Death at the Day Lily Cafe: A Mystery (Rosalie Hart)

Death at the Day Lily Café by Wendy Sand Eckel is the second book in the Rosalie Hart Mystery series. Rosalie is finally opening the café of her dreams. It is time for the Grand Opening of the Day Lily Café. The café will use local and organic ingredients including those from Barclay Meadows (Rosalie's farm) run by Tyler Wells. Rosalie is enjoying her opening when Doris Bird (owns Birdie's Shoes) comes in very upset. Her sister, Lori has been accused of murdering her husband, Carl James. Doris knows her sister is innocent and would like Rosalie's help (because she has already solved one murder since coming to Cardigan). Rosalie knows she really does not have the time, but she cannot resist helping a friend in need (Doris has been a good friend to Rosalie). Sheriff Joe Wilgus really seems to have it in for Lori and is determined to arrest for the murder. What does the sheriff have against Lori? Rosalie starts looking in to Carl James' movements before he passed away and she finds out that CJ (as most people called him) was not well liked. The suspect list is getting longer instead of shorter when Rosalie discovers why CJ was laid off from his latest construction project. When Rosalie's daughter, Annie ends up getting hurt, Rosalie knows she needs to solve this case pronto. Rosalie is going to need to dig deep to eradicate this weed from the town.

Death at the Day Lily Café is a fun and easy to read cozy mystery. I was entertained by the characters, the setting, the writing, and the mysteries (two in one book). The mysteries can be solved, but I had a good time following Rosalie and the clues. I especially liked Janice Tilghman who is starting to experience menopause symptoms. Janice's comments had me laughing (I know how the poor woman feels). While this is the second book in the series, you can read it as a stand-alone. The writer does a very good job of updating the reader on what happened in the first book without it being boring or redundant. I give Death at the Day Lily Café 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). There is, of course, a little romance (and jealousy) in the novel, but it was not over the top or in your face (not the main focus). The ending is sweet and romantic. There are recipes included at the end of the book for items mentioned during Death at the Day Lily Café. I will definitely be reading the next book in the Rosalie Hart Mystery series.