Book Review: LOST HEART IN KING MANOR (Mysteries of the Heart Series) by Celeste Fenton

Romantic Suspense/Edgy Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series Setting – Dost Island (fictional) off the coast of Massachusetts 

Publisher ‏: ‎ Independently Published 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2025 

About the Book 

At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. 

What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. 

One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead. 

But can she trust her instincts before it’s too late? 

Review 

Gabby is dealing with her daughter Val moving across the country for college when she gets a call that her mother fell. Gabby rushes home to help her mother while still trying to keep her own work afloat. A second incident, with Gabby and her mother saved because of the cat, Gabby is at her wits end. There's an opening at ACHE, a senior rehab facility and her mother could recover there with the best of care. At least that's the promise.

ACHE has taken over the King Manor, with all it's glam, history, and tales of secret treasure. The director of ACHE, Beth, is her mother's neighbor and her mother is recovering there as well. The two men edging into her life? Rick and Jay. Rick has secrets and Jay is a little too smooth.

When first a tornado and then hurricane hits the area, two residents are injured among other strange occurrences and the discovery of tunnels, the tension mounts. Both Rick and Jay are constant companions to Gabby but she's not sure she can trust either of them.  

This is an interesting and engaging tale, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. What secrets is Rick hiding? What's Jay's endgame? The pacing is strong and the reader is carried along to the final conclusion. This is a great start to what should be an interesting series.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Companion Guide to Lost Heart in King Manor: 

An inside look (Mysteries of a Heart Series)

Step deeper into the secrets of Dost Island with this richly illustrated companion to Lost Heart in King Manor, the first book in the Mysteries of a Heart series. Explore the island’s storm-swept cliffs, charming village life, and shadowy past through exclusive character profiles, behind-the-scenes insights, maps, photographs, and bonus content that brings Gabby Heart’s world to life. 

Meet the unforgettable residents—from the sharp-witted Jay Laird and enigmatic Rick Payne, to the wise and mysterious women of the Heart family—each with their own stories, scars, and secrets. This companion is your invitation behind the curtain. But be warned… On Dost Island, even the quietest corners have something to hide. 

About the Author 

I have an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and have worked in higher education for over thirty-years. A former educator and lifelong reader, I began writing seriously at age 60. No one is more surprised than me, that in retirement, I found reward and occupation as an author. 

My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense. My work blends romance, mystery, and heart—with healthy doses of humor and hope. I feel passionate about helping others realize that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date.  

When I’m not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Intstagram ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter/X

Purchase Links 

 

Amazon ~ IngramSpark ~ Barnes & Noble 

Companion Guide Purchase Link 

Amazon

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Book Review: CRUISES, COCKTAILS AND CORPSES (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery) by Michelle L. Clifton

Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in the Series 

Setting – On Board a cruise ship and Cartagena, Colombia

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Salty Inspirations (April 8, 2025) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English 

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 277 pages 

About the Book

 

Trapped in a sinister plot with a vengeful drug cartel is a killer vacation. 

Taryn wanted sun, cocktails, and relaxation. Instead, she and Alex found themselves tangled in yet another deadly puzzle. 

After months of chaos and a near-death experience, Taryn and Alex are desperate for a break. A romantic cruise seems like the perfect escape. Adventurous excursions, tropical drinks, and uninterrupted passion. But their dream vacation takes a dark turn when a danger from the past resurfaces, and bodies start piling up. 

Trapped in the middle of a sinister plot, Taryn must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. With a vengeful drug cartel lurking in the shadows, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Taryn’s sharp instincts be enough to outmaneuver the enemy, or will their dream getaway become a deadly nightmare? 

Read an excerpt:

‛The other guests were fleeing the scene with their drinks still in their hands. At $10 a drink, you can’t waste those babies.’ 

'That man needed coffee or something. Good grief, I barely touched him. He should not have been standing so close to my door. What right did he have to stare me down? Beginning to feel annoyed with the encounter, I took a moment to breathe and tell myself this was not worth my energy. He can not control my feelings or my day.’ 

