In this 2nd book in the 'Red Herring Mystery Series', red-haired journalist Alex Vlodnachek - whose brother is a baker - has a lot on her plate.....and it's not just pastries. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Alex Vlodnachek is a free lance journalist who lives in Fordham, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. Other members of Alex's household are her brother Nick - who's recovering from heartache and starting a bakery business and Lucy - a sweet puppy who was rescued from the streets.

Since going free-lance Alex has been making ends meet by writing exposés about local affairs - a job that often leads to trouble. Moreover, Alex has now agreed to be the advice columnist dubbed 'Aunt Margie', while the regular writer is off for six weeks. Aunt Margie is a fount of wisdom, and Alex muses: "Whether you were a teenager with a crush on your mom's hot best friend or a grandma who secretly hated one of your grown kids, everybody wanted commonsense coaching from Aunt Margie."

As the story opens, Alex is attending a party at the 'Cotswold Inn' - a B&B across the street from her house. Owned by a handsome British gent called Ian Sterling, the Cotswold Inn regularly hosts tourists as well as big shots from the capitol who want a quiet place to rest. Ian is assisted by his father (and business partner) Harkins, a man with a colorful past.

At Ian's party Alex hears about strange goings on at the inn, including sounds of a ghost baby crying; plumbing problems; electrical mishaps; and more. These occurrences are nothing, though, compared to what Alex herself finds at the inn over the next few days - including stolen artworks and dead bodies.

Before any of that happens, though - on the morning after the party - Alex finds a live baby on her kitchen counter, with a couple of diapers, a few bottles, and no note.

Alex and her brother decide not to call the police, thinking they'll take care of the child while they search for the mother. Nick promptly dubs the infant James Bond Vlodnachek (JB), and the house soon gets filled with baby paraphernalia, including diapers, formula, clothing, and a crib.

Because of everything that's going on, Alex's small home becomes crowded with people. Grandma Baba is recruited to help with little JB; the 'real' Aunt Margie - a disheveled, middle-aged man named Marty, who's recovering from surgery - arrives to get away from a pushy niece; and Alex's fashionista mom shows up - but lack of space relegates her to a bed in the Cotswold Inn. All this leads to fun and mayhem, especially when Baba mistakes Marty for an intruder.

The hullaballoo at Alex's house, plus her strange discoveries, make the journalist nervous - especially when murder occurs at the B&B.....and bodies disappear.

It turns out there are several mysteries afoot, and the plot gets a tad complicated. In between villainous goings on, though, there are light scenes: everyone pitching in to care for JB; Nick baking and selling cakes and cookies; Lucy getting walked, scarfing snacks, and going to the doggie park; romantic tingles between Alex and Ian; and more.

This is an engaging cozy, but requires a huge suspension of disbelief. The average person - if they found a baby, stolen art, and two dead bodies - would call the police. Not Alex! She's going to investigate everything herself - with a little help from Trip, her best friend and former editor.

In the course of her inquiries Alex makes some startling discoveries and puts her own life in danger.....but she discovers everything in the end.

I liked the book and got a kick out of the entertaining characters. I'd recommend the novel to fans of cozy mysteries.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Dana Dratch), and the publisher (Kensington) for a copy of the book.

Wowsa there's a lot going on here! Alex is a free lance reporter who also solves mysteries. That in and of itself is not unusual for a cozy but here our heroine also has a large and entertaining family and a neighbor- Ian- with an unknown past. Ian owns the inn where Alex finds the bodies - and his own father is missing. A baby is left in Alex's house and her grandmother (love Baba!), not Child protective services, is there to help. There's good humor in this and just when I thought it was going off the rails, Dratch pulled it back again. I didn't read the first book (my loss) and I don't think that was an issue and that this is fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next one (and I want to spend more time with Alex's family!)

Seeing Red
(A Red Herring Mystery #2)
by Dana Dratch 

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation




Goodreads synopsis:
If it wasn't for art thieves, spies and killers, Alex Vlodnachek's life would be bliss. 

Her freelance career is catching fire. Her relationship with B&B owner Ian Sterling is flirty and fun. She's even attending a glittering cocktail party at his sprawling Victorian inn.

But, to this ex-reporter, something seems "off." And it's not the canap�s. When Ian's father vanishes, the enigmatic innkeeper asks for her discretion. And her assistance.

