Aloha to Jenn McKinlay and COPY CAP MURDER (Hat Shop Mystery No. 4) - Book Review

Reminder: I have a special giveaway for Military Appreciation Month at this link.

For Scarlett Parker, part of the fun of living in London is celebrating the British holidays, and she’s excited to share her first Bonfire Night with her cousin Vivian Tremont. Invited to a posh party by their friend Harrison Wentworth, Scarlett and Viv decide to promote their hat shop, Mim’s Whims, by donning a few of their more outrageous creations. The hats prove to be quite the conversation starters as the girls mix and mingle with the guests—never suspecting that one of them is a killer. 

It’s a cold, clear night, perfect for the British tradition of tossing a straw stuffed effigy of Guy Fawkes, traitor to the crown, onto the bonfire. But instead of a straw man, they realize in the heat of the moment that the would-be Guy Fawkes is actually Harrison’s office rival and he’s been murdered. Before the smoke has cleared, Harrison is the Metropolitan police’s prime suspect, and Scarlett and Vivian must find the real homicidal hothead before their dear friend’s life goes up in flames.

Public Domain (link)

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
- Traditional English rhyme

As autumn descends upon London, American expat Scarlet Parker prepares to celebrate Guy Fawkes instead of Thanksgiving. She relocated to the Notting Hill neighborhood to join her British cousin Vivian Tremont in the family business, Mim's Whim - a hat shop they both inherited from their grandmother. Vivian is the creative force behind the hat designs; Scarlet focuses on customer service, updates social media, and finds dead bodies along the way - this time, at the Guy Fawkes party. 

The gang is back to help Scarlet track down the killer - Fiona (hat shop assistant), Nick (neighbor, dentist, and partner of Andre), Andre (neighbor, photographer, and partner of Nick), and, of course, Harrison, the shop's financial advisor who is now the murder suspect. COPY CAP MURDER follows the predictable path of cozy mysteries - red herrings, family secrets, and a dramatic unveiling of the real killer.  What sets this book (and series) apart is the location - the cozy neighborhood of Notting Hill. What's not to love about the cobblestone streets, eclectic shops, and international food in the middle of London's hubbub?  Likewise, McKinlay offers quirky characters (akin to Hugh Grant's Notting Hill) who deliver humorous quips throughout the story. Indeed, COPY CAT MURDER is a comfort read for those who enjoy British culture.

I purchased COPY CAP MURDER since I enjoyed the first three books in the series.

Children prepare for Guy Fawkes Night at Chirk

Creative Commons (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. In the story, Scarlett dreads missing Thanksgiving while living in London. Do you have a special Thanksgiving dish?  I make corn pudding from my mother-in-law's recipe.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.