Foul Play in the Foliage: A Calliope Inn Cozy Mystery (Book 1)

by Ruthie East

In the charming lake town of Oak’s Rest, the biggest scandals usually involve who stole the best seat at the town hall meeting. That is, until someone turns up dead.

Esther Bennett has finally landed her dream job managing the Calliope Inn, where visitors swap bustling Manhattan life for upstate foliage, crackling fireplaces, and freshly baked cookies.

She left behind her family’s high-status world years ago to create a slower-paced life on her own terms. And it’s working. Mostly.

The inn is set to host this year’s Makers and Merchants Festival, and Esther is juggling her first big event, pillow-obsessed guests, quirky townsfolk vendors, and forced weekly dinners with her doctor parents and golden-child sister.

The last thing she needs added to her plate? A murder.

But when Esther stumbles on a body near the town square, she finds herself pulled into solving the mystery. With help from her staff and moral support from the inn’s resident cat, Sesame, she’s determined to untangle the web of clues that will lead her to the killer.

Calliope Inn Cozy Mysteries are brimming with small-town charm and lovable characters. They are free from harsh language, graphic violence, and adult content. Join Esther on her amateur sleuth journey to solving the crime.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2025

About the author

Ruthie East pens cozy mysteries where amateur sleuths don’t take "no" for an answer, especially when the clues don’t add up.

When she’s not writing, she’s probably staring woefully at all the unread books on her TBR, or scheming up ways to trick her cat into drinking more water.

Reviews

[LaurenLoveReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun cozy!! It had all the fall elements I was craving and the characters were so much fun! It gave me strong Gilmore Girl feels so if that’s up your alley I would definitely give this one a go! The friendship in this cozy was such a focal point which I loved. I’m hoping there will more in this series because I will 100% read them! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! This one comes out September 24.

Content: rated PG- no language, no spice, no romance for main character (which was different for a cozy but I really enjoyed the friendship aspects of this one!), mention of an affair (off page, not glorified)

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a Gilmore Girls homage with a murder dropped in. The inn and town feel lifted from Stars Hollow. Esther as Lorelai, Bunny as Suki, Penny’s as Luke’s, quirky townsfolk everywhere. At first the parallels amuse, but they can become distracting, pulling focus from the mystery. And I like the Gilmore Girls, I just didn't expect to read a book so closely resembling the show.

The cosy side has many big ticket times I like in cosies. Small-town charm, some eccentric characters, decent dialogue. But sometimes the execution feels forced. The writing has a decent enough flow, the structure is fine, and the murder mystery itself is constructed with enough to keep readers interested. Yet something in the delivery keeps it from being fully immersive. Maybe the excess of quirks, maybe the way the mystery seemed to be staggered at times rather than build smoothly. I'm not quite sure what it was.

But I can see the series has room to grow and I would like to know what happens next for the characters. Even though it leans too much on echoing the Gilmore Girls, I can sense a charm lurking in the background waiting to be pushed in full view. There's potential in this series, and that should keep readers coming back for more.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first requested this novel on NetGalley, I was unsure what to expect. Sure, a cozy mystery seemed right up my alley, but the cover wasn't necessarily giving the vibes I usually go for. Purely based on that, I probably would never have picked up this novel, but am I glad I did!

Foul Play in the Foliage is book one in the Calliope Inn mystery series, and I am looking forward to see what the next books will bring.
In this first installment, we meet Esther Bennett, manager at Calliope inn and amateur sleuth. The latter is mostly because one of her employees (and dear friends) is accused of murder. We follow Esther as she tries to find out who the guilty party is, while also juggling her duties as a manager, hosting a town event and getting along with her -almost- estranged family.

First off, I loved the characters and the setting. Oak's Rest makes for a perfect fall backdrop for a cozy mystery novel, and the characters were very lovable. There were a lot of them though, so it took me a little while to link every name to their personality and place in the story. I especially loved all the women empowering and supporting each other. The friendships were so loving and heartwarming to follow.

