murder mystery

Review: The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev A.C. Rosen

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The Disaster Gay Detective AgencyThe Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev A.C. Rosen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency is a, I believe, standalone Contemporary Mystery story following a diverse group of characters living in New York City.

Our core characters are a friend group, more of a found family really, comprised of Brandon, Nicole, Ian and Ollie, all 20-somethings just trying to survive in the city and navigate young adulthood.

The story begins when Brandon, a hopeless romantic, ends up having a intimate encounter with a very attractive man staying at the hotel at which he works.

The man, who tells him that his name is Jon, seems like everything Brandon has ever wanted. He can’t believe his luck, that a chance encounter could lead to love.

Jon promises to text, but to Brandon’s horror, he ends up checking out early and never reaching out as Brandon expected. What’s more confusing though is that he’s seemingly left his bag of belongings behind, as well as his cell phone.

Brandon takes the phone, thinking it’ll be the perfect excuse to track him down, to find out what really happened. Brandon’s sure that Jon felt that spark too, and he’s not willing to just be ghosted like that. He can’t just let it be.

He does eventually spot Jon again, but it’s anything but the reunion he hoped for. In fact, he ends up witnessing a murder and spies Jon fleeing the scene.

His friends, now fully invested in whatever the heck this is, decide to help Brandon solve the murder and get answers on Jon’s true identity. But are they going to be able to do that without attracting the killer’s attention? Collectively, they don’t exactly fly under the radar.

I really enjoyed my time with this novel. I’ll admit I was a bit hesitant going in, as early reviews weren’t great, and though it’s not perfect, I thought it was funny and engaging. I liked the characters and their found family group. Honestly, I’m hoping we get another book with their group in the future.

I think perhaps it isn’t as much of a Murder Mystery as people were expecting. It’s more like a gay-version of Dial A for Aunties. It’s all about the characters, their relationships and the hi-jinks that ensue after they’re adjacent to a murder, than it is about the mystery itself.

I think if you go in with that in mind, that it’s a Contemporary, very much character-driven, story with a touch of murder, you could really enjoy it like I did.

The main group of characters, their interactions with each other felt very believable, IMO. It’s sort of a messy group, but they all have different strengths that they’re bringing to the table and they’re able to support the others weaknesses because of that.

They’re stronger together, y’all.

The mystery does get completely wild and over the top, but I appreciated how it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The truth about who Jon is, and the situation revolving around the murder, it’s straight out of an action movie, and our main characters seemed so out of place in that plot.

But honestly, that was half the fun. For example, part of their investigative strategy is to host a Game Night, where they can question parties of interest on such topics as guns, drugs and international black market dealings, all under the guise of a trivia game.

I would recommend this for anyone looking for a humorous, diverse Queer story, with a light mystery and very strong found family elements.

Lev A.C. Rosen does found families so well. I’ve read his entire Evander Mills series, which I absolutely adore and highly recommend for anyone looking for Queer Historical Mysteries, and that was one of my favorite elements of that series. The found family.

Rosen also brings just the right amount of humor to his stories for my tastes, while also highlighting some important real world issues. I like the mix. Even with difficult issues explored though, I still find his stories heartwarming and full of hope.

Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. As mentioned above, I’d love to see these characters in another novel.

Keeping my fingers crossed for that!

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Review: It Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson

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It Happened One MurderIt Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

After getting fired from her dream magazine job in NYC, Harriet Baker returns to her hometown, a sleepy beach town in New Jersey, to lick her wounds and recover.

Unfortunately, living with her eccentric mother and narcissistic step-father isn’t necessarily a soothing environment for her. Nevertheless, Harriet won’t be there for long. She just wants to keep her head down until she can return to some semblance of her former life.

Then her mother decides to throw an extravagant birthday party for her. The last thing Harriet would want, but like with everything else, her mom is like a tornado and poor Harriet just gets sucked unwilling up into the cyclone.

At the party, full of her Mom’s friends and acquaintances, Harriet ends up running into her one-time fling, Nic Allbright, whose family is catering the event. She’d not forgot those short weeks with Nic, but it did take her a moment to recognize him.

That’s not awkward at all…

When the party abruptly ends in murder, all eyes are looking to Nic’s sister, Sara, who was the chef at the party. She knowingly left in a huff after a loud squabble with the individual who now lays dead on the beach.

