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Deep Lakes Cozy #4
Deep Dire Harvest Book 4
Grapes wait for nobody. The tourist season is running full swing when Frankie’s vineyard is ripe for picking, leaving her a little frazzled as she divides her time between the Bubble & Bake shop and Bountiful Fruits winery. When a dead body surfaces in nearby Blackbird Pond, it quickly becomes an albatross around Frankie's neck. The victim, a national bird expert in town for Fall Migration Days, also happens to be a cousin to Cherry and Pom, Bubble & Bake employees. The B & B crew are sure to ruffle some feathers during their sleuthing: Can they solve the murder before the guilty bird flies the coop?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2022
About the author
Joy Ann Ribar
11 books234 followersJoy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. She loves to bake, read, do wine research, and explore nature. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people.
Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.
Sign up for her occasional newsletter at https://joyribar.substack.com/
Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.
Sign up for her occasional newsletter at https://joyribar.substack.com/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 21, 2022
A delightful read! Joy Ann Ribar’s fourth full-length cozy mystery, Deep Dire Harvest, engages the reader in a fun whodunit, while showcasing Joy Ann’s growth and development as an author. As the wily heroine, Frankie Champagne, has nurtured her beloved Frontenac grapes over several seasons, Joy Ann’s authorial voice and tone have ripened as well, leading to a well developed and full bodied vintage. The story, full of charm, plenty of puns, and the beautiful backdrop of Wisconsin in the fall, leaves the reader fully satisfied and also eager for the next book in the series.
In Book Four, our beloved cast of characters continue to develop. Joy Ann brings their personalities to life beautifully, while the Bubble & Bake team work together to solve the many mysteries that crop up through the tale.
Be sure to keep a full mug/glass of your favorite drink, and plenty of sweet and savory treats handy as you delve into Deep Dire Harvest!
In Book Four, our beloved cast of characters continue to develop. Joy Ann brings their personalities to life beautifully, while the Bubble & Bake team work together to solve the many mysteries that crop up through the tale.
Be sure to keep a full mug/glass of your favorite drink, and plenty of sweet and savory treats handy as you delve into Deep Dire Harvest!
September 20, 2022
43: Deep Dire Harvest (Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery Series #4) by Joy Ann Ribar
Friends, it was my sincere honor and pleasure to be an early reader of this book written by my friend Joy Ribar. Joy and I met y-e-a-r-s ago at the AP Reading in Louisville, Kentucky, and learned then that we were both Wisconsin ELA educators and stuck together as Joy retired from teaching and dug into a wonderful writing career. I'm very happy to be along for the reading/revising/reviewing ride! And Joy is a marvel, having just published the fourth book in her Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery Series. I am happy to have read them all!
Deep Dire Harvest is--as the other three are also--set in Deep Lakes, a fictitious Wisconsin town. And at its center is steady main character, Frankie Champagne, owner of both Bubble and Bake in town and Bountiful Fruits Winery, just outside of it. While somewhat less of the action occurs at these two locations in this book, they are still central to Frankie's "work" as well as central to my fondness for Frankie's business mind and hygge heart in all four books. The concept of this bakery in the morning and beer/wine bar later (with simple eating options added) is foundational to Frankie's functioning...and some of my fondness for her.
This book begins less with yummy bakery or comfy hygge and moreso with a mysterious death. An investigation is immediately instituted, and of course, by the very much not-on-this-"duty" but absolutely on-self-imposed-duty Frankie, who--as always--starts sleuthing on her own. This time that is at least in part because the person who has died--a nationally known bird enthusiast-- is not a local at the time of her death but is related to Bubble & Bake employees Pom and Cherry.
Of course there are local reasons why this is especially messy--Frankie's businesses in full-on tourist mode, for one--but Frankie manages to devote more time than she actually has available to helping figure it all out.
I'm a fan of all of the bird references in this book, both the bold and the more subtly fluttering or chirping as well. And while I'm not the biggest on Lord of the Rings> or Tolkien fan-in-full, readers who are will more aptly appreciate the abundance of allusions included.
I don't think anyone will be disappointed by reading book #4, most especially if they've become Frankie-fond in books 1 through 3! Kudos to you, Joy Ribar! Enjoy, all...maybe situated with a few bakery items or a little wine on the side to seat you suitably in this setting.
Friends, it was my sincere honor and pleasure to be an early reader of this book written by my friend Joy Ribar. Joy and I met y-e-a-r-s ago at the AP Reading in Louisville, Kentucky, and learned then that we were both Wisconsin ELA educators and stuck together as Joy retired from teaching and dug into a wonderful writing career. I'm very happy to be along for the reading/revising/reviewing ride! And Joy is a marvel, having just published the fourth book in her Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery Series. I am happy to have read them all!
Deep Dire Harvest is--as the other three are also--set in Deep Lakes, a fictitious Wisconsin town. And at its center is steady main character, Frankie Champagne, owner of both Bubble and Bake in town and Bountiful Fruits Winery, just outside of it. While somewhat less of the action occurs at these two locations in this book, they are still central to Frankie's "work" as well as central to my fondness for Frankie's business mind and hygge heart in all four books. The concept of this bakery in the morning and beer/wine bar later (with simple eating options added) is foundational to Frankie's functioning...and some of my fondness for her.
This book begins less with yummy bakery or comfy hygge and moreso with a mysterious death. An investigation is immediately instituted, and of course, by the very much not-on-this-"duty" but absolutely on-self-imposed-duty Frankie, who--as always--starts sleuthing on her own. This time that is at least in part because the person who has died--a nationally known bird enthusiast-- is not a local at the time of her death but is related to Bubble & Bake employees Pom and Cherry.
Of course there are local reasons why this is especially messy--Frankie's businesses in full-on tourist mode, for one--but Frankie manages to devote more time than she actually has available to helping figure it all out.
I'm a fan of all of the bird references in this book, both the bold and the more subtly fluttering or chirping as well. And while I'm not the biggest on Lord of the Rings> or Tolkien fan-in-full, readers who are will more aptly appreciate the abundance of allusions included.
I don't think anyone will be disappointed by reading book #4, most especially if they've become Frankie-fond in books 1 through 3! Kudos to you, Joy Ribar! Enjoy, all...maybe situated with a few bakery items or a little wine on the side to seat you suitably in this setting.
March 27, 2024
Fun small-town mystery! Bird lovers and an ornithologist are at the heart of this entertaining mystery set in central Wisconsin. It’s early fall and grape-picking time for protagonist Frankie Champagne, a vintner and baker. She’s got her hands full when the murder strikes close to her own employees. Readers learn a lot about grapes and how wine is made in this region and also about birds and what’s affecting their populations in the world. The bird and wine information creates clues and is expertly woven into the threads of the mystery, which will keep you guessing all the way to toasting Frankie’s new varietal. A thoroughly enjoyable, well-written novel.
September 20, 2022
What do ornithologists, a cat face, an Ent Circle, ‘Grapes of Wrath,’ and land protected by federal wildlife agencies add up to? Another delicious mystery by Joy Ann Ribar! Double-shot lattes from Bubble & Bake are in order for Frankie Champaign and her cohorts as they race against the clock to solve a murder before the Feds confiscate their hard-won evidence. I tore through the pages to find out ‘who done it,’ and you will too!
July 19, 2023
Joy Ribar’s latest Deep Lakes Mystery has all the charm and twice the excitement! This highly recommended tale weaves murder together with wine, butter horn pastries, and details about birding that inspired me to pick up a bird watching app. It is harvest season at Bountiful Wines and the intricacies of picking grapes at exactly the right moment is threatened by saboteurs, birds, and murderers. This book pulls you in from the first page and never lets go.
December 12, 2022
A wonderful romp through Wisconsin wine country. I enjoyed baking scones and picking grapes with Frankie Champagne as much as solving the murder of a bird killer with her. With a bounty of friendly characters (and not-so-friendly ones) and a bakers dozen clues, this murder mystery will keep you guessing until the end. Then you'll toast with a glass of Wisconsin wine when she solves the crime.
November 24, 2022
Mystery of many twists and turns.
Very well written and I appreciate the additional detailed educational information along the way. Besides being a mystery I learned a little bit about bird research, recipes and wine making. Looking forward to the next Frankie mystery.
Very well written and I appreciate the additional detailed educational information along the way. Besides being a mystery I learned a little bit about bird research, recipes and wine making. Looking forward to the next Frankie mystery.
April 15, 2023
Book 4 set in Green Lake, WI. A delightful read with good characters, a mystery and fun! Makes me wish the Bubble and Bake shop existed for real to visit!
October 16, 2025
I found Deep Dire Harvest through the campaign and loved the fall atmosphere, pumpkin patches, secrets, and plenty of small-town intrigue!
October 16, 2025
This one hit the perfect seasonal mood. I came across it during the campaign and really enjoyed how Joy Ann Ribar wove emotion into the mystery.
October 16, 2025
Every cozy mystery needs one like this, full of warmth, humor, and great twists. I discovered it through the campaign and couldn’t stop reading.
October 16, 2025
Frankie’s character keeps getting better with every book. The campaign brought this one to my attention, and I’m so glad it did.
October 16, 2025
I loved how Deep Dire Harvest blended small-town gossip, friendships, and a genuinely good mystery. Another great campaign find!
October 23, 2022
The Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery Series continues as Joy Ann Ribar puts her characters through the rigors of harvesting at the vineyard while solving another complex mystery.
The book provides plenty of well-researched information on not only the business of making wine from vine to bottle, but also on the efforts to protect endangered migratory birds. Once again the book contains meticulously described settings and descriptions capable of transporting you inside the pages.
The mystery of who killed the bird expert is a complex one, with plenty of suspects, that keeps you reading and guessing to the end.
The book provides plenty of well-researched information on not only the business of making wine from vine to bottle, but also on the efforts to protect endangered migratory birds. Once again the book contains meticulously described settings and descriptions capable of transporting you inside the pages.
The mystery of who killed the bird expert is a complex one, with plenty of suspects, that keeps you reading and guessing to the end.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews