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A Zoom with a View: A Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26A fiction debut filled with heart and humor, A Zoom with a View will make you want to move to Blue Oak—if only the annual Fourth of July festivities didn't end with a dead body.
Leo can't believe she's back in Blue Oak. Her small, quirky Texas hometown feels suffocating after trying to make it big as an English professor in New York—especially due to her strained relationship with her overly hair-sprayed mother, Karina. But with Leo’s career in academia in shambles, at least she's able to work as a photographer for her godmother's real estate business. And her best friend, Emily, is around to help her navigate through the mess—and maybe force her to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend, Mack.
But while at work, Leo makes a grisly discovery at one of her godmother's properties: the dead body of rival real estate agent and social media influencer Chaz. Even worse, Leo and Emily have been secretly running a snarky Reddit page making fun of Chaz’s cringe-inducing advice and duck-faced selfies. When someone she loves is accused of the murder, Leo finds herself flung headfirst into a dangerous investigation, teaming up with a local detective who is a lot more attractive than she remembered when they were both teenagers. Meanwhile, Karina has been acting stranger and stranger, as if all her hair hides a big secret. . . .
Leo can't believe she's back in Blue Oak. Her small, quirky Texas hometown feels suffocating after trying to make it big as an English professor in New York—especially due to her strained relationship with her overly hair-sprayed mother, Karina. But with Leo’s career in academia in shambles, at least she's able to work as a photographer for her godmother's real estate business. And her best friend, Emily, is around to help her navigate through the mess—and maybe force her to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend, Mack.
But while at work, Leo makes a grisly discovery at one of her godmother's properties: the dead body of rival real estate agent and social media influencer Chaz. Even worse, Leo and Emily have been secretly running a snarky Reddit page making fun of Chaz’s cringe-inducing advice and duck-faced selfies. When someone she loves is accused of the murder, Leo finds herself flung headfirst into a dangerous investigation, teaming up with a local detective who is a lot more attractive than she remembered when they were both teenagers. Meanwhile, Karina has been acting stranger and stranger, as if all her hair hides a big secret. . . .
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 5, 2026
10308 people want to read
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February 26, 2026ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ- 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹
Well I got the arc y'all. So excited to read this!!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the arc
. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .
Well I got the arc y'all. So excited to read this!!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the arc
. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .
March 12, 2026
A Zoom with a View had an interesting premise, but unfortunately it was a difficult book for me to get into. The writing itself isn’t bad, and the author clearly put effort into the story. However, I struggled to stay engaged and found it hard to connect with what was happening.
December 16, 2025
This was a well-written murder mystery that I’d recommend, but the ending really threw me off. It felt like a cliffhanger, and I’m left wondering if a sequel is planned because so many threads weren’t fully resolved. I appreciated the diverse cast and queer representation, especially in a small-town setting. The subreddit thread was also a fun touch.
That said, some key questions were never answered, which was frustrating for a mystery novel, and I noticed a couple of minor typos. I wish Beth had appeared on the page instead of just being discussed. Overall, the murder was solved yaaaay, but the ending didn’t feel fully satisfying.
Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC copy
That said, some key questions were never answered, which was frustrating for a mystery novel, and I noticed a couple of minor typos. I wish Beth had appeared on the page instead of just being discussed. Overall, the murder was solved yaaaay, but the ending didn’t feel fully satisfying.
Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC copy
January 23, 2026
I received a copy of A Zoom with a View prior to publication from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review || 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Definitely a cozy murder mystery in many ways. While it took a little while to get into the story, the journey was a lot of fun along the way. The ending is definitely a cliffhanger but I’m excited to read the next book in the series.
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February 27, 2026Shout out to NetGalley and Dutton for the eArc in exchange of an honest review🫶🏻
Dnfed at 30%
Unfortunately this book did not do it for me, I love the premise of it but the writing wasn’t smooth and made me zone out.
I was really intrigued by the main characters dynamic but not enough to finish the book.
It’s not for me but if you’re into crime/ romance then this book is for you!!!
Dnfed at 30%
Unfortunately this book did not do it for me, I love the premise of it but the writing wasn’t smooth and made me zone out.
I was really intrigued by the main characters dynamic but not enough to finish the book.
It’s not for me but if you’re into crime/ romance then this book is for you!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, thank you to netgalley for kindly gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Zoom with a View is a cosy mystery book. I wanted to love this one but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me, however, it did pick up in the second half of the book. The beginning of the book I felt dragged a little with the author trying to set the scene, the family dynamics, explain the town and everyone's relationships which I felt could have been a little shorter. However, the book does have fun and quirky elements as well as the book showcasing messy family dynamics especially after grief.
The book is set in a fictionalized town called Blue Oak. Our main character Leo, can't believe she's back in her small town after failing to make it big as an English professor in New York. Blue Oak is no ordinary town and full of quirkiness. Leo has a strained relationship with her mother Karina especially after the death of her father so that makes the move even harder. With her career in shambles she returns to Blue Oak to help her godmother's real estate business by being a photographer of the homes. While at work Leo makes a haunting discovery, a dead body in one of the homes she's shooting. The dead body is the local influencer, loved by some, hated by others. Together with the cops, Leo helps to uncover the truth.
This book will be right up your street if you enjoy small town cosy mysterys. This small town is also deeply rooted in influencer culture and that element along with a subreddit page about the murdered Chaz made the book quite unique and interesting. I loved the subreddit side of things where the characters are gossiping about Chaz prior to his death and then also trying to figure out why he was murdered. The book also has a great range of diverse characters in this small town setting. There are also multiple POVs to keep the story interesting and a love triangle in the mix. I did enjoy the twists throughout, but a lot remained unsaid by the end and I didn't love the cliffhanger ending. It definitely setup for a sequel book.
Overall, an easy read with humour, romance, messy families and murder at the core.
#AZoomWithAView #NetGalley #bookblogger #bookreview #mysterybook
The book is set in a fictionalized town called Blue Oak. Our main character Leo, can't believe she's back in her small town after failing to make it big as an English professor in New York. Blue Oak is no ordinary town and full of quirkiness. Leo has a strained relationship with her mother Karina especially after the death of her father so that makes the move even harder. With her career in shambles she returns to Blue Oak to help her godmother's real estate business by being a photographer of the homes. While at work Leo makes a haunting discovery, a dead body in one of the homes she's shooting. The dead body is the local influencer, loved by some, hated by others. Together with the cops, Leo helps to uncover the truth.
This book will be right up your street if you enjoy small town cosy mysterys. This small town is also deeply rooted in influencer culture and that element along with a subreddit page about the murdered Chaz made the book quite unique and interesting. I loved the subreddit side of things where the characters are gossiping about Chaz prior to his death and then also trying to figure out why he was murdered. The book also has a great range of diverse characters in this small town setting. There are also multiple POVs to keep the story interesting and a love triangle in the mix. I did enjoy the twists throughout, but a lot remained unsaid by the end and I didn't love the cliffhanger ending. It definitely setup for a sequel book.
Overall, an easy read with humour, romance, messy families and murder at the core.
#AZoomWithAView #NetGalley #bookblogger #bookreview #mysterybook
January 14, 2026
I just did not like this book. This book was advertised for people who like Thursday Murder Club books, which is a series I love. But the characters in TMC are unique and endearing, while the characters in this book were annoying and dramatic. As far as mysteries go, it wasn’t very mysterious.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.25 out of 5
Series Status: First in a Series (didn’t realize it until the end of the book!)
Genre/Subgenres: (Small-town) mystery, romance (love triangle)
Point of View: 3rd person from multiple characters, the majority of which are the main protagonist Leo. Also, includes case reports, Reddit posts, etc. in addition to the narrative sections.
Leonora “Leo” was at a crossroads in her academic career and without a job on the East Coast. Her best friend Emily’s mom offers her a place to stay in their pool house and a job handling social media and real estate listing photos at her realty business in her hometown of Blue Oak, Texas, and she reluctantly agrees. The small town of Blue Oak is usually pretty quiet, but the morning after an event-filled Fourth of July, a body of one of their own is found. The death leaves everyone talking and the hunt to find his killer begins. Leo runs into her first love from high school, Mack, and agrees to have dinner to catch up. Leo also has some unexpected information that will assist in the investigation, so she helps the detective Jake, a friend’s younger brother who used to have a crush on her, as he diligently works to solve the case.
What Worked for Me:
I found Leo relatable, and I enjoyed her conversations with her best friend Emily. They had a lot more interaction in the first part of the book, but after they have a fight, even though they work it out, they don’t interact much after that, unfortunately. Besides Emily, I also liked the diversity and personalities of several of the side characters and seeing their perspectives, like Detective Esquivel and Karina (Leo’s mom).
