The Perfect Staging for Murder

Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery #7

by Kathleen Bridge

As shooting concludes on the season finale of the TV mystery Mr. & Mrs. Winslow, interior decorator and set designer Meg Barrett can feel the hostility in the air. The show’s new director had already alienated the entire cast and crew, and now Meg’s boyfriend, Patrick, was ready to throttle him for taking liberties with the script. Meg thought the director was a very lucky man to have gotten out of there in one piece—until a few nights later when she stumbles over his dead body.

Meg knew it wasn’t her job to investigate every murder she came across, especially that of a man so universally disliked, but Patrick had no alibi for the time of death and has now disappeared. As she begins to dig into every facet of the victim’s life, she soon discovers that his children resented him for a lifetime of mistreatment, and his new fiancée had a history of leaving dead husbands in her wake. Certain that this was a family affair and that she was closing in on the killer, she’ll have to rely on all her wits and cunning to nab the culprit, because they’ve decided to set the stage for her final scene . . .

Includes tasty recipes and classic vintage decorating tips!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Cozy, Contemporary

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2023

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Bridge, national bestselling author of The Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery Series and The By The Sea Mystery Series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America. Kathleen is also an antiques and vintage dealer and lives on the Central East Coast of Florida. www.kathleenbridge.com

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery has a great setting in the Hamptons of New York, a cast of interesting characters, and a murder mystery to solve with a small pool of suspects. The director of a TV mystery series is found on the floor of the library in the house where the series is being filmed with a prop cane with a blade stuck in his back. He was quite obnoxious and made some enemies. Meg who does some set designing for the company is in a panic because her boyfriend and author for the series had a vocal and public argument on set with the director. She is especially upset when she cannot find Patrick. This was a fun mystery to read and has a little bit of surprise whodunnit ending for me. Recommended for cozy mystery lovers with recipes included.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[BonnieM☂️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder is the 9th in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mysteries. The story takes place in Montauk Point, Long Island. Meg Barrett is an interior design decorator and set designer. She owns Cottages by the Sea. Patrick Seaton is a fiction author and screenwriter and Meg's boyfriend. Her best friend, Elle Shoner, married to Detective Arthur Shoner of the East Hampton Police Department, owns Mabel and Elle's Antiques and Collectible Shop. She and Meg are working for the TV mystery show Mr. and Mrs. Winslow which is shooting the finale of the show. It is about Jack Winslow, a PI, and his wife Lora of the Eastside Detective Agency. The production company has rented a house called Windy Willow, an ocean front estate. Jeremy Prentice is the producer and Brett Golden is the director who is not liked by everyone on the set. Matt and Olivia, his children work with him on the set. Her boyfriend, Patrick is the screenwriter. He and Brett have words about the ending and Patrick walks out angry. Tells Meg he will not be going to the wrap-up party that night.

Meg and Ellie go to a real estate party as Ellie is interested in buying a house. At the party they see Brett with Julia David, who is Brett's finance and knew Patrick in LA. The next day at the wrap-up party, Elle and Meg arrive, minus Patrick, and later find Brett dead in the library with a head injury and a walking stick's sword in his chest. This is where the supporting characters add to the story. Elle calls her husband.

Meg is concerned and goes to find Patrick but he had disappeared. She later finds out that he was in a surfing accident and is in the hospital.

This is where the story takes the reader on an adventure to find out who killed Brett and why. There is too much going on it is hard to put on paper. I will leave this to the reader to enjoy to the surprising ending.

Meg's father who lives in Detroit and who she also has not been able to get ahold of shows up at Meg's going away party for her neighbor, Alice with his suitcases. He is going to be staying with his friend, Doc. He has come to stay. I am guessing that the reasons for this will be part of the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Kathleen Bridge brings us another absorbing and intriguing tale in the Hampton’s Home and Gardens series. Meg Barrett (interior designer), and Elle Shoner (antique dealer and vintage clothing expert) are best friends who have staged a 1930’s set design for a TV Mystery show. The unlikeable director, Brett, has alienated everyone so it’s no surprise when he’s soon found deceased after arguing with several people. His murder opens the door to a lively guessing game of whodunnit!

There are several suspects introduced as part of the shows cast that I felt probably had strong motives from the fantastic job of characterizations the author provided. I was constantly switching my mind about who the perpetrator would be. The plot is action-filled and moves swiftly.

