The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead - Antony Johnston

Gwinny Tuffel is on location in the misty Yorkshire Dales filming a small part in Draculania, a genderswapped remake of Bram Stoker's classic tale, when life begins to imitate art a little too closely. One of the cast members is found dead inside a locked trailer, with a stake through their heart.

With a prima donna in the starring role, filming is already facing delays, while Gwinny is being run ragged by Lily, the Jack Russell terrier she's looking after for a friend in hospital. Against the backdrop of Hendale Hall with its own vampire legend, a flesh-and-blood killer has struck. Will Gwinny be able to find the murderer before the production or any further victims are cut?

 

What did I think?

The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is book three in the Dog Sitter Detective series but it is the first one I have read and I absolutely loved it.

It's such a refreshing change to have an older protagonist and I loved Gwinny from the start, as well as Lily the Jack Russell who she is looking after for a friend.  Gwinny has returned to work as an actor to make ends meet after taking time out to look after her father but the filming of Draculania is brought to a standstill when one of the actors is murdered in a trailer with a door locked from the inside.

With all of the actors pointing their fingers at each other, the police have quite a job on their hands to find out what happened.  It was really funny to see them all blaming each other and of course the leading lady has to make it all about her.  Luckily, Gwinny has a bit of experience as an amateur detective but the leading lady thinks she can identify the murderer before Gwinny (and the police).

This was such a fun, easy read that I read in two sittings as I couldn't put it down.  I found it really easy to warm to the characters, despite not having read the earlier books.  I really loved how Antony Johnston captured the essence of a little Jack Russell and created the larger than life character of Lily.  If Gwinny hadn't been such a strong, loveable character I think Lily may have stolen the show for me.

The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is a cracking locked room mystery and an absolute must-read for cosy mystery fans.  I don't know how this series had slipped under my radar but it's definitely got a new fan now.

Many thanks to Allison & Busby for sending me a gifted hardback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Murder on the Menu (The Bad Girls Detective Agency book 3) - Katie Marsh

Since Amber started the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, she’s been feeling the pressure. So – when she and her best friends win a trip to a new luxury castle retreat on a remote island – she hopes it will be a chance to relax in style.

The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Valerie la Fontaine’s tasting menu. 

But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that weekend: revenge. And when Valerie is found dead inside a locked room in a tower, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…

Hilarious and gripping mystery – perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, The Traitors, and How to Kill Men and Get Away With It.

 

What did I think?

Murder on the Menu is book 3 in The Bad Girls Detective Agency series and although you can read it as a standalone I think it is better if you have read one or more of the earlier books to fully understand the characters.

It's a fun murder mystery that almost reads like a game of Cluedo based in a castle with a handful of guests and lots of rooms for a killer to hide in.  Luckily for the guests left standing after a killer strikes, Amber and the Bad Girls are on the guest list and they're straight on the case.

I enjoyed catching up with the girls again and there are some interesting developments in Amber's personal life that really warmed my heart.  There are some interesting (and some shady) characters in the story that kept the plot moving along at a good pace and I couldn't wait to discover all of their hidden secrets.

With a remote and slightly sinister setting, Murder on the Menu is a fun murder mystery that is a great book to read on a dark and chilly winter's night.   

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase here: https://mybook.to/OnTheMenu

About the author:

Katie Marsh wrote five bestselling, uplifting women’s fiction novels before turning to cosy crime for Boldwood. Previously published by Hodder, the first in her new crime series  How Not To Murder Your Ex, following the fortunes of the Bad Girls Detective Agency, was published in December 2023.

Social Media Links 

Facebook: @KatieMarshAuthor

Twitter:@marshisms

Instagram: @KatieMarshAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KatieMarshNews

Bookbub profile: ​​@KatieMarsh

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BLOG TOUR: The Poison Pen Letters (The Village Detectives Book 2) - Fiona Walker

We regret to announce the tragic death of Phoebe Fredericks… 

When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she’s horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow. 

Deciding it’s nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind. 

But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her no.1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face. 

Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead. 

Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered! 

A totally hilarious, modern cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling author Fiona  Walker, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and Janice Hallett. 

What did I think?

I didn't realise that The Poison Pen Letters is the second book in a series when I first started reading it, so you can totally read it as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.  It's a cosy mystery but it also has a bit of a comedy crime caper about it so be prepared to laugh a lot along the way.

I loved my virtual visit to the picturesque village of Inkbury and Fiona Walker's vivid writing drew a beautiful picture in my mind.  Of course the village may look lovely on the outside but something evil is lurking beneath the surface and one of the villagers ends up dead...but was that person the intended victim?

Author Phoebe Fredericks has been targeted with disturbing poison pen letters that would have had me running for the hills but her friends, the Village Detectives, are determined to find out who is writing them.  Phoebe has quite a list of people she has fallen out with in the past so the detectives, led by Juno, have their work cut out for them and a road trip is on the cards.

Juno is a fabulous character; it's so refreshing to have a middle-aged protagonist and she reminded me of an older Bridget Jones, especially when her mother tries to set her up with an eligible bachelor.  Juno did provide a lot of the laughs for me and I want to read the first book now just to see what she gets up to before this book.

As funny as it is cosy, The Poison Pen Letters is a witty and compelling mystery that entertained and surprised me.  I will definitely be picking up the first book in the series and I will be keeping an eye out for more visits to Inkbury.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/poisonpensocial

About the author:

Fiona Walker is the million copy bestselling author of joyously funny romantic comedies. Most  recently published by Head of Zeus, she will be turning to cozy crime for Boldwood. The first in her new Village Detectives series, The Art of Murder, will be published in May 2024. 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionawalkeruk 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionawalkeruk 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionawalkeruk/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/FionaWalkerNews 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fiona-walker 

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BLOG TOUR: Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel (A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery Book 3) - Glenda Young

In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, a killer game is being played . . .

Helen Dexter is enjoying the new four-star status of the Seaview Hotel. But she begins to wonder if this accolade is cursed when a series of disasters strike.

It starts when a crazy golf team arrive to play in a Scarborough tournament. Their odd behaviour heightens when the rival team captain turns up. Yet, there's worse to come for Helen when one of the guests is murdered playing crazy golf.

Then the Seaview's prize-winning cook Jean quits, leaving Helen devastated. And so, as Helen's fiftieth birthday approaches, the last thing she's in the mood for is a celebration. However, mysterious invitations arrive to a party that Helen doesn't want.

Can Helen unmask the crazy golf killer, save the reputation of the Seaview, win Jean back and solve the mystery of the party invitations? With her rescue greyhound Suki by her side, Helen Dexter is on the case.

 

What did I think?

Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel is the third book in the Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery series and it's an absolute cracker.  This amazing series is going from strength to strength and I always love my virtual visit to Scarborough, even though it appears to be the murder capital of North Yorkshire (but that's just in Glenda's books, of course).  You can definitely read this book as a standalone but I highly recommend the whole series.

Helen Dexter is all set to welcome a new group of guests to her newly rated Four Star Seaview Hotel.  Her guests are a crazy golf team competing in a local tournament and it's clear that they take the game very seriously indeed.  Helen also finds herself with an unexpected guest: the team captain of a rival team and his arrival causes tension above and below stairs.  The days are numbered for one of the guests and they're about to find themselves checking out...

This is a brilliant 'whodunnit' - I suspected even the most unlikeliest candidate at one point or another.  I love how the story is self-contained so that readers new to the series can pick up  this book and enjoy it, but there's some wonderful character development to delight established series fans.

Although I haven't been to Scarborough for many years, Glenda paints such a vivid picture with her wonderful writing and her love for the seaside town shines through every word in the book.  It was also lovely to see local brewery Wold Top getting a mention in the book as I've tried a few of their beers and loved them.

Hugely entertaining and as drama-filled as your favourite soap opera, Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel is a fantastic cosy mystery.  Very clever misdirection and perfect plotting keep the reader on their toes from start to finish and I loved every second of it, so much so that I will definitely be reading it again.  It’s absolutely brilliant and I really can't recommend it highly enough.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel (A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery book 2) - Glenda Young

In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, the stage is set for murder . . .

Helen Dexter has started a new chapter in her life as sole proprietor of the Seaview Hotel.

But things take a dramatic turn when an acting troupe book into the hotel to rehearse a play they hope will save a much-loved theatre from being closed down. Helen immediately picks up on tension between the actors, but there is worse to come when the charismatic leading lady is found dead.

With so much at stake, it's clear the show must go on. Helen is roped into helping the troupe with their performance, giving her ample opportunity to discover who wanted their diva dead.

However, the murder is not the only thing on Helen's mind. She's receiving threatening phone calls, her car is vandalised - and she's just learned of an impending visit from a hotel inspector which could change the fortunes of the Seaview Hotel.

With her trusty greyhound Suki by her side, Helen is determined to uncover the identity of the killer - even if it means she has to give the performance of her life.

 

What did I think?

Glenda Young is such an amazing storyteller that I always get excited when she has a new book coming out, whether it's her family sagas or cosy crime series.  Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel is the second book in the Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery series set in Scarborough but it can totally be read as a standalone.

Helen Dexter runs a guesthouse in the picturesque seaside town of Scarborough and her latest booking is a group of actors who are performing in the town's theatre, in an attempt to save it from closure.  As Helen observes the actors at close quarters, they aren't as friendly towards each other as they first appeared and one of them is about to be murdered.  They all appear to have motive but Helen and her faithful greyhound Suki are determined to sniff out the murderer.