Many years earlier, Leo and Emily had started a snarky but harmless subreddit on an influencer with whom they went to high school. The Reddit posts and case files presented the story via different media, and the variety was appreciated and added interest. It was enjoyable to see how Leo starts to see some of the people in her town differently vs. how she considered them for the subreddit.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me: The relationship between Leo and her mom is strained, and it has been for years. As the story unfolds, the reader becomes aware of the history, but it just felt unnecessary and almost callous, given that her mom’s best friend was in the know.
This is minor, but I expected that photography would play a larger role in the plot, based on its title and cover. Leo did more zooming in on her phone than she did on
While a love triangle is implied at the end, it isn’t really explored. The kiss near the end felt off in its timing, given the events preceding it.
The confession felt too easy and neat, considering it’s stated that the killer is intelligent. Also, I didn’t realize this was the first book of a series, so the cliffhanger to the other story arc (not the main murder plot) was not only odd and abrupt, but it was unexpected since I thought this was a standalone.
Overall Thoughts:
This mystery is easy-to-read with several likable characters. I am interested to see how the story continues, although I will likely wait to read any other books until I know more about the plans for the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Dutton, and the author for the advanced copy to read. All opinions expressed here are my own and given freely.
Series Status: First in a Series (didn’t realize it until the end of the book!)
Genre/Subgenres: (Small-town) mystery, romance (love triangle)
Point of View: 3rd person from multiple characters, the majority of which are the main protagonist Leo. Also, includes case reports, Reddit posts, etc. in addition to the narrative sections.
Leonora “Leo” was at a crossroads in her academic career and without a job on the East Coast. Her best friend Emily’s mom offers her a place to stay in their pool house and a job handling social media and real estate listing photos at her realty business in her hometown of Blue Oak, Texas, and she reluctantly agrees. The small town of Blue Oak is usually pretty quiet, but the morning after an event-filled Fourth of July, a body of one of their own is found. The death leaves everyone talking and the hunt to find his killer begins. Leo runs into her first love from high school, Mack, and agrees to have dinner to catch up. Leo also has some unexpected information that will assist in the investigation, so she helps the detective Jake, a friend’s younger brother who used to have a crush on her, as he diligently works to solve the case.
What Worked for Me:
I found Leo relatable, and I enjoyed her conversations with her best friend Emily. They had a lot more interaction in the first part of the book, but after they have a fight, even though they work it out, they don’t interact much after that, unfortunately. Besides Emily, I also liked the diversity and personalities of several of the side characters and seeing their perspectives, like Detective Esquivel and Karina (Leo’s mom).
Many years earlier, Leo and Emily had started a snarky but harmless subreddit on an influencer with whom they went to high school. The Reddit posts and case files presented the story via different media, and the variety was appreciated and added interest. It was enjoyable to see how Leo starts to see some of the people in her town differently vs. how she considered them for the subreddit.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me: The relationship between Leo and her mom is strained, and it has been for years. As the story unfolds, the reader becomes aware of the history, but it just felt unnecessary and almost callous, given that her mom’s best friend was in the know.
This is minor, but I expected that photography would play a larger role in the plot, based on its title and cover. Leo did more zooming in on her phone than she did on
While a love triangle is implied at the end, it isn’t really explored. The kiss near the end felt off in its timing, given the events preceding it.
The confession felt too easy and neat, considering it’s stated that the killer is intelligent. Also, I didn’t realize this was the first book of a series, so the cliffhanger to the other story arc (not the main murder plot) was not only odd and abrupt, but it was unexpected since I thought this was a standalone.
Overall Thoughts:
This mystery is easy-to-read with several likable characters. I am interested to see how the story continues, although I will likely wait to read any other books until I know more about the plans for the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Dutton, and the author for the advanced copy to read. All opinions expressed here are my own and given freely.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
With sharp humor, small-town chaos, and a mystery rooted in influencer culture, “A Zoom with a View” is a cozy whodunit that delivers plenty of charm. Cannon’s debut brings the “returning-home-after-life-falls-apart” trope to Texas and gives it a contemporary spin involving Reddit threads, real estate listings, and a corpse inconveniently discovered during a photography gig.
Leo’s academic career has fizzled out, so she’s back in Blue Oak, trying to rebuild her life while dodging small-town gossip and her mother’s aerosol hair products. When Chaz who is the town’s former golden boy turned fitness influencer is found dead in a house Leo is photographing, she finds herself at the center of the investigation. The twist? She and her best friend are moderators of a snarky subreddit dedicated to roasting Chaz. Suddenly, Leo’s internet alter ego, her past relationships, and her complicated family dynamics all become potential motives or liabilities.
Cannon keeps the tone lively with multiple POVs that add texture to the mystery without overwhelming it. The third-person narration is refreshing for a cozy mystery, giving you access to several perspectives instead of being trapped inside one head. This structure also deepens the small-town vibe: everyone’s history with Chaz and with each other feels tangled, messy, and deeply believable. The cast is diverse, with meaningful queer representation that feels especially notable in a rural setting, and supporting character Macy is a standout presence.
Mixed into the mystery is a lightly chaotic love triangle, simmering with tension but never overshadowing the investigation. The romance elements add an extra layer of fun, especially as Leo tries to decide whether the charming detective is a love interest, a threat, or both. Between her misfires with family, her reliance on sarcasm and iced coffee, and her quietly sincere attempts to get her life back on track, Leo makes an easy protagonist to root for.
Where the story falters a bit is in its resolution. While the murder is solved, several key threads feel unresolved, enough that the ending reads like the setup for a sequel rather than a full closing of the case. I was left with several important questions regarding the mystery and all of its components. These lingering questions don’t undo the book’s strengths, but they may leave you craving tighter closure.
Still, Cannon’s playful voice, layered characters, and clever integration of online culture make “A Zoom with a View” a standout contemporary cozy. Even with a few loose threads, the ride is entertaining, heartfelt, and distinctly modern.
Overall, “A Zoom with a View” is a witty and engaging small-town mystery with heart, humor, and a dash of romance. It’s perfect for readers who love messy families, internet drama, and cozy mysteries with a contemporary flair. Just be prepared to reach the end wishing for a second book to tie up the rest.
With sharp humor, small-town chaos, and a mystery rooted in influencer culture, “A Zoom with a View” is a cozy whodunit that delivers plenty of charm. Cannon’s debut brings the “returning-home-after-life-falls-apart” trope to Texas and gives it a contemporary spin involving Reddit threads, real estate listings, and a corpse inconveniently discovered during a photography gig.
Leo’s academic career has fizzled out, so she’s back in Blue Oak, trying to rebuild her life while dodging small-town gossip and her mother’s aerosol hair products. When Chaz who is the town’s former golden boy turned fitness influencer is found dead in a house Leo is photographing, she finds herself at the center of the investigation. The twist? She and her best friend are moderators of a snarky subreddit dedicated to roasting Chaz. Suddenly, Leo’s internet alter ego, her past relationships, and her complicated family dynamics all become potential motives or liabilities.
Cannon keeps the tone lively with multiple POVs that add texture to the mystery without overwhelming it. The third-person narration is refreshing for a cozy mystery, giving you access to several perspectives instead of being trapped inside one head. This structure also deepens the small-town vibe: everyone’s history with Chaz and with each other feels tangled, messy, and deeply believable. The cast is diverse, with meaningful queer representation that feels especially notable in a rural setting, and supporting character Macy is a standout presence.
Mixed into the mystery is a lightly chaotic love triangle, simmering with tension but never overshadowing the investigation. The romance elements add an extra layer of fun, especially as Leo tries to decide whether the charming detective is a love interest, a threat, or both. Between her misfires with family, her reliance on sarcasm and iced coffee, and her quietly sincere attempts to get her life back on track, Leo makes an easy protagonist to root for.
Where the story falters a bit is in its resolution. While the murder is solved, several key threads feel unresolved, enough that the ending reads like the setup for a sequel rather than a full closing of the case. I was left with several important questions regarding the mystery and all of its components. These lingering questions don’t undo the book’s strengths, but they may leave you craving tighter closure.
Still, Cannon’s playful voice, layered characters, and clever integration of online culture make “A Zoom with a View” a standout contemporary cozy. Even with a few loose threads, the ride is entertaining, heartfelt, and distinctly modern.
Overall, “A Zoom with a View” is a witty and engaging small-town mystery with heart, humor, and a dash of romance. It’s perfect for readers who love messy families, internet drama, and cozy mysteries with a contemporary flair. Just be prepared to reach the end wishing for a second book to tie up the rest.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Set in a fictional Texas town with the most delightfully colorful cast I've encountered in a while, A Zoom with a View is a lively cozy mystery that kept me puzzling and chuckling until the final big reveal. I heartily enjoyed it!
*Thank you Dutton Books for the advanced copy of the book; this review is entirely my own opinion.
The story centers around main character, Leo, who has just returned to Blue Oaks for what she hopes is just the summer. The university jobs haven't been plentiful and Leo (short for Leonora) accepts an offer from her close family friends to help them manage the photography and social media for their family-owned real estate business. But days after her return, the controversial owner of a rival real estate firm turns up dead in a soon-to-be listed home, and Leo's friend is the number one suspect.
I went into this read expecting a typical cozy mystery -- full of memorable characters, a decent mystery, and probably a romance of some sort--and while those elements were happily there, this story also had more substance than I expected. Notably, from the beginning there was a sort of Bridgerton-esque colorblind cast of characters that I found delightful. It's revealed that Blue Oaks voted early on to embrace integration, so the town was gloriously diverse, and it was long-enough established that it didn't feel like a novelty to the citizens. I loved this--both the inclusion of so many diverse characters, but also that it's briefly explained and then left to be. If not for the murder and the scheming townsfolk, I'd be signing up to move there myself!
Author Jess Cannon also incorporates an interesting thread about social media and the parasocial relationships fans form with celebrities these days. In her story Leo is brought on by the police department as a consultant for her extensive knowledge of the victim, his social circles, his background, and his businesses because she and her friends were members of a sub-Reddit dedicated to the man and his daily outrageous social media content. It makes for a great plot device, picking apart suspects and motives by analyzing their own content, while also providing an interesting commentary on the current state of social media and its inherent dangers. It was food for thought I didn't expect in my mystery and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Of course I also enjoyed the traditional elements to the story. There's a love triangle introduced that had me repeatedly switching sides as each man showed off his various charms. And the wacky characters were charming in their colorful descriptions. It was honestly a joy to spend time with them as I moved through the pages.
In all, this was a very enjoyable mystery that by the end definitely felt like it was being set up for a Book Two and I'm already eager to read it! I have some unanswered questions I'd like resolved, and a charming Texas town I'd like to return to.
*Thank you Dutton Books for the advanced copy of the book; this review is entirely my own opinion.
The story centers around main character, Leo, who has just returned to Blue Oaks for what she hopes is just the summer. The university jobs haven't been plentiful and Leo (short for Leonora) accepts an offer from her close family friends to help them manage the photography and social media for their family-owned real estate business. But days after her return, the controversial owner of a rival real estate firm turns up dead in a soon-to-be listed home, and Leo's friend is the number one suspect.
I went into this read expecting a typical cozy mystery -- full of memorable characters, a decent mystery, and probably a romance of some sort--and while those elements were happily there, this story also had more substance than I expected. Notably, from the beginning there was a sort of Bridgerton-esque colorblind cast of characters that I found delightful. It's revealed that Blue Oaks voted early on to embrace integration, so the town was gloriously diverse, and it was long-enough established that it didn't feel like a novelty to the citizens. I loved this--both the inclusion of so many diverse characters, but also that it's briefly explained and then left to be. If not for the murder and the scheming townsfolk, I'd be signing up to move there myself!
Author Jess Cannon also incorporates an interesting thread about social media and the parasocial relationships fans form with celebrities these days. In her story Leo is brought on by the police department as a consultant for her extensive knowledge of the victim, his social circles, his background, and his businesses because she and her friends were members of a sub-Reddit dedicated to the man and his daily outrageous social media content. It makes for a great plot device, picking apart suspects and motives by analyzing their own content, while also providing an interesting commentary on the current state of social media and its inherent dangers. It was food for thought I didn't expect in my mystery and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Of course I also enjoyed the traditional elements to the story. There's a love triangle introduced that had me repeatedly switching sides as each man showed off his various charms. And the wacky characters were charming in their colorful descriptions. It was honestly a joy to spend time with them as I moved through the pages.
In all, this was a very enjoyable mystery that by the end definitely felt like it was being set up for a Book Two and I'm already eager to read it! I have some unanswered questions I'd like resolved, and a charming Texas town I'd like to return to.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This book is the literary equivalent of showing up to your hometown for a “temporary reset” and immediately being handed chaos with a side of unresolved feelings. It’s warm, witty, and genuinely comforting—like a romcom wrapped inside a murder mystery that knows exactly how ridiculous life can be and leans into it with confidence.
What really works here is the writing. Cannon has a sharp, modern voice that makes even small moments entertaining. The humor comes from awkward conversations, bad timing, and people behaving exactly like people do when they’re stressed, defensive, or pretending they totally have their life together (they do not). The pacing strikes a nice balance—fast enough to stay fun, but patient enough to let emotional beats land without rushing everyone into feelings just because the plot demands it.
Leo is an easy protagonist to root for: smart, sarcastic, quietly spiraling, and trying to figure out who she is now that her Big Career Plan has face-planted. Her return to her Texas hometown is full of small-town energy—everyone knows everyone, everyone has opinions, and everyone is absolutely sure they’re right. The mystery kicks things into high gear quickly, and while the murder is the hook, the real joy is watching Leo navigate messy family dynamics, old relationships, and a town that hasn’t changed nearly as much as she hoped.
The cast is a standout. Even secondary characters feel fully formed, not just filler bodies wandering around to advance the plot. The multiple POVs add texture and humor, especially when you realize how wildly different people’s interpretations of the same events can be. No one feels cartoonish—even when they’re wrong, they’re wrong in a way that makes sense to them, which is oddly refreshing.
If I had one complaint, it’s that the ending leaves a few threads dangling just enough to make me suspicious this might be the start of a series. I wanted a little more closure in a couple of places, because the setup and characters could absolutely support it. Still, I was having such a good time that I mostly just felt greedy for more.
Overall, this is a funny, cozy, modern mystery with heart, charm, and a strong sense of voice. Come for the murder, stay for the writing, the humor, and the deeply relatable experience of trying to rebuild your life while everything around you insists on being inconvenient.
Thank you to Jess Cannon, NetGalley, and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This book is the literary equivalent of showing up to your hometown for a “temporary reset” and immediately being handed chaos with a side of unresolved feelings. It’s warm, witty, and genuinely comforting—like a romcom wrapped inside a murder mystery that knows exactly how ridiculous life can be and leans into it with confidence.
What really works here is the writing. Cannon has a sharp, modern voice that makes even small moments entertaining. The humor comes from awkward conversations, bad timing, and people behaving exactly like people do when they’re stressed, defensive, or pretending they totally have their life together (they do not). The pacing strikes a nice balance—fast enough to stay fun, but patient enough to let emotional beats land without rushing everyone into feelings just because the plot demands it.
Leo is an easy protagonist to root for: smart, sarcastic, quietly spiraling, and trying to figure out who she is now that her Big Career Plan has face-planted. Her return to her Texas hometown is full of small-town energy—everyone knows everyone, everyone has opinions, and everyone is absolutely sure they’re right. The mystery kicks things into high gear quickly, and while the murder is the hook, the real joy is watching Leo navigate messy family dynamics, old relationships, and a town that hasn’t changed nearly as much as she hoped.
The cast is a standout. Even secondary characters feel fully formed, not just filler bodies wandering around to advance the plot. The multiple POVs add texture and humor, especially when you realize how wildly different people’s interpretations of the same events can be. No one feels cartoonish—even when they’re wrong, they’re wrong in a way that makes sense to them, which is oddly refreshing.
If I had one complaint, it’s that the ending leaves a few threads dangling just enough to make me suspicious this might be the start of a series. I wanted a little more closure in a couple of places, because the setup and characters could absolutely support it. Still, I was having such a good time that I mostly just felt greedy for more.
Overall, this is a funny, cozy, modern mystery with heart, charm, and a strong sense of voice. Come for the murder, stay for the writing, the humor, and the deeply relatable experience of trying to rebuild your life while everything around you insists on being inconvenient.
Thank you to Jess Cannon, NetGalley, and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance reader copy from Dutton, via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher!
This one started fun, but it eventually lost its steam with its execution. I liked the idea of the snark subreddit, the content posted there was sassy and funny, and how it played into solving the murder.
