Burden of Poof
By Julie Anne Lindsey
- Release Date: 2021-09-15
- Genre: Cozy Mysteries
Description
An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?
Life hasn't sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.
The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.
Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!
To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.
When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?
Reviews
Bonnie & Clyde
4By eggmeon18Great book lots of back room and loved the townFabulous start to a new cozy series!
5By RPCVBGI was so excited to read the first installment of the new Bonnie & Clyde Cozy Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey and was not disappointed! One of my favorite authors, I jumped at the chance to read her new series which features Bonnie Balfour, a recent, soon-to-be divorcée who has moved back from Atlanta to her hometown of Bliss, GA, to open her new dress shop, and her trusty stray cat, Clyde. I love the premise of her shop - she renovates and redesigns vintage / out-of-style dresses and makes them more fun and modern. She discovers the murder victim and thanks to circumstances both beyond her control and some bad timing, she becomes the target of the murder investigation. Enter Ex-FBI agent and now detective on loan, Mason Wright. Mr. Wright? Love the pun. The witty banter between Bonnie and him is super fun to read. He’s just not - buying - her - story. The story is great fun to read because you’re introduced to a whole cast of characters including her loving parents who own a flower farm outside of town. Her friend Cami who works to advertise all that is wonderful and good about their town of Bliss, other shop keepers including one with a haunted book shop, another with a coffee shop that isn’t, but may be up for sale, and one who talks to plants because they’re pretty much troublemakers anyway. (The plants, that is) Things I liked * While still younger, I like that the FMC of this book is at least closer to my age. * She also works with kids who may not be able to afford their own dresses which I think is awesome. * The Snarkiness of Detective Wright, a.k.a. Detective Grumpy * I also like that he’s sneakier than typical detectives in Cozy series Things I didn’t like * That I now have to wait for the second book in the series. So rude! (Just kidding!) One oddity which probably says more about me than the book. Detective Wright, from Cleveland, calls something a potato puff. What the heck is that? I live in Ohio, but I’ve never heard of that. FMC called them tater tots, but what? Huh? Of course they’re tater tots. (I may have to revisit this particular topic!) This was a fun book with a good whodunnit wrapped inside a fun group of characters. Until it was revealed, I didn’t know “whodunnit,” which is exactly how I like my mysteries. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, Seven Deadly Sequins! This ARC / ebook copy was provided to me by the author. My review is honest and entirely my own. I also still have the book on pre-order for my nook.Excellent Southern Mystery!
5By Romance.readerImaginatively written, and as cozy as grandma’s house; readers will immediately fall in love with Bliss, Georgia and the Balfour Family. After Bonnie Balfour decides to defy her lyin’, cheatin’ husband; file for divorce; and move back home to the Deep South; her dreams of opening a second chance dress shop come true when she opens Bless Her Heart boutique. Bonnie has a new man, er….feline….in her life now—his name is Clyde, and he keeps her company day and night. Always searching for gently used clothing to re-fashion into chic new styles; Bonnie is horrified to discover the deceased body of donator, Viola Abbott-Harrington when she goes to her home to pick up a load of old ball gowns. Bonnie gets sideways with Detective Mason Wright who comes across as rude as all get out! He’s downright gettin’ on her last nerve and even dares to to come into the very feminine area of Bless Her Heart and eat her homemade cookies like he’s starved! The quirky, zany cast of mostly Southern characters will charm you; make you laugh; lie to you; and try to kill you. If you like cats, this story is for you. If you like pretty dresses, this story is for you. If you like snarky, back and forth flirting, this book is your style. If you enjoy humor, home-style cooking, and being part of a caring, giving community, you’ll love Burden of Poof! After you figure out who the low-down, double-crossings’ murderer is and see how they get captured, you’ll be cheering like I did! I can hardly wait for the next story in this series.The Beginning of a Superfantastical Series 😍
5By JenJen_Loves_Books“Burden of Poof” is the debut novel under Julie Anne Lindsey’s new publishing company, Cozy Queen Publishing, and boy does she start off with a bang! After Bonnie Balfour’s marriage unravels, she returns to her hometown, Bliss, GA, where she opens a second chance dress shop, “Bless Her Heart.” But not long after the doors open, a member of the community is murdered among a donation meant for Bonnie’s shop and she finds herself at the center of the new Detective’s investigation. With all the evidence piling up against her, Bonnie and her kitty, Clyde, work to clear her name, hopefully before she becomes the murderers next victim. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. In my opinion, Julie Anne Lindsey can do no wrong. Like her other cozy series, I just want to crawl into the book and live in the world she created. To meet and befriend the characters. To hang out with Clyde and eat all the treats on the refreshment table at Bless Her Heart. I can’t wait for Seven Deadly Sequins because That Ending! I need answers!! Please be advised that I received an advance readers copy for an honest review. In all seriousness, do yourself a favor and buy this book! It’s the perfect blend of cozy mystery with a side of supernatural and a dash of romance.Great new series!
