Leslie Meier writes my favorite cozy mysteries.

A small town in Maine, a little murder, a big community that you grow to love and my favorite sleuth, Lucy Stone, and you have the perfect book.

Many of her books are thematic and this is the perfect book for Valentine's Day

This is another collection of two of Leslie Meier's older Lucy Stone Cozy Mysteries. I read the first one Valentine Murder quite awhile ago and enjoyed reading it again. Chocolate Covered Murder was new to me. I always enjoy visiting Tinker's Cove during the holidays and both mysteries did not disappoint. The characters and the small town setting are fun. The mysteries were good and there were enough suspects to keep them interesting. I like that Lucy works with the police as she investigates. I was able to solve both mysteries. Enjoy the Holiday Cozies.

VALENTINE MURDER, 4 Stars

Lucy, in addition to being a busy mom of four, and an occasional freelance feature writer for the local newspaper, is now a member of the board of directors at the town's library. She is one of seven directors, and imagine her horror, on the very first day of her new duties, when the librarian, Bitsy Howell is murdered. The detective on the case, Lieutenant Horowitz, is certain that one of the directors is responsible for Bitsy's death. She met Hororwitz before and as he knows of her propensity to get involved, he strictly warns her to leave things to the police.

Over the past few years, several cases have arisen involving the gruesome act of murder, and Lucy was right in the thick of things with the very intent of solving them, which she did admirably. Things will be no different this time - she will not wait around for the police. She intends on finding the murderer as soon as possible, despite being commanded by the detective to stay out of it.

Per usual Lucy Stone style, Lucy knows just who to talk to and just what questions to ask. She is superb when it comes to digging to the bottom of matters. All the while playing sleuth, she is living a real life with relationships and situations that cannot be ignored. I especially love her role as a mother - it brings to much to an already well-written story and series.

However, I want to mention two things that kept me from giving this more than four stars. For one thing, the parents were quite lax with their computer and there was no internet safety for their children. Also, while running to the store, she left her four-year-old Zoe in the car in order to avoid an argument over what the little one might want her to buy. (Actually, she left Zoe in the car alone one other time come to think of it.) While the story may be set in small-town Maine, real dangers (well, fictionalized, but real, you know?) do exist and I feel that these matters weren't handled right. Also, a small thing irritated me - ten-year-old Sarah is in the 3rd grade? Hopefully just an editing error.

As with all connected series and books, familiar characters are back. We don't see as much as one of my favorites in this book, however, Barney Culpepper, but with 24 books in this series, I do hope to see him more. Ms. Tilley remains as cantankerous as ever, but I still feel a bit of patience for her. Bill, Lucy's husband, is growing on me. Then, of course, there is the mystery of the murder. It is handled well and efficiently, with enough twists and turns to keep the story at a fast pace. With only a handful of suspects, it was great fun trying to pinpoint the murderer. For an enjoyable and quick read for lovers of cozy mysteries, even with the problems in the story, be sure to pick up this next installment in the series. I am looking forward to reading Christmas Cookie Murder next.


CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER, 3 Stars

Lucy Stone is the mother of four, and even though a couple of her children no longer live at homes, she is a very busy woman. Couple that with her job as a newspaper reporter, and there simply are not enough hours in a day. Lucy's boss Ted has given her a frustrating assignment. It is not the serious type of article Lucy prefers working on. Finding people to answer questions is frustrating as usual for Lucy.

Par for the course, things quickly change when two people turn up dead, one of them covered in chocolate. Lucy, the ever focused amateur sleuth, starts looking for answers of her own. In usual format, Lucy knows just who to talk to in order to get to the bottom of things.

I am loving this cozy mystery series, and with this being book 18, am nearing the end. I hope Leslie Meier keeps on writing these. There are currently 27 titles and the next one is Easter Bunny Murder.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

I love Leslie Meier's books and have been reading them for years. Her plots are always great: engaging and keeps you on your toes from beginning to end.

I love Lucy Stone and all her life drama. It makes the mysteries more cozy. They are a great bunch of characters and a wonderful story- both in the continued background and the actual mystery in this book. But there was so much senseless violence-all for greed.

This is a series that I've read since book 1. Lucy Stone and her family have become long-time friends as we've watched her children grow. I also like the way that Lucy has developed into her own woman and not afraid to stand-up for herself.

This is another well-written and entertaining book that I've come to expect. There were enough twists and turns that kept my interest late into the night.