Nic knows his sister is innocent and he needs to clear her name. Harriet also has a motivation to investigate the crime. She’s been offered her old job back if she writes an article uncovering what really happened the night of the party. After all, True Crime is popular.

For her article, Harriet is going to need Nic’s cooperation. She needs access to his sister, and if he is going to clear Sara’s name, he needs Harriet’s skills as an investigative reporter. But will they be able to put the past in the past, and actually work together?

It Happened One Murder is a really cute romantic Cozy Mystery. I loved the set-up of the party and how quickly Lawson got us to the murder, and hence the mystery.

I also really enjoyed Harriet’s perspective, what was going on with her as far as her job and family. I also loved the beach setting. Nic was charming and compelling as a love interest as well. I liked the backstory of their time together as teens, and how differently their lives had gone since then.

While the mystery itself didn’t quite knock my socks off, the likable characters and the romance more than made up for it. The banter between Harriet and Nic was great, and I appreciated that we got both of their perspectives. I think it added a lot, as far as understanding their relationship.

I would recommend this to Readers who enjoy cozy, low stakes, mysteries with a side of romance. I think Lawson balanced all the elements of this story very well and I’m excited to read more from her in the future.

Thank you so much to the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This story is as cute as its cover!

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Review: Beware the Abbott Boys by Chelsea Abbott

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Beware the Abbott BoysBeware the Abbott Boys by Chelsea Ichaso
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A year ago, the small town of Silver Creek was shattered when popular high schooler, Mariana Flores, was killed in a car explosion. Even though the police ruled out foul play, the local rumor mill tells another story.

Ask anyone in town and they’ll tell you the Abbott boys had to have been involved. Granted, they do work as mechanics and had been working on Mariana’s car just prior to the incident, but still, there’s no evidence.

The Abbott boys, triplets, Henry, Bram and Adam, are used to the town chattering about them, but they were close to Mariana, so her death hit their household very hard, and the allegations didn’t help matters.

Hayden, the girl next door to the Abbotts, knows they’re innocent. She’s Henry’s best friend, but she feels a special connection to each of the brothers and she knows they wouldn’t have done anything to harm Mariana.

When the new school year starts, another popular high school girl is found dead in the woods abutting the school.

When security camera footage reveals a figure seen entering the woods with the victim, it’s clear they’re wearing a special hoodie. One with a giant A on the back. A hoodie all three of the Abbott brothers own, but which one was it?

To clear their names, Hayden begins an investigation of her own, but the deeper she digs the more she starts to question, how well does she really know the Abbott boys?

I had a lot of fun with Beware the Abbott Boys. It’s a great YA Mystery-Thriller, full of drama and all the things that go along with that. The characters were well-imagined and I feel like Ichaso did a great job building up the intensity.

The mystery of it was fairly simplistic, NGL, but that didn’t retract from the enjoyment I had going along for the ride. Clearly, I’m not the target audience for this, but in spite of that, I still really enjoyed my time with it and can appreciate how much a Teen audience would love this.

Honestly though, with this being said, I love YA Mystery-Thrillers and Horror. I don’t think I’ll ever stop reading them. I’ll never age out of the category.

I like all the drama, and how deeply the characters feel their emotions. It reminds me of a simpler time in my own life, and each story feels nostalgic almost in their own way. Also, the stakes don’t tend to get as serious, and frankly depressing, as Adult dramas.

But that’s just me…

I would highly recommend this one to YA Mystery-Thriller Readers. For me, Ichaso’s books are getting stronger and stronger as she goes and I’m looking forward to whatever she writes next.

Thank you to the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Tantor Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This is one of the most engaging YA Thrillers I’ve read this year, and I’m very happy I made time for it!

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Review: Death on the Lanai (Golden Girls Cozy Mystery #2) by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

~ megs14malloy

Death on the Lanai: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery (Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series)Death on the Lanai: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death on the Lanai is the latest installment to the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series from Rachel Ekstrom Courage.

I had a lot of fun reading the 1st-book, Murder by Cheesecake, so had been highly anticipating this release. I’m happy to report, I enjoyed this one even more!

