A Killer Romance

A sprained ankle can't stop Summer from finding out who killed BeachReads' guest author, especially when someone she cares about is accused

There were some good concepts flowing through many not normally seen in cozy mysteries but well done in a cozy mystery manner - meaning not overall graphic or preachy. However, felt like there were too many people, too many concepts and the story was a bit too long. Despite the length there were still some gaps.

To say this story was female-led, is an understatement. There were a LOT of women in the story to keep track of. Personal preference would be to NOT have so many with similar names, Poppy/Piper, Gina/Tina, etc.

It is the first story that I’ve read that include more than a casual mention of the pandemic and post-pandemic. I think it was well done.

I figured out most of it a good 15 chapters from the end, but that was because so much had happened, I had a, “I wonder if” moment which turned out to be correct.

I really liked 17 year old Mia, Summer’s niece, she is a spitfire. Summer, I am not sure if I warmed up to her. I liked her family, biological and selected. I was lukewarm on Cash, though he did start to grow on me. It was mentioned several times about Summer starting/wanting to get closer with her half-brother and half-sister but the half-brother was rarely mentioned or around even after all that happened to Summer.

Because I have not read books 1 and 2, no idea what was referred to when it came up a few times about the bookstore being connected to other murders. A quick couple of sentences could have closed this gap. Not sure I am curious enough to go back to read them.

The mystery was pretty good and the Hallmark Movie-like treatment at the end gave me a chuckle. Overall, a pleasant read that could have been a bit tighter.

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story. 

Happy Reading!