Meanwhile, Alex is having the opposite problem at her tiny bungalow: People keep piling in uninvited. Including a mysterious intruder found sleeping in her kitchen. Her grandmother, Baba, who shows up "to help"--with Alex's own mother hot on her heels.

When the intrepid redhead discovers a body in the B&B's basement and a "reproduction" Renoir in the library, she begins to suspect that Ian is more than just a simple hotel owner.

With editor pal Trip, brother Nick, and rescue-pup Lucy riding shotgun, Alex scrambles to stay one step ahead of disaster--and some very nasty characters.

Can she find the missing man before it's too late? Or will Alex be the next one to disappear?

***

4 Stars

This is the second book in the A Red Herring Mystery series. Her first book out last year, “Confessions of a Red Herring,” was one of my favorite books of 2018. This book wasn’t quite as thrilling as that one was, but still pretty good.

Alex Vlodnachek is a freelance journalist. Currently, she is working for the competition of her old newspaper writing the Ask Maggie column. But in this book, that isn’t the only thing on her plate. Her brother, Nick is trying to start a new baking business out of her kitchen. Her handsome British neighbor across the way is hiding the fact that his father has mysteriously disappeared. And Alex has stumbled upon not one but TWO dead bodies in the freezer in the B&B’s basement that like Ian’s father keep disappearing.

This book is chock full with so much going on. I almost thought it was a bit too much for one book. In fact, I only realized near the end that what I thought was one couple staying at Ian’s B&B was in fact two different couples. I had fused them together in my mind. I guess to keep the complexity at bay.

I am not sure why Ian didn’t start looking into the why of his father’s disappearance. It was almost assumed that Alex would do that for him. I knew something was fishy with Ian even back in book one when he was high on my suspect list. Plus he and Alex’s mother get along swimmingly. How is that possible? Definitely a distinctly fishy smell at the mysterious B&B.

This was surely a four star book for me. Not as thrilling as book one but a keeper none the less. I am interested in seeing where the relationship between Alex and Ian goes from here considering the ramifications of the last scene of the book. Intense meltdown imminent, I suspect.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Wow what a fun read! This book is quirky, funny and non-stop action. Alex Vlodnachek, nicknamed "Clod the Impaler" is a freelance reporter hustling for work. Next thing you know her romantic interest's father disappears, a baby appears in her kitchen and bodies start piling up along with priceless paintings that may or may not be real. Something smells fishy and she's just the right person to discover what's going on. People aren't what they seem to be and even her love interest might not be completely clean.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. This is the second book in this series and can be read as a stand-alone. Good addition to ‘cosy world’ and a book I recommend. Alex is a reporter, ghost-writing an advice column, whose brother, Nick, moved in with her to start his own baking business. Alex has a romantic interest in sexy Brit, Ian, who owns the posh B&B across the street. This book is well-paced with fun and unexpected events occurring. Just to name a few of these zany events – bodies appear and disappear from a basement freezer in the B&B, Ian’s butler (also known as his father!) disappears and Alex walks into her kitchen early one morning to find a baby boy in his carrier on her counter! People move into and out of Alex and Nick’s house and add their perspectives, helping Alex figure out the murderer. Fun and well-written with good characters. I gather the series will all have the word, ‘red’, in the title so be on the look-out for future red mysteries; I look forward to them.

Alex is a freelance reporter living with her brother Nick in DC. Across the street is a Victorian B&B owned by Ian, a Brit whose father lives with him. Nick is starting a bakery business, and is using the B&B's kitchen. Strange things are happening in the B&B, plus one morning Alex wakes up to find a baby in her kitchen with no idea who he is or how he got there. Add in a few other very unique characters and you have a funny mystery. I really enjoyed reading this novel and hope there will be more in this series!

4.5 stars
This book was a total surprise for me! It never failed to entertain me while it’s plot kept me constantly engaged.
The characters were funny and refreshing and completely complimented the story.
I definitely suggest you pick up this series if you’re looking for something light and engaging!

3.75 stars

Fun and funny mystery featuring former reporter and current free-lance writer Alex Vlodnachek. She lives in the D.C. area with her brother Nick who is trying to build up a custom baking business. Her mother, her eccentric Russian grandmother, and her supermodel sister Anastasia are part of the cast of characters, along with best friend Trip and his partner Tom, and hunky British Ian, who owns the B&B across the street along with his father Harkins.

