I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Heavenly Hazelnut Murder
by C.C. Dragon
Series: Southern Belle Cozy Mysteries #2
Series Rating:
Published by Totally Bound Publishing on January 5, 2021
Genres: Mystery, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 216
Format: Kindle
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Everyone has secrets…even a pastor.
Life had been back to normal in Sweet Grove, with smoothie sales up and murders down to zero. With Gran’s shop doing well, Belle helps her best friend by tending bar at the Honey Buckle whenever needed. Belle tries her best to like Pastor Luke, who she’s been dating for the last few weeks, but when she finds out he’s been less than genuine, things end badly. Their break-up is epic gossip all around the small town.
When the pastor turns up dead, people rush to suspect her. Apparently, their fight about her spending so much time in a bar was overheard. Belle knows she didn’t do it, but who would kill a pastor? Who else would have a motive? With the handsome but romantically complicated sheriff asking her a lot of questions, Belle decides she needs to get to the bottom of it ASAP.
This had better be the last murder in Sweet Grove, or Belle’s amateur sleuthing might become a habit…
Reader advisory: This book contains references to parental abandonment, off-page murder and brief references to domestic abuse and infidelity.
The Heavenly Hazelnut Murder by CC Dragon is the second installment of this snarky southern mystery series starring Annabelle Baxter as our sleuth.
Will Belle figure out what happened to the pastor, her ex-boyfriend?
Annebelle Baxter
Belle is many things, and she is a baker, small business owner, bartender, granddaughter, pianist, and most recently, a sleuth. She was abandoned by her parents when she was a baby but left with her grandparents. Belle has spent the last few years in Atlanta, getting her degree in hospitality and working at a hotel. However, when Gran needs help, she moves back home to take care of her, scratch that, be with Gran when needed. Belle is usually one of the first to help a friend out, like bartending for free at her best friend’s bar.
I like Belle, but sometimes she can be a bit judgemental, not that it is her fault as many people judge her not by her actions but those of her mother and father. I do like the way she thinks when figuring out the mystery. I also like that she is willing to be there for her friends out of love. Belle clearly believes in second chances.
The Mystery
We start with Belle and the pastor in a very public breakup, and then the next thing we know, he is dead, and Belle may be the last one to have seen him. So, of course, Belle is a person of interest. Seriously, why would she make such a scene if she was going to kill him later? There are many suspects, but each proves to be a red herring to the last when Belle convinces the Sheriff that they must visit one other person.
Four Stars
I enjoyed reading this southern mystery. Belle has quite a mouth on her when she is riled up, but she is also nice as pie too. The setting is delightful, and the other characters are a force to be reckoned with too. The whole story is entertaining, and the mystery is good. My rating for The Heavenly Hazelnut Murder by CC Dragon is four stars. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this one is perfect for you.
First Book in Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Heavenly Hazelnut Murder by CC Dragon.
Until the next time,
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