The story itself was really slow, which is par for the course for a cozy mystery. It took me a few chapters to really get into it. Thankfully, the chapters are short and not unnecessarily fluffed up with needless details, which made for a speedy read for me. Once I got into the story, I did really enjoy it. I liked how most of the clues and events got tied together, and not a lot of red herrings were left. The conclusion was satisfying, but definitely not as high-stakes as some other mystery novels seem to be.

If you're looking for an exciting, fast-paced thriller, this book is not for you. But if you enjoy fun characters, a mystery without bloody, gory details, a cozy setting and just a really nice fall book to curl up on the couch with, Foul play in the Foliage is the one for you!

**special thanks to NetGalley.com and Gate Wind Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

[Tracy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esther Bennett has lived in Oak's Rest for over a decade, working at the Calliope Inn where she has risen through the ranks until, six months earlier, she became the manager. Her new job is all she ever dreamed of apart from the odd difficulties including something damaging some of the guests cars in the Inn's parking lot and, the bain of her life, the unpleasant, rigid, and pedantic, health inspector, Faris Holliday! An unexpected visit from her nemesis happening just before the Makers and Merchants Festival, which she is hosting for the first time, isn't ideal, and when she discovers a dead body, it throws everything into chaos! When Esther realises she and one of her close friends are considered persons of interest, she begins her own investigation even though she's not really sure what on earth she's doing!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Gate Wind Press, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book one in a new series can be a bit of a gamble, but this was a good read. I liked Esther immediately and wanted her to succeed. She has some loyal friends to get to know as well as an interesting back story. I will definitely be on the lookout for the second book in this series.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perfect cozy for fall. It has so many nods to Gilmore Girls and fans will love the easter eggs and how this book takes pieces and twists them in different ways for the book. I love love the small cozy town and would absolutely book a trip to the town immediately. It blew my mind that Esther's family didn't understand her wanting to be there (I do not understand snobby people at all) and think she handled them so admirably. I loved seeing her relationship with her sister blossom and how they confronted their secret hurts and grudges as well as their assumptions about each other. I loved the setting and the mystery. I was stumped and had the best time following along the investigations. The characters are a riot and it was just quite cozy. This will be a fun setting to return to for more cozy mystery fun.

Thanks to the publisher for an eARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Angie Baer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good cozy mystery, and for me there are a few must-haves:
✔️ A cozy vibe
✔️ A quirky, fun cast of characters
✔️ A solid mystery to solve (bonus points if it’s set in fall or the holidays!)

This book checked all those boxes… yet for some reason, I just couldn’t fully sink my teeth into it. Here’s why—first, the story felt a little too much like Gilmore Girls; even one of the main storylines mirrored it closely, which pulled me out. Second, the pacing dragged. Cozy mysteries need a balance between fun red herrings and moving the story forward. For me, this one tipped into being drawn out, and by the halfway point I found myself skimming.

That said, this is the first book in the series, and debuts can be tricky. While it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I think it’s still a solid start that many cozy mystery fans will enjoy. If you’re looking for a small-town fall mystery with Gilmore Girls vibes, this one might be right up your alley!

[Mackenzie Busalacchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foul Play in the Foliage is a great start to an exciting new cozy mystery series. This was an absolutely perfect autumn read - giving off all the Gilmore Girl vibes. Esther has finally reached her dream job managing the quaint and cozy Calliope Inn (again, picture Gilmore Girls). Seriously, this inn has everything one would want in the perfect Hallmark movie B&B - warm fireplaces, homemade baked goods, calming scents, a super adorable and friendly feline friend, and a cast of amazingly quirky individuals. With that said, since this is the first book, there were a lot of introductions to characters and a lot of time spent on who-is-who and how does this person relate to the town and so on. It does appear to be a truly fun group of people, and I am looking forward to having these townsfolk on more of Esther's adventures. In addition to the murder mystery, I appreciated the complex family dynamic and the development of the sisters' relationship (through the forced Sunday dinners - again, GG!).

Quick summary - Esther is over the high-paced, stressful Manhattan life and ready for some small-town charm. She moves to the quiet lake town of Oak's Rest and manages Calliope Inn. Esther's first big test as the Inn's manager will be the town's Makers and Merchants Festival. Just as Esther thinks she has everything perfectly planned, a body is discovered (by Esther herself). Now, in order to ensure her first major event goes smoothly, Esther is determined to solve this murder.

Based on this first book, I think this series has everything one will want - charming setting, intriguing characters, and interesting mysteries. I'll definitely be reading the next book and following Esther in her next adventures.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a new series and author for me, I do believe it is a first in a series. This book was okay, I like the backdrop of fall at a unique Inn in upstate New York. There is a quaint small town and tons of quirky characters, maybe too many! Esther is an OK MC, she manages the Calliope Inn with efficiency and affection and is well respected by everyone, she however lacks confidence and guestions herself in addition she has annoying family problems she doesn't know how to deal with. Esther finds herself in the middle of the town's Maker's Festival as it's being held at the Inn, and she is unsettled by the responsibility and determined all goes well. When the town's despised health inspector shows up to the Inn, it just adds to her stress until the Inn passes inspection. Unfortunately, her friend Kai is not as lucky, and her Day Spa fails its inspection, threatening everything Kai has work for. When the inspector is found dead the next morning, things aren't looking too good for Kai. Can Esther with the help of some of her employees and fellow business owners figure out what actually happened? This was an ok mystery, it moved a little too slowly for me. I think it had maybe a few too many characters trying to be different and quirky, and the addition of the family drama dragged the whole thing down a bit. It's not a bad read, but nothing is really unique or compelling either. Thanks to ##NetGalley, #GateWindPress, and the author for an opportunity to check it out. #FoulPlayintheFoliage #CalliopeInnCozyMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice autumn read.

Thank you #netgalley and #GateWindPress for the eArc of this book.
Very nice well written cozy. Our main protagonist is a manager at a small town Inn. Of course she stumbles upon a body and the best friend is accused of murder. So yeah. Typical cozy. But that's why we read them, right? I loved the setting and the autumn season It sounded divine and I would want to visit the town and stay at the Inn. And the customer service is definitely fictional. Can't remember the last time I was in a place that management cared about the guests. Everything was described perfectly and I had no problem envisioning it. I enjoyed the inclusion of Esther's family issues and I'm looking forward to see how that progresses. I am surprised that the parent's will played so much into her decisions. Clearly showing some growth is still needed. But, that's why it's a series.

Loved the characters, both good and the baddies. My only issue is the with the characters and mostly their names. There were quite a few characters popping up early in the story. I had a trouble keeping the characters straight. I'm sure that's just a me thing. The character names aren't super common but they're certainly not unconventional that I should have trouble. I got it worked out and enjoyed the story. Great setting. Interesting characters. Well thought out plot. Two thumbs up and looking forward to book 2.

4.5 stars.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther Bennet is just where she should be. She is the manager for a quaint hotel in Oak Rest doing what she loves even if the rest of her family think she is the family black sheep. Things are going well and she is deep in the preparation for a festival the hotel is hosting this year. Even with the royal command performance her mother foists on her and her sister, things around the hotel are operating smoothly. Even the familial fallout has some unexpected benefits but one thing that is not beneficial is the murder of an odious health inspector who has just failed the business of one of Esther’s best friends. Thanks to a confrontation the day he died, Kai is the prime suspect.