I always enjoy the main characters in this series; especially couples Meg Barrett and her boyfriend, writer Patrick, and Elle and her detective husband, Arthur Shoner. They’re all smart with keen observation skills. The ocean setting is a plus, and for me, Meg’s Maine Coon, Jo, and Patrick’s greyhound, Charlie, are must-have pet sidekicks. I didn’t figure out the complete explanation to this cryptic murder investigation until the author’s complete reveal. Very clever and original for the hearing impaired protagonist, Meg. Bravo! I highly recommend this cozy and the entire series to mystery readers. The author graciously includes great recipes and decorating tips.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. All opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder Earns 5/5 Take Twos … Engaging Page-Turner!

A public confrontation between screenwriter Patrick Seaton and director Brett Gordon that included yelling and threats will be hard to dismiss when Brett is found murdered. Add Patrick’s lack of an alibi and disappearance, the cops think they have an open and shut case. Calling Meg … Investigate! Kathleen Bridge’s writing style is one by which I am very entertained with her attention to detail, endearing relationships, and of course, a complex mystery to challenge my armchair detective. The victim appears to be a karmic choice with varied conflicts from coworkers to family, but his fiancée is also one needing closer scrutiny due to several dead husbands in her past. The avenues of interest kept me guessing, personal connections were great motivation, Meg and her fashionista BFF were an entertaining duo, and plenty of perilous fun to keep the reader on the edge, but I really enjoy Meg Barrett who’s a great example of one who overcomes a physical challenge. I find it isn’t necessary to be a series addict to join in with this seventh book, just sit back and enjoy!

Disclosure: I received an ARC from Beyond the Page thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Raymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good cozy Murder Mystery with an ametuer sleuth.

I haven’t read the first 6 books in the series but I don’t feel like I was missing much. I didn’t feel like a couldn’t read the rest of the book.

I don’t like Paul and Megs relationship. I feel like Meg is putting all in and Paul is not putting as much in. Meg blames that on the death of Paul’s wife and daughter, but I still don’t like it.

I did like the plot line of the book. We didn’t only have the murder that was going on but a couple other sub plots that were going on.

I didn’t guess the reason on why the person who murdered. It was definitely a plot twist there and it really surprised me. I am definitely going to read the rest of the books in the series.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Barrett is back again in #ThePerfectStagingforMurder #NetGalley.
Meg is working as a set designer on the show Mr. And Mrs. Winslow, and the director, Brett, is anything but pleasant. From his rude comments to his creepy personality, it's no surprise when someone does him in.
Meg has no plans to become involved in the investigation, but she can't seem to shake the innuendos Brett made about her boyfriend, Patrick.
The suspect list is narrowed down to a few people, including his children, and the investigation moves fast, identifying the culprit as well as the motive for murder.
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Meg’s growing staging business is currently doing real staging for a tv series written by her boyfriend Patrick. Most of the tension on the set is caused by the director who has been brought in and thinks he now can do and say whatever he pleases. When he turns up murdered, there is no shortage of possible suspects. Meg is grateful Patrick has a solid alibi as does she but that means whoever did the deed was very close to the victim.

Lots of action going on with characters whom the reader thinks is one way only to discover they are something entirely different. It adds to the mystery of whom is the villain. It turns out it is a rather complicated situation that involves several characters and even at the end, there is no definitive conclusion. I did however twig quite early on to one of the bigger twists but when the entire story played out, there were still plenty of surprises.

I always enjoy the antiquing side of things and get some fresh ideas each time. The reader can get behind the characters and care about what happens to them and Meg does not blithely look for danger. It makes for a light and enjoyable read. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder (Hamptons Home & Garden, #7) by Kathleen Bridge opens with the final scene television show called Mr. & Mrs. Winslow being filmed when an argument ensues between the screenwriter and the director. A few days later, the director is murdered at the wrap party. Did the screenwriter kill the director, or was it someone else?

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Perfect Staging for Murder (Hamptons Home &Garden, #7) by Kathleen Bridge. I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review, and I was excited to read it.

Since I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep up with all the characters and get to really know them. However, the author did a fabulous job of summing up the backstories of all the different characters so I didn't feel like I missed anything from prior books in the series. I ended up liking several of them, and now I want to read the rest of the books that came before The Perfect Staging for Murder.

There was a couple of big twists that I didn't see coming, but one of the twists explained why two of the characters were getting close to each other. I loved the fact that the book revolved around the television industry since I grew up in the industry. I also enjoyed learning a little bit about the area as I don't really know much about the Hamptons.