In the first part of the book, Leo and Emily were very two peas in a pod and then suddenly they were sporadic in communication. I get that they had a fight while they also focused on the investigation, but Emily (and in part, her mom) felt like a big part of the first half and then suddenly they're off the pages in the second half.
I didn't get why Leo was so hung up on Mack and vice versa. It felt a bit forced, especially in the end, when
Jake with his starry eyed crush wasn't any better. He was so dependent on Leo... like why. He's a grown man with a grown ass job, supposedly something he's good at, and yet he kept relying on Leo to lead the way, sometimes even dictate the pacing of the investigation? I get the forced proximity trope we're somewhat err, forcing here, but he seemed such a weak character. Leo was doing his job for him.
The female side characters seemed more interesting: Leo's mom, Esquivel, and Macy. Makes me wish this whodunnit was anchored on all the female characters instead, they had stronger characterization than the male ones. Leo, as the main character though, had the bossy, "I'm always right" energy and seemed to be deadset on steamrolling everyone, whether it's her mother, a murder suspect or her friend.
Sometimes the prose felt overwritten, overexplained, like it doesn't let the reader imagine or trust them to draw the context of what's happening. This isn't an exact quote, but things like "Character A takes a sip of her takeaway coffee. She puts down the coffee cup, then drives off. She arrives ten minutes later, parks her Toyota and walks to the bookstore."
I know this is mystery lite, but because it's written the way it is, the book overall lacked the tension to keep me engaged. It took me double the days to finish this book, when normally I'm in the three to five day range. I only speed read the last 40% in one sitting because I seriously wanted to get it over with and move on to my next book. 😅
This one started fun, but it eventually lost its steam with its execution. I liked the idea of the snark subreddit, the content posted there was sassy and funny, and how it played into solving the murder.
In the first part of the book, Leo and Emily were very two peas in a pod and then suddenly they were sporadic in communication. I get that they had a fight while they also focused on the investigation, but Emily (and in part, her mom) felt like a big part of the first half and then suddenly they're off the pages in the second half.
I didn't get why Leo was so hung up on Mack and vice versa. It felt a bit forced, especially in the end, when
Jake with his starry eyed crush wasn't any better. He was so dependent on Leo... like why. He's a grown man with a grown ass job, supposedly something he's good at, and yet he kept relying on Leo to lead the way, sometimes even dictate the pacing of the investigation? I get the forced proximity trope we're somewhat err, forcing here, but he seemed such a weak character. Leo was doing his job for him.
The female side characters seemed more interesting: Leo's mom, Esquivel, and Macy. Makes me wish this whodunnit was anchored on all the female characters instead, they had stronger characterization than the male ones. Leo, as the main character though, had the bossy, "I'm always right" energy and seemed to be deadset on steamrolling everyone, whether it's her mother, a murder suspect or her friend.
Sometimes the prose felt overwritten, overexplained, like it doesn't let the reader imagine or trust them to draw the context of what's happening. This isn't an exact quote, but things like "Character A takes a sip of her takeaway coffee. She puts down the coffee cup, then drives off. She arrives ten minutes later, parks her Toyota and walks to the bookstore."
I know this is mystery lite, but because it's written the way it is, the book overall lacked the tension to keep me engaged. It took me double the days to finish this book, when normally I'm in the three to five day range. I only speed read the last 40% in one sitting because I seriously wanted to get it over with and move on to my next book. 😅
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5/5 stars
When Leo moves back to her home town of Blue Oaks, TX for the summer, she's expecting to spend time with her best friend Emily, photographing houses for Emily's family's real estate business. She'll keep her distance as much as possible from the town she doesn't like, including her mom-their relationship works best from a distance. Leo will find a new job in her field as an English professor and get out of town as fast as possible.
It's the plan, but the plan goes off the rails almost at once. When Leo and Emily find local influencer Chaz dead in a house they show up to photograph, Leo is drawn into the investigation. Old secrets, betrayals, and rivalries are unearthed. Leo learns there's a lot more going on in her little town than she imagined. But can she discover the killer in their midst before an innocent woman is sent to prison?
I liked the concept of this book. I'm always up for a small town cozy mystery. But I had a hard time getting into this one. The characters were all hard to get to know, or/and unlikeable for me. Leo was the main character with most of the story told through her eyes, but it still felt like I was getting her from a distance. While I liked the twist with her mom, so often I found myself thinking she and Leo (and others in the book) just needed a few honest conversations and half the problems would sort themselves out. Which was just annoying to me.
The first half of the book was really slow, getting characters and their relationships established in a way I felt could have been done faster. But the second half did pick up and get a little better. Leo is an expert in the influencer world Chaz stars in, so it made sense the police would bring her in for advice. The subreddit group of Chaz snarkers was entertaining and seemed like a unique angle- I wish it had gotten more play just for the snark factor.
If there had been more of an emotional connection for me with any of the characters I think I'd have enjoyed this more but a lot of this felt forced. Even the potential romance triangle, forced with no chemistry that I could feel. Overall, a bit of a disappointment for me.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
When Leo moves back to her home town of Blue Oaks, TX for the summer, she's expecting to spend time with her best friend Emily, photographing houses for Emily's family's real estate business. She'll keep her distance as much as possible from the town she doesn't like, including her mom-their relationship works best from a distance. Leo will find a new job in her field as an English professor and get out of town as fast as possible.
It's the plan, but the plan goes off the rails almost at once. When Leo and Emily find local influencer Chaz dead in a house they show up to photograph, Leo is drawn into the investigation. Old secrets, betrayals, and rivalries are unearthed. Leo learns there's a lot more going on in her little town than she imagined. But can she discover the killer in their midst before an innocent woman is sent to prison?
I liked the concept of this book. I'm always up for a small town cozy mystery. But I had a hard time getting into this one. The characters were all hard to get to know, or/and unlikeable for me. Leo was the main character with most of the story told through her eyes, but it still felt like I was getting her from a distance. While I liked the twist with her mom, so often I found myself thinking she and Leo (and others in the book) just needed a few honest conversations and half the problems would sort themselves out. Which was just annoying to me.
The first half of the book was really slow, getting characters and their relationships established in a way I felt could have been done faster. But the second half did pick up and get a little better. Leo is an expert in the influencer world Chaz stars in, so it made sense the police would bring her in for advice. The subreddit group of Chaz snarkers was entertaining and seemed like a unique angle- I wish it had gotten more play just for the snark factor.
If there had been more of an emotional connection for me with any of the characters I think I'd have enjoyed this more but a lot of this felt forced. Even the potential romance triangle, forced with no chemistry that I could feel. Overall, a bit of a disappointment for me.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After trying - and failing - to start a career in academia, Leo moves back home for a photography job. Just for the summer, of course, there'll be other opportunities next autumn.. Right? But then the guy, she's now spent years making fun of on social media for being a wannabe influencer, gets murdered.. In the very house Leo is doing her first photography job in. As the local wannabe influencer specialist, Leo of course gets to join the investigation.. Even though her own mother really does not want her anywhere near that.
I'm going to be honest, this book is difficult to get into - you start off by meeting basically all of the characters at the same time without even really knowing the main ones and it's overwhelming. There's Leo and her best friend Emily, Emily's partner and three kids, their mothers, the wannabe influencer, his girlfriend, the ex, the random people in her old town, ... But once you know who is who, this story becomes a lot of fun.
It feels very much like a small town take on desperate housewives, especially with the way the story is told - while you mainly follow Leo, you also get literally everyone else's point of view as well. And they're all fun! Even if it's the biased old police officer who obviously gets everything wrong, he's fun to follow along because what he does makes sense to him, he's no 2-dimensional character who doesn't think, he's doing what he truly thinks is right. Even if you know he's wrong, he's not just on one side because someone has to be.. And I loved that! Feels so refreshing when even the characters you disagree with aren't just there to force a story along, they are well rounded, thought through characters.
The plot was really fun to read too - I really enjoyed how it was set up and later slowly finding out why things happened and why people thought the way they did and how everything made sense. The one thing I wasn't the biggest fan of is Karina's story. Yes, I know it potentially sets up a part 2 maybe, but.. This kind of thing isn't my favourite. Plus the ending was a little hard to believe.. Everything was set up so well and then the perpetrator goes down like that? I also didn't like the whole romance plot.
One more thing to add though is how well that small town was set up - by the end of the book, it felt like an actually real place. Especially after that step into the book and having to familiarize yourself with all the characters etc, you just get a feeling for the place and everyone is so familiar, their actions just make sense for who they are. I really enjoyed that part, it was so well done!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book, I really enjoyed the read and while it's currently winter here, I felt like I took a trip to the south and somehow met everyone in this little small town. While I didn't love the ending, I already went checking for more books by this author because this was just such a good time.
