This is a really fun gentle cozy mystery. The focus is a small town on the coast which celebrates a blueberry festival. The story features several nice twists and turns and enough romance, relationships, good friends and some normal people as well as the exotic Sapphire Vine - delightful name for a murder victim! I look forward to reading more by this author. My only negative point is that she early on provided evidence for the arrested man's innocence and never really used it properly. This was okay. This is a cozy mystery that at times was entertaining, but for the most part, it was just okay. I find the cozy mystery genre fun sometimes; they are good entertainment to listen to audibly while I'm cleaning my house, easy reads on a weekend, fun to pack into a bag for a day at the beach, good filler when you're waiting in a doctor's office. So for that reason, I pick them up occasionally.I do enjoy that many cozy mysteries follow a theme that could be attractive to knitters, or book lovers, bakers or travellers. This book's theme was blueberries. The story begins around preparations for a Blueberry Festival. The main character is from a blueberry farm. She makes blueberry wares to sell at the festival and in the town's cafe. There's a murder. The main character, Candy is figuring out life and takes on trying to solve the crime while still being master of all that is blueberry. It didn't make me want a blueberry muffin.The story had a couple twists that were entertaining, but for the most part, like many cozy mysteries, you can sort of figure them out. It has to be one of the characters behind all the mayhem. And sometimes it went on a bit long in parts… "okay, okay, already" (I would say to myself). But I do this for many cozy mysteries. Yet, I still enjoy reading them.I am quite certain that cozy mystery aficianados will enjoy this first-in-the-series book and will look for more of Candy's escapades. And, I may even try another as I do enjoy the genre. I never give 5 stars to cozy mysteries. They follow a pattern, they are kitschy on purpose and quick reads. This book is what I expected and always expect of a cozy mystery. Quick entertainment with some kitsch. Some days I need it, but I don't think they belong at a 4 or 5 star book rating on my list. Not a criticism, they just are what they are; light reads at an easy level.
What do You think about Town In A Blueberrry Jam (2000)?
Good story, likeable characters, looking forward to next one in series.
—teih05
