An Inheritance to Die For

Magnolia Manor #1

by Joy Patrick

Solving crimes at a crusty old Florida inn was NOT in Lilly’s 5 yr plan.

But when she discovers she is the executor of a forgotten stepfather’s will and is gifted Magnolia Manor, things get a little off track.

Lilly heads south to finalize the estate, planning to quickly return to her busy life in D.C. But the quaint, sleepy town has a strange appeal. Locals wave to you on the street. What a difference from the frenetic pace and backstabbing politics of her normal life.

But no sooner than finding the estate lawyer’s office, the laid-back vibe starts to evaporate.

An evasive legal assistant and surly Chief of Police try to shuffle her out of town. Estate files come up missing. The lawyer is surprised anyone would want to stay here...after what happened.

The town coroner reports her stepfather died of natural causes, but Lilly is not convinced. Poking around, she starts to suspect murder.

Lilly now realizes the Magnolia Manor of her fond childhood memories may be a crime scene. And that sticking your nose into small town secrets comes with a price.

This inn should’ve come with a danger enter at your own risk.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2023

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Lilly is working for a Senator in Washington D.C. when she gets a phone ☎ call from a lawyer about the death of a stepfather in Florida. She goes to Florida and uncovers a con by the lawyer who is arrested on many charges. Lilly decided to stay in Florida and run the manor house. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😮

[Gina Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I received an ARC of Book 9 in this series! I usually avoid starting series so late, but the author's writing is so engaging that I was hooked from the first page. I instantly connected with the characters, even without having read the previous books. Book 9 was so good that it inspired me to go back and start the series from the very beginning, and I'm completely obsessed! I love everything about this series: the story, the characters, the town, and the mysteries. Seriously, this is a must-read!

[Christa Nardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilly is successful at what she does, keeping her boss out of trouble along with Eric, the man she's been seeing. Only Eric wants to get married and she has bad feelings about marriage.
The same day she finds herself executor for one of her mother's many ex-husbands, her mother shows up in D.C., getting another divorce. Having fond memories of Magnolia Manor and needing to deal with the legal documents, she travels to Florida.

Memories come flashing back as she walks through the inn, even though it's in bad shape. Then things take a turn for the worse except for Quigly (Pete to his friends) but he insists he's just driving her around. She's sure there is something shady going on and she doesn't like the plan to demolish the inn. The inn is broken into with things broken and vandalized. Then the estate lawyer's assistant is killed.

This is a well-written story and Lilly's character is well-developed as are the other major characters, especially the sheriff. The pace is even and there is plenty of action to keep the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. Everything leads up to an ending reflecting the nostalgia Lilly's felt since she returned to Magnolia Manor. And, yes, Lilly's five-year plan definitely changes. This is the first in the Magnolia Manor series and a great start to a 14-book series (at least as of this posting).

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd started reading the first book in the series when I remembered having this book I'd gotten free from the author's newsletter via BookFunnel, so I quickly read it before continuing the first book. Either way, I was really glad I read it and hope more people get to enjoy it first like I did since now it's available on Amazon.

I wasn't real sure what to think of Lilly as a character when she was introduced as working a political job in DC but once she got to Drifter's Cove, she started to change for the better. I've already made up my mind I'm Team Quigley when it comes to possible guys for her. I just can't handle Eric! He's a true piece o' work, sometimes likable and sometimes just spoiled and unbearable. Ok, on to the first book which I'll review in a few minutes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book I got via BookFunnel, and my choice to review it at all was completely my own.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Inheritance to Die For is the first book in the Magnolia Manor series.
I received this as a free book in a new box set of ten stories.
All reviews are my own opinions.

Lilly Livingston is an employee for a Senator who is having some problems created by himself, and now needs Lilly and her boyfriend to dig him out.

Lilly starts getting several calls from Florida.

After finally listening to a voice mail, she learns that one of her mother's former husband's has left her an inn.

With plans to just sign the paperwork and sell the place, Lilly goes down to settle the estate.

Upon going over the terms, Lilly notices something odd, and decides to investigate before selling.

This sets off a series of events that not only puts herself in danger, but also that of her boyfriend who came down to hurry her decision making up.

There are developed characters, some minor intrigue, and a nice plotline.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily's life as a busy Communications Director for a Senator is interrupted by a phone call from Drifter's Cove, Florida informing her that her stepfather has died and left his property to her. When she travels to the small town to tie up the loose ends, she realizes that all is not as it seems, plunging her into the middle of intrigue.

