January means ice wine season in the Niagara Falls region, but the festivities leave Charming Books owner Violet Waverly cold, still reeling from a past heartbreak. A past heartbreak who will be present at the annual midnight grape-harvest festival, and no magic in the world or incantation powerful enough could get Violet to attend. But Grandma Daisy, an omniscient force all on her own, informs Violet that she’s already arranged for the mystical Charming Books to host celebrity sommelier Belinda Perkins’s book signing at the party. Little do either Waverly women know, the ice wine festival will turn colder still when Violet finds Belinda in the middle of the frozen vineyard—with a grape harvest knife protruding from her chest.
Belinda grew up in Cascade Springs, but she left town years ago after a huge falling-out with her three sisters. One of those sisters, Violet’s high school friend Lacey Dupont, attends the book signing in the hope of making amends with her sister, but Belinda and Lacey end up disrupting the signing with a very public shouting match and Lacey quickly becomes the prime suspect in the sommelier’s murder.
Violet is sure Lacey is innocent, and to keep her friend out of prison, Violet asks for guidance from her magical bookshop. The shop’s ethereal essence points her to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, but what have the four March sisters to do with the four Perkins sisters? If she can’t figure it out, Violet, herself, may turn as cold as ice.[summary via Amazon]
Cozy readers welcome to Cascade Springs! Cascade Springs is home to wineries, delightful cafe and the most magical bookstore you will ever find... Charming Books.
Violet and Grandma Daisy are gearing up for the midnight grape-harvest festival, where they will be hosting a book signing of world renowned wine expert, Belinda Perkins. Belinda is originally from Cascade Springs, but hasn't returned in years. It seems not everyone is happy to see Belinda... especially when she turns up dead in the vineyard. Violet must insert herself into the investigation to clear her friend's name and find the real killer!
This is my third visit to Cascade Springs, and I enjoy each new adventure more than the last. This time the reader gets to experience the cutting of the grapes for ice wine, and all the resulting perils. I really enjoy watching Violet grow in her job as Caretaker at Charming Books. I love the magic surrounding the birch tree and its "essence". I wish I could visit a bookshop where the shop chose the books for me!
Murders & Metaphors centres around Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It was fun to find the link between the murder and Little Women. After I finished solving the mystery I was left with a feeling of wanting to pick up Little Women as well. I love books that inspire to me to read even more fiction.
In this book there is a lot going on besides the murder. I love all those little "side storylines" and seeing how they tie into the residents of Cascade Springs. I absolutely can't wait for the next book in the series to catch up with Violet, Daisy, Chief Rainwater and all their friends!
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