‛I had never been so happy to see them standing together. My heart leaped; no one had been snatched or killed. Yay! What has my life come to?’ 

‛The ECS team did not want to panic the other passengers. Probably to keep the appearance that cruising is safe and people don’t die.’ 

“Who said anything about wasting it? If I am going to die, I am not going down without my drink. I’ll finish it. To justice!” She gulped the Aguardiente and coughed again. “It burns,” she wheezed.

Excerpt from Cruises, Cocktails and Corpses. Copyright ©  2025. All rights reserved.

Review

Taryn and her husband, Alex, planned this vacation to relax and instead they find themselves dealing with a murderer, not to mention a possible drug cartel. It all starts off when they no sooner board and run into Taryn’s ex-fiancé/ex-suspect. And it goes downhill from there as far as relaxation is concerned.

This was a fast-paced, fun read. A cruiser myself, I could relate to the cruise part and even the itinerary, if not the mystery. Taryn is a strong female sleuth and event planner and easy to relate to, as is the “tall, dark and handsome” Alex.

Well-written, Clifton weaves in the romance of Taryn and Alex with humor, including a few laugh-out-loud moments. This is the second in the series, but is easily read out-of-order.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Book 2 Trailer  

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ Bookshop.Org ~ B&N ~ Kobo 

About the Author 

Michelle L. Clifton is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly series, which mixes laugh-out-loud humor, steamy romance, and gripping mysteries. Her books are perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, offering a modern twist on cozy mysteries with amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly at the helm. 

Michelle was raised in Southwest Colorado in the great valleys of the Rocky Mountains. There she married the love of her life and raised two beautiful kids, a cat, two dogs, and chickens! She has worked in the dental field, dance and theater industry, athletics, and event coordinating. She created Salty Inspirations to pursue her passion for writing. 

However, her favorite job is being MOM. Her family made a major move to Cape Coral, Florida, just in time for Hurricane Ian. When not crafting tales of intrigue, Michelle can be found spending time with her family hiking and camping in Colorado and boating and beaching in Florida. Oh! And writing of course! 

Author Links 

Website ~ Instagram ~  Facebook ~ Amazon ~ BookBub  

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Book Spotlight: BEDS, BREAKFASTS, AND BETA BLOCKERS : THREE DOG MYSTERIES by Jann Franklin

Beds, Breakfasts, & Beta Blockers (Three Dog Mysteries)

 Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Setting – Louisiana 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (February 20, 2025) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English 

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 238 pages 

About the Book 

Ro Bergeron’s grandparents raised her to be, well, helpless. She can’t boil an egg or keep a plant alive. When Ro inherits her childhood home, she decides to open a bed and breakfast for humans and their canine friends. Running a business catering to people is a big undertaking for thirty-two year old Ro—let alone pets too—yet with faith she is confident she can handle it. She even has her first guests booked for the coming weekend! 

But when her meddlesome great aunts find the opportunity to solve a local murder too irresistible, Ro’s new life as a business owner is turned upside-down! As Min and Win Rascoe indulge their sleuthing skills, a reluctant Ro and her enthusiastic house guests are drawn into the mystery. Will the Rascoe sisters and their unconventional team solve the murder before Ro’s high school crush Detective Jason Charbonnet? Can Ro master the skills of cooking and hosting? 

Will life for Ro in the tiny town of Belle Bayou ever be the same?

This book is the first of the Three Dog Mystery Series. 

Purchase Link – Amazon

About the Author 

Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer living in northwest Louisiana with slightly less than three hundred other people. Many of her stories are based on the tales she hears from residents. 

She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at church, dinner with family and friends, and watching the lightning bugs in their backyard. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives. 

Author Links 

Webpage ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram 

GoodReads ~ BookBub 

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Book Review: SECRETS, SONGBIRDS AND SUCCULENTS: A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery Book 3 by Iris March

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents: 

A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery Cozy Mystery 

3rd in Series 

Setting – Ohio 

Publisher ‏ : Wandering Gingko Press (January 23, 2025) 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The annual Buckeye Trail Town Festival. A trail construction site. And one dead naturalist. 