Thank you Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I'm going to be honest, this book is difficult to get into - you start off by meeting basically all of the characters at the same time without even really knowing the main ones and it's overwhelming. There's Leo and her best friend Emily, Emily's partner and three kids, their mothers, the wannabe influencer, his girlfriend, the ex, the random people in her old town, ... But once you know who is who, this story becomes a lot of fun.
It feels very much like a small town take on desperate housewives, especially with the way the story is told - while you mainly follow Leo, you also get literally everyone else's point of view as well. And they're all fun! Even if it's the biased old police officer who obviously gets everything wrong, he's fun to follow along because what he does makes sense to him, he's no 2-dimensional character who doesn't think, he's doing what he truly thinks is right. Even if you know he's wrong, he's not just on one side because someone has to be.. And I loved that! Feels so refreshing when even the characters you disagree with aren't just there to force a story along, they are well rounded, thought through characters.
The plot was really fun to read too - I really enjoyed how it was set up and later slowly finding out why things happened and why people thought the way they did and how everything made sense. The one thing I wasn't the biggest fan of is Karina's story. Yes, I know it potentially sets up a part 2 maybe, but.. This kind of thing isn't my favourite. Plus the ending was a little hard to believe.. Everything was set up so well and then the perpetrator goes down like that? I also didn't like the whole romance plot.
One more thing to add though is how well that small town was set up - by the end of the book, it felt like an actually real place. Especially after that step into the book and having to familiarize yourself with all the characters etc, you just get a feeling for the place and everyone is so familiar, their actions just make sense for who they are. I really enjoyed that part, it was so well done!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book, I really enjoyed the read and while it's currently winter here, I felt like I took a trip to the south and somehow met everyone in this little small town. While I didn't love the ending, I already went checking for more books by this author because this was just such a good time.
Thank you Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC provided by Dutton Publishing via Netgalley for an honest review.
This was a fun and fast paced cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading. That said, I did have a few issues with it. Nothing that totally took away from the story, but were problematic for me. But I still enjoyed it enough that I would pick up the next in the series, or any other books that this author writes.
Leo is a great character and she makes a great detective. I enjoyed the chapters from her point of view. She is smart and loves to do research. She is also a bit of an introvert which can hold her back. I loved her relationship with her childhood friend, Emily. They had a great dynamic that I look forward to seeing more of in the next book.
As much as I enjoyed the other characters in the story, there were too many perspectives on what was going on. The narrative jumped around a bit to much from character to character and at times it was hard to know who was telling that part of the story. This was especially true towards the middle of the book as a couple of new characters were added. Fewer perspectives would have worked better for this story.
There were also a couple of subplots that didn’t quite work for me and took away from the main mystery. The estrangement between Leo and her mom felt forced and didn’t really make a lot of sense to me. The romance story lines also didn’t add anything to the story and there are some awkward scenes towards the end that just didn’t make sense.
There was a lot that did work for me though. I loved the snarky comments on the subreddit about Chaz and Kymber. That whole story line was brilliant and it brought up some issues about influencers that were interesting. The small town feel to the book was good and I loved the quirky residents of Blue Oak.
Overall, this was a solid start to a fun cozy fantasy. I certainly hope that there will be a second book as I look forward to seeing what these characters get up to next.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
This was a fun and fast paced cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading. That said, I did have a few issues with it. Nothing that totally took away from the story, but were problematic for me. But I still enjoyed it enough that I would pick up the next in the series, or any other books that this author writes.
Leo is a great character and she makes a great detective. I enjoyed the chapters from her point of view. She is smart and loves to do research. She is also a bit of an introvert which can hold her back. I loved her relationship with her childhood friend, Emily. They had a great dynamic that I look forward to seeing more of in the next book.
As much as I enjoyed the other characters in the story, there were too many perspectives on what was going on. The narrative jumped around a bit to much from character to character and at times it was hard to know who was telling that part of the story. This was especially true towards the middle of the book as a couple of new characters were added. Fewer perspectives would have worked better for this story.
There were also a couple of subplots that didn’t quite work for me and took away from the main mystery. The estrangement between Leo and her mom felt forced and didn’t really make a lot of sense to me. The romance story lines also didn’t add anything to the story and there are some awkward scenes towards the end that just didn’t make sense.
There was a lot that did work for me though. I loved the snarky comments on the subreddit about Chaz and Kymber. That whole story line was brilliant and it brought up some issues about influencers that were interesting. The small town feel to the book was good and I loved the quirky residents of Blue Oak.
Overall, this was a solid start to a fun cozy fantasy. I certainly hope that there will be a second book as I look forward to seeing what these characters get up to next.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kobo
📃 384 pages | ⏱️ ~4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Dutton
📅 Release Date: May 5, 2026
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley
The concept behind A Zoom with a View is genuinely strong and exactly the kind of setup that cozy mystery readers tend to gravitate toward. A small-town bully turned influencer, a murder tied to real estate rivalries, and a found-family circle rallying together to protect one of their own makes for an engaging foundation. Once the mystery kicked in, I found myself flying through the pages and easily finishing the book in record time.
One element that didn’t quite land for me was the heavy emphasis on Leo being a photographer without that skill ever truly impacting the investigation. Given the title, I expected photography to play a more meaningful role, whether through clues, images, or perspective, but it mostly remained background detail rather than a storytelling tool. The mother’s big secret also overstayed its welcome. While I understand the intention to build suspense, by the time the reveal came (literally in the final pages), the reaction didn't fully ring true for me emotionally. The final stretch of the book dragged a bit, and the cliffhanger ending may divide readers depending on their tolerance for unresolved threads.
Still, Cannon’s voice sparkles. Her sense of humor, her pacing once the plot kicks in, and her small-town details all sing with potential. For a debut, this one is full of promise, and I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for what she writes next. I mean, there's a cliffhanger I need to find resolution for!
Would I recommend it?
A cozy mystery with small-town drama, witty banter, and a murder to untangle. While the pacing and some unresolved elements didn’t fully work for me, the core idea and writing style show a lot of promise. For a debut novel, this is a confident start, and I’d absolutely be interested in picking up the next book to see where the story goes.
📃 384 pages | ⏱️ ~4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Dutton
📅 Release Date: May 5, 2026
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley
The concept behind A Zoom with a View is genuinely strong and exactly the kind of setup that cozy mystery readers tend to gravitate toward. A small-town bully turned influencer, a murder tied to real estate rivalries, and a found-family circle rallying together to protect one of their own makes for an engaging foundation. Once the mystery kicked in, I found myself flying through the pages and easily finishing the book in record time.
One element that didn’t quite land for me was the heavy emphasis on Leo being a photographer without that skill ever truly impacting the investigation. Given the title, I expected photography to play a more meaningful role, whether through clues, images, or perspective, but it mostly remained background detail rather than a storytelling tool. The mother’s big secret also overstayed its welcome. While I understand the intention to build suspense, by the time the reveal came (literally in the final pages), the reaction didn't fully ring true for me emotionally. The final stretch of the book dragged a bit, and the cliffhanger ending may divide readers depending on their tolerance for unresolved threads.
Still, Cannon’s voice sparkles. Her sense of humor, her pacing once the plot kicks in, and her small-town details all sing with potential. For a debut, this one is full of promise, and I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for what she writes next. I mean, there's a cliffhanger I need to find resolution for!
Would I recommend it?
A cozy mystery with small-town drama, witty banter, and a murder to untangle. While the pacing and some unresolved elements didn’t fully work for me, the core idea and writing style show a lot of promise. For a debut novel, this is a confident start, and I’d absolutely be interested in picking up the next book to see where the story goes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh. My. Word. Sequel, ASAP please!
Because, while this wasn’t perfect, it was an absolute page-turner, a cozy mystery with an intriguing plot and surprising depth.
Listen, maybe I’m partial. I am a Texan after all… a Texan who just happens to work Austin realtors daily. And I swear to you… I know Chaz. Stupid top-knot and all.
Truly, though, I think I’d have still loved this book even without all the hyper-polished, Insta-ready-ATX-realtor relatability (Wow. That’s a mouthful!). Because Leo is the true heart of the story, a remarkably well-developed character in a genre that often lacks depth. Cozy mysteries often sacrifice emotional richness for plot — here, you get both, and it’s impressively well-balanced.
And while there are a few kooky, small-town elements, it’s not so much that it offsets the more grounded elements. There are elements of exaggeration in Blue Oak, sure, but much of the quirk feels true to the weird Austin of yesteryears.
