Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3‪)‬

The mystery story itself is a stand-alone plot. Life is progressing for the main characters, is the only way that this novel fits into the series. If having that make sense is important to you read the series in order.

I love the quirky characters in Hidden Springs! We meet some new ones in this third installment in the mysterious goings on in town. A family that has lived there forever is brought in and some newcomers show up. The initial interaction between characters from the earlier books and the newly introduced ones are very easy to relate with.

It is fun to try and figure out who the “bad” guys are. Some of the quirky ones can come across as bad at times and really confuse the issue.

I received a free copy of this book through the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to share my personal opinion.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Murder is No Accident by A.H. Gabhart is the third book in The Hidden Springs Mysteries. Maggie Greene is up in the tower room writing of the Chandler house when she hears noises below. Maggie stays as still as possible so she will not be discovered. Then Geraldine Harper, the local realtor, enters the house. Maggie hears Geraldine find the intruder and an argument ensues. Geraldine goes to call the sheriff, but it is her last act. Only after she is sure the trespasser has departed, does Maggie venture down from the tower. She finds Geraldine dead at the bottom of the back steps (many big Victorian homes had a fancy front staircase and a serviceable back staircase that was very narrow). Maggie is afraid she will be accused of trespassing even though she has permission from Fonda Chandler, the owner of the house. Maggie uses Geraldine’s phone to call 911 anonymously and then she quietly leaves. While Maggie did not see anyone nearby, someone saw her. Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane receives a call that Miss Fonda (as she is called) has once again escaped from the Gentle Care Home where she is looked after by Mrs. Gibson. Miss Fonda has dementia and forgets that she no longer lives at Chandler house. Michael arrives at Chandler house as he is notified of the 911 call. He notices that her car is out front and enters the open house. He finds Miss Fonda holding Geraldine. She believes it is her deceased sister, Audrey who died in a very similar manner. Geraldine’s death is ruled accidental. But soon another person is found dead inside the Chandler home. Maggie is afraid to come forward after she receives a threatening call from the killer. Has someone decided to search for the rumored treasure of Chandler house? Michael will need to work quickly to find the guilty party before the killer takes further action.

While Murder is No Accident is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I was never able to get into and enjoy this book. It is hard to describe the writing style. One of the problems is the point-of-view. It is told in the first person and switches between Michael and Maggie. Murder is No Accident is jam packed with activity. There is just one incident after another. Besides the main mystery there is Miss Fonda escaping from the care home (frequently which does not speak well for their care or vigilance), fishing, the fifty-year-old mystery of how Audrey, fishing, Miss Fonda’s sister died, Sonny trying to sell Miss Fonda’s home, fishing, the romance between Michael and Alex Sheridan (which was very prevalent), Betty Jean Atkins dating life, Lana Waverly’s tea shop and investigation, and more fishing. In the small town of Hidden Springs, everyone gets involved in your life (even if you wish they would not). One of the problems with Murder is No Accident is the number of characters. I stopped keeping track after twelve. I did not like how fifteen-year-old Maggie was portrayed as simple minded when she actually is creative and smart (she likes to write). The Christian element is very subtle (mostly prayer). Murder is No Accident is more cozy than mystery. I give Murder is No Accident 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery may seem complicated, but the solution was not (at least part of it). I enjoy Christian mysteries (I get new ones every month), but this one was not for me. I think the right elements are present, they just needed to be put together differently.