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April May #1
Secret Inheritance
When fashion columnist April May inherits her grandmother’s lake house, she vows to sell it in one week.
To her surprise, the small-town charm and mysterious local occurrences pique her interest.
A missing heirloom, threatening letters, and a string of local deaths are just the beginning of the mystery.
With the help of the handsome local vet and new friends in town, April learns to crochet (badly), starts wearing hideous rubber boots, and digs into her grandmother’s mysterious past.
Only someone in town doesn’t want her digging.
When a poisonous plant is left in her living room and another local almost dies, April has to race against time to discover the true culprit.
Unless she finds who it is quickly, her high heels won’t be the only thing to die in Laurel Lake. ____________ A delightfully gripping cozy murder mystery full of charm and intrigue with bonus recipes included! The April May Mystery Books are standalone books in a new series aimed at adults that can be enjoyed by young adults who love a great whodunit full of friendship, clues, and heart.
To her surprise, the small-town charm and mysterious local occurrences pique her interest.
A missing heirloom, threatening letters, and a string of local deaths are just the beginning of the mystery.
With the help of the handsome local vet and new friends in town, April learns to crochet (badly), starts wearing hideous rubber boots, and digs into her grandmother’s mysterious past.
Only someone in town doesn’t want her digging.
When a poisonous plant is left in her living room and another local almost dies, April has to race against time to discover the true culprit.
Unless she finds who it is quickly, her high heels won’t be the only thing to die in Laurel Lake. ____________ A delightfully gripping cozy murder mystery full of charm and intrigue with bonus recipes included! The April May Mystery Books are standalone books in a new series aimed at adults that can be enjoyed by young adults who love a great whodunit full of friendship, clues, and heart.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2023
254 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
September 19, 2023
When April May inherits a Home on Laurel Lake to say she is disappointed after arriving is an understatement and when she hears scraping at the back door only to find a sick dog throwing up who looked beraggal and in need of care. For life long cat lover April May she just wants to take him to the vet and be done with it. When she meets vet Wesley Reeves she’s happy to have a reason to come back to the clinic he is dropdead gorgeous and when the sick dog looks to April May for comfort it is more than her heart can take. Although she tries to stand in firm when she says she does not want the dog she does agree to foster it. While looking around her inherited home she finds old letters in the cupboard written to her grandmother in a very threatening tone signed by L. And when a woman shows up claiming to be a friend of her grandma‘s and wanting to buy the house instead of touring it it looks like she’s in search of something itraises April suspicions when the woman doesn’t even give her name. She meets a friend name Lucy who works at the library but cannot say the same for Isaac who owns the grocery store although his twin brother Ruben seems nice even if not one of her grandma Ellen’s biggest fans. April May didn’t know her grandmother nor does she know the other item besides the home she was supposed to inherit as the oldest daughter in her generation she also wants to know why these two brothers disliked her grandmother so much and who is L and why are they threatening her deceased grandmother? April May will find all of this out she will meet unwanted relatives have a crush on a doctor and fall in love with a dog and laurel lake and all before the end of this cute cozy mystery. I could not wait to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint. I am new to Hazel Snitz books but cannot wait to read more I was so excited to be an arc reader because the book sounded so good and it definitely is a five star solid cozy mystery. I loved it and highly recommend it. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
September 10, 2023
The first book in what will prove to be a great series with characters you’re going to love along with well written plots and intrigue that will keep you happily piecing together the clues and altering your conclusions as more facts are presented throughout the book!
April May inherits her grandmother’s house in a small town. She goes there with the intention of fixing it up and selling it as quickly as possible. However her well intentioned plans get derailed the first night she’s there when a sick dog scratches on her door. This starts a series of events which will uncover secrets in her grandmother’s past which finally leads to confronting those responsible for poisoning not only the dog but at least three others in the town!
I enthusiastically recommend this book to lovers of cozy mysteries everywhere for you’re going to enjoy this plot and well written story that will have you “ hooked” right from the start!
You’ll find yourself turning the pages just as fast as you can to glean additional information and facts about these poisonings and who is behind it!
Some books just affect you more than others and happily this is one such book! I was caught up to see
it through to the end within a few pages of starting to read I!
Pick up and start reading this book today! I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!!
April May inherits her grandmother’s house in a small town. She goes there with the intention of fixing it up and selling it as quickly as possible. However her well intentioned plans get derailed the first night she’s there when a sick dog scratches on her door. This starts a series of events which will uncover secrets in her grandmother’s past which finally leads to confronting those responsible for poisoning not only the dog but at least three others in the town!
I enthusiastically recommend this book to lovers of cozy mysteries everywhere for you’re going to enjoy this plot and well written story that will have you “ hooked” right from the start!
You’ll find yourself turning the pages just as fast as you can to glean additional information and facts about these poisonings and who is behind it!
Some books just affect you more than others and happily this is one such book! I was caught up to see
it through to the end within a few pages of starting to read I!
Pick up and start reading this book today! I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!!
September 12, 2023
April May has become bored with her fast paced life in Chicago. She’s left her job writing about fashion to try real journalism. While she’s in transition she learns that the grandmother she never knew has left her a lake house and an heirloom. She was going to ignore it but her mom encouraged her to go and check out the place if for no other reason than to fix it and flip it. When she arrives in the very small town of Laurel Lake April May gets a whole lot more than she bargained for. Caught up in secrets and resentments from the past, a sudden crime wave in a one horse town and some unexpected feelings for a man and a dog April is not quite sure she knows where she belongs anymore. What she does have is a driving need to find the truth if only to get some answers about her past and some closure.
