Member Reviews
Nancy B, Reviewer
I love this series. The characters are likable, the relationships realistic and the descriptions of the town and local events make me wish I could go visit. In this story, Jenna Hart becomes involved in a murder investigation when her father's friend, Jake, shows up at her door in a frenzy because his friend has been murdered while visiting at Jake's house. Jenna has suspicions that Jake was the intended target and starts asking questions at her father's prompting. There are ample suspects and you will be guessing until the end. A final twist makes everything fall into place. This is book #7 in A Cookbook Nook Mystery but could be read as a stand alone. I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. |
Cozy Christmas Murder Mystery This is a lovely cozy mystery that takes place in the Christmas Season. There are all sorts of Holiday doings at Crystal Cove involving tons of people and their relatives. This book is a nice addition to the series. It stands alone well, but it would be better to read them in order for the background story. The plot is great with plenty of suspects. All of the characters are believable and multi-layered. I anticipate reading more of this author's work. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review. |
Judy T, Reviewer
A great holiday mystery. Interesting characters that will keep you entertained. Lots of twists and turns that will keep the pages turning until the end. |
I love a good Christmas cozy. Wreath Between the Lines is the seventh in the Cookbook Nook mystery series, but it can and does stand on its own. The quaint town of Crystal Cove is preparing for Christmas festivities, but this is Crystal Cove, so the festivities are interrupted when a body is found murdered with Christmas decorations. The suspects include Jenna’s brother-in-law and Jenna’s father’s friend. Jenna feels compelled to step in and solve the mystery to clear her loved one’s good names. This is a good addition to the series and you’ll love the recipes provided at the end of the book. |
This book was filled with lots of great character and relationship development. The mystery wasn’t the strongest but I felt like the other aspects of the book were well crafted so it didn’t hurt the book overall. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review. |
This is the 7th book in the Cookbook Nook series and a welcome addition! It's a cozy mystery with a dash of romance, and some VERY yummy holiday cooking- in fact you'll be surprised HOW many recipes are included at the end of the book! But before you get there, you get a look at Jenna's charming town and it's many characters, as it sets up for the merry season. Add in family drama and a surprise guest who gets murdered, and you have the perfect setting for Jenna to show how multi-talented she is! A real page turned, you may find yoruself reading this in one sitting like I did! It's a fun series for the mystery readers, and cookbook lover alike! |
WREATH BETWEEN THE LINES is the seventh book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. The front cover of the book draws the reader in with its coziness and I love the Christmas feeling it imbues. The author effectively captures and continues the Christmas-y feeling throughout the entire book despite some of the residents of Crystal Cove acting more Scrooge than Santa. Protagonist Jenna Hart co-owns the bookstore and bakery, Cookbook Nook, with her Aunt Vera. The Cookbook Nook and their California coastal town are gearing up for a wreath-themed festival. I loved all the descriptions of the creative wreaths each business designed to go with the theme of their shops. It adds to the festive feel of good cheer throughout the town. Jenna is also pulling out all stops to decorate her bookstore and make sure there are plenty of Christmas cookbooks for her customers. I have a love/hate relationship with all the cookie and cake cookbooks Jenna mentions and stocks for the holiday… they all sound amazing and I found that I ended up purchasing more cookbooks than I really need so that I can read and drool over all the recipes and photos of seasonal goodies. When Jenna’s father’s good friend is accused of murdering a drifter, I found it incredibly sweet that Jenna steps in to protect the elderly man since her father is out of the country. I greatly enjoyed the influence her father can assert with the investigating police, even when he’s off the pages, so that Jenna can investigate and keep him “in the loop”. Ms. Gerber weaves in a tight tale of estranged family, squabbling spouses, cranky neighbors, a cookie contest, and an A cappella competition to keep the reader engrossed and turning pages. With so many people hiding secrets, the naughty list of suspects kept me guessing who the culprit was. Even though there was a lot going on, the author expertly pulls the threads together and provides a satisfying conclusion, making every page a joy to read. One of the fun things I love when reading Ms. Gerber’s books, is the amazing amount of recipes she provides at the back of the book. WREATH BETWEEN THE LINES is no exception and you’ll be drooling as you read over the holiday recipes she’s created. |
Marie J, Bookseller
Crystal Cove is busy once again,. Preparing for the holidays is busy enough but throw in a murder and you have me hooked. A good series with likable characters this installment doesn't disappoint. The storyline didn't miss a beat and will have you turning the pages. I can't wait for the next installment. |
Amary C, Reviewer
I loved this cozy. Crystal Cove's book store owner Jenna Hart and her close friends try to solve the murder of a friend of her father's friend Jake. Jenna and the group are afraid the intended victim was Jake.....and are proved to be right when he and another friends are poisoned at a cookie tasting. They bump their investigation into high gear with Jenna's dad making suggestions while on his honeymoon. The twist and turns and little hints make an engrossing tale. It was hard to put down and I think it would make a marvelous Christmas present. I was lucky enough to get an ARC from NetGalley to peruse. |
Natasha R, Bookseller
