Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe #2
Twinkle Twinkle Au Revoir is Heather Weidner’s second book in her Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe series. The story follows Jade Hicks and her trusty side kick, French bulldog Chloe, as their town is invaded by Hollywood. The popular television program ‘My Costal Valentine’ has decided Mermaid Bay is the perfect place to film their next instalment. The Hollywood invasion is received with the grace and poise one might expect, in that it turns the whole town completely on its head. Fans and reporters flood the streets, blocking traffic, getting into people’s yards for a hopeful glimpse of stardom. At least the local businesses are booming. Other than the surplus population in town and the sudden loss of privacy, the Hollywood shoot promises to put Mermaid Bay on the map. Unfortunately, the atmosphere sours when an overzealous reporter is found dead in one of the actor’s rooms. Then someone tries to kill the show’s male star, heartthrob to hundreds, Raphael Allard. Mermaid Bay starts to look a bit more nefarious than romantic.
As the show must go on, the My Costal Valentine crew continues to film despite the constant mysterious attacks and incidents. However, it seems the tragedy just propagates the show’s fame. Crowds surge through town, and it makes investigation more than a little difficult for both Jade and her boyfriend and local police detective, Nick. Jade might not be used to rabid fans, but she is excellent at maneuvering social situations of all kinds. Being an effective and successful retail business owner and employee requires that she can read and work with all kinds of people. Her employee Patti is also instrumental in running the shop, as well as helping to keep customers from getting too carried away. They also help other local business owners in managing the chaotic fan-based crowd. The one who has it the worst by far is the B&B owner where the My Costal Valentine super stars are staying. Thanks to Jade, it’s at least manageable. Chloe also works her adorable canine charms on most who come across her, and puts them at ease so that they are more willing to share information with Jade. Unfortunately, whoever is behind it all is extra careful. Jade has to slowly pick up pieces and put them together with the help of her team and Nick.
While this is the second book in the series, readers can enjoy it independently of the first. This isn’t to say you won’t want to read the first when you are done, especially since the escapades of what happened in the first book are alluded to and pique reader’s curiosity. Any who enjoy an amateur sleuth with a heart of gold, an endearing canine side-kick, and an adorable romance for their protagonist will enjoy Twinkle Twinkle Au Revoir. I enjoyed that law enforcement also seemed to just accept Jade’s assistance, other than warning her to be careful. They recognize that people might be more willing to share information and even suspicions with Jade and adorable Chloe than the boys in blue. Also, Jade’s shop is Christmas themed which I personally just find delightful and would love to see. – Carla Schantz