Great start to a new series! Love the small town and the colorful people who live there. Absolutely loved the learning curve for city girl April May lol. Great mystery filled with secrets, twists and some big unexpected surprises. A definite winner!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Great start to a new series! Love the small town and the colorful people who live there. Absolutely loved the learning curve for city girl April May lol. Great mystery filled with secrets, twists and some big unexpected surprises. A definite winner!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
March 6, 2025
I enjoyed the novel as it is a nice story that has an easy-to-follow flow. Personally, I was not surprised that Cora Dean turned out to be Lydia’s daughter as I kind of expected that early on in the novel. However, even though I enjoyed the story, the characters felt superficial to me and lacked depth. We don’t really learn that much about the main character except that she is the typical city girl that enjoys fashion. Also Wesley, the love interest, is just that, the love interest who is presented as Mr Perfect without any imperfections in appearance, character or acting. I hope that we learn more about these characters and their background in the following novels, as other than that, the novel was really enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
Brilliant simply brilliant…
The author truly never disappoints. It's a fresh and exciting new series that introduces us to April May, a former fashion columnist who unintentionally inherits her grandmother’s house whom she never knew She plans on selling the house after renovating, but things are not as easy as they seem. Together with her new-found friends and loyal boxer named Ralph by her side, April sets out to find out more about her family’s origin and try to solve the mysteries surrounding the house and rediscover a missing heirloom.
This book is a gem that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. A page turner with a brilliant plot. All the characters are wonderfully written with the right amount of mystery, humor, romance and adventure. The book is also very fast-paced, you can finish it in less than 3 hours. With unpredictable plot twists and intriguing story line the story is extremely captivating. I love how the author writes in a way that lets you solve the mystery along with the characters. The hints are cleverly hidden throughout the story, not just thrown in at the last minute. The climax and the resolution are satisfying and well-crafted. The author has once again created unforgettable characters that will stay with you long after you close the book.
If you loved the maid mystery series by the author, you’ll certainly adore this. Definitely give this book a try, you will not be disappointed.
I am delighted to have the privilege of reading the advance reader's copy of this book and leave my honest review.
The author truly never disappoints. It's a fresh and exciting new series that introduces us to April May, a former fashion columnist who unintentionally inherits her grandmother’s house whom she never knew She plans on selling the house after renovating, but things are not as easy as they seem. Together with her new-found friends and loyal boxer named Ralph by her side, April sets out to find out more about her family’s origin and try to solve the mysteries surrounding the house and rediscover a missing heirloom.
This book is a gem that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. A page turner with a brilliant plot. All the characters are wonderfully written with the right amount of mystery, humor, romance and adventure. The book is also very fast-paced, you can finish it in less than 3 hours. With unpredictable plot twists and intriguing story line the story is extremely captivating. I love how the author writes in a way that lets you solve the mystery along with the characters. The hints are cleverly hidden throughout the story, not just thrown in at the last minute. The climax and the resolution are satisfying and well-crafted. The author has once again created unforgettable characters that will stay with you long after you close the book.
If you loved the maid mystery series by the author, you’ll certainly adore this. Definitely give this book a try, you will not be disappointed.
I am delighted to have the privilege of reading the advance reader's copy of this book and leave my honest review.
September 13, 2023
What happens when you inherit a lake house and a family heirloom from a grandmother you don't even know. April and her mother have been on their own since her father abandoned them, not being close to any of his family and living in Chicago she's shocked to find her grandmother has left everything to April. This starts a series of mysterious things to happen. She intends to renovate the house and then sell in off, but nothing every goes as planned. This is the first in a new series and the characters are a mix of their own from a gorgeous vet, a gossiping cafe owner and a grumpy shopkeeper. This certainly has twists and turns that April has to workout as well a adopting a boxer dog she names Ralph. I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC copy and this is my own honest opinion and review of the book
August 17, 2024
Family secrets can be as thick as the mud around the lake, and hide just as much. April May has no plans on staying, but a loving dog and a cute vet as well as threatening letters to the grandmother she never knew cause her to delay her return to the city life she loves. But the letters are just the start and with the help of new friends, April is determined to find out what is going on around Laurel Lake. Twists and turns and satisfying ending make this an easy book to recommend.
October 17, 2023
I admit that this is my first time reading a book from this author and I was not disappointed.
The book focuses on April May's story and how she handles receiving an unexpected inheritance from her paternal grandmother, which sets in motion a series of events meant to shake the tranquility of the small town where the action takes place, bringing tension, a mystery and also starts off a hunt for the truth. At first it's only participants in this quest being April and her first "partner", joined later by the town's people, which she collects like "discount coupons for her favorite stores".
The story is told from her POV throughout the book, which limits the story to her analysis of the events and the people that she meets, but it's so well done that you will not miss their view.
We get to see how the family dynamics affected her and what the consequences are. As well as how she got to know a part of herself that came from her father's part of the family.
Additionally, we get to see how the friendships that she forms in the small town and how meeting quality people brings the best in her. It made her go over her former friendships and acknowledge they lacked warmth, substance and even compassion.
The story was suspenseful, exciting and managed to keep me hooked and wondering at what's to come next, up to the point where we reached the end of the journey and found out the truth, and I consider that to be the embodiment of a good mystery in my book.
The book is perfect for this time of the year, the autumn weather adding a new dimension to the reading experience.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. I'm also curious about what will happen next in the series.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion of the Secret Inheritance by Hazel Smith.
The book focuses on April May's story and how she handles receiving an unexpected inheritance from her paternal grandmother, which sets in motion a series of events meant to shake the tranquility of the small town where the action takes place, bringing tension, a mystery and also starts off a hunt for the truth. At first it's only participants in this quest being April and her first "partner", joined later by the town's people, which she collects like "discount coupons for her favorite stores".
The story is told from her POV throughout the book, which limits the story to her analysis of the events and the people that she meets, but it's so well done that you will not miss their view.
We get to see how the family dynamics affected her and what the consequences are. As well as how she got to know a part of herself that came from her father's part of the family.
Additionally, we get to see how the friendships that she forms in the small town and how meeting quality people brings the best in her. It made her go over her former friendships and acknowledge they lacked warmth, substance and even compassion.
The story was suspenseful, exciting and managed to keep me hooked and wondering at what's to come next, up to the point where we reached the end of the journey and found out the truth, and I consider that to be the embodiment of a good mystery in my book.