The Perfect Staging for Murder (Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery, #7) by Kathleen Bridge was the first book I've read by this author, and it certainly won't be the last. I enjoyed this cozy mystery a lot because it let me escape reality for a bit. Four out of five stars.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoy this series, I have finger all the previous books and stated reading this authors series so I am a fan. The thing I actually appreciate the most about this book is that I always feel like the main characters romance is off screen so to speak. If she felt wronged by a partner she would tell us but I never felt any connection to siding with her cause the relationship was never built in the book and she also is bad at communicating with her partners and they all seem bad at communicating as well. In this book, we saw more of her relationship and it was nice. I do think the book was a little mystery light on the detective work but I'm so happy that this series continues on. Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy for me to read for my honest opinion.

[Rebecca Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shooting a historical (sort of) mystery series should be routine for some. That is, until the director is killed and nearly everyone has a motive. It is up to the set designer, Meg, to figure out who killed him and why before someone she loves is accused of the crime, or even herself arrested.
This book is set in modern times but the TV series they film is historical mystery. Kind of a mix of genres to a degree. But the reader gets a good feel for the time of the TV series through dialogue and the scenes where the filming is done. This all makes the story interesting apart from the characters and plot. 
To the characters…Meg is the main one though she has friends who appear to carry on through the books. I say this only because I'm reading the series out of order. They are supporting members of the story but carry a lot of weight with their positions within Meg's life and within the working of the filming crew. The focus is really on Meg. She is an ordinary person with her own personal challenges in life to overcome. I like that about her. Meg is just an observant woman who seems to stumble upon murder quite regularly. 
The story starts with the final scene of the current filming. Things seems normal for what one would assume at such a moment. Yet there is an obvious tension between the director and everyone else. No one likes him. The ideal murder victim for sure! But as the events play out, it proves that there is more to the story. In this, the story is the expected cozy mystery. Nothing disappointing. Don't get me wrong. I read enough to enjoy the familiarity of a cozy mystery. It is the backdrop that intrigued me the most. 
The scenes are mostly on the set of the filming. That means the reader is given a glimpse into the early 20th century where the story within a story is set. The antiques described aid in transporting the reader into the period enough to make us wanting more. It is almost disappointing to stay in the modern world. 
A wonderful cozy mystery read. If you like them, you have to give this series a shot. I'll be looking for book one here soon so I can enjoy even more.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quarter of the book is spent on Patrick. Of course mysteries, especially ones in an on-going series, can have other plots. These are characters who have lives, jobs, loves, etc in their worlds. The other stuff in their lives helps to inform how they approach their role as an amateur sleuth. In Meg's case, though, she's so focused on Patrick's wellbeing that the investigation is put on hold midway through the book and ends up taking about a third of the novel's length.

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[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, life in the Hamptons is far more exciting than I thought it was. Movie stars? Sure. Fancy homes and mansions? Sure. Movie making. But, murder? Let's just say, you're eavesdropping on the filming of the final scene in a production as the book opens, thunder and lightening raging outside a lighthouse, and that's just the beginning.

Who killed the arrogant director of the show? It isn't like there isn't a long line of suspects, including his children. Even Meg's boyfriend, Patrick, the scrip-writer is a suspect after a public argument with the director. Why is Patrick suddenly missing? Will Meg's ability to read lips, a skill she's fine tuned since being forced to wear a hearing aid from her teens, be a help or a hindrance? Who left a dead fish on the hood of Meg's vehicle? Why was Julie known as a Black Widow? Who....oh, more than enough teasers.

Overall, although I wasn't quite taken by Meg, I enjoyed the book. One issue I had was the frequent detours. By detours I mean, oh, Meg picking up her phone from a desk and we get the history of where she got the desk and why. Or, say, just as she pulls out her murder board, the action stops as she thinks about how she once designed the interior of a child's tree house. All somewhat interesting but not when it seems to slow things down and be unrelated.Hence, a 3.5 rating rounded up because I found the mystery itself quite interesting.

Thanks #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for allowing me this backstage look at not just movie making but life in East Hamptons, or Montauk to be exact.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder by Kathleen Bridge the 7th instalment in the "Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series, although this can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend you read from the beginning.

As shooting concludes on the season finale of the TV mystery Mr. & Mrs. Winslow, interior decorator and set designer Meg Barrett can feel the hostility in the air. The show’s new director had already alienated the entire cast and crew, and now Meg’s boyfriend, Patrick, was ready to throttle him for taking liberties with the script. Meg thought the director was a very lucky man to have gotten out of there in one piece—until a few nights later when she stumbles over his dead body.

found myself engrossed in this story, I like the setting of the Hamptons and the overall feel of the place. I really enjoyed catching up with the main character of Meg, and her bff Elle. I’m also glad to see where their relationships are heading …

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, full of twists and turns. I can’t say I guessed who the killer was but I was starting to lean towards them.