The two stories in this book are previously published stories. When I picked up and began reading the book, I could tell immediately, as the latest Lucy Stone book in the series, has all of her children grown. In the first story, they were still children/teenagers. In the second story, they were older, which may have confused some if they were not familiar with her books in this series, but still younger than they are in her latest book. I am not sure if I ever read these stories in their earlier publications, as I do not remember the stories. I figured this was a bundling of two novellas that were related to Valentine’s Day—they were actually set in that time frame, and the holiday served as a good backdrop.

In both stories, Lucy Stone once again finds herself embroiled in murder mysteries. In the first, a beloved librarian is killed, while in the second a not-so-well-thought-of chocolate store sales person is killed. Lucy works her way through a myriad of clues and events to figure out just what is going on—much to the dismay of the police detective assigned, who would prefer Lucy stay out of it all. In both books, Lucy juggles her life as a mother of children and wife, with her part-time job on the local newspaper and her investigative work. In addition, there are many other activities and events in the small town of Tinker’s Cove, ME, in which she is involved, though they remain on the periphery that come into the tales. Lucy comes across, as usual, as a smart, strong woman, who figures out answers and knows what she wants to do in both murder cases. Of course, many of the characters, in addition to her family, who are a big part of her world make an appearance, and some even lend to her investigative work. Though the stories can be read as stand-alone, it might help to have read at least some of the other books in the series to better understand the characters, the town and how everything relates together. This is a good Valentine’s Day read if you are looking for one. However, it is also just a good, cozy, not-too-complex short read for anyone looking for just that—or who enjoys the author or the series. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

So disappointed to discover that this is a reissue of an earlier book. The publisher should at least clearly state on the cover that this is simply an update of an older book in the series.

Two previously published Valentine stories. I'm a succer for these covers! Not my favorite of hers but still enjoyable.

I was expecting a new book. This was okay, but it is hard to focus with the extreme time changes. I do enjoy the series but am ready for something new.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier. I am a big fan of Lucy Stone Mysteries and have have previously read "Valentine's Day Murder and "A Chocolate Covered Murder" when they were previously published. It was nice to revisit both mysteries and I enjoyed reading both again.

Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier - I love her books about food, books and murder. The book takes place in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. Everyone has a secret and won’t stop at killing people to keep those secrets. This book has a good plot, enjoyable characters and keeps you guessing until the end. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me an advanced readers copy of Valentine Candy Murder.

I received Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier as an ARC from NetGalley. This was my first time reading one of Leslie Meier's books and I really enjoyed it. Valentine Candy Murder combines two of her previously released books. Lucy Stone is a local reporter who gets involved in solving murders in her hometown of Tinker's Cove, Maine. The first mystery involves the murder of a librarian and the second one involves the murder of a chocolate store employee. I enjoyed both stories and I will definitely go back to read Leslie's previous books.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.

I had already read each of these as separate books, did not realize they were just reprints. I do enjoy this author and this series.

This is a duet volume of two previous Lucy Stone books. It's fun to re-visit Lucy and Bill when they are younger and the children are still at home. In Valentine Murder, Lucy is new to the Library Board of directors and finds the librarian dead before her first meeting. Even Bill gets involved when shoddy construction and padded bills come to light with the new addition. In Chocolate covered murder, Lucy is writing for the PennySaver newspaper and is doing a story on Chanticleer Candy company. When she finds the owner covered in chocolate is a race to see if she can solve the murder before the killer takes out Lucy. These are books 5 and 18 in the Lucy Stone series. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lucy Stone, beloved protagonist of dozens of culinary mysteries - typical housewife, and reporter for a small paper in her small New England town, Tinker’s Cove - has two murders to solve in Valentine Candy Murder, by Leslie Meier. In the first, Valentine Murder, Lucy finds herself on the library board, and at her first meeting, the new librarian (a woman many don’t particularly like) murdered in the library basement. The police suspect the murderer is one of the board members, and Lucy works to investigate who it is. Unfortunately, she gets herself into trouble, and may not survive herself.

In the second mystery in the book, Chocolate Covered Murder, a very flirty sales clerk at a high-end chocolate store is found not only murdered, but covered in chocolate. There are dozens of suspects, but as Lucy investigates and gets closer to discovering the murderer, she gets too close to the number one suspect and is close to ending up like the flirty clerk.

Those readers who are familiar with Meier’s characters in this charming series, know Lucy, her family, and some of her friends, as viable people similar to acquaintances in real life. The books cover Lucy as she raises her children – in Valentine Murder, her children are small and in Chocolate Covered Murder, her children are grown, she is a grandmother, and most of her children are gone – and her life evolves through the years. Although there is no graphic violence, sex, or language, there is still building suspense throughout both novellas; they are suitable for all ages.

