A Hint of Mischief

Written by Daryl Wood Gerber

Narrated by Sandra Murphy

From Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber, the third in an enchantingly whimsical series featuring Courtney Kelly, the owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop in Carmel, California. It’s a special place brimming with good vibes and the kind of magical assistance its proprietor will need to prepare for an old sorority sister’s birthday bash awhile solving a puzzling murder!

Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.

Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705052938

Daryl Wood Gerber

Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the popular Aspen Adams novels of suspense as well as standalone thrillers. As a mystery author, Daryl pens the bestselling Fairy Garden mysteries and Cookbook Nook mysteries. As Avery Aames, she wrote the Cheese Shop mysteries. Intriguing Tidbit: Daryl has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself.

Reviews for A Hint of Mischief

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is an enchanting cozy mystery. We return to Carmel-by-the Sea where Courtney Kelly owns Open Your Imagination. The town is full of quaint shops (I want to visit and check out all the shops in the various courtyards). It was nice to catch up with Courtney, Joss, Fiona, Megan, Pixie, and Brady. There is a helpful list of the characters at the beginning of the book. I thought A Hint of Mischief was well-written with great characters. I like the author’s engaging writing style. I found myself drawn into story. I love the fairies in the story and that Courtney can see them. Fiona adds humor to the story. I like that we get to learn more about the fairies (the various types) and their capabilities. There is one main mystery and two side mysteries. Misty Dawn hires Courtney to organize an adult fairy birthday party for one of her sorority sisters. When one of the party goers ends up dead, Courtney with help from her righteous fairy begins investigating. This was a well-plotted mystery. I had fun following the investigation and solving the crime. One of the clues was cleverly done. Courtney needs to work on her questioning technique (be less obvious because she does not want to alienate her neighbors). There are several suspects, a red herring or two, and helpful clues. The mystery is nicely wrapped up with all of the questions answered. Someone is stealing from the shops in town. Courtney intends to discover who is behind the thefts. Fairy doors are appearing around Carmel-by-the-Sea. No one knows who is installing the fairy doors. I enjoyed the fairy party planning. Joss and Courtney came up with some clever ideas. I love the fairy gardens that were created by Courtney and customers in Open your Imagination. It gave me inspiration. I like how the romance is progressing between Courtney and Brady. I like that they are not rushing things. I loved the epilogue where we learn something special. While A Hint of Mischief is the third A Fairy Garden Mystery, it can be read as a standalone. The author provides the necessary background information. There is a preview of A Flicker of a Doubt which is the next A Fairy Garden Mystery at the end plus there are recipes for some of the treats featured in the story (Brookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Fairy Cookies). A Hint of Mischief is a magical mystery with flitting fairies, fabulous fairy gardens, a slain sorority sister, a playful Pixie, baffling fairy doors, covert thefts, and a curious Courtney.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.A Hint of Mischief is a modern cozy mystery set in Carmel, California that follows Courtney, a shopkeeper who makes and sells fairy gardens, and who really can see and speak with fairies. Her resident fairy, Fiona, help her as she meddles with murders and intrigue around Carmel. The fantasy element is light and fluffy. There's no big worldbuilding here--the fairies are pretty much the pop culture standard.This is the third book in the series but I had no issues at all getting into the mystery. There is a massive cast of residents and visitors to town; normally, I have trouble keeping track of a lot of names, but the author did an excellent job of adding physical descriptions and hints to help me track who is who. (I wasn't surprised to find out the writer has experience with many mystery novels--it shows). There's a light romantic subplot, too.This book focuses on Courtney's contract job to make an elaborate fairy garden party for a group of forty-something sorority sisters with a lot of drama. When one of the guests ends up dead, Courtney can't abide that a friend is under suspicion, so she begins her own investigation. There were two aspects that grated on me: 1) the murder victim is famous, and yet there's no mention of media attention at all, and it's not like the matter is kept secret. 2) Courtney is... well, rather obnoxious. She's not a listen-and-watch quiet kind of amateur sleuth, but the kind who is nosey and pushy. It's a wonder she has any friends; I sure wouldn't want to associate with her unless she could help me evade suspicion of murder!That said, I liked the book overall. I loved the setting of Carmel, and the author does a great job of making the small town feel vibrant and fun. Fairy gardens make for a unique angle for a series and I enjoyed learning more about them. The fairy themselves are pleasant, and I do appreciate when the sleuth is a cat lover. I'd be willing to read more in the series to see if the sleuth is more likeable under other circumstances.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Courtney Kelly, owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop, has hosted children's fairy tea parties but now she has been persuaded to hold an adult tea party for a wealthy socialite and her sorority sisters - there are even movie stars on the guest list. Every thing is in place but murder makes an appearance - but would one of the guests kill one of their own.This series is so fun with the mix of humans and fairies, those and that believe and see and those that haven't clue. Wonderful story to continue to watch the characters - human and fairy - evolve and grow.

