Hallie Reads: the sign of the calico quartz | audiobook review + giveaway

08 October 2024

the sign of the calico quartz | audiobook review + giveaway

about the book

Solving a murder is easy, right? All you need to do is follow the clues, and they will lead you to the culprit.

At least that’s what Emma Blackwood thought before she and her cat, Tim, came to the Black Hills to work in Aunt Rose’s Sweetbrier Inn. Before she found a dead body in her living room. Before the hunky Deputy Sheriff accused her of murdering the poor guy. And before the real killer put her name on their list of victims.

For this fan of Agatha Christie and a plethora of television crime dramas, it’s an intriguing situation that demands her skills. Investigating might not be as simple as it looks in fictional mysteries, but Emma’s organized mind and OCD tendencies start making sense of the clues… until she finds a second body with no apparent connection to the first.

Sifting through evidence is easier with the help of her new friend, Becky, who provides baked goods for the inn, and Aunt Rose is always willing to take time from writing her mysterious memoirs to give support and advice. Wil, the inn’s chef, moves things along with a barbed comment or two, and Tim the cat and Rose’s corgi, Thatcher, make themselves available for fuzz therapy and to point the way to another clue.

The list of suspects grows as Emma learns more about the inn’s guests and their reasons for visiting the Black Hills. From the honeymoon couple to Mysterious Montgomery, to the famous reality show ghost hunter, to the gold seekers, no one is the person they appear to be. Even Rose’s good friend Clara is hiding secrets in her pink chenille bathrobe.

But as Emma pursues the investigation, things start to get personal. Can she identify the murderer before disaster strikes?

publisher: swift wings press

release date: july 24, 2024

other books in the series

the case of the artist's mistake

review

a sweet cozy mystery, perfect for reading this time of year!

emma blackwood has barely settled in for her stay at the sweetbriar inn when she finds a dead body in her room... of course, she's a suspect—but she can't help looking into the other characters around the inn, too. there are clues aplenty, but not without some danger (and another body, too). can she uncover the murderer's identity (against the deputy sheriff on the case) before she becomes a victim?

the sign of the calico quartz is a quick, entertaining read. the characters are likable, and i was always intrigued to see how emma would interpret a clue. the audiobook, too, makes the story easy to follow and enjoy.

it's a delightful mystery for any reader looking for a cozy mystery to read during spooky season.

i received a complimentary copy from the publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.

considerations:
—language: none
—spice: none
—faith: mention of church
—content: murder, investigation danger

about the author

Jan Drexler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. She spins stories of History, Mystery, and Sweet Romance. Her works include several historical romance novels, including the award-winning Mattie’s Pledge, and The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries cozy mystery series.

Connect with Jan by visiting jandrexler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Those who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free e-book copy of The Sign of the Calico Quartz!

giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 8, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 15, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

tour schedule

justread publicity tours