Another 5 star read in the Castle Knoll series! I'm loving this series so much! This time, Annie is trying to settle in and find her place in the small village of Castle Knoll where secrets abound and everybody seems to know at least part of everybody else's business and be connected in webs that go back decades. When a local fortune teller is murdered, Annie discovers that she is being set up to take the fall for it, and she must figure out why and who's responsible before she or anyone else gets hurt.

This story is told in duel timeline, present-day and 1967. It should be super confusing because both timelines are in first person, Annie and her great aunt Frances. However, Kristen Perrin does a really smart thing that I don't think I've seen anywhere else; she writes the present day timeline in present tense and the 1967 chapters in past tense. It works out so well that I hope other authors will take note of it.

The characters in this story are so interwoven both in present-day and in the past, and trying to figure out everyone's motives and loyalties is a treat. I love following both Frances and Annie as they uncover clues and draw conclusions. It's so interesting to watch both of them as the investigate in different ways but uncover much of the same information. Of course, Frances's investigation is long over, but there are so many links between hers and Annie's that it almost feels as if they are happening simultaneously. I can't say enough good things about how this book is woven together, and this is coming from a reader who generally prefers her mysteries to run in a straight line.

I did not guess the ending here which is always a thrill. However, there's set up at the end of this book that tells me more are coming, so hopefully I'll get another chance. I highly recommend this book and author.

Annie is settling in her new home when she decides to take a walk in the woods. During this walk she has a strange encounter with an elderly lady, Peony Lane. After that woman is found murdered in Annie’s home, this will set out a chain of events that has Annie involved in a new investigation. Following Annie and Detective Crane, with flashbacks of Aunt Florence, this new novel will have you engaged. Like these characters so much and I can’t wait to see what Annie gets up to next.

Loved the first whodunnit in this series and was so excited to be back with Annie for round number two. These are the perfect cozy mysteries, and great for fall. Thank you NetGalley and Dutton!