January means ice wine season in the Niagara Falls region, but the festivities leave Charming Books owner Violet Waverly cold, still reeling from a past heartbreak. A past heartbreak who will be present at the annual midnight grape-harvest festival, and no magic in the world or incantation powerful enough could get Violet to attend. But Grandma Daisy, an omniscient force all on her own, informs Violet that she’s already arranged for the mystical Charming Books to host celebrity sommelier Belinda Perkins’s book signing at the party. Little do either Waverly women know, the ice wine festival will turn colder still when Violet finds Belinda in the middle of the frozen vineyard—with a grape harvest knife protruding from her chest.

NetGalley: Belinda grew up in Cascade Springs, but she left town years ago after a huge falling-out with her three sisters. One of those sisters, Violet’s high school friend Lacey Dupont, attends the book signing in the hope of making amends with her sister, but Belinda and Lacey end up disrupting the signing with a very public shouting match and Lacey quickly becomes the prime suspect in the sommelier’s murder.

Violet is sure Lacey is innocent, and to keep her friend out of prison, Violet asks for guidance from her magical bookshop. The shop’s ethereal essence points her to Louisa May Alcott’sLittle Women, but what have the four March sisters to do with the four Perkins sisters? If she can’t figure it out, Violet, herself, may turn as cold as ice. Violet, Grandma Daisy, Emerson the tuxedo cat, and resident crow Faulkner are back on the case inMurders and Metaphors, USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s enchanting third Magical Bookshop mystery.

Book 3 in the Magical Bookshop series is a smash hit! Full of well developed and diverse characters with plenty of charm and wit. Just enough magic sprinkled throughout to make one believe in magic again. The right amount of romance with no love triangle, YAY!

Little Women is the book chosen to help Violet solve the murder and I am impressed how it was woven into the story. It has fueled my excitement to re-read Little Women. In fact, I have already requested a copy from the library.

Until this book, I have never heard of ice wine or the ice wine festival so my interest is piqued and I am looking forward to researching this interesting festival. Do I see a future vacation?

Fans of books about books and bookshops will love this cozy mystery series.

Books in Order:
1. Crime and Poetry
2. Prose and Cons
3. Murder and Metaphors

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Violet and Grandmother Daisy had hoped to host the book signing of wine connoisseur Belinda Perkins, but her sudden murder had them investigating the suspicious death in order to keep Violet’s friend Lacy, a sister of the deceased, from bring the prime suspect.
The book Little Women supplies the magical essence this time around in its attemot to provide helpful clues to Violet. Her romance with police chief David Rainwater progresses and Daisy’s entry into local politics provides a glimpse into future story plots. An entertaining, engrossing mystery with literary
allusions.
Thank you to #NetGalley and book publisher for digital preview.

I am so thankful that the Magical Bookshop Mystery series has found a new publishing home since it is one of my favorite cozy mystery series by one of my favorite authors, Amanda Flower. I so enjoyed the first two books in the series, CRIME AND POETRY and PROSE AND CONS, and this third installment MURDERS AND METAPHORS did not disappoint.

It is Ice Wine grape harvesting time at one of Cascade Springs, New York’s popular wineries, Morton Vineyards, and bookstore owner Violet Waverly is not exited to spend time with her ex-boyfriend Nathan or his brother and parents. However, her Grandma Daisy has committed the pair to provide books for the harvest’s accompanying book signing by renowned sommelier Belinda Perkins. Things get hairy when Belinda’s estranged sister, and Violet’s best friend, Lacey tries to make amends, but Belinda makes a huge scene instead, and Violet soon finds Belinda murdered in the vineyards. Sure that Lacey did not kill her sister, Violet does some sleuthing of her own to clear Lacey’s name.

The mystery is well executed and engaging. I was hooked from the very first page. There are enough clues and twists throughout the story and plenty of suspects with good motives to keep me guessing. I did not realize who the killer was until right before he/she was revealed, which is always a sign of a good mystery to me. There is a slight paranormal element, but even readers who are not drawn to paranormal cozies will enjoy the book.

I enjoy Violet, Grandma Daisy, and Chief David Rainwater. I think I would readily be friends with all of them. All of the characters, both recurring and central to MURDERS AND METAPHORS, are nicely drawn and well rounded and developed. They are interesting and endearing, even those who are not very pleasant.