In this installment, REC brings a classic murder mystery set-up to the page for our GGs. The ladies receive a mysterious invitation to attend a dinner party at a remote island estate. Even though they have no clue who the invitation is from, there could be single men there, so they’re definitely going to attend.

Dressed to the nines, the ladies climb aboard a water taxi to be ferried out to the island prepared for a glamorous night. The possibilities are endless of what the evening could hold, but they couldn’t imagine what would actually go down.

Once they’ve arrived, the ladies are introduced to their mystery host and owner of the estate, Declan, a famous artist known as El Toro. Quickly, memories of her time as a NYC Rockette come flooding back to Blanche.

Declan was Blanche’s beau during her short time in NYC, before she was swept back to Georgia by her family. She’s had no contact with him for years. How did he possibly find her, and what is the intent of this unexpected reunion?

The dinner guest list is small, and as the evening progresses the ladies get to know each of the other attendees and their basic connection to Declan. The majority of them are closely tied to his career as an artist, and as it turns out, even Blanche has a connection she never knew about.

As is expected in situations like this, a ferocious storm ends up battering the island, knocking out the power and stranding the guests there overnight.

The next morning, Declan is found dead in his studio and all eyes are on Blanche. The ladies know that Blanche is innocent, meaning someone else on that island is a killer, and they’re trapped there with them. It’s up to the ladies to suss out the real killer before they’re able to kill again.

This was so cute. I loved the classic set-up for the mystery and laughed so many times as the ladies tried to solve the whodunit. I love them all so much.

I feel like Rachel Ekstrom Courage is really settling into writing their personalities and bringing them to life. She’s honed in on their dynamic so well and it definitely translated better onto the page this time. Their vibe felt much more natural than it did in the 1st-book.

The mystery was also more intriguing to me, and I loved having this set cast of possible killers. There were red herrings, and at times, it was a real head-scratcher.

I’m so in love with this series at this point. I’m really hoping we get more. Miami is a busy place, and our girls are good at getting themselves into, and then out of, sticky situations.

As I said with the 1st-book, I would recommend it to any Golden Girls fan. The GGs were handled with grace, and I think it’s quite nostalgic for any long-term fan of the television show.

Personally, I don’t think it would hit quite the same for people who haven’t watched the show, but I could be wrong. As a Cozy Mystery, it’s still solid, regardless of who the characters are.

Thank you to the publisher, Hyperion Avenue, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m so invested in this series now, I’m already anxious to hear news of what’s next!

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Review: Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

~ megs14malloy

Miss Winter in the Library with a KnifeMiss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a Mystery novel written with the idea that you, the Reader, will be an active participant in the solving of said Mystery.

They’ve even included a Clue Index, where you can double check the clues included to see which ones you may have missed, or which ones you got right.

And dang it, I wish I had read a hard copy in the way the author intended. I think it would have made it more fun if I could’ve actually played along. I have an e-ARC, and the mixed media elements didn’t quite work out in my ARC copy, so I ended up listening to the audiobook.

Let’s be clear, I listen to a ton of audiobooks, and have solved a lot of mysteries via audio, but for this one, IDK, I just really wish I had the hard copy in my hands, because I have a feeling there are a lot of visual elements in here that were lost to me because of the format I chose.

This is a bit of a closed-circle mystery that follows 6 individuals involved in the world of Crime Fiction, who get invited to play a murder mystery game over the Christmas holiday by an entity know as the Midwinter Trust.

They travel to this vast property owned by the Trust, where they’ll all be lodging for the duration of the game. We also meet 6 members of the Trust, who are involved in the execution of the game. They’re there to make sure the game goes off without a hitch.

As generally happens, and to my absolute delight, inclement weather ensues cutting those staying at the Trust property off from the adjacent north Yorkshire village.

When someone actually ends up dead, all bets are off. The cast of suspects is small, limited to those on the property, but will someone will be able to solve the whodunit before anyone else loses their life?

Even though I griped earlier about wanting a hard copy, the story itself was still engaging. The audiobook narration was great for my tastes and I thought the overall set-up and premise were fun.

I enjoyed how Edwards incorporated classic Mystery tropes, but the story did go in a direction I wasn’t crazy about. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to Mystery Readers who like to suss out the truth behind the murder.

Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Edwards is a prolific author and I would love to try out more novels from him. I’m not sure where to start, so if you have any thoughts, leave them below!

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Re-Reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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And Then There Were NoneAnd Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And Then There Were None is a classic for a reason. There’s a reason it’s emulated so frequently in the Mystery genre to this day. It’s not just inspiring and intriguing though, it’s also a hell of a lot of fun.

This is my 2nd-time reading this novel, but the last time I was just a kid. I remember be a little scared by it. The thought of being trapped on island with no escape and there being a killer taking out guests one-by-one. Even the incorporation of the nursery rhyme makes it extra eerie.

The events on Soldier Island that result in the deaths of 10 people are well-plotted and extremely clever. Sure, And Then There Were None-style stories are a dime a dozen nowadays, but at this time, I imagine this stood out as a fresh and clever take on the genre.

I love the final section, The Manuscript Document, which is basically where the magician reveals all of their tricks in case you missed any. It’s here when they mention how the island guests were under prolonged mental strain and fear over the course of this story.

I feel like that description of the guests wellness is so apt. You can feel that mental strain and fear oozing off the page. I absolutely love it. The tension is so real.

I’m so glad I read this again. I can definitely see myself revisiting it again in the future. It’s such a joy of a read for anyone lover of the Mystery genre!

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Review: Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz

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Very Dangerous ThingsVery Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very Dangerous Things is set at J. Everett High, a private school that annually stages a murder mystery game for their Criminology students.

Basically, a fake murder occurs, the students form teams, and follow clues to try to solve the murder. When Xavier Torres is found dead in the greenhouse, the students initially believe that the game has begun. Sadly though, Xavier’s death has not been staged.

He’s actually been murdered.

We follow Dulcie Castillo, a crime junkie and Criminology student, who was determined to win this year’s game. Xavier’s sudden death has certainly shocked the student body, but Dulcie remains determined to solve the crime.

Xavier’s ex-girlfriend, and Dulcie’s ex-best friend, Sierra Fox, seems to be everyone’s main suspect, including the police, but Sierra swears she is innocent.

Sierra reaches out to Dulcie for help. She figures if anyone can prove her innocence it would be Dulcie, and though Dulcie has some hurt feelings regarding their relationship, she doesn’t really believe Sierra is capable of murder.

The thing is, the school is an isolated place. No one else has been arrested, or even suspected. If Sierra didn’t do it, that leaves a killer among them. Can Dulcie get to the bottom of it, before anyone else loses their lives?

Very Dangerous Things is a super delightful YA Mystery. I loved the private school setting, and the cast of characters, in addition to the mystery elements, were super-compelling. Lauren Muñoz is underrated, IMO.

This kicks off so quickly. We get to the heart of what we’re going to be investigating within the first 10% of the book, and I really appreciate that. Muñoz didn’t waste time introducing every person and having a big run-up to the murder. It’s just like, here we are, let’s get cracking.

I also loved how in the dark I was for the longest time. I had zero suspects in mind. We were getting so much information on various characters, but they all seemed so believable and earnest. I couldn’t imagine who out of this cast could have possibly wanted to kill poor Xavier.

It was fun the way Muñoz set-up the way Dulcie went about solving the crime as well. The various techniques and her thought process as she was assessing various clues. I felt that aspect was so well done, and in a way sort of paid homage to some of the great classic fictional detectives.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good YA Mystery, particularly if you enjoy a private school setting.

Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait for whatever Muñoz writes next!

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Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

~ megs14malloy

The House SaphirThe House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**4.5-stars**

The House Saphir follows Mallory Fontaine and is set in historical, and also a wee bit magical, France. The atmosphere is steeped in occult elements and we love to see that. Mallory comes from a long-line of witches, but her one actual power is being able to see ghosts.

Mallory makes her living giving tours of an infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place. She’s considered a bit of an expert on the murderer, Count Bastien Saphir, aka. Monsieur Le Bleu, who murdered three of his wives over a century ago.

Mallory is shocked when she ends up meeting Bastien’s great-great grandson, Armand, on one of her tours. The heir to the Saphir estate, Armand offers Mallory and her sister a large sum of money to rid his estate of Le Bleu’s ghost.

He believes the sisters are as talented as their reputations purport them to be when it comes to dealing with spirits. To him, they’re the perfect solution. To them, he’s the perfect mark. A deal is made.

