
Narrator: Andrea Emmes
Series: Maple Syrup Mysteries #1
Published by Tantor Audio on May 18, 2018
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Length: 5 hours 5 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Narrator
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble




Sometimes the truth can be a sticky thing…
Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes feels like she’s the only failure amid a family of high achievers. Her last serious boyfriend turned out to be married and her career as a criminal defense attorney is in tatters. When her uncle passes away and leaves her his maple syrup farm in Northern Michigan, she thinks it might be time for a career change—hopefully one that allows her to stay as far away from murderers and liars as possible.
For half a day at least.
Her uncle’s suicide quickly begins to look like it wasn’t a suicide after all, but the chief of police is reluctant to investigate and soil the reputation of his serene little tourist town. Murder’s bad for business. Nicole has no choice but to search for the killer on her own, with a little help from the handsome county medical examiner—who’s exactly her type and all wrong for her.
And as she closes in, she not only risks becoming the murderer’s next victim but also starts to wonder if the truth is ever worse than the lie…
So, I started listening to cozy mysteries with the Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery series, because Amanda Ronconi was the narrator and I love her. I found the genre is everything I had heard it was. So, when Andrea Emmes, who was a narrator interview over at Hot Listens, offered me a book to give her a try, I decided to try this cozy mystery. I have not read this author before and Andrea was new-to-me too, but nothing like going for something new. I’m really glad I did.
Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes is a lawyer in her parents firm. Everyone in her family is either a doctor or lawyer and since she’s not a fan of blood, lawyer it was. She’s not a huge fan of it, but wants to live up to what her parents want her to be. That is until she goes up to Michigan to settle her uncle’s estate after his death (her father’s brother and a former cardiologist). The uncle moves to a small town in Michigan after a heart scare. He bought a maple farm and was making maple syrup products. Nikki’s parents disown him for this, though Nikki did keep in touch.
It isn’t long before Nikki realizes something is up. Her uncle’s death was ruled a suicide and she knows this isn’t the case. I won’t go into how I feel like anyone is capable of suicide and hiding it from those closest to them, but in this case, Nikki is right, her uncle was murdered.
It is a cute story as Nikki continues to learn more about people in this small tourist town. The mystery was well thought out. I liked watching as Nikki worked through the small clues she finds. The other characters in the small town are delightful. I could see myself reading/listening to more of this series.
Narration:
This is my first listen from Andrea Emmes. I have to say I really enjoyed her narration. She did a great job with the male and female voices (and there are really more male than female voices in this story). There is also the voice of dying woman (again, heart issues), she was very weak and Andrea did a great job with portraying that in with the voice. I thought she did a good job in bringing out the light humor in the story too. Her pace and tone were spot on. I would love to listen to Andrea Emmes narrator more books.
Rating Breakdown | |
---|---|
Plot | |
Writing | |
Characters | |
Dialogue | |
Narration (Audio) | |
Overall: | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
- 🎧 Love You More by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #KirstenPotter #KatieMacNichol @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #BantamBooks @audiobookmel.bsky.social @AudiobookMel #LoveAudiobooks - February 14, 2025
- 🎧 Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #KirstenPotter #RebeccaLowman @amleestories @PRHAudio #BantamBooks @AudiobookMel #LoveAudiobooks - January 10, 2025
- 🎧 The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #BantamBooks @AudiobookMel #LoveAudiobooks - December 20, 2024
It does sound like a cute story. I’m glad you enjoyed this cozy.
I’m just starting to get into cozy mysteries. This was my first that wasn’t paranormal in nature.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I do love the cozies and this one sounds fun. Also a new author for me! I’ll check it out.
I was really happy with this new-to-me series/author/narrator.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I haven’t tried the cozies, but I enjoy a good audiobook for sure. I’ll have to give it a go.
I just started. It usually centers around someone that isn’t a PI or police that investigates a crime. I’ve read mostly paranormal ones before this one. I really enjoyed it as well.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Oh this sounds good and I’ve not tried the narrator but will keep an eye out for her. This would make a great Fall listen.
It would make a great fall listen. I might have to grab book two later in the fall. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I didn’t know about this one but I always love a good cozy from time to time!
I’m still getting used to the genre, but I am enjoying it so far.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
That cozy sure looks a bit darker than normal
Yeah, her life was threatened. I’m not sure how much something like that would happen in a cozy, but it did in this one.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Michigan! Oh yes, I must try this one. I’ve slowly but surely been making my way toward loving cozy mysteries. Glad you got offered a new one to try for author and narrator and it was a hit.
It was fun. I would’ve thought Vermont, because of the syrup, but I guess they do have it in Michigan too.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I haven’t read a cozy mystery yet but this story line does sound like a good one.
It is a relative new-to-me genre. So far, I’m really enjoying it. Cute mysteries.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I think that cozies tend to work really well on audio. I haven’t had the chance to listen to this narrator before or read this author but it does sound like something I would like.
I’ve only tried them on audio so far. I do see how they would work better in this format.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Oh… awesome! I won this book from the narrator during JIAM (from you, thanks!) and I picked it up for many of the same reasons you did. It’s on my TBL; hoping to get to it in January or so! Yea!!
Yay! I’m glad you grabbed this one too.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I am excited to hear you’re giving some cozies a try. I am not a fan of the they think it’s suicide, but it’s actually murder plot line which seems pretty common in cozies as I rather have it be clear it was murder form the start. But the maple farm and such sounds great! And it’s always fun discovering more about the town the series is set in.
If you’re looking for any cozy recommendation, I think Maddie Day and HY Hanna both have one of their series in audio format. I read some of their books and enjoyed them so far, not sure if the audio is any good, but the ebooks were great.
This is the first cozy that I’ve read with the suicide plot, but I could see where authors would want to use it. I’ll have to give those authors a try. Thanks for the recommendations.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart