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Carolina Tales #1
Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island
From the author of the bestselling Liz Talbot Mystery Series comes a novel about family and secrets, and the lengths we’ll go to in order to protect both.
Can this charming do-gooder carry the day?
Can this charming do-gooder carry the day?
Charleston, SC. Hadley Cooper has a big heart. So when the easygoing private investigator gets a request from a new friend to stake out her husband’s extramarital activities, she immediately begins surveillance. And when her client is discovered dead on her kitchen floor, the Southern spitfire is certain the cheater is the culprit … even though he has the perfect alibi: Hadley herself.
Flustered since she observed the cad four hours away in Greenville at the time of the murder, the determined PI desperately searches for clues to tie him to the crime. But when her ex-boyfriend, who happens to be the lead detective on the case, arrests a handy suspect, Hadley fears a guilty man is about to walk free.
Can this Palmetto State sleuth make an impossible connection to prevent a miscarriage of justice?
With dry wit and delightful dialogue, Susan M. Boyer delivers an eccentric, vegan gumshoe sure to appeal to any fan of Southern women’s fiction. With her merry band of sassy friends, Hadley Cooper is a Lowcountry detective you won’t soon forget.
Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island is the engaging first book in the Carolina Tales series. If you like strong heroines, quirky sisterhoods, and plenty of Southern charm, then you’ll love Susan M. Boyer’s wonderful whodunit.
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2023
594 people are currently reading
27177 people want to read
About the author
Susan M. Boyer
27 books2,045 followers
Susan M. Boyer
is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations. Subsequent books have been nominated for various honors, including Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Picks, the 2016 Pat Conroy Beach Music Mystery Prize, and the 2017 Southern Book Prize in Mystery & Detective Fiction.
Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. She and her husband call Greenville, SC, home and visit the Carolina coast as often as possible.
Susan loves to hear from readers. You can reach her through her website: http://www.susanmboyer.com/
Sign up for her newsletter to get recipes from her books and to be among the first to hear the news when the next book is scheduled for release.
Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. She and her husband call Greenville, SC, home and visit the Carolina coast as often as possible.
Susan loves to hear from readers. You can reach her through her website: http://www.susanmboyer.com/
Sign up for her newsletter to get recipes from her books and to be among the first to hear the news when the next book is scheduled for release.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
April 18, 2023
Thanks to my friend, Tamara, I’ve been reading and enjoying the Liz Talbot mysteries for several years now. Susan M. Boyer has a shiny new series, Carolina Tales, featuring Hadley Cooper, a private investigator.
About the book: “With dry wit and delightful dialogue, Susan M. Boyer delivers an eccentric, vegan gumshoe sure to appeal to any fan of Southern women’s fiction. With her merry band of sassy friends, Hadley Cooper is a Lowcountry detective you won’t soon forget.
Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island is the engaging first book in the Carolina Tales series. If you like strong heroines, quirky sisterhoods, and plenty of Southern charm, then you’ll love Susan M. Boyer’s wonderful whodunit.“
I love it when books are set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, an area I’m fortunate to know well after attending graduate school in South Carolina. Hadley is a charming, lovable character, and the mystery kept me guessing. The threads of friendship with lots of buried secrets added extra layers to the story. I absolutely loved this start to the series and can’t wait for more from Hadley. There’s a reason Susan Boyer’s books are all so well-loved. They sparkle.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About the book: “With dry wit and delightful dialogue, Susan M. Boyer delivers an eccentric, vegan gumshoe sure to appeal to any fan of Southern women’s fiction. With her merry band of sassy friends, Hadley Cooper is a Lowcountry detective you won’t soon forget.
Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island is the engaging first book in the Carolina Tales series. If you like strong heroines, quirky sisterhoods, and plenty of Southern charm, then you’ll love Susan M. Boyer’s wonderful whodunit.“
I love it when books are set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, an area I’m fortunate to know well after attending graduate school in South Carolina. Hadley is a charming, lovable character, and the mystery kept me guessing. The threads of friendship with lots of buried secrets added extra layers to the story. I absolutely loved this start to the series and can’t wait for more from Hadley. There’s a reason Susan Boyer’s books are all so well-loved. They sparkle.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 7, 2023
This is a solid four stars in my book, maybe even a 4.2 just because it was so emotionally satisfying. Some of my four star reviews are a bit grudging, but this one isn't. And I give very few five stars, because to me that means a book that is almost transformative.
Hadley Cooper is a private investigator with a complicated background. While riding her bike on Sullivan’s Island, she sees a dog chase a seagull into the surf where it is caught by a rip tide. The dog’s owner starts to rush in after him, but Hadley stops her and goes in using a surfboard she found. Eugenia Ladson, the dog’s grateful owner, insists on taking Hadley to her house to clean up and dry off. When she learns that Hadley is a PI, she hires her to investigate Everette Ladson, her estranged husband, whom she suspects is cheating on her.
Hadley accepts, having had previous experience in these sorts of cases. She observes her suspect, formulates a plan, and starts her surveillance. Before she can get concrete evidence, a murder stops her plans. One of the investigating officers is Hadley’s ex, Cash, who is generally one of the “good guys”—but this time Hadley is sure he has arrested the wrong person.
Anyone who has looked at my reviews know I read a lot of cozy mysteries so I’m well acquainted with the formula. As a first in series book, there is going to be a lot of set-up going on—introducing characters, locations, and situations that are going to play out over the long haul. Boyer does this very well, weaving them into the story in a way that keeps the plot going and the reader interested instead of bogging down.
