Melanie
Written on Jul 25, 2018
So, I started listening to cozy mysteries with the Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery series, because Amanda Ronconi was the narrator and I love her. I found the genre is everything I had heard it was. So, when Andrea Emmes, who was a narrator interview over at Hot Listens, offered me a book to give her a try, I decided to try this cozy mystery. I have not read this author before and Andrea was new-to-me too, but nothing like going for something new. I’m really glad I did.
Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes is a lawyer in her parents firm. Everyone in her family is either a doctor or lawyer and since she’s not a fan of blood, lawyer it was. She’s not a huge fan of it, but wants to live up to what her parents want her to be. That is until she goes up to Michigan to settle her uncle’s estate after his death (her father’s brother and a former cardiologist). The uncle moves to a small town in Michigan after a heart scare. He bought a maple farm and was making maple syrup products. Nikki’s parents disown him for this, though Nikki did keep in touch.
It isn’t long before Nikki realizes something is up. Her uncle’s death was ruled a suicide and she knows this isn’t the case. I won’t go into how I feel like anyone is capable of suicide and hiding it from those closest to them, but in this case, Nikki is right, her uncle was murdered.
It is a cute story as Nikki continues to learn more about people in this small tourist town. The mystery was well thought out. I liked watching as Nikki worked through the small clues she finds. The other characters in the small town are delightful. I could see myself reading/listening to more of this series.
Narration:
This is my first listen from Andrea Emmes. I have to say I really enjoyed her narration. She did a great job with the male and female voices (and there are really more male than female voices in this story). There is also the voice of dying woman (again, heart issues), she was very weak and Andrea did a great job with portraying that in with the voice. I thought she did a good job in bringing out the light humor in the story too. Her pace and tone were spot on. I would love to listen to Andrea Emmes narrator more books.
**I like to thank the narrator for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.