Dead, White, and Blue (Northwoods Mystery 2), by Annie McEwen

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It doesn't get much cozier than the Northwoods Mysteries, by Annie McEwen. I listened to Resort to Murder, the first one in the series, and was captivated by the warm and cozy vibes. I immediately knew after listening to that one that I had to continue the series. Unless I'm reading an ARC, I'm a seasonal reader. So I waited until close to the 4th of July to listen to the second installment, Dead, White, and Blue. 

It begins at a 4th of July festival, which drew me in right away. I love reading about festivals in cozies. This is a three-day event held in the small town of Lake Covington, Wisconsin.  All is well until Emmy Cooper stumbles over a dead body. The deceased had plenty of people who wanted him dead, so there are several suspects to consider in this murder investigation. She and her bestie, Whitney, set out to untangle this mystery, despite being told to stay out of it. Can they uncover the truth while Emmy helps run her family's lake cottage resort and while getting reacquainted with her childhood crush and now police officer, Dean Erickson?

What keeps me coming back the most to a series are the characters. I want to feel like I could be friends with them, and that is certainly the case in this series. I find comfort with them, which is exactly what I want in a cozy. Emmy is a likeable sleuth and her family and friends are equally enjoyable. If you like a bit of romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there is a touch of it in this installment. This subplot is naturally infused in the story, so as not to distract from the mystery.  I also love the setting. There is a strong sense of community and it feels like a cozy town.

The mystery is also strong. There are enough suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. I did not figure out the whodunnit, but it all made sense in the end. That's my favorite kind of resolution. 

Patricia Burgos is the narrator for this audiobook and she does a fantastic job bringing it to life. I was fully engaged listening to her voice the characters. I especially enjoyed her as Emmy. Audiobooks can be hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a hit.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will continue this series. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Lake Covington with Emmy and her friends and family. If you enjoy cozies, then I highly recommend this series. As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved at the end of the book, but to follow the characters and their subplots, I suggest that you begin with Resort to Murder and read them in order.