maple's newest and her Cupcake Crimes series reminds me of the same.
Niece moves in to help take care of her elderly/eccentric aunt only to find that the aunt gives them more in return through sage advice, opening them up and building their confidence in themselves. They find themselves a best friend that will eventually be their ride or die.
Just like the Cupcake Series, I enjoy Maple's writing and find it engaging and easy to read but I do hope as the series progress that this one evolves and stands on its own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Niece moves in to help take care of her elderly/eccentric aunt only to find that the aunt gives them more in return through sage advice, opening them up and building their confidence in themselves. They find themselves a best friend that will eventually be their ride or die.
Just like the Cupcake Series, I enjoy Maple's writing and find it engaging and easy to read but I do hope as the series progress that this one evolves and stands on its own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2022
I am loving these cozy mysteries. This is the 1st book in the “Apple Blossom Bay Mystery Series” and it is a great introduction to the series. Hannah has just moved to the small town of Apple Blossom Bay to look after her eccentric aunt Emily. The first day at aunt Emily’s house Hannah finds a dead body and aunt Emily seems to be the prime suspect. With the help of Cricket the Pomeranian, Hannah is on a mission to solve the murder.
Can Cricket and Hannah find the culprit for answers pick up a copy today, you will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Can Cricket and Hannah find the culprit for answers pick up a copy today, you will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 2, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery. A lot more cozy than mystery with the murder almost secondary to Hannah's relationship with Cricket the Pomeranian and her Aunt Em. Molly Maple has created wonderful characters both human and animal. Aunt Em, I want one of those and Cricket the Pomeranian with a love of costumes and the slightly neurotic Hannah. Excellent small town setting, a place I would like to visit. A really great start to this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2022
Auntie Em is the one who sneaked Hannah outside by dark of night to take her sledding; the one who sees any mistakes or imperfections as the beginnings of an adventure.
When Em and Hannah stumble over a body during the real estate showing of the house belonging to a long time friend to Emily, suspicions are cast.
Wild, crazy, humorous and insightful adventures ensue while the ladies work to clear their names, and save a sweet dog.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Em and Hannah stumble over a body during the real estate showing of the house belonging to a long time friend to Emily, suspicions are cast.
Wild, crazy, humorous and insightful adventures ensue while the ladies work to clear their names, and save a sweet dog.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2023
it’s okay, but not really a mystery
As another reviewer mentioned, this isn’t much of a mystery novel. It’s mostly about an insecure young woman trying to find herself, and yes someone gets murdered offstage, but the death really only provides the means for the young woman to get the victim’s dog. The writing is good, but I picked this up expecting a cozy mystery and I didn’t get that. I might try the second book, but if it’s like this one, I probably won’t continue with this series.
As another reviewer mentioned, this isn’t much of a mystery novel. It’s mostly about an insecure young woman trying to find herself, and yes someone gets murdered offstage, but the death really only provides the means for the young woman to get the victim’s dog. The writing is good, but I picked this up expecting a cozy mystery and I didn’t get that. I might try the second book, but if it’s like this one, I probably won’t continue with this series.
February 8, 2024
What a cute story and a lovable dog!
I am crazy about Cricket, the cute Pomeranian pup in this book! Hannah, her parent’s definition of a failure, moves from Chicago to Apple Blossom Bay, on the seashore, to move in with her Aunt Em, supposedly to take care of her. But it’s Aunt Em who winds up teaching and encouraging Hannah to be all she can be, including letting loose and daring to have fun! When a neighbor, Barb, is found murdered, Hannah decides to investigate and inherits Barb’s dog, Cricket. Highly recommended!
I am crazy about Cricket, the cute Pomeranian pup in this book! Hannah, her parent’s definition of a failure, moves from Chicago to Apple Blossom Bay, on the seashore, to move in with her Aunt Em, supposedly to take care of her. But it’s Aunt Em who winds up teaching and encouraging Hannah to be all she can be, including letting loose and daring to have fun! When a neighbor, Barb, is found murdered, Hannah decides to investigate and inherits Barb’s dog, Cricket. Highly recommended!
June 3, 2022
This is book 1 in Maple's new series Apple Blossom Bay. A cozy mystery read that is sure to please. A great intro to a new series. Since this is the first in the series I think Maple focus' on getting to know our new characters and small town rather than they murder mystery itself however it's still a great read and has me eager to read more from this sweet, small town with it's quirky characters!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2022
I liked the story a lot because I really connected with the characters. I loved Aunt Em and Hannah. I think their relationship reminds me of relationships in real life. I think that the story line was well designed. I think that the author gave Hannah a good welcome to the neighborhood, she found a dead body and a dog!
It was really entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was really entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2022
I love a good mystery in a small town. Small towns add some unexpected twists to any story. There is always someone poking their nose in where it doesn't belong in a small town. Some wild characters can live in a small town. Intriguing story with some unexpected events and things that happen. Interesting characters to follow along in the story. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2022
Hannah has just moved to a small ocean side town to live with her aunt, and on her first day there finds a dead body, and a dog. The bond with the dog is very sweet, and something that Hannah seems to need. Aunt Emily is amazing, everyone should have someone that supportive in their corner. Loved the twists and turns throughout the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2022
A great start to a new series. The writing is enjoyable, easy to get swept up in and holds your attention from beginning to end. You love getting to know the characters as you turn each page. And to top it off, how can you not fall in love with the cute, four legged character that could easily steal the show?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2022
Nice first book in this newest series by Molly Maple. I've read other books by this talented author and am never disappointed. This story takes place in a small town and introduces the reader to characters that are really enjoyable. A dead body and super cute pomeranian are the headliners while we meet Hannah who also learns to find herself, and her incredibly supportive aunt Em. Easy and relatively quick read, that is certain to please any cozy mystery lover.
August 11, 2023
While I love books about dogs, this came across as very stilted reading for me. I did not like the character of Hannah. Due to the way her parents raised her, she comes across as a very insecure, ridged, rule following person. I am not sure if she has some kind of autistic behavior problems or not. Several words were misspelled in the book, detracting from the story. Although this is a series, I will not be reading the next book.
January 7, 2026
love this series already.
This is my second series of Molly’s that I’m reading. This is such a fun read after reading the cupcake series. Especially being a dog person I love every bit of this book! I can’t wait to learn more about the town. I love that she introduces disabilities in the book and how the main character navigates them. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see what happens.
This is my second series of Molly’s that I’m reading. This is such a fun read after reading the cupcake series. Especially being a dog person I love every bit of this book! I can’t wait to learn more about the town. I love that she introduces disabilities in the book and how the main character navigates them. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see what happens.
May 30, 2022
Everyone needs an Aunt Em in their lives. Hannah is very sheltered and shy. She picks up her whole life to move in with her Aunt. What she finds is a mystery and a little bit of herself. Really enjoyed this first book in a new series. The characters and setting are fantastic. Apple Blossom is a place I would love to visit. I look forward to reading more in this series.
June 6, 2022
This is an easy to read cozy mystery. Hannah Hart moves from the big city to a small town to live with her aunt. On her first day she finds a dead body and her aunt is a suspect. Her aunt and her aunt’s friends are determined to make Hannah more confident about herself. Hannah finds the murderer in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2023
Extremely cozy! I want to live in a town where there's a puzzle lending library and club, my goodness. I really, really wish this were more tightly edited; it's the main reason I'm not going to read the sequels. But Hannah resonated with me and even days after finishing the book I kept wanting to know how things turn out for her.
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