Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

*Possible Spoilers*

Synopsis:

Business consultant Taylor Blake has returned to Savannah, Georgia, to help her sister Allison turn her dream of running an old-fashioned candy store into a reality. Allison is also interested in dream interpretation and invites Taylor to her Friday night Dream Club, where members meet once a week to share and analyze their dreams.

When a local dance instructor, Chico Hernandez, is found dead in his studio, and the murder scene has an eerie resemblance to one of the dreams shared at their meeting, Taylor can’t help but be intrigued. And when her sister, who was briefly involved with the dance teacher, becomes the prime suspect, Taylor and their fellow club members can’t be caught napping. It’s up to them to dream up a solution to the murder before Allison faces a real-life nightmare. (from Goodreads)

Review:

The charming cover art for Nightmares Can be Murder is an invitation for those who enjoy cats, candy, cozy settings, and dreams to read this mystery by Mary Kennedy, first in a series called A Dream Club Mystery.  I would love to hear why the dream catcher looks to have several broken strands while everything else on the cover appears perfect!  In this unique mystery, I not only learned about turning a shop for retro candy delights into an interesting, profitable business, but also that there are dream clubs where people meet and discuss or analyze dreams of those present.

As a psychologist, author Mary Kennedy seamlessly weaves her knowledge of dreams and interpretation into the story.  As one who rarely remembers her dreams, I was surprised that people can stimulate their minds to dream about events long forgotten or be encouraged to remember what they dream.  In the case of Dreams Can Be Murder, it was a dream that warned the ladies of the club about a murder that could occur, and it was by encouraging themselves to dream about the deceased’s murder that his acquaintances might hopefully solve the murder.

Allison “Ali” Blake opened “Oldies but Goodies”, a specialty shop in Savannah, Georgia where she sold candy that was popular in decades past.  These candies could almost be viewed as comfort food that brought “warm fuzzy” memories or feelings, from Clark bars (mmmm!) and Bit-O-Honey to Mallow Cups and Swedish Fish.  Ali’s sister Taylor, a high-powered business consultant who lived in Chicago, came for a visit then extended her stay with Ali to help her make the shop a profitable venture.  Ali lived in a world of following one’s daydreams while Taylor lived in a world of figures and bottom lines.

Ali also hosted a dream club that met weekly in their tiny apartment.  Taylor attended her first meeting, and her life definitely changed.  One of the members dreamed about a murder that hadn’t occurred yet, not seeing faces or details, but clearly a body and some events preceding the deed. Less than 48 hours later, the identity of the murdered man was learned.  Chico, a man from South America who owned a nearby dance school, was a man known for his way with the ladies, including, for a brief time, Ali.

Many were shocked by the murder; Ali doubly so as Gina, Chico’s assistant, forgot her keys to the studio and picked up the extra set that Ali had. When Gina returned screaming minutes later, Ali and Taylor accompanied her back and waited with her for the EMTs and police. Those in the Dream Club felt they had a vested interest to help solve the murder, even though one of the members was a detective and didn’t want them involved with an active case.  Some of the ladies would try to suggest to their subconscious to bring out anything helpful in their dreams each night.

Taylor ran into a man she had dated for two years when they had both lived and worked in Atlanta – a man she hadn’t seen since they went their separate ways.  Noah left his job with the FBI to be a private detective, and was very good at investigating, someone who could be of valuable help to them as they tried to find out who murdered Chico.  Could their romance be rekindled, even though Taylor was only in Savannah for the short term?

The characters were complex and well developed.  I could almost picture most of the Dream Club members and others pertinent to the story due more to their words and actions than their descriptions.  Ali, Taylor, Noah, and many of the members are very likable, well-rounded people.  Chico, the unfortunate dance instructor, was not someone that I found likable but I’m not sure he was meant to be.  For me, solving the puzzle and getting Ali off the suspect list was more appealing than solving Chico’s murder.

The plot was interesting and unique due to the attempt to use dreams as a means to solve the crime; it sounds fascinating!  There were twists in the dreams and plot that made it a challenge to figure out “whodunit”.  I particularly enjoyed watching how the two sisters interacted together and influenced each other in ways that benefitted them personally and professionally.  I also enjoyed the author’s detailed descriptions of Savannah, from the flowers and plants materials to the architecture, bringing this reader into the scene as if present.

I would recommend Nightmares Can be Murder to adults of any age who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries using dreams and interpretations in crime solving, the charm of Savannah, Georgia, and unique shop ideas.  It is a worthy introduction to a new series!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*