MURDERS AND METAPHORS is a delightful cozy read. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

MURDERS AND METAPHORS is the third in the Magical Bookstore series by Amanda Flower. The author does give some tidbits from the previous two books, but to really get the full flavor of the bookstore and the main characters, I highly recommend reading the other two. Of course, I am almost obsessed with reading series in order.
Violet Waverly has been in Cascade Springs for almost six months in order to help her Grandma Daisy with Charming Bookstore. It is no ordinary shop. A large tree grows in the middle of bookshelves and the shop has books fly off the shelf that are perfect for the interested customer. A talking crow named Faulkner and a cat name Emerson have their own magical gifts. The bookstore must always have a Caretaker that is usually handed down after the previous one has passed. For some unknown reason Violet has been picked to be Caretaker, even though Grandma Daisy, the previous one, is still very much alive.
Things seem to be back to normal in town after two murders in the past six months. Unfortunately, things go very badly after a book signing in the store. The author is murdered with a knife that is part of the Ice Wine Festival.
Although the police seem to be on top of it, Violet can't resist doing her own sleuthing. The author presents many viable suspects and when the true murderer is revealed it feels authentic and true to life. Violet is the main character, but Grandma Daisy really comes into her own.
Readers who like their cozy mysteries with a touch of magic and charming characters are sure to love MURDERS AND METAPHORS. I am a sucker for cozies set bookstores or libraries. I hope the author will have more novels in this series. In the meantime, I have started her Magical Garden series, which is truly engaging so far.

Murder And Metaphors is the third book in the Magical Bookshop Mysteries series.

I was very excited to learn that this wonderful series has found a new publisher. I’ve really enjoyed the first two books in the series.

Violet and Grandma Daisy are busy putting together a book signing for Belinda, an author, and a sommelier, to be held at Morton Vineyards. Violet would much rather have held the signing at their bookstore, Charming Books. The less interaction she has with Nathan Morton, the mayor of Cascade Springs, New York, and Violet’s high school sweetheart.

Belinda has been estranged from her three sisters since their mother passed and she blamed for not helping prevent her passing. One of the sisters is Lacy, Violet’s best friend since childhood. Lacy shows up at the signing with hopes of trying to settle their differences but instead turns into a heated argument that many of the attendees overheard. Later when everyone heads out to the vineyard to harvest the ice wine grapes that the Morton’s Vineyard hope will make a name for their vineyard. Soon Violet trips over the dead body of Belinda who had been with a grape cutting tool. A letter that was written by Lacy, that she tried to give to Belinda at the signing, is found by the lifeless body, and Lacy becomes the primary suspect.

Violet doesn’t believe that Lacy is guilty of murdering her sister and sets out to clear her name. In addition, Violet wants to work on reconciling the sisters.

Amanda Flower provides, once again, a well written and plotted story with plenty of red herrings. The story also includes a wonderful cast of believable characters.

I am looking forward to the next book in this interesting series. Also looking forward to seeing if Grandma Daisy might be getting a romantic interest.

This is the third book in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone novel. Violet Waverly manages Charming Books with her grandmother Daisy in Cascade Springs, New York. A wine reviewer is stabbed with a grape harvest knife in her chest and left in the fields.

Violet’s BFF Lacey is the main suspect. Violet and her crew investigate to clear Lacey.

The characters are well written, diverse, and charming. The plot is steady with plenty of twists. There is a nice hint of the paranormal in this series with a talking resident crow named Faulkner and the charming Emerson, a tuxedo cat.

I’m adding the other books to my TBR. I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley and these are my own opinions.

Magical Bookshop and Cozy Murder Mysteries
This is the third installment of the Magical Bookshop Mysteries Series. This is the first of the series that I have read, which was no problem at all. The author writes in such a fashion that the new reader is caught up on the pertinent details, yet is left with the desire to read the previous books. The plot is tight with many suspects and motives. At the final reveal, the reader sees how the clues have led to the culprit without giving the conclusion away. This is a very well-done book. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review. I will be reading all of this author's work, perhaps even a binge read!

A magical bookshop with a birch tree growing right in the middle and which had to be watered by magical spring waters was a wondrous sight to imagine. Add to that, the shop knew what the readers wanted and books flew off the shelves to pick the reader. The essence of the shop knew which book would help its caretaker, Violet, to solve the murder. Grandma Daisy, crow Faulkner, and tuxedo cat Emerson completed the coterie

When celebrity author Belinda Perkins was found murdered with a knife sticking down her back and the shop indicating the book The Little Women to Violet, she knew she had to get to the truth and save her friend Lacey from being charged for murder.