The charming town of Hawthorn Heights is celebrating its connection to the Buckeye Trail with a weekend-long town festival. When a local naturalist is found dead at the bottom of a ravine off the trail, amateur sleuth and garden center manager Molly Green finds herself tangled in a murder investigation – again. 

As the Trail Festival concludes, Molly unearths unexpected secrets about the bird-obsessed naturalist’s life along with other people in her small community. When the police focus on who Molly knows is the wrong suspect, she starts her own investigation with her flock of fellow amateur detectives. Will Molly and her team identify the killer or will they fly away free? 

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents is a heartwarming and suspenseful cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and amateur sleuths with both birding and eco-friendly themes. 

REVIEW

This was a fun cozy mystery. Molly and her friends work together to solve the murder. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters. The plot moved at a steady pace with unexpected twists to the killer. Small town mystery and one that cozy mystery lovers will enjoy.

This is the third in the series. I haven't read the first two, and that did not affect the readability. At the same time, I always recommend people start at the beginning to watch as characters grow and relationships change. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Purchase Link 

Amazon 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iris March has a reputation for killing houseplants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats. 

Author Links 

Website ~ Instagram ~ Facebook  GoodReads  

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Book Review: A CORPSE AMONG THE CAROLERS (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

A Corpse Among the Carolers (A Food Blogger Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 7th in Series 

Setting – Connecticut 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing (November 12, 2024)

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages 

Hope Early is fully immersed in the spirit of the Christmas season, until the sounds of joyful carolers are silenced by the words “Ho-ho-homicide” . . . 

Food blogger Hope Early always gets a hearty holiday laugh from knowing that the weeks leading up to Christmas are as frantic as they are festive. But in spite of everything she has to do, the one thing she always has time for is the annual Jingle Bell Stroll, a night when the community gathers to sing their hearts out and enjoy each other’s company. This year’s caroling feels especially heartwarming, until the final note lands with a thud when Hope finds the body of the man who’d volunteered to play Santa, a

knife plunged into his back. 

With virtually the whole town present at the caroling, the list of suspects seems endless. It doesn’t take long, though, for both Hope and the police to turn a sharp eye on the victim’s bitter and vindictive ex-wife, along with his new wife, who may have been after his money. Then Hope unearths a clue that suggests the dead man may have been hiding a sordid past and connections to unseemly characters. But as she closes in on the killer, they’re determined to wring her neck before she can ring in the new year . . . 

Includes tasty and toasty holiday recipes! 

Book Review 

Hope has high hopes of a family night with Ethan and his two daughters. As she's running around getting all the details perfect, she overhears snippets of conversation that give her pause. Nothing prepares her for the murder of the town's Santa. 

Both Ethan and the acting sheriff caution her not to investigate. Only she (and they) know she'll see what she can come up, along with her sister, Claire, Jane, and Drew. A few close calls strain the relationship between Hope and Ethan, not to mention her friends telling her to be careful. Each fact or picture Hope comes up with takes her in unexpected directions. 

The characters are likable or not depending on their role and it's no clear until the end who the killer is. The plot moves along nicely. This was a fun Christmas read and I certainly wouldn't turn down any of the goodies Hope brings with her to ease her questioning. This is the seventh book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

About Devra Sennefelder 

Debra Sennefelder is the acclaimed author of charming and suspenseful cozy mysteries set in small towns filled with intriguing characters and delightful pets. Based in Connecticut, Debra shares her home with her family and a lovable, slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. Her passion for mystery fiction, particularly cozy mysteries, inspires her to create engaging stories that blend crime-solving with delicious recipes and stylish fashion. She is the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series, the Resale Boutique Mystery series, and the Cookie Shop Mystery series. 

When she’s not plotting her next whodunit, you’ll find her baking sweet treats or indulging in a good book. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her writing companion, Connie. 

She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com 

Author Links 

Newsletter ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Instagram

Bookbub  Goodreads ~ Amazon  

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Bookshop.org 

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Book Review: APPLE DUMPLING MURDER (Paranormal Cozy Mystery - Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries Book 2) by Trixie Silvertale

About the Book

Santa’s daughter is settling into her life as a baker, but could a fresh murder burn her biscuits? 