The mystery was well-plotted and intriguing, and Boyer does a good job with setting, but the book’s real strength is in the characters. Hadley had a very close relationship with her mother, Vivienne, who passed away from cancer when Hadley was 17. Before she died, she revealed the identity of Hadley’s father—the wealthy Swinton who apparently did nothing to help Vivienne during her illness, so Hadley is not inclined to cut him any slack. She does love his son, her half-brother; she and J.T. actually have birthdays just a couple of days apart. Hadley also a number of friends and mentors in her life. Boyer has a talent for creating memorable characters, and I had no trouble keeping track of everyone. I also found the book emotionally satisfying, and the touches of humor were just right.
One feature I enjoyed is that occasionally the reader hears directly from Mrs. Josephine Huger who is an eye-witness to some events and who relates them in a breathless, gossipy fashion that really brings the scenes to life.
I also liked that we learn a bit about PI tricks of the trade, so to speak. Hadley is a professional; she comes prepared to do surveillance, both old school with changes of outfits, and with up to date technology.
There were a couple of times early in the book where I thought things were a little off and just chalked it up to a cozy’s wish fulfilment. However, I have to say that as the story went on, some of my questions were answered. Others became unimportant as I become more invested in the characters. By the end, I was not only totally on board, but I’m ready for the next book to see what my new best friends have been up to.
Note: According to Susan Boyer’s blog on Goodreads, this is the first book in her “un-series” by which she means that the books are about a group of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone and will focus on a different character, mostly women of different ages. I'm stoked!
Full disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy of the book with no stipulation of a review, favorable or otherwise.
Hadley Cooper is a private investigator with a complicated background. While riding her bike on Sullivan’s Island, she sees a dog chase a seagull into the surf where it is caught by a rip tide. The dog’s owner starts to rush in after him, but Hadley stops her and goes in using a surfboard she found. Eugenia Ladson, the dog’s grateful owner, insists on taking Hadley to her house to clean up and dry off. When she learns that Hadley is a PI, she hires her to investigate Everette Ladson, her estranged husband, whom she suspects is cheating on her.
Hadley accepts, having had previous experience in these sorts of cases. She observes her suspect, formulates a plan, and starts her surveillance. Before she can get concrete evidence, a murder stops her plans. One of the investigating officers is Hadley’s ex, Cash, who is generally one of the “good guys”—but this time Hadley is sure he has arrested the wrong person.
Anyone who has looked at my reviews know I read a lot of cozy mysteries so I’m well acquainted with the formula. As a first in series book, there is going to be a lot of set-up going on—introducing characters, locations, and situations that are going to play out over the long haul. Boyer does this very well, weaving them into the story in a way that keeps the plot going and the reader interested instead of bogging down.
The mystery was well-plotted and intriguing, and Boyer does a good job with setting, but the book’s real strength is in the characters. Hadley had a very close relationship with her mother, Vivienne, who passed away from cancer when Hadley was 17. Before she died, she revealed the identity of Hadley’s father—the wealthy Swinton who apparently did nothing to help Vivienne during her illness, so Hadley is not inclined to cut him any slack. She does love his son, her half-brother; she and J.T. actually have birthdays just a couple of days apart. Hadley also a number of friends and mentors in her life. Boyer has a talent for creating memorable characters, and I had no trouble keeping track of everyone. I also found the book emotionally satisfying, and the touches of humor were just right.
One feature I enjoyed is that occasionally the reader hears directly from Mrs. Josephine Huger who is an eye-witness to some events and who relates them in a breathless, gossipy fashion that really brings the scenes to life.
I also liked that we learn a bit about PI tricks of the trade, so to speak. Hadley is a professional; she comes prepared to do surveillance, both old school with changes of outfits, and with up to date technology.
There were a couple of times early in the book where I thought things were a little off and just chalked it up to a cozy’s wish fulfilment. However, I have to say that as the story went on, some of my questions were answered. Others became unimportant as I become more invested in the characters. By the end, I was not only totally on board, but I’m ready for the next book to see what my new best friends have been up to.
Note: According to Susan Boyer’s blog on Goodreads, this is the first book in her “un-series” by which she means that the books are about a group of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone and will focus on a different character, mostly women of different ages. I'm stoked!
Full disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy of the book with no stipulation of a review, favorable or otherwise.
April 27, 2023
Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island by Susan M. Boyer
Carolina Tales #1
9h 56m narrated by Courtney Patterson, 332 pages
Genre: Mystery > Cozy Mystery, Murder Mystery; Adult Fiction, Romance, Southern
Featuring: Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Sullivan's Island, South Carolina; Widowers, 40-year-old MC, Parrot, Vegan Food, Investigations, Dual POVs, Drama, Acknowledgments
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations and content
Songs for the soundtrack: "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, "It Ain't Me Babe" by Johnny Cash, "Flirtin' With Disaster" by Molly Hatchet, "Southern Girl" by Amos Lee, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" by Will Smith, "Ladies In The '90s" by Lauren Alaina, "One Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers, "Refugee" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy" by The Tams, "Carolina Girls" by Chairmen of the Board and General Johnson, "You're More Than a Number" by The Drifters, "Hold Back the Night" by The Trammps, "I Only Have Eyes for You: by The Flamingos, "Already Gone" by Eagles
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📱 16% 1:37:26 Nineteen Minutes into Ch. 5 - It's not amazing, it's all over the place and some of the humor is overdone, but I love it!