My first book by Amanda Flower charmed me completely. I loved the cute little whodunit which kept me twisted with suspects and enamored with the characters. The story had references to the past but nothing which felt confusing. Amanda's writing kept me engrossed into the story and invested in Violet's life. I wouldn't have minded more of the mystery aspect, but that was just my mystery seeking mind nudging me with its niggle.

This bookstore, Charming Books, enchanted me completely, and I wanted nothing more than to find a cozy nook with a cuppa tea and a good book. A magical read.

Murders and Metaphors is a fun mystical story that takes place in upper New York state near Niagara Falls in Cascade Springs, home of the Charming Books bookstore, where the books choose the buyer. Housed in a lovely old Victorian home built around a tall birch tree, the bookstore has magical qualities where the books occasionally fly, is home to Faulkner, a talking crow and Emerson, a tuxedo cat with special powers. Violet Waverly is the caretaker of the bookstore that has passed down to the female descendants one generation to the next for the last two hundred years. Violet's mother died when she was young so she has taken over for her grandmother, known to everyone as Grandma Daisy, although she is still active at the bookstore. The caretaker has to guard the secret of Charming Books and water the tree every forty eight hours with water from the local springs under the cover of night when no one can see.
In this book, the third of the series, Violet and Grandma Daisy has been asked to set up a table selling books at a local winery owned by the Morton family. Mayor Nathan Morton, former boyfriend of Violet's, asked them to sell the books at the event but the Morton parents don't like Violet causing an awkward situation. They are selling books written by a local woman, Belinda Perkins, a sommelier and wine critic, who has made some enemies with her reviews. This is a late night event because there will be a midnight cutting of the grapes for ice wine. But before the night is over, Belinda is found in the vineyard by Violet with a vine cutting knife in her back. When Lacey, Belinda's estranged sister and Violet's friend, is considered a suspect, Violet sets out to prove that Lacey is innocent. Belinda was not a likable person so there are many people who are in the suspect pool. The "essence" of the bookstore is trying to direct Violet in her search by dropping Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott in front of her.
Police Chief David Rainwater and Violet are very close and he is not happy with Violet getting involved in the investigation. But someone doesn't want Violet working the case so her life is in danger. I was not sure how I felt about a magical bookstore but it is a fun story with a mystery to solve that pulls one into the story and keeps the pages turning. Now, I have to go read the first two in the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.

WOW! WOW! WOW!

This has been on of biggest surprises of this year [so far] for me; I never expected to love this series as much as I have - what a treat this has been!! I have loved all three of these books so much; they have been such a joy to read!!

This one had so many twists and turns and I was as confused as Violet was throughout most of the book - I never saw the murderer coming and for me, that is the best thing about a well-written cozy. AND!!! the wretched love-triangle is O V E R!!! HALLELUJAH!!! Plus, you get Little Women as the book from the bookstore and some new, but awesome characters [well, minus the icky PI. He is just ick.], and you have a fantastic book [hence the 5 stars].

You also learn that just because you are rich, you cannot buy friends, or people who like you or a good impression. The Morton's are a good example of what kind of person you should NEVER, EVER be, whether you have money or not. Mrs. Morton is a real piece of work and I just want to smack her whenever she is in the book.

SO looking forward to more books in this series - it is absolutely my new favorite!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My first experience with both the series and the author, I discovered the magical bookshop to be an intriguing and fanciful, paranormal idea. Protagonist Violet Waverly recently returned to her quaint village of Cascade Springs in the Niagara area to become "Caretaker" of the magical tree located inside the Charming Books bookshop. Her grandmother, Daisy, also works in the bookshop and is a totally engaging character, as are Faulkner the resident talking crow who lives in the branches of the tree and Emerson, the black and white tuxedo cat.

The cozy begins with a late night book signing hosted by Charming Books for Belinda at Morton Vineyard Estates, a vineyard looking forward to the harvesting of grapes for ice wine. Belinda is a widely accepted sommelier but ends the book signing party when she and Lacey Dupont, one of her sisters, end up in a very public and humiliating fight. She is later found slain in the vineyard and it is Violet's childhood friend, Lacey, who is immediately assumed the prime suspect.

(Let me just mention that I was introduced to ice wine in Idaho. SOOO yummy!) Told in first person, it is fairly easy to get into the head of Vi and this entry could function fine as a standalone. Her friend Sadie Cunningham is owner of Midcentury Vintage across the street, and the community along with members of the Red Inkers is engaging. There is an underlying connection between Vi and the police chief, David Rainwater. The shop's magical "essence," quietly deposits hints about the murder in the form of the book Little Women.

