The fifth installment of the Fairy Garden Mysteries, A Twinkle of Trouble, is a sweet addition. Courtney Kelly and her fairy, Fiona, investigate another murder. This time, a friend is murdered on the eve of the local Summer Blooms Festival. Courtney and Fiona are quick to dig into the motives and alibis of the locals, and get information from the returning characters. The setting is charming, and I really want to go there in person to soak up a little magic. The plot has some good twists and turns, with several of the clues turned up with the help of several fairies. All in all, a charming book if you are a fan of the more flower fairy types of fairies. A nice, light read when you want to be charmed with a little fairy dust.

All opinions are my own.

A charming and enchanting cozy mystery and a delightful addition to the series. The story is well crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and guessing. There are a few red herrings that build the suspense throughout.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Princess Fuzzypants here: While I do enjoy the whimsy of fairies and fairy gardens, there are times when Courtney frustrates me almost as much as she frustrates her father and the local police. She can be a bit like the proverbial bull in a china store at times when she questions the people she suspects might have been involved in murder. There is no light touch here. I often feel if she was my friend and questioned me in that manner, I too might take umbrage. And the way the members of her forum treat each other might make me wonder if they are the kinds of people with whom I would like to spend time.

An influencer is murdered. She has been wicked and unfair in her reviews and clearly someone does not appreciate her barbs. But whose feelings were dented so egregiously? Then another, seemingly unrelated person, is also killed. Are the two crimes committed? The actual mystery and the side story of fairy Fiona mentoring her kid sister is rather charming but every time Courtney gets investigating, it hits a bit of a sour note. She does veer close to the Darwin line and that is never good. Four purrs and one paw up.

I love this series, This is book 5 in A Fairy Garden Mystery series. Carmel-by-the-Sea garden shop owner Courtney Kelly sees things others can’t—like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . . Fiona returns from her journey to fairyland and Courtney and all who can see her are delighted. Fiona must now mentor her younger sister who is visiting Carmel. With 2 murders to solve and the local Summer Blooms Festival it is keeping everyone busy. Can be a stand alone but don't miss the first 4 books.

Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mystery series is a fun, magical read that I highly recommend to readers! I felt inspired to create my own fairy garden while reading this book. The characters and setting are charming, and you can't help but root for the characters and solve the mysteries alongside them.


My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review. I'm looking forward to more of this series!

Fiona, the fairy who spends her days at the Open Your Imagination shop where customers make their own fairy gardens, was recalled by the Fairy Queen for further training. Now she’s back and eager to catch up on all the events at Carmel-by-the Sea. She’s also brought a surprise of her own.

Courtney, the shop’s owner, has rented a plot of land to grow the plants used in the fairy gardens. In addition, she’s made new gardening friends, teaches one-on-one classes, and has a booth at the Summer Blooms Festival.

The only drawback to the festivities is an “influencer” who writes bad reviews about nearly everyone. She claims to be friends with the people she writes about but with such a venomous tongue, it’s hard to believe. On the first day of the festival, her body is found just outside the festival grounds. There’s no lack of suspects but it does seem a stretch to want someone dead over bad online reviews.

Within days, a second death occurs, and they surely must be connected by their love of gardens. Courtney is the daughter of a retired cop and has inherited the Snoop Gene. Even when she’s warned off, she can’t seem to stop. The truth must come out. But will she find the killer before the killer finds her?

This is book five in the series. All have been reviewed for KRL. Courtney is a good friend to have. She and her employee Joss are good friends. Her relationship with Brady has moved to another level so expect more in the next book.

There’s enough detail given within the story for readers to understand the basics of making a fairy garden of their own. Since Courtney is dating Brady, who owns a restaurant, there are recipes included at the back of the book. They are: apple strudel muffins, banana blueberry scones, cacao nib brownies, lemon-raspberry delights, prosciutto and cheddar drop scones, and raisin-rosemary muffins—directions are given for both a regular recipe and for the gluten-free version. In addition, there’s a recipe for chocolate mousse pie, gingersnap brownies, and a Monte Cristo sandwich.

