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Port Sunset Mysteries #1
Penthouse, Pools, & Poison
When the obnoxious guest in the penthouse is poisoned beside his private pool, my daily planner is turned upside down. I’m Millie Wentworth, Assistant General Manager of the swanky Gulf Palms Resort and Spa and solving the murder shouldn’t be my job, but the only food found near the body is a charcuterie board sent to the victim by yours truly.
The Port Sunset Police are looking my way until a shocking revelation shifts their attention to a friend. Suddenly, cracking the case moves to the top of my to-do list and it’s up to me to find the real killer and clear my friend’s name.
Uncovering the truth should be a breeze with me, my pink-haired grandmother, her rescue corgi, and her crew of fun-loving septuagenarian beach bunnies on the case. What could possibly go wrong?
The Port Sunset Police are looking my way until a shocking revelation shifts their attention to a friend. Suddenly, cracking the case moves to the top of my to-do list and it’s up to me to find the real killer and clear my friend’s name.
Uncovering the truth should be a breeze with me, my pink-haired grandmother, her rescue corgi, and her crew of fun-loving septuagenarian beach bunnies on the case. What could possibly go wrong?
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
212 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2021
39 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Louise Stevens
8 books15 followersThis author is also published under Donna Simonetta.
Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. Being the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. Being the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 4, 2021
Millie’s the number one suspect when a penthouse guest is poisoned so she teams up with her grandmother Lulu and her crew of friends plus an adorable corgi to sniff out the murderer. Being the assistant manager of the exclusive Gulf Palms Resort and Spa, Millie Wentworth loves her job, even the occasional disgruntled guest. But when the current penthouse guest is found dead beside his private pool and it turns out to be poison, Millie’s life spirals out of control. First, the police suspect her because it appears he died right after she sent up a lovely tray of meats and cheeses. Talk about awkward. Millie’s no murderer and neither is her friend who gets arrested for the murder. Teaming up with her hip grandmother and her grandmother’s friends, Millie investigates the murder. There are a lot of suspects and alibis to sort through, all with reasons to want the victim dead, but who did the deed? Just as Millie narrows the search, someone tries to run her down in the street. Can she nab the killer before she’s the next victim?
Penthouse, Pools, & Poison is a delightful cozy mystery I couldn’t put down. It has all the qualities of a great cozy: a plucky heroine, a room full of suspects, an exotic setting, an adorable dog, keystone cops, and a mystery to solve. I connected with Millie, and it was so much fun to be a part of the ins and outs of a resort in sunny Florida. The mystery itself was well-written with plenty of twists I didn’t expect. I tried solving the crime before Millie did and trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to identify the killer. Millie’s grandmother and her crew make this cozy mystery an absolute joy to read. The plot moves at a great pace with a slew of quirky characters to interact with. The ending made me smile and I look forward to reading more in this series. Louise Stevens is a talented writer who weaves words like an artist. From the descriptive narration to the plot progression, from the character development to the humorous dialogue to the antics of the corgi, all blend to make Penthouse, Pools, & Poison one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve ever read. If you’re a cozy reader, you need to read this book. If you’re looking for a fun read to escape the cool weather, dive into Penthouse, Pools, & Poison. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommend!
Full disclosure: I edited this book, but it never influenced my honest thoughts of the story. My thoughts are completely my own. I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Penthouse, Pools, & Poison is a delightful cozy mystery I couldn’t put down. It has all the qualities of a great cozy: a plucky heroine, a room full of suspects, an exotic setting, an adorable dog, keystone cops, and a mystery to solve. I connected with Millie, and it was so much fun to be a part of the ins and outs of a resort in sunny Florida. The mystery itself was well-written with plenty of twists I didn’t expect. I tried solving the crime before Millie did and trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to identify the killer. Millie’s grandmother and her crew make this cozy mystery an absolute joy to read. The plot moves at a great pace with a slew of quirky characters to interact with. The ending made me smile and I look forward to reading more in this series. Louise Stevens is a talented writer who weaves words like an artist. From the descriptive narration to the plot progression, from the character development to the humorous dialogue to the antics of the corgi, all blend to make Penthouse, Pools, & Poison one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve ever read. If you’re a cozy reader, you need to read this book. If you’re looking for a fun read to escape the cool weather, dive into Penthouse, Pools, & Poison. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommend!
