The Lonely Hearts Detective Agency

The Lemon Tree Bay Mysteries #4

by Megan Mayfair

Clara’s taking matters into her own hands …

Clara is struggling to follow her heart, especially when she has no idea where it should be taking her – to ambitious entrepreneur Lucas or dedicated local cop Adam? As she ponders her future, an accident at the Lemon Tree Bay annual highlands fair brings back painful memories and lingering questions about the cause of her father’s death some years earlier.

Senior Constable Adam Billings is determined to make the most of his second chance in town. He has a new home and renewed hope that all may not be lost with the love of his life, yet past mistakes threaten to engulf him as he finds himself under suspicion by the police force he pledged to serve.

Finding herself in the crosshairs of a revenge plot and falling deeper into the mystery around her father’s death, Clara turns to Adam to find the answers she’s seeking. Can the star-crossed lovers move forward together, or will a grand gesture by Lucas change everything?

When Clara’s digging takes a terrifying turn, Adam and Lucas are forced to abandon their rivalry in a desperate search to find her. Has Lemon Tree Bay’s finest amateur sleuth looked into her last case, or has she solved the biggest mystery this town has ever seen?

The Lonely Hearts Detective Agency is the fourth book in the Lemon Tree Bay Mysteries – a baffling, cosy, romantic series by USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, Megan Mayfair.

Genres: Mystery, Romance

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2023

About the author

Megan Mayfair is a USA Today bestselling author of fiction with a dash of mystery, a sprinkling of humour and a spoonful of romance.

Her books have won awards including the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year (RuBY), the Romance Writers of New Zealand Koru Award of Excellence and the Australian Romance Readers Association Award for favourite romantic suspense novel.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and three children and loves coffee, podcasts and yoga.

Visit her website www.meganmayfair.com or subscribe to her newsletter at www.meganmayfair.com/subscribe

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series and I think this is the best one yet, after the last one Clara had got to the bottom of a poisoning murder but with her premonitions getting stronger she knows that she needs to finally make a decision on who she loves Lucas or Adam, with her emotions all over the place there is a hint that her father’s death may not have been an accident and Clara will get to the bottom of it and discover the truth.

Adam loves being a police officer especially in the town he grew up in even if he was classed as young troubled teenager he has come a long way and he is determined to help Clara find the truth about her father, keep her safe and prove his love for her all at the same time.

Adam soon finds himself on the wrong side of an investigation and then when Clara goes missing he and Lucas will join forces in the search to find her, will they get her in time and what will the outcome be will one of Clara’s premonitions come true?

This is another fabulous installment in this series, action packed and fast paced as far as uncovering the mystery behind her father’s death and working out who is behind it all, there are many changes for Clara in this one but I do think they are for the better, this one has lots of emotions as Clara struggles with her heart.

This is a cosy romantic mystery and one that I do highly recommend, the characters are the best the setting is wonderful by the ocean, we have seen super sleuth Clara solve a few mysteries now and I am hoping that there will be more to come.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Tanya Nellestein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series and have waited with high anticipation for this book. Who will Clara choose - Adam or Lucas. As a reader, I could never choose but I was desperate for Clara to pick. Playing out along side this dilemna is, of course, another mystery in Lemon Tree Bay. This mystery hits Clara rather close to home when Adam is placed under investigation, Lucas plays an unwitting role in having her fired and the nature of her father's death raises unsettling questions. Mayfair is a master of weaving the mysteries around the characters and the township. I made myself read at a much slower pace just so I could draw out the brilliance for as long as possible. This entire series is a must-read!

[juhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Lemon Bay series, I was excited to see what trouble Clara would find next. I loved that the mystery is always the forefront of the plot, with Clara's romantic troubles taking a secondary but still prominent role. In the final(?) installment of the series, Clara's brother Lucas is finally introduced, the Petersons are once again suspects, the love triangle comes to an end, and more is learned about her father/his death. This book definitely had it all from the small town hijinks to romance to of course the mystery. Definitely worth picking up this read, but do believe you must read the series in order to fully appreciate this installment.

*received an ARC for review

[Kassyreadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Lonely Hearts Detective Agency

Author: Megan Mayfair

Synopsis: Clara’s taking matters into her own hands …

Clara is struggling to follow her heart, especially when she has no idea where it should be taking her – to ambitious entrepreneur Lucas or dedicated local cop Adam? As she ponders her future, an accident at the Lemon Tree Bay annual highlands fair brings back painful memories and lingering questions about the cause of her father’s death some years earlier.

Senior Constable Adam Billings is determined to make the most of his second chance in town. He has a new home and renewed hope that all may not be lost with the love of his life, yet past mistakes threaten to engulf him as he finds himself under suspicion by the police force he pledged to serve.