[cheryl.russell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Hint of MischiefFairy Garden Mystery #3by Daryl Wood GerberPublisher’s DescriptionFrom Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber, the third in an enchantingly whimsical series featuring Courtney Kelly, the owner of a fairy-gardening and tea shop in Carmel, California. It’s a special place brimming with good vibes and the kind of magical assistance its proprietor will need to prepare for an old sorority sister’s birthday bash awhile solving a puzzling murder!Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile. Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .ThoughtsCatching up with Courtney Kelly and her fairy, Fiona, is always fun. I enjoyed reading about the different fairy gardens Courtney comes up with for her clients; I always want to craft my own. I also enjoyed learning more about Fiona. Fiona has come a long way since the first book. Gerber reveals just a bit more of Fiona’s backstory in each book, while at the same time letting the reader know Fiona’s story is far from done. The mystery this time involved the death of a movie star. The suspects were plentiful-a former boyfriend, sorority sisters in town to celebrate a sister’s birthday, and a jewelry maker whose work was dissed on social media by the movie star, costing the jewelry maker business. There are plenty of suspects and motives to keep a reader busy trying to crack the case. Adding in a few new fairies and fairy doors popping up all over town really made this a fun read. What I don’t like are the constant descriptions of the clothing Courtney wears and the food she eats. For me, those don’t add anything to the story; they are details that slow the story down. Overall, though, I enjoy reading these books and hope there is a fourth one in the series.Publishing InformationKensington Books368 Pages, 5.49 x 8.23 x 0.96 inISBN: 9781496736048ON SALE: 06/28/2022FICTION / MYSTERY & DETECTIVE / WOMEN SLEUTHS

[joannefm2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Courtney has a store named Open Your Imagination that sells fairy gardens and all things connected. She loves her life, and is even starting a new romance with an old friend. When trust fund baby Misty Dawn asks her to throw a birthday fairy party at her home for her and her sorority sisters, Courtney is all too happy to do so. When one of Misty's sorority friends comes to town, it is none other than actress Farrah Lawson, and more than one person is happy to see her again. The birthday is for their friend Odine, who has her own store in town. While having tea in Courtney's fairy garden, Farrah wants to take everyone -- Courtney included -- for a spa day. While at the spa, Courtney hears a scream and finds Farrah almost hysterical. It seems the owner's daughter who was waxing Farrah's brows, accidentally caused a problem and Farrah is upset, to say the least. When her screaming stops, Misty assures her it is fixable. Contrite, the daughter wants to apologize. But before she can do so, Farrah is found dead in her rental home. And Twyla, the daughter, is the main suspect. Now Courtney, with the help of her own fairy, Fiona, is determined to find the true killer and pull Twyla out of danger...as long as she doesn't put herself in harm's way, right?...This is the third book in the series and I have read them all. I find the interactions with the different fairies quite enchanting. It is almost as if you want to look around for your own fairy in your own garden. The book is written wonderfully, and the characters are fun to be around. Everything isn't going as well as Courtney would like, however; an old 'friend' from the past shows up and disrupts her life. Also, there's a thief running around the town, stealing small items, but stealing just the same, and no one seems to have a clue as to the thief's identity.But Courtney has to make the birthday party magical, even without Farrah, so she and her friend Meghan and employee Joss set about creating a garden worthy of many fairies. What Courtney discovers in Misty's yard surprises her, but she continues on with her task.As the book progresses we learn a little more about the fairies and the different types, and Fiona is learning more as well. The descriptions of Courtney's garden make me want to go to tea there myself, and spend an afternoon just enjoying it all. (If I didn't live where it was hot quite a bit, I'd probably have a garden myself).But the suspects abound, and Courtney has a lot of alibis to sift through; and no one wants to be truthful about their whereabouts. This gives her pause and makes her wonder what everyone is hiding, and who is the most likely to be the murderer. It takes her time and much thought to figure it all out, and when she does, the climax is indeed worth reading about. Courtney can think on her feet, as it were, and I appreciate that in a protagonist.When the ending comes, it all comes together wonderfully; and there is an epilogue that gives us a hint as to more of the fairy world, and teaser chapters regarding the next book (hurry, please!). Highly recommended.I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.