3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on whether site allows half star ratings). It's closer to a 3 than a 4 for me for those sites where I have to pick a whole number.

I enjoy this series but this one seemed to drag a bit more than usual. I enjoyed the craft show part and that crafts other than the ones Shannon does were featured. Predictably, someone drops dead and Shannon cannot leave the investigation to the police. I'm honestly surprised that she hasn't been arrested for obstruction of justice or tampering with evidence etc. at some point in this series.

I did suspect the character that ended up being the perpetrator but then changed my mind and then changed it back. I'm a little tired of reading suspense/mystery books where the female main character gets into a life or death situation that the love interest needs to rescue her from. Plus that scene is used as the impetus for the main character to realize what's important (in this case, Apple Grove or moving though in most of the novels it's that the characters really love each other--though that may have happened on Michael's side of the equation). ( )

Once again, Shannon is drawn into catching a murder. She has as opportunity to accept another job in another state to get away from the crime-ridden town. Author Barritt draws you into this tangled tale of hate, self-indulgence, and sacrifice. ( )