Mulberry Mischief had the right ingredients to make this book quite enjoyable. Kudos to the author.

Synopsis:
With the Harvest Health Fair in full swing, Marlee makes sure to stock up on elderberry products for cold and flu season. But this year there's also a run on mulberry when an eccentric customer wants to use the dried berries to ward off evil forces. True, it's almost Halloween, but something else seems to be spooking Leticia the Lake Lady, Oriole Point's oddest resident. She believes someone plans to kill her—and the ghost. Only mulberries can protect them. Marlee doesn't take her fears seriously until a man named Felix Bonaventure arrives in the village, asking questions about a mysterious woman.

I didn’t realize that this was the fourth book in a series when I picked it up to read. I don’t feel like I missed anything major to be able to pick up the storyline. This was enjoyable and definitely gave you all the Halloween cozy feels. I can’t wait to go back and catch up on this series.

Although it's book 4 in this series, it's the first one that I've read and now I want to go back and read the 1st three! I want to know more about the characters and the town...which to me, is the sign of a good book! In regards to the mystery, it was pretty clear in regards to that someone in a certain group of people was guilty...the question was, which one? And that was a question that had me going back and forth between suspects as I read- another sign of a good read!

Marlee Jacob owns The Berry Basket, a shop specializing in berry products on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The small town where she lives, Oriole Point, has a popular Halloween celebration each year that includes a parade. Busy preparing for the festivities, Marlee finds it strange when local eccentric Leticia "the Lake Lady" asks Marlee to get her boxes of mulberries she can glue on her house as protection. Leticia is paranoid that someone is trying to hurt her. Marlee doesn't think too much of it until someone is found murdered on Leticia's property, and the Lake Lady is nowhere to be found.

A little digging turns up a surprise about Leticia - she is a convicted felon who served time in prison for murder. But the circumstances of the famous case seem off to Marlee, who believes Leticia may have been set up.

This is a fun story and I truly enjoyed the character of Leticia. Marlee's boyfriend, a police officer, is one of the people investigating the murder at Leticia's house. He's afraid Marlee may be in danger when the people looking for the Lake Lady suspect Marlee knows more than she's saying.

I particularly like Marlee's friends and pets - a talking bird adds some wackiness to the story. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I'm a sucker for any books that take place around that time. The character Piper adds humor with her neurotic planning of major events around town. Oriole Point's super loud clock tower is another charming aspect of the area. I definitely look forward to reading more books in this series.

Mulberry Mischief is the fourth book in the Berry Basket Mystery series, and it was just amazing! Everything was utterly perfect.

I can honestly say that this cozy series is one of my all-time favorites and that’s saying something. I read dozens of cozies a year and this series really shines! It’s always well-written and the characters are just so entertaining and interesting. The mysteries are always so complex and well-thought-out. They really keep me guessing every time. And I just love the concept of berries and the recipes are always so delish!

If you enjoyed the first three books in the series than you’ll love this!

I liked the characters and found the mystery interesting and the plot easy to follow the berry recipes were a real plus

4.5 stars

Mulberry Mischief is my first read of the Berry Basket Mysteries. I jumped right into this series with no problem following the characters or the setting, etc., and though it was obvious that there were books/storylines before this one I didn’t feel lost.

Marlee is a really likable protagonist, and the supporting characters in her friendship circle are equally engaging. I especially liked her friend Theo and her boyfriend (and swoony police officer) Kit. The former has a sincere heart, despite his social awkwardness, and even though this was my introduction to Theo I could see his character growth across the series based on the author’s seamless descriptions in this book. Kit is protective and smart, and he seems to be a great match to Marlee. As with any good cozy mystery small town, there are a bevy of quirky characters, two of whom play an important role in Mulberry Mischief. And considering that we meet most of her friends in costume at the Harvest Health Fair they all seem a bit quirky.

Leticia the Lake Lady’s story is absolutely fascinating, and as the pieces began coming together the layers intrigued me even more. Lots of twists and turns – and suspects – in this well-developed plot, and you’ll be riveted to the story until the final reveal. Which, by the way, is a brilliant mix of heart-in-your-throat suspense and small town hilarity.

Bottom Line: Mulberry Mischief is everything delightful that you want in a cozy mystery. Quaint small town, intriguing & layered characters, solid & diverse friendships, and a smart plot that unravels at the perfect pace. This may have been my first visit to Marlee’s Berry Basket shop (and mysteries), but it definitely won’t be my last.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I enjoyed this book. It is not a light hearted mystery. Instead it is a fast paced and deals with a lot of family skeletons. The book got my heart pounding towards the end and I was shocked by who the killer was, This is the first book I have read in this series and I did not feel like I was missing anything. I am going to go back and read the first three.

It is Halloween in Oriole Point and the Piper, the Mayor's wife has set up an impressive line up for the Harvest Health Fair. From professional athletes to diet gurus and world famed beauty consultants this fair will have it all including a break out session on the importance of berries and their health benefits given by Marlee. Of course the last thing Marlee imagined was that the mysterious Lake Lady would solicit her aid in the form of mulberries, a whole lot of mulberries to protect her and the ghost from the shadow people. As Mr. Charles Chesnutt would say, "sins like chickens come home to roost," sins of the past. A past that involves love, loss, lies, sorrow, and murder. Marlee and her friends do a great job getting to the bottom of the murders both old and new while providing some interesting facts about mulberries and a couple of great recipes that I can't wait to try out the mulberry muffins recipe. This is my second Berry Basket mystery so I need to go back and find out what happened to the fiancé, although I never really liked him and am happy to read that Marlee is with Officer Kit Holt.

Marlee is planning for the Harvest Health Fair when she is approached by the eccentic Leticia. Leticia feels that someone is after her and asks Marlee to order boxes and boxes of dried mulberries to protect her. When Marlee finds a body on Leticia's property and Leticia missing, she is once again in the middle of a mystey. The book combines berries and Halloween to make an interesting cozy mystery. I enjoy this series and like that this book can be read on its own.

Autumn as arrived in Lake Michigan but Marlee Jacob is feeling chilled for reasons other than the cooler temperatures. The town’s Harvest Health Fair is in full swing and Marlee wants to make sure she has stocked up on berry products that help with the cold and flu season. To Marlee’s surprise Leticia the Lake Lady, who never comes into town, approaches her with an unusual request. She wants to purchase enough mulberries to cover her entire house. Leticia believes mulberries have magical properties that will help protect her from the shadow people. When Marlee goes to deliver the mulberries something feels off about Leticia not being there to accept the order. What could be going on that Leticia feels the need for protection? Can Marlee help?

This is book number 4 in the series but only my first one. You can enjoy the book as a stand-alone mystery but I could see the benefit of understanding the characters’ backstories by reading previous books. This is a great fall/Halloween read with a fun interesting story. The characters are entertaining and quirky. There are plenty of suspects and twists and turns in the mystery to keep the reader guessing. The setting of a havest health fair is unique and added to the story giving the readers a little insight into a healthy alternative for colds and flu. At the end of the book, there is a bonus section with berry recipes.

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.

The Health Fair is the last big hurrah for small town Orioele Point on Lake Michigan .Marlee has a booth that is stocked with lots of Mulberry products to keep winter colds and flu at bay. When Leticia wants to buy all the berries for protection Marlee is intrigued. Now Leticia has disappeared and a dead body is found on her lawn. A good story that is book 4 in the Berry Basket Mystery series. I enjoy visiting small towns in various parts of the country through books. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a new to me author. It took a little bit for me to really get into this story, but I'll admit when I met Minnie (Marlee's parrot), I was hooked. Then add in Panther, the kitten that she adopted, I was elated! I am a huge fan of mysteries with pets. They just really add something extra to the story. I did really come to like Marlee and her boyfriend Kit. Likeable, well-developed characters. I loved the Halloween theme. Nothing scary. I also liked that I did not really figure out whom the murderer was. I suspected, but I wasn't completely sure. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and will definitely read more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A fun mystery set in michigan! Marlee is approached by the elusive lake lady and asked to purchase mulberries, enough to cover her home and protect her. Will that be enough to stop mischief and murder in the town?

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. This is the fourth book in this series but easily read as a stand-alone. Marlee owns a shop called 'The Berry Basket' in the village of Oriole point, Michigan. As a local berry expert, she's used to unusual requests. This time Leticia, the Lake Lady, asks for enough mulberries to cover Leticia's house and protect her from harm. Then a man who'd been looking for Leticia is discovered with an arrow through his heart and on her land. Marlee doesn't plan to get involved, as she's focused on participating in a local Haunted Halloween Harvest Health Fair of health and beauty products, As Marlee talks with her boyfriend, Kit Holt, who is on the sheriff's staff, her Aunt Vickie who owns the local animal shelter, and other friends in town, Marlee is convinced that Leticia is innocent. Now, how to prove it? This is a well-written story, with strong interpersonal relationships and a good mystery. Great fall cosy!

A charming Halloween story involving eccentric characters, spooky themes, and a fun pace.

Bake yourself a batch of pumpkin cookies and pour yourself a hot cup of coffee, and you'll be set for a fun fall afternoon. Soon, you'll be scouring your local bookshop for the backlisted titles in this series.

Princess. Fuzzypants here: Marlee is looking for a quieter Fall but she keeps discovering dead bodies and getting pulled into murder and mystery. One of the town’s eccentrics pigeon-holes Marlee. She wants her to order a huge supply of dried mulberries to protect her from the “shadow” people who are out to kill her. She figures the woman is crazy but things begin to make Marlee question her sanity.
First a ghost writer shows up, desperate to find a woman named Ellen. After he’s murdered with an arrow through the heart, Marlee begins to suspect Ellen is the eccentric and there is more to the story than what is public knowledge. She also begins to suspect that the famous and powerful family who show up for a Health Fair are more deeply involved in the mystery.
It is a good thing that Marlee is surrounded by friends and family who are quick to come to her aid, especially after Ellen is found dead and Marlee has every reason to suspect she may be next on the killer’s to-do list. Can she find the manuscript that will tell her who the killer is before the killer comes for her? I am not going to spoil it for you. You can just read it yourself.
The book got extra marks for having Marlee find and adopt a sweet black kitten. Panther and I give it five purrs and two paws up.

This is the fourth book in the series but the first one I have read and I enjoyed it so much I am going to go back and read the other three. In this one Marlee and Oriole Point is getting ready for Halloween and the Health Fair. Local eccentric Leticia ask Marlee to order mulberries in order to protect her. When a dead body is found on her property Marlee tries to solve the crime. It turns out Leticia has some secrets of her own and they threaten a famous family. I really liked the small town setting and the characters. The author sprinkles the story with lots of berry information. The mystery was good although it was easy to solve. Enjoy this Halloween Cozy, a perfect read for fall.

Mulberry Mischief is the fourth book in Sharon Farrow’s Berry Basket Mystery series and is a well thought out and interesting mystery, with a good storyline and character development. This is an entertaining and easy to read, with a strong emphasis placed on the value of friendship. The author provides plenty of clues and adds some twists and turns to engage the reader as they try to solve the mystery.

Marlee Jacob is the owner of the Berry Basket in the small lakeside village of Oriole Point, Michigan. She’s known as the berry expert, owns a beautiful and talkative African grey parrot. She’s currently dating Atticus “Kit” Holt, an investigative officer for the sheriff’s department. Her Aunt Vicki owns and operates Humane Hearts, an animal shelter. Piper Lyall-Pierce has organized Haunted Halloween Harvest Health Fair, featuring celebrities in the fields of health and beauty. Leticia the Lake Lady, an odd and reclusive woman, asks Marlee to order enough mulberries to cover her house in order to provide protection for her and the ghost. Marlee discovers Felix Bonaventure, a man who has been looking Leticia, with an arrow through his heart on Leticia’s property, and Leticia, who is the prime suspect, seems to be missing. Marlee believes Leticia is innocent and while trying to find her, uncovers lots of secrets which places her in ham’s way.

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

It's almost Halloween in Oriole Point, MI and the town is gearing up for its Haunted Halloween Harvest Health Fair. Although Marlee Jacob thinks combining Halloween with a health fair is a bit weird, she's ready for the influx of tourists to the town. The leaves have turned and the weather is forecast to be perfect. The list of activities, speakers and other health-related workshops is outstanding, including a nationally recognized diet guru. Things start getting a bit strange when a local eccentric approaches Marlee asking for mulberries. Lots and lots of mulberries. Out of season. To protect her from danger. It gets even stranger when they find the dead, murdered body of a stranger that came to town asking questions. The body has an arrow sticking in it. And in the countdown to Halloween, the body count will be going up....

What a fun, Halloween theme cozy! This is the first book from the Berry Basket series that I've read, and it makes me want to backtrack and read the rest! The characters are quirky, the background Halloween theme is fun, and the mystery is interesting! Lots of suspects, hidden secrets, and twists. Nicely done! And...at the end of the book....berry recipes, including some Halloween treats.

The front cover art is cute. It's what first caught my eye and made me want to read this book. Cozy mysteries always have the best covers!

Mulberry Mischief is the fourth book in the Berry Basket series. I was easily able to read and enjoy this book without first reading the other three books. But I am going to go back and read the first three books. This story was a fun read!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**