Valentine Candy Murder is fun to read; Tinker’s Cove is a make-believe small town where things are almost perfect (except for a high incidence of murders, or course) and they are feel-good mysteries that are light and fast moving. There is enough food mentioned that foodies will get plenty of good ideas for treats and dinner.

It seems that this series has a mystery for every holiday, so it’s perfect to have something to read that relates to special times of the year.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier contains two previously published A Lucy Stone Valentine’s Day Mysteries. Valentine Murder has Lucy Stone, as a new member of the library board, attending her first library board meeting. They are ready to begin, but Bitsy Howell, the librarian, is missing. Lucy goes to fetch Bitsy and finds her shot dead in the workroom. The suspects are limited to the board members according to the police. Lucy cannot stop thinking about the murder. She decides to find out more about Bitsy and her fellow board members. In a small town like Tinker’s Cove, secrets have a way of coming out especially with Lucy making inquiries. Can Lucy unravel the clues to pinpoint the killer before someone she loves comes to harm?

Chocolate Covered Murder has Tinker’s Cove launching “Love is Best on Coast” travel promotion to attract tourists to the town. Lucy Stone, reporter, is assigned to write a piece on Chanticleer Chocolate, which was just voted Best Candy on the Coast by Best of Maine magazine, to tie in with the town’s promotion. The upscale store is owned by chocolatier, Trey Meacham and run by the sultry Tamzin Graves who likes to flirt with the male clientele which is upsetting the local wives. Lucy returns to Chanticleer Chocolate’s to take photographs and finds Tamzin dead behind the counter covered in chocolate. Thanks to Tamzin’s behavior, there are no shortage of suspects. Lucy puts her sleuthing skills to the test. She needs to unscramble the clues, or she could end up the killer’s latest creation.

While Valentine Candy Murder contains two previous A Lucy Stone Mysteries, I enjoyed diving into them again. I thought the stories were well-written with steady pacing. I am a fan of Lucy Stone. We have gotten to watch her mature over the years as she took care of her family, worked as a reporter and solved crimes. We have seen her children grow up and leave the nest. I like Leslie Meier’s engaging writing style. It is always a pleasure to visit Tinker’s Cove and discover what crime Lucy is solving this time. If you have not read any of the other books in the series, you can read this volume. Everything a reader needs to know is included. Personally, I recommend reading A Lucy Stone Mysteries in order. You will get to know Lucy, her family, friends and the town. The mystery in Chocolate Covered Murder is more complex than the one in Valentine Murder. I am giving Valentine Candy Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). If you are looking for a diverting cozy mystery to read for Valentine’s Day, then join Lucy Stone in Valentine Candy Murder.

Valentine Candy Murder combines two previously released Lucy Stone Mysteries, Valentine Murder (the fifth book in the series) and Chocolate Covered Murder (the 18th book in the series). I love the older stories about Lucy and her family; they are realistic and believable, making these fast reads all the more fun. Especially if you can curl up in front of the fire and enjoy them on a cold winter's day. Having an opportunity to reread these two books helped remind me of what originally pulled me into Meier's cozy world of Tinker's Cove.

Valentine Murder
In a bid to be a more involved in her community, we find the newly elected Lucy Stone rushing to make it to her first Library Board meeting on time. With her children's antics and some crazy weather, it's no surprise that she's a bit late and gets stuck with the job of tracking down the librarian, Bitsy Howell, who is MIA from children's story time. When Lucy manages to track her down, she's surprised to find the seemingly boring librarian dead from very unnatural causes. Never one to shy away from a mystery, Lucy begins asking all over town to find out possible motives and the identity of Bitsy's murderer, fearing it may be one of the upstanding members of her community that serves with her on the Library's Board.

Chocolate Covered Murder
Covering a story featuring a local chocolatier for The Pennysaver is a very sweet gig and while Lucy knows her piece is to help promote a tourism campaign featuring Tinker's Cove, she still has a hard time taking her story seriously. That is until the chocolatier's store manager ends up murdered and covered in chocolate. Lucy soon learns that the chocolate business in her little town is much more bitter than she could have ever suspected.

Just a friendly note, it's actually about 50% cheaper right now to buy both of the individual Kindle books for each story (about $4) than the combined books as Valentine Candy Murder (about $9).

A huge thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to reread two of my favorite Lucy Stone books for free. Opinions are entirely my own.