murder mystery

Review: Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees by Terrie Farley Moran

~ megs14malloy

The Body in the TreesThe Body in the Trees by Jessica Fletcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

The Murder, She Wrote series holds a special place in my heart. I have read over 50-books in this series that I started when I was a kid. My Mom used to buy the mass market paperbacks upon release and I gobbled them up.

It’s been the longest committed relationship of my life.

The series, originally written by Donald Bain, began in 1989. 37-years later, we are getting the 62nd-installment of this long-running series, The Body in the Trees. Since Mr. Bain’s passing in 2017, the series has had a few different authors contributing to keep the series going.

I do feel like the series has struggled to maintain consistency since Bain’s passing, and some of the newer authors have seemed more natural to the series than others. Terrie Farley Moran, so far, has been my favorite.

Admittedly though, I struggled a bit with this one. It’s definitely not my favorite in the series. It did scratch an itch though, and I was happy to be back in Cabot Cove. I have lots of thoughts and opinions on the way this one came together, but I’m trying not to get salty.

With long series like this, you aren’t going to love every one and that’s absolutely fine.

This story centers around a group of young tourists who are visiting Cabot Cove. The young women end up staying at the Hill House Hotel, the best hotel in Cabot Cove, and a setting that will be familiar to veteran Readers of the series.

Jessica and her friends have a run in with these young ladies while they are dining at the Hill House restaurant one night. It was from this initial scene where the tourists are introduced, that I started to realize this one might not be for me. The way the young ladies were written, I just didn’t find it believable. Sweatshirts and sneakers at a nice restaurant?

Nevertheless, even though little bits and bobs got under my skin about it, the mystery did keep me invested and guessing. I predicted where it was heading, which is absolutely fine, but I ultimately didn’t enjoy who the baddie ended up being. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

I know this is nit-picky, especially for a Cozy Mystery series that is just supposed to be escapist and comforting. I just have read all of Terrie Farley Moran’s contributions to the series and was expecting to enjoy it a bit more.

Nevertheless, I love this series with my whole heart. As mentioned above, in long series like this, you are going to have some you prefer more than others. If I were ranking them all, this would fall in the lower end. For long-time Readers of the series, it’s still worth picking up, especially if you enjoy the mysteries set in Cabot Cove.

For new Readers of the series, I wouldn’t suggest starting with this one. I think you would be best served picking an earlier installment, though they can be read in any order.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will never stop reading this series. As long as they’re being published, I’ll be reading them!

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Review: I Found a Body by Becky C. Brynolf

~ megs14malloy

I Found a BodyI Found a Body by Becky C. Brynolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

I Found a Body is a Adult Mystery that I ended up really enjoying. I was hesitant going in because the overall rating is below a 3.5, which seems fairly low for a new Mystery. I actually put it off for a while because of that.

And I have to say it wasn’t at all what I expected, particularly based on the vibes this cover is giving off, but I did find it interesting. I think it could be a case of the cover selling Cozy or Humorous, and it’s not really that. It’s just a Mystery, and it actually tackles some fairly serious topics.

We have DS Mona Hendricks, who 9-years ago was called to the scene of murder after a body had been discovered by a popular influencer while she was live-streaming. The footage went viral and the case sort of blew up, with lasting repercussions both for Mona and the influencer, Kylie.

In spite of its high exposure, the case remains unsolved all these years later. Mona, who has officially reached rock bottom, alone and out of work, estranged from her daughter, is surprised when Kylie, now a TV personality, approaches her to reopen the case.

Though she can’t really do so in an official capacity, Mona agrees to help Kylie and the two set out to see if they can finally solve the case that haunts them both.

There’s some back and forth in time and amongst people involved; a lot of moving pieces. I found Mona to be a compelling main character. You don’t learn immediately what led to her life taking such a stark downward trajectory, and I did like learning about all of that.

I thought the mystery was fairly well-plotted. There were moments where I might have been mildly confused, or felt like maybe some things didn’t add up, but in the end, I feel like Brynolf pulled it off. I am glad I ignored the overall rating and still gave this one a shot.

Thank you to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books and Highbridge Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I would recommend this to Mystery fans, and particularly the audiobook format, which was well narrated.