As often happens in these cozies, Esther feels compelled to investigate because of this. What is unusual is the local detective is not gung-ho on arresting Kai but she does have to follow the evidence. Esther and her friends go from possible suspect to possible suspect until they run out of them, except for one. I am glad that the face off between Esther and the killer is not something into which she blithely waltzed. And I happen to love how the hotel kitty, Sesame, plays a crucial part in Esther’s escape. I always like when the kitty gets to be a hero..

All turns out well and the festival goes off without a hitch. It will be interesting to see what Esther does next. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Foul Play in the Foliage (Calliope Inn Cozy Mysteries #1)" by Ruthie East mostly reads like a later in series book rather than a first book. At least with how a typical cozy mystery starts out. We're entering Esther Bennett's story a few years after her big life change that resulted in her move and career upheaval. She's well established in her chosen home and career. She has many friends and is starting to repair her relationships with family. However, this appears to be her first murder investigation

Esther manages the Calliope Inn. They are preparing to host an annual Makers and Merchants festival. Also, her slightly estranged mother has decided that weekly family dinners have to be a thing again. Except that seems to not include Esther's sister's husband and kids, if it did at some point I must have missed it. Then there's the body in the park Esther finds.

Esther's co-workers/friends somehow convince her to investigate, with their help. It does become a way to prove that one of her friends couldn't be the culprit. I was focused on a different suspect up until they were coming around to the reveal. Then I was pretty much figuring it out as the characters were. I do have to say that I don't know why the culprit thought they could try to do in Esther. Too many people knew the ladies were focused on them as a suspect to get away with doing anything but going into hiding.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Foul Play in the Foliage, Ruthie East whisks us away to the charming lake town of Oak’s Rest, where autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling. Esther Bennett, newly minted manager of the Calliope Inn, thought she’d traded her high-pressure past for a slice of quiet, small-town bliss. But cozy throws and crackling fireplaces quickly give way to a body near the town square—and suddenly Esther’s juggling murder suspects alongside decorative gourds.

East writes with warmth and wit, crafting characters that feel like familiar neighbours you’d happily gossip with over cider. Esther is refreshingly relatable: independent, determined, and just messy enough to make things fun. Her clashes with pillow-obsessed guests and picture-perfect family members add delightful friction to a narrative already brimming with autumnal charm.

The mystery is light enough to keep things cozy, but clever enough to keep you guessing. Throw in a feline sidekick named Sesame, a makers’ festival packed with eccentric vendors, and a town bursting with personality—and you've got the perfect start to a character-driven series.

Grab a blanket, a biscuit, and settle in. This book is a treat. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esther Bennett has landed her dream job as the manager of the Calliope Inn, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities that she didn't bargain for. In the midst of planning for the local, small town, Makers and Merchants fair; she must also juggle demanding guests, dinners with her estranged family, and the local health inspector's unwelcome visit. But when someone ends up dead, she'll also need to try out her amateur sleuthing skills to catch a murderer before the wrong person is blamed.

This is an extremely character driven cozy mystery especially throughout the first half. I have to admit that it suffered from the first in a series setting things up syndrome just a bit. However, it's saving grace is that the characters here are super likable, and the small town setting complete with the central spot of the inn is delightful. The mystery did pick up in the second half, and while some of it was predictable for this type of story, I am convinced that cozy mystery fans will find it an enjoyable read as it tics all the boxes for that genre.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read, and I would definitely continue with the series. There's a lot of room for both character growth and to explore more of the town here, and the possibilities for mysteries are endless.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Foul Play in the Foliage” is the wonderfully first book in Ruthie East’s Calliope Inn Cozy Mystery. Sometimes the first book in a series can be awkward as it establishes the characters and setting but this book hits the ground running. I love Esther Bennett, the main character who escaped the control of her parents and worked her way up the chain from housekeeper to manager of the Calliope Inn (which sounds like a delightful place to stay if it actually existed). She’s a great character because while she is so sure and confident about her job she is less confident around her family – her relationship with her family and friends are an important driving force in this book and I can’t wait to read more books in the series to see how these relationships grow (especially with her sister). Her friends are equally delightful if a tad eccentric – there is a very nice underlying sense of humor throughout the book. The mystery is equally well done – Esther and gang start investigating a murder when one of her friends becomes a suspect – with plenty of suspects and a few red herrings along the way. All in all a nicely done first book and I look forward to reading more books in the series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foul Play in the Foliage by Ruthie East is the first book in A Calliope Inn Cozy Mysteries. I liked that the story was set in upstate New York in fall. I could envision the inn surrounded by trees with leaves in varying shades of orange, yellow, and red (that is the one thing that I miss in Florida—fall). The story checked all the boxes for a cozy mystery. It had a cozy, small town setting, a cast of quirky, likeable characters, and a mystery to solve. Despite the story having the right elements, they did not come together for an enjoyable story. The book closely mimics my favorite show which is set in Connecticut and the main character runs an inn. The pacing was languid, and the mystery was uncomplicated. I identified the guilty party before the murder took place (it was obvious). The whodunit was prolonged, and I found myself skimming through the middle to reach the end. I thought the story had too many quirky characters, and the family drama had me rolling my eyes (it was unnecessary). Foul Play in the Foliage was a satisfactory story, but there was nothing that stood out or made me interested enough to pick up the next book in the series.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

#FoulPlayInTheFoliage #NetGalley is a fun cozy mystery set in Oak's Rest, a small town in New York.
Esther is excited to be managing Calliope Inn, but the upcoming Makers and Merchants Festival is stressing her out.
Esther left her fast paced life a while ago, much to her mother's disappointment. She is happy with her life, but the constant criticism from her mother is wearing her down.
When Esther is summoned to dinner at her family home, she has no idea her mother is insisting it become a weekly event. Even Esther's sister tries to back out, but no excuses allowed.
A dead body is the last thing Esther needs, but she's determined to make this festival a hit, even if it means chasing down the killer herself.
This is a cute cozy mystery and I'm hoping there will be more books in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Katie Iman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther is living a beautiful life by the lake and running the beautiful Calliope Inn when she stumbles upon a dead body and a murder that needs to be solved. With the help of her friends, Esther, takes us on a tale of twists and turns to find out who was terrible enough to take a life.

This was a very enjoyable cozy novel. If Goodreads would allow half stars I would likely rate this book 3.5 stars. While I loved the characters and the setting of the story I personally felt the story took a while to take off. It was a lot of backstory that didn’t really add to the plot of the novel for me. However, once it got going I was excited to keep reading and ended up finishing the book in just a few days.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries I would encourage you to check it out and stick with it. It is worth the read.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a new series that centers on inn manager Esther finds her trying to clear her friend's name after she is a suspect in the murder of an annoying health inspector.

I thought this was a pretty good first book for a series. There were a few times where I wish the author had given us more backstory - it almost felt like the second book at times. There were a few times especially early on that it was a little slow pacing wise. I did think the whodunnit was a surprise. *Spoilers past this* - I thought he was going to be the burgeoning love interest, not the killer! It was interesting then that we didn't get a clear love interest for Esther, but maybe this will show up in book 2? Or not, which is also fine! I definitely will read a second in this series though.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Books Fizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When murder comes to Oak's Rest, Calliope Inn manager Esther Bennett is up to her eyeballs in planning for the fall festival. After one of her friends falls under suspicion, though, Esther begins to poke around the close-knit community, looking at who else could have killed the unlikeable health inspector.

A great start to a new cozy mystery series, "Foul Play in the Foliage" is a fun fall read! I loved all of the characters of Oak's Rest (though it was a lot of people introduced in a short-ish book), and by the end I was rooting for Esther and her friends to catch the killer. I had a bit of trouble connecting with the family side-plot, but I imagine that is laying the groundwork for future stories in the Calliope Inn series.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for graciously giving me an ARC for review.*

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly charming from the very first chapter!
If I’m being completely honest I don’t always find the writing very good in cosy mysteries but I enjoy them all the same but I have to say that is absolutely not the case here.
I loved the characters and their relationships, the dialogue was funny and had me smiling throughout without it being cheesy.
The murder mystery was intriguing in a ‘Murder she Wrote’ kind of way, the setting was lovely and felt so cosy and I really loved the town.
If I had one criticism it would be that it leans a little too much towards Gilmore Girls but all in all I loved the book and can’t wait for more in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foul Play in the Foliage is book #1 in the Calliope Inn Cozy Mystery series by Ruthie East.

I’ve been reading a lot of books about inns lately which I like is a setting. The guests that come and go allow for so many different interactions with the main characters. I like Esther and want her to be happy and successful. This had Gilmore Girls vibes which I enjoyed. This is an entertaining book to get in the mood for fall. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to the author, Gate Wind Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foul Play in the Foliage is part of a new series by Ruthie East. If you look past the blaten Gilmore Girl parallels, this is a cute cozy mystery in a beautiful new england setting. Following an inn manager, Esther Bennet, who left the pressures of her successful family behind forge her own path as she navigates an upcoming town festival and the murder of a disliked official.

The mystery had lots of suspects to keep you guessing and invested. There are some fabulous friendships and an adorable cat to keep the cozy vibes high.

I really enjoyed this first in what I hope is a long series!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just ok. I would only read a couple of chapters at a time instead of devouring it and I probably wouldn't have had a hard time not finishing it. Esther and her crew have potential, but none of the characters or the action really kept my attention and made me want to find out what was next.

I would consider read the next book in the series if I got it from Netgalley (in exchange for my honest review), as I did this one or from my local library to see if it was just the "first book blues". Maybe revisiting the characters would enhance the experience.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book. This delightful cozy mystery pulled me right in and made me feel like I’d stepped into the story. The characters were warm and real and the plot had enough surprises to keep me turning the pages. Highly recommended to anyone who loves charming small-town settings, lovable characters, and an intriguing mystery with enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. I can’t wait for the next book by Ruthie East!

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid start to a new cozy mystery series. I had some Gilmore Girl vibes at times, but being a fan of the show I totally loved it. So much so that I ordered a copy of this book for my daughter who was also a fan of the show. We would watch it together and I’m hoping that we’ll be reading cozy mysteries together because I have a feeling this one is a series she’ll get into. Well written, a great setting, great characters and a solid mystery. I’m hooked!

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice cozy mystery about ’a very amateur sleuth’ (that's what Esther calls herself) who's trying to solve a murder. It’s a good start of a promising new series, entertaining and easy to read. I wouldn't mind reading more about these charming characters. This story however was a bit long to my liking.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Gate Wind Press and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Shaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ruthie East for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Foul Play in the Foliage coming out September 24, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love cozy mysteries so I was excited to check this one out. I think it was really fun autumn book. The characters were interesting and fun. I would check out more books by this author .

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The series shows promise and sometimes the first book in the series can be difficult. I struggled with this read....it didn't pick up until the last quarter of the book. Between the weirdly inserted family drama and the story just kind of meandering I just couldn't get into. All the main characters seem larger than life which I felt kind of overwhelmed the story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for a review.

[Kathryn Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
This book is perfect for the fall time. Set in a small lake town, run by local businesses, the town is shocked when there’s a murder, of someone most don’t seem to like. The main group of friends sets out to solve the mystery, but the little subplots along the way are really fun in my opinion and I can’t wait to see what the group is up to in the next book and see Esther’s relationship with her family change.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

a nice cozy mystery with a lot of fun characters and a very cute cat. it was the perfect book to unwind and the setting was also great.

struggled a bit with the many characters in the beginning but slowly you started to recognize them and they grew on you. The Inn as the main setting is fantastic as it opens up many "seasonal settings". Imagine a christmas themed book!!