The book introduces us to Lena London, a young want-to-be author who is fresh out of school and also fresh out of a long term romantic relationship. As the story begins, Lena receives a call from one of her best friends, Allison, who lives in Blue Lake, Indiana. Allison happens to be in a Saturday morning knitting group with Camille Graham, Lena’s favorite author and idol. Allison had shared Lena’s unpublished novel (which was inspired by Camille’s writing) and Camille had loved it! Now Camille has a job proposal for Allison.
Before you know it, Lena has a job with Camille to work as her writing assistant (hence the “apprentice” in the series’ name) and has moved, with her cat Lestrade, to beautiful Blue Lake, Indiana to live with Camille in her old and mysterious mansion.
Suffice it to say that Lena is more than over the moon to be working with her idol in a job that is too good to be called her dream job – Lena had never dreamed so big!
Being a Cozy Mystery, before long and as expected, Lena discovers a body on the shore of Blue Lake not far from Camille’s house. This gives Lena the chance to get acquainted with the local (handsome) and available police detective, Doug. On her first day in Blue Lake, Lena also meets Camille’s mysterious (and also handsome) neighbor, Sam West.
Sam is a rich investor from New York City who is living in Blue Lake to avoid the spotlight of the big city since his estranged wife is missing under mysterious circumstances and Sam is generally suspected of having committed foul play towards her. As Lena gets to know Sam, she joins a very short list of people (which includes Camille) who believe that Sam had nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance.
So the book entails Lena and Camille, sometimes with Doug’s assistance, trying to solve the mysterious murder near Camille’s house. And Lena also gets involved in trying to help Sam solve the mystery of his estranged wife’s disappearance.
With two mysteries to solve, a mysterious old mansion on the lake, strange noises around the house in the middle of the night, two handsome potential suitors, a cat and two dogs, and a charming small midwestern town, this book and series have just about all the elements that one could expect or want in a lovely Cozy Mystery read. I found A Dark and Stormy Murder to be a fun and light read — just the kind of book I like to curl up with on a chilly, rainy winter day.
I must warn you, however, that the book does not resolve all the mysteries that are presented. You will have to read at least one more book in the series to find out all the secrets. Since I enjoyed this book so much, I don’t have a problem with this, even though I’m not crazy about multiple book storyline arcs in my Cozies. I’m looking forward to finding out what Lena and Camille discover in the other books in the series.
If you’d like to see other entries about some of the most recommended Cozy Mystery authors, be sure to check out the Most Popular and Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Mary Gallagher says
This reads like a very good read. Can’t wait to purchase it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Novella says
Sounds interesting! This series is on my to-read list. As always thanks for the heads-up!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Novella, you’re welcome, and I hope you enjoy it!
Susy S says
I have added her name to my list of authors to check out when I am at the big book sale next month. The sale has paperbacks for $2.00, so if it turns out I don’t care for the author, I don’t mind passing the books on (or donating back to the group that has the book sale).
Anyone who might be in the Phoenix area in early February should Google ‘VNSA Book Sale’. I started going to the sale in the early ’80s, and don’t think I have missed one since.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, sounds like a fun time! It sounds like a great opportunity to pick up some cheap books.
Cheryl Marriage says
Have read every book in the writer’s Apprentice Mystery series, and each one is better than the one before. Shared them with my daughter, & she loves them, too. Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cheryl, I’m glad to hear that they just keep getting better!
Lynn says
This is one of my favourite series and well worth reading.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn, thanks for the recommendation – I hope I find the time to keep with it.
Janice M says
I love this series!
Don’t let the fact that you have to read another book (or additional ones after that) throw you off. Julia Buckley does a fantastic job of keeping the story going and I’ve never been disappointed!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, it certainly sounds worth continuing!
robin in oregon says
I love this series since I read the first book . The characters, town and mysteries are great. It’s like visiting an old friend whenever I read one. Luckily the next one in the series is due out Feb 25, Death With A Dark Red Rose. Can’t wait!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, it’s certainly always great to be able to continue an old favorite series – like you say, like visiting an old friend.
Moira Shepard says
I’ve read all of Julia Buckley’s books in the series so far and greatly enjoyed them. I think the newest one is coming out in July 2020.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Moira, actually, assuming it stays on schedule, Death with a Dark Red Rose should be coming out in February.
Moira Shepard says
Great! So glad “Death with a Dark Red Rose” is coming out sooner than I thought. Thanks for sharing the good news, Danna!
Deb says
I too liked this book. Characters were very nicely done. Story was typical cost, but well done. Will read the series
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb, I’m glad to hear from other readers who have enjoyed this series.
Sary says
I adore this series…just need new ones!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sary, well, there’s another coming out in February, so that’s something to look forward to!
HelgaT says
One of my favorite authors and love this series! I believe she has another book in the series coming out soon! I know I have it pre ordered!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Helga, yes, another one is coming out in February. Something to look forward to!
Nichole says
This was the series I started January with! It is another good one. I had mixed feelings about the multiple mysteries and ones not being tied up at the end of the book. But I have read all of the ones that are currently out and suggest if you like the book don’t let that deter you from continuing the series…it all gets wrapped up well and is worth the wait! I can’t wait for the next one in February. It’s also neat I was reading the same one as you and didn’t know!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nichole, it’s certainly a good way to start the year! It does sound like it’s probably worth keeping up, based on the number of people who have stated that the resolutions are satisfying.
Elizabeth says
I just discovered your website and blog! I will be coming back often!
Also, I too just read “A Dark and Stormy Murder ” two weekends ago and really enjoyed it! So much so that I’m in the middle of the third book in the series now!
I really like Julia Buckley’s writing. I read her Hungarian Tea Shop mystery last summer and enjoyed that as well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elizabeth, I’m always glad to hear from new readers! I’m also glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did.
Nancy m says
Love cozy mysteries!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, so do I (thankfully – it would be rough to run this sort of site otherwise)!
C2 says
Hey! I read several of the books in the series and I love them and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Each one of them gets even better
Danna - cozy mystery list says
C2, so I’ve heard – many people seem to agree that the resolutions to the raised points are addressed satisfactorily.
Enola says
I have read the entire series to date. Not one book has disappointed me. The story lines are intriguing and the cliffhangers at the end keep me hooked.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Enola, good to hear – many readers seem to agree that the cliffhangers are a plus instead of a problem!
Debbie Coleman says
I love both series from this author! Find her writing hard to put down once I start the book. Great details that just make her stories come alive.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Debbie, from the start, it definitely seems like a great series worth reading!
Sharon M says
I really enjoyed this series of books, are there going to be more?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, none have been announced, but considering that one came out this year, it seems fairly possible that there will be more.