I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Review: All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery #2) by P.J. Nelson

~ megs14malloy

All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery, #2)All My Bones by P.J. Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All My Bones is the 2nd-book in P.J. Nelson’s An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery series. I enjoyed the 1st-book, Booked For Murder, when I read it in December of 2024.

I adore Cozy Mysteries, and loving finding new series to follow along with as they’re released. In these books, the small town and bookshop vibes definitely deliver the type of cozy vibes I’m generally looking for.

In this series, we’re following Madeline Brimley, who has returned to her hometown of Enigma, Georgia, after the passing of her Aunt Rose, as she’s inherited Rose’s property, including the Old Juniper Bookshop.

An actress by trade, Madeline initially has mixed feelings about going back to the small town. Leaving the theater circuit in Atlanta behind is though, but she decides to give it a shot nevertheless.

We saw a lot of development of her character in that 1st-book, and that trend continues here. She’s now well-established back in Enigma, having made friends and other connections. She seems comfortable in her new life, and it makes me happy to see it.

The mystery in this installment centers around a body Madeline discovers while trying to plant azaleas in the garden in front of the shop. Her friend, Gloria, the local episcopal priest, is with her at the time of the morbid discovery, and soon becomes the prime suspect.

Madeline knows that Gloria wouldn’t hurt a fly, and certainly isn’t responsible for this body buried in the garden, but now she needs to prove it.

I’m so happy I continued on with this series. After the 1st-one, even though I enjoyed it a lot, I was on the fence as to whether I would pursue any follow-up books.

When I was offered access to this one a little early though, I found that I did really want to continue on. This was such a strong installment too. I really hope we get more Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery stories, because I’m having a lot of fun with this cast of characters.

Madeline has grown so much, and I love how grounded she feels now in her new life in Enigma. She’s making good friends, and I feel like she is a valued member of their community. The bookshop caters to the local college crowd, and I also enjoy those vibes.

I appreciated how quickly Nelson kicked off the mystery in this one. It all happens so quickly at the beginning, the discovery of the body, which allows plenty of time for the subsequent investigation.

It was fun going along with Madeline as she tried to work out the whodunit, in order to save Gloria from going down for the crime. I feel like her close relationship with Gloria definitely upped the stakes for her, and gave the plot an additional sense of urgency.

I would recommend this series to Cozy Mystery Readers, particularly if you enjoy ones centering around bookstores, or libraries. Additionally, I would recommend the audio format if you have access to it. The narration perfectly matches Madeline’s character and I love it!

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. If a 3rd-book releases, which I’m really hoping for, I’ll be the first in line to read it!

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Review: The Midnight Knock by John Fram

~ megs14malloy

The Midnight Knock: A NovelThe Midnight Knock: A Novel by John Fram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

The Midnight Knock is a really difficult book to talk about without giving anything away. I’ve been sitting with my thoughts on this one for a month. I’ve been trying to figure out a fair way to explain why this didn’t work for me more than it ultimately did.

While reading, I was locked in the majority of the way through, finding it completely engrossing. There’s a dark mystery to all that’s happening, and I was so desperate to get to the bottom of it.

This story follows a group of strangers coming together and having to survive the night at a remote Texas motel. The majority of the characters are traveling in pairs and over the course of the story, we learn about them and what brought them to where they’re at.

There’s also a murder mystery component, where a guest at the hotel, Sarah Powers, is killed and now they all need to figure out the whodunit before it’s too late.

And by too late, I mean the owner’s of the hotel give the remaining guests an ultimatum. If they don’t figure out who did it by midnight, they’ll all die when the protective motel lights go out, because there’s something sinister lurking out in the West Texas dark.

The Midnight Knock channels some of the vibes of From Dusk Till Dawn and pairs them with The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. As mentioned above, it does have a super compelling build.

However, for me, the downfall was when the truth behind what was happening was revealed. The component at the heart of the matter lost all of it’s sinister nature for me. It just felt ridiculous, like, this is what we’ve been in fear of this whole time?

In the end, I was just disappointed by the whole conclusion. I hated the way the big bad was ultimately portrayed after that huge, intense, and slightly disturbing build.

