When the annual rodeo comes to town, along with its fundraiser, Charli and the rest of the residents of Hazel Rock have to deal with egos of some of the better-known cowboys. When one of those cowboys goes missing, just a few years after his older brother disappeared, everyone suspects the worst. Despite warnings not to get involved, and some unexplained "accidents," Charli is determined to figure out the truth.

This is the second book in the Book Barn series, which I find myself enjoying much more than I thought I would since cowboys, Texas and all that go with them are not my thing. Despite that, I like the setting and would love to spend time with most of the characters in this book. I had a list of potential bad guys in mind as I read the book, which included the person who actually was the villain, but I wasn't positive until the reveal at the end of the book. I look forward to the next book in this series :)

Even though anything having to do with Rodeo can be controversial, I loved this book.
It is a wonderful mixture of mystery, romance, small town living and friendship.
There is a lot of action and adventure as Princess (the human) Charli tries to protect her best friend, Scarlet, and figure out her feelings about and relationships with two (or is it three) handsome men around town.

Scarlet came across as the ditzy one to me. Usually respectable and responsible, her soft spot is a certain cowboy. Charli, while maybe not the town's WILD girl, does seem to attract the crazies. She needs to learn when to step back. It's a good thing her father and her mother's spirit have her back.

I did learn a few things about rodeo as I was reading. More than that - this book inspired me to try my hand at some book art! There is something here for everyone to enjoy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming visit to Hazel Rock, Texas and all of the engaging characters who live there. Charli Rae Warren, former kindergarten teacher has returned to her home town after a long absence to reconcile with her father and run the family bookstore. The annual fundraising rodeo is in town and an expert mystery ensues concerning the disappearance of Scarlet's cowboy boyfriend Dalton Hibbs. There is taut suspense, great humor and a complex romance situation. I immediately went and got the first in the series so I could get more background. I highly recommend 'A Reference to Murder'.

A Reference to Murder is the second installment in the A Book Barn Mystery series set in Hazel Rock, Texas and featuring Bookstore owner Charli Rae Warren. Settling back into her hometown after many years away, Charli and the Book Barn Princess are participating in the fundraising auction for the annual Cowboy Ranch Auction.

The Cowboy Ranch owned by Mayor Cade Calloway, is hosting the Invitational featuring all the top bull riders in the country, and the top rider is hunky Dalton Hibbs. Dalton takes a liking to Charli's best friend Scarlet, but after a night of drinking he publicly humiliates her and then disappears. Scarlet becomes the prime focus of the investigation being led by Sheriff Mateo Espinosa and Charli is determined to clear her friends name.

Nosing around leads Charli to discover that there is a lot going on behind the scenes with the cowboys. Dalton's brother, Wyatt disappeared at the exact same rodeo seven years ago, and it seems as though the promoters are deliberately causing animosity between the riders. Soon someone is making threats against her and Charli has no choice but to hang on for the ride.

A fast paced storyline with well developed characters, returning and new, the delightful armadillo Princess and a glimpse into life on the rodeo circuit. The only drawback is the dreaded love triangle which I hope will be resolved soon.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground, a division of Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

This is the second book in the series and I quite enjoyed it. I have not read the first one, and it may have been a bit helpful, but I was able to enjoy this book. (I will be reading the first one.)
I found the characters entertaining and the book barn was an interesting idea.
The whodunit was well written and I look forward to reading more in the series.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Good not quite cozy but not dark either. I enjoy her spunk but this book in the series wasn't as enjoyable for me because of the lack of involvement (and waffling) about the guys, less interaction with her and and--dare I say it--Princess. She seemed much to willing to go with whichever guy she was with at the time. Still a good series and I especially enjoy mama's sign 😂

Charli Rae Warren operates the Book Barn along with her father in Hazel Rock, Texas. Both participate in the yearly fundraising rodeo, this year additionally running an auction of artwork made at the Barn with tattered books.
Years before top rank rider, Wyatt Hibbs disappeared and his brother Dalton came this year to ride in his honor.
Dalton also disappears, Charli is attacked and things just get stranger. Fingers are pointed, some at Scarlet, Charli's friend and a person of interest as Dalton was seeing her and she knew his brother well in the past.
Charli investigates with Scarlet and when they find a double grave, they call the police. Eliminating all the red herrings the killer sets up still leaves Her puzzled...but when she does find out ...only a nosy budding reporter saves her with a quick 911 call.
Fun mystery read.

A Reference to Murder is the second book in Kym Roberts’ Book Barn Mystery series and is a well-written, steady paced whodunit, with well-developed and likeable characters, humor, a sense of community and friendship, plus an adorable pink Armadillo, named Princess. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is until the reveal. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fun, well-crafted cozy mysteries.

Charli Rae (Princess) Warren fled her hometown after high school but recently returned to Hazel Rock, Texas and is helping her dad, Bobby Ray, run The Book Barn, the family bookstore. It’s time for Hazel Rock’s annual rodeo event, the Cowboy Ranch Invitational and Cowboy Ranch Auction, which benefits injured and aging rodeo stars who’ve suffered career and life altering injuries and need financial backing and support. Charli and her friend, Scarlett Jenkins, who owns the beauty shop across the street from the bookstore, have been conducting book art classes and everyone donated their projects to the auction. Scarlett has a ‘thing’ for Dalton Hibbs, a champion bull rider, but he loses control and disrespects her while they are partying. The next day, it appears he has vanished as his brother did at the same event years ago. Charli doesn’t know if Dalton is truly missing or just hiding out but her friend is devastated and she wants to help Scarlett find him. Sheriff Mateo Espinosa and ex-boyfriend, Mayor Cade Calloway, worry about Charli’s safety and rightfully so because she ends up in over her head and in harm’s way.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I especially love mysteries involving books and bookstores so I was delighted to read "A Reference to Murder" and meet Charli Rae and the pink armadillo. This is a terrific cozy mystery with a fun sense of humor (see the pink armadillo), great characters and a wonderful small town Texas setting. It has plenty of Southern charm and enough plot twists to keep you guessing all the way through. Can't wait for Charli Rae's next adventure!

How can you not love a story that has an armadillo as a character? Add in a book barn and a small town with a host of interesting characters and you have a great cozy mystery.
Goodreads

Charli loves running the Book Barn, more than just a book store, it’s a community center, where locals can gather to celebrate, relax and have a good time all while looking for a good book. Charli puts together a fundraiser to support the Barn in the form of a celebrity rodeo, but when one of the riders, Dalton, gets a little too friendly with one of the locals then disappears, it’s anything but good for business. It turns out Dalton’s brother also disappeared nearly a decade before. What on earth is going on? To save her beloved Book Barn and herself, after she’s threatened, Charli and the sheriff form a posse to track down the truth. This is a fun cozy with a western theme and plenty of books to boot