Publisher: Midnight Ink
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 8th, 2017
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Blurb from goodreads:
Callie Reed makes a long overdue visit to her aunt Melodie, who lives in a fairy-tale cottage in quaint Keepsake Cove, home to a bevy of unique collectible shops on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Just as they're beginning to reconnect, Callie discovers her aunt's body on the floor of her music box shop. Grief-stricken, Callie finds she can't accept Melodie's death being called accidental. How could her strong and healthy aunt take such a fatal fall? And why was she there in the middle of the night?
As Callie searches for the truth, signs seem to come from her late aunt through a favorite music box, urging Callie on. Or are they warnings? If Callie isn't careful, she could meet a similar deadly fate amid Melodie's collection.
Another book that grabbed me with its cover and title. As soon as I read the blurb, I knew I had to read it. The location was a plus too. I've been to Maryland's eastern Shore albeit a ling time ago and it's a location that I don't see often in books. Hughes did a good job with the setting and making it a part of the story. "A Fatal Collection" was centered both in the town of Mapleton and in the region of the Eastern Shore.
Callie is making a long overdue visit to her aunt and they are both excited. Although they have exchanged emails and letters, it's been ten years since they have seen each other. Their reunion is short-lived when Melodie dies unexpectedly. Callie is still reeling from that event when she finds out that Melodie left everything to her - her shop, her house, money, everything.
Melodie's death is ruled accidental but Callie is not so certain and quietly pokes around, asking questions. She knows nothing about retail or business so she's asking lots of questions anyway of the local shop owners. She was a little too trusting at times, despite warnings from her employee, a psychic and tarot reader. But she was cautious too and basically a good person. She had made some poor life choices and saw her inheritance as a chance to start over and make a better life, if only it hadn't come at the expense of her aunt's life.
The story occurs gradually, over several weeks, which gave it a realistic feel. Callie, though new both to retail and running her own business, is intelligent and not afraid to ask for or accept help. She's off to a good start and she works hard. As she works, she gets involved with the other shop owners and starts getting drawn into disputes and cliques. Callie keeps a level head all throughout events, and especially at the end when everything heats up. She's resourceful, smart, and compassionate.
Hughes blended a likable heroine, interesting side characters, a vibrant setting, a hint of romance, a hint of paranormal and several mysteries. I did figure out who the killer was but I wasn't 100% on the why. The other mysteries were a good mix and I appreciated that they were not so much as criminal as the mundane behavior of human beings, for worse or for better. "A Fatal Collection" was enjoyable and engaging with a wonderful setting and cast of characters.
About the author ~
Mary Ellen Hughes is the bestselling author of the Pickled and Preserved Mysteries (Penguin), the Craft Corner Mysteries, and the Maggie Olenski Mysteries, along with several short stories. A Fatal Collection is her debut with Midnight Ink. A Wisconsin native, she has lived most of her adult life in Maryland, where she’s set many of her stories. Visit her at www.MaryEllenHughes.com
Find Mary Ellen Online:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MaryEllenHughesauthor
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/mehughes13/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mehughesauthor
I really enjoyed this one too! It's definitely a series I'm looking forward to seeing how develops.
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