The two women travel to the palatial country manor expecting their same ole’ smoke and mirrors routine. However, when murder once again comes to the House Saphir, their ghost investigation turns into a real-life murder investigation. Will they be able to solve the crime and banish the ghost before more lives are lost?

I knew nothing about The House Saphir prior to picking it up except for the fact that it was written by Marissa Meyer. I’ve had nothing but great success with Meyer’s works in the past and I love picking up her latest releases.

I had the pleasure of Buddy Reading this one with a friend and we both had so much fun with it. I actually read it in a day, which surprised me because it’s over 400-pages. I was completed invested the entire way through though. I couldn’t put it down once I started.

Apparently, it’s a Bluebeard retelling, but I didn’t go into it knowing anything about that lore, so can’t attest to this novel as a retelling one way or another. I have looked up information on Bluebeard since, and it does seem like it would be a fun ride for fans of that story.

What I do know is how consumable Meyer’s writing is. I always love her quirky characters, and she brings just the right amount of humor to her stories for my tastes.

Mallory is such an incredible MC to follow, and I loved the banter between her and Armand. She’s extremely witty and fast-thinking. You can tell she’s had to take care of herself. It shows, she’s tough and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. She’s a hustler. LOL

The murder mystery was such a bonus for me. It definitely added another layer of enjoyment. In that regard, it reminded me a bit of Belladonna. I do think Readers who enjoyed that, would enjoy this as well.

I also loved how many ghosties and monsters there were. I wasn’t expecting all that. Where I could see some Readers being disappointed, is if you go in expecting Romantasy. I don’t read a ton of Romantasy, but to me the Romance is very much a secondary-plot point compared to everything else that’s happening.

If you go in expecting big romance, you make walk away feeling let down. It exists in here, but yeah, it’s certainly not the star of the show, IMO.

I think this novel will hit best with Gothic Readers, or Readers who enjoy witches, ghosts, murder and other paranormal things, but also love humor and compelling characters. The setting of this gothic manor is super well done and it’s certainly action-packed.

Finally, I would recommend the audiobook. The narration from Rebecca Soler, unsurprisingly, was perfection. She brought Mallory to life and made me love her even more!

Thank you to the publisher, Feiwel & Friends and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Marissa Meyer is just so freaking talented!

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Review: Murder at the Highland Games (Ally McKinley Mystery #4) by Dee MacDonald

~ megs14malloy

Murder at the Highland Games (Ally McKinley Mystery #4)Murder at the Highland Games by Dee MacDonald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder at the Highland Games is the 4th-installment in the Ally McKinley Mystery series. Set in Scotland, these books follow Ally McKinley, a recent retiree and widow, who fell in love with the village of Locharran whilst on vacation and decided to move there.

Ally purchased an old malthouse, renovated it and turned it into a successful Bed & Breakfast. She runs it herself, with only the help of one local lady, Morag, who comes in and helps her with cleaning when there are guests in.

In this installment, Locharran is hosting their annual Highland Games. A lot of the local lads have been training hard and they’re excited to get the chance to compete against their friends, and maybe even show off a little for their loved ones. The excitement in the village is high.

Just in time for the games though, a Canadian family, the Armstrongs, arrive for a stay a Ally’s B&B.

The traveling group is comprised of a father, mother, their two teen daughters, as well as the father’s sister and her husband. It turns out, the father, Archie, is a successful Highland Games competitor in Canada and he’s started touring around to compete in games in other locations.

The locals are disgruntled this outsider, a ringer no less, has come to town to compete in their games. They don’t think it’s fair for him to even be allowed in, when so many of their boys have worked so hard to get ready for the competition.

Nevertheless, of course Archie is allowed to compete. It’s an open games, but that doesn’t mean everyone is okay with it. When Archie drops dead during the caber toss, it quickly becomes apparent that his death is no accident. Archie has been murdered, right there in the open, in the middle of a fully attended event. All eyes were upon him.

Ally can’t believe it. Who could have pulled something like this off, and why? With Archie’s death under investigation, the rest of his family is forced to stay in place at the malthouse until they’re cleared to leave.