This novella was an entertaining story filled with Characters (with a capital C). Though the author telegraphed the direction of the plot early on, it was a fun read.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

'An Inheritance to Die For' was an exhilarating read. Its pulsating plot was filled with a bit of levity, suspense, tension, mayhem, nostalgia, and death. I liked the author's writing style: interesting and engaging characters, witty dialogue at times, a foreboding setting at an inn in Florida, vivid descriptions, and a suspenseful storyline that kept the reader wondering who the murderer was. Overall, I liked the intriguing narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inconvenient inheritance…

Lily Livingston’s busy life is interrupted when she is notified of a mysterious inheritance in the west Florida coastal town of Drifter’s Cove. The run-down Magnolia Manor evokes childhood memories and something doesn’t seem quite right about the death of it’s former owner.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The sheriff is a hoot and I can see great possibilities for the hunky handyman in future books! I received an advance copy of the book but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Eric Simonsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

inn worth fightingworth fighting for

Lily didn’t seem to like her boyfriend or her job. Running to Florida to sign paperwork for her deceased ex step father, was the distraction she needed. Using her business prow-less she sleuths her way to figuring out her passions for life don’t reside in the city. Danger and death seem to be following her around the small town. You get a little suspense, a little mystery, a little grumpy to sunshine, a little small town romance in this little short story.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather quirky cozy murder mystery .with an array of vibrant colorful anddd quirky characters that will have you captivated with a plot full of intrigue, laughter,secrets, betrayal and of course murder. Right from the beginning I felt Lilly the heroine was a bit adrift in what she wanted in her life. I might have been right either way following her around for as a big D.C. pampered city lady adrift acclimatizing to small town drama was quite entertaining. Acquire " An Inheritance to Die For " A Suspenseful Small Town Cozy Mystery (Magnolia Manor Mysteries)and enjoy it as much as I have. Kat

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Mystery, humor, interesting characters and lots going on. Lilly inherits the manor and goes to Florida, getting away (temporarily) from her boss and her boyfriend, neither of whom she really seems to like. At first she plans to just sell the place, but things start to happen that cause her to wonder if she should investigate.
This is a well written story that I would recommend to anyone.

[ReadinIt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded down

Short and quirky. At first I found the near farcical aspects of personalities and situations a bit off-putting, and the shortness of this prequel probably didn't help since it doesn't allow for a lot of development. Despite these shortcomings, I still found the characters oddly appealing; enough so that I'll be taking a look at this series.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this introduction to the Magnolia Manor Mysteries. I was invested in the story from start to finish. It was a great story of a "big city" girl who finds her home in a small town while solving a mystery involving the death of one of her many stepfathers. I look forward to the remaining stories in this series.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lilly a high-powered DC political comms director inherits an inn in small town Florida from former stepfather she hasn't seen since she was a child. Taking a break from an unwanted proposal from her boyfriend, she goes to settle estate & sell it, but gets suspicious of Tom's death and (for no good reason) insists he was murdered, turns out to be right and decides to reopen the inn.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily comes to Florida from D.C. where she works, to find out she inherited an inn from her late step-father. I like how Lily and Pete Quigley met. They were not fond of each other at first, but eventually formed a friendship. This is a great story that had a ton of twists and turns, and I highly recommend it!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginning for a series that is sure to please mystery lovers. Not knowing who the guilty party is until revealed is a surprise in itself and of itself. Entertaining and very enjoyable.
Highly Recommended.

[Michael Heidle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short read but enjoyable and a nice start to a series!!
There were plot twists and surprised that all got resolved quickly with interesting characters!
I look forward to reading additional books in this series and more by this author.

[Kimberly Bolton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not greay

I was unable to get through the first chapter. The sentences did not line up. There were so many "-" in so many random spots it was hard to read. I think I'll pass up reading anymore of the series.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oops, read the 2nd one 1st!

Totally enjoyed these two stories! The second gave up things to the first one. However, not enough to go to the first and enjoy the suspense! Thanks for a good job, well done!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilly inherits an inn in Florida. This short story is about her leaving DC and going down to sell it. When she gets down there, she runs into lots of mysteries. A fun read! It’s the beginning of a series.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book, I enjoy the cozy mysteries that this author writes. They are fun to read, the plots are very well explained and you just can't help but get lost in the world of the characters. This is a definite must-read.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters took on lives of their own. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed the main character's uncle and why it was labeled an natural death. The outcome is surprising. I definitely recommend this book.

[Coleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little murder mystery that didn’t take long to read from start to finish. All rather predictable but fun!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magnolia Manor I

I can't say this was a particularly good book but it was quirky and interesting. Mistakes were made. A very quick read, however.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to Lilly and the Inn that was left to her by her ex-stepfather. I see more mysteries in her future.

[christine]

Great read

This is my first book by Joy Patrick I was drawn into the story and hooked. The characters are very likable . I really enjoy a good mystery . Recommend

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Clean. A quick read.

[fred jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short story

A good short start to this series. An Inheritance, a suspicious death and colourful local characters make for a fun well written quick read.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

This was fun to read. Quirky characters, a murder mystery, and a great ending. This was fun to read, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Carolee DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your normal cozy. Very good read.