Cindy Claus loves exploring the human world and baking amazing treats. So, she’s bubbling over when her aging landlord takes her under his wing and promises to leave her the bakery in his will. But before she can stir up a celebration, her patron collapses, dead, like a bad soufflé. 

With suspicion instantly falling on the budding baker, Cindy must rely on her fragile new friendships and her father’s trusted arctic fox. She’ll have to butt heads with local law enforcement as she gathers crumbs, and one wrong move could crush her dreams… 

Can Cindy find the proof she needs, or will this villain punch down her last hope? 

Apple Dumpling Murder is the second book in the festive paranormal cozy series, Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries. 

Review 

Cindy Claus convinced her papa to let her leave the North Pole and try her hand at opening a bakery. She landed in Silver Shoals as the baker in town, Connie, dies. Her husband not only lets Cindy take over the bakery but shares Connie's wonderful recipes. He announces that he's changing his will and giving the building to Cindy, and then he's killed.

Cindy is all sweetness and light, not enlightened to many earthy things like funerals and kissing, though she has a strong sense of who is naughty and who is nice. She's helped the local police in the past, and Kevin is more than interested in getting her insights. At the same time, her fur friend, Arti, is her protector and a fierce one at that. 

The characters are well developed and though Cindy keeps slipping up, no one seems the wiser, not even Kevin or Jasmine. Connie's ghost makes an appearance and of course the killer wants to stop Cindy's dreams. Lots of festive ongoings, this is a cute mystery for the holidays, even better if you like paranormal elements - good and bad - in your mysteries. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia 

About the Author 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. 

Those two passions unite in all her mystery stories, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you. 

Author Links 

Trixie’s Website ~ Trixie’s Patreon ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Instagram ~ Facebook Author 

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Book Review: ONE OF YOU (Tower District Mysteries) by Lorie Lewis Ham

One of You (Tower District Mysteries) Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – The Tower District of Fresno, CA 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mystery Rat’s Books (June 4, 2024) 

About the Book 

With her life on the California Coast behind her, Roxi Carlucci is beginning to feel at home in the Tower District—the cultural oasis of Fresno, CA—where she now lives with her cousin P.I. Stephen Carlucci, her pet rat Merlin, a Pit Bull named Watson, and a black cat named Dan. She has a new entertainment podcast, works as a part-time P.I., and is helping local bookstore owner Clark Halliwell put on the first-ever Tower Halloween Mysteryfest! The brutal summer heat is gone and has been replaced by the dense tule fog—perfect for Halloween! 

She just wishes everyone would stop calling her the “Jessica Fletcher” of the Tower District simply because she found a dead body when she first arrived. But when one of the Mysteryfest authors is found dead, she fears she jinxed herself! The Carlucci’s are hired to find the killer before they strike again. Will Mysteryfest turn into a murder fest? How is the local gossip website back, and what does it know about the death of Roxi’s parents? 

Review 

The Mysteryfest is stressful enough without the murder. As the story builds up, Ham gives the impression that the murder - and, of course, there's a murder - will be of the one no one has a kind word for. Not wanting to give it away, but with a small cast of "celebrities" and the erstwhile publisher and tyrant, it's all about jealousy and competition. Or is it? The Tower gossip tweets are back and it's not clear whose offering the hints or why. She or he might know the answer.

This is the second in the Tower District Series, but easily read as a stand-alone. Roxi's still trying to get her bearings but is in the thick of things trying to figure out who the killer is and why. The main characters are well-developed; the quirky ones are definitely quirky. This was a fun read. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy the Tower District Series. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

The Tower District Series

One of Us

One of You

About the Author 

Lorie Lewis Ham lives in Reedley, California and has been writing ever since she was a child. Her first song and poem were published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper, and publish 7 mystery novels. 

For the past 14 years, Lorie has been the editor-in-chief and publisher of Kings River Life Magazine, and she produces Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, where you can hear an excerpt of her book (link below).

