'Engagement and Espionage' is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after 'Beard Science,' Winston Brothers #3.
This was a 5 ⭐️read for both of us!
Cassie’s Review
"I missed the way he looked at me, like I was the butter on his bread, the frosting in his cake, the cream in his puff."
So wonderful to return to Green Valley. In the whole scheme of the Winston Brother's books, this one fits into the timeline after book 3, Beard Science. Absolutely fascinating seeing some of Roscoe's, and especially Billy's morose, semi-drunk ramblings.
This book had everything: intrigue, a good mystery, romance, fantastic build up. Cletus and Jenn's relationship is so new, and this book easily allows us to see the struggles of a newer relationship grow. I really appreciate seeing this in a book, since usually we see couples get together and that's where the book leaves us.
"Turning her smiling face to mine, her chin a perfect point, she gazed up at me with so much trust and love, I nearly lost my breath."
Hands down, one of my favorite scenes includes Shelly Sullivan, I officially have a major girl crush on her now.
Honestly, when I heard Penny Reid was writing a Cozy Mystery Series, I really had no idea what it was. I just knew she was writing more about one of my favorite Green Valley couples, and in extension, we would get to see more of all of the Winston siblings and their partners. That being said, cozy mysteries are basically an amateur sleuth(s) that are able to solve a mystery. I'm beyond excited to read the rest of the series.
"like Billy had said, she held a part of my soul. When we spoke or touched, that piece returned homes, and the rest of my soul rejoiced at the reunion."
Ashley’s Review
"If I couldn’t exploit Cletus’s dubious moral code for my own benefit sometimes, then was I really living my best life?"
Penny Reid is back with a wonderful new story for readers. While this is her first published foray into cozy mysteries, readers will find the same humor, smarts, and romance that Reid is known for woven throughout the book.
Engagement and Espionage is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Myseteries Series, but it is Cletus and Jenn's second book. Readers may find they enjoy this one more if they first read Beard Science. As someone who has read the entire Winston Brothers Series, I loved that this book began to fill in the gaps between Cletus & Jenn's book Roscoe and Simone's book. I love that we are going to learn more about what happened during those 'missing years.' This book also (re)introduces readers to several of the characters/families that make appearances in the SmartyPants Romance books.
While this book fits so well into the established Winston Brothers Series, it could also be read as a standalone. It's complete with a beginning, middle, and end. However, I'd highly encourage anyone who picks up this book to also read Beard Science so you have an even more complete picture of who Jenn and Cletus are. Plus, you'll encounter even more nuggets of wisdom like the following:
"Talking, I was beginning to suspect, was the root of all evil. The ease of it in particular was an issue. Talk it out. Talk it over. Talk it through. Useless. If more folks thought it out, thought it over, and thought it through instead of talking, then the world would be less cluttered with opinions and assholes."
More
Engagement and Espionage, an all-new quirky and swoon-worthy romantic comedy featuring fan favorites Jenn and Cletus Winston from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!
Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil . . . and now they’re engaged!
But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most "fowl" need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.
Sabotage!
Will an undercover mission unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?
'Engagement and Espionage' is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after 'Beard Science,' Winston Brothers #3.
Download your copy today!
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Excerpt “Don’t stop.” She reached for my belt again, this time completely undoing it, the button of my pants, and my zipper at world-record speed.
Her phone buzzed. Then it chimed. Then it buzzed and chimed two more times. Then it rang again. Reba.
Cursing, Jenn pulled the phone from her pocket, once again her face illuminated, murderous rage in her eyes. Her finger moved to the power off button. She blinked, hesitating. Her eyes widened, her body stiffened, and she gasped.
“Cletus!”
Something about her tone, like she was horrified, and maybe a little afraid, cut through the heavy haze of lust inertia, and my hands stilled. Shaking myself, it took me a few moments to realize she was showing me the phone screen, and another few to bring the content of the text messages into focus.
Momma: Jennifer Anne Sylvester, pick up your phone. If you’re with Cletus, I need his help. Please.
Momma: ALL THE CHICKENS AND ROOSTERS ARE DEAD! PICK UP YOUR DAMN PHONE!
Momma: I’m calling you in a second, pick up the phone. Mr. Badcock’s chickens are dead. All of them. I got here and he’s running around, deranged, yelling about his dead chickens! I called the police and they’re on their way. Please, please, please pick up the phone!
At some point, I must’ve taken the phone from Jenn and stepped away, because I glanced up upon reading the messages for the third time, finding the phone in my hand and Jenn fixing her skirt.
“This is nuts.” Her big eyes searched mine imploringly. “Who could have done this?”
I shook my head, having not yet managed to fully shift head gears—you know, from that head to the one on my neck—and my gaze dropped to the wet patch on the front of her dress just visible in the swath of light. My erection throbbed.
So we’re . . . not having sex?
“Why? Why would they do it? And WHO?” She snatched her phone back, her tone bewildered, distracted, and distraught. She was distraught because of the dead chickens, like any normal person would be.
I was distraught also, but my distress had nothing to do with farm animals.
“We have to go.” Jenn grabbed my hand and began walking toward the direction of the hall. Meanwhile, it took me until her hand found the door handle to realize my zipper and belt were still undone.
“This is crazy.” She paused as I zipped up, her tone halting and distracted. “Poor Mr. Badcock. And those poor chickens.” A sound of distress escaped her throat. “This is terrible.”
It was terrible.
And I was going to hell.
Because all I could think was, Talk about a cock block.
Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
Connect with Penny:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
