Framed for Murder

A Pine Cove Mystery

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
322 Pages
Reviewed on 06/17/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

In Framed for Murder by Marla A. White, the last thing Mel expected was to join forces with an old nemesis. In her former life, Mel was a dedicated cop until an injury forced her off the force and in search of a new path in life. Now she runs a B&B in a quaint town and has managed to re-invent herself for the better. Until one day, Poppy reappears in her life asking for help. The cat burglar is being accused of murder and insists she’s innocent. Despite their differences, Mel believes Poppy and takes it upon herself to find the truth. But it won’t be easy when Deputy Sheriff Marks takes an interest in Mel which could put him too close to discovering that Poppy is working for her. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough already, her relationship with her friend Jackson may be over before it even had a chance to begin.

Framed for Murder by Marla A. White is a fun mystery with a delightful mix of characters. Poppy is the catalyst to draw Mel into the mystery and serves as a humorous albeit charming disruption of her life. Their dynamic is at the heart of the story, primarily through the differences in their personalities. Where Mel is more serious, Poppy is more carefree. This creates a nice blend of tone as these two distinct voices play off each other in a way that feels genuine. White crafts relationships in Mel’s life that feel authentic and easily discernible from one another. Mel’s other relationships are woven throughout but her love life is where the drama can be found. Her two potential romances -- the flirty sheriff deputy and her charming friend Jackson -- appeal to different parts of her personality which makes the mystery perfect for those who enjoy romance. Her personal life adds to the story as well as rounding out more of her character by showing different layers. Poppy and Mel make for a delightful sleuthing duo that you’ll have a great time following as they investigate. Framed for Murder is a highly recommended treat for mystery lovers as White knows how to balance charm and humor to keep you invested.

Tracy Carter

I absolutely adored this book! Marla White has delivered a clever cozy mystery and a charming town, populated with quirky locals and business establishments I would definitely want to visit—just for the brilliant names alone. The main character, Mel, is a police officer who retired due to an on-the-job-injury to run an inn nestled in a lovely mountain town. Her former nemesis, a cat burglar named Poppy, shows up and needs Mel's help, as Poppy is being framed for murder. Mel may not work for the police any longer, but she still has the intellectual curiosity and smarts to solve several murders which occur during the course of the book. I especially loved the burgeoning friendship between the one-time adversaries, the snappy dialogue, the hilarious one-liners, and Mel's sassy, computer-whiz grandmother. I laughed out loud many times as I read the witty repartee. The mystery revolving around big oil and environmental issues was smoothly handled and the villain of the piece niftily disguised until the very end. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next in the series. This was a real treat to read and the cover is gorgeous!