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

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

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The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Potting Shed Murder ” the first instalment in A Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series by Paula Sutton set in Pudding Corner, a Norfolk hamlet full of quintessentially English charm.   

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From the creator of Hill House Vintage and “Queen of Cottagecore” (Vogue), a fresh, witty, fun, and delightfully quirky cozy crime novel set in a seemingly sleepy English village for fans of Richard Osman, Parini Shroff, Benjamin Stevenson, and Anthony Horowitz.

“Miss Marple for the 21st Century.” ―S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

Welcome to the beautiful, bucolic village of Pudding Corner, where there's death amongst the dahlias . . .

Daphne Brewster has gladly swapped south London for Pudding Corner, a Norfolk hamlet full of quintessentially English charm. With a mix of stone cottages, Georgian architecture, and Victorian Gothic houses all nestled together and surrounded by fields of gold and green, Pudding Corner and its neighboring village of Pepperbridge seem as far from the bustle of city living as one can get.

For Daphne, joy at moving into beautiful Cranberry Farmhouse with her husband, James, and their three young children is tempered by some concerns about being the only Black woman for miles around. But within a few short months, Daphne has become known as the parish’s “Vintage Lady” and has set up her own shop. Business is thriving, and so is her family. As for Pudding Corner, it’s rapidly revealing itself to be filled with complicated, intertwined lives on par with anything she left behind. Then the local school’s headmaster is found dead in his allotment patch, unleashing a storm of secrets and scandal.

Even a sleepy village has its social hierarchy, and as her new friend, Minerva, becomes a target of whispers and speculation, Daphne can’t resist getting involved. Fighting for the underdog comes as naturally as sourcing the perfect vintage piece. But there is more at stake here than Daphne could have guessed, and a killer who has succeeded once is all too willing to try again . . .

I enjoyed this story.  Pudding Corner, is rapidly revealing itself to be filled with complicated, intertwined lives on par with anything she left behind. Then the local school’s headmaster is found dead in his allotment patch, unleashing a storm of secrets and scandal.

Even a sleepy village has its social hierarchy, and as her new friend, Minerva, becomes a target of whispers and speculation, Daphne can’t resist getting involved. Fighting for the underdog comes as naturally as sourcing the perfect vintage piece. But there is more at stake here than Daphne could have guessed, and a killer who has succeeded once is all too willing to try again . . .

I like the protagonist Daphne and her family, there were a few characters you love to hate as well as your quirky small village side characters.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end.  I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.     

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher.  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,

The Bark Before the Dawn by Sarah Fox

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ The Bark Before the Dawn” by Sarah Fox  the 4th instalment in the "Magical Menagerie Mystery series”.  Sarah’s books are an automatic preorder even without reading the blurb on what the book is about, I just love her writing style.  I’m hoping there will be more of her other series in 2026.  (Sweet Confections series, Literary Pub Mystery series as well as the Wyatt Investigations Mystery series)

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Murder, magic, and a touch of romance. Return to the charming coastal town of Twilight Cove with the latest installment in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox's enchanting Magical Menagerie Mystery series!

Ever get the feeling you’re being watched?

Arriving home to her beloved farmhouse after a successful trip with her boyfriend, Callum, Georgie Johansen feels utterly contented. Until she discovers a dark figure watching her from the bushes!

A prowler on your property is creepy enough to warrant a call to the police, right? But when Georgie’s ID matches that of a body discovered the next day at Twilight Cove’s Seabreeze Motel, things take a bizarre turn. Especially when Georgie realizes she met the murder victim at the airport in Florida.

Why did the mysterious woman follow them all the way to Oregon? Why was she at the farm? And what could she possibly have done that led to her death?

Georgie—along with magical pups Flossie and Fancy—makes it her mission to uncover the truth. And time is of the essence as a second prowler stares through her window . . . 

This delightful cozy mystery series with paranormal pooches is perfect for fans of Sofie Kelly, Amanda Flowers, Wendy Corsi Staub, and Gretchen Rue!

I loved it!  I really enjoyed visiting Twilight Cove, Oregon and the animal sanctuary again. This time someone is prowling around the farmhouse and following Georgie, (what a creepy feeling that must be ) 

Sarah is very good at descriptive writing so you feel like you’re right there walking amongst the woods, on the beach or walking main street and seeing the picturesque stores.  I know I would love to live there and be part of Georgie’s friend group.

Who wouldn’t want to hang out with two magical dogs named  Fancy and Flossie, a kitten named Stardust, a great horned owl named Euclid, and all the Sanctuary animals.  Another thing I enjoy is where Georgie and Callum’s relationship is heading. 

The story was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Georgie did. 

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 5 to come out!

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Severn House 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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin