WHEN THE CARNIVAL CAME by Kathleen Bailey
SERIES: An Olivia Penn Mystery #4
GENRE: Cozy Mystery (Clean)
PUBLISHER: Rhino Publishing LLC
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2024
PAGES: 442
A mysterious murder at an abandoned army base. A carnival has rolled into town. The shocking connection forces her to choose between a dear friend and her new love.
Spring is blooming in Apple Station, Virginia, and advice columnist Olivia Penn’s new romance is heating up. With love in the air and the carnival in town, life seems picture-perfect—until a stranger arrives at her door with carnations and a cryptic message for her friend.
When Olivia follows the trail and finds her friend standing over a dead body, she discovers there’s more to the carnival than just fun and games. Compelled to keep an impossible secret from both her new love and the police, Olivia is recruited to go undercover and investigate who among the quirky carnival crew had a motive for murder.
In a race to protect her friend and solve the crime, she must trust a man she never expected to see again. Together, they execute a daring plan to bring a killer to justice and save the lives of thirty very precious, valuable feathered friends.
With the killer on the verge of vanishing without a trace, justice—and her life—hinge on quick thinking and a bold move. Will she and her new love survive to see another day?
When the Carnival Came is the fourth book in the award-winning The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. When the Carnival Came is a small-town, heartwarming, humorous mystery, featuring charming characters and a fast-paced, twisty plot. Action-packed and full of suspense, grab a cuppa and settle in for this clean cozy mystery thriller—where nothing is as it seems.
Other Books In This Series
Longer review coming later today…
Bottom Line: I’ve long thought a carnival would be the perfect setting for a cozy mystery, and Kathleen Bailey proved me right in When the Carnival Came. The mystery in this book is layered and well-plotted, with another personal twist for Olivia that kept her – and me – invested in the outcome. That personal connection involves Sam (Olivia’s neighbor with intriguing skills) and I really enjoyed delving into Sam’s backstory and enigmatic job. I also loved the continued romantic progress with swoony Preston, Olivia’s interactions with her dad and her longtime close friends, and the author’s engaging writing voice. The last few paragraphs are particularly beautiful, and I look forward to hopefully many more chances to hang out with Olivia and the people of Apple Station.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / enjoyed it!
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Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days plotting and sleuthing in Virginia where she lives with her husband and adorable feline fur baby. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers. Visit online at kathleenbaileyauthor.com.
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