I did not think this was as strong a story as the first in the series. The characters were distracting, and the story could have used more of a plot line.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Stella and Nick put their heads together to try and solve what caused the unexpected death of their host. What they found only added more questions that keep piling up. This book had a mild start, but the excitement and intrigue ramped up from the middle, with a gripping and surprising conclusion.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in the series. This is a re-issue under a new publisher with a new series name.

I didn't like this one as much as the first book in the series. Nick was pretty much a minor character in a too loooong list of characters. And Stella was a bit off-putting in this one. I found it to be rather slow moving at times, and ended up dropping it a few times to go read something else.

I still like the married couple concept, as it puts off so much of the relationship angst that a lot of cozies have. But for that to work, I need the couple to work together, rather than just having one there in a minor role. I'd also think that Nick, a ranger for the US Forest Service, would have a bit more of a law enforcement bent, since quite frankly, these days federal rangers are all law enforcement officers, in addition to being conservation officers, and have been for decades.

I'd still like to read the next in the series, especially if it's offered on NetGalley, or through my local library.

This started out really strong and then fizzled out for me. There were so many unnecessary details that detracted from the story (all the song titles during the dinner party, for example) and slowed it down so much. Stella comes off as unlikeable. I struggled through this one and skimmed to the end. Not sure why the chef had to share a name with one of the main characters; it got confusing for a while.

Short-Circuited in Charlotte is the second installment in the Vermont Country Living series. The cozy fall feel and the “Vermont Country Living series” tag of the cover drew my attention right away. Once I got into the book, it was somewhat disappointing to learn that this book isn’t actually set in Vermont (although that fact does not influence my rating of the book).

As the deaths begin to pile up at the Creators’ Cavalcade, Stella and Nick find themselves changing roles from participants to sleuths. The plot is interesting but slow at times, and I didn’t find the main character, Stella, to be particularly likable.

Thanks go to @NetGalley and @BeyondThePagePublishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Although I loved the first one in the series, this book didn't capture my attention. I'm not sure if it was the location or the characters, but I found that this was not a book for me.

This is a nicely done cozy mystery, though it does seem rather slow at times. And there were some issues I had with some of the things that happened. If you read the blurb, you know what’s going on. There’s a “cavalcade” going on that is showcasing both technology and ecology. And there’s not one, but two murders. Okay, the first one looks like a natural death, but come on, this is a cozy mystery so you know it wasn’t natural. There are quite a few suspects, but it becomes pretty obvious from the beginning who the killer or killers are. At least, it did to me. 😊 Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the story.

But I did have questions… like why was Stella trying to evade the police and sneak back into the mansion? After all, she was a guest there so had a legitimate reason to be in the house. Nobody else had a problem going in and out, so why did she? And what was with the name Ms B.Ology? Every time I got to her name, it stopped me. Some of the others are odd too, but that one threw me.

Stella (our amateur sleuth) is a bit off-putting too. She hates being compared to characters like Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher (they’re too old to her), but I’d think she’d be happy for the comparison. Both ladies were quite adept at what they did. Stella and her husband are happily married and work well as a team—though Nick is a very minor character, but it is his attention to detail that helps Stella solve the case.

Recommendations: I’ve read better cozies—and worse. Which is why this got 3 stars. It’s not a bad book, just not one of my favorites in the cozy mystery genre. I don’t know that I’d read more by this author, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. Opinions are very subjective and you might love it where I just liked it.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Who would want to kill the seemingly saintly Philip Morehouse? Seriously, the man has his hand in many areas of research and development, all with the intent to make life better for those less fortunate. He's gathered a group known as the Creators about him who are working on everything from music for the masses to using technology to help those with little or no mobility, as well as yurts for the poor and homeless and fiber optic fabrics for medical uses. The man seems to be highly regarded, liked, and a valuable member of society.

While I wasn't very fond of main character Stella Buckley, I had to admire her persistence in getting to the truth. Although she came across to me as rather pushy and smugly sure of herself, she also showed a genuine concern for those about her, including the cat in the story. Her husband, Nick, seemed to play a minor but valuable role. His ability to point out some of her failings, such as in operating a stick shift vehicle,also helped even out her smugness. She also didn't like being compared to either Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple, refusing to harbor the thought that she might be viewed as old to some.

The various characters are a mixed bag. It took me awhile to wrap my brain around the names, I must admit, all designed to show their creative, artsy side, I'm sure. Their creative projects were intriguing, especially knowing how far modern technology has come in using what we'll call robotic suits to help those with limited or no mobility. Most of the characters seemed quite a bit more chatty than one might expect under the tragic circumstances but that does allow Stella to make rapid progress. Between her investigative and observational skills, she's making progress when some seemingly unimportant happenstances help her zero in on "whodunnit".

