Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather is Book 3 of the Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery Series by Heather Day Gilbert.
There's a lull in Belinda's pet-sitting business when she learns of an older friend's death in her hometown, so she leaves her Greenwich, Connecticut, carriage house rental and the dashing Stone Carrington the Fifth who seems to be falling for her. The woman who died is her parents' neighbor in Upstate New York, and her son Jonas was her caretaker besides running their farm. Belinda loved the woman - plus she has all kinds of attraction to Jonas. When she arrives, she immediately takes over the care of his mom's homing pigeons until Jonas can find them a new home.
After the funeral, Belinda takes a casserole over to Jonas and his visiting brother. Following dinner, Jonas points out an article in the local newspaper to Belinda about a college student who was killed in a hit and run. Jonas is convinced there's something suspicious about the death and asks Belinda to take a look at it knowing how good she is at figuring out odd circumstances. Between taking care of the pigeons and trying to see as much of Jonas as she can, visiting with her old friend Chloe who writes for the newspaper, she decides to investigate and gather information about the young man who was mowed down. She and Chloe want to know more.
The mystery takes on a darker tone as Belinda discovers that members of a book club are being murdered, after the first one of them (Claire) was mysteriously hit by a train when the club met together one night a few years ago. As Belinda begins to add up what she's learned, it seems one person should be the definite suspect, but somehow she can't quite accept it.
Belinda faces all kinds of emotional conflict as she sorts out her life during the hunt for a murderer. Should she go back to Greenwich and the wealthy, gorgeous Stone Carrington? Should she move back home and face the fact that Jonas has her heart? Does she have his? All these personal decisions run interference during the search for who is killing these kids.
This Book 3 is a genuine murder mystery with a romantic thread amidst the darkness of the deaths. Heather ends it with just enough answers and solutions to satisfy the reader but leaves it open to more intrigue for a possible Book 4.
This is a fun, interesting, entertaining, and unique Cozy Mystery Series. Definitely recommend it.
Father, I ask that you continue to give the inspiration, time, energy, and all provision for Heather to continue telling the stories you have just for her to tell. Bless her in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.