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Dolphin Bay #2
Orange Thyme Death
Body at Bookstore Baffles Dolphin Bay When a local man is found dead at Bayside Books, Anna Butler becomes implicated in a second murder. Her past connection with the victim raises a red flag the police cannot ignore. The Firecrackers start working to clear Anna of the ridiculous allegations. The Butler women are immersed in more turmoil as the grand opening of Anna's cafe is postponed and her dreams are threatened once again. As the murder investigation takes a bizarre turn, a certain ex-police chief provides the only bright spot in Anna's life. Meanwhile, Mayor Lara, Anna's nemesis, continues to breathe down her neck, promising dire consequences. Orange Thyme Death is a sensational pageturner that will keep you guessing and leave you amazed at an ending you didn't see coming. If you like cozy mysteries with fearless heroines, high drama, beach settings and yummy food, you will love this second book set in Dolphin Bay. Buy now and get your latest cozy fix.
303 pages, Hardcover
Published March 10, 2021
385 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Leena Clover
72 books365 followersLeena Clover is a popular, bestselling author of cozy mysteries with heart.
You can expect fearless heroines, small town drama, quirky characters and friendships that last a lifetime in her books. Yummy food and a murder or two are guaranteed!
Visit her website at leenaclover.com to learn more.
You can expect fearless heroines, small town drama, quirky characters and friendships that last a lifetime in her books. Yummy food and a murder or two are guaranteed!
Visit her website at leenaclover.com to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 9, 2022
Book 2. A whole lot going on in this book. Anna daughter Cassie found her daughter Meg that she gave up for adoption . But Cassie thinks she is a fraud trying to lure her mom in. A man lay dead in Anna Cafe bookshop and Anna and Cassie is the prime suspect cause Anna knew him because he fixed up some repairs on her house when her husband John was alive. Lara the mayor believes that Anna killed her husband and killed the man William because he saw her do it. All hearsay cause Lara has it in for Anna for some reason. The Firecrackers as Julie , Mary and Anna call themselves try to figure out who killed the man. A young singer Ashley is singing at a Resort and she is new to the scene. She sings older songs like Ella Fitzgerald that Anna loves cause her and her husband song. Gino A wine veneer is dating Anna and he used to be a cop. So there were a lot going in this story I barely could keep up. But the storylines were precise. At the end it is hanging until you read Book 3.
February 26, 2020
Family, vigilante and revenge
Another great read. The mayor hasn't given up and now that a body has been found in the bookshop she is claiming that the man was killed because he saw something years ago that proved that she killed her husband. The murder was a means to shut him up.
Can they find out more about the dead man? His fallout with his previous business partner, his hidden room and what he has actually been up to? Then there is Meg, what will they do about her? When Cassia is taken in for questioning things get more tense. As does the period to opening the new cafe. Will they be in the clear by then?
Another great read. The mayor hasn't given up and now that a body has been found in the bookshop she is claiming that the man was killed because he saw something years ago that proved that she killed her husband. The murder was a means to shut him up.
Can they find out more about the dead man? His fallout with his previous business partner, his hidden room and what he has actually been up to? Then there is Meg, what will they do about her? When Cassia is taken in for questioning things get more tense. As does the period to opening the new cafe. Will they be in the clear by then?
March 6, 2023
loved the 1st book, second was just as good, i will def. read the 3rd one and probably a few more, easy read, and well written
July 3, 2024
36 year old Cassie has a 20 year old daughter who is more mature than she is 🙄🙄🙄 the police is portrayed as Yahoo!’s who can’t investigate their way out of a paper bag .. and the mayor is a menace who is just committing libel but the main character just takes it even against advise to sue her 🙄🙄🙄
August 27, 2019
Anna Butler has been busy testing new cupcake recipes for the grand opening of her new cafe, adjacent to her bookstore. The previous night, Cassie had attended a concert at the Castle Beach Resort. In telling Anna about the concert, Cassie mentions many of the old-time melodies the young artist had sung. Anna had been approved to open the cafe, despite the objections of her nemesis, Mayor Lara Crawford.
When Anna arrives at the bookstore, she finds the front door open and the dead body of William Parker, a handyman, inside. After reporting the body to the police, Anna is taken to the Police Station for "routine" questioning. Because the body was found in Anna's store and because she supposedly knew the person from a few years earlier, Lara Crawford is telling everybody who will listen that Anna is the killer. Unfortunately, Teddy Fowler, the detective on the case, is not inclined to look at any other possible suspects.
Anna decides to start her own investigation, with the help of Mary and Julie, the Firecrackers, as well as Gino Mancini, the former Police Chief. From what the Firecrackers are able to learn, William Parker had few friends and no shortage of enemies. He had a falling out with his business partner a couple of years earlier and had been seen having an argument with another gentleman a couple of days prior to his death.
Who killed William Parker? Why was he killed? Will the investigation delay Anna's cafe opening? Can Anna and the Firecrackers uncover the real killer?
Leena Clover has another well-written mystery that has great characters and realistic situations. The mystery has plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing clear to the end. In addition, the short chapters make for quick and easy reading. As with the first book in the series, she leaves an unanswered secondary question as a lead-in to the next book in the series.
When Anna arrives at the bookstore, she finds the front door open and the dead body of William Parker, a handyman, inside. After reporting the body to the police, Anna is taken to the Police Station for "routine" questioning. Because the body was found in Anna's store and because she supposedly knew the person from a few years earlier, Lara Crawford is telling everybody who will listen that Anna is the killer. Unfortunately, Teddy Fowler, the detective on the case, is not inclined to look at any other possible suspects.
Anna decides to start her own investigation, with the help of Mary and Julie, the Firecrackers, as well as Gino Mancini, the former Police Chief. From what the Firecrackers are able to learn, William Parker had few friends and no shortage of enemies. He had a falling out with his business partner a couple of years earlier and had been seen having an argument with another gentleman a couple of days prior to his death.
Who killed William Parker? Why was he killed? Will the investigation delay Anna's cafe opening? Can Anna and the Firecrackers uncover the real killer?
Leena Clover has another well-written mystery that has great characters and realistic situations. The mystery has plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing clear to the end. In addition, the short chapters make for quick and easy reading. As with the first book in the series, she leaves an unanswered secondary question as a lead-in to the next book in the series.
June 26, 2023
A cleverly worked mystery.
September 8, 2019
The second book in the Dolphin Bay Mystery series has an exciting reveal met with mixed reactions. Of course there is another murder, this time in the bookstore cafe after hours. Police detective Teddy manages to accuse both Anna and Cassie of the murder before the women figure out the case for him! Never a dull moment in the Butler household! We also got to know a couple characters better during this book, and watched Anna and Cassie strengthen their relationship in spite of differences in opinion. As always, lots of delicious foods are fixed within the story, leaving me hungry for Italian food! It would be lovely if the author would include a few of the delicious sounding recipes within the book! Ms Clover obviously knows quite a bit about Italian food! Even Anna's pancakes, that she remarks have a secret ingredient, make me want to try them! Caloric laden dreams must be pushed aside so I can mention the intricate murder plot and surprise conclusion. Although the suspects were varied and plentiful, the author kept me confused and guessing until the end. Most enjoyable! Don't miss this series that is getting better with each book! Nice to have a fun mystery series that doesn't use shocking language or sex to get your interest!
August 14, 2019
I'm really loving this series!!
Once again Mayor Lara tries to pin a death on Anna, and if not Anna than maybe Cassie. While Lara is still accusing Anna of killing her husband, Anna stumbles over another body. This one is in her shop/cafe. Can the Firecrackers and Gino figure out why the man died and who killed him before Anna gets sent to jail? Plenty of twists in this and an ending I didn't see coming. Can't wait for the next book in the series!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Once again Mayor Lara tries to pin a death on Anna, and if not Anna than maybe Cassie. While Lara is still accusing Anna of killing her husband, Anna stumbles over another body. This one is in her shop/cafe. Can the Firecrackers and Gino figure out why the man died and who killed him before Anna gets sent to jail? Plenty of twists in this and an ending I didn't see coming. Can't wait for the next book in the series!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
August 12, 2019
I’m loving this new series! When Anna finds a body in her bookstore, she becomes the prime suspect. Knowing she didn’t do it, Anna sets out to prove her innocence. The plot is tight and multi-layered and filled with believable characters. It was a delightful read and I’m looking forward to future installments. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
August 14, 2019
Anna is once again an unwitting murder suspect mostly because the mayor has is out to get her. Anna has to clear her name and get her bookstore cafe ready for opening day!
Multiple storylines that are brought together with common threads. Loveable characters with a few you love to hate.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily am providing a review.
Multiple storylines that are brought together with common threads. Loveable characters with a few you love to hate.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily am providing a review.
August 12, 2019
Great second book in the series! Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending. I like how the author has several storylines going at once - a murder mystery, a beginning romance, a new beginning with a long lost family member... Looking forward to the next one!
September 4, 2019
Loved this book.
Love the book. Each time your book gets better and better. Can't wait until the next book comes out and the story continues.
Love the book. Each time your book gets better and better. Can't wait until the next book comes out and the story continues.
September 4, 2019
Loved it!