Book Review: A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I recently dove into A Twinkle of Trouble, the fifth installment in Daryl Wood Gerber’s charming cozy mystery series, and I must say, it was quite the delightful escape. The book features our favorite garden shop owner, Courtney Kelly, who has a unique ability to see things that most of us can’t—like fairies and, of course, the hidden motives behind a murder.

The story kicks off with the return of Courtney’s little fairy friend, Fiona, who makes a whimsical appearance at the base of a Cypress tree. Along with her Ragdoll cat, Pixie, they’re set for a busy day filled with exciting plans. Courtney has rented a plot at the Flower Farm to grow her supplies for her fairy-garden business as she gears up for the upcoming Summer Blooms Festival. However, the excitement quickly dims when her friend Genevieve is found murdered. Genevieve had recently transitioned from owning a floral business to becoming an influencer, but her new role came with a nasty edge—she had been known for her harsh and sometimes unwarranted reviews that put her at odds with local entrepreneurs. With suspicions swirling around other friends, including the Flower Farm owner Daphne Flores, Courtney finds herself digging deep for clues, especially when a second murder occurs.

First off, can we talk about the adorable cover? It’s just perfect for a cozy mystery! I’ve never encountered fairies in a cozy mystery before, which added a delightful twist to the genre. This book really doesn’t disappoint; it offers an engaging mystery to unravel, (I appreciated how Gerber layered the clues and red herrings seamlessly), a sprinkle of fairy magic, and even a touch of budding romance. What’s more impressive is that it holds its own as a standalone. So if you're new to the series, you can easily jump right in without feeling lost. Plus, there are some lovely recipes at the end of the book. Honestly, they all sound delicious, which is always a bonus!

Overall, I’d give A Twinkle of Trouble a solid 3.5 stars. It’s an enjoyable read that combines whimsy with intrigue and is perfect for those cozying up on a rainy day. If you’re looking for a lighthearted mystery that offers a bit of magic along with its suspense, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Very fun! It was super easy to understand everything that was going on even though I haven't read the previous four books, which was nice. I have been reading a LOT of cozy books lately, so it took me a while to get through this one but it was pretty good!

I appreciate the simple kindness exhibited in Daryl Wood Gerber's A Fairy Garden Mystery series. There is a balance provided with the whimsey and the murders that makes a great cozy. The characters are likeable and the mystery kept me guessing. I look forward to more in this delightful series.

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

A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber has Courtney with double the fairy fun.

Can Courtney and Fiona solve the case?
It’s been a month and a half since Fiona disappeared into the fairy realm, and Courtney missed her fairy friend. Surprisingly, within that time frame, Courtney didn’t find any dead bodies until after Fiona returned.

Courtney and Fiona
Courtney has grown since the first book. She still cares deeply whenever they find a dead body and about the people she suspects. Courtney tries her hardest to be open-minded about her friends, but sometimes, it doesn’t work out very well during a murder investigation. She indeed finds this out in this book.

Fiona is getting more recognition from the Queen, and the Queen gives her a task to teach her younger sister some things. She is a good fairy who has truly grown from the first book, as she isn’t all that impish anymore and must have gotten on the Queen’s good side. I will miss Fiona when it is time for her to return to the fairy world for good.

The Mystery
Courtney isn’t the first person to find a dead body this time or the next one, either. Nope, two other people have the honor of being the ones to find the dead bodies. However, Courtney remains on the detective’s bad side by being there when they finally show up. The first victim, Genevieve, wasn’t that nice of a person when she was alive, and Courtney sadly has been finding that out as she’s been investigating.

But wow, that reveal surely had me on the edge of my seat, and I totally didn’t get who it was.

Five Stars
My rating for A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber is five stars. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good, cozy culinary paranormal mystery. Ms. Gerber always gets me with the actual culprit of the crime, as I usually fall for one of the red herrings. I also love the recipes she includes in her books.

Don’t forget about the recipes in the back of the book. They are Apple Strudel Muffins + Gluten-free Version, Banana Blueberry Scones + Gluten-free Version, Cacao Nib Brownies + Gluten-free Version, Chocolate Mousse Pie, Gingersnap Brownies, Lemon-Raspberry Delights + Gluten-free Version, Monte Cristo Sandwich, Prosciutto-and-Cheddar Drop Scones + Gluten-free Version, and Raisin-Rosemary Muffins + Gluten-free Version.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

Fiona is back from the fairy realm & Courtney, the main character, has rented a booth at the Summer Blooms Festival. Unfortunately Courtney’s friend is murdered at the festival and soon another friend is found dead. I really enjoyed this book! Fiona has brought her sister back from the fairy realm to mentor. I love these characters and the way they help Courtney investigate.