When no easy answers present themselves to the local authorities, Ally decides to take matters into her own hands. Ally’s not sure who the killer might be, but it’s clear to her that the killer could just as easily be one of her guests as a local, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it.

Ally has gained a bit of a reputation locally as an amateur sleuth, so much so that the lead investigator often seeks her out to bat ideas around with. She’s a trusted member of the community and she uses her relaxing attitude to get people to spill the beans.

Just as Ally thinks she’s approaching a final answer, her lead suspect ends up dead by the loch, clutching a mysterious note in his death grip. With the killer still at large, will Ally be able to determine their identity before it’s too late?

I’m so sad another Ally McKinley mystery has come to a close. I love Ally so much at this point. She’s like a Grandma to me, and it’s not just her either, it’s all the locals that I’ve come to know and love over the course of these 4-books.

This series has quickly become one of my favorite, currently-running, Cozy Mystery series and the warm vibes of Locharran is one of the main reasons why. Settling in with one of these mysteries is like snuggling in with a hot cup of tea on a rainy day.

This mystery got really messy and poor Ally, I wanted this family out of her house. The two adult women, Archie’s wife and his sister, Patti and Wendy, they were stressful. A little high maintenance and I started to really feel for Ally having to deal with them every moment of the day.

The girls, Julie and Janey, were super sweet though. I feel like they came to love Ally as much as I do. I wish they could become regular characters. They’d be such cute additions to the series. They loved Ally’s dog, Flora, and I feel like Flora really helped them get through the difficult circumstances they found themselves in. Dogs are the best.

There were a lot of twists in this one. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there would be some new development that would send me in a different direction. I loved how it ultimately all came together though. I think MacDonald did a great job with the plot progression, revealing things just when you needed them most.

I’m looking forward to whatever comes next in this series. I’m not sure how many books the series is slated to be, but I’m here for the long haul. I’d love for Ally’s children to come for a visit. Maybe if they saw her solve a mystery, they’d realize what a great life she has now.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

I would absolutely recommend this series to any Cozy Mystery fan, particularly if you enjoy more mature protagonists and small village vibes. 10/10 recommend!

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Review: Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

~ megs14malloy

Beth Is DeadBeth Is Dead by Katie Bernet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beth Is Dead is a modern-reimagining of the beloved Coming of Age story, Little Women. Though the original novel, written by Louisa May Alcott, was loosely based on her life, including her three sisters, in this novel, the March Sisters’ Dad is the author of the tale.

His popular novel has thrust the March family into the limelight and pop culture conversation in modern-day America. The girls have had mixed reception from the public, and frankly, I found it a bit unfair of him to expose them to the world like that really without their consent.

But that’s a story for another day…

Nevertheless, Dad’s thoughtless choices aside, I thought this was a really fun and creative way to frame this story. At its heart though, this novel is more than Little Women. It’s a murder mystery. From the title, I’m sure you can tell who the poor victim is.

That’s right. Poor Beth, struck down in all her glory after a party on New Year’s Eve. Her body is discovered in the woods close to the family home the following day.

Her sisters are determined to find her killer, but suspects abound and it’s hard to tell who to trust. All of them are connected to someone who could have done it, but what if the killer lies closer to home? Like within their own house?

I found Beth is Dead to be very clever and engaging. Granted it’s been decades since I last read Little Women, so I’m sure I missed out on some of the smaller details, particularly in regards to the girls’ different personalities, but I still appreciate so much the unique style of the retelling.

I found the mystery very enjoyable and also liked that we were give a past perspective from Beth herself. I feel like that helped to really paint a picture of what the sister’s relationships and lives were as a whole prior to the murder.

I like the author’s creative spin on a modernization of these characters. Incorporating social media and the public having opinions on the girls based solely on their fictional depictions in their Dad’s book, I felt that was completely realistic. Because we all know if we read about someone online, we know them. Am I right??

The family dynamics were well done as well. I’m sure, as I mentioned, I could have found more connections to the original if I had read it more recently, but I didn’t really have time to do that prior to picking this one up.

Lastly, the ending almost got me; a tear almost fell! Bittersweet.

I would definitely recommend this to any YA Mystery/Thriller Reader, but particularly those of you who love Little Women. I think this is such a fun blend of those two things.

Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I can’t wait to pick up more from Katie Bernet!

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