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A HINT OF MISCHIEF is the third book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. This charming and magical tale combines the best of cozy mysteries: a well-plotted murder, delightful characters, and an inviting setting. And I can’t overlook the cover… it’s magic all on its own. With a wide cast of characters, both human and fairy alike, the author thoughtfully provides a list at the front of the book for easy reference. But despite the number, Ms. Gerber does an admirable job with unique descriptions and the ability to make each character come to life on the pages. I also like how she opens each chapter with a literary quote about a fairy—who knew there were so many mentions out there?! The protagonist, Courtney Kelly, is owner of the adorable shop, Open Your Imagination, in Carmel-by-the-Sea in coastal California. The garden shop specializing in creating fairy gardens gives Courtney plenty of opportunities to teach customers how to craft their own fairy gardens, which readers can replicate at home. And stealing each scene she inhabits is Courtney’s adorable fairy, Fiona. Ms. Gerber’s detailed description of Fiona and all her fairy folk, brings magic to the pages and makes it entirely believable that fairies do exist.
While all the charming characters and the fairy garden shop might seem to make the reader forget that this is a murder mystery, the author starts the action from the very first page, which sets the pace for the book. She does an admirable job of weaving everyday work and play into the untimely death of a celebrity in town, who came to celebrate an old friend’s birthday. With the large gathering of sorority sisters for the birthday, there are plenty of suspects to go around. Except, fingers point toward a local young woman with a troubled past, who the celebrity gets into an altercation with. Courtney and Fiona jump into the investigation, intent on finding the real killer. Ms. Gerber expertly doles the clues out and leads the reader on a chase to find the truth. Courtney, at times, can be a bit overly forward in delving into the truth, but her tenacity is rewarded. Fiona is more actively involved in the investigation this time, which adds to the overall appeal and I’m happy to know that another Fairy Garden Mystery is in the works!
This might be a fairy garden book, but there are still plenty of mouthwatering dishes being served at the garden tea, at the birthday party, and at Courtney’s boyfriend’s restaurant. If you’ve read any of Ms. Gerber’s other books, you’ll know that she is an excellent cook and provides almost mini cookbooks with each mystery. A Hint of Mischief is no different with plenty of yummy recipes to choose from. I couldn’t help but want to make the recipe for Chocolate Crinkles. Sweet from the sugar included in the dough and then rolled into both granulated and powdered sugar before baking, these cookies are heavenly. The crisp edges and the chocolate fudgy texture make these cookies almost impossible to limit to eating only one or two.
Amazon Synopsis
Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.
Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .
A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing a print copy of A HINT OF MISCHIEF. Contest ends July 3, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Yield: 4 dozen
- 8 ounces melted butter
- 4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 cups brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup extra granulated sugar, for rolling
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
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Heat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, mix butter, chocolate, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Blend in the eggs and vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well.
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Roll dough into walnut-sized balls, about 1 tablespoon. You might need to moisten your fingers.
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Pour extra granulated sugar into a pie tin. Pour powdered sugar into a separate pie tin. Coat each ball with granulated sugar and then with powdered sugar. Place balls about 2 inches apart on the parchment paper.
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Bake 10 - 12 minutes. These will look slightly gooey in the "cracks" when removed from the oven. That's fine. Do not overbake.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nope, I have never made a fairy garden but I think it’s something I would like to try in the future.
Sarah, I hope you will. They’re fun to view regularly.
No, but they look so cute! This is one of our favorite cookies, too.
holdenj, didn’t Kim do an amazing job with the cookies?
No, but I’ve seen some cute ones that other people have built.
I have the perfect tree stump to build a fairy garden but have never gotten around to doing it. Thanks for the chance and the cookie recipe! Yum!
Alma, perfect. A tree stump is great.
Yes, I have. I loved making my fairy garden, it was so much fun to do!
I’ve not built one – yet. However, I’m drawn to the elements of them every time I go to the garden center. I see one in my future. 🙂
Yes, I have. Several. Every spring and summer I make little fairy gardens throughout my flower beds. So fun! Love the recipe! Thanks for the chance!
Dawn, that sounds lovely. So fun.
no
I haven’t built a fairy garden yet.
I have not built a fairy garden but my mom has and so has my 11 year old niece! They are super cute!
I have never built a fairy garden but I hope to soon. Thanks.
I haven’t but I love looking at the pictures of them. If I did make one it would be full of basset hounds. I’m sure fairies must love basset hounds.
Fairies definitely love basset hounds. They love all kind and sweet animals.
no. thanks for the great recipe and chance to win!
I make fairy gardens every summer. My biggest is a ground one, but its gotten horribly overgrown and I’m currently trying to decide what to do with it.
I have not. I’ve passed several when driving. I thought about taking a picture and sending them to you. I’ve seen some really cute ones.
Your book look and sounds wonderful! Thank you for the cookie recipe too.
I have 2 fairy gardens and I’m working on a fairy “stump” A tree that was dead that I had cut to about 3 or 4 feet tall that I have a roof, balcony, and windows on but I have more work to do. I still have to shingle the roof and put a door in at the bottom. I have a few other ideas but I haven’t worked them all out yet. Can’t wait to try the recipe I do something a bit similar but its not quite the same.
My grandkids will love these.
I would love to make a fairy garden.
In my last house in MD we had some wooded property and had my hubby build me a pond where a tree uprooted. I then placed little fairies and gnomes in the flower garden areas around the pond. Wish I had taken some pictures before the deer walked all over them and broke some of the fairies. I took them out and little placed concrete animals like rabiits, ground hogs, squirrels in the woods. Thanks for the chance to enter!
Yes, I have.
The cookies look marvelous, Kim. I’ve enjoyed the fairy garden stories. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of A Hunt of Mischief.
Once, it was a disaster. I think I went too big for the first time. All of the plants died. Sadly, I don’t have room inside. I take pictures every time I see one at a nursery, just so I have ideas in case I ever do have room.
I’ve never made a fairy garden, but they are really cute.
I have never built a fairy garden, but this is definitely something I want to do. I live in a condo, so it will need to be a small indoor garden that my soon-to-be-adopted kittens won’t get their paws on. You know how cats and fairies like to play!!
No, I have never built a fairy garden. Thank you for this chance!
I have never built a fairy garden.
I never have built one.
No, I never have. Thookies looking yummy!
Another great Fairy Garden mystery! Excellent story with plenty of suspects, clues, diversions, and delicious recipes! I would love to make a fairy garden, any suggestions on places in LA where I could pick up a beginners kit? Thank you for creating such wonderful cozies and for sharing a book for the giveaway!
Yes- my daughters and I have a little fairy garden in my front yard!
no i never have
No. I have never built a fairy garden.
No I haven’t but it sounds like fun. I wonder if I could talk my husband into helping me with one. Due to a disability I can’t do it alone.
No, I have never built a fairy garden
Yes I did have a small fairy garden I really liked in with my floweres
For those who haven’t made crinkle cookies before, please note that you need to roll them in both the granulated and the confectioners sugar. It’s magic.
Yes, I have!!
No, but I want to. I have the perfect spot and I think my six year olds will enjoy it too!
I am going to make this delicious recipe. Thank you for your wonderful website here. There’s so much to read and so much fun. Thank you I’ll be reading your books from here on out.
I’ve never built a fairy garden, but I plan to in our next home when we have more room!
I’ve never built a fairy garden. I bet they’re beautiful though
Yes, I have! I love fairy gardens and miniatures!
I have never built a fairy garden.
No, I have never made a fairy garden. I would like to though.
Hi! I have seen many pictures of fairy gardens but I haven’t had one myself. They look very cute but I don’t have small children at home anymore. Maybe when I have grandchildren I will. Thanks 😊
I haven’t but my grandmother used to. They were so sweet.
I have never built a fairy garden. My sister has a beautiful one, however.
I have not built a fairy garden myself, but a friend made one for me! I love it.
Hi , no I have never made one, but I do have some cute little things I could put on them, I think they are so very cute. The cookies look delicious, thank you for sharing the recipe.
Love the cover of this book. I’ve never built a fairy garden, but I would love to. The cookies sound delicious.
Thanks for the chance to win.