The book is perfect for this time of the year, the autumn weather adding a new dimension to the reading experience.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. I'm also curious about what will happen next in the series.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion of the Secret Inheritance by Hazel Smith.
October 29, 2024
No April May, you are not in Chicago anymore.
Meet April May, former fashion journalist from Chicago who finds herself in a small town where not having rubber boots is a fashion faux pas. April has inherited some lake front property and a mysterious family heirloom, and that is but one of the many mysteries found within this cozy mystery. As April goes around the old and somewhat unsightly house looking for said heirloom, that is only known as an heirloom to be passed down to the oldest child of the oldest child, she comes upon threatening letters signed by “L” and addressed to “E” from whom she assumes to be her grandmother Ellen Rowberry, a grandmother whom she has never met. The only thing that April is able to deduce about grandmother Ellen is that she was an avid gardener.
April’s first local encounter is with a very sick boxer, as in canine, which leads to a meeting with the very handsome Wesley, the town veterinarian. Wesley manages to convince April, a confirmed cat person, to foster the large breed after treating him for possible plant poisoning. From muddy stray to Ralph Lauren namesake, April now has a dog to take care of along with renovating an old house, looking for a lost heirloom, and getting to the bottom of those mysterious letters.
As with most small and cozy towns, it seems like everyone who April meets, knows that she is Ellen’s granddaughter. Some have kind things to say about Ellen and then there is Isaac, the owner of Main Street Market, the only grocery store in town. There seems to be some anger issues stemming from past peccadillos involving Ellen, Isaac and Isaac’s brother Reuben. Thank goodness there is a dog-friendly café with the best butterscotch muffins and lemon drizzle cake in town owned and operated by Josephine. With each new introduction, April finds herself looking for the mysterious “L” since Officer Greenley aka just call me Kate, is at a loss as to how to proceed with the mysterious letters that could mean nothing. Or they could mean quite a bit when the brothers get mysterious letters with a single initial and people end up in the hospital.
April is befriended by Lucy the local librarian who suggests that April attend the croquet club to meet some people and get some answers. And so starts a wonderful friendship, after all, every good sleuther needs friends. There is plenty to research, from town history to search history and then there are the searches for Huntsley & Dean, a development company. Many believe that the company is messing with the lake water in order to ruin the town so they can purchase it for a pittance and develop it into something this is not cozy. Are these mysteries related, maybe, maybe not? The clues are well laid as are the red herrings and I while I figured out both the who and they why I did not figure out the what. One last thing, I can attest that the recipe at the conclusion of the story makes a very tasty Lemon Drizzle Cake, which means that the only mystery remaining is the whereabouts of the recipe for those butterscotch muffins.
Meet April May, former fashion journalist from Chicago who finds herself in a small town where not having rubber boots is a fashion faux pas. April has inherited some lake front property and a mysterious family heirloom, and that is but one of the many mysteries found within this cozy mystery. As April goes around the old and somewhat unsightly house looking for said heirloom, that is only known as an heirloom to be passed down to the oldest child of the oldest child, she comes upon threatening letters signed by “L” and addressed to “E” from whom she assumes to be her grandmother Ellen Rowberry, a grandmother whom she has never met. The only thing that April is able to deduce about grandmother Ellen is that she was an avid gardener.
April’s first local encounter is with a very sick boxer, as in canine, which leads to a meeting with the very handsome Wesley, the town veterinarian. Wesley manages to convince April, a confirmed cat person, to foster the large breed after treating him for possible plant poisoning. From muddy stray to Ralph Lauren namesake, April now has a dog to take care of along with renovating an old house, looking for a lost heirloom, and getting to the bottom of those mysterious letters.
As with most small and cozy towns, it seems like everyone who April meets, knows that she is Ellen’s granddaughter. Some have kind things to say about Ellen and then there is Isaac, the owner of Main Street Market, the only grocery store in town. There seems to be some anger issues stemming from past peccadillos involving Ellen, Isaac and Isaac’s brother Reuben. Thank goodness there is a dog-friendly café with the best butterscotch muffins and lemon drizzle cake in town owned and operated by Josephine. With each new introduction, April finds herself looking for the mysterious “L” since Officer Greenley aka just call me Kate, is at a loss as to how to proceed with the mysterious letters that could mean nothing. Or they could mean quite a bit when the brothers get mysterious letters with a single initial and people end up in the hospital.
April is befriended by Lucy the local librarian who suggests that April attend the croquet club to meet some people and get some answers. And so starts a wonderful friendship, after all, every good sleuther needs friends. There is plenty to research, from town history to search history and then there are the searches for Huntsley & Dean, a development company. Many believe that the company is messing with the lake water in order to ruin the town so they can purchase it for a pittance and develop it into something this is not cozy. Are these mysteries related, maybe, maybe not? The clues are well laid as are the red herrings and I while I figured out both the who and they why I did not figure out the what. One last thing, I can attest that the recipe at the conclusion of the story makes a very tasty Lemon Drizzle Cake, which means that the only mystery remaining is the whereabouts of the recipe for those butterscotch muffins.
September 18, 2023
Secret Inheritance
Hazel Smith ( ARC)
"Secret Inheritance" marks the captivating debut of the April May cozy mystery series penned by the talented Hazel Smith, an author whose prowess shines through her equally beloved "A Maid Ivy cozy mysteries." I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Smith for delivering an exceptional narrative that will undoubtedly keep readers enthralled throughout.
In this delightful tale, we find the stylish Fashion Columnist April May embarking on a transformative journey to the quaint town of Laurel Lake. Her purpose? To undertake the renovation of a house left to her by her late grandmother, the enigmatic Ellen Rowbury. Little does April know, her arrival will unveil a riveting mystery, a tapestry woven with elements of intrigue—a string of menacing notes, baffling thefts, a precious heirloom gone missing, and a shroud of suspicion enveloping unexplained deaths. It's a plot that tugs at the very heartstrings of curiosity.