The 3.5-stars definitely is here for the vibes, the characters and the mystery. It’s worth picking up because I feel like my issue with it is personal taste, and you could feel completely differently. John Fram is obviously a very talented writer and I have to give them props for taking risks and being creative.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. While this isn’t my favorite from this author, I am still glad I read it and can appreciate its merits.

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Review: Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

~ megs14malloy

Girls Who Play DeadGirls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Girls Who Play Dead is the 3rd-full length novel from one of my new go-to authors, Joelle Wellington. Wellington’s debut, Their Vicious Games, which published in 2023, was one of my top reads of that year.

I absolutely loved it and have anxiously anticipated her next 2-books, and while this isn’t my favorite from her, I still really enjoyed it.

This story follows siblings, Mikky and Kyla, who live in the small town of Prophets Lake, Massachusetts. Kyla is a dancer, popular and connected at the hip to her BFF, Erin.

Mikky, on the other hand, felt suffocated by their hometown, and ended up leaving to go live with his estranged mother closer to the city of Boston.

When Kyla’s best friend Erin is murdered though, Mikky returns in a desperate effort to be their for his sister during what’s sure to be the most difficult time of her life.

After he arrives home though, Mikky is confused by the Kyla he encounters. She hardly resembles the sister he remembers. She’s hard-edged, angry and demanding, a mean girl at school, and seems barely affected by Erin’s death. It’s hard to get close to her, but Mikky won’t give up.

Everyone grieves differently it’s true, but Kyla seems to be into something. She’s keeping dangerous secrets, Mikky can tell. He decides if he’s going to help Kyla, he needs to figure out who killed Erin and why.

Teaming up with a cute boy at school, Nasim, Mikky begins digging into Kyla and Erin’s relationship and the secrets they held together.

I didn’t have any trouble getting into this story. Wellington has the ability to pull you completely in. I find her stories fluid, engaging and easy to completely immerse yourself in.

I thought the characters were great and I loved the exploration of the different relationship dynamics, especially Kyla and Mikky, but also even learning about Kyla and Erin’s relationship was interesting.

As the Reader, we never meet Erin while she’s alive, but through the other characters it does feel like you can get a real sense of who she was. As best friends go, Kyla and Erin were as close as you can get, and I couldn’t imagine everything Kyla was going through after losing her, which made her anger understandable.

I loved Mikky’s investigation. Amateur sleuthing is one of my favorite things in a novel like this, especially with teens, and I like how Wellington incorporated it here.

In addition to the mystery though, there are some well done IRL issues being explored as well. Kyla and Mikky’s Dad is struggling with some financial hardship, trying to keep their family-run funeral home open, and we also get to see the impact of grief on Erin’s loved ones.

Mikky and Nasim’s budding relationship was another one of my favorite aspects. I liked them working together and getting to know one another, even though I may have done without some of the 3rd-act drama between them at the end.

I also always appreciate how bold Wellington’s story concepts are. This one is no exception. It does involve beauty influencing, so if that is something that interests you, this is definitely worth picking up. In general though, this is a strong YA Thriller and I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of that genre.

Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m excited to see what Wellington comes up with next. Regardless of what it is, I’ll definitely be reading it!!

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Review: The Devil in Oxford (Ruby Vaughn #3) by Jess Armstrong

~ megs14malloy

The Devil in Oxford (Ruby Vaughn, #3)The Devil in Oxford by Jess Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devil in Oxford is the 3rd-release in Jess Armstrong’s Ruby Vaughn series. These adventurous Gothic Mysteries have truly captured my heart.

This installment finds Ruby accompanying her employer, Mr. Owen, to Oxford while he attends an annual meeting of the Antiquarian Society of which he is a part.

Ruby is looking at the time in Oxford to serve as a bit of a holiday for her. She’s brought her housemaid, her cat and she’s excited to spend time with her old friend, Leona, who works in Oxford. As you may know, however, trouble tends to find Ruby wherever she goes.

That trouble arrives on a night out at an exhibition of artifacts amassed by the disgraced scholar, Julius Harker. How could an event like that possibly bring on trouble, you may ask? A bunch of stuffy old scholars, you may say.

Well, when Harker’s dead body is discovered amongst the collection, his business partner is quickly arrested. Ruby gets drawn in, mainly by her friend, Leona, who is close with all parties involved. The last thing Ruby wants, really, is to get dragged into another dangerous investigation, yet, that’s exactly what happens.

As all of this is happening, Ruan Kivell, the Cornish Pellar, Ruby is battling feelings for, arrives in town as well, insisting upon seeing her. Well, that’s just fine. They work great together. He can only aide in Ruby’s investigation, she just wishes he’d stop reading her thoughts.

Thus, Ruby sets out to discover the truth about what happened to Julius Harker, because she’s definitely not buying the story they’re being sold.

I think it’s fair to say that I’m really invested in this series at this point. I love how each installment feels like a completely new adventure. One of my favorite aspects is discovering where Ruby is going in each new book.

I also just love Ruby as a protagonist. She has such an interesting backstory, which I still don’t feel we know the true depths of. She’s stubborn as a mule, but so quick and determined. She’s like that friend you just want to shake sometimes, but you know what, she gets stuff done.

I was so happy at the start of this, just to be returning to this world and cast of characters, and of course, I squealed when Ruan entered the chat.

I liked how tense this mystery got. There was like this dark, seedy underbelly of Oxford that Ruby and Ruan were having to dig into. It felt dangerous, and since we didn’t know a lot of these cast of side characters from the previous books, I had no idea who to trust.

I’m glad that Ruan did end up showing up in the story, not just for the romance vibes he always brings, but also for the safety and steadiness he provides Ruby. Their personalities compliment each other well, and they do work well together.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries, particularly if you enjoy those with occult elements and gothic atmosphere.

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait for the next book. I’m really hoping we get to learn even more about Ruby’s past!

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Review: This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen

~ megs14malloy

This Is Not a GameThis Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

This Is Not a Game features a classic Locked Room set-up and a Grandmother-Granddaughter amateur sleuthing duo that I found incredibly charming.

Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island in Michigan. The island is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, with that population dropping off significantly in the off-season. Something I can relate to all to well living on a similar island myself.

Mimi’s granddaughter, Addie, is trying to get over the heartbreak of having her fiance ditch her, as well as cutting her out of a deal for the wildly successful video game, Murderscape, that they created together.

Though Addie and Mimi’s relationship has been strained, mainly due to Brian, the scum, the two women end up reconnecting and they decide to have Addie come to Mackinac for a needed visit.

The visit happens to coincide with a lavish charity auction/party that Mimi has been invited to, hosted by the narcissistic, local-socialite, Jane Ireland. Mimi’s invitation extends to Addie as well. It should be fun.

The theme of the party, because every great party needs a theme, is Jazz Era Murder Mystery. Soon enough though, this crowd-pleasing theme takes on a frightening new meaning when Jane’s dead body is discovered.

With a terrible storm approaching, the guests of the murder mystery party are now trapped. There’s no means to escape and no way for help to get to them. The guests are left to their own devices with a horrible mystery to solve.

When another body is found, Mimi and Addie realize they’re going to have to put their special skills to the test to suss out the killer before they get the chance to kill again.

This Is Not a Game was such a fun read for me. I loved having a Grandmother-Granddaughter duo sleuthing together, which was different to the norm and I appreciated that representation. The whole set-up, really, was my cup of tea.

It currently has a surprisingly low rating, and I’m puzzled by that. I’ll have to dig into some reviews to discover why, because I feel like the rating definitely sells this one short.

It is quite Murder Mystery trope-filled, but that’s sort of my love language in a Cozy. I liked that part of it. My life is stressful. I find tropes comforting, especially in this genre.

That’s probably an unpopular opinion, but it works for me, as did this book.

Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’d love to read more from this author in the future!

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Review: Bidding for Murder (Stamford Mysteries #3) by E.C. Bateman

~ megs14malloy

Bidding for Murder (The Stamford Mysteries 3)Bidding for Murder by E.C. Bateman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bidding for Murder is the 3rd-installment in E.C. Bateman’s Cozy Mystery series, The Stamford Mysteries.

