This Way to Murder by Shelley Shearer is the first audiobook in the Board Game Cafe Mysteries series. Narrated by Nicole Fikes, we meet Remi McKenna & her best friend Trace Cooper as things go terribly wrong during a letterboxing event. Come see why I enjoyed this cozy mystery!
by Shelley Shearer
Series: Board Game Cafe Mysteries #1
Narrator: Nicole Fikes
Length: 5 hours and 29 minutes
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Remi McKenna is co-hosting a letterboxing event, but her weekend plans are not all fun and games when best friend Trace Cooper is the target of a stalker. An inheritance of a stone manor house means she hopes this will be the start of her new life in Northern Virginia. Can Remi juggle the event, start planning her game-themed BnB, and solve the mystery of Trace's strange messages? Things escalate into a real-life game of Clue when Remi finds a dead body in the garden.
I love board games and was intrigued by the idea of Remi turning an old manor she inherited into an inn that hosted board game events. Remi and her best friend, Trace, have made their way to the woods of Northern Virginia to see what’s inside and in need of repair. Remi is also co-hosting a letterbox event with her neighbors when things turn deadly. Trace is getting strange messages and things soon turn to murder. Can Remi solve the murders? Is she a suspect with the local police?
This was fun and I learned a little about letterboxing, something I think I’d enjoy. I liked Remi and her plans for the B&B, which set the series up for future mysteries. The murders and Remi’s murder board kept me guessing. The danger slowly built until the murderer exposes themselves.
The neighbors, locals, letterbox enthusiasts and alien hunters gave us plenty of suspects, including Remi’s ex-boyfriend, who shows up unexpectedly. Who can Remi trust?
Fans of cozy mysteries will delight in this game of clue. Nicole Fikes narrates the audiobook and is new to me. She did a delightful job of capturing the characters and tone of the story. I highly recommend listening.
About Shelley Shearer
Shelley Shearer always wanted to be a ninja or an astronaut or zoologist. So now she spends her time dabbling in as many adventures as she can manage. Snuggling lemurs, experiencing zero gravity, attending police seminars and mounted archery are some of the ways she tries to keep her life as interesting as the ones she writes about. Shelley writes both urban fantasy and mystery.
About Nicole Fikes
Nicole lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and daughter, as well as a Mini Goldendoodle named Rufus. She loves tea, tacos, and vintage jewelry.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I also love board games, so the idea behind this series sounds like a blast! Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Katherine
How did I miss this book? It sounds so fun and like one I’d really love! I do love a good cozy and this is a unique premise.
Mary Kirkland
I had to Google what Letterboxing was because I had no idea. This sounds good.
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Taylor @ Taylor Fenner’s Bookish World
This sounds like a book I would love! I’ll have to check it out!
Ethan
It’s great to hear that the mystery kept you guessing and that the characters, from neighbors to alien hunters, added depth and intrigue. I also appreciate your mention of the audiobook narration by Nicole Fikes—I’ll definitely check it out!
Anne- Books of My Heart
It does sound like a really fun premise.
Sophia Rose
What a fun idea for a cozy mystery series with the old house for a B&B and the board games. I’ll have to put this one on my list.