4By KansanlizBonnie has returned home to Bliss, Georgia, in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. She has opened a shop to give lightly used clothing a second life, much like she is doing for herself. When a donor, a grumpy older woman, tells Bonnie to come by in the evening to pick up some gowns, Bonnie ends up discovering the woman’s dead body. And she also discovers that the man she almost hit with her car earlier in the evening is a detective on loan to Bliss from Ohio. The author has created a lovely, almost magical community. The supporting characters are warm, quirky, and entertaining. Part of the story is predictable (heroine accused of murder, hunky detective ready to slap the cuffs on her…) but the author makes it work. And Bliss is a very positive and optimistic place. Bonnie grew up surrounded by flowers and the unconditional love of her parents, whose gardens are next door to Bonnie’s cottage. That support and care infuses the community, with just a few notable exceptions. Even Bonnie’s cat, Clyde, provides his own special kind of support! This is the first in a new series by Julie Anne Lindsey. She has set the stage nicely for plenty of stories about Bonnie and Clyde and an interesting town called Bliss.Delightful new series- A Must Read
5By Stac_sue“Burden of Poof”, by Julie Anne Lindsey, is a must read. The first cozy in her new “Bonnie and Clyde Mysteries” series introduces you to the delightful Bonnie Balfour, who is reinventing herself after a divorce alongside her trusty kitty sidekick, Clyde. I couldn’t put “Burdon of Poof” down and was quickly enchanted by the characters and the setting. Julie cleverly weaves a tale of mystery filled with humor, surprise, and just enough romance that envelopes the reader into a bubble of pure joy. Her detailed descriptions will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the small town of Bliss, GA where you’ll be dying to meet Bonnie, Clyde and the other delightful citizens of Bliss. This engaging cozy mystery will leave you waiting for more so don’t delay as book 2 will be released in October 2021!The Cozy Queen Does it Again!
5By anna1828rYou simply can’t go wrong picking up a title from Julie Anne Lindsey, or any of her pen names! I loved getting to know Bliss and all of the characters that live there. There’s so much mystery and magic woven into this story, you won’t be sorry you picked up Bonnie & Clyde’s first adventure! Bonnie is a delightful person and a wonderful sleuth, Clyde is full of personality and I adore the pair’s connection and the way he helps Bonnie when she most needs it. The mystery had me suspecting everyone and the crime itself tugged at my heartstrings. I’m very excited to continue reading this series, and especially excited to see how things progress with Mason and Bonnie. I loved their banter, Julie is an expert at chemistry! I also can’t wait to see what mystery Bonnie & Clyde get themselves wrapped up in next!Great Book
5By RachelDenise0by Julie Anne Lindsey is an excellent contemporary cozy mystery that is the first in a new series: Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries. I loved it! Here we are introduced to Ms. Bonnie Balfour as she comes home to the adorable down-south small town called Bliss, Georgia to escape her mistakes and to also run The Second Chance dress shop. She ends up being part of an unfortunate murder/mystery. Bonnie finds herself to end up being an amateur sleuth and along with the wonderful cast of characters, we have the privilege of being able to follow along. This story is cute, fun, engaging, and entertaining. I looked Bonnie and her adorable feline sidekick, Clyde, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book! 5/5 starsGreat New Series!
5By rsweatBurden of Poof is the first book in the Bonnie and Clyde mystery series by my favorite mystery author Julie Anne Lindsey. Recently divorced Bonnie Balfour has moved back to her hometown of Bliss Georgia and opened up a second chance dress shop. When an elderly lady asks Bonnie to stop by her home to pick up some donations, Bonnie is thrilled….until she finds the woman murdered and becomes the prime suspect! This book has all the makings of a great series. A quaint small town with lots of quirky lovable characters and a hint of romance with the new lawman. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and the fun banter between Bonnie and Detective Wright was great. I can’t wait for the next book to be released! I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