Fun mystery with a hard to solve ending. I love this series. The characters are wonderful and interesting. The mystery hooked me from the beginning. The fairies are a fantastic edition to the story and are unique to boot. I am waiting impatiently for the next book and cannot recommend this one enough.

Fairy garden store owner Courtney Kelly had to be persuaded by her more financially-minded assistant Joss to have their store set up a booth at the Summer Blooms Festival, highlighting the many nature-related businesses in their California town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Courtney would much rather be spending that time welcoming her honest-to-goodness fairy Fiona back from the latter’s home realm. After a period of exile in the human world, Fiona was finally allowed to return to the fairy realm to learn under her mother the Queen. Courtney was happy for her, even as she missed Fiona terribly.

Now Fiona is back, with new responsibilities. Courtney is delighted to help, but is forced to put everything else on the backburner when a body is found on the outskirts of the Summer Blooms Festival right on opening day. To Courtney’s horror, the dead woman is Genevieve Bellerose, a social media influencer Courtney had grown close to via a message board both women frequented. Genevieve used to own a florist’s shop with her former business partner Oliver Killian, until she decided to sell up and strike out into a more glamorous world online. Oliver had not been pleased, and the two had bickered openly, with Genevieve even taking public potshots at his organization of the festival. Now she’s dead and Oliver is rather callously insisting that the show, or in this case the festival, must go on.

When another member of their online group is murdered in similar fashion, Courtney and her friends go on high alert. Plenty of people, Oliver included, might have had beef with the antagonistic Genevieve, but not with any of the rest of them as well. Surely the killings must be related: it beggars belief that there would be two killers stalking the streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea. But who could possibly be picking off the members of an online gardening forum, and why?

This was another twisty installment of the Fairy Garden mystery series, as Courtney and Fiona juggle their many responsibilities while also bringing a murderer to justice. I certainly sympathize with Courtney’s tendency to overschedule, and am only glad that I can find the time to relax (albeit while working – I will never not be a multitasker at heart) with her and her friends in the pages of these entertaining, lightly paranormal stories.

As usual, there were over nine delicious recipes included here, many with gluten-free versions. I love making savory snacks, so could not resist trying out this one:

QUOTE
Prosciutto-and-Cheddar Drop Scones

(Yield: 12 scones)

½ cup unsalted butter, frozen
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped chives
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
⅔ cup buttermilk, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
1 large egg, separated (egg white for topping)
34 ounces chopped prosciutto

Freeze the stick of butter for at least ten minutes.

In a countertop food processor, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add in the chives and shredded cheese.

Grate the frozen butter or shave very thinly–when frozen, it will shave nicely–and add to the flour mixture. Pulse until the mixture looks like cornmeal. Place the container in the refrigerator–you want to keep the butter cold–while you mix the wet ingredients.

In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg yolk. Save the egg white for the topping. Remove flour mixture from refrigerator and add buttermilk mixture. Add the chopped prosciutto and mix until the dough comes together.

Now preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

To make drop scones, form about ¼ cup dough into patties, about ¾” thick. Set them on a baking sheet.

In a small bowl, mix the 1 tablespoon buttermilk with the reserved egg white. Brush the mixture onto the scones.

Bake the scones for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool about 5 minutes before serving.
END QUOTE

There was only one slight problem with my selection of this recipe. I don’t eat pork, and wasn’t sure what would best substitute for prosciutto, which is a cured meat that doesn’t need cooking in order to be safe for consumption. After some thought, I decided to use 24 oz of corned beef instead, which turned out not to be the best choice. Flavor-wise it was great, but the softness of the meat allowed it to blend much more thoroughly with the scone batter than the prosciutto would have, making it difficult to tell the difference between the meat and bread portions of the pastry.

