Miranda Trent inherited her uncle's farm -- with a stipulation. She has three months to make her business (formerly his) profitable. The business? Making moonshine (legal, of course). The problem? She's an artist, and has never done this before. So, she came up with a unique hook: While making shine and cocktails out of it, she hosts company events -- tours around the Daniel Boone Forest, and so far, it's been working well.

Currently, she's hosting a group from a sportswear company, and thinks things are going well. That is, until one of the group is killed, and now the man's replacement not only has divided the group into two teams, but the losing team will go home -- without a job. While she knows it's unfair, she's being paid to do her job, and continue with the plans.

But something goes wrong along the way, and someone in the group is being suspected of murder. Also, Miranda notices what she suspects is someone not wanting anyone to do well. But how can she figure this out by herself? With the sheriff's blessing Miranda works to keep an eye on her people, and hopes to find out the truth and stay alive in the process...

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all. I have found that I love the premise of this book, that our protagonist isn't exactly broke, and has decided to keep her uncle's legacy going while living in a lovely farmhouse. Although I'm not all that interested in the shine part (I don't drink), I still find it quite intriguing to read about. It's a detailed process and Miranda has her hands (and time) full doing both.

The people on the two groups are competing for management positions, and there's in-fighting which isn't pleasant to anyone; but there are also the meals that her two kitchen helpers provide which sound delicious. But we're here to find a killer, and it's not as easy as it sounds. There are very few clues, but you have to put together what everyone is saying to get it right. And our Miranda does just that, with the help of Forest Ranger Austin.

When the murderer is discovered, everyone is surprised, and none more so than the person who trusted them the most. It's a nice climax, and the epilogue is done well also. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. ( )

Corporate retreat turns deadly

“Death a Sketch” is part of the “Paint & Shine Mystery Series” but new readers will easily follow the action and antics. The book is a light-hearted story with some drama, tension, and lots of interesting people and relationships. Paint and Shine is a resort/retreat/workshop center immersed in the complex culture of Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio. While most groups come to relax, recharge, and enjoy themselves, the current “corporate retreat and team building exercise” is not going as planned.

Miranda Trent recently the farm from her late uncle with the stipulation that she have the distillery up and running within the first three months. She struggles to complete the restoration and expand her business to cover those costs. The narrative is filled with interesting and characters, both local personalities and those attending the corporate retreat. The narrative is filled with tension, suspicion, comradery, and competition. There is a convenient cast of characters for reference if needed. These few days of the “corporate retreat” are filled with accidents, sabotage, and a lot of fun, oh, and of course a body on a blood stained rock.

Hollon created of scenarios that keep readers looking for the next disaster or a cheerful, heartfelt moment. The characters are genuine and easy to like and hate. The personal relationships are realistic and relatable. The conflicts are genuine and relevant.

I received a review copy of “Death a Sketch” from Cheryl Hollon and Kensington Books. It is quick to read, and although there are surprises along the way, in the end, things all work themselves out.

“Death a Sketch” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere you get your books.

#BookReview #DeathASketch #CozyMystery #PaintShineMystery #CherylHollon ( )

Death a Sketch is the third A Paint & Shine Mystery. It can easily be read as a standalone. Death a Sketch is well-written with realistic, developed characters. The story does start off slowly as we are introduced to the retreat members. I enjoyed the author’s vivid descriptions of that area of Kentucky. The Daniel Boone National Forest is a picturesque region. The depictions of the food will have your mouth watering. It was interesting learning more about the making of moonshine. The mystery was plotted out nicely. There are good suspects along with misdirection. There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal (if you pay close attention). Miranda asked questions, but she did little investigating. There were various incidents along the way that kept things lively. I did feel the reveal was a wee bit rushed along with the explanation. Sandy, Miranda’s puppy, is adorable. He helped reduce the stress of the participants. Miranda’s mother only had a cameo in this book. She had to go out of town to complete the sale of her home. I like Miranda’s mother and I hope she will join her daughter in sleuthing in future books. Miranda is slowly getting the distillery off the ground. I hope she makes the deadline. Miranda is finding her place in the community and her romance with Austin is progressing nicely. Death a Sketch is a lively cozy with workshop woes, moonshine mixing, an eliminated executive, a cuddly canine, contestant sabotage, a romantic park ranger, and a caught killer. ( )