April May, with her newfound allies—a dashing veterinarian, an endearing stray dog who finds a home in her heart, and a resourceful librarian—must summon her wits to thwart the malevolent puppeteer pulling the strings of this dark enigma. As the layers of secrecy unravel, the chilling realization dawns that she herself might be the ultimate target of the ruthless murderer.
Within these pages, readers will be treated to an exhilarating rollercoaster of plot twists and unforeseen developments. Each chapter unfurls a tapestry of suspense, drawing you inexorably toward a heart-pounding conclusion. I emphatically assert that "Secret Inheritance" is a true testament to Hazel Smith's storytelling prowess, and I wholeheartedly endorse it for aficionados of the cozy mystery genre. Prepare to be enthralled, for this book is, without a doubt, a compelling page-turner that is nigh impossible to set aside.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Hazel Smith ( ARC)
"Secret Inheritance" marks the captivating debut of the April May cozy mystery series penned by the talented Hazel Smith, an author whose prowess shines through her equally beloved "A Maid Ivy cozy mysteries." I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Smith for delivering an exceptional narrative that will undoubtedly keep readers enthralled throughout.
In this delightful tale, we find the stylish Fashion Columnist April May embarking on a transformative journey to the quaint town of Laurel Lake. Her purpose? To undertake the renovation of a house left to her by her late grandmother, the enigmatic Ellen Rowbury. Little does April know, her arrival will unveil a riveting mystery, a tapestry woven with elements of intrigue—a string of menacing notes, baffling thefts, a precious heirloom gone missing, and a shroud of suspicion enveloping unexplained deaths. It's a plot that tugs at the very heartstrings of curiosity.
April May, with her newfound allies—a dashing veterinarian, an endearing stray dog who finds a home in her heart, and a resourceful librarian—must summon her wits to thwart the malevolent puppeteer pulling the strings of this dark enigma. As the layers of secrecy unravel, the chilling realization dawns that she herself might be the ultimate target of the ruthless murderer.
Within these pages, readers will be treated to an exhilarating rollercoaster of plot twists and unforeseen developments. Each chapter unfurls a tapestry of suspense, drawing you inexorably toward a heart-pounding conclusion. I emphatically assert that "Secret Inheritance" is a true testament to Hazel Smith's storytelling prowess, and I wholeheartedly endorse it for aficionados of the cozy mystery genre. Prepare to be enthralled, for this book is, without a doubt, a compelling page-turner that is nigh impossible to set aside.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
September 16, 2023
April May, high-flying Chicago journalist, receives an old house as an inheritance from the grandmother she never knew. Along with the house comes a mysterious heirloom, though she has no information about where, or what, this might be.
Small town Laurel Lake does not fit into April's designer label lifestyle, and nor does she think much of the half-dead boxer pup she finds throwing up in her backyard. She's only intending to stay in town as long as it takes to renovate the decrepit old house, and then get back to her real life in the big city.
But then she meets the handsome (and single!) town vet, and as if that wasn't incentive enough to change her mind, she also finds a cache of threatening letters sent to her grandmother. And when she stumbles upon a long-ago family scandal, she can't help but think the two might be related.
Then houses start getting broken in to, and townspeople start getting poisoned.
Who is targeting the residents of Laurel Lake? What does it have to do with the property developers intent on building a shopping mall? And how on earth did April May end up taking care of a dog?
I enjoyed this book, and there is so much more to it than I have described. I didn't even mention the recipes at the end (Lemon drizzle cake, yum!) or the friends she makes along the way.
I didn't entirely see the twist that comes toward the end, and my first guess as to who was behind it all turned out to be incorrect.
I look forward to reading more books by Hazel Smith, especially in this series.
(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Small town Laurel Lake does not fit into April's designer label lifestyle, and nor does she think much of the half-dead boxer pup she finds throwing up in her backyard. She's only intending to stay in town as long as it takes to renovate the decrepit old house, and then get back to her real life in the big city.
But then she meets the handsome (and single!) town vet, and as if that wasn't incentive enough to change her mind, she also finds a cache of threatening letters sent to her grandmother. And when she stumbles upon a long-ago family scandal, she can't help but think the two might be related.
Then houses start getting broken in to, and townspeople start getting poisoned.
Who is targeting the residents of Laurel Lake? What does it have to do with the property developers intent on building a shopping mall? And how on earth did April May end up taking care of a dog?
I enjoyed this book, and there is so much more to it than I have described. I didn't even mention the recipes at the end (Lemon drizzle cake, yum!) or the friends she makes along the way.
I didn't entirely see the twist that comes toward the end, and my first guess as to who was behind it all turned out to be incorrect.
I look forward to reading more books by Hazel Smith, especially in this series.
(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
September 18, 2023
April May was shocked to find she had inherited a lake house in Laurel Lake from a grandmother she never knew. Thinking she'll get it fixed up and sell it and having her mother, who lives on the other side of the lake pushing her to fix it in hopes she'll stay. Being in transition, she decides to stay and fix it up. While at the house, she hears some noises at the back door. When she opens it, there is a very sick looking dog. Not really a dog person, she feels sorry for him and takes him to the town vet who she can't take her eyes off of. He is extremely handsome. Unfortunately, the vet can't find an owner and asks April May if she would foster it while he looks for someone to take him. While working in the kitchen, in the very back of a cabinet, April finds letters that seem to be very threatening to her grandmother. What do they mean? Is there still a threat? What did the will mean that there was something special, an heirloom, worth a lot of money that she inherited too. But where is it? What is it? April May has an ally in the vet and she is consumed with so many things, but when a couple of people in the town are affected with poisonous plants and almost killed them, she knew she had to find out what was going on. This is a page turning, twist and turns book that you must read in one sitting it is so good. I can't wait to see how April May fares in Laurel Lake and how falling for the dog and keeping him fills her heart. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
November 9, 2023
Another solid mystery by Hazel Smith.