Wonderful book, so many suspects. You can be at the right place at the wrong time. You never know what goes through a person's head.
Wonderful book, so many suspects. You can be at the right place at the wrong time. You never know what goes through a person's head.
September 21, 2019
When the town mayor is against you, what do you do??? AND what would the mayor say if she knew about Meg??? I did enjoy the story and recommend the book – but not the mayor.
September 29, 2019
Very good
This was a great story about a family and friends. Hopefully there's more to follow. I felt bad about Ashley. The Firecrackers and Gino were true friends.
This was a great story about a family and friends. Hopefully there's more to follow. I felt bad about Ashley. The Firecrackers and Gino were true friends.
October 11, 2019
Great book
I really like how when reading the book you feel like you are part of the family and the mystery.
I really like how when reading the book you feel like you are part of the family and the mystery.
April 28, 2020
Great book
This is another great book in the CozybMurder Mystery series by Leena Clover. I can not wait to read the next book.
This is another great book in the CozybMurder Mystery series by Leena Clover. I can not wait to read the next book.
July 19, 2020
What a great little cozy mystery story!
I discovered this series after reading THE PELICAN BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES by Leena Clover. I binge read through the series before I wrote the review for the first book. Anna and her BFFs, Julie and Mary, refer to themselves as the Firecrackers and I simply love their friendship. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, although I prefer reading the stories in order. The backstory of Anna, the main character, and her daughter, Cassie, are revealed in bits and pieces throughout the series. The backstory itself is quite intriguing and with more revealed in each book.
I don’t like reviews with spoilers so I will only share my general opinion of this story. Anna’s nemesis, the town mayor, is trying to have Anna accused of the murder of a stranger found dead in Anna’s book store. The bit of romance added into the story is so sweet. There are plenty of twists and turns in this whodunit that makes it difficult to identify the killer.
If you enjoy reading an excellent cozy mystery, then you don’t want to miss reading this entertaining story.
I discovered this series after reading THE PELICAN BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES by Leena Clover. I binge read through the series before I wrote the review for the first book. Anna and her BFFs, Julie and Mary, refer to themselves as the Firecrackers and I simply love their friendship. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, although I prefer reading the stories in order. The backstory of Anna, the main character, and her daughter, Cassie, are revealed in bits and pieces throughout the series. The backstory itself is quite intriguing and with more revealed in each book.
I don’t like reviews with spoilers so I will only share my general opinion of this story. Anna’s nemesis, the town mayor, is trying to have Anna accused of the murder of a stranger found dead in Anna’s book store. The bit of romance added into the story is so sweet. There are plenty of twists and turns in this whodunit that makes it difficult to identify the killer.
If you enjoy reading an excellent cozy mystery, then you don’t want to miss reading this entertaining story.
September 4, 2023
Orange Thyme Death is a story of who dunnit and why. Anna has her handful when she discovers a body in her store. A store that she has yet to do a grand opening for because of delays caused by a bully of a mayor. Cassie, Julie, Mary, Meg, and Gino all come together to clear Anna's name and while going through the motions of solving the mystery, they discover so many twists and turns. Without giving much of the story away, if you love cozy mysteries, then this one is for you. Leena Clover is clever in every sense of the word. Just when you think you know who the murderer is, she throws in a curve ball. It will be interesting to see what mystery she comes up with after this one. I am sure it will be great!
P.S. Just reading the description of the Orange Thyme Cupcakes made me drool. It would have been great to see the actual recipe added in the end as a bonus: -0)
The reviews for this book are my own and I loved every minute of reading this mystery!
P.S. Just reading the description of the Orange Thyme Cupcakes made me drool. It would have been great to see the actual recipe added in the end as a bonus: -0)
The reviews for this book are my own and I loved every minute of reading this mystery!
May 28, 2023
A good mystery, but it was frustrating to keep seeing the incompetence of the police. Thank goodness Anna and her family and friends have better investigative skills.
Although the story was mostly about solving a murder, there was an equal amount to time spent on developing the relationships of the characters, specifically Anna's daughter Cassie and her granddaughter Meg. It's an unusual and difficult situation, and I won't spoil it by telling you any more about it. But it definitely is a main element of the story.
I found the ending a bit disappointing, but I will leave it to each reader to make his or her own judgement on that. Once again it is a compelling story and hard to put down.
Although the story was mostly about solving a murder, there was an equal amount to time spent on developing the relationships of the characters, specifically Anna's daughter Cassie and her granddaughter Meg. It's an unusual and difficult situation, and I won't spoil it by telling you any more about it. But it definitely is a main element of the story.