📱45% 4:30:35 Ch. 21 - I'm getting real tired of cozies authors killing off the best characters. I'm still loving this book and it just keeps getting better. I hit Zillow and browsed the homes on Sullivan's Island. I'm only stopping to sleep. This is a fun book.
I couldn't sleep thinking about this book. I was up till nearly 2 a. m. and it was worth the effort. There were many elements woven into this book and I loved it. It was too sophisticated to be a cozy mystery, but who says they have to be cheesy and ridiculous? There were elements of Southern charm, and community that reminded me of Hilderbrand novels but was more Mary Kay Andrews. This was great, I'm looking for to the next book and I'll be checking out the Liz Talbot series.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This a great beach read, perfect for vacations and relaxing afternoons.
Carolina Tales #1
9h 56m narrated by Courtney Patterson, 332 pages
Genre: Mystery > Cozy Mystery, Murder Mystery; Adult Fiction, Romance, Southern
Featuring: Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Sullivan's Island, South Carolina; Widowers, 40-year-old MC, Parrot, Vegan Food, Investigations, Dual POVs, Drama, Acknowledgments
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations and content
Songs for the soundtrack: "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, "It Ain't Me Babe" by Johnny Cash, "Flirtin' With Disaster" by Molly Hatchet, "Southern Girl" by Amos Lee, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" by Will Smith, "Ladies In The '90s" by Lauren Alaina, "One Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers, "Refugee" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy" by The Tams, "Carolina Girls" by Chairmen of the Board and General Johnson, "You're More Than a Number" by The Drifters, "Hold Back the Night" by The Trammps, "I Only Have Eyes for You: by The Flamingos, "Already Gone" by Eagles
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📱 16% 1:37:26 Nineteen Minutes into Ch. 5 - It's not amazing, it's all over the place and some of the humor is overdone, but I love it!
📱45% 4:30:35 Ch. 21 - I'm getting real tired of cozies authors killing off the best characters. I'm still loving this book and it just keeps getting better. I hit Zillow and browsed the homes on Sullivan's Island. I'm only stopping to sleep. This is a fun book.
I couldn't sleep thinking about this book. I was up till nearly 2 a. m. and it was worth the effort. There were many elements woven into this book and I loved it. It was too sophisticated to be a cozy mystery, but who says they have to be cheesy and ridiculous? There were elements of Southern charm, and community that reminded me of Hilderbrand novels but was more Mary Kay Andrews. This was great, I'm looking for to the next book and I'll be checking out the Liz Talbot series.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This a great beach read, perfect for vacations and relaxing afternoons.
November 9, 2023
4.25⭐
This is my first Liz Talbot book and it definitely wouldnt be my last.
Im reallylooking forward to reading her other books.
Hadley Cooper is an easygoing private investigator.
When her new friend Eugenia Ladson request her to stake out her husband’s extramarital activities, she immediately begins surveillance.
This book has it all.
✔️ Secrets
✔️ Drama
✔️ Humor
✔️ Friendship
✔️ Murder
✔️ Twist
✔️ Romance
When Eugenia is discovered dead on her kitchen floor,
One name was "everyone's" mouth as the killer... She is certain the cheater is the culprit, but the person has an alibi.
"Smug people make mistakes."
... Im counting on it.
There are many surprising twist and turns as the murder is being investigated by the police, and Hardley trying to prove her suspect is the actual killer.
The narrator did amazing and
I loved the charm of southern community and lifelong friendships.
I think the author should have lightened up on the whole vegan diet and what not.
It was a bit too much n tideous to listen to over n over again.
Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this Audiobook.
This is my first Liz Talbot book and it definitely wouldnt be my last.
Im reallylooking forward to reading her other books.
Hadley Cooper is an easygoing private investigator.
When her new friend Eugenia Ladson request her to stake out her husband’s extramarital activities, she immediately begins surveillance.
This book has it all.
✔️ Secrets
✔️ Drama
✔️ Humor
✔️ Friendship
✔️ Murder
✔️ Twist
✔️ Romance
When Eugenia is discovered dead on her kitchen floor,
One name was "everyone's" mouth as the killer... She is certain the cheater is the culprit, but the person has an alibi.
"Smug people make mistakes."
... Im counting on it.
There are many surprising twist and turns as the murder is being investigated by the police, and Hardley trying to prove her suspect is the actual killer.
The narrator did amazing and
I loved the charm of southern community and lifelong friendships.
I think the author should have lightened up on the whole vegan diet and what not.
It was a bit too much n tideous to listen to over n over again.
Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this Audiobook.
April 20, 2023
2023 pop sugar challenge—a book published in spring 2023
A new series. Too much of the book was about her diet. Otherwise did enjoy scenes in and around charleston.
A new series. Too much of the book was about her diet. Otherwise did enjoy scenes in and around charleston.
October 3, 2024
Great story.
February 27, 2023
Hadley has what TikTok has coined as Lucky Girl Syndrome …. At least on the surface.
From the opening scene Boyer paints a wonderful picture. It rings true to dynamics seen daily in small communities and Boyer welcomes us into a new world like we’ve been in too for decades.
As this story unfolds the characters remind me more and more of people from the small coastal town I grew up in - not in Lowcountry. Hadley is a force and likable to boot! All the characters in this story are so real feeling. From meddling friends, disjointed families, and scandal- Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island has something for EVERYONE!
The story pacing reminds me of the generational stories we’re always told as children and the local stories that go covered up and turn into lore. This story has potential to dive into other stories while tying them together, and the story pacing also reflects the action a good mystery produces.
I’ve enjoyed this journey with Hadley and think this “un”series is going to be a new favorite of mine. I want more Hadley and can’t wait to dive deeper into wherever Boyer takes me next!
From the opening scene Boyer paints a wonderful picture. It rings true to dynamics seen daily in small communities and Boyer welcomes us into a new world like we’ve been in too for decades.
As this story unfolds the characters remind me more and more of people from the small coastal town I grew up in - not in Lowcountry. Hadley is a force and likable to boot! All the characters in this story are so real feeling. From meddling friends, disjointed families, and scandal- Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island has something for EVERYONE!
The story pacing reminds me of the generational stories we’re always told as children and the local stories that go covered up and turn into lore. This story has potential to dive into other stories while tying them together, and the story pacing also reflects the action a good mystery produces.
I’ve enjoyed this journey with Hadley and think this “un”series is going to be a new favorite of mine. I want more Hadley and can’t wait to dive deeper into wherever Boyer takes me next!
March 22, 2023
BIG TROUBLE ON SULLIVAN'S ISLAND was the first book by Susan M. Boyer that I have read, and it was such a treat. I loved everything about this story. Hadley Cooper's life wasn't easy, growing up with just her mother, Vivianne, and not knowing who her dad was until she passed away from cancer. I enjoyed that she was a Private Investigator and her determination into solving the death of her client and friend, Eugenia. I had my suspicions, and I couldn't stop reading until I knew if I was right. The story brought me back to Sullivan's Island and downtown Charleston, and the many places I have been to there. I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list. It's an exciting, cozy mystery that you won't want to miss out on! I am hoping this is going to be a series, if so, I can't wait for the next one!!
Many thanks to Susan M. Boyer for my gifted copy!!
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Many thanks to Susan M. Boyer for my gifted copy!!
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
August 10, 2023
Hadley Cooper has a complicated life....a deceased mother, an estranged father, a stepmother that she can't help but like, a half brother that is two days younger than she is, and a love life that is murky to non existent at best. Her closest friends are Joe and Gavin, and North, who is her best friend, but has issues of his own...
An unlikely meeting with Eugenia Ladson on the beach goes from fairly routine domestic surveillance that quickly escalates to a murder investigation that has ties to Hadley's own parents' past, and her own present and future. Someone has gone to great lengths to silence Eugenia to keep secrets buried long ago in the past. Who? And why?
Susan M. Boyer has created a new narrative with PI Hadley Cooper...and hopefully this isn't the last we'll see of her. Well done!
An unlikely meeting with Eugenia Ladson on the beach goes from fairly routine domestic surveillance that quickly escalates to a murder investigation that has ties to Hadley's own parents' past, and her own present and future. Someone has gone to great lengths to silence Eugenia to keep secrets buried long ago in the past. Who? And why?
Susan M. Boyer has created a new narrative with PI Hadley Cooper...and hopefully this isn't the last we'll see of her. Well done!
August 5, 2023
This would have been a 4 star for me if there hadn’t been so much about her eating habits. At times I felt like we were being told why everyone should be vegans. Also, if you don’t want to use curse words, leave them out completely instead of using “ducking”.
Aside from that, I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery. I didn’t want to put the book down because I wanted to know how the murder had been committed. I for sure Will read the next in the series
Aside from that, I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery. I didn’t want to put the book down because I wanted to know how the murder had been committed. I for sure Will read the next in the series
June 27, 2025
I started to get eh about Boyer's other series, so jumped into this one. "Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island" has some of the same beats, but it just does not really work me in the end. Similar to her "Liz Talbot" series, this new series has a main character who is a P.I. [Hadley]. She is also focused on not swearing (it got old) and being a "lady" and some other things. I just think honestly this book was missing a lot of heart with the characters. Too many things were introduced in this one and I think could have been pushed for the second book. I just found the whole thing way too soap operaish to really enjoy.
"Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island" follows 40 year old Hadley. Her age is important since she has a regular tradition before her actual birthday to hang out with two former neighbors, now surrogate fathers and to make sure her biological father knows how much she hates him. When Hadley is first hired to find out whether a client's husband is cheating on her to then investigate the same client's murder, Hadley has to deal with a past love and current problems.
I really wasn't able to turn my brain off while reading. There's a few things that rubbed me the wrong way. We find out why Hadley went into PI work and is not a super fan of cops and prosecutors and then she gets shouted down by someone who was like you need to ignore all of that because they really wanted her with her ex-cop boyfriend. I thought the character was making good points about how the innocent go to jail often in this country, police brutality, but then it was like Boyer wanted to shy away from that at a certain point.
Hadley as a character did not work for me. She had the nerve at one point to get funky with a Black woman and her use of language. I think Boyer was going for cute there, but it didn't work. And Hadley is a plant based eater. It comes up a lot. And that is the only thing I am saying about it. There's a lot of obsessive writing (to me) about food.
Speaking of the ex-cop boyfriend he was bland as anything. There's no there there. I can't see why she was still invested especially there was another love interest in this one that actually did come to life (for me) on the page.
We get a lot of characters to track in this one, and honestly after a while they started to blur for me except for Fish and Eugenia.
I did think it was quite cool that Boyer included some omnipotent narrator passages from a character called One feature I enjoyed is that occasionally the reader hears directly from Mrs. Josephine Huger who is an eye-witness to some of the events in the book. Her chapters were always freaking hilarious to me. If most of the book had been her, I would have loved it.
The plot meanders because of too many things being pushed out in this one and the flow was up and down.
The setting of South Carolina is definitely familiar to Boyer and that was great to read the descriptions of things.
The ending wrapped up things in a tidy bow and a pivot to the next book.
"Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island" follows 40 year old Hadley. Her age is important since she has a regular tradition before her actual birthday to hang out with two former neighbors, now surrogate fathers and to make sure her biological father knows how much she hates him. When Hadley is first hired to find out whether a client's husband is cheating on her to then investigate the same client's murder, Hadley has to deal with a past love and current problems.
I really wasn't able to turn my brain off while reading. There's a few things that rubbed me the wrong way. We find out why Hadley went into PI work and is not a super fan of cops and prosecutors and then she gets shouted down by someone who was like you need to ignore all of that because they really wanted her with her ex-cop boyfriend. I thought the character was making good points about how the innocent go to jail often in this country, police brutality, but then it was like Boyer wanted to shy away from that at a certain point.
Hadley as a character did not work for me. She had the nerve at one point to get funky with a Black woman and her use of language. I think Boyer was going for cute there, but it didn't work. And Hadley is a plant based eater. It comes up a lot. And that is the only thing I am saying about it. There's a lot of obsessive writing (to me) about food.
Speaking of the ex-cop boyfriend he was bland as anything. There's no there there. I can't see why she was still invested especially there was another love interest in this one that actually did come to life (for me) on the page.
We get a lot of characters to track in this one, and honestly after a while they started to blur for me except for Fish and Eugenia.
I did think it was quite cool that Boyer included some omnipotent narrator passages from a character called One feature I enjoyed is that occasionally the reader hears directly from Mrs. Josephine Huger who is an eye-witness to some of the events in the book. Her chapters were always freaking hilarious to me. If most of the book had been her, I would have loved it.
The plot meanders because of too many things being pushed out in this one and the flow was up and down.
The setting of South Carolina is definitely familiar to Boyer and that was great to read the descriptions of things.
The ending wrapped up things in a tidy bow and a pivot to the next book.
June 10, 2024
I just don’t understand the good reviews. Who cares about the “clean eating” habits of the main character. I would roll my eyes every time (and it was mentioned A LOT) food got brought up. I pushed through this book because it was for a book club, but I didn’t like anything about it other than being set in South Carolina.
August 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️Fun, light mystery read. Enjoyed the setting and main character but felt the fact that Hadley was a vegan was mentioned far too many times it became rather comical. I believe this is the first of a series and I would give the second book a chance.
April 27, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll start by saying that I would really give this book 4.5 stars, only losing a half a star because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the narrators accent through the majority of the book (though she does do an amazing Ukrainian accent)! The story seemed like a really sweet mystery at first but had some dark elements mixed in which I enjoyed, and left out all the poor language and there was no sex to speak of. I could easily loan this book to my teenage daughter with no qualms whatsoever! If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery set in the south, be sure to check this book out!
I’ll start by saying that I would really give this book 4.5 stars, only losing a half a star because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the narrators accent through the majority of the book (though she does do an amazing Ukrainian accent)! The story seemed like a really sweet mystery at first but had some dark elements mixed in which I enjoyed, and left out all the poor language and there was no sex to speak of. I could easily loan this book to my teenage daughter with no qualms whatsoever! If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery set in the south, be sure to check this book out!
December 28, 2023
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I Ehh this book was just awful. I have read from this author before and I am just shocked by this one. The main character is just awful, selfish and boring. How much do we have to hear about her insane stupid eating habits. She complains that she never had any girlfriends and I know why. Just being around her and hearing her talk about her special clean diet is just annoying. Go eat a pizza or a hot dog. She is not even that good at her job. I don't think she is anything special and I have honestly no idea why everyone is just all over her making her feel she is the best at everything she does. I don't know, I was very sad this book turned out the way it did. I could not even finish it.
April 14, 2023
I am a huge fan of Susan M. Boyer’s other series; the feel like family at this point. It took me awhile to get into this but about 15% in, I got used to this not being about Liz Talbot and her fun family, and I really started to enjoy this one. Hadley is an interesting character and I learned so much about plant-based diets through her. I loved her approach to investigation and her tenacity. The characters in this one were just as lovable as the other series and I hope other books in this series will focus on Hadley again. This was a great way to spend my Friday.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and @Dreamscape_Media for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and @Dreamscape_Media for an honest review.
May 4, 2023
Susan M. Boyer is back at the detective game. This time the setting is Sullivan's Island and the new PI is Hadley. Another enjoyable storyline filled with Lowcountry characters and quirks. It's also about what makes a family. Good read.
June 22, 2023
What a great book. I loved the settings in Charleston, Sullivan’s Island, etc. The descriptions made you feel like you were right there. I loved the characters and especially the spunky PI Hadley. She was delightful and I was cheering her on to the end. Was sad for the story to end and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
February 16, 2023
I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book. Having read all the Liz Talbot series , I was interested in how this new series would be. Hadley, the main character, is a private eye but that is where the similarity to Liz Talbot ends. Hadley is an interesting character in her own right. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in this collection.