April May has inherited a home from a grandmother she never knew or met. And that has helped her walk away from a job that had grown tiresome for her. The small town of Laurel Lake has some interesting characters in it, not the least of which is Wesley.. the Veterinarian she finds out of necessity, to save the life of a dog that shows up at her new back door in very poor shape. Wesley will become a friend, as she comes to know the people of Laurel Lake, and there's definitely some chemistry happening between them. The thing is... April May was told of an heirloom by the lawyer who contacted her regarding the will, but she cannot find anything that makes sense as an heirloom. And now curious things are happening to locals...
This is a well told story. In some ways quite remarkably so. There are layers in this one. Our intrepid newcomer has the nose of a journalist, and a vested personal interest in getting answers, but she's able to learn from mistakes [hers and others']. Perhaps my only complaint is that it is very slow going on the front end. Although I walked away from it a few times, whenever I came back the story pulled me in a bit more. It builds well, even if the pace felt a bit laggish early on. Still. A very sound foundation is built for the story to be laid out upon. And it's all quite satisfying when the threads finally come together.
I received a free advance copy via the author, and my review is voluntarily offered.
April May has inherited a home from a grandmother she never knew or met. And that has helped her walk away from a job that had grown tiresome for her. The small town of Laurel Lake has some interesting characters in it, not the least of which is Wesley.. the Veterinarian she finds out of necessity, to save the life of a dog that shows up at her new back door in very poor shape. Wesley will become a friend, as she comes to know the people of Laurel Lake, and there's definitely some chemistry happening between them. The thing is... April May was told of an heirloom by the lawyer who contacted her regarding the will, but she cannot find anything that makes sense as an heirloom. And now curious things are happening to locals...
This is a well told story. In some ways quite remarkably so. There are layers in this one. Our intrepid newcomer has the nose of a journalist, and a vested personal interest in getting answers, but she's able to learn from mistakes [hers and others']. Perhaps my only complaint is that it is very slow going on the front end. Although I walked away from it a few times, whenever I came back the story pulled me in a bit more. It builds well, even if the pace felt a bit laggish early on. Still. A very sound foundation is built for the story to be laid out upon. And it's all quite satisfying when the threads finally come together.
I received a free advance copy via the author, and my review is voluntarily offered.
September 18, 2023
I received an epub copy of this book as part of the author's ARC.
When April May - there are jokes about whether she has a sister called June July - inherits a lakehouse from a grandmother she never met, she goes to the small town intending to simply clean it out, claim her special heirloom, sell the house and use the funds to make a mid-life crisis change of career.
Nothing goes to plan. The house is a dump, the heirloom is missing, there is a stray dog sick in her yard that she feels obligated to look after until the obligatory "dreamy" vet can find a home for it, and she finds a stack of old letters in the house that indicate her grandmother was being threatened, perhaps even murdered.
As well as the usual group of small town characters, there is a pair of mysterious and sinister property developers, and her grandmother's ex-suitors - one nasty, one not so nasty, and her new best friend, who introduces her to the joys of crocheting.
There is a menagerie of suspects when a series of poisonings hits the town, and April must rely on the vet and her new best friend to prevent herself becoming the next victim, and to find the missing heirloom.
As cosies go this is an enjoyable romp, with interesting characters and an intriguing mystery. I for one will be pleased to read Book 2 in the series when it comes out.
When April May - there are jokes about whether she has a sister called June July - inherits a lakehouse from a grandmother she never met, she goes to the small town intending to simply clean it out, claim her special heirloom, sell the house and use the funds to make a mid-life crisis change of career.
Nothing goes to plan. The house is a dump, the heirloom is missing, there is a stray dog sick in her yard that she feels obligated to look after until the obligatory "dreamy" vet can find a home for it, and she finds a stack of old letters in the house that indicate her grandmother was being threatened, perhaps even murdered.
As well as the usual group of small town characters, there is a pair of mysterious and sinister property developers, and her grandmother's ex-suitors - one nasty, one not so nasty, and her new best friend, who introduces her to the joys of crocheting.
There is a menagerie of suspects when a series of poisonings hits the town, and April must rely on the vet and her new best friend to prevent herself becoming the next victim, and to find the missing heirloom.
As cosies go this is an enjoyable romp, with interesting characters and an intriguing mystery. I for one will be pleased to read Book 2 in the series when it comes out.
September 18, 2023
April May is down on Chicago fashion journalism and wants to bite her teeth into investigative . She finds that she has inherited a lake house in Laurel Lake from a grandmother she never met. This plus a heirloom. When her mother prompts her to make the trip to find out what it is and if only to do it up and flip it. From the get go there’s surprises in store, a dog turns up at her doorstep sick so she finds a vet a drop dead gorgeous Wesley Reeves , agreeing to at least foster the dog for the now. As she delves into the house she finds alarming threatening letters in her grandmother’s possessions and soon she’s in the mix to fix the problem of why there’s a poisoner out there and why ,as well as the secrets , also where’s this heirloom and who is this woman who claims to be a friend of her deceased granny and wants to buy the house. It seems her first gig at the investigative journo is for herself! Brilliant start to what I’m sure is going to be a hit cosy mystery series . Hooked from the first chapter , it has all the traits of the prolific pen of Hazel Smith. Great characters , plotting, amateur sleuth , love interest and pet sidekick , complete with a quirky town a compelling immersive fun book you’re not going to want to put down.
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of the book and my review is voluntary and in my own words
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of the book and my review is voluntary and in my own words
October 2, 2023
April May receives an unexpected inheritance from her paternal grandmother - someone that she never knew. She arrives at Laurel Lake and discovers the home is in desperate need of repair. While trying to recover from that shock, she discovers a very sick dog that is also very malnourished. She quickly brings the dog to a vet. While a cat person, she doesn’t want to see anything happen to the dog. She ends up agreeing to foster Ralph (what else would a fashion columnist name a dog?), after becoming flustered by the very charming and handsome vet. The plan was to renovate the home to sell it as quickly as possible, find an inheritance that her Grandmother wrote about, and to head back to Chicago to find new job and get back to her life. Plans quickly change when April finds threatening letters sent to her grandmother. The search begins to find out who sent the letters, try to find the inheritance- whatever that may be - all while trying to fix the house. The search intensifies as people start getting poisoned. Loved the various residents of Laurel Lane, that soon become friends to April. This is the first in a new series, and I look forward to reading more about the residents of Laurel Lake. Loved trying to figure out what was going to happen. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2023
As a newcomer to writing book reviews, I was excited to provide feedback on Hazel Smith’s latest cozy mystery, Secret Inheritance. This is the first standalone book in Smith’s new April May Mystery Books series. It has the same delightful tone as Smith’s Mystery Maid series, which my wife and I have enjoyed, while introducing an entirely new set of characters and storyline.
