This engaging first entry in a new series has all the hallmarks of a good cozy mystery: a country setting, crafty tips, good companionship and a teasing crime. This is no comic romp though, as Bruce does an excellent job of showing how people really react when there is a murder. The thing that stood out most for me was the depiction of the grief suffered by the dead man's family, which comes over as very real adding an extra dimension to the book. Murder isn't a game or a puzzle here, but a terrible disruption to lives and truly the only "cozy" things here are the friendships and the setting. If you like crafts the parts about gourd art will appeal (I've always wanted to have a go) but if you don't then they don't intrude into the story to make those less enamoured with this type of thing put the book down. This is very much the first in a set, and there are enough loose ends to make book two a must on my list, although this is also a very complete story in its own right. I enjoy cozies and have read quite a number but this one will linger in my mind.