Beatrice Ophelia is Flickering Out by Megan Gerig

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Beatrice Ophelia is Flickering Out” by Megan Gerig the first instalment in the Lake Erie Mysteries. What a great start to a new series, I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2.

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Beatrice Sawyer is flickering out, for what might be the last time.

After being laid off yet again, Beatrice returns with her family to her childhood summer home to unwind. And maybe figure out how to move out of her parents’ basement. The town is hosting their inaugural Smallmouth Bass Festival as a last-wick effort to attract tourists, and Beatrice hopes volunteering might shed some light on her future.

At first, things seem to be brightening. Beatrice rediscovers the candle shop her grandmother once owned, and a new dream sparks to life.

Until she stumbles upon her estranged aunt dragging away the marina owner’s body.

When her grandfather insists on his daughter’s innocence, Beatrice must shelve her newfound dream and team up with her brother and childhood best friend to clear her aunt’s name. But as they dig deeper, Beatrice wonders whether their efforts will mend their family ties—or if she’ll fail to save her aunt and have to watch her family go up in smoke.

I did struggle a bit with the pace of the book but it still didn’t stop me reading it in one day.  I totally understood how Beatrice felt not knowing what she wanted to do in life, I still struggle to this day at age 60. So with that respect I could really relate to her character, there was family drama and emotions to unpack and overall I found it to be a good story.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  I’m sure in the next book character development and plot will improve and I won’t be able to guess. 

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Lamplighter Literary Creations and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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Murder in a Cornish Teashop by Fliss Chester

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in a Cornish Teashop”  by Fliss Chester  the first instalment of The Maddie Penrose mystery series  set in the in the .  What a great start to a new series.

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A Cornish clifftop, a sunny afternoon, a quaint little teashop… but wait a minute. Is that jam, or blood? Maddie Penrose is determined to find out!

Maddie Penrose is staying with her beloved grandmother, Nor, at her gorgeously idyllic Cornish farm. She’s looking forward to days helping out in Nor’s little teashop and evenings wandering down the cliff path to watch the sunset. But before Maddie has even finished serving up scones on her first morning, a man bursts through the door: Nor’s neighbour Clive has found a body in the field behind the teashop…

Maddie is straight to the scene, fancying herself as a bit of an Agatha Christie. But solving this mystery is far from a piece of cake. Her list of suspects is jam-packed with locals, with some a little too close to home: the newcomer renting out one of Nor’s barns is acting suspiciously, the victim’s boyfriend has disappeared without trace, and Clive isn’t really Maddie’s cup of tea either…

But the proof is in the pudding when there’s another murder – her prime suspect is dead. And when Maddie finds a backpack belonging to the first murder victim, her diligent notetaking and quick thinking leads her to discover that the killer will act again, and soon. Maddie is horrified to discover that it looks like she is their next target…

Can Maddie and Nor work as a team to piece together the puzzle? Or will murdering Maddie be the icing on the cake for the killer?

A totally addictive, witty and warm cozy mystery that will keep you reading late into the night, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Verity Bright.

Author Fliss Chester is a new to me author but I had heard this was a good cozy mystery.   This story follows Maddie Penrose, who is taking a break from her hectic life as a chef in London and escaped to her Grans farm and Teashop in the quaint town of Pendragon Creek, Cornwall.  

But before Maddie has even finished serving up scones on her first morning, a man bursts through the door: Nor’s neighbour Clive has found a body in the field behind the teashop…

Can Maddie and Nor work as a team to piece together the puzzle? Or will murdering Maddie be the icing on the cake for the killer? 

I enjoyed Fliss Chester’s writing style and the charming Cornwall setting. This was a quick, engaging read, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries, British settings, and amateur sleuths

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Publisher and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

A Summertime Murder by Mary Grand

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “A Summertime Murder” by Mary Grand the 5th instalment in the "The Isle of Wight Killings" series.  I enjoyed this book it’s a slow burn, entertaining mystery. 

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Susan never imagined herself an amateur sleuth, and she certainly never goes looking for trouble, preferring days spent walking her loyal dogs Libs and Rocco, and maybe even a dip in the sea to cool off after this interminable heatwave.

When she hears of a break-in at the vet’s where her new neighbour works, Susan’s curiosity is piqued.

And then, a few days later, the lead vet, Peter, mysteriously disappears. They assume it's business related until his body is washed up on the beach close to his clifftop home.

Susan is convinced he was murdered and slowly discovers that each of the small group of suspects has a motive. Is the killing linked to the break-in… or is this a crime of passion?

Once again, Susan finds herself piecing together clues in her search for the truth. Can she untangle the lies before someone else dies?

Return to the beautiful coastline of the Isle of Wight in this engrossing and unputdownable cosy mystery!

Once again, Susan finds herself piecing together clues in her search for the truth. Can she untangle the lies before someone else dies?

The mystery is expertly crafted, with just the right number of suspects to keep you guessing. The twists and turns are plentiful, and I didn't see the culprit coming.

Susan is a relatable protagonist who's had to start over after her husband left her. She's built a new life, made friends, and discovered a talent for solving mysteries. Her character growth in this story is compelling, and I appreciate that she's not static – she's complex and multi-dimensional.

I am sad that there won’t be anymore in the series, but look forward to Mary’s next book.

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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