You can learn more about Lorie and her writing here:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ GoodReads 

KLRTwitter/X - Lorie Lewis Ham Twitter/X 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo 

Universal Buy Link 

Watch the Podcast of One of You

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Book Review: ESCAPE FROM DEVIL'S DEN (Harlequin Romantic Suspense) by Bonnie Vanak

Romantic Suspense 

Setting – Florida and North Carolina 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harlequin Romantic Suspense (July 23, 2024) 

Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

She’s found the perfect disguise… Until he uncovers the truth! 

FBI agent Jace Beckett goes undercover to infiltrate the motorcycle gang Devil’s Patrol. But he never expected to encounter his stunning former fiancée, Kara Wilmington, hanging around the criminal organization. 

The gorgeous businesswoman is determined to protect her property—and her family—when she finds out that her cousin is involved with the DP. But as Kara and Jace relentlessly pursue the DP’s ruthless jewel-theft ring, it’s not only Jace’s cover that’s at risk. It’s their lives… 

REVIEW 

Jace Beckett has gone to a great deal of trouble to be accepted by the DP. He's FBI with a military background. Cold and calculating in his quest to gain access to the mystery man, Marcus, who is a domestic terrorist and using the outlaw motorcycle gang to get what he needs. Only this job gets personal when he discovers his ex-fiancée, Kara, may be the next victim of the DP.

The story behind Kara and Jace is revealed in bits and pieces - the secrets they both withheld - as the tension rises in the DP. The story moves at a steady pace, with twists and turns, and suspicion abounds as to who they can trust. It kept my interest as I tried to figure out who was behind the threat and the target. It's well written and the characters, especially Kara and Jace, are well-developed. One or two surprises pop up. There is sexual content (limited, but there),so readers beware.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Bonnie Vanak is a multi-published author of paranormal, historical, and suspense romance novels. After a career in journalism, she became a writer for an international charity, traveling to poor countries like Haiti to write about issues affecting the poor. 

When the strain of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her childhood dream of writing books. Bonnie lives in Florida with her husband and rescue dogs. 

Author Links 

Website ~ Facebook 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Harlequin 

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Book Review: PERIL IN PINK (Hudson Valley B&B Mysteries) by Sydney Leigh

Peril in Pink (Hudson Valley B&B Mysteries) 

Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series 

Setting – Hudson Valley, New York 

Publisher: ‎Crooked Lane Books (March 19, 2024) 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Everything is coming up rosé for innkeeper Jess Byrne until a murder on opening weekend gives her B&B’s killer vibe a whole new meaning. 

Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building in this sparkling debut mystery. 

It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. 

As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect. 

After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder. 

With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled. 

 

REVIEW

Jess, Kat, her brother Nate, and his wife Sara have their hands full with the grand opening of the Pearl B&B, decorated in pink. The Pearl is full and thaat should mean success and a celebration for Jess with a detective on the police force. Only, the man who broke her heart, Lars, volunteered to give a free concert as part of the opening. Hence, the place is packed and busy. 

Along with Lars and his step-father Bob, who nobody likes, two of the girls (now women) who picked on Jess in high school and made her life miserable arrive as well. Kit tries to help, Sara is a bit odd, and everyone is telling Jess not to fall for Lars again. Then Bob is killed and Lars is the primary suspect. Jess has mixed emotions but doesn't believe he's the killer. 

With all the conflict, the roadie, the sister-in-law, the bullies from high school, a second musician who actually does perform, and a myriad of other characters, there's something around every corner to keep the story going and keep the reader guessing as to the killer and the real motive is. Definitely a great start to a series, and a B&B should provide fertile ground for more to come.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org ~ Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sydney Leigh spent several years running a seasonal business, working in the summer so she could spend cold months in cool places. Now she writes modern cozy mysteries and thinks about murder. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and served on the board of Crime Writers of Canada from 2018-2021. She does a blog post once a month on The Stiletto Gang. 