Protagonist April May is an appealing heroine who draws you into the mysterious happenings around her late grandmother’s lake house. The pace moves briskly between short, engaging chapters that make the book hard to put down. I appreciated that the romantic elements remain clean and respectful.
Secret Inheritance delivers an absorbing cozy mystery with no inappropriate content. Smith maintains an upbeat tone despite the danger April faces, keeping things from becoming too dark. The characters and their motivations feel believable and realistic.
Fans of the Mystery Maid series will enjoy seeing Smith’s talent shine in this new setting. I look forward to more mysteries in the April May Mystery Books series from this talented author.
(I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Protagonist April May is an appealing heroine who draws you into the mysterious happenings around her late grandmother’s lake house. The pace moves briskly between short, engaging chapters that make the book hard to put down. I appreciated that the romantic elements remain clean and respectful.
Secret Inheritance delivers an absorbing cozy mystery with no inappropriate content. Smith maintains an upbeat tone despite the danger April faces, keeping things from becoming too dark. The characters and their motivations feel believable and realistic.
Fans of the Mystery Maid series will enjoy seeing Smith’s talent shine in this new setting. I look forward to more mysteries in the April May Mystery Books series from this talented author.
(I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
September 17, 2023
Secret Inheritance is the first book in the April May Mystery Series. It is the first book that I've read by the author. The main character, April, is a city girl who inherits a run-down farm house located on a lake in a small town. She goes to the house to fix it up to sale. The story was interesting, as was the mystery. April makes some new friends and gets wrapped up in learning more about a side of her family she never knew.
Regarding the main character, April: She was a tad bit annoying with her negative thoughts on small town life/people, but she did seem very real in that regard and kept trying to be better than that, so that helped. She's an impulsive person, and tended to pull people into her (not totally legal) actions. She's a bit of a bad influence :) but still likeable.
It was an easy read (well written) and at times I didn't want to put the book down because it would get very interesting. It seems like small town life (and the people) grew on her and she seemed to grow as a person in the book. I'm guessing future books will continue to have her maturing, which will be nice since she is already a caring person. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Regarding the main character, April: She was a tad bit annoying with her negative thoughts on small town life/people, but she did seem very real in that regard and kept trying to be better than that, so that helped. She's an impulsive person, and tended to pull people into her (not totally legal) actions. She's a bit of a bad influence :) but still likeable.
It was an easy read (well written) and at times I didn't want to put the book down because it would get very interesting. It seems like small town life (and the people) grew on her and she seemed to grow as a person in the book. I'm guessing future books will continue to have her maturing, which will be nice since she is already a caring person. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
September 18, 2023
Hazel Smith is the author of a series that I really enjoy. When the chance came to receive an ARC of Secret Inheritance, I jumped for it. I enjoyed this book a lot. I will say that, for the first few chapters, I truly did not like the main character, April May (yes, that is really her name). She came across and ungrateful and a bit entitled. April inherits property from a grandmother she never knew, who was the mother to her father who left her when she was young. She knows virtually nothing about her father’s family. April is a city girl, hailing from Chicago, and the property is in the very small town of Laurel Lake, Minnesota. Someone seems to be unhappy that April inherited the property, and strange things begin happening. A stray dog is found on the property, leading her to meet the handsome veterinarian in town. As April starts to unravel the history of her father’s family, she becomes more attached to life in Laurel Lake. (As a result, she becomes a much nicer person and one who I really liked for her willingness to try new things.) The mystery surrounding her inheritance is very well written, and it kept me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the series!
September 20, 2023
April May inherits a small house on Laurel Lake from a grandmother she never knew. She lives in Chicago and has no desire to settle down in a small town, so her plan is to sell the place as quickly as possible and return home. However, fate has other plans for April. She finds the house run down, a sick dog on the property, a gorgeous veterinarian, a friend at the library, and gets to know many other quirky residents of the town. She also finds some letters leading to a mystery she would love to solve. When a couple of residents become sick, later determined to have been poisoned, just like the dog she found on the property when she arrived, she senses something isn’t right in the small town. Warned to stay out of the investigation by local law enforcement, April is frustrated. She and her new friends are determined to solve the crimes anyway. Can they do so before anyone else gets poisoned, or worse?
The longer she stays in the small town, the more she grows to love it and the friends she’s made. But is that enough to make her want to stay permanently?
Hazel Smith is a new-to-me author and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The longer she stays in the small town, the more she grows to love it and the friends she’s made. But is that enough to make her want to stay permanently?
Hazel Smith is a new-to-me author and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 21, 2023
Please note: I was given a copy of this book and have voluntarily decided to give it this honest review.
April May, a fashion journalist in Chicago, is unsatisfied with her job and her life. When she learns that her grandmother, who she never met, has died and left her a house, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to change her life around. She quits her job and plans to spend a few weeks renovating her grandmother’s house in order sell it. She’s told that she also inherited a valuable family heirloom that may be hidden somewhere in the house. After going through the house she finds a stash of mysterious letters to her grandmother, threatening her and signed only with an initial, “L.” April rescues a dog that was poisoned, but this is not the only victim. There are two brothers, still living in town, that dated her grandmother, who are also poisoned. Could these poisonings be related? Who is the mysterious “L?” Where is the missing heirloom and could it be the cause of these poisonings? Who will be the victim? Maybe April herself?
I enjoyed the book. It was fun to try to figure out the identity of the villain. I have read the author’s other series, the Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery, and have enjoyed them as well.
