Musings and Ramblings

A Geek Girl's Guide to Arsenic

Geek Girl Mysteries, #2

Julie Anne Lindsey

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication: March 7, 2016
Number of pages: 235
Word Count: 78,000

It's been three months since Jake Archer rolled into town, accused Mia Connors of murder and stole her heart. She hasn't heard from him since. So when a man collapses at the fall Renaissance Faire, she's surprised to see the US marshal arrive on scene. And shocked when he points the finger at her—again. Mia would sooner be able to resurrect the poor fellow than poison him.

Jake Archer's career has been rising fast, but it's about to come to a crashing halt. The Ren-Faire victim was in protective custody—Jake's custody—and they were painfully close to nabbing a major crime boss. If Jake doesn't solve the murder soon, he'll be fetching donuts instead of protecting his nation. A difficult enough task without the alluring Mia Connors in the way.

Working with Jake to catch the killer might push Mia into crazy-cat-lady territory. But with a murderer on the loose—and Mia's reputation on the line—they'll have to work fast to find the killer before the killer finds them.

Review: 
Cozy mysteries are one of my go to genres for a great read. In my favorites, typically the sleuth is a fiesty female, bound and determined to do things her own way, most usually accompanied by a quirky side kick (or two), and butting heads with the long arm of the law - in some form or fashion. The Geek Girl Mysteries hit all the right buttons, and then top them by focusing on Geek culture. What's a Geek Girl who loves Mysteries to do? Grab this series, that's what.

Several months have passed since the events at the end of book one. Mia has had some issues coping with the death of her best friend and co worker, and the attack that happened in her apartment. Plus she hasn't heard from Jake in all that time. So imagine her surprise when the Archer brothers show up after one of the Ren Faire folks dies from some kind of poisoning while talking to Mia at the Faire.

Mia's not just a possible suspect. The local news films a piece casting suspicion on Guinevere's Golden Beauty products for the death, just as the company is in talks to begin moving their products to actual brick and mortar store shelves. Mia has to find the real killer before Grandma's business is irrevocably destroyed by bad press.

The story was full of geek goodness from Cosplay to Furries and social media to gaming. Mia now lives and works in the Horseshoe Falls community, and we got to experience the joys of Pioneer days right along side her. The best part was learning more about Jake as he tried his best to keep up with Mia. My biggest complaint? The story went by too fast, and now I have to wait for the next book.  I had an absolutely lovely time with this story and gave it 5 geeked out stars.

Thanks to Great Escapes Tour, Netgalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Julie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC). She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyons Literary Agency.

Julie also writes as Julie Chase. Learn more about Julie Chase books here.

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