Violet is a no-nonsense, direct question type of amateur sleuth and there are twists and turns in this well-plotted mystery. I enjoyed the pace of the narrative, the characters, the setting, and the mystery. There were a couple details that were not wholly explained in the surprising conclusion and a few edit misses, but there were also sufficient threads left dangling that will no doubt play a part in the next book of the series.

I was granted this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read for my unbiased review. Recommended to all who enjoy an easy, fast cozy read with a touch of paranormal.

Charming Books was to host the signing of Belinda Perkins’ new release out at the vineyard of Violet’s ex and his family. Charming Books’ owner and custodian, Violet Waverly was not impressed. But Grandma Daisy had organized it so Violet had no choice but to go along for the ride. Belinda was a nasty piece of work and when her body was discovered out among the snow-covered vines after the signing, and her death looked like the work of her sister, Violet’s best friend Lacey Dupont, Violet knew she had to investigate to clear Lacey’s name.

Cascade Springs in the Niagara Falls region was a quiet little town as a rule. But with the deepest of winter shrouding the houses and people, Violet had her work cut out – she had more suspects than she knew how to deal with. So she enlisted the help of the magical bookshop – the essence would direct her to the answers she sought. And when that direction was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Violet found herself even more confused. What was it telling her? Would she be able to solve this murder mystery before someone else died?

Murders & Metaphors by Amanda Flower is the 3rd in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, and the first I’ve read. Intriguing and different, I was enchanted by the magical bookstore, and loved Emerson the cat and Faulkner the crow – both permanent residents of Charming Books. And I just wanted to give Grandma Daisy a hug 😊 A great cosy read which I recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third installment of the delightful Magical Bookshop series from Amanda Flower. Violet and her grandmother get more than they bargained for when an event at the Morton winery & vineyard results in the death of the honored guest, a renowned wine expert and author.

I love the charming village and setting of this series.. and a magical bookshop? Sign me up, please! I didn’t see the reveal of the killer coming in this title, though it provided a satisfying conclusion to the case. With each book in this series, I appreciate that the case is wrapped up and there are no huge cliffhangers, but that there also remain unanswered questions about situations in Violet’s life, allowing threads to be carried from book to book.

Definitely looking forward to more titles in this series. Ms. Flower has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery authors! I’m planning a more thorough review of this title on my blog and will link back when that’s complete. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advance digital review copy of this title!

Love a cozy mystery. Checkout this amazing series. Love that it's set in a bookstore. Love Grandma Daisy, Emerson, and Faulkner.

Violet and Grandma Daisy are only two of the characters in this cozy with a touch of paranormal- there's also Emerson the cat, Faulkner the crow, and the bookshop itself! You don't need to drink wine or have tasted ice wine to know that Belinda is going to upset people with her reviews of the local product. She's come back to town just for the festival and she's stirred up a lot- including a fight with her sister Lacey, who is Violet's friend. Who would think to ask investigatory advice from a bookstore with a tree in its midst but hey, that's the conceit here and Violet is pointed toward Little Woman ( one of my favorite books, btw). There's a love interest, some fun dialogue, a not too twisty mystery, and all in all, it's a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a standalone for me and I'll be looking for the next one.

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is the second Amanda Flowers book I read this week and while they are two different series, they both revolve around magic. In this one, the magic is much more central to the storyline, in fact, it is central to the bookshop where our heroine is the new caretaker. Violet has taken over from her grandmother and she must nurture the magical elements that inhabit the bookshop, including the tree that grows in the middle of the building, the crow that spouts Shakespeare and other authors, and the books that find the readers, whether the book is in stock or not. It is a delightful premise and one that is used to maximum effect.
A famous author, a local girl who made good, is murdered at a book signing hosted by Violet and her grandmother, it is impossible for Violet not to become involved. The “essence” of the store keeps providing her with clues from Little Women. If that was not sufficient grounds, her friend, the estranged sister of the author who had a confrontation earlier that evening is the number on suspect. Plus there are some personal complications for Violet from previous dealings with the family who own the winery where the event was held.
Add in an annoying PI who keeps dogging Violet wherever she goes and her kitty, Emerson, who turns up in the most unlikely places and may know more than he is letting on and you have a recipe for a totally enjoyable romp. It was a good mystery with engaging and memorable characters.
Five purrs and two paws up.

Amanda Flower’s Murder and Metaphors is a charming addition to her Magical Bookshop Series. Violet has overcome her regret at coming home and settled in happily as caretaker of Charming Books - but once more murder has come to Cascade Springs, and one of Violet’s friends is the main suspect.

