Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Framed For Murder (A Pine Cove Mystery) by Marla A. White! Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a Rafflecopter Giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card. 

Framed For Murder (A Pine Cove Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (June 17, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D18C415T

About the Book:

After a life-changing injury, Mel O’Rourke trades in her badge for bed sheets, running a B & B in the quirky mountain town of Pine Cove. Her peaceful life is interrupted when an old frenemy, the notorious and charismatic cat burglar, Poppy Phillips, shows up on her doorstep, claiming she’s been framed for murder. While she’s broken plenty of laws, Mel knows she’d never kill anyone. Good thing she’s a better detective than she is a cook as she sets out to prove Poppy’s innocence.

The situation gets complicated, however, when the ruggedly handsome Deputy Sheriff Gregg Marks flirts with Mel, bringing him dangerously close to the criminal she’s hiding. And just when her friendship with café owner Jackson Thibodeaux blossoms into something more, he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime in New Orleans. Should she encourage him to go, or ask him to stay? Who knew romance could be just as hard to solve as murder?

My Review:

Set in the small town of Pine Cove and featuring former police officer Mel, Framed For Murder (A Pine Cove Mystery) by Marla A. White was a fun read! After an injury on the job causes Mel to resign for life as a police officer in busy LA, she and her close-knit family agree that a change of pace (and place!) is necessary. Together they chip in to purchase a B&B in Pine Cove with the understanding that Mel will manage the inn. 

Mel has her hands full! In addition to trying to conquer her terrible fear of heights (the result of the on the job injury mentioned above), she’s also running all aspects of the B&B including cooking…and Mel can’t even make a decent cup of coffee. 

And then in walks Poppy, the famous cat burglar that saved Mel’s life. Mel and her customers are delighted that Poppy can cook and Mel agrees to let Poppy stay… even though what brings Poppy to Mel is a bit sketchy. Mel’s brother then shows up at their agreed upon time so he can help with repairs to the cabins, but with him is their cantankerous grandmother. Mel was not expecting this. And for someone who thought she might be lonely, Mel also has a little bit of a love triangle happening in her life with two men interested in her. Small town life sure doesn’t mean dull! 

It’s not long after all the arrivals that Mel uncovers the real reason for Poppy’s sudden appearance and Mel finds herself right back in the middle of another mystery with bodies popping up. If only the police would do their job, Mel wouldn’t have to get involved…we know how that goes in cozy mysteries, right?! 

This was so much fun! First of all the characters were wonderful and each so unique. The banter between them, especially any time Mel’s grandmother was in a scene, was priceless. I chuckled out loud several times. The mystery was twisty and there were many clues and suspects to consider. I will say the mystery resolved itself nicely in this story, but there is a big cliff-hanger at the end that has me anxiously awaiting the next installment. I would very much like to schedule a visit to Pine Cove (minus the murder) and visit with Mel and her friends. 

About the Author:

Marla White is an award-winning novelist who prefers killing people who annoy her on paper rather than in real life. Her first full-length mystery novel, “Cause for Elimination,” placed in several contests including Killer Nashville, The RONE Awards, The Reader’s Favorite, and finishing second in the Orange County Romance Writers for Romantic Suspense. Originally from Oklahoma, she lived in a lot of other states before settling down in Los Angeles to work in the television industry.  She currently teaches at UCLA Extension and gives seminars about the art of script coverage. When she’s not working on the next book, she’s out in the garden, hiking, cheering on the LA Kings, or discovering new craft cocktails.

Fun Facts:
Something readers might find interesting about this book:

The quirky Babbling Brook Bed-and-Breakfast is loosely inspired by the Silver Pines Lodge in Idyllwild. Highly recommend staying there if you’re even in that neck of the woods.

A fact about me that readers might find interesting:

I share Mel’s nearly debilitating fear of heights. Well, not to the same extent, I can climb a set of stairs, but looking down more than a few flights? No way!

There’s a scene where Mel does a singing bowl session. I’ve done that and honestly, it’s pretty cool!

I accomplished the dream of becoming a published writer in my late fifties after helping other writers craft their stories for thirty years.

Author Links:

Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/TheScriptFixer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlawriteswords/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarlaAWhiteAuthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marlaw825
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21467766.Marla_A_White
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marla-a-white
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MHIzkB
Substack: https://substack.com/@marlawhite?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Purchase Links:
Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Apple Books 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

June 17 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 18 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW , CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 19 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
June 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 20 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 21 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
June 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 22 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
June 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 24 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading – REVIEW  
June 25 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 26 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
June 27 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 27 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 28 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 29 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

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