Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...
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Book Review: Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop (Beacon Bakeshop, #1) by Darci Hannah

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The Running Bibliophile's Book Review of Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop (Beacon Bakeshop, #1) by Darci Hannah
Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop (Beacon Bakeshop, #1) by Darci Hannah is the first book in the Beacon Bakeshop book series. It opens with the main character, Lindsey Bakeswell, moving to Michigan to open a bakery after she found her fiance Jeffrey Plank in a compromising position with Mia Wong. When opening day finally arrives, it's all going well until Mia dies from sampling one of Lindsey's products. Can Lindsey prove her innocence and be able to reopen her bakery?

I loved reading this book and finding out how this series started. It gave me plenty of backstory on each character and how each of them met. Of course, Lindsey is one of my favorite characters along with her dog Wellington. I especially like the love interest named Rory Campbell. Boy is he h-o-t in every way! I want a man in my life that is as cool, calm, and collected as he is, and not to mention super understanding!! *swoon*

Lindsey going from being a big wig on Wall Street to deciding to be a baker and owner of a bakery is a tad bit unbelievable. However, it totally works in this story and that is because of the reason behind the change ... a cheating fiance! Another element that many people might find hard to believe is that there is a paranormal element that includes a ghost captain that haunts the lighthouse and interacts with characters. I am all about paranormal elements if they're done well, and Darci Hannah does a fantastic job with it. Trust me!

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop was just what I needed in a book, and I am hopelessly in love with this series. Five out of five stars.

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