I found the ending a bit disappointing, but I will leave it to each reader to make his or her own judgement on that. Once again it is a compelling story and hard to put down.
November 26, 2021
This is the 2nd in the series. The main character in Anna. Anna owns a bookstore in town and now has leased the building next door and taking out a walls to add a cafe to the the bookstore. Right before she is going to open she finds a body inside her shop. The mayor who hates her tells the police that Anna killed them because he could tell how she had murdered her husband. Anna starts to investigate just to save herself. The police are told either Anna or her daughter Cassie killed the man. Can they figure out what really happened before it's too late ?
February 15, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. I was suspicious of the character who turned out to be the murderer, but had no idea why she did it until it was revealed. Gino and Anna are great together. Anna seems a little too willing to accept Meg as her granddaughter, I agree with Gino and Cassie that they need to check DNA before completely accepting that she is really who she says she is. So I was kind of surprised near the end at what Anna wants to do without asking Cassie how she would feel about it.
March 17, 2022
I really like this series of books. Anna, her daughter, potential granddaughter and her friends are a delightful group of amateur sleuths. The mayor of the town has it in for Anna for some reason and it seems that Anna is investigated in any death that occurs in Dolphin Bay. She is innocent, of course, but she and her family and friends always have to prove it. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 18, 2021
Dolphin Bay 2
This story has a plot that’s absolutely convoluted. I tried to figure out what was going on but never did. It’s also a sad story in that the story tells about a vigilantes group killing people. Hopefully the next book won’t be quite so atrocious. Can’t wait to get started reading it😃
This story has a plot that’s absolutely convoluted. I tried to figure out what was going on but never did. It’s also a sad story in that the story tells about a vigilantes group killing people. Hopefully the next book won’t be quite so atrocious. Can’t wait to get started reading it😃
November 21, 2021
a fun quick read
Anna is about to open a cafe to go with her bookstore when she finds a dead body. Her old nemesis the mayor tries to pin this on Anna and then her daughter. Her friends in the firecracker group along with Gino rally to help solve the murder. Many twists and turns with a surprise ending
Anna is about to open a cafe to go with her bookstore when she finds a dead body. Her old nemesis the mayor tries to pin this on Anna and then her daughter. Her friends in the firecracker group along with Gino rally to help solve the murder. Many twists and turns with a surprise ending
November 24, 2021
Family and friends form bonds that bind them as they figure the mystery out.
I loved the characters ,but one needs an attitude adjustment. I hope she grows up,emotionally, before its too late. This one really kept me guessing. Thank you for your great writing and story.
I loved the characters ,but one needs an attitude adjustment. I hope she grows up,emotionally, before its too late. This one really kept me guessing. Thank you for your great writing and story.
December 14, 2021
Not ended
I don’t like cliffhangers. So the final bit of this book put me off. I want a story wrapped up on the final page. The story itself is pretty good, although the characters jumped from one suspect to another in their efforts to guide the police. The killer, I’ll admit, had never entered my mind.
I don’t like cliffhangers. So the final bit of this book put me off. I want a story wrapped up on the final page. The story itself is pretty good, although the characters jumped from one suspect to another in their efforts to guide the police. The killer, I’ll admit, had never entered my mind.
January 10, 2022
Orange Thyme Death
Anna and Cassie are accused of killing a local resident by Lara, the Mayor of Dolphin Bay. Lara feels that Anna is guilty of killing her own husband and wants to see her behind bars. Will Anna and Cassie be able to prove they are innocent? Lots of mystery and action to keep you wanting more.
Anna and Cassie are accused of killing a local resident by Lara, the Mayor of Dolphin Bay. Lara feels that Anna is guilty of killing her own husband and wants to see her behind bars. Will Anna and Cassie be able to prove they are innocent? Lots of mystery and action to keep you wanting more.
April 22, 2022
Grand opening derailed!
Anne is busy getting ready for the grand opening of her book store bake shop until it is derailed by her discovery of a corpse. To make matters worse the mayor is accusing Anne and the police seem to believe her. Anne needs to find the real killer before her life is in ruins,
This is a fun cozy. It's everything you expect and enjoy.
Anne is busy getting ready for the grand opening of her book store bake shop until it is derailed by her discovery of a corpse. To make matters worse the mayor is accusing Anne and the police seem to believe her. Anne needs to find the real killer before her life is in ruins,
This is a fun cozy. It's everything you expect and enjoy.
December 21, 2024
I feel that Lee a wrote an outstanding story. The characters were very compelling and the storyline maintained an even flow. The killer stayed hidden until the very end and overall the book is well written. Hope to read more of Lenna Clover's books and if other readers love a good cozy mystery recommend Orange Thyme Death.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews