Into the Fire

A Juniper Grove Mystery Series by Karin Kaufman is such a fun series of quick reads full of likable characters with whom you develop a friendship as if they lived in your neighborhood and community. Rachel Stowe, mystery writer, leads her two BFFs (Julia, next door neighbor, and Holly, lives across the street and owns Rachel's favorite bakery where she indulges in Holly's cream puffs) in their "Gang" of amateur sleuths which now includes Julia's new beau. Death Knell is Book 8.

When Rachel is awakened way too early by her neighbor Holly explaining that a local church's bells have been ringing incessantly which they never do, Holly's convinced there's trouble, and she wants Rachel to get dressed and head over to St. John's with her. Holly's suspicion proves to be accurate when they walk behind the church to the cottage where the local librarian (Sophie) lives.

Sophie is hosting the most unlikely group of "frenemies" for their monthly book club weekend. Three of them wake up to the morbid death of one of their members who landed on the concrete below her second story guest bedroom window.  

Time to call Chief Gilroy and his deputies while Rachel, Holly, and Julia begin their parallel investigation of what has turned out to be a homicide.

The suspect pool shrinks quickly after another victim turns up in the church graveyard. 

Motives are illusive until the Gang discovers information which could lead them to the killer. Rachel and Chief Gilroy arrive at similar conclusions throughout the investigation and it's good to see their relationship flourishing in the process. 

Death Knell is entertaining with the usual wonderful characters coupled with those who are nothing but annoying – and often murderous. Karin wraps up her cozy mystery with her usual concise conclusion and lets the reader go with another satisfying ending. Queen of Cozy Mysteries indeed.

Father, please continue to bless Karin in every area of her life, giving her more stories to tell, and much laughter along the way. Encourage her, Lord, as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.