Death a Sketch by Cheryl Hollon takes us to back to Kentucky where Miranda Trent runs Paint & Shine. Her latest group is from Big Sky for a four-day team building experience. Unfortunately, the man in charge, Mr. Burns decides to make a last-minute change. Mr. Burns turns the team building retreat into a competition with serious consequences for the losers. On the first day, Miranda takes the group along with Mr. Burns and his assistant, Rowena (who happens to be an old high school classmate of Miranda’s) on their first hike and competition. After listening to a talk from Park Ranger Austin Morgan, Miranda leads the group down the trail. The group encounters Mr. Burns dead on the ground with Rowena at his side holding a large rock. Miranda wishes to cancel the retreat, but Mr. Burns replacement insists they continue. Rowena is at the top of the sheriff’s suspect list. Miranda knows her old friend could not have harmed her boss. She sets out to prove Rowena’s innocence while continuing the competitive retreat. Miranda finds it challenging because someone is intent on sabotage. Death a Sketch is the third A Paint & Shine Mystery. It can easily be read as a standalone. Death a Sketch is well-written with realistic, developed characters. The story does start off slowly as we are introduced to the retreat members. I enjoyed the author’s vivid descriptions of that area of Kentucky. The Daniel Boone National Forest is a picturesque region. The depictions of the food will have your mouth watering. It was interesting learning more about the making of moonshine. The mystery was plotted out nicely. There are good suspects along with misdirection. There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal (if you pay close attention). Miranda asked questions, but she did little investigating. There were various incidents along the way that kept things lively. I did feel the reveal was a wee bit rushed along with the explanation. Sandy, Miranda’s puppy, is adorable. He helped reduce the stress of the participants. Miranda’s mother only had a cameo in this book. She had to go out of town to complete the sale of her home. I like Miranda’s mother and I hope she will join her daughter in sleuthing in future books. Miranda is slowly getting the distillery off the ground. I hope she makes the deadline. Miranda is finding her place in the community and her romance with Austin is progressing nicely. Death a Sketch is a lively cozy with workshop woes, moonshine mixing, an eliminated executive, a cuddly canine, contestant sabotage, a romantic park ranger, and a caught killer. ( )

Death A Sketch is the third book in the Paint And Shine Mystery series by Cheryl Hollon.

The Big Sky Company has hired Miranda to handle a 4-day team-building workshop consisting of competitions, games, and challenges. There will be two 4-person teams competing, and the teams will consist of those that are being considered for upper management. Miranda is looking forward to seeing Rowena Gardner, her friend from high school and currently an administrative assistant at Big Sky, and will be keeping track of the teams' performances.

On the first day on the trail, Rowena tells Miranda that Mr. Burns, VP of Operations, has some challenges in mind. He is going back down the path to see if he’s nearby. After Park Ranger Austin Morgan finishes his talk on the Daniel Boone Forest, the group heads back down the trail. Soon they come upon Rowena kneeling and holding a rock with blood on it, next to the dead body of Burns.

Surprisingly the company wants to continue with the team-building event, much to Miranda’s surprise. Miranda senses that the company is far from a compassionate company, and the competition is a way for Big Sky to eliminate some unwanted employees. When Rowena becomes a prime suspect in the murder of Burns, Miranda and Austin will help the local sheriff with his investigation to clear Rowena’s name.

I’m enjoying the series. The book is well-written and plotted. The author depicts the Daniel Boone Forest very descriptively. The characters are well-developed and believable. The story reads at a good pace. There were enough twists and turns that I was guessing until the end as to who the killer was.

The book also includes delicious-sounding recipes.

I will be watching for the next book in the series. ( )