The plot is definitely zany and not always logical, but the characters are enjoyable. Alex comes home to find a baby has been dropped off at her house. Not the craziest thing that has happened -- she also found a dead body (which later disappeared) in the freezer at the B&B across the street.

These books are sort of a literary equivalent of 40s screwball comedies. Lots of plot threads, and lots of enjoyment. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found it very hard to keep reading the book. In the end I had to stop after having read 60 pages. Nothing exciting and making a reader desire to know more about the characters.

Seeing Red by Dana Dratch is the second installment in Red Herring Mystery series and it just keeps getting better.

I simply love this series even though there have only been two books so far.
I like everything about it.

The main character is down to earth, pretty, funny, hardworking, kindhearted and not so lucky in love young woman with the crazy family and friends. Apart from fabulously portrayed and life like main character there is a array of side characters each more vivid and exceptional than the other.
I appreciate how conscientious and diligent she is and what a fantastic role model she is proving out to be. Someone who likes to work, enjoys what she does, is close to her family and friends and always willing to help those in need. I have rarely met such an impressionable lead role in a cozy mystery.

I especially love how all these people come together to create chaos and mayhem.
There is always something going on in their lives.
I particularly like the humor and laugh out loud scenes. This is such a big plus for me.
Mysteries are unusually well plotted and delivered. There is quite often mystery within the mystery which makes it even more special.

I also like how each book ends up with a bang. A piece of the next puzzle that will keep readers eagerly awaiting next book.

Must not be missed.

First thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my ARC.

I loved this book. It's a cozy mystery - and the second in a series (I haven't read the first one yet, but plan to as I now have a new favorite author for light fun reading).

So, what do you get when you cross a free lance journalist with a penchant for finding dead bodies, a sexy British inn keeper and a mystery baby - a whole lot of fun and a wonderful whodunnit. Alex is a freelance journalist who happens to live across from a her sexy new neighbor and B&B innkeeper, Ian. When Ian hosts a cocktail party, Alex finds a dead body in the basement - unfortunately it won't be her first, and add to that Ian's father has gone missing and a baby is left in her living room. Alex, along with her brother Nick, her friend Trip and a bunch of eccentric characters go about solving the mystery of the dead bodies and Ian's missing father, while they call for Baba (russian for grandmother) to come help with the baby.

It was a very refreshing read, and an easy book to get through. I can see this series def becoming a Hallmark movies and mystery series so hopefully Hallmark is reading.

Pick up your copy when it comes out because you will enjoy it.

Dana Dratch.
This is the second book of this series and my first..
What a fun book to read I laugh so much.
Once I got to know who as who the story line was brilliant.
Loved all the family ,connections and the support they all give .
Has Ian got some secrets to tell!!
The story kept you guessing and plenty of red herrings.
Definitely recommend this book.
Can’t wait for book 3 .

An oh-so-much-fun quirky, entertaining mystery that makes your laugh. Charming characters and a story that is packed full with an abandoned baby, missing guests, ghost writing, and an insurance scam that keeps you guessing until the end. I haven't read the first one, but am sure to check it out after this one, and looking forward to the 3rd.

I didn't want this book to end! It was a test of wills - to find out "whodunit" and finish the book quickly or put it away for a day and read it leisurely. Well, I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day!

I loved the characters - Alex, Nick, Baba, Trip, Ian and all of the charming and eccentric folks that resided (most temporarily) with Alex. They brought humor, fun and led to a "domino style" solving of the mysteries Alex, a freelance journalist was trying to solve. Alex is a strong protagonist with a heart of gold and an ability to solve the most complicated mysteries. Seeing Red finds Alex, Nick and Baba acting as "babysitters" for an abandoned baby while Alex is trying to find disappearing guests from the B&B across the street, ghost write a column for "Aunt Margie", save a colleague from an insurance scam, and get paid for her ghost-writing!

The mysteries kept me guessing until the end when everything fell into place. I enjoy mysteries with humor and witty dialogue and this was perfect! Not too much humor or romance, but enough to keep you grinning with an occasional sigh! There's a third book in the series and it will be read just as quickly as this one! I can't wait!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.

I loved, loved, loved this laugh out loud funny, quirky and interesting cozy mystery. This book has it all- a baby miraculously showing up in lead character Alex's kitchen, sabotage at the inn owned by her potential love interest Ian, Ian's missing father, and stolen/forged art not to mention dead bodies appearing and disappearing from the freezer in Ian's basement. It's a winner!