Add in a hotel inspector, a snooty neighbour, and a secretive new boyfriend and you've got a hugely entertaining tale.  There's more drama and entertainment in this one book than in a week's worth of Coronation Street episodes.  The setting is beautiful and Glenda's love of Scarborough shines through in her stunning, evocative writing.

Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel is absolutely brilliant from start to finish.  There is so much drama and entertainment crammed into this fantastic book that it's impossible to put down.  I loved it and most definitely recommend it.

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Maid - Nita Prose

 

I am your maid.

I know about your secrets. Your dirty laundry.

But what do you know about me?

Molly the maid is all alone in the world. A nobody. She’s used to being invisible in her job at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows and wiping away the grime, dust and secrets of the guests passing through. She’s just a maid – why should anyone take notice?

 

But Molly is thrown into the spotlight when she discovers an infamous guest, Mr Black, very dead in his bed. This isn’t a mess that can be easily cleaned up. And as Molly becomes embroiled in the hunt for the truth, following the clues whispering in the hallways of the Regency Grand, she discovers a power she never knew was there. She’s just a maid – but what can she see that others overlook?

Escapist, charming and introducing a truly original heroine, The Maid is a story about how the truth isn’t always black and white – it’s found in the dirtier, grey areas in between . . .

What did I think?

What an amazing debut!  There has been a lot of buzz around The Maid on social media so I couldn't wait to read it and I was not disappointed; I absolutely loved it.  I'm really not surprised to learn that it is being made into a film and it's definitely one I will want to watch.

Molly is such a brilliant character; she is so literal and socially inept that you can't help but root for her, especially when she is mocked and taken advantage of.  After the death of her beloved gran, Molly is completely alone in the world - she has no family or friends, all she has is her job as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.  A job in which she takes great pride and excels at.  

When Molly discovers a dead body in the hotel one day, there's nothing in her mental rule book that tells her what to do so she inevitably does things that make the police take a closer look at her.  The police interviews with Molly are absolutely hilarious and this is where Molly's charm really comes through; she may be naive but she is totally honest...or is she?

The Maid is so easy to read that I would probably have read it in one sitting if I hadn't been participating in a Tandem readalong.  It's a charming cosy mystery but it also makes you think about people who are seemingly invisible.  I think this is possibly more apparent in the hospitality industry where hotel guests treat doormen, maids and cleaners etc as servants but they're all important cogs in the machine.

A delightful cosy mystery, The Maid is an outstanding debut from Nita Prose.  It's warm, funny, original and unforgettable; an absolute must read from an author who is definitely one to watch.

Many thanks to Tandem Collective and HarperCollins for sending me a copy to read and review for the readalong.  This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Murder at the Seaview Hotel (A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery) - Glenda Young

 

In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, a murder is nothing to sing about . . .

After the death of her husband Tom, Helen Dexter is contemplating her future as the now-sole proprietor of the Seaview Hotel.

There's an offer from a hotel chain developer to consider, but also a booking from a group of twelve Elvis impersonators, a singing troupe called Twelvis. Tom loved Elvis and for Helen this is a sign that she should stay.

But the series of mysterious events which follow, suggests that the developer is not going to give up easily. Then, shortly after Twelvis arrive, one of the group disappears. His body is found floating in a lake, with his blue suede shoes missing. Could the two be connected?

With the reputation of the Seaview on the line, Helen isn't going to wait for the murderer to strike again. With her trusty greyhound Suki by her side, she decides to find out more about her guests and who wanted to make sure this Elvis never sang again.

What did I think?

I'm a huge fan of Glenda Young's historical sagas set in Ryhope and Glenda shows that's she's not a one trick pony by changing location and genre in her debut cosy crime mystery set in Scarborough.  Murder at the Seaview Hotel is the first in a new series starring hotel owner Helen Dexter and what a fantastic start it is.

Firstly, I have to say that the location alone is breathtaking to behold through Glenda Young's vivid and descriptive writing.  I felt as if I was there, walking along the promenade with a bag of chips in my hand and seagulls gliding overhead.  I could really tell that Scarborough is a place close to Glenda's heart and her love for the seaside town shines through every beautifully written word.

Murder at the Seaview Hotel has a bit of everything in its outstanding plot: murder, dastardly underhand dealings, grief, friendships and mystery but above all, it's a great fun and entertaining read.  It's like a soap opera in a book with a Mrs. Bucket-like character running the hotel next door to Helen, a dozen Elvis impersonators ingeniously named Twelvis and a hotel chain determined to get their hands on Helen's hotel by fair means or foul... with the emphasis on foul.

Hugely entertaining, Murder at the Seaview Hotel is a fantastic murder mystery and an absolutely wonderful start to a new series.  With a sprinkling of humour, Glenda Young writes with such warmth and vivacity that Murder at the Seaview Hotel is an absolute delight to read.  An easy five stars from me and I can't wait for the next one!

I chose to read a digital ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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