I liked the sprinkling of red herrings, which had me trying to guess the identity of the murderer. I thought the murderer reveal was very clever as was how the crimes were committed, although the description of the murder weapon niggled at me a little, especially with the comparisons between it and something else which is made of a very different material. The authors do a great job in capturing the feel of the cozy mystery genre. I liked the friendships between Michael and his employees, who feel more like family. He’s turning into one of my favourite characters in this series. Michael’s arch-nemesis is horrible! I loved Musgrave and his trying to understand his daughter, and failing. Norbert is even more unpleasant and slimy this time round, as is the self-righteous Misty’s cousin by marriage.

He’s sweet, caring and thoughtful, and I think he and Jazz are perfect together. I love how Michael is still obsessed with murder mysteries, and how the podcast he listens to connects with this story. I liked how far Michael and Jazz have come with their relationship since the events of the last book, although considering everything they’ve been through, Jazz’ fear that he’s leading Michael into danger by being with him is understandable. As this directly follows on from the first book, I’d recommend reading that one first. Already knowing the characters was an advantage, and I liked catching up with not just Michael and Jazz, but the others in their community. I enjoyed the second of this small town murder mystery series. As the murderer circles ever closer to Jazz and Michael, Sheriff Musgrave is quick to remind them that everyone’s a suspect until Sheriff Musgrave says they’re not! The festival, however, brings in a veritable lineup of potential killers, including a familiar-and most unwelcome-figure from their past.

With the first gruesome murder still fresh in their memories, they can’t help but wonder if notorious murderer and famous author Russell Withingham might be targeting them from jail, where he’s awaiting trial. Between a trio of funerals, a blowout BBQ, and a couple of trips on Beulah, Jazz’s beloved scooter, Michael and Jazz do some sleuthing of their own. Luckily Michael and local hairstylist Jazz are closer than ever. Michael recuses himself from the autopsy, handing the job over to his arch-nemesis from a neighboring county. An acoustic music festival comes to Lacetown, and with it, another dead body-this one found at Fleishman’s Funeral Home.

Murder Most Deserving by Hank Edwards