Author Links 

Website ~ The Stiletto Gang ~ Facebook  

Twitter/X ~ GoodReads ~ Instagram    

 

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DEATH AT FIRESIDE INN : 1920's Historical Mystery (Veroncia Vale Investigates) by Kitty Kildare

Death at the Fireside Inn: 1920s Historical Mystery (Veronica Vale Investigates)

 Historical British Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series 

Setting – 1920s London, England 

K.E. O’Connor Books (January 16, 2024) 

Number of Pages: 225 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

A fading star, a puzzling death, and a mystery that must be solved! 

Veronica Vale spent a turbulent few years serving her country during the Great War – doing more than her role in the exchange network suggested! Now back on British soil and adjusting to life as an obituary writer for her uncle’s newspaper, while caring for her ailing mother, Veronica has gotten used to a slower (and safer) pace of life. 

Excitement comes from fun parties, walks with Benji, her beloved rescue dog, and volunteering at the Dogs’ Home. 

When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty. 

Much to the dismay of her sometimes nemesis Inspector Templeton, Veronica is tasked with writing Florence’s obituary. And what she learns will blow the roof off the theatre! That’s if she survives to tell the tale. *** 

If you love witty dialogue, historical glamour, intrigue, and a fast-paced cozy mystery set in 1920s England, then you’ll adore Kitty Kildare’s unputdownable whodunits. 

CHARACTER GUEST POST 

Good day to you! I’m Veronica Vale, and am adjusting to life following the Great War, doing more than my role as a telephone exchange operator suggests. But that’s a story for another time! 

1920s London is a fascinating place. Everyone is full of hope and joy, enterprise is everywhere, and there’s a buzz to this great city that has been missing for years. But there are still a few trials we all must endure. 

I’m a born and bred London girl who enjoys a simple life involving long walks with my rescue dog, Benji, and attending parties with my best friend, Ruby Smythe. But I somehow find myself embroiled in the most mysterious of cases. 

It’s partly due to my job as an obituary writer for my uncle’s newspaper, the London Times. I often find myself around the recently deceased, and sometimes, they didn’t go quietly into the good night. Some were given a bullet in the gut, a whack over the head, or shoved down a set of stone steps. 

And that won’t do! One thing I’m not afraid of is ensuring justice is done. Often to the frustration of the local police, and in particular, my sometimes nemesis, Inspector Jacob Templeton. He’s as handsome as he is stubborn, but I won’t let him stop me from ensuring wrongs are righted. 

My home in an up-and-coming part of London is rarely quiet. I live with my ailing mother, Edith Vale, and my voluntarily housebound younger brother, Matthew. I tried to convince them to move to somewhere smaller and more practical, but they won’t hear of it. And to be honest, I don’t want to leave the place, even though it costs a small fortune to heat. We use the extra rooms to take in foster animals. There are many abandoned or lost animals looking for homes following the Great War. People who lost everything or were bombed out were unable to look after their precious animals, so I stepped in. I’m happy to say it’s a passion of mine. 

Between my work at the newspaper, busy social life thanks to Ruby, keeping an eye on my eccentric family, my volunteer work at the dogs’ home, and my sleuthing activities, I rarely have a moment’s peace. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

If you wish to step back in time and enjoy the delights of postwar London, explore the surprises and mysteries hiding behind some of the grandest front doors, and help me ensure the police know what they’re doing, then you’d be most welcome to join me in my latest adventure. 

Now, I must fly. I’m treating Ruby to an afternoon tea at the Ritz!

Yours truly, Veronica Vale

Purchase Links 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Immerse yourself into Kitty Kildare‘s cleverly woven historical British mysteries. Follow the mystery in the Veronica Vale Investigates series and enjoy the dazzle and delights of 1920s England. Kitty is a not-so-secret pen name of established cozy mystery author K.E. O’Connor, who decided she wanted to time travel rather than cast spells! Enjoy the twists and turns. 

Author Links 

Webpage ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads  

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

February 7 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT February 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER    INTERVIEW 

February 7 – Christa Reads and Writes – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

February 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW February 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST 

February 9 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT 

February 9 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW 

February 9 – Novels Alive – REVIEW 

February 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

February 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

February 11 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT February 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

February 12 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

February 12 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT February 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST February 13 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW February 13 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

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