Full disclosure: I edited this book, but it never influenced my honest thoughts of the story. My thoughts are completely my own. I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Read
October 6, 2021Millie Wentworth is a gem. AS the assistant manager of the Gulf Plam resorts and Spa, she has her pulse on the heartbeat of every guest and staff member. After an obnoxious guest tries her patience to the quick, he's discovered dead in his penthouse suit. Suspicion turns first to Millie, and then to one of her co-workers, a man she knows in her heart couldn't hurt anyone. With the help of her octagenarian grandmother and her merry crew of amateur sleuths, Millie vows to find out who murdered the man and clear her name, the resort's, and her friend's.
Louise Stevens' debut cozy mystery is a gem, too! The writing is fresh and the pace quick. I guessed wrong a few times about who the killer was!!! The cast of characters is fully developed - even the secondary ones - and Millie is a heroine I can get behind and hope to see again in future books. Steven's writing is reminiscent of Agatha Christie of old - quick wit, an intricate plot shot thru with red herrings, a man who needed to be murdered, and a sleuth you can picture youself as! All facets that make this kind of book unputdownable!
5starts for a valiant and well-written debut cozy!
As far as a debut cozy goes, this one is a must-read.
Louise Stevens' debut cozy mystery is a gem, too! The writing is fresh and the pace quick. I guessed wrong a few times about who the killer was!!! The cast of characters is fully developed - even the secondary ones - and Millie is a heroine I can get behind and hope to see again in future books. Steven's writing is reminiscent of Agatha Christie of old - quick wit, an intricate plot shot thru with red herrings, a man who needed to be murdered, and a sleuth you can picture youself as! All facets that make this kind of book unputdownable!
5starts for a valiant and well-written debut cozy!
As far as a debut cozy goes, this one is a must-read.
December 29, 2021
Millie has a nose for the truth and smoothing over ruffled feathers in her job as assistant manager of the resort where she works. When his cantankerous guest is murdered she takes it upon herself to clear the only person in the police sites... even if it has put her directly in the line of sight of the murder.
The supporting cast of characters are a hoot!
The supporting cast of characters are a hoot!
December 19, 2021
This was a fun, fast read, and I didn’t want it to end! Set in a hotel on Florida’s Gulf Coast, this cozy has it all: a puzzling mystery, evocative descriptions, and characters you can really root for. Millie’s observational skills and gumption are laudable, and I can’t wait to tag along for her next adventure. Eagerly awaiting Book 2!
June 21, 2024
This was great! Millie is a relatable character that feels like a real person. She is clever and witty and sometimes funny. Lulu is just a breath of fresh air character that is quite entertaining and free spirited. The characters of this story feel like a warm caring family with lots of spunk and determination.
The resort is a fun location setting for the story. Everything moves at a good pace and I was excited to see what the next chapter would hold.
Fun, entertaining, funny…such a great story and I look forward to continuing on with this series. Two thumbs up for book one!
The resort is a fun location setting for the story. Everything moves at a good pace and I was excited to see what the next chapter would hold.
Fun, entertaining, funny…such a great story and I look forward to continuing on with this series. Two thumbs up for book one!
April 5, 2023
I absolutely loved Millie's grandma and her friends! They were so funny sometimes, but they were able to sleuth without people noticing them much. This was a twisty mystery with all kinds of possibilities, an exciting ending and an adorable dog, Spud too! I loved that a true creep of a perp had gotten their comeuppance, and it was pretty sweet that Millie had a nice guy interested in her too!
September 25, 2024
Murder at an upscale resort
Millie Wentworth is accustomed to dealing with difficult people. It's a large part of her job as the assistant general manager at the Port Sunset resort where she works. When the latest unhappy guest, Eugene Tarkington, ends up poisoned in his penthouse suite, she bolts into action to steer the stubborn detective Green away from her friend, Ellis. She is aided by her grandmother, the unstoppable Lulu, and Spud, Lulu's Welsh corgi. The whole Tarkington clan is at the resort, and all of them have motives to be suspected of the crime. The story is a delightful romp filled with quirky characters, a loveable dog, and a budding romance. Can't wait to read more in this series!
Millie Wentworth is accustomed to dealing with difficult people. It's a large part of her job as the assistant general manager at the Port