This is a delightful Christmas themed mystery with a well developed plot and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing all the way through, but what I most loved about it were the wonderful, warm characters whose friendship and devotion to each other showed what the Christmas spirit is all about. Jenna Hart runs the Cookbook Nook along with her Aunt Vera, and friends Bailey and Tina. The descriptions of the food, the cooking classes and the cookbooks they sell will quickly send you to your local bookstore. When Geoffrey, a friend of Jenna's family friend Jake, is found murdered at his home, Jenna once again becomes involved in trying to figure out the solution to the crime. There are long lost family members, valuable stamps along with ornery neighbors to consider as suspects. But it is the sense of family, both with Jenna's actual family and friends, the touch of romance as Jenna and Rhett become engaged and the wonderful descriptions of life in Crystal Cove that will make you a big fan of this series. I loved it! |
Jacque S, Librarian
Jenna loves Christmas, but this year is complicated. Her older sister and her family show up unexpectedly and they are not a happy bunch. Then a murder occurs in their small town. Who was the intended target? Jenna’s busy during her cookbook store’s busy holiday season, hosting special events, spending time with her sister and niece, and trying to solve a murder and an attempted murder. This was a quick, fun read for the Christmas season. |
Dawn S, Reviewer
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. I love this series and this book did not disappoint. I love reading Daryl Wood Gerber's books because it feels like you are visiting long lost relatives. The twists and turns in this book keeps you on your toes. Thanks Daryl! |
It's hard to imagine that a series that started off as good as Daryl Wood Gerber's Cookbook Nook mysteries could keep getting better, but her newest installment, Wreath Between the Lines, proves that it's possible! I have enjoyed every single one of these very cozy mysteries, set in the fictional town of Crystal Cove, California, but in my opinion Wreath Between the Lines is the best of the lot. Christmas is approaching, and Jenna Hart and the other merchants in town are participating in the Crystal Cove Christmas Festival when a drifter with ties to the town is found dead, and the suspects include a few longtime residents of the town, as well as Jenna's own brother-in-law. I loved the introduction of additional members of Jenna's family, and the development of the relationships of longtime characters (Rhett, Bailey, Cinnamon, etc...). The clever unfolding of the whodunit and why was perfectly written, and I even had an "AHA!" when the killer was revealed - Ms. Gerber had given us little hints all along, but there was definitely more than one suspect - and everything tied together perfectly, as if it was wrapped in a lovely Christmas bow! 5 stars to this little gem!!! |
Grace K, Reviewer
The town of Crystal Cove is busy with festive events to celebrate the Christmas season. The Cookbook Nook's owner Jenna Hart is looking forward to the fun until she gets a surprise visit from her older sister Whitney and her niece Lacy. Then a frantic Jake Chapman shows up at Jenna's house claiming his homeless friend Geoffrey has been strangled with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree star. Worried that Jake was the intended victim, Jenna snoops around. Suspects include Jake’s long-lost sister Olivia, his Grinchly neighbour Emmett, a stamp collector (Raquel) who covets Jake’s most treasured stamp and a charming businessman (Adam) wanting to buy Jake's property. When Jake is poisoned and nearly dies during the Christmas cookie event, Jenna knows she has to work fast to find the culprit. This was a fun read and another great book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series. There were also plenty of festival recipes listed at the end of the book. I received an eARC via Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review. |
Daryl Wood Gerber has written a Christmas Cookbook Nook Mystery, number seven in this series. The book opens into full out Christmas frenzy - the excitement is palpable and the little city is alive with electricity. Jenna Hart, the lead character and cook, is an amateur sleuth that murder always finds. This Christmas the murder victim is dressed up like a Christmas tree. Off goes Hart to solve this mystery. Gerber does not limit the reader to a simple story. This book has some yummy recipes that I can't wait to try this holiday season. In fact, this is a great book to read while you are baking! |
I really like the cover to this book. It's inviting, warm, and is very welcoming. The main character is hot on the sleuthing trail to figure out who committed such a heinous act like a murder. Ultimately, she cracks the case and peace resumes to this small coummity along The Californian coast. |
Wreath Between The Lines was a cute mystery. The characters and plot were excellent. I enjoyed reading this book and need to read the beginning of this series. |
Lee C, Reviewer
This is a must read book for all cozy lovers. Jenna is getting her Cook Book Nook ready for the holiday season, when murder rears it's ugly head. Enough said, read the summary, which should be enough to sell you on this one. The plot is exciting, plenty of twists and turns, and the characters are wonderful. This one is a a real page Turner. Thanks for the ARC. Solid 5 stars. |
Robyn K, Reviewer
Jenna Hart just wants to enjoy the holidays without any complications. Her best laid plans don't actually come to fruition. Her sister arrives unexpectedly with problems of her own, and Jenna is once again involved in a murder investigation. This is a fast paced, action packed book with wonderful characters, that will grab your attention, and keep it until the end. Daryl Wood Gerber is a magnificent author, and I highly recommend this book and series. |
Wreath Between the Lines is an action packed mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the end. Jenna is getting her shop ready for the holidays when an unexpected visit from her sister brings some troubling news. It seems her brother in law has a secret that could end his marriage. If that isn't enough to rock her world, a murder will surely do the trick. Jenna once again puts on her detective cap and sets off to find the answers. This is a fantastic addition to the series and I loved every word. I've come to love Jenna and all the colorful personalities that make up her world. I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley. |




