An interesting and intriguing read, there are so many players in this story for the villain of the day.
The storyline is an okay one, with curiously interesting characters, who define the story. I wasn’t captivated by the characters much except for one Mattie to me he could have been given a bigger role, hahaha, just saying.

Peace Clobbered" is the first book in the new "Georgia B&B Mystery" series by Anna Gerard. It is a great beginning to a new series. I really enjoyed this book and the setting of Cymbeline, GA . I always like a small town setting where almost everyone knows one another. Makes for fun and often quirky characters

The Protagonist Nina and her furbaby named Matilda, "Mattie", the Australian shepherd dog are likeable. Add a Penguin and some Nuns and whats not to like.

The story was well paced, I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know who the killer was. The description of the setting, the Queen Anne house and the shops drew me in. The ending was unexpected although I had sort of figured out whodunit around the same time as Nina.

Highly recommended. A wonderful first book from an author I will definitely follow in the future.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Nina Fleet leaves the big city life in Atlanta for a small town in Georgia where she purchases a Bed & Breakfast. She’s met with resistance when the late former owner’s nephew claims the house belongs to him. It could prove to be a nasty court battle, but for now, the house belongs to Nina.

Her first guests are a group of elderly nuns who have been evicted from their convent by a nasty real estate developer. The mayor convinces Nina to help them. She grows attached to these wonderful women and she’s more than happy to provide them with a place to stay. When the real estate developer turns up dead, Nina does some snooping on her own to find a killer. There is a long list of suspects to investigate.

One of my favorite settings for a cozy mystery is a Bed & Breakfast. This book does not let me down. We have a great old B&B filled with very interesting and unique guests. It even has our heroine’s lovable dog who lends a helping paw in solving the mystery.

This is the first book in the series and already I am hooked. I devoured this one in just a couple of days. I couldn’t wait to find out who the killer was and I was nicely surprised.

Anna Gerard is also the author of the Black Cat Bookshop mysteries (written under the name Ali Brandon). That series is one of my favorites. There’s also the Tarot Cat Mystery series written under the name Diane A.S. Stuckart. I do need to catch up with both of those series. I wish this one had a cat, but I fell in love with the dog instead.

Whichever name she writes under, her cozy mysteries are a fun to read. She creates stories and characters that make me smile.



FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Posted by Yvonne

Nuns, a murdered penguin, a charming yet annoying actor mixed with an engaging newly divorced B&B owner - what's not to love! 'Peach Clobbered' is a delightful mystery with believable characters in unlikely situations. There is a perfect mix of witty dialogue, laugh out loud humor, a hint of romantic possibility and a well executed mystery that had me guessing all along. My only problem is that I have to wait for more. I highly recommend this new series by Anna Gerard.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Nina (be sure to pronounce is like Nine-a) Fleet is starting a new life in a picturesque town of Cymbeline where everything is a Shakespearian namesake. A new life in a gorgeous house that quite literally over-night becomes the bed and breakfast she had considered as an option. Her first guests are the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty at the Mayor's request in exchange for a quick permitting process. The poor ladies have been ousted by a local land developer who then ends up dead. Surely is couldn't be any of the sweet cheese making nuns! Nina In addition, the nephew of the deceased former owner is contesting the purchase of her new (to her) and very lovely home. Nina is quick witted and makes for an excellent main character with an easy going manner that puts everyone at ease making her less like the new girl in town and more like a regular player.

What a cute little book!

Nina Fleet purchased a beautiful home in a small Georgia town, and the shenanigans that follow make you keep reading long after your bedtime.

This is honestly a great summer poolside/beach read, and I would absolutely recommend it. Well written and funny, with just enough will-they-or-won't-they to keep you hooked.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read and review this title.

Could be subtitled Nina and the nuns. A delightful tale with a wide variety of characters. This seems to be the beginning of a series. I am hoping so anyway. Lots of potential.

I’m not usually drawn to mysteries, but the cover on this book and the description led me right in! For me, this was a light read, definitely entertaining and humorous, in places, but I prefer novels with more meat and meaning to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nina has purchased a large Victorian home in picturesque Cymbeline, GA, hoping to escape the fallout of her messy divorce in Atlanta. She's not there long before a man in a penguin suit comes to the door and declares that the house rightfully belongs to him. More surprising events ensue, such as 6 kindly nuns staying at the house after being evicted from their convent by an evil developer, a murder, and finding a hidden tower room with a secret. I enjoyed this cozy mystery, and hope to read more by this author

Anna Gerard is Ali Brandon, who was the author of one of my all time favorite cozy series, the" Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries".She also writes the enjoyable series Tarot Cats (as Diane Stuckart). I was thrilled to receive this book for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinion is my own..
Peach Clobbered is the first book in the new Georgia B&B cozy mystery series. I enjoyed this debut of the series and look forward to reading many more in the series. The writing is fast paced,, the sleuth well crafted and the charcters were all likable. The small charming Southern location was a delight. The author has perfectly written the first in series .

Nina Fleet recently divorced quite publicly from a philandering husband. !) ( I like her already) She was able to gain a hefty settlement and moved into a house she is developing into a B&B which is a dream of hers. She is living in Cymbaline Georgia a small Southern town. She likes the friendly Southern town and its charming shops and nice people. She is working to turn her home into a B and B which she hopes will be successful. She is fighting with the county permits and a relative of the former owner who has returned to reclaim ownership. As if that were not bother enough now a group of Nuns has come to stay after losing their own home to development. She is contending with the Nuns, the permits and the possibility of a lawsuit by the previous owner's relative when all of a sudden a murder occurs.

Nina is a savvy smart protagonist as she dives into finding clues and soon suspects abound. The sleuth is pleasing to read with a fast pace and a great conclusion with multiple twist and turns that appeal to this avid cozy mystery reader. I like Nina as a protagonist who does not suffer fools and is especially good at finding out clues . The location is delightful and I look forward to further books in the series. A very enjoyable debut. Well done to the author.

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Nina Fleet was recently bought a historic Queen Anne house in Cymbeline, GA. Shortly after she and her fur-baby Mattie settle in the former owner's nephew, Harry shows up at her front door in a penguin costume. He believes that the house should have gone to him after his great Aunt passed away. He is threatening to sue Nina over the house. Once he finally leaves, the mayor shows up telling Nina she is going to fast track a license for Nina to open up a B & B in her home and she has Nina’s first customers. The customers are a group of nuns that have been displaced by their landlord not renewing their lease. The landlord turns up dead in Harry’s costume and near the nuns' protest site. Can Nina find out what really happened and can she and Harry put aside their differences?

This is a great start to a new series. The characters are fun and entertaining. The B & B setting and the nuns is a unique and interesting storyline. The mystery was well paced with several well placed red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. If you are looking for a new cozy mystery this once won’t disappoint.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard is the 1st book in A Georgia B&B Mystery series, and it was great fun. Nina is 41 years old and has come to Cymbeline, GA where she bought a house, with plans to turn it into a bed and breakfast. Nina is recently divorced from a cheating pro golfer, so she has plenty of money. When a penguin, man in penguin suit, knocks on the door, and claims the house she just bought was left to him, trouble begins. The mayor fast track Nina license for the B&B, so she could put up some local nuns that are being kicked out of their home. On top of that another man in a penguin suit was found murdered. There is so much going on in this book, I love it. Along with all the quirky characters. I can not wait to read the next book in the series.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.

I loved this book and plan to buy a copy for a friend of mine. I tried another series by this author but don't like when the animals talk. I did not know this was the same author before reading this book. I'm glad I read this and it is now one of my new favorites that I hope will continue for long time.

Peach Clobbered is the debut in the A Georgia B&B Mystery series set in Cymbeline, GA and featuring divorcee, Nina (pronounced Nine-Ah) Fleet. Following a contentious divorce from a pro golfer, Nina uses her settlement to purchase a gorgeous Queen Anne home with hopes of turning it into a Bed and Breakfast.

Nina is settling into her new town with her Australian Shepherd, Mattie, when a knock at the door reveals a penguin. Actually it's Harry Westcott, the great nephew of the previous home owner Daisy Lathrop, who has been claiming since she bought the house that he should be the rightful owner as he's in possession of a letter from Daisy stating she was going to change her will and leave the home to him. Unfortunately, Daisy had passed before the change was made but Harry isn't giving up.

Later that day Nina returns home from a visit to the local coffee shop and discovers Mayor Melissa Jane Green parked in her driveway. The Mayor had originally denied Nina's permit for commercial use to operate a B&B, but now she has changed her mind - with a stipulation. Nina has to take in the group of six nuns who have been evicted from their convent by landowner Gregory Bainbridge. The Sisters of Perpetual Poverty have had to close their cheese making business and while waiting for word on where they will be relocated they need a temporary place to stay.

Nina welcomes the nuns into her home and decides to help them with their protest against Bainbridge who is one of the most despised people in Cymbeline. During a brief break from their silent march on the Town Green, Nina takes a walk over to the ice cream shop and discovers the body of a dead penguin in the alley. Fearing the worst, she is somewhat relieved to discover that the body in the costume is not Harry but instead Bainbridge. With the sisters and Harry named as suspects, Nina takes it upon herself to track down a killer.

A fun, fast paced plot with likable characters, a friendly dog and a mysterious skull. It's a little distracting that Nina is constantly reminding people of the correct way to pronounce her name and her treatment of Harry sometimes borders on bullying, but overall this series is sure to be a hit. I was left a little bit saddened with the ending, but am hoping that we will meet some of the secondary characters again.

I received an advanced copy of Peach Clobbered from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

PEACH CLOBBERED by Anna Gerrard takes place in the fictional town of Cymbelline and is filled with small tourist friendly shops and an atmosphere that evokes everything you’ve heard about the friendly, small town south. The protagonist, Nina (pronounced Nine-Ah) Fleet, has come to town to visit, fallen in love with it and bought the Queen Anne style house. Although initially turned down in her request to turn it into a B&B, the sudden need for a place to house a contingent of nuns who are being displaced turns that around. In true small-town fashion, when it benefits the mayor or perhaps her view of the town, the red-tape is miraculously run through in record time and Nina opens her brand new B&B.
Nothing is that simple, though. Although Nina bought the house from the estate of its former resident, a nephew has now turned up with a letter saying the owner intended to leave the house to him and is threatening to sue for ownership. He further informs Nina he has talked with an attorney who says he has a good case. Resolution of this issue is high on Nina’s list of priorities, but first she has to accompany the nuns as they plan a picket march downtown.
Seems the nuns are being forced off their properties by the real estate developer who owned the property where their convent was located, forcing them to close their cheese making business and move from the area. This isn’t the first time the developer has engaged in a less-than upstanding real estate deal, and he is one of the less popular people in town. The nuns are picketing his office for his unfair practices while Nina also learns of another group of home owners who were cheated out of their property by this same developer.
The heat gets to the nuns quickly and they pause in their march to hydrate. Nina joins one of the nuns on a nearby bench while the rest of them scatter in various directions to accomplish different tasks. Before anyone returns, Nina is approached by a strange woman declaring “he” is dead in the alley. At first Nina thinks the “he” is the nephew who has been moonlighting as a penguin for the local ice cream shop and the injured man is wearing the penguin suit. Once the head is removed it becomes apparent that instead of the nephew, the injured man is the real estate developer.
Things escalate from that point. The victim dies, the nephew talks Nina into letting him move into the tower room of her house because his life is being threatened, the nuns explore the delights of living in the town as opposed to their convent and secrets are uncovered in the house. The activity takes place at a good pace, pulling you through the book quickly. It’s an easy book to read, fairly light and fluffy, at least for a murder, and the reader can enjoy a few hours of reading that is entertaining without being demanding.
The book is a good example of a cozy, “beach read” being easy to put down and pick up all while keeping the story and characters straight. I read it in a couple of days, and that was putting it down on numerous occasions to do other things. It was also easy to solve in terms of who was the murderer. The town of Cymballine will make you want to schedule a trip to Georgia, sampling some of the peach cobbler and making new friends along the way. It also reads as the first in a new cozy mystery, so if you enjoy this trip to the friendly sun-drenched south you will want to come back again and again to learn what Nina and her friends are up to next. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

situational-humor, verbal-humor, bed-and-breakfast, small-town, cozy-mystery, murder-investigation

Not too far into the book it's easy to see who the murder victim should be, but there's also a lot of other things going on. There's the rather obnoxious actor in a penguin costume (In summertime. In Georgia) who thinks he should own Nina's lovely Victorian, the sudden appearance of the mayor with a car full of displaced nuns and the paperwork to authorize the house as a Bed and Breakfast, and a visit by the most despised man in town. Lots of real characters, laughs, plot twists and red herrings add up to a book that I really enjoyed!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Peach Clobbered is an interesting and enjoyable read.
Although a bit different approach from the usual cozy mysteries, I really liked it.

Nina is not a character you would like at the first instance. It takes time to get to know her and tolerate her antics but as the story proceeds, you will like her. I really enjoyed reading Peach Clobbered. It felt a tad out of my comfort zone but that is what made this an enjoyable read.

The story was good - the mystery and the suspense was good enough. However, I wish the ending was a tad different. It ends fine, no issues there, but given the climax, a little bit of action would have been better. I don't like stories that ooze romance, especially in a cozy mystery. However, I hoped to see some sparks flying between Nina and Harry.

A fun start to what I can tell is going to be a fantastic series! I just adore cozy mysteries. These are my go-to books when I need something light in my life and they always manage to hit the spot. Peach Clobbered was a goodie! I enjoyed it immensely and while I haven't had the chance to read the authors previous books you can bet that will change after this one!

Filled with humor, interesting and quirky characters, and a murder that will leave you breathless, this book is going to be a must have for all fans of the genre! I can't wait to see where the author takes the series next.

"Peace Clobbered" is the first book in the new Georgia B&B Mystery series by Anna Gerard and as the foundation for a new series, I liked the setting and characters populating the town of Cymbeline, Georgia. Nina Fleet is divorced from her philandering pro golfer husband and buys a lovely old Queen Anne house almost at first glance. As she is settling into her new digs, she is "accosted in my own home by a failing actor dressed like a sports team mascot. Then I get blackmailed by the mayor into hosting six nuns."

About that actor .... Harry Wescott is the great-nephew of the former owner of that lovely Queen Anne and he claims his great-aunt intended the house to go to him after her death. He first arrives at Nina's door dressed in a huge penguin outfit (it's his summer gig depicting Freezie the Penguin for the Taste-Tee-Freeze Creamery). And those nuns? The Sisters of Perpetual Poverty are being kicked out of their home and business (they make artisan cheese - The Heavenliest Cheese in Georgia) by a unscrupulous real estate developer

And the mystery? That's when the real estate developer turns up dead, dressed in the penguin suit. There's a whole town of suspects because it seems everyone's got something in their past. Some of the suspects are just tossed out there haphazardly and others are investigated in a bit more detail, but when the murderer was revealed, I was confused (as in, who?).

I think the fun of the this book was learning about the town and its quirky characters, and I loved the nuns (WWTND - What Would the Nuns Do?). For me personally, the murder / mystery was a big dud with some red herrings just sort of fizzling out. And unfortunately, Nina is one of the less interesting characters, and at times she really drove me crazy with her unwarranted dislike of comely Harry Wescott. C'mon, cut the gorgeous guy some slack, will ya?

I will definitely look forward to seeing how this series progresses (and hopefully Harry and the nuns will make an appearance), but am giving "Peach Clobbered" 3.5 stars.

Nina Fleet is putting her life back together following her very public divorce from a philandering golf pro. Leaving Atlanta behind, she heads to Cymbaline, GA to start fresh. She loves her historic Queen Anne house but zoning issues have delayed her B&B dreams. Her peace is further disturbed when a relative of the former owner of the house shows up at the door threatening legal action, and a group of six displaced nuns are dropped on her doorstep. Just when Nina thinks things couldn't possibly get more strange, an unpopular resident of Cymbaline is killed and she find herself sucked into doing a bit of amateur sleuthing. So much for life in a small town being quiet and uneventful!!

Peach Clobbered is the first book in the new Georgia B&B cozy mystery series. I will definitely be reading more of this series! Nina (pronounced Nine-ah) is a spunky and funny main character. The side characters -- especially the nuns -- are a hoot and very, very entertaining. The mystery is interesting with plenty of suspects and twists. Great start to a new cozy series! And, a quick, easy read.

Anna Gerard is a pen name for author Diane Stuckart, who also writes as Ali Brandon and Alexa Smart. She writes several cozy series including the Black Cat Bookshop (as Ali Brandon) and Tarot Cats (as Diane Stuckart). I haven't read either of those series yet...but definitely will since I enjoyed this cute B&B themed cozy!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**