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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

I don’t remember how old I was, but it had to be after I was ten or so. I’d just read another three or four Nancy Drews—the old pink, library hardbacks, in fact—and something about the books bugged me.

Nancy Drew books always had a magnifying glass somewhere inside. But why? She never used the things. I mean, there were pictures of her walking along, peering through it at the ground. And for what?

So, I did what all smart girls do (sometimes I was, you know–smart.  Sometimes).  I went and asked Mom about it. That’s when I learned about symbolism—the use of objects to trigger an expectation. That magnifying glass meant she was trying to solve a case—even if it didn’t mean anything to the actual story.

Kind of like me taking a trash bag up to my room to clean… it didn’t mean I’d actually do anything with it… just kidding.

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

So why am I nattering on about magnifying glasses? Why would they be a great gift?

Symbolism, people. Remember? I’m talking about Angela Ruth Strong’s A Caffeine Conundrum.

If you love Nancy Drew, ridiculously realistic characters, and a plot that keeps you tumbling from one mess to the next, you’re going to love this book. Coffee? Check! Tea? Check!

How about an adorable little dog who fails miserably at the guard dog job but makes up for it in comfort and cuddles? Ex-boyfriends who may or may not be guilty of everything from growing into hunky dudes when you weren’t looking to oblivion and possibly even murder?

Poison? Explosions? “Avalanches?”

Yeah, this book has it all, from the klutzy girl who could give Miss Congeniality a run for her money to murder, theft, and mayhem.

The best part is probably how neither girl is actually any good at this sleuthing thing. It’s kind of refreshing after the Nancys, the Miss Marples, and the Miss Fishers of this work, you know?

Seriously, just typing it all out—and avoiding typing too much—I should be telling you what a terrible book it was. But it wasn’t. Somehow Ms. Strong makes it work. How is that even possible?

All I know is if you like cozy mysteries with quirky characters and a less-than-obvious plot, you’re sure to love A Caffeine Conundrum. It seriously was just too much fun.

The good news is, it’s the first book in the CafFunated Mysteries.

And that’s why a magnifying glass is a perfect gift–and by magnifying glass, I mean A Caffeine Conundrum. Zip it to someone’s Kindle as a surprise if you need a last-minute gift or “stocking stuffer” or let Prime have it to your door before you leave on Saturday for cousin Hilda’s house.  You know how she loves a fun mystery…

Here’s a bit more about it.

A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth StrongTitle: A Caffeine Conundrum

Author: Angela Ruth Strong

Synopsis:  Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages.

Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.

The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills.

Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse?

Has anyone else read this book?  Any of her others I should read while I wait for the next?

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Comments

  1. Phyllis says

    December 25, 2018 at 8:23 am

    I have read many of her books and love them. She loves to be over-the-top funny and somehow just makes it work. I recommend you read Dead on Arrival and False Security next. And probably throw in The Princess and the PI for mystery/suspense. Her other books are great as well. 🙂 I have reviews (and quotes from the books) on my site if you want to see more of my thoughts on them.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

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Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
byChautona Havig

 It may seem weird, but my favorite way to read Amish fiction is with mystery or suspense added. I think I like the juxtaposition of the “simple, quiet” life and the upheaval. Listen in to my chat with Shelley Shepard Gray about her newest book, Unshaken.

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

There are so many questions about the Amish, their ways of life, and their differences from us and from each other. We talked about the differences between people, sure, but we also looked at how the Amish look for the ways people are similar to them etc.

Of course, we also talked about the Rumors in Ross County series and how her newest book connects.

 Unshaken  by Shelley Shepard Gray

He helps her hide until danger has passed. She hopes her cover lasts long enough. When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was expecting to pick up a few items she couldn’t find in her Amish community. She was not expecting to find herself an innocent bystander as a drug deal went horribly wrong. The sole witness to a murder, now Stephanie is targeted by the gunman. Hardy Anderson is always ready to help his social worker sister, Bev–which now includes hiding an Amish woman until a killer can be brought to justice. Surely if they dress her in English clothing, Hardy can hide her at the sprawling ranch where he works. But the killer is desperate–and there’s no telling what lengths he will go.

You can learn more about Shelley on her WEBSITE.  Don’t forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

AND!!!  Don’t miss her Buggy Bunch group on Facebook, too! 

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Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
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