I didn’t care: I thought it was tasty regardless, but the rest of my family, who aren’t as used to savory baked goods as I am, took a dutiful bite of the “meat cookies” as they called them, then declined any more. I’m sure the original recipe would have been more to their liking, especially since Daryl Wood Gerber’s recipes have always been fantastic otherwise. This was also pretty easy to put together in the food processor, so let me know if you try this and how it came out for you at home.

Next week, we head back to the East Coast for the latest installment of one of my all-time favorite culinary cozy series, whipping up a sweet treat while figuring out the identity of both a mysterious interloper and the person who wanted him dead. Do join me!

The fifth installment in the Fairy Garden Mystery series is just as full of charm and whimsy as the other books. I love all of Daryl Wood Gerber’s series.

Courtney Kelly is happy and relieved that her tiny friend, fairy Fiona, has returned to Carmel-by-the-Sea from her trip to the Fairy Realm. She returns just in time to help Courtney with her plot of land at the Flower Farm, growing flowers for her business, as well as for the Summer Blooms Festival. But most important - Fiona can help when Courtney’s friend Genevieve is murdered before the festival.

Secrets come to light about how vicious influencer Genevieve’s online reviews had gotten about her riends and fellow shopowners. When a second body is found, another of Courtney’s friends, Daphne, owner of the Flower Farm, comes under suspicion, so Courtney and Fiona must redouble their efforts to find who the killer is.

I always love returning to the setting of Carmel-by-the-Sea as the author has grounded the reader so well that it’s easy to imagine yourself living among Courtney and her friends. And in this book, we learn more about the Fairy Realm as Fiona tells Courtney about her time among her own kind. It’s so easy to imagine fairies living in the village, and the people who believe in the tiny creatures.

The author also does a wonderful job of crafting the plots of each mystery, making sure to drop enough clues and drumming up suspects to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

The book is fine as a standalone read, but I encourage readers to immerse themselves into the whole delightful series.

Thank you to the author and Kensington Books for letting me read an advanced copy of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am happy to leave my honest opinion.

The fifth Fairy Garden mystery is fast paced and fun. Fiona is just back from visiting her mother in the fairy realm and Courtney is keeping busy with the Summer Blooms Festival and her shop. I enjoyed spending more time with Courtney and her friends and the mystery was intriguing.

I enjoyed this book, I think it’s the best of the series. It feels like the fairies are more integrated into the story. It did take a while to find the killer, as it focuses on a different person but I eventually it gets there. #ATwinkleofTrouble #NetGalley

Courtney Kelly owns a fairy themed gift shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea. She's so excited when her tiny friend Fiona finally returns from a visit to the fairy realm. Fiona's sister will be visiting soon to experience a bit of the human world.

The visit starts with fun things like a trip to the Flower Farm where Courtney has rented a plot of land. Next is the annual Carmel-by-the-Sea Summer Blooms Festival where Courtney has rented a booth. Sadly one of Courtney’s friends is murdered at the festival grounds before the celebration has a chance to begin. Another friend is murdered two days later. Courtney, with her friends and the fairies have to figure out who is killing her friends.

I love this series, and all the characters. The recipes at the end are a bonus!

#ATwinkleofTrouble

A Twinkle of Trouble is the 5th book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series. I have read and enjoyed the previous books in this series. It follows Courtney a fairy garden shop owner and creator and her resident fairy Fiona in Carmel-by-the-sea, California.
The community is participating in the Summer Blooms Festival when one of Courtney's new acquaintances is found killed. Genevieve is murdered and she is an influencer who has been making enemies with her harsh online reviews. Courtney tries to find out what happened to her, but the suspect pool is large and full of other townsfolk and friends.
I felt this book wasn't as exciting as some of the others, but I still enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next in the series.

A Fairy Garden Mystery series is one of my top favourite cozy mystery series. Unfortunately I ended up DNFing this book at around 81% after trying to push my way through. It was missing some sort of magical element that the previous books were able to keep me hooked. It’s difficult to pin point why I didn’t jive with this story but I believe it was a lot of dialogue and the plot fell a little flat.

I love the fairies in this series. How fun would it be to see fairies. Courtney is on another case because two of her friends have been murdered. There are so many suspects, and they all seem to have good alibies. She doesn't want to believe any of them are killers. Can she figure out who is the killer before she becomes a victim?