Hi, I’m Fiona, a sleuth fairy. What’s that, you ask? A sleuth fairy is supposed to solve problems. In my case, I’m supposed to help humans solve them. See, I was, um, sort of kicked out of the fairy kingdom for being an imp. The queen fairy thought I might learn my lesson if I had to help a human. Lucky for me, the human I’ve bonded with is Courtney Kelly. She owns a fairy garden store called Open Your Imagination in Carmel, California. Don’t you think that’s kismet?
What’s a fairy garden store? It’s a place where humans make fairy gardens, of course. What’s a fairy garden? They’re whimsical miniature gardens. Many are adorned with figurines. Some of the figurines are fairies and look like me or my friends with pretty dresses and gossamer wings. Some are trolls and gnomes. They aren’t pretty at all, but they might be cute. At least that’s what Courtney tells me. She also says fairy gardens can be magical and might bring fairies into your life.
No, that’s not how I came into Courtney’s life. As a girl, Courtney’s mother used to take her on walks in fields of flowers. When she planted a fanciful home garden filled with flowers to attract butterflies, Courtney had her first encounter with a fairy—Aurora. However, when Courtney was young and her mother passed away, she lost her ability to see fairies, poor thing. As an adult she started working at her father’s landscaping company. Boring. But when she branched out and opened her fairy garden shop, voila! I appeared to her. I think the queen fairy planned our chance meeting, but I’m not sure. She can be powerful and manipulative. No, that’s not fair. She’s not manipulative. She is omniscient. She knows what is best.
What’s my day like? Well, I often stay the night at Courtney’s house and I wake up at dawn with her. We run on Carmel Beach—she runs; I flit—and we eat breakfast together. Then we hightail it to Open Your Imagination with her cat Pixie. Pixie and I love to play tag. Pixie is not as fast as me, but she doesn’t mind. Throughout the day, customers come into the shop. If I’m around, I try to arouse their imaginations. Some can see me; others can’t. It’s not a matter of believing. Many believe but can’t see us. I think I’ll come to an understanding of why this is when I’m older.
For now, I accept my fate and continue to try to help Courtney solve problems. The more I help, the better my adults wings will grow in. And I need those! Just so you know, I can’t make humans do things they don’t want to do. There are fairy rules, and I’m mindful of them. Now. For example, I can’t make them tell the truth. I can’t even use my mental abilities to see inside their minds. In fact, I’m quite limited, but I like a challenge. What I can do is calm humans and I can help them sort their thoughts.
I have been very helpful to Courtney. Soon after she opened the shop, she found the owner of the pet grooming place dead on the patio by the fountain on the patio. Of all things, the police suspected Courtney of foul play. As if! Another time, she made some fairy gardens for a fund-raising party, and part of the design was used to kill a very bitter, mean woman. Courtney wasn’t suspected of that murder, but her best friend’s mother was. Oh, we had our hands full solving that puzzle.
On any given day, I might go to the library to study with my mentor, Merryweather Rose of Song, a guardian fairy with the most remarkable polka-dotted wings. She’s very wise, and she has been teaching me all sorts of fairy lore and potions and, well, amazing things. Because the queen fairy dictated that I am not allowed to socialize, I don’t. Taking classes and seminars has been the main way for me to see more fairies. I like to study, so that’s a good thing.
For fun, I tour Carmel. It’s a delightful village filled with arts and crafts, and it has some of the most wonderful gardens. People around town love to plant flowers. I spy other fairies on my journeys, but I don’t stop and chat. I really am trying to do what the queen fairy asks. If possible, I’d like to go back and forth between the human world and the fairy kingdom. I’m pretty sure, in order to do so, I’ll have to follow the straight and narrow for forever. With an occasional loop the loop. Wish me luck.
Will you come visit me at the shop? Do you think you’ll be able to see me? Have you ever planted a fairy garden?
A Hint of Mischief, A Fairy Garden Mystery #3
Genre: Cozy
Release: June 2022
Purchase Link
The proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Courtney Kelly has an occasional side gig as a sleuth—with a sprinkling of magical assistance. . .
Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.
Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .
About the author
Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries as well as the popular Fairy Garden Mysteries and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the Cheese Shop Mysteries. Daryl also writes the Aspen Adams novels of suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, garden, and read, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line!
GIVEAWAY: Daryl has generously offered to give away a copy of one of the books in the “Fairy Garden” mysteries, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or paperback (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice, plus some fun fairy swags to one commenter. To enter, please leave a comment below. The giveaway ends June 29, 2022. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This sounds like a real thrilling and exciting cozy! I love the yummy cover of the book 📕 with the cute kitty! Looking forward to reading it! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and Daryl for the chance to win! 💜📚📕😊
Thanks, Beverly, for dropping by. I agree, my cover artist is marvelous!
Sounds like an interesting concept. I will have to check rhe books out
Magical synopsis. Help-and-hinder fairies have charmed me since my Tinkerbell days.
Maren, I love the term help-and-hinder! Thanks for stopping in.
Sounds like a fun series. I am going to look for the first book…I like to start at the beginning and watch the characters grow.
Gran, sounds like a plan. And my characters do grow. Fiona even grows adult wings.
I’ve never read a mystery with a fairy in it. Sounds like fun.
Sharon, that’s because this is the first. Enjoy the magic.
This book sounds so fun! I would love to read this!!
Great series! Looking forward to reading “A Hint of Mischief”. I’ve never made a fairy garden, but one of my neighbors had one by her front door.
This sounds so fun! I’m ready to make my own fairy garden.
Violet, I’ve become addicted to fairy gardening while writing this series. They’re so much fun to create and tend.
I loved the first two books in the series. Can’t wait to read this one!
Heather, thank you for saying that. Enjoy the adventure.
I enjoy the other books in this series. Can’t wait to read the new one.
Lois, hi! Nice to see you here. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the others.
A delightful series which is unique and special. Thanks for your wonderful giveaway.
Thanks, Pearl. What a nice compliment.
Love your books they are always a joy to read. Thanks for your great generosity.
Linda May, you are most welcome. I do like to share.
Such a fun series.
Brenda, thanks so much.
The idea of a mystery and fairy garden would be greatly enjoyed.
Ellie, I hope you’ll check it out. I love fairy gardens.
Love this series! The fairies are always interesting and Courtney seems to get into trouble fairly easily. Love the kitty as well. Congrats on book three of this series!
Lori, don’t all amature sleuths get into trouble? 🙂 It’s part of the genre.
What an interesting premise for a book–I’ve never read this series, but will be adding it to my list
Rochelle, I’m thrilled to hear that. Enjoy!
I really enjoy the series! Thanks for the chance Daryl
Jess, I’m so happy to hear this. Thanks!
What a fun read! Fiona makes the best sidekick sleuth! How mysterious that some people believe, but still can’t see fairies. I can’t wait to read the next one and I hope there will be many more in the series after that. I also want to say I love the covers of the books in this series.
Meezan, thank you so much. I know, it is amazing that we can believe but not see. Or maybe we do but it’s so ethereal it just hovers in our minds. Enjoy the read.
Mine will be here today! The first two were magic, literally. I loved them.
Laurie, enjoy the story! I’m so glad you have enjoyed reading the books. 🙂 Brought a smile to my face.
I would love to get a print copy sounds like my kind of read!
Teresa, I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for stopping by.
**** WINNER ****
A Hint of Mischief + fun fairy swags is Meezan
Congratulations!