Kari Bovee excites once more in Folly at the Fair. This third novel in the Annie Oakley Mysteries series is so much fun! We get to spend time at the Chicago World’s Fair with the elaborate Ferris Wheel. If you want some entertainment, you will find it here.
- Title: Folly at the Fair (An Annie Oakley Mystery – Book 3)
- Author: Kari Bovee
- Narrator: Susanna Burney
- Publisher: Bosque Publishing on September 14, 2021
- Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
- Length: 9 Hours 48 Minutes
- Formats Available: Paperback, Audio, & Digital
- Rating: 4/5
Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, Violence, Gun Violence, Murder
Many thanks to Kari Bovee for providing me with an Audible copy of Folly at the Fair with a request for an honest review. Also thanks to iRead Book Tours for inviting me on this tour and providing the materials to complete this post.
About Folly at the Fair
She never misses a target. But unless she can solve this murder, she’ll become one…
Chicago World’s Fair, 1893. “Little Sure Shot” Annie Oakley is exhausted from her work with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. But when a fellow performer scuffles with a man who threatens her harm, she has to keep her eyes peeled. And when the heckler is found dead under the Ferris Wheel, Annie won’t rest until she proves her defender is innocent.
Before she can rustle up any clues, an old friend asks Annie to protect her young daughter. And as more bodies turn up around the grounds, she’s going to need all her sharpshooting skills just to stay alive.
Can Annie live up to her reputation and put a bullseye on the killer?
Folly at the Fair is the third book in the Annie Oakley mystery series. If you like strong heroines, Wild West adventures, and suspenseful twists and turns, then you’ll love Kari Bovée’s fast-paced whodunit.
Blurb Provided by iRead Book Tours
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Order Folly at the Fair Now: Amazon US | Amazon UK
My Review
Annie and the Wild West Show returns from England and hits the big city of Chicago. Annie finds herself exhausted and her nerves on fire from overwork when a child turns up. A friend from Annie’s past drops her daughter off at the wild west show with a plea for Annie to look after the girl. As if this weren’t a big enough shock, dead bodies keep turning up all over the fairgrounds. Annie’s head spins, and her relationship with Frank is in jeopardy. Will Annie save the day again, or will her life implode before she has the chance?
Characters
I still adore Bovee’s characterization of Annie Oakley. She is fiery, spunky, and altogether sassy. But she doesn’t act as the Annie Oakley of my history lessons. That’s okay, though, because this Annie is still a great character.
Alison and Liza captured my heart as well. I didn’t like Frida, but her way with horses fascinated me. I enjoyed Annie’s Native American friends, and I wish I knew more of their backstory. Frank gave me a near heart attack with his actions in this book. Needless to say, I wasn’t happy with him at all.
Setting
The fair setting snagged my attention right away. The crowds at the Wild West Show are nothing compared to the rest of the fair. I could taste the popcorn and candy floss. This era is one of those that I wish I were part of. Riding that Ferris Wheel would have kept my heart full all the days of my life. The Women’s Center exhibit sounds delightful. I’ve been to Chicago many times, but to see it from the eyes of the nineteenth century would put today’s sights to shame.
Narrator
Susanna Burney is back as the narrator for this audiobook. Once again, she makes the characters come alive. Her voice soothed me while listening. Yet still entertained enough to keep my attention. I would listen to anything she reads.
Further Thoughts
My thoughts on this novel are a bit higher than for Girl With a Gun. The reason is that Girl With a Gun shocked me a bit because the author was a little free with the facts. I had a hard time reconciling that, but I expected it in Folly at the Fair. Familiarity with the series made it easier to put my biases aside. If you can look beyond the altered facts, the story that Bovee gives us is great. However, it does drag some, so I took away a star for that.
Wrapping Up
I award Folly at the Fair 4 out of 5 stars. This series has fantastic entertainment value. The cozy mystery genre is one of my favorites, and this series fits well. If you want a rough and tumble murder mystery weekend, pick up a copy of this book. It works well as a standalone novel, but the whole series is pretty good.
About the Author – Kari Bovee
When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white-sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovee is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters both real and imagined, and helping them to find order in the chaos of her action-packed novels. Bovee writes the award-winning Annie Oakley Mystery Series and the Grace Michelle Mystery Series and has more ideas than time for many, many more.
Author’s Contact Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest| Goodreads
Folly at the Fair Author Giveaway!
Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card courtesy of the author of the Annie Oakley Mysteries! (one winner) (ends Feb 11)
GIRL WITH A GUN (Annie Oakley Mystery) Audiobook Tour Giveaway
Oooh! Cool review! I’ve not previously come across the Annie Oakley Mysteries series. Really insightful review, thank you for sharing.
It’s really good. I hope you get a chance to read it.