WELCOME TO THE BLOG TOUR FOR

copper waters

by Marlene M. Bell

Welcome to my stop on the book tour!

Welcome to the tour for Copper Waters: A New Zealand Cottage Mystery by Marlene M. Bell.

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Copper Waters

Publication Date: December 7th, 2022

Genre: Mystery/ Suspense/ Light Romance

Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.

Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.

But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.

Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.

The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.

As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.

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Review

It’s been a while since I reached for a mystery and when I saw Copper Waters by Marlene M. Bell, I felt the moment and holiday season were just suitable for this novel. The New Zealand setting on a sheep farm intrigued or appealed to me the most. It isn’t something you find in stories often and was a first for me. Copper Waters is the fourth novel in the Annalisse Series and my first experience reading this author.

Alec Zavos has made several marriage proposals to Annelisse over their time together, but a recent paternity issue is holding Anneliesse back. When she receives a letter from New Zealand with some personal family things in question, she seizes the moment to fly there solo. To her surprise, Alec has sent for Bill, a detective and close mutual friend, to come along with her, which will prove to be a great move. Not shortly after Annalisse’s arrival, there’s a first deadly accident. Or was it murder?

Settling into the cottage, and exploring the inner workings of the sheep farm, Annalisse is making new acquaintances and is determined to solve some of her own family histories. The time spent on beautiful outings in town and country becomes slightly overshadowed by the police investigating the death of their driver at the airport. What proves to be a different eyewitness story researched by Bill and Annalisse, is quickly dismissed by the local officials.

When a second murder happens on the farm, the duo realizes, something sinister is happening. Small-town politics, big expansion plans, elections, and dirty secrets are slowly coming to light. Annalisse receives a nudge to leave the country sooner than later and not go meddle in the local business, but not before an attempt to harm her ends up just short of her return in a casket.

Alec flies to New Zealand and joins the duo. With his own family name in the news some time ago, this may prove to make matters worse, but they become unstoppable and carve into the investigation. Their finds are unbelievable and right in front of their nose the entire time!

Coincidence meets intent in this great little mystery.

So, here is a story I thought was unique. I loved the setting and background given about local farming and history. There is an environmental component in the story, that’s laced with dirty practices by corrupt leaders, but mostly, it’s the characters and intricate family web nestled in between it all that seals the mystery tight.

It took me a little while to find my footing in this novel, given that it is the fourth book in the series and my first to read, but by the middle of it, I was easily invested. It’s a very dialogue-driven novel, the writing is close-knit and flows semi-fast. The overall feel of reading an old-fashioned mystery devoid of technology in the forefront was very appealing to me and made this whodunnit perfect.

If you enjoy the quintessential, classic mystery, then yes, reach for Copper Waters. The setting alone is worth it.

Happy Reading!

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I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

All opinions are my own. Thank you!

About the Author

Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats, and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.

The Annalisse series has received numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity,) and FAPA— Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award for two other installments, (Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy.) Her mysteries with a touch of romance are found at marlenembell.com. She also offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.

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