April May, a fashion journalist in Chicago, is unsatisfied with her job and her life. When she learns that her grandmother, who she never met, has died and left her a house, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to change her life around. She quits her job and plans to spend a few weeks renovating her grandmother’s house in order sell it. She’s told that she also inherited a valuable family heirloom that may be hidden somewhere in the house. After going through the house she finds a stash of mysterious letters to her grandmother, threatening her and signed only with an initial, “L.” April rescues a dog that was poisoned, but this is not the only victim. There are two brothers, still living in town, that dated her grandmother, who are also poisoned. Could these poisonings be related? Who is the mysterious “L?” Where is the missing heirloom and could it be the cause of these poisonings? Who will be the victim? Maybe April herself?
I enjoyed the book. It was fun to try to figure out the identity of the villain. I have read the author’s other series, the Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery, and have enjoyed them as well.
September 19, 2023
April May is a big city girl who inherits a house in a small town from a grandmother she never knew.
She doesn't like small towns. She doesn't like dogs. She doesn't understand why the owner of the grocery store hates her on sight.
When April arrives at the house she inherited, she is startled by scratching sounds at the back door. She finds a very sick dog. She isn't a dog person, but she isn't cruel, either. She finds the town vet and brings the dog there. It seems that the dog ate something poisonous. Wesley, the vet, convinces her to foster the dog until she can find a home for him. She calls the dog Ralph.
She meets the owner of the coffee shop, Josephine, and the town librarian, Lucy. She becomes friendly with them.
Odd things start happening and all eyes in town are on April. The new person in town must be causing harm, right? Who is poisoning people? Will April go back to the city or stay in Laurel Lake?
The story kept me guessing with well-orchestrated twists and turns all through it.
It is a sweet, clean story with well-developed characters. I recommend it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book.
She doesn't like small towns. She doesn't like dogs. She doesn't understand why the owner of the grocery store hates her on sight.
When April arrives at the house she inherited, she is startled by scratching sounds at the back door. She finds a very sick dog. She isn't a dog person, but she isn't cruel, either. She finds the town vet and brings the dog there. It seems that the dog ate something poisonous. Wesley, the vet, convinces her to foster the dog until she can find a home for him. She calls the dog Ralph.
She meets the owner of the coffee shop, Josephine, and the town librarian, Lucy. She becomes friendly with them.
Odd things start happening and all eyes in town are on April. The new person in town must be causing harm, right? Who is poisoning people? Will April go back to the city or stay in Laurel Lake?
The story kept me guessing with well-orchestrated twists and turns all through it.
It is a sweet, clean story with well-developed characters. I recommend it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book.
February 4, 2024
April May (no, she doesn’t have a sister June July) has inherited a house in a rural town from a grandmother that she never knew. April, a city girl and a fashionista, is like a duck out of water as she tries to adapt to small town life. In an attempt to fix up the house for resale and find a family heirloom, April discovers that someone is poisoning town residents with a deadly plant. With a few exceptions, she warms to the charm of small town life, adopts a dog, learns to crochet and finds a possible love interest. She also discovers that her grandmother had a twin who also coveted the inheritance.
The thing about small town life is that everyone knows everyone else’s business. Then how come almost everyone in town, including the sheriff, not know that the grandmother had a twin and that she was living in town? How could the residents, including her own business partner, not know anything about the evil real estate developer who lives in their midst and has been poisoning the drinking water? Other than that, it is a fairly straight-forward whodunit with only a few twists and turns.
The thing about small town life is that everyone knows everyone else’s business. Then how come almost everyone in town, including the sheriff, not know that the grandmother had a twin and that she was living in town? How could the residents, including her own business partner, not know anything about the evil real estate developer who lives in their midst and has been poisoning the drinking water? Other than that, it is a fairly straight-forward whodunit with only a few twists and turns.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
This is a new series and while the beginning could be quite common: city girl get unexpected inherance and finds herself in a small town out of her element and finds love...the story is really enjoyable.
April May arrives at Laurel Lake a little lost, she is not happy at her job anymore , fashion journalist, she inherited from a grandmother she never knew and the house she get is a little decrepit to said the least. However, she is determined so while renovating the house she is trying to learn about her grandmother....and accidentally making friends, a stray she saves, the handsome vet helping her and the librarian Lucy become her sidekicks when mystery strike with people poisonned, break in and a building entreprenor quite shady hoping to buy property to build a mall..... oh and a mysterious heirloom is also missing.
April May is not ready for Laurel Lake with her ralph laurens shoes and gucci clothes but the town is not ready for her stubborness either
Really it was an enjoyable cozy mystery
April May arrives at Laurel Lake a little lost, she is not happy at her job anymore , fashion journalist, she inherited from a grandmother she never knew and the house she get is a little decrepit to said the least. However, she is determined so while renovating the house she is trying to learn about her grandmother....and accidentally making friends, a stray she saves, the handsome vet helping her and the librarian Lucy become her sidekicks when mystery strike with people poisonned, break in and a building entreprenor quite shady hoping to buy property to build a mall..... oh and a mysterious heirloom is also missing.
April May is not ready for Laurel Lake with her ralph laurens shoes and gucci clothes but the town is not ready for her stubborness either
Really it was an enjoyable cozy mystery
September 8, 2023
This is a promising new series by author Hazel Smith. If you like her Maid Ivy mysteries, you will love this new series with April May. I started reading Secret Inheritance last evening and was immediately drawn into life and the mysterious happenings at Laurel Lake.
April May inherits a house from her paternal grandmother, whom she never met. Upon arrival from Chicago, she is dismayed at the house's condition and is determined to renovate and sell it quickly. On her first day at the house, a sick dog appears at her back door. The local veterinarian convinces her to foster the dog, whom she names Ralph. April soon finds herself in the middle of unexplained poisonings and possible murder in the town. Her new-found friends, Lucy, Josephine, the handsome veterinarian Wesley, and the boxer Ralph, join her in all the twists and turns that develop as they solve the mystery.