If I have one issue with this book, it’s the narrative writing choices. Third-person, present tense is never my favorite, and rarely the best choice. On top of that, the book has about ten different POVs, and the transitions between each aren’t always clear. It often took several paragraphs to figure out whose perspective you were in, which slowed the pacing at times. With so many narrative switches in a fast-paced story, something as simple as including the characters’ names at the top of each chapter or section would have helped immensely.
One other thing to warn you about — and maybe I should have mentioned this earlier — is that this ends on a cliffhanger. Yes, Chaz’s murder is solved. But there’s so much more going on in Blue Oak, and Leo has only begun to scratch the surface.
Totally recommended — I cannot wait for the sequel!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Dutton for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Because, while this wasn’t perfect, it was an absolute page-turner, a cozy mystery with an intriguing plot and surprising depth.
Listen, maybe I’m partial. I am a Texan after all… a Texan who just happens to work Austin realtors daily. And I swear to you… I know Chaz. Stupid top-knot and all.
Truly, though, I think I’d have still loved this book even without all the hyper-polished, Insta-ready-ATX-realtor relatability (Wow. That’s a mouthful!). Because Leo is the true heart of the story, a remarkably well-developed character in a genre that often lacks depth. Cozy mysteries often sacrifice emotional richness for plot — here, you get both, and it’s impressively well-balanced.
And while there are a few kooky, small-town elements, it’s not so much that it offsets the more grounded elements. There are elements of exaggeration in Blue Oak, sure, but much of the quirk feels true to the weird Austin of yesteryears.
If I have one issue with this book, it’s the narrative writing choices. Third-person, present tense is never my favorite, and rarely the best choice. On top of that, the book has about ten different POVs, and the transitions between each aren’t always clear. It often took several paragraphs to figure out whose perspective you were in, which slowed the pacing at times. With so many narrative switches in a fast-paced story, something as simple as including the characters’ names at the top of each chapter or section would have helped immensely.
One other thing to warn you about — and maybe I should have mentioned this earlier — is that this ends on a cliffhanger. Yes, Chaz’s murder is solved. But there’s so much more going on in Blue Oak, and Leo has only begun to scratch the surface.
Totally recommended — I cannot wait for the sequel!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Dutton for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A ZOOM WITH A VIEW is the first book in a fun new cozy series. It features a quirky Southern town filled with quirky Southern folks dealing with quirky Southern doin's that lead to a shocking murder. As sleuths, both professional and amateur, look into the mystery, secrets old and new are brought to glaring light. Clearly, there's more to the quaint town of Blue Oak than meets the eye.
The book has an appealing setup that leads to an entertaining story. Our heroine, Leo, is an adorkable fish-out-of-water whose bookishness has never been understood by the local folks. She's relatable and mostly likable, although her role as the co-administrator of a mean-spirited Reddit group made me like her a lot less. It just seems like a really immature and petty hobby for a serious-minded, 33-year-old academic. Other than that, I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends. I would like the two men in her love triangle to have more personality as they're both pretty bland, or better yet for there not to be a love triangle at all (I HATE those), but, alas...
As far as plot goes, the tale is pretty implausible and predictable, which is par for the course for a cozy. I definitely would have liked more twists to keep me guessing. That doesn't mean the story's not engrossing, though. It kept me turning pages, even though I was not even a little surprised by the killer's identity.
While I for sure have some issues with the novel, A ZOOM WITH A VIEW did keep me entertained. It's upbeat, funny, silly in some ways, and diverting. I enjoyed it for the most part and will for sure pick up the next book when it comes out.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), innuendo, crude humor, and violence
The book has an appealing setup that leads to an entertaining story. Our heroine, Leo, is an adorkable fish-out-of-water whose bookishness has never been understood by the local folks. She's relatable and mostly likable, although her role as the co-administrator of a mean-spirited Reddit group made me like her a lot less. It just seems like a really immature and petty hobby for a serious-minded, 33-year-old academic. Other than that, I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends. I would like the two men in her love triangle to have more personality as they're both pretty bland, or better yet for there not to be a love triangle at all (I HATE those), but, alas...
As far as plot goes, the tale is pretty implausible and predictable, which is par for the course for a cozy. I definitely would have liked more twists to keep me guessing. That doesn't mean the story's not engrossing, though. It kept me turning pages, even though I was not even a little surprised by the killer's identity.
While I for sure have some issues with the novel, A ZOOM WITH A VIEW did keep me entertained. It's upbeat, funny, silly in some ways, and diverting. I enjoyed it for the most part and will for sure pick up the next book when it comes out.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), innuendo, crude humor, and violence
November 2, 2025
Okay. So this was a well written book and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes murder mysteries. However, what was that END????? Are we getting a sequel?
Was that why the end was drafted like a cliffhanger?
And the author mentions in the acknowledgments that she is aware which character we are rooting for in this love triangle? So....will we get a proper conclusion or....not?
I did like the diversity of the characters.There was queer representation in the book too. And that too, in a small town? Kudos. I liked that aspect. Small town which is not small in their way of thinking.
I do have a few lingering questions and that's never good for a murder mystery. How did Melody know the details of the murder? That was never answered. Karina never got to know why was Leo so important to the police investigation. I also found two slight typos - one where it is typed as "murders Chaz's" instead of "murders Chaz" another where a space between two words is missing. I hope the author rectifies the above before the book is finally available to buy and read for all.
I liked Macy as the best supporting character. And I wish we had met Beth on the pages instead of her only being discussed and talked about. I did like the third person narration. It was a refreshing change from all the first person POVs that we have in many books now. Also, Leo did not narrate every chapter. We got snapshots from every important character and that added to the mystery element. The subreddit thread was super interesting to read about.
I did want a concrete end....the murder was solved but I still felt bereft??
Like....all the ends were not tied neatly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publications for approving my ARC request.
Was that why the end was drafted like a cliffhanger?
And the author mentions in the acknowledgments that she is aware which character we are rooting for in this love triangle? So....will we get a proper conclusion or....not?
I did like the diversity of the characters.There was queer representation in the book too. And that too, in a small town? Kudos. I liked that aspect. Small town which is not small in their way of thinking.
I do have a few lingering questions and that's never good for a murder mystery. How did Melody know the details of the murder? That was never answered. Karina never got to know why was Leo so important to the police investigation. I also found two slight typos - one where it is typed as "murders Chaz's" instead of "murders Chaz" another where a space between two words is missing. I hope the author rectifies the above before the book is finally available to buy and read for all.
I liked Macy as the best supporting character. And I wish we had met Beth on the pages instead of her only being discussed and talked about. I did like the third person narration. It was a refreshing change from all the first person POVs that we have in many books now. Also, Leo did not narrate every chapter. We got snapshots from every important character and that added to the mystery element. The subreddit thread was super interesting to read about.
I did want a concrete end....the murder was solved but I still felt bereft??
Like....all the ends were not tied neatly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publications for approving my ARC request.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, what a fun discovery! I want to thank #Netgally as I was browsing when I noticed this book, and I am so happy I took a chance. Leo (Leonora) Holloway is an interesting character, very smart but emotionally crippled at the thought of going home to Blue Oak, Texas but circumstances mean she will be spending at least the summer in the place she has avoided for years because of her relationship with her mother. Taking a temporary job with her best friend's family real estate business gives her something to do, Emily's parents pool house gives her someplace to stay and arriving on the 4th of July means she gets to run into a lot of old friends and acquaintances. When Emily and Leo catch a rival realtor, and local influencer messing with the family's parade float bad blood spills over, when two days later Leo finds the body of the influencer in the first house she goes to photograph there are going to be multiple problems for plenty of people she cares about. This is a very interesting mystery with lots of things that draw Leo back into her hometown, into old relationships with friends and into a reexamination of her relationship with her mother and what she thought she knew! With an interesting tidbit being revealed at the end of the book, it looks like we have a great setup for another adventure for Leo and her wonderful crew of friends. Thanks to #Netgally, #RandomHousePress, and the author for an opportunity to discover! #AZoomwithaView #JessCannon #bookreview #bookidea #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook of Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon (out May 5)! I’m just absolutely tickled that a woman with the last name Cannon wrote a book about a photographer (my heart is full of dad jokes).
So this one had been my radar for a while, and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it! It leans little more serious than a traditional cozy mystery, but not quite as intense as a full on thriller. The mystery itself kept me guessing, which I always appreciate. The romance aspect is pretty low key and TBH I didn’t find it particularly satisfying, but the case was interesting enough that I didn’t mind too much. While I wouldn’t say I was completely riveted the whole time, I stayed engaged and enjoyed the overall experience.
