Book 26, 2024

[chez_jae]

Mixing Up Murder by Emmie Lyn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I finished reading Mixing Up Murder by Emmie Lyn last night. It's the first in the "Little Dog Diner" cozy mystery series. The main character is Danielle "Dani" Mackenzie, who runs the Little Dog Diner in the small town of Misty Harbor.

To support her BFF, Lily, Dani accompanies her to the funeral for her estranged husband, Ray, whom Lily had served with divorce papers. Only, Ray faked his funeral. Now, however, he's really dead, bludgeoned to death in the diner while Dani and Lily were in Dani's apartment next door. Lily dips out, leaving her at the top of the suspect list. Dani knows her friend wouldn't have killed Ray, and she wonders if the diamond earring she found in Ray's (first) casket had anything to do with it. Soon Dani, with the help of her grandmother, Rose, and Pip, Ray's terrier, is asking questions and following leads. At least it gives her something to do while the diner is closed. Dani's investigation uncovers some shady real estate deals that Ray was involved in. Lily claims to know nothing about it, but Dani isn't quite sure she can trust her friend. She's also not sure what to think when Luke, her former crush, returns to town to help his father.

I enjoyed this story. The characterizations were good, and the plot was well-paced. However, it was fraught with too many things that were confusing.
- First of all, Lily knew Ray planned that fake funeral. Pardon me, but if my so-called BFF did me that dirty, she'd be spittin' chiclets after I punched her in the mouth. You don't do that to anyone, let alone your friend.
- How was Luke's father the same age range as Dani's grandmother?
- Dani initially thought Luke was divorced, only to learn it wasn't the case; thus, she was heartbroken all over again. Then (SPOILER!) Luke's wife died in an accident. This all happened "off screen", but why? If the author wants to introduce Luke as a potential romantic interest, just have him be divorced. Why kill off his poor wife? I'd rather see Dani with AJ, the lead detective, in spite of my loathing for the "love interest is in law enforcement" trope.
- How did Luke's dad end up owing $100K in back taxes?! That's a lot for a farm, even over the course of 2-4 years.
- Why did the author have Pip continually attacking a particular woman? It led me to believe she was a murderer, but...she wasn't. It made no sense.
- Lily and Ray's sister, Rhonda, were wrangling over who was in charge of his real estate empire BEFORE THE WILL WAS READ. Neither one of them could take it over until then at the very least.

Favorite lines:
♦ If this day got any crazier it would qualify for free tickets at the nearest zoo.
♦ One perfectly plucked eyebrow shot up as if I'd just suggested that she eat a bowl of week-old lobster carcasses.

Very good overall. Would have earned a solid four, but I'm knocking a point off for all of the inconsistencies.


1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? Yes, she works in a diner
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No, but her apartment is next door
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) Hard to say at this point
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she took on Pip
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No
6. Did the mc find the body? Yes
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? No
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? Yes, her grandmother
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes