by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of A Fairway to Arms and a $5 Amazon gift card, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

With a View of the Sea and Murder!
Miriam Webster was widowed at a relatively young age left to struggle with her late husband’s extensive debts. After losing almost everything to cover creditors, she was left with a cottage he purchased at Seaview Cottages, an active adult community set on California’s picturesque central coast. With a fifty-five or older resident requirement her husband originally met for the two of them, she needed and was pleased to receive a special dispensation enabling her to take up residence in Hemingway Cottage with her roommate, a frisky Dalmatian named Domino. There she met some vibrant woman who also have some four-legged companions, built friendships, started a walking club, and due to falling into a few suspicious deaths, became a founding member of G.O.L.D.—Grand Old Lady Detectives. The snooping, of course, has more than a few times put them in some perilous situations, but for Miriam, it also introduced her to the “hunky” detective, Henry “Hank” Miller, who isn’t always their biggest fan, but definitely has his eye on Miriam.

A Fairway to Arms in Hemingway Hills earns 5/5 Jr. Detectives…Engaging Gem!
“We need to meet!” Marty exclaimed. The frantic demand was punctuated by the sound of sirens, whizzing of firetrucks, and billowing of smoke from the fire engulfing the guard gate and gatehouse leading to Hemingway Hills golf course. Close friend of Marty’s, Jody Emerson, is desperate for the G.O.L.D. girls to look further into the fire that seems to be covering up a theft. She worries her husband Ralph and some co-workers might be blamed…injured guard, missing weapons, and property damage. However, Miriam comes upon a precocious eight-year-old, her nanny, and an old man sitting on a bench…dead. The young girl is quite the junior detective relaying many important details very eager to be in the “official police report” as a witness, especially since she has a letter the victim asked her to deliver to his friend, Charly, and if not, to the police. But, Charly is shocked to see she recognizes the dead man and Jody’s husband has a connection with him that makes him a major suspect. G.O.L.D. girls are on the case!

Hole in One! Anna Celeste Burke has put it on the green and close to the hole—(Ok, enough golf references). This fourth book in her Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery is a hole in one—(Ok, done!). The clever mystery, with plenty of twist and turns to spike my Sherlock meter, ensnares more than a few friends disclosing secrets and classified identities and revealing poor judgments and bribes which always means someone will do anything to protect themselves including committing murder. Some events seem ripped from the headlines adding for me an enjoyable realism. The core group of women are all of an age easy for me to identify with along with vicarious involvement with Miriam’s “I” perspective; and the delightful young detective-in-training should earn honorary membership in the G.O.L.D. group. Anna’s writing style always includes just the right amount of humor—witty banter and quirky cheek—mixed with peril and tangles with criminals and law enforcement alike making this a fun page-turner. Cozy fans who enjoy a bit of an edge to their entertainment should not miss this gem!

Organization of a story is often overlooked in some reviews, but with Anna’s style it is well worth mentioning since it illustrates her creativity…with which she has in spades! For newbies or regulars needing a refresher, a Cast of Characters is provided with categories for the various connections along with employment and relationships, however, a disclaimer is included for those who prefer to let the characters introduce themselves in the story. My favorite element is the introduction to each chapter. Along with a clever title, a quote from one of Ernest Hemingway’s stories (some linked to Goodreads) is included offering clever insights into the story…can you figure out the meaning behind her madness…LOL?

Extra! Extra! Ernest Hemingway or Arnold Palmer would have been inspired by these easy-to-follow mouthwatering recipes: Morning Glory Muffins, Greek Salad with Lemon Greek Vinaigrette, White Bean and Sausage Soup, Baklava, Pecan Pie Muffins (my favorite!), and Mixed Apple Slab Pie. I would love an Anna Celeste Burke cookbook that compiles all the marvelous recipes into one resource. She has the credentials being a trained chef…just saying.

Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery series
A Body on Fitzgerald’s Bluff (2018) KRL Review HERE
The Murder of Shakespeare’s Ghost (2019) KRL Review HERE
Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune (2019) KRL Review HERE
A Fairway to Arms in Hemingway Hills (2021)

Alert! Another favorite series from Anna Celeste Burke is her Calla Lily Mystery following a young woman who has take control of the family’s vineyard, and in her efforts to bring the winery into the black, she has run into more than a few suspicious deaths. The fourth book in the series, The Vintner’s Other Daughter, is set to released on March 31, and is currently on preorder HERE with the eBook at a marvelous 99¢. Pick it up!

Be a Big Anna Celeste Burke Fan!
Dr. Anna Celeste Burke (BIO), USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, is “Snooping into life’s mysteries with fun, fiction, & food—California style!” with the nine-book Georgie Shaw Mystery, six-book Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series, four-book Seaview Cottages Mystery, soon four-book Calla Lily Mystery, and soon five-book Corsario Cove Mystery. Each entertaining series offers a different aged female with realistic flaws but an endearing strength of character. Each series has a different setting within California from the coast to the desert, but all with the same well-written adventure, humor, and realism.

Facebook – Anna Celeste Burke
Website – Desert Cities Mystery/Anna Celeste Burke
Twitter – aburke59

Sign Up for the Newsletter on her website and receive the FREE Gift of Gnarly New Year from the Corsario Cove series.

To enter to win an ebook copy of A Fairway to Arms in Hemingway Hills and a $5 Amazon gift card, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, with the subject line “fairway,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 27, 2021. Only US entries and you must be at least 18 to enter. Please include your mailing address for the doll in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new episode went up this week!

You can use this link to purchase these book from Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.