This is the second book in the Paint by Murder series by Bailee Abbott, another pen name for Kathryn Long who wrote the 2-book cozy mystery Sierra Pines B&B series along with other mysteries. I haven’t read either in that series, but I’ve liked both books in this one so far and thought this second book really made a fun Halloween time read. There was even a spooky local legend, lol. I liked the direction this book ended in so I’m eager for the next in series!
#CrookedLaneBooks #BaileeAbbott
My Goodreads review:
Kill Them With Canvas by Bailee Abbott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Halloween and its ghost tales were scary enough, but the scariest thing for Chloe and Izzie was the idea of their aunt getting hauled back to jail for murder, so the girls knew they needed to sleuth this one out just like last time. I love little Max whose sniffer comes in handy sometimes for finding evidence. He ended up with a sweet little houseguest, but since said houseguest had an owner, he had to go back eventually. But sometimes with cute dogs come handsome owners…for unattached sisters, as I could tell Chloe’s brain was working toward. It did help that Izzie seemed to be interested!
During the case itself, Chloe did seem to be getting closer to Hunter like she wanted to. She’s just kinda scared to commit but he seems like a sweetheart who’s willing to take things slow if needed–and he’s there for her a lot more than Ross had time for. I was proud of Chloe for finally telling Ross how it was gonna be now. Ross wasn’t an awful person or anything and his attorney skills definitely came in handy for Constance’s case, but Chloe already knew life with him was fairly lonely since he worked so much. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Chloe and Hunter in the next book!
There were lots of good red herrings as far as suspects went, but I kept going between two of them and I don’t think I was ever sure who I picked, so I just enjoyed the showdown and reveal. Aunt Constance was safe from any prison threat now, and Hunter was just happy Chloe was safe from any killer lurking around. A crazy case and a fun lakefront Halloween celebration made for the perfect read for this time of year.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.