If you’re unaware, this series follows Felicia Grant, a single-mom, who has returned to her home village of Stamford to help her Dad run their family-owned Auction House after her Dad’s health took a turn.

At this point, Felicia has been back in the village a while, and a lot has happened, including a few murders, which she’s become embroiled in solving.

Felicia’s ex, Dexter, the father to their son, Algernon, now 13-years old, has also returned to the village, so the family dynamics are chaotic and fun to follow. Add in her curmudgeon father, and you’re sure to be chuckling.

The mystery in this book kicks off when an old classmate of Felicia’s, Lucia, comes to town and asks Felicia to appraise some of her jewelry. The two meet up at the exclusive and mysterious Aquitaine Club, a private lodging and club in Stamford that regular residents really know nothing about.

Lucia, wife to a powerful politician, is staying there at the invitation of a friend, and Felicia is a bit overwhelmed and intrigued to even be invited in.

The meeting with Lucia is memorable indeed, and Felicia is drawn into the dramatic and secretive world of the Aquitaine. In fact, she’s invited back, along with her family, for their annual Halloween celebration the following day.

The evenings activities include a truly haunting Mummers performance, but everyone seems to be in good spirits. That is until the first body falls, followed quickly by another.

Before she knows it, Felicia is caught up in another investigation. Will she be able to weed out the killer lurking in the shadows before they successfully take another life?

There’s no doubt this is my favorite of the series thus far. A Murder Mystery set on Halloween night at a prestigious private club? Yes, please.

As a Spooky Season girlie through and through, I was loving the atmosphere Bateman was bringing to this story. It definitely had full-fledged Halloween vibes.

Additionally, I’m so attached to these characters now. As with many Cozy series, I feel like the further you go along, the more you feel like returning to the main characters is almost like going home. You get attached to their lives and whatever they have going on in it.

I found the mystery in this story so fun. I loved the locked room feel. Since it is set at the Aquitaine, and its being a private club, it is quite insular. The only people involved were those members staying there, as well as the employees, and Felicia and her family.

Over the course of the story, you learn a lot about the members and employees, and boy are they messy. There was so much going on amongst them, a lot of unlikable folks and certainly plenty of motives for any potential killers.

Pettifer and Jess are the police called to the scene, who we’ve come to know in previous books, and I loved having them back. I love how Pettifer and Felicia’s relationship has grown an developed across the books.

I really enjoyed trying to solve this one. There were so many clues, and I did have a lot of theories. It kept me hooked and therefore, up late into the night until I was able to finish. There’s no way I was sleeping on it.

I’m guessing from the final chapter and Epilogue that we’ll be getting another installment too, which I’m very happy about. I have no idea how long this series is slated to be, but I’m here for the long run.

I would definitely recommend this to Cozy Mystery fans, particularly if you enjoy charming village vibes and an amateur sleuth with a lot of pluck and a fun family dynamic.

Thank you to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me for a copy to read and review. I’m so excited for more Stamford Mysteries!

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Review: All of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles

~ megs14malloy

All of Us MurderersAll of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙

In All of Us Murderers, a lush gothic mystery by K.J. Charles, we follow Zeb Wyckham after he is summoned to his wealthy Uncle’s manor home for a family gathering.

Even though the guest list no doubt includes many individuals Zeb would rather avoid, like his estranged brother, for example, he nevertheless accepts the invitation, curious to discover what it’s all about.

How bad can it be?

Therefore, Zeb arrives at the property at the appointed time and date and is less than thrilled to find not only his horrid brother, and his snake of a wife, but also his cad of a cousin and irritable ex, Gideon.

As they dine with their Uncle Wynn the very first evening, they discover the truth of why he’s brought them all there. It’s time for an inheritance game. The winner takes it all, and that’s a vast fortune indeed.

Wynn wants someone to marry his young ward, Jessamine, upon his death. That way, he’s assured she’ll be cared for. If one of them is willing to do that, they’ll get his full fortune.

Zeb can hardly believe what he’s hearing. Jessamine is very, very young, and from the start, she’s seemed not entirely well. He’s unsettled by his Uncle’s plan, and vows to take no part in it; money be damned.

However, that leaves his other male family members, and none of them are desirable as suitors. What is Zeb to do? How can he stop this unsavory business from playing out?

