Book three in the Cranberry Cove series. After the events of the last book Monica and her brother were able to build the commercial kitchen they had been wanting after the salsa and other orders exploding causing a demand and way to pay for everything. Now it is time for pollination of cranberry bogs. Monica was unaware that bee hives are brought in to accomplish (I was too to be honest). The hives are brought in but thanks to an incoming store it is decided that will not be released until the following day. This is why Monica is surprised to hear the bees swarming later when she goes outside. To make matters worse the bee keepers assistant is laying dead in the middle of them looking like she is covered in stings with no protective equipment around. Being on the farm Monica has to get involved to figure out what happened especially when her and her brother keep finding evidence thrown all about the farm as well. I am really loving these stories by this point and I like learning more and more about cranberry bogs as we go along. The characters are easy to get attached to and I find myself really looking forward to the next installment whenever that may be. I give it 4/5 stars.

Dead and Berried by Peg Cochran is the third book in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series. Monica Albertson lives on Sassamanash Farm in Cranberry Cove, Michigan and provides baked goods to the farm store on the property. The cranberry bogs are full of blooms, and it is time to pollinate the flowers. Jeff, Monica’s half-brother and owner of the farm, has hired Rick Taylor of Rick’s Bees. Rick and his assistant, Lori Wenk arrive at the farm with the bees, but are unable to release them that day due to the weather (honey bees do not like wet days). Monica is back in the farm kitchen finishing her baking when Jeff comes running in asking for her to call 911. Jeff found Lori on the ground near the bee hives. Bees are swarming near the hives where someone let them out and stirred them up. Lori was stung many times and has passed away. Detective Tammy Stevens arrives and starts asking questions. It appears to be an accidental death until the toxicology report proves otherwise. Rick is at the top of the suspect list and his wife, Nora is distraught (she works at the farm store). Monica begins making inquiries about Lori and discovers that Lori had been stirring up a hornet’s nest of her own. Could this have led to her murder? But what happens when Monica gets too close to discovering the killer’s identity?

Dead and Berried contains good writing, great characters (except Gina), charming small town and a good pace (makes it a pleasure to read). I thought Dead and Berried was an engaging novel that held my attention. I like that Monica does not sneak around behind Detective Stevens back doing her own investigation (I appreciate that there are no nasty cops either). The two work together (share information) to find the killer (such a nice change). Dead and Berried can be read alone (if you really want to). The author provides the necessary background information so a reader will not be lost or confused. I give Dead and Berried 4 out of 5 stars. One issue that I had with this book was the mystery. I could identify the killer early in the story (right after the body was discovered). I wish there had been a good twist (I love it when I do not solve the crime until late in the book or not at all). I liked the information about shipwrecks that occurred in Lake Michigan (a writer has moved to town). I found it fascinating. It was also interesting to discover that cranberry flowers need migratory honey bees (or bumble bees) brought in to help pollinate the flowers. They are not capable of self-fertilization. The one character that I do not like is Gina, Monica’s stepmother. She is a piece of work. I found her extremely annoying and self-centered. I keep hoping the author will decide to make Gina a victim of murder! The ending is sweet and romantic (happy sigh). There are cranberry recipes at the end of the book. I look forward to reading more books in A Cranberry Cove Mystery series.

enjoy this series so much and Dead and Berried did not disappoint. I love the small town setting and the engaging characters. I liked how family ties were being renewed and think it added to the depth of the book. The mystery had great twists and turns, with several suspects to keep me quessing. I was almost to the end before I figured out who the killer was. I would recommend this to every cozy fanatic and if you haven't read the first two books, you could read Dead and Berried without feeling lost. I look forward to future books in this series. I received this book to give my honest review

Enjoyed the first two, Monica was annoying in this one or more whinny. The mystery was alright and written and woven together nicely. Just give her more confidence please and make her last whinny.

It’s always a pleasure revisiting the town of Cranberry Cove from Peg Cochran’s Cranberry Cove Mystery series! The newest release, DEAD AND BERRIED grabbed my attention from the very first page with its tightly written riveting plot and colorful characters. The heavily Dutch populated town of Cranberry Cove is preparing for Vlaggetjesdag Celebration…Netherland’s Flag Day. I enjoyed the tidbits of information the author provides about Dutch food and customs, along with how they celebrate their holiday. The setting of the Sassamanash Cranberry Farm is eye-opening. The author’s descriptions had me feeling like I was right there. I loved the words she used to paint the picture of seeing the cranberries in bloom, with their delicate pink blossoms. It makes me want to see them for myself! She also brings to life the hard work being a cranberry farmer. The reader learns, right along with protagonist Monica Albertson, some of the things required to produce a successful crop, such as renting bees to pollinate. Peg weaves into the story the plight of the Honeybee due to pesticides, loss of habitats, disease and climate change.

When another murder happens on Sassamansh Farm, the cranberry farm Monica Albertson’s brother owns, Monica’s determination to find the truth is put to the test. Especially when her employee’s husband, beekeeper Rick becomes the suspect. The victim, Lori, was Rick’s assistant, and as Monica starts asking questions around town, she finds that Lori had made a lot of enemies, including her own boss. There are plenty of suspects and I didn’t see the surprising, suspenseful ending coming! There are also subplots that Monica finds herself involved in. I had to chuckle out loud when she’s horrified to find out the town has a betting pool going on when she’s going to get engaged. But that’s part of the charm of a small town setting…everyone knows everyone else’s business. The author also touches on the heartbreaking situation of elderly people, especially those with dementia, being taken advantage of. This subplot was artfully woven into the plot while bringing to light something that happens much more frequently than we think.

I love browsing through the many cranberry recipes Peg Cochran includes at the back of the book. I want to try them all! I did make Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies… an amazing combination of flavors and textures and I will be making these again and again!

Monica and her step-brother Jeff are getting the cranberry farm ready for summer by renting bees to come in and pollinate the bogs. When the bee keeper's assistant is swarmed and stung to death , Rick the beekeeper is the prime suspect. Monica wants to help her friend and discovers there are a lot of folks in Cranberry Cove that are glad that Lori is dead. I've read Pet Cochran's Lucille Mystery series and I enjoyed discovering Cranberry Cove. It is book 3 in the series but I had no problems enjoying the story.