This book is the first of a new series for the author. Admittedly, I'm honestly not sure whether I'll seek out future books in this series but it was an interesting read, if only for the possible relevance of such creative ventures today. I'm torn on how to rate given my own reaction but will say it is a solid three star for me and would surely rate higher for many.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BeyondThePage for the ARC.

Works well as a stand-alone. Charming cozy mystery. Lovely autumn settings which makes me jealous that I live in England and not America/Canada where these books are set.

An interesting read - neither life-altering or can’t-put-downable… might follow the author for backlist & future reads.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I liked the first book in this series and loved this one as it's highly entertaining and engrossing.
Stella and Nick are two likable and fleshed out characters and I appreciated the style of writing and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Short-Circuited in Charlotte is a revised edition of the second in a series by Amy Patricia Meade featuring Stella and Nick Buckley. It is my third book by this author as I've read one from her Tish Tarragon series.

Stella and Nick are in Charlotte, Northern Vermont as Nick, a forest ranger has been invited to present his employer's environmental initiatives including a water conservation project and a wind power initiative at a sponsored arts and technology event that takes place each fall. They are at Vue Colline in the main house meeting Meagan McArdle, the venue owner's personal assistant. However, when the event's Founder and Director, Philip Morehouse, is found dead and another person, an inventor of innovative housing is discovered bludgeoned to death, both Buckleys realise they're in for a busy time.

An extremely enjoyable cosy mystery with two very likeable protagonists in Stella and Nick, I was thoroughly engrossed in this story. The plot was engaging and it sported a colourful cast of supporting characters. There were shedloads of great banter from the sleuthing-hatted Buckleys. A great tale that has left me keen to check out the next instalment.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I had hoped to be excited, and I was pleasantly surprised with the content.
Light hearted cozy mystery that will keep the reader guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I am loving the Vermont Country Living series by Amy Patricia Meade. Stella and Nick are entirely likeable characters. The setting in an estate holding a science faire was intriguing. I was completely shocked by the reveal in a crisp mystery. I look forward to more in the series.

I was given a copy of this book for review by the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Killer Lurks…
The second instalment in the Vermont Country Living Mystery series and a killer is lurking. Before too long Stella and Nick find themselves pitching their wits against this sinister and clever culprit. Enjoyable cosy mystery with likeable protagonists and an entertaining plot populated with a credible and colourful cast of supporting characters. A worthy addition to the series.

When I read the synopsis this book seemed right up my alley when I just wanted to chill - and it was. I am not saying I fully understood the intricacies of the plot in terms of what drove the cavalcade and its members and not saying that I didn't want to scream sometimes with choice of names. However it was a nice light enjoyable read.

I was given a free copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication date: November 2, 2021.
This is second in the amateur detective series. I was easily able to catch up on the characters and follow the backstory from this cozy mystery. Delightful blend of mysterious estate setting, technology fair science and artists, as well as well developed characters. Even an extra whodunit to confound our intrepid Stella. Loved it! Hope to read more from this author in the future. She sets us up for an exotic locale in next installment of the series. Can't wait!

witty, verbal-humor, Vermont, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, cozy-mystery, rural, amateur-sleuth*****

The publisher's blurb did a very good job of getting me interested and it didn't hurt that I loved the first one in series. I do think that this one stands alone quite nicely but the first is more hilarious. Good mystery plot with believable characters, lots of laughs, plot twists, and red herrings (or baby octopi). Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Short-Circuited in Charlotte is the second book in a small-town cozy mystery series by Amy Patricia Meade. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release out 2nd Nov 2021 is 181 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats (other editions in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a fun cozy featuring a married couple who have moved to the country in Vermont to get away from big city life. Husband Nick is a Forestry Service officer who is invited to speak at an environment & technology event where murder soon makes an appearance. Stella (Nick's wife) is along for the seminars and the two are soon trying to unravel who, what, where, and why.

The pool of suspects is small, and although the denouement and resolution are fairly easy to guess beforehand, they're well written and satisfying. It works perfectly well as a standalone. The language is clean, and there's no graphic violence or sexual content. This would be a good choice for lovers of light cozies, the kind with whimsically eccentric characters, a town diner, and rural countryside.

I found the plotting and development slow and the secondary characters somewhat two dimensional. That being said, however, the author is adept at writing and much of the descriptive prose is well done and engaging.

Three and a half stars. This will appeal to cozy readers.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Beyond the Page Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you Beyond the Page Publishing, love your catalog!


A lovely addition to the Vermont County Living cozy mystery series.