August 2, 2024
3.5 stars
I read Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island because I was looking a to fulfill a reading challenge I took part. Hadley Cooper, is a feisty and determined private investigator with a heart of gold, who must navigate the complexities of small-town secrets and lies to uncover the truth behind a murder that threatens to upend her life. Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island promises a gripping mystery with a strong, relatable heroine and a dash of Southern charm.
The fact that Hadley was a vegan, and was mentioned far too many times it became rather comical. It will make a enjoyable TV series.
I read Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island because I was looking a to fulfill a reading challenge I took part. Hadley Cooper, is a feisty and determined private investigator with a heart of gold, who must navigate the complexities of small-town secrets and lies to uncover the truth behind a murder that threatens to upend her life. Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island promises a gripping mystery with a strong, relatable heroine and a dash of Southern charm.
The fact that Hadley was a vegan, and was mentioned far too many times it became rather comical. It will make a enjoyable TV series.
May 2, 2023
I have enjoyed author Susan Boyer's light, fun series centered on Liz Talbot and her beloved Stella Maris island home (purchase series here). I decided to read this first book in what is supposed to be a new series in the audio format provided by NetGalley in exchange for this review. That may have been my mistake.
I am not sure if it would have been different if I had read the paper book, but this book was only ok for me. I did not like the main character, Hadley, at all. She wasn't all that great, but everyone treated her like she was the greatest person in the world. There was no magical element, like in the Liz Talbot books, which I really missed. And finally, I couldn't get in to what was actually a really good mystery story because it seemed to be interrupted by constant reminders that Hadley only ate Whole Foods and plants and other people's diets were evil.
I'd skip this one and read the Liz Talbot series instead.
I am not sure if it would have been different if I had read the paper book, but this book was only ok for me. I did not like the main character, Hadley, at all. She wasn't all that great, but everyone treated her like she was the greatest person in the world. There was no magical element, like in the Liz Talbot books, which I really missed. And finally, I couldn't get in to what was actually a really good mystery story because it seemed to be interrupted by constant reminders that Hadley only ate Whole Foods and plants and other people's diets were evil.
I'd skip this one and read the Liz Talbot series instead.
April 11, 2023
Loved this start to a new collection! I was honored to receive an ARC of this book to provide my thoughts.
Hadley is a great main character, but my favorite character was Mrs. Josephine Huger! Mrs. Huger’s voice was interspersed every few chapters, and I was grinning like a big dork every time she made an appearance. It is impossible to look dignified when reading something that funny! It was a good way to provide some details the readers needed, too.
The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was something that likely is necessary at the start of all new series. The beginning of the book had a little more exposition than I’d generally prefer in a mystery. Since it’s a new series, there was a lot of “this is this person, and here is all our backstory,” etc.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it made me want to go on vacation in the low country ASAP!
Hadley is a great main character, but my favorite character was Mrs. Josephine Huger! Mrs. Huger’s voice was interspersed every few chapters, and I was grinning like a big dork every time she made an appearance. It is impossible to look dignified when reading something that funny! It was a good way to provide some details the readers needed, too.
The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was something that likely is necessary at the start of all new series. The beginning of the book had a little more exposition than I’d generally prefer in a mystery. Since it’s a new series, there was a lot of “this is this person, and here is all our backstory,” etc.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it made me want to go on vacation in the low country ASAP!
May 22, 2024
This is a southern mystery with a lot of potential but I could not get past the tedium of how much the main character mentions her whole food plant based diet.
April 19, 2023
I admit at the start of this book I was prepared to eyeroll and tear this book to shreds.
I. Was.Wrong.
This book was so delightful! What is more exciting is I found out Hadley is going to be front and center of a whole series! I am usually not a series reader but I cannot wait to spend more time with her and her new found family!Hadley is one of the most "REal" characters I have read! I felt like I could be her best friend!
Susan Boyer is a new author to me, which always butters my biscuit when I find a new author to binge. She did a very fun job of incorporating southern phrases and culture into this book. At first I was a bit "peeved" by it, but as I progressed through the novel I found I started saying some of Hadley's declaration like, "Cheese and crackers" and "Sweet Baby Moses in a Basket" haha.
The mystery was not all that shocking, but I enjoyed how the characters worked off each other. Even better one of the characters was named after my Little, Pickens!
The only reason I am holding back on that final star is there were some minor things that I hope Boyer excludes from book #2. There was a lot of "Geography" like, She turned left onto such and such street which is at the corner of this and that (honestly I tuned out a lot of that...) And I would be remiss if I did not mention the constant reminder that Hadley is Whole Food Plant Based. Uh If she had to remind me one more time about what she orders at a BBQ joint " Salad with no eggs, cheese, bacon, dressing with a side of vinegar or lemon juice, because the oil is just pure fat". As a dietitian this is a diet movement while I understand the benefits this diet can bring it is very restrictive and OBVIUSLY limits you quite a bit. I did have to chuckle though b/c I noticed some of her orders did not always coincide with a WFPB-SOS diet (Ahem sweet tea, veggie burgers, taco bell)
But none the less, excellent read! If you can show restraint and wait till June to read this on the Beach this is the quentissential Beach Read!
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy read of this book. I was not influenced or reimbursed for this honest review. Also thank you Susan Boyer for writing this book and many more!
I. Was.Wrong.
This book was so delightful! What is more exciting is I found out Hadley is going to be front and center of a whole series! I am usually not a series reader but I cannot wait to spend more time with her and her new found family!Hadley is one of the most "REal" characters I have read! I felt like I could be her best friend!
