Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bakeshop, #5) by Darci Hannah

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Book Review of Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bookshop, #5) by Darci Hannah
Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bakeshop, #5) by Darci Hannah opens with Lindsey Bakewell picking up her dog, Welly, from the dog groomers and driving home to prepare for the St. Patrick's Day festivities and parade ending at her bakery. Lindsey is startled when a leprechaun runs into the side of her car and runs off. That night, Rory's uncle Finn tells them that he caught a leprechaun and found its gold. When that same leprechaun is found dead by the mayor, Lindsey knows there is more to the story than meets the eye and has to investigate. 

The book club I belong to decided to go with the theme of Ireland for our book club selection for March 2025. Everyone was to choose a book that had something to do with Ireland or the Irish. I chose to read Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bakeshop, #5) by Darci Hannah, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it because it put me in the mood for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

From the beginning of the story, I was engaged and entertained by this novel. Darci Hannah is a very talented author. The small town feel of the city was definitely brought to life with them having their own parade and gathering at Lindsey's bakery afterwards for snacks and refreshments. This was additionally brought to life with all the gossip being swapped back and forth between the residents and everyone seeming to know each other.

Colleen and Finn are definitely welcome additions to the storyline, and I loved learning how they came to be part of the town. I didn't care for Kennedy's new boyfriend Niall. He was extremely self absorbed and arrogant, and he was just an all around jerk. As for Lindsey and Rory, I love seeing their relationship grow. And, I loved the fact that there was a leprechaun in this installment!

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I had a hard time figuring out the leprechaun's connection to the town treasurer and the murders in town along with why he was hiding gold around town. As for who the murderer was, I didn't have an inkling of who it was for the better part of the book, and I only considered the real culprit for a split second. I actually thought the killer was someone who was a current employee for the city. Color me surprised that this person wasn't the killer!

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bakeshop, #5) by Darci Hannah but felt like there weren't quite enough clues to put together everything at the end. However, it could be that I was just being dense. Four out of five stars.

☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

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