Sunday, June 5, 2016


Are you a seasonal reader?
Fall cozies in the fall, winter in the winter.
Halloween, Christmas, and Fourth of July only during their respective seasons?

Well, I have a summer book for you! 

 MURDER BY FIREWORKS
Book 3 in the Kay Driscoll Mysteries
by Susan Bernhardt


Wedding bells are in the air, and so is murder. 

Kay Driscoll's son's wedding reception for two hundred guests is in her backyard. As if that wasn't enough, a precocious and troubled twelve-year-old is foisted on her two days before the wedding. When the happy day arrives, one of the guests disrupts the event and is asked to leave: a womanizing member of Kay's book club. 

A few days later, after a Fourth of July fireworks show, he is found dead on the beach. Kay and her ever-present friends, Elizabeth and Deirdre, investigate the death, which at first is declared a suicide. They believe this is a cover-up and go about to prove their theory, an arduous task because the potential suspects are many, and few (if any) will regret the victim's death.

What? 
Yes, I said Book 3 in the series. 

While I normally recommend a series be read in order, 
MURDER BY FIREWORKS can be read as a stand alone. 
All three books in the Kay Driscoll series can be.


MY REVIEW


Book three in the Kay Driscoll Mysteries, MURDER BY FIREWORKS, is the best so far in this series by author Susan Berhardt!

A wonderful book, the plot of this story was flawlessly thought out by author Bernhardt. She has created a tale of mystery, intrigue, and humor, with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing til the end.

One of my favorite parts of cozy mysteries is of course the characters...and I do enjoy the characters is this series very much. But the other thing I really love about cozies are the many different careers the characters have. In the Kay Driscoll series, Sweet Marissa's Patisserie is THE place where the characters meet. I can't blame them. With all of the magnificent treats served, I'd be there all the time! Honestly, Sweet Marissa's Patisserie itself is like another character in the story.

All of the Kay Driscoll books can be read as standalone's, so don't let the seasonal covers fool you.

I'm very much looking forward to Susan Bernhardt's next installment to this five star series!


What  other readers are saying about MURDER BY FIREWORKS (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 3) that takes place during the summer months.http://amzn.to/1MBKRd4
5 STARS - “This is a great beach read. I can see hip small town America when I read this series.”
5 STARS - “The characters are lovingly created and you feel right at home with them and their daily life. The murder is interwoven in the daily activities and worries of the protagonist and keeps the reader involved and curious. I can’t wait for the fourth book to be written.”
5 STARS – “Bernhardt unleashes her full creative power during a kayaking adventure Kay, Deirdre (one of Kay's loyal friends) and two others go on. Readers who are ambivalent about kayaking will have their concerns validated and will vow never to go on such an expedition in the future. The rushing of the water turning over Kay's kayak, the breath by breath account of Kay's ordeal are depicted with such realism, we feel we're drowning in one if those rapids. Like Kay, we beg to get out there alive.”
5 STARS - “I love the way Ms. Bernhardt spins her tale through detailed description of events that occurred in the story, placing the reader right in the scene. This book is a must-read and is a great addition to the other two mysteries.”
5 STARS - "The perfect summer read."
The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 1) - Reduced $3.95http://amzn.to/1oPTsiw 

Murder Under the Tree (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 2) - Reduced $3.95http://amzn.to/1tC5krR 

Murder by Fireworks (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 3) - Newest release.http://amzn.to/1MBKRd4 

About the author


Susan's town in northern Wisconsin was an inspiration for the quaint setting of her novels. Like Kay Driscoll in her cozy mysteries, The Ginseng Conspiracy and Murder Under the Tree, Susan is a retired nurse who volunteers at her local free clinic. She lives with her husband, William, and has two sons, Peter and David.

An avid reader of mysteries, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, Inc. and the Wisconsin Writers Association. Her published works include: The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 1), Murder Under the Tree (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 2), "October 31st", "Midsummer", and "John and Madeline."

When not writing, Susan loves to travel, bicycle, kayak, and create culinary magic in her kitchen. She works in stained-glass, daydreams in her organic garden, stays up late reading mysteries, and eats lots of chocolate.


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11 comments:

  1. Thank you, Lisa. What a wonderful surprise! I'm so happy that you enjoyed Murder by Fireworks.

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  2. Lisa, what a great post. I really enjoyed it. I also really enjoy The Kay Driscoll Mystery series and I agree that each book can be read as a stand alone. But why would you not want to read all of these great books?





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  3. Thank you, Mary for your great comments. I'm happy that you enjoyed the Kay Driscoll mysteries. :)

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  4. Great review! Susan's cozies have a wide appeal.

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  5. I do love seasonal books, but most especially the Christmas season ones. Thanks for the review! Sounds like a good series!

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    1. Thanks, Elaine. I love Christmas mysteries as well. It was fun writing Murder Under the Tree. :)

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  6. I'm adding all three books to the top of my TBR list. As a retired nurse who moved to WI 2 years ago, I'm especially interested to read Susan's books!!

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  7. Thanks, Cheryl. I hope you'll enjoy the Kay Driscoll mysteries. Where did you move in Wisconsin?

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  8. I moved to the Milwaukee area, Muskego to be precise. My older daughter and son-in-law were in Green Bay for several years before moving and are now in Franklin. My younger daughter lived in Wausau, her husband's hometown, before they moved to New Berlin almost three years ago. I am enjoying this beautiful area!

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    1. I received my BS in Nursing at UWM (Milwaukee). My husband also graduated from UWM. We lived on the Upper East Side of Milwaukee. I'm originally from Sheboygan. My husband is from Racine. I just asked my husband about Muskego and he mentioned they used to have a big amusement park there. :) I live in Western Wisconsin.

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