A Flock and a Fluke

I went into *A Flock and a Fluke* expecting the usual cozy mystery checklist: quaint setting, eccentric locals, and a murder that distracts from the real drama—usually a love triangle. What I got was a story that punches above its weight, thanks to Avis’ knack for blending humor with genuine stakes. Leona is a protagonist who doesn’t just stumble into clues; she *chases* them, often with the help of her flock of chickens (yes, literally) and a caffeine-fueled caffeine addiction. The Easter Egg Scramble setting is a stroke of genius, offering a built-in ticking clock and a cast of suspects who are as likely to hand you a casserole as they are to lie through their teeth. Kitty Hendrix is the secret weapon here. Her narration elevates the material from pleasant to *addictive*. She nails the rhythm of Avis’ dialogue, particularly in the exchanges between Leona and her rival café owner, where the tension crackles like a fresh bag of popcorn. That said, the audiobook isn’t without its quirks. The production occasionally feels too polished, as if Hendrix is smoothing over some of the rougher edges in the prose, which might leave listeners craving a grittier edge. And while the mystery resolves neatly, the final confrontation wraps up a touch too abruptly for my taste—like a pie pulled from the oven too soon. Still, these are minor quibbles in a listen that’s as comforting as a warm cup of chamomile tea, with a mystery that lingers long after the last egg is cracked.