Thoroughly enjoyed. It's an engrossing and entertaining story that kept me guessing.
Good character and plot development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another fine tale by versatile author Cheryl Hollon!

The Risky Adventures Group hires Miranda for a Paint and Shine Tour and they discover the bones of Miranda’s long-lost cousin, missing for five years. At each turn in the story, Miranda is drawn in by a cunning killer who’s after the very secrets hidden in her precious mountains. A very fun read.

I received an Advance Reading Copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When Miranda Trent, artist and local guild discovers the remains of a missing hiker, the sheriff concludes that it's a hiking accident but Miranda doesn't think so. She sets out to prove it was NO accident! Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Miranda's business continues to grow as she prepares for the installation of her moonshine distillery. On one of her paint/adventure hikes a tourist finds a human skeleton. Miranda just knows it has to be her cousin, missing for five years. Accident or murder? Her aunt makes Miranda promise to find out what happened to her son. Miranda didn't know her cousin well and her investigation opens her eyes to new facets of his character. This is a very satisfying mystery and Miranda's new life in eastern Kentucky continues to be full of promise and surprise.

A great cozy by one of the best in the genre. Funny at times and written with excellent pacing. Draw and Order should absolutely be included at the top of your to-be-read list.

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book courtesy of Kensington via NetGalley.

(This is the second book in the ‘Paint and Shine Mystery’ series)

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

The Good:

Overall, this book hit all the marks in what I look for in a cozy mystery. The pacing was quick, the mystery was believable yet challenging to solve, and there were undertones of witty humor throughout the story.

This is the second book in the ‘Paint and Shine Mystery’ series, and it was just as much fun to read as the first book. Although this takes place not long after the first book, I could feel the MC starting to find her footing more in her new business and home life on her late Uncle’s property in Kentucky. The first book sets up the background nicely, which allowed for richer character development in book two. I’m already looking forward to watching these characters and relationships develop and evolve as this series progresses.

On a personal note, I recently had moved to Kentucky for just over a year before moving again due to the pandemic, but I feel like I’ve felt more connected to the state while reading this series than I ever did while living there. A lot of that is from pandemic related limits to checking out the area (I never did make it to Red River Gorge, which was one of my top spots to see), so I felt a unique sense of nostalgia for the setting of this book despite only having a loose connection to it.

The Bad:

I would have liked to see a bit more development of the Moonshine business and distillery in this second book. We got a good feel for the Paint and Shine Business in the first book, so introducing more than just some of the set up of the distillery in the second book could have flowed nicely. Although, I do understand that we did get a glimpse at all of the setbacks in getting the distillery set up, which is always fun to see in stories as it makes it feel more realistic. There was also an excerpt for the third book at the end of this one, so knowing that the series continues makes this plot pacing choice pay off in the end since it can be developed in later books.

Along those same lines of the Moonshine venture, there was one point early on where I got a little muddled in the timeline of the book regarding the opening a distillery within 90 days stipulation of her Uncle’s will. I figured more time had passed between the two books, but then with that time frame in mind, I realized the two books were set fairly close together. I can’t remember exactly what sentence or section had me briefly confused because it eventually sorted itself out in my mind, so this is cleared up pretty quickly.

The Bottom Line:

Draw and Order is a witty, unique cozy mystery that celebrates its Kentucky setting while drawing you into the character’s stories and relationships with ease. A series I will most definitely be returning to

Miranda is a strong character that loves outdoor activities. When she joins a group they discover remain on a trail, and they work together to solve what happened. There is a great amount of twists and turn w suspense all around. Characters are enjoyed and the story begin each on together. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

Another favorite by a great genre. The plot of the story was very well written. The author really draws the reader in as you read. I felt like I was an unnamed character in the story.

I enjoyed this book. I like the characters and there's a good mystery. It's paced evenly without any slow spots. The killer was a surprise It felt like the ending was a little short of details. #DrawandOrder #NetGalley

Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon is a fun and enjoyable cozy mystery. The main character, Miranda, inherits her uncle's property. One day on a hike, she discovers a skeleton, which sets her on course to become an amateur detective. Some of the decisions she makes are questionable, but overall, the story was fun to read.

#DrawandOrder #NetGalley

Painting, hiking, and moonshine, what could go wrong? If that grips you, you will love this latest installment! Full of twists, turns, and a mystery that you will not be able to put down! A fabulous read.

Witty, enjoyable read like a cozy mystery book should read. Characters who make you laugh, you find relatable and enjoy their story make it that much more enjoyable. Except hiking I’ll take a hard pass on the outdoors.

The Paint and Shine Mystery Series takes place in Kentucky in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This is the first book by this author I have read. I enjoyed the story, characters and setting.
Miranda Trent inherited her uncles Red River Gorge Homestead. She gets to work offering painting, hiking and soon moonshine! During a hike after a lot of rain she discovers a Skelton that turns out to be her cousin. Fun and fast pace mystery!

#DrawandOrder #NetGalley

I liked Book 1 in this series, and this one was okay. It felt a bit more ploddy to me. And the idea that simple Google searches are spread out over days for Miranda and Austin just feels pretty ridiculous. In general, it kind of felt very linear. Let's look at the suspect. Let's research. Let's talk. Let's eliminate them. One by one. So even though I like the premise and the main characters, this one didn't have much tension in it for me.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

cozy mystery, family dynamics, friends, law enforcement, amateur sleuth, murder investigation, small town, small business*****

The Paint and Shine Mystery series takes place in a small town in Eastern Kentucky that is in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Miranda Trent has moved back to Kentucky from New York after she inherited her uncle’s Red River Gorge homestead and has started a business including painting and hiking and is getting ready to begin making moonshine from her uncle's recipe. This time, she and the small group come upon both a major storm and a skeleton which turns out to belong to her cousin. The characters are true to life and the mystery is very well done and totally enjoyable.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Loved reading this book and series. I highly recommend this book and author. If you haven't read her books yet I suggest reading in order

Miranda takes a group out for rock climbing and drawing. One of the group members uncovers some bones that turn out to be Miranda’s missing cousin. The sheriff chalks it up to human error in the wild, but Miranda and her family aren’t buying it. Her cousin was an avid outdoorsman and knew the area well.

When the autopsy uncovers foul play, Miranda and Austin promise her aunt that they will find out who did this to her cousin. As they dig in, it seems Miranda wasn’t the only one connected to the body as the group who found the body also have ties to her cousin as well. Can Miranda and Austin uncover the secrets her cousin was keeping as well as those in the group, or will Miranda be the next family member to mysteriously disappear?

The whole concept of the business Miranda runs is fabulous. Who wouldn’t want to sign up for a session? Along with some history and drawing, the whodunit is always intriguing and well laid out with plenty of red herrings along the way. Country life at its best!