One thing that really stood out was the narrative style — there are moments when an omniscient narrator pulls back to give a broader view of what multiple characters are doing at once. It’s a bit hard to describe, but it felt like a really unique approach for this type of story and worked for me.
If you’re looking for a romance-forward mystery, this will probably miss the mark…but if you want a solid mystery with a hint of romance, this is worth picking up! Hoping it becomes a series and we can come back to the world of Blue Oak Texas next year!
🎧: Performed by Lauren Ezzo, who narrated one of my favorite books last year (Say It Out Loud), and she nails this one too!! I love that you can hear the characters’ emotions without feeling over-acted. Definitely a great audiobook pick!
So this one had been my radar for a while, and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it! It leans little more serious than a traditional cozy mystery, but not quite as intense as a full on thriller. The mystery itself kept me guessing, which I always appreciate. The romance aspect is pretty low key and TBH I didn’t find it particularly satisfying, but the case was interesting enough that I didn’t mind too much. While I wouldn’t say I was completely riveted the whole time, I stayed engaged and enjoyed the overall experience.
One thing that really stood out was the narrative style — there are moments when an omniscient narrator pulls back to give a broader view of what multiple characters are doing at once. It’s a bit hard to describe, but it felt like a really unique approach for this type of story and worked for me.
If you’re looking for a romance-forward mystery, this will probably miss the mark…but if you want a solid mystery with a hint of romance, this is worth picking up! Hoping it becomes a series and we can come back to the world of Blue Oak Texas next year!
🎧: Performed by Lauren Ezzo, who narrated one of my favorite books last year (Say It Out Loud), and she nails this one too!! I love that you can hear the characters’ emotions without feeling over-acted. Definitely a great audiobook pick!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, this book kept me guessing until the end. But, there had better be a sequel because it ended on quite a cliffhanger. Leo (Leanora) has had many post-doc, non-tenured academic jobs in many different university English departments. Nothing sticks and she’s a tourist in her own lfe. Her father died and, since then, she’s had a cool relationship with her mother and rarely returns to her small home town outside of Austin TX. After her most recent academic engagement ends, she reluctantly returns home to her mother, her best friend. Emily and her wide and kids, her old HS boyfriend (who still looks great) and all the town’s people who she knows like the back of her hand. She cannot wait to get outa town again. Despite being a hi-brow, PhD academician, Leo and Emily secretly started a hilariously snarky sub-Reddit about Chaz (aka Charlie) . He was a HS football home town hero who’s ridiculous, self-centered, oblivious and love the internet spotlight. Soon after Leo returns home, there a murder and she ends up partnering with Det. Jake. She was best HS friends with Jakes sister and didn’t really think much about him as an underclassman. Now, Jake is chiseled, articulate and seems to be interested. Between her difficult mom, the Texas heat and humidity and the murder, Leo should be ready to bolt…..but she’ll stick around just a little bit longer. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Leo is back in her hometown of Blue Oak, Texas, where she needs to find a new start after failing to find a tenure position in a college English Department. She'll be working for her godmother's real estate company taking photos and managing the business's social media accounts.
Leo wasn't eager to come home. She has a very difficult relationship with her mother who runs the local beauty shop. And she isn't all that eager to catch up with her high school classmates. She's glad to be able to spend some in-person time with her best friend Emily as opposed to their online friendship as they are moderating an online group that is following a former high school acquaintance who is trying to make his name as a social media influencer. Chaz runs a fitness center, is a rival real estate broker, and runs his own church.
When Leo and Emily go to one of their new real estate properties, they discover Chaz's body. The local sheriff is sure that Leo's godmother Kay murdered him, but his deputies including another of Leo's classmates is actually willing to investigate and is willing to have Leo help him with the ins and outs of social media.
This was an interesting mystery with quite a few twists and turns and quite a few viewpoints too. It seems Leo's mother has a secret life of her own. And Leo has to explore her feelings about her hometown and about old friends who might be romantic interests.
Leo wasn't eager to come home. She has a very difficult relationship with her mother who runs the local beauty shop. And she isn't all that eager to catch up with her high school classmates. She's glad to be able to spend some in-person time with her best friend Emily as opposed to their online friendship as they are moderating an online group that is following a former high school acquaintance who is trying to make his name as a social media influencer. Chaz runs a fitness center, is a rival real estate broker, and runs his own church.
When Leo and Emily go to one of their new real estate properties, they discover Chaz's body. The local sheriff is sure that Leo's godmother Kay murdered him, but his deputies including another of Leo's classmates is actually willing to investigate and is willing to have Leo help him with the ins and outs of social media.
This was an interesting mystery with quite a few twists and turns and quite a few viewpoints too. It seems Leo's mother has a secret life of her own. And Leo has to explore her feelings about her hometown and about old friends who might be romantic interests.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
In this latest cozy mystery, an overambitious Sheriff, a cop with an old classmate, a Reddit group, and a mom turned I-don't-know-what, all try to solve the mystery of a murdered local. As you may expect, each has their own ideas on a suspect.
As the reader, we only personally meet Charles "Chaz" Nickolson briefly before his (un)timely end. However, that was plenty of time to know he wasn't just a narcissistic douche, but someone who'd go to any lengths to get ahead. Does he deserve to be murdered? You'll have to decide.
Following the discovery of his body, the whole town of Blue Oak, Texas seems to be on the case. There's the obvious suspect, who Sheriff Quackenbush (perfect name) basically convicts before the sun has set. But I don't think things are that obvious. And given Chaz's past actions to other women in town, there are plenty of other suspects which the ragtag teams about town begin to investigate. The most surprising of them all being the mother and friend of the main suspect.
While I loved the small town dynamics of the story which added the lighter moments in this mystery, the book ran a little long in my opinion and could have been edited down a bit. Based on how it ends (possible love triangle), I wouldn't be surprised if another book is in the works.
Overall, this was a fun cozy mystery if you are looking for something light to dip your feet into.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
In this latest cozy mystery, an overambitious Sheriff, a cop with an old classmate, a Reddit group, and a mom turned I-don't-know-what, all try to solve the mystery of a murdered local. As you may expect, each has their own ideas on a suspect.
As the reader, we only personally meet Charles "Chaz" Nickolson briefly before his (un)timely end. However, that was plenty of time to know he wasn't just a narcissistic douche, but someone who'd go to any lengths to get ahead. Does he deserve to be murdered? You'll have to decide.
Following the discovery of his body, the whole town of Blue Oak, Texas seems to be on the case. There's the obvious suspect, who Sheriff Quackenbush (perfect name) basically convicts before the sun has set. But I don't think things are that obvious. And given Chaz's past actions to other women in town, there are plenty of other suspects which the ragtag teams about town begin to investigate. The most surprising of them all being the mother and friend of the main suspect.
While I loved the small town dynamics of the story which added the lighter moments in this mystery, the book ran a little long in my opinion and could have been edited down a bit. Based on how it ends (possible love triangle), I wouldn't be surprised if another book is in the works.
Overall, this was a fun cozy mystery if you are looking for something light to dip your feet into.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Leo’s feeling a bit down when she has to move back home to Blue Oak, TX and take a job with her mother’s lifelong best friend, Kay, taking photos for her real estate business. It’s a far cry from the easy-coast academic life she once saw for herself. And things get worse when Leo finds Kay’s rival’s body in the very first house she enters to take pictures in. Drawn into the investigation, Leo hopes to help Kay prove her innocence and save her job, while stopping a possible killer on the loose.
I really enjoyed this light, quirky mystery, that had just enough meat to the central mystery to really pique my interest, while still making me laugh and keep me invested in the B—plots (there’s some great family drama and potential steamy romance in there!) The author does a great job of balancing the genres to create a great story that worked really well and makes me excited for the next in the series, as the ending (while wrapping up the mystery nicely) indicates that this is going to be the start of a series (yay!).
Speaking of the ending, I did not guess what was going to happen, and i thought it was really good. Lots of nice twists in there too.
I look forward to reading further installments of this new series, which is fun and thrilling. It will make you laugh and give your brain a workout, as you laugh along with Leo and her friends, while trying your solve this great mystery.
If you’re a fan of mysteries with a little something extra, pick this one up!
I really enjoyed this light, quirky mystery, that had just enough meat to the central mystery to really pique my interest, while still making me laugh and keep me invested in the B—plots (there’s some great family drama and potential steamy romance in there!) The author does a great job of balancing the genres to create a great story that worked really well and makes me excited for the next in the series, as the ending (while wrapping up the mystery nicely) indicates that this is going to be the start of a series (yay!).
Speaking of the ending, I did not guess what was going to happen, and i thought it was really good. Lots of nice twists in there too.
I look forward to reading further installments of this new series, which is fun and thrilling. It will make you laugh and give your brain a workout, as you laugh along with Leo and her friends, while trying your solve this great mystery.
If you’re a fan of mysteries with a little something extra, pick this one up!
October 23, 2025
I love the “going back to your small hometown” trope, and this novel does it so well. Jess Cannon weaves an intriguing mystery with numerous suspects into a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
There’s a subreddit dedicated to mocking Chaz, the irritating former football darling of Leo’s hometown, now a fitness influencer and rival real estate agent to her mom’s best friend. And Leo and her best friend are the moderators, making them key witnesses with lots of potential evidence to share when Chaz shows up dead in a house listed for sale.
The multiple POVs allow the reader to get a fuller understanding of what’s happened and who might be responsible, and I loved following the clues dropped along the way (so much I had to stay up to finish the book in one night). There is so much juiciness about influencer and fitness culture, small-town rivalries, former love interests, and the realization that you might not know your hometown and its people as well as you once thought. The author builds a fun romance into the story (actually almost a love triangle) as well, making this an unique and exciting read! Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity!
There’s a subreddit dedicated to mocking Chaz, the irritating former football darling of Leo’s hometown, now a fitness influencer and rival real estate agent to her mom’s best friend. And Leo and her best friend are the moderators, making them key witnesses with lots of potential evidence to share when Chaz shows up dead in a house listed for sale.
The multiple POVs allow the reader to get a fuller understanding of what’s happened and who might be responsible, and I loved following the clues dropped along the way (so much I had to stay up to finish the book in one night). There is so much juiciness about influencer and fitness culture, small-town rivalries, former love interests, and the realization that you might not know your hometown and its people as well as you once thought. The author builds a fun romance into the story (actually almost a love triangle) as well, making this an unique and exciting read! Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There is definitely no such thing as the perfect murder, especially when it takes place under the watchful eye of everyone who lives in a town like Blue Oak.
Jess Cannon takes us into the life of Leo, a book lover in search of her own story. He returns to his hometown after many years to find old acquaintances and a crime that leaves no one above suspicion.
The narrative is entertaining and quite comical, though it takes a while to reach the main part of the plot. Each subplot and path to the truth becomes more enjoyable as the pages turn, making you want to be part of Leo and Jake's investigation.
More deeply, leaving aside its comical and lighthearted side, which zooms into Leo's personal life, his relationship with his mother leaves us with a longing and sentimentality that clings to each of us, reminding us that we can all go through similar situations (leaving aside the crime).
It has been a very enjoyable read to start 2026, and for those looking not only for charismatic characters but also for stories everyone can relate to. This book is for all of you.
Thank you, Netgalley and Dutton, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.st review.
Jess Cannon takes us into the life of Leo, a book lover in search of her own story. He returns to his hometown after many years to find old acquaintances and a crime that leaves no one above suspicion.
The narrative is entertaining and quite comical, though it takes a while to reach the main part of the plot. Each subplot and path to the truth becomes more enjoyable as the pages turn, making you want to be part of Leo and Jake's investigation.
More deeply, leaving aside its comical and lighthearted side, which zooms into Leo's personal life, his relationship with his mother leaves us with a longing and sentimentality that clings to each of us, reminding us that we can all go through similar situations (leaving aside the crime).
It has been a very enjoyable read to start 2026, and for those looking not only for charismatic characters but also for stories everyone can relate to. This book is for all of you.
Thank you, Netgalley and Dutton, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.st review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
This book was a mixed bag for me. The main character was likable. Leo (short for Leonora) has moved back to her small quirky Texas home town temporarily after failing to succeed in the academic world. She brings with her a lot of literary knowledge and top notch research skills.
Her home town is filled with characters, some of whom she's known forever and has a lot of history with including a high school ex boyfriend and several classmates plus her BFF Emily, now a married mom. And Leo's own mother, with whom she has a very uncomfortable relationship.
It doesn't take long for a dead body to appear, and it happens that the victim is a smarmy influencer that Emily and Leo are mocking in an online reddit thread. There is a whole glimpse into this culture. There is also a plot thread which leads back to the death of a high school friend.
But for me, the biggest drawback was the truly preposterous plot detour involving Leo's mother and the sudden and bizarre cliffhanger ending. Too over the top for me. Not to mention the dreaded love triangle. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was a mixed bag for me. The main character was likable. Leo (short for Leonora) has moved back to her small quirky Texas home town temporarily after failing to succeed in the academic world. She brings with her a lot of literary knowledge and top notch research skills.
Her home town is filled with characters, some of whom she's known forever and has a lot of history with including a high school ex boyfriend and several classmates plus her BFF Emily, now a married mom. And Leo's own mother, with whom she has a very uncomfortable relationship.
It doesn't take long for a dead body to appear, and it happens that the victim is a smarmy influencer that Emily and Leo are mocking in an online reddit thread. There is a whole glimpse into this culture. There is also a plot thread which leads back to the death of a high school friend.
But for me, the biggest drawback was the truly preposterous plot detour involving Leo's mother and the sudden and bizarre cliffhanger ending. Too over the top for me. Not to mention the dreaded love triangle. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars, rounded up
A Zoom with a View was an easy read for a mystery. I did guess the killer pretty early on but I liked the characters and the relationships that Leo had in her home town, Blue Oak, a suburb of Austin, TX.
Leo moved home for the summer to work for family friends when she was unable to get another professor job set up. She is an unlikely sleuth since she is an English Lit professor by training. But when her new employer is accused of murdering a local guy, Chaz, an influencer, she jumps in to help with her knowledge of the victim's online life. Leo and her best friend had set up a subreddit page about Chaz years ago and knew a lot about the guy.
There are also two locals who seem to be interested in Leo, her high school sweetheart and the detective investigating the murder. Leo isn't sure how she feels about the interest since she really doesn't plan on staying in town. Then there is the relationship with her mom, or lack of relationship. Leo truly doesn't understand why her mom doesn't want her around. That's explained at the end.
Not everything is explained and it seems to be set up for a sequel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
A Zoom with a View was an easy read for a mystery. I did guess the killer pretty early on but I liked the characters and the relationships that Leo had in her home town, Blue Oak, a suburb of Austin, TX.
Leo moved home for the summer to work for family friends when she was unable to get another professor job set up. She is an unlikely sleuth since she is an English Lit professor by training. But when her new employer is accused of murdering a local guy, Chaz, an influencer, she jumps in to help with her knowledge of the victim's online life. Leo and her best friend had set up a subreddit page about Chaz years ago and knew a lot about the guy.
There are also two locals who seem to be interested in Leo, her high school sweetheart and the detective investigating the murder. Leo isn't sure how she feels about the interest since she really doesn't plan on staying in town. Then there is the relationship with her mom, or lack of relationship. Leo truly doesn't understand why her mom doesn't want her around. That's explained at the end.
Not everything is explained and it seems to be set up for a sequel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Read
December 7, 2025Leo Holloway regresa a Blue Oak con la sensación de haber perdido más que un trabajo. Su carrera académica se desmoronó y ahora vuelve al lugar del que huyó, obligada a aceptar un empleo como fotógrafa para la inmobiliaria más llamativa y problemática del pueblo. Mientras intenta mantener un perfil bajo, descubre que Blue Oak es un imán para el drama, desde las peleas en redes sociales hasta los influencers locales que convierten cada conversación en un espectáculo.
Su primer día en casa termina convertido en un caos cuando una explosión en pleno desfile pone bajo sospecha a la competencia de la agencia para la que trabajará. De pronto, queda atrapada entre amistades que nunca dejaron atrás su intensidad, un ex amor que reaparece con sonrisa desarmante, un detective que la mira con interés y un influencer que siempre aparece cuando menos se le necesita.
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Estuvo lo suficientemente entretenido para terminarlo, pero no para leer el siguiente.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Su primer día en casa termina convertido en un caos cuando una explosión en pleno desfile pone bajo sospecha a la competencia de la agencia para la que trabajará. De pronto, queda atrapada entre amistades que nunca dejaron atrás su intensidad, un ex amor que reaparece con sonrisa desarmante, un detective que la mira con interés y un influencer que siempre aparece cuando menos se le necesita.
__
Estuvo lo suficientemente entretenido para terminarlo, pero no para leer el siguiente.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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