Finding herself in the crosshairs of a revenge plot and falling deeper into the mystery around her father’s death, Clara turns to Adam to find the answers she’s seeking. Can the star-crossed lovers move forward together, or will a grand gesture by Lucas change everything?

When Clara’s digging takes a terrifying turn, Adam and Lucas are forced to abandon their rivalry in a desperate search to find her. Has Lemon Tree Bay’s finest amateur sleuth looked into her last case, or has she solved the biggest mystery this town has ever seen?

The Lonely Hearts Detective Agency is the fourth book in the Lemon Tree Bay Mysteries – a baffling, cosy, romantic series by USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, Megan Mayfair.

Review: I can’t believe this is the last book in the series! I loved watching Clara grow and develops! However, I was a bit sad because she changes jobs you could say. I was sad when she didn’t go back to doing it but I do understand why it had to happen! As for the love triangle I had a feeling who Clara would end up with since the beginning! While I’m not dissatisfied I do wish we got more from them and saw more scenes with them as a couple! I thought they were Greta together maybe a novella? Although considering the epilogue I’m sure they had many more adventures! This was a wonderful conclusion and a great ending for all the characters! If you love cozy mysteries in a small town I would highly recommend picking up this series!

[Sharron Schmuck-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could kick myself!

I’ve binge read the entire series and this one was the best of all! But I broke my own long standing rule never to jump to the end of the book! But I just couldn’t stand it! Who would she choose, I had to know and couldn’t wait! Even though I did, the story was so intriguing and suspenseful that the knowing didn’t detract from the plot. The characters are really fleshed out to the point you almost know already what they’re thinking and the plot keeps you seriously involved. Looking forward to reading more of her books! Definitely recommend!
S Johnson

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara finally gets her Happily Ever After! This is an amazing story. The Clara, Lucas, Adam triangle is resolved. There is of course a new mystery to be solved, with so many tangled threads. The characters are well developed and the story will hold your interest until the end. I really enjoyed reading this but feel sad with the ending of the series.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lonely Hearts Detective Agency is the fourth installment of the Lemon Tree Bay Mystery Series written by Megan Mayfair. If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries you’ll really enjoy this, the plot is well thought out and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and trying to solve the murder mystery. This mystery has a spark of romance and elements of fun, humour, a spunky heroine and a smear of cloak and dagger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mickey Kay Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this series! Not only did I cry but also I laughed with all the wonderful characters. Maybe someday another book about Clara will come out. I’m sad to see the series come full circle, yet it was fantastic!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love triangle to hea

What a lovely wrap up. A love triangle turned into hea for everyone involved with a bit of a mystery along the way. Sweet, suspenseful and full of surprises a wonderfully entertaining story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small town cozy mystery had wonderful intrigue, fun characters, humor and romance. It was sweet and suspenseful with a storyline that made the book impossible to put down. With plenty of twists along the way everyone eventually founds their HEA. Loved this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chynna Nicholle · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) this is by far the best book in the series so far. Overall I’d give the series a 4 star. 2) I can’t be the only one who thought the love interest ending was a bit doggy. Like ya I get it BUT just wasn’t rooting for him.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You never know, do you??? Just because someone is a member of the police force... I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Lovely conclusion. I was content with the ending. I enjoyed that the bad guys finally “got theirs” and that all was resolved and everyone ended up happy in the end.

[Desirae Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

she picked Adam, I am annoyed. I love Lucas, the mysteries took a back seat to Clara's love life, but overall still good. It felt rushed to finish the mystery before the book ended

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet and may be the last one, though I'd love to see more of these characters and Lemon Tree Bay, the lovely little town on the Southeast coast of Australia.

[Katy The Sleepy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Mayfair has done it again! I never tire of reading the Lemon Tree Bay series and seeing what Clara is getting herself into.

The book opens with Clara trying to decide between old love Adam and new love Lucas. Adam is a safe bet. They have known each other since high school and seem to have a connection that they don't understand. All of her premonitions about her future involve him. Lucas is a solid guy too. He's financially stable and has even reclaimed a house for them to live in right there in Lemon Tree Bay. Clara just can't seem to decide and it will take a near death experience to help her make up her mind.

In the midst of all of her dating drama, there is a hint that the death of her father might now have been an accident after all and that someone close to the investigation might be guilty.

Adam is also facing some drama of his own after he's accused of some misconduct while on the job. While on suspension he starts helping Clara try to find the truth behind her fathers death.

I cannot stress how much I love these cozy romance, mystery books. The setting, the characters, there really isn't anything about these books that I do not like. I am so beyond happy that Clara was finally able to make up her mind and I really loved the ending on this book. I can only hope that this is not the last we have seen on Clara and her super sleuthing skills. I received this book free from Booksirens and the author for an honest review.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this series and the first and last books were my favorites. Giving Hallmark movie vibes with a little bit of mystery. Cute and quick reads!