A celebrity sommelier who grew up in the area, Belinda Perkins, is back for a book signing, and to review the new ice wine made by the family of Violet’s first love, the people whose actions forced Violet to leave town. When Violet finds Belinda with a knife in her chest, the police immediately eye Lacey, Belinda’s estranged sister who was seen earlier trying to approach. Violet knows Lacey is innocent, and can’t stand to see her accused, so with her grandmother and the bookshop’s help, she once more sets out to target a killer. But what is the bookstore trying to say with Little Women?

Murder and Metaphors is an appealing cozy with just a touch of magic. Personally, I loved Grandma Daisy, Violet’s cat Emerson and Faulkner the crow. Amanda Flower does a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life - even the despicable ones. I enjoyed this cozy immensely, and believe that other cozy lovers will as well.

4 / 5

I received a copy of Murder and Metaphors from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

-- Crittermom

Title: Murders and Metaphors



Author: Amanda Flower



Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Bookshop, Sequel, Winter,



Plot: Violet Waverly does not like winter and January in the Niagara Falls region is known for harsh and bitterly cold winters. Since she can't spend the cold season curled up indoors with a book, she helps her grandma Daisy run their magical bookshop while she secretly cares for the magical tree living inside the bookshop. On top of that, she sits in on the local writing group and teaches two days a week at the nearby college while procrastinating on her dissertation.



So it would seem that her hands are pretty full. Throw in a murder and now Violet is busier than ever. Charming Books and the Mortons' vineyard cooperate to host a book signing for local celebrity author Belinda; but when Belinda is found dead, old wounds reopen and Violet must dig deep to prove that her friend is not the killer. And this time, the bookshop's hints are not very helpful at all.



Likes/Dislikes: This is the third book in an enchanting series which I've just discovered. It is obviously a sequel but stands well on its own without confusing the newbie reader or spoiling any previous mysteries. It is also very unique. The bookshop is magic with the books flying around and popping up in odd places, there is a talking crow and an adorable kitty cat. The chief of police is a Native American which is not something we see everyday and the author is a Christian which is rare where murder mysteries and magic are concerned. I loved it! I would've picked someone else as the killer because it felt too obvious to me but the whole mystery kept me intrigued and following along happily. While the idea of the bookshop trying to help and using Little Women to provide clues was neat, I felt that it ultimately distracted from the whole mystery and did nothing to provide any clues at all. A different book would've been a better choice. All in all, a good mystery.



Rating: PG-14 and up,mainly for content (it's a murder mystery)



Date Review Written: February 1st, 2019



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

This is the third installment to the charming "Magical Bookstore" series by talented author Amanda Flower. She also writes the wonderful Magic Garden series, Amish Candy Shop cozies and Appleseed Creek series. Each series I have read and highly recommend. The author has a great talent for writing mysteries with endearing complex charcters and charming settings.
This is one of my all time favorite cozy series and I am a fan of all of the author's work. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment.
Its so charming with the perfect cozy mystery compliment of loved charcters,, a wonderful well plotted sleuth and bookstore setting that I wish I could truly visit. The descriptions of the magical bookstore by the author places the reader inside to enjoy all the charms and magic of this unique settings.
In this next in series we return to the magical bookstore with a magical tree growing inside. This is a fun aspect of this series with the tree helping all the customers connect to their perfect book to enlighten and charm their lives.

Violet runs "The Charming Books" with her grandmother Daisy. in the lovely town of Cascade Springs, NY . .Violet has already proven to be a very talented sleuth in the previous books as she had to solve two murders (with the help of her grandmother, the magical shop, ( that gives her clues ) Emerson the Cat and a crow named Faulkner. All figure into solving this sleuth ! Violet is a savvy smart protagonist with a heart.

When a author is stabbed to death at the ice wine harvest. Violet, Daisy and her writing group are determined to solve the case! The ladies are working together to help Violet crack this case and make their town safe again. Soon Violet is deep within clues and suspects abound. I was pleasantly surprised that i was unable to figure out the killer and loved the surprise ending.

I loved the plot, the sleuth was excellent and the characters were all integral to the story and enjoyable. This is so charming and a fun mystery to read. I look forward to the next in series.
Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the ARC which does not influence my review.

This is another winning mystery by the author. This is a beloved cozy series endearing and charming to her readers.

Fun mystery to read. Loved learning about Lacey's sad past, and the book makes me want to read Little Women after hearing so much about it. Good mystery, even though the killer wasn't a complete surprise to me. Very entertaining!