Susan Boyer is a new author to me, which always butters my biscuit when I find a new author to binge. She did a very fun job of incorporating southern phrases and culture into this book. At first I was a bit "peeved" by it, but as I progressed through the novel I found I started saying some of Hadley's declaration like, "Cheese and crackers" and "Sweet Baby Moses in a Basket" haha.
The mystery was not all that shocking, but I enjoyed how the characters worked off each other. Even better one of the characters was named after my Little, Pickens!
The only reason I am holding back on that final star is there were some minor things that I hope Boyer excludes from book #2. There was a lot of "Geography" like, She turned left onto such and such street which is at the corner of this and that (honestly I tuned out a lot of that...) And I would be remiss if I did not mention the constant reminder that Hadley is Whole Food Plant Based. Uh If she had to remind me one more time about what she orders at a BBQ joint " Salad with no eggs, cheese, bacon, dressing with a side of vinegar or lemon juice, because the oil is just pure fat". As a dietitian this is a diet movement while I understand the benefits this diet can bring it is very restrictive and OBVIUSLY limits you quite a bit. I did have to chuckle though b/c I noticed some of her orders did not always coincide with a WFPB-SOS diet (Ahem sweet tea, veggie burgers, taco bell)
But none the less, excellent read! If you can show restraint and wait till June to read this on the Beach this is the quentissential Beach Read!
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy read of this book. I was not influenced or reimbursed for this honest review. Also thank you Susan Boyer for writing this book and many more!
May 14, 2023
When private investigator Hadley is hired to investigate her new neighbor's husband's suspected infidelity, she doesn't expect her client to wind up dead. Hadley is sure the husband killed her, but Hadley was tailing him at the time of the murder... talk about an airtight alibi! Determined to prove her instincts right and clear the name of the Ukrainian immigrant who was arrested for the crime, Hadley sets out to find the killer.
Hadley is a strong female lead, with high competency, self-esteem, and life experience--this is not your average bumbling amateur detective. The mystery itself is also one of the best-plotted I've seen, with creative threads and a satisfactory ending reminiscent of Agatha Christie. However, there's something odd about the voice, and there's a significant amount of the book dedicated to the set-up of our main character's backstory. I know that series starters always have to lay a lot of groundwork, but this one seemed liked overkill and a lot of wasted pages of information that could have gone into future books. There's also a few truly implausible aspects, like Hadley being offered the opportunity to house-sit her dream beach-front mansion early on in the book. It was a lot to process very early. I would be interested in reading future books in this series, though, now that we've gotten the foundation out of the way. I like Hadley, I like the setting, and I like the author's mystery prowess.
Thanks to the author for my advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars - 7/10
Hadley is a strong female lead, with high competency, self-esteem, and life experience--this is not your average bumbling amateur detective. The mystery itself is also one of the best-plotted I've seen, with creative threads and a satisfactory ending reminiscent of Agatha Christie. However, there's something odd about the voice, and there's a significant amount of the book dedicated to the set-up of our main character's backstory. I know that series starters always have to lay a lot of groundwork, but this one seemed liked overkill and a lot of wasted pages of information that could have gone into future books. There's also a few truly implausible aspects, like Hadley being offered the opportunity to house-sit her dream beach-front mansion early on in the book. It was a lot to process very early. I would be interested in reading future books in this series, though, now that we've gotten the foundation out of the way. I like Hadley, I like the setting, and I like the author's mystery prowess.
Thanks to the author for my advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars - 7/10
May 26, 2023
Narrator: Courtney Patterson
Published: 04/11/23
There is no need to mince words -- I loved this. Big Trouble is the first in a new series for the author. This is my first time reading Boyer.
The main character is 40, and she acts 40. She has personal issues and familial problems like so many people I know, and I could relate. I didn't find the dialogue, issues or problems cringe worthy. I was impressed that the author gave the main character, Hadley, classy traits. In a review sense, I could have been her model. There was no profanity, and I love how Boyer handled the population that does swear. She worked, had friends who she respected for who they were/are. Her dating was good and bad.
Now the story -- it was fun and whimsical, but not cheesy. There was a fractured personal problem that appeared to go from cast to bandaid in the end, and it comes about in a manner that left me satisfied with this book and intrigued by the bandaid removal to patiently tap my foot waiting for book two.
Courtney Patterson was perfect.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island, A Carolina Tale.
Published: 04/11/23
There is no need to mince words -- I loved this. Big Trouble is the first in a new series for the author. This is my first time reading Boyer.
The main character is 40, and she acts 40. She has personal issues and familial problems like so many people I know, and I could relate. I didn't find the dialogue, issues or problems cringe worthy. I was impressed that the author gave the main character, Hadley, classy traits. In a review sense, I could have been her model. There was no profanity, and I love how Boyer handled the population that does swear. She worked, had friends who she respected for who they were/are. Her dating was good and bad.
Now the story -- it was fun and whimsical, but not cheesy. There was a fractured personal problem that appeared to go from cast to bandaid in the end, and it comes about in a manner that left me satisfied with this book and intrigued by the bandaid removal to patiently tap my foot waiting for book two.
Courtney Patterson was perfect.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island, A Carolina Tale.
April 6, 2023
Big trouble on Sullivan's Island 🏝
Susan m Boyer.
