Octoberfest in Battle Lake includes a political debate. And, what follows is murder. Mira James, town librarian and Battle Lake Recall reporter is hot on the trail of the murderer.

This series just keeps getting better, the story and characters keep evolving. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us. ( )

Maria James is an investigator—okay so she is a part time journalist and part time librarian, but she has investigated her fair share of mysteries. She is in her home town of Battle Lakes for October Fest but she’s mainly there to cover the debate between two congressional candidates. Sarah Glokkman is the incumbent and her opponent, Arnold Swydecker seems to have more support.
Maria meets a blogger that is very much against Glokkman and writes a critical blog about her. The next day, he’s dead! Maria just happens to be staying in the same hotel as the blogger and her interest is piqued. She begins to investigate and suddenly there are more suspects than she can keep up with.
While all this is going on, Maria is dealing with her best friend’s—an older lady, Mrs. Berns’—love life. Mrs. Berns is getting married and Maria doesn’t like the man one bit, not to mention he is a suspect in all of this!
Quirky and entertaining to the last page, this book is a fun cozy mystery.

Reviewed by Ashley Wintters for Suspense Magazine ( )