All of Us Murderers turned into a delightful reading experience for me. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started, but I’ve thought about it many times since finishing.

It’s a bit of a slow burn, and it did sneak up on me, for sure. I was pulled in quite thoroughly without even noticing how invested I had gotten. The gothic atmosphere was impeccable and I loved the MC, Zeb, soooo much.

The mystery elements, mainly revolving around the motivations and intentions of Uncle Wynn, before turning into a full-fledged Murder Mystery, were also quite entertaining. It got intense the further it progressed, with the stakes getting higher and higher.

The star of the show for me truly was the gothic setting and subsequent atmosphere. With inclement weather rolling in across the Moors, the characters are trapped at the property with no means of escape.

Even when Zeb decides he won’t play his Uncle’s little game, there’s really nothing he can do about it. I loved that element, it made it feel claustrophobic and desperate.

It also has a Scooby-Doo feel about it in places, which I enjoyed, but I can see how some Readers may find those aspects a little silly. For me, the hauntings and history of the house just added to the overall ambiance. It was giving me exactly what I wanted in that regard.

Finally, I would note how much I enjoyed Zeb’s delivery of the events happening around him. He had a wry and witty way of viewing it all, which lent it a bit of humor to the story, even though what was happening was unhinged.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with this and am happy to have read from a new-to-me author. I look forward to picking up more from Charles in the future.

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would def recommend this to anyone who enjoys a atmospheric Gothic Mystery.

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Review: Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

~ megs14malloy

Blood in the WaterBlood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙

In Tiffany D. Jackson’s Middle Grade Debut we follow 12-year old, Kaylani, a Brooklyn girl headed to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer to stay with some family friends. A trip she’s not exactly excited about.

The family in question, the Watsons, are extremely wealthy and powerful. In fact, Kaylani’s Dad used to be close with them and worked for them, prior to his incarceration for financial crimes Kaylani is positive he didn’t commit.

She doesn’t have time to go to the stuffy ole’ Vineyard, when all she wants to do is study the law and try to figure out a way to free her Dad.

In spite of her hesitations though, both Kaylani’s parents insist she go. She needs to have fun, be a kid and let loose. She’s been so worried about her Dad, and focused on his case, she’s sort of put her life on hold.

Even on the ferry to the island though, Kaylani knows it’s going to be a rough summer. The Watson’s granddaughters, London and Cassie, are also on the ferry and London instantly makes Kaylani feel uncomfortable and judged.

In spite of this, once on the island. Kaylani does start to settle in. It’s beautiful and there are lots of other kids. Maybe it won’t be a completely terrible summer. Sometimes, she and London even get on a little, or at least find ways they can be mutually-beneficial to each other.

The day after the girls attend their first beach party, they’re shocked to learn that one of the other kids from party, a boy named Chadwick, has been found dead.

The circumstances are mysterious, and rumors fly as to whether it was a drowning, a shark attack, or even worse, murder. Chadwick happens to be Cassie Watson’s ex-boyfriend, and suspicion falls onto her.

Kaylani’s innate curiosities are triggered and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. She’s confident Chadwick’s death was no accident, but how can she prove it?

Blood in the Water was really fun and so cute, with a great MC. Kaylani is a character you can connect to instantly. She’s smart, determined, she loves her family and she’s just an all-around good kid. She’s someone you want to see succeed.

I love the setting on the Vineyard. I live on the neighboring island of Nantucket, and appreciated all the true-to-life details that Jackson brought to the story. It made it feel extra special for me and helped me picture everything perfectly.

I also loved having a true murder mystery where the majority of our main players were kids and teens. Kaylani getting her sleuthing on, and making friends to help along the way, was such a delight. Additionally, I loved Kaylani’s relationship with both of her parents, but her Dad especially.

My only complaint was that I wish it had been like 30 to 40-pages longer. I wanted to know even more about the characters, and to get more details on Kaylani’s stay on the island. Overall though, a great MG debut for Jackson.

Jackson is such a talented writer, definitely one of my all time faves and I loved seeing what she could do in this new age-range. Thank you so much to the publisher, Scholastic, for providing me with a copy to read and review!

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