This was my first book to read by this author. This book is totally enthralling it has lots of action going on. I can say I definitely enjoyed this book. Will be Reading more books by Susan.
Hadley Cooper,
While walking on beach ⛱️ sees a small dog but hes in danger, helping this pup brings about new friends for Hadley.
But more than friendship a new job something Hadley wasn't really looking for. But one shes good at.
Life on Sullivan's Island 🏝 is going to be very interesting for Hadley. And everyone involved.
There's a murder. Not long into this story.
But the past, has alot to do with what's happened.
I love how the author has written this story. Everyone has a hand in what's going on.
But who's guilty and who's not. Such a Terrific read.
Hadley Discover things that was kept from her.. Think she should have knew a long time ago.. But in the end everything works out..
What a terrific book.. I honestly love this story.. Looking forward to the next one. Really glad it's going to be a series.
Susan m Boyer.
This was my first book to read by this author. This book is totally enthralling it has lots of action going on. I can say I definitely enjoyed this book. Will be Reading more books by Susan.
Hadley Cooper,
While walking on beach ⛱️ sees a small dog but hes in danger, helping this pup brings about new friends for Hadley.
But more than friendship a new job something Hadley wasn't really looking for. But one shes good at.
Life on Sullivan's Island 🏝 is going to be very interesting for Hadley. And everyone involved.
There's a murder. Not long into this story.
But the past, has alot to do with what's happened.
I love how the author has written this story. Everyone has a hand in what's going on.
But who's guilty and who's not. Such a Terrific read.
Hadley Discover things that was kept from her.. Think she should have knew a long time ago.. But in the end everything works out..
What a terrific book.. I honestly love this story.. Looking forward to the next one. Really glad it's going to be a series.
January 8, 2025
This moved a bit slow at times, partially I think because we were setting up the series, but the last, oh, quarter of the book was the most interesting and could have been expanded if we hadn’t spent time on some other subplots.
Also, I don’t mind if your MC is a vegan or plant based but so often when that happens suddenly it feels like we’re all being preached to. Mention she got a salad or decided to treat herself to cheese, but detailing every interaction with food is a lot.
And I know cozies don’t do cursing but if you’re not going to do that then you cannot do the “ducking” thing that happened way too many times at the end.
There are some interesting characters and stories here and I loved that we have a MC who knows cops don’t always get it right, but I just didn’t think it quite hit its potential. Still, will probably check out the next one to see if it does better without the series setup baggage.
Also, I don’t mind if your MC is a vegan or plant based but so often when that happens suddenly it feels like we’re all being preached to. Mention she got a salad or decided to treat herself to cheese, but detailing every interaction with food is a lot.
And I know cozies don’t do cursing but if you’re not going to do that then you cannot do the “ducking” thing that happened way too many times at the end.
There are some interesting characters and stories here and I loved that we have a MC who knows cops don’t always get it right, but I just didn’t think it quite hit its potential. Still, will probably check out the next one to see if it does better without the series setup baggage.
April 11, 2023
Happy Release Day!
Oh. My. Goodness. This was great. And fun. I fell for all the characters because the writing was exceptional. The author has a real talent for writing something really special. I live in Greenville and love Charleston (Mt. Pleasant). I was seeing everything so clearly and loved all of it.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and highly suggest the audiobook. Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island was
narrated by Courtney Patterson and she did such a good job. I just can’t say enough good things about it. I hope you add it to your list.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
Oh. My. Goodness. This was great. And fun. I fell for all the characters because the writing was exceptional. The author has a real talent for writing something really special. I live in Greenville and love Charleston (Mt. Pleasant). I was seeing everything so clearly and loved all of it.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and highly suggest the audiobook. Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island was
narrated by Courtney Patterson and she did such a good job. I just can’t say enough good things about it. I hope you add it to your list.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
June 5, 2023
Big Trouble on Sullivan Island drew me in from the first few minutes, and kept my attention as I listened. I loved Hadley's interactions with her two older male friends at the unbirthday lunch at the start, and all of the characters throughout the book were well fleshed out and unique. Hadley is independent and has a strong personality which made her believable for someone in the PI business. I got slight Stephanie Plum vibes from her, especially in the beginning, but enjoyed that this story wasn't quite as predictable as the Janet Evanovich series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, though there were one or two things that occurred that were slightly unbelievable to me or that struck me as odd, but I won't share what those are due to spoilers. There was also a mention of Hadley wearing white slacks and a gingham top or something similar that made me stop and go back to be reminded of how old she was since I was picturing a senior citizen at that point.
I went back and forth on whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars, as I really enjoyed it, so the rating is probably closer to 4.5. I am glad this is a series and look forward to reading more in the future. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Courtney Patterson, did a great job. Her accent was very enjoyable to listen to, and really added to the story with the South Carolina setting. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by her and hope future books in this series feature her as the narrator as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook prior to publication.
I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, though there were one or two things that occurred that were slightly unbelievable to me or that struck me as odd, but I won't share what those are due to spoilers. There was also a mention of Hadley wearing white slacks and a gingham top or something similar that made me stop and go back to be reminded of how old she was since I was picturing a senior citizen at that point.
I went back and forth on whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars, as I really enjoyed it, so the rating is probably closer to 4.5. I am glad this is a series and look forward to reading more in the future. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Courtney Patterson, did a great job. Her accent was very enjoyable to listen to, and really added to the story with the South Carolina setting. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by her and hope future books in this series feature her as the narrator as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook prior to publication.
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