Hazel Smith has included a wonderful-sounding Lemon Cake with Drizzle recipe that sounds divine.
April May inherits a house from her paternal grandmother, whom she never met. Upon arrival from Chicago, she is dismayed at the house's condition and is determined to renovate and sell it quickly. On her first day at the house, a sick dog appears at her back door. The local veterinarian convinces her to foster the dog, whom she names Ralph. April soon finds herself in the middle of unexplained poisonings and possible murder in the town. Her new-found friends, Lucy, Josephine, the handsome veterinarian Wesley, and the boxer Ralph, join her in all the twists and turns that develop as they solve the mystery.
Hazel Smith has included a wonderful-sounding Lemon Cake with Drizzle recipe that sounds divine.
September 11, 2023
Secret Inheritance is the first book in a new series by Hazel Smith.
This is my second book from Ms. Smith, and it is by far the more enjoyable one.
April May receives a home and an heirloom in a small town from a grandmother she never knew.
While getting the home ready for sale, April acquires a mystery that may change the ruling of her grandmother's death, some new acquaintances that she was not expecting to become friends with, and a dog.
Pro's:
Solid story, developed characters, and a bit of humor.
It also has the nice change that the potential romantic interest is not a cop/PI/retired military ex-special forces.
Con's:
While I did enjoy the story, the early part of it had a few descriptions that was a bit excessive, but as there were only a couple of them they were only a minor distraction leaving it an enjoyable read.
I received this story as an Advanced Reader Copy, and all opinions are given voluntarily.
This is my second book from Ms. Smith, and it is by far the more enjoyable one.
April May receives a home and an heirloom in a small town from a grandmother she never knew.
While getting the home ready for sale, April acquires a mystery that may change the ruling of her grandmother's death, some new acquaintances that she was not expecting to become friends with, and a dog.
Pro's:
Solid story, developed characters, and a bit of humor.
It also has the nice change that the potential romantic interest is not a cop/PI/retired military ex-special forces.
Con's:
While I did enjoy the story, the early part of it had a few descriptions that was a bit excessive, but as there were only a couple of them they were only a minor distraction leaving it an enjoyable read.
I received this story as an Advanced Reader Copy, and all opinions are given voluntarily.
September 17, 2023
This is my first Hazel Smith book and it won’t be my last.
I signed up to be an arc reader without any prior knowledge of her work and had a slight reservation, but in the end, it was unfounded.
Hazel Smith weaves her words together beautifully to paint a setting and characters that draw you in.
April May inherits a run down lake house from a grandmother she’s never met. Shortly after entering her grandmother’s home, April discovers some mysterious letters that spark her curiosity. Mysterious things begin to happen to people in this sleepy little town and April May is determined to get to the bottom of it. With help from some newfound friends and a handsome and sweet veterinarian named Wesley, April May uncovers family secrets from long ago.
This story has intrigue, humor, sweet friendships, and an adorable dog named Ralph.
I received an advanced free copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I signed up to be an arc reader without any prior knowledge of her work and had a slight reservation, but in the end, it was unfounded.
Hazel Smith weaves her words together beautifully to paint a setting and characters that draw you in.
April May inherits a run down lake house from a grandmother she’s never met. Shortly after entering her grandmother’s home, April discovers some mysterious letters that spark her curiosity. Mysterious things begin to happen to people in this sleepy little town and April May is determined to get to the bottom of it. With help from some newfound friends and a handsome and sweet veterinarian named Wesley, April May uncovers family secrets from long ago.
This story has intrigue, humor, sweet friendships, and an adorable dog named Ralph.
I received an advanced free copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
September 19, 2023
April May, a fashion journalist who lives in Chicago, inherits a lakeside home from her paternal grandmother, who she never knew. Her initial thought is to fix it up and sell it before moving back to Chicago. Her grandmother also left her an heirloom, which she tries to find in her house.
As she takes her first look around the property, she finds a boxer dog in her garden, who looks very ill, so she takes him to the vet in town, who diagnoses poisoning and then becomes her friend. April agrees to look after the dog temporarily, while trying to find his owner and names him Ralph.
As the story progresses, more people fall ill to poisoning, April gets the opportunity to use her investigative skills and with the help of her new friends works on finding the culprit.
A great story and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review
As she takes her first look around the property, she finds a boxer dog in her garden, who looks very ill, so she takes him to the vet in town, who diagnoses poisoning and then becomes her friend. April agrees to look after the dog temporarily, while trying to find his owner and names him Ralph.
As the story progresses, more people fall ill to poisoning, April gets the opportunity to use her investigative skills and with the help of her new friends works on finding the culprit.
A great story and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review
September 19, 2023
Once again, Hazel Smith has given us a mystery with likeable, relatable characters, a fun, quirky small town, and an entertaining mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. April inherited a house from a grandmother she never knew. Her original intention is to fix it up and sell it. Then she see's the house. It's more in need of a wrecking ball than a makeover. But she decides to stick it out and get the house on the market and sold so she can go back to her life in Chicago because April is NOT a small town girl. But then there's the dog. And the sweet, handsome vet. Oh, yes, and the mysteries. A missing heirloom, poison, suspicious deaths and greedy land developers. As she gets drawn into the mysteries, April finds herself learning more about her grandmother and maybe, just maybe finding out she might be a small town girl after all.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2023
April May has inherited a lake house from her Grandmother whom she never met. She plans to do a quick sell of the house and leave Laurel Lake behind. As April is inspecting the house she finds that someone had been sending her grandmother threatening letters and a family heirloom that April was supposed to be getting is missing. When a poisonous plant along with a threatening note is left for April in her living room she has to come together with her newfound friends and find the culprit. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. April is used to living in Chicago and is very wary of the small gossipy town, until she sees that what she thought of as gossiping was really just people caring and wanting to help when bad things happen. Then of course there is the gorgeous veterinarian who talked April into fostering a dog and Laurel Lake is looking better and better. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I thank Hazel Smith for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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