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[Sarah Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting take on a cozy mystery. I loved the idea of a writer on the set of a 20s/30s era tv show and having an inside look into how all of that runs. Meg clearly has a lot of people who care about her and look after her. Yes, I am starting at book number 7, so I am a little bit behind. I understood enough to follow the mystery and to know who everyone was and how they played a part in it, however, that being said, I did feel a little bit lost. As though I was starting in the middle of a story. (Which in all fairness, I am.)

It didn't keep me from enjoying the dynamics of the characters and how they interacted. I really enjoyed Elle and her enthusiasm for things. And I really liked Meg's character to. She seems very likable. I am still on the fence about Peter, but that could just be because I am a bit behind on everyone's history.

I also liked that I was reading about a part of the country that I don't know that much about. Montauk seems like a very quaint place to live, and I love the idea of living so close to the water. All in all, it sounds like a beautiful place to create a world in.

I loved the book, and I really enjoyed this author's style of writing. I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and completely honest.

[Angela Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fragments has the potential to pull emotions from the depth of your soul and lay them bare. From ugly crying to being ready to punch the lights out of the antagonist, this book has the potential to What an ending! Kathlenn Bridge surprised me at every turn. Oh and I love the recipes at the end of the book!

I love to watch mysteries on television. Reading them, however, is not my normal go to genre. The book blurb and cover art enticed me enough to request reading this book. While I did not fall in love with the characters, I found many to be charming. (Most likely because it is not my go to genre) Meg hailing from my home state of Michigan just made this a more interesting read.

Bridge kept me guessing at every turn. As in any resort area, the people are 'interesting' and many times unlikable. I found that to be true in The Perfect Staging for Murder. Although, the background involvement with the community, in my opinion, was a red herring and I had chosen my murderer half way through. The ending just gave me proof that I should not ever consider going into a detective line of work. Or was the real killer found? You'll have to read the book to form your own opinion. (My opinion is that I am correct, not the police)

Three and a half feathers from me.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th in series of the "Hamptoms Home And Gardens" mystery cozy series. I have read part of the series and always enjoy returning to the beautiful setting of the Hamptoms. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity My review opinion is my own.

In this riviting next in series a murder of a difficult director of a local play has the town on edge. No end to the list of suspects has Meg determined to solve this mystery. When her boyfriend is suspected as well Meg decides its up to her to solve this convoluted series of red herrings and clues . With little help from the police Meg and friends are soon finding clues abound as Meg grows close to solving this case. The sleuth was well plotted to conclusion. The supporting charcters are delightful and add to the series in each book. I love the atmospheric setting of the Hamptoms and how the author describes the culture and coastal area.

I like Meg featured by the author as a person of hearing loss who reads lips. We do not have enough deaf or ASL language represented in cozy mysteries. Bravo to the author. I look forward to the next adventure of Meg and friends.

[Evermore Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an ending! Kathlenn Bridge surprised me at every turn.

I love to watch mysteries on television. Reading them, however, is not my normal go to genre. The book blurb and cover art enticed me enough to request reading this book. While I did not fall in love with the characters, I found many to be charming. (Most likely because it is not my go to genre) Meg hailing from my home state of Michigan just made this a more interesting read.

Bridge kept me guessing at every turn. As in any resort area, the people are 'interesting' and many times unlikable. I found that to be true in The Perfect Staging for Murder. Although, the background involvement with the community, in my opinion, was a red herring and I had chosen my murderer half way through. The ending just gave me proof that I should not ever consider going into a detective line of work. Or was the real killer found? You'll have to read the book to form your own opinion. (My opinion is that I am correct, not the police)

Three and a half feathers from me.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the season finale of Mr. & Mrs. Winslow is being filmed, Meg finds the director doing his best to cross everyone involved with the show. Meg also finds herself stumbling across the Brett’s body. If only Patrick hasn’t been so irate with Brett…and if only Patrick had an alibi for the time of the man’s death.

With Meg’s boyfriend in the hot seat, she she finds herself sleuthing yet again. If only she can find who really dunit and clear Patrick. But the killer has other plans and sets the stage for Meg to fail in the biggest way possible.

I fell in love with this series when I first read it and have never been disappointed by a single entry to date. I love the descriptions of the furnishings and items that Meg brings to the show and often find myself looking up items to see what they really look like, making things come alive even more for me as I read. My two Scotties love this cover of this one…and say Arrooooo for the addition of the pups!

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy set in the next-to glamourous world of the Hamptons, Meg, an interior and set designer, latest job is on location of the filming of a mystery series set in the 1930s in Montauk Point, Long Island. The series is great but the director is getting on everyone's last nerve, including her boyfriend, the writer of the series. When the director is murdered, Meg must find the killer before her boyfriend ends up writing from behind bars.

The characters are very likeable (well, not the murder victim) and the type you would love to spend an afternoon with. The mystery has plenty of twists and gives a feel for life on set of a tv series and for the place of Montauk Point, which while next to the glamourous Hamptons, is a bit more down to earth and the clash that can happen trying to still stay that way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Plotique · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder is a new-to-me cozy mystery series that had me guessing until the very end. Set on a TV show set, I found the premise to be interesting. Meg Barrett, our main character, is definitely a typical cozy heroine who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation after discovering the body of the show's new director. With her boyfriend, Patrick, as the prime suspect and nowhere to be found, of course Meg takes it upon herself to investigate the crime. I thought the middle of the book had a few pacing issues, and there were times I struggled to keep all of the characters straight in the beginning. Overall, I found it to be a solid cozy, and was pleasantly surprised at the Detroit references (I am a Michigander!)...not to mention the inclusion of yummy recipes at the end. Not to be missed- the Detroit-style pizza recipe!

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Bridge’s tale of murder on the set drew me in.
Meg and Ellie have a business partnership, design and staging, and a snooping one. One that Elle’s cop husband tries hard to discourage. When the director is murdered on the set, the ladies are all in, despite Meg being warned off. So many people had issues with the dead man, it became a study of who had motive and opportunity.
We are treated to delightful scene descriptions, vivid characterizations of the people and episodes, that if I were in, I’d need to change my pants. There are love interests and people with character flaws, all in all, a very interesting read and one I’d recommend.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and give my opinion in the same spirit.

[Jackie Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Kathleen Bridge, and it won’t be the last.

Meg Barrett is a set designer on a television show, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow. Meg begins an investigation into the murder of the show’s director, Brett. Meg whittles down her long list of suspects and quickly narrows it down until she knows who the killer is.

The characters are fun and interesting in this story. There are twists and turns that kept me reading. This is the seventh book in the Hampton Homes & Garden Mystery series, but I was able to read it as a stand alone without any problems.

I received a copy of The Perfect Staging for Murder from Netgalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably a good addition to the series. However, I have yet to read the others in the series and thus am not totally sure I am a fan of this author's style of writing or if this is a one off. It felt like a lot of build up to a rush of information. I personally like the mystery to hit a bit earlier and build the story from there.

I did find it interesting that there was a film set as one of the primary story lines. Kinda wish there was a bit more about the actual production and less about the drama that goes along with drama. But, what would a story be without the drama.

[Shirley Ann Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Barrett is the interior decorator and set designer of the popular series Mr & Mrs. Winslow. The shows new director Brett is an aggorant unlikable man who alienates the entire cast and crew. He treats his adult children like servants and is newly engaged to a wealthy aging actress. When he's murdered and her boyfriend Patrick is implicated, Meg uses her sleuthing skills to help ferret out the murderer. There are plenty of suspects, cute pets, and a little romance. Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy for review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Staging for Murder is book #7 in the Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series by Kathlenn Bridge.

I liked this being set in The Hamptons and on the set of a TV show. Where there is as much drama behinds the scenes as there is on the show. The victim was disliked so there were suspects from both his personal and professional life. It was an interesting mystery with twists that keep you guessing.

Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The assistant director volunteering below her pay grade, the mistreated adult children, the fiancée, her chauffer/bodyguard, the screenwriter, and so many more! Who murdered the director no one likes? Plenty of suspects, secrets, twists and turns!

This was a fun whodunit from a new-to-me author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was no guessing about which character would be voted Most Likely To Be Murdered. The dissembling and weird behavior among the suspects was intriguing, however.
The plot holds interest, lots of red herrings and twists, convincing suspects, and a whole lot of backstory. Cn easily be read as a standalone. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read in this series. However, it won't be my last. Both the mystery and the characters drew me in. The Hampton setting makes for a wonderful historical backdrop for a mystery to occur. When suspicion of murder falls on Meg's boyfriend, Patrick, she has even more of a motive to find the suspect before the police arrest him. Will definitely be going to back read the series. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting quirky mystery from a new-to-me author. I especially liked that the hearing issues Meg had were covered as my Dad lost his hearing as a child and it was something different. Otherwise it was a fine cozy read but nothing that wowed me or made me wish to go back and read more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Can Dragons Read? · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good! First time reading a cozy by this author and I loved the more unique setting for this book, the vibes were on point. I loved that this could be read as a standalone and it just makes me want to go read the others before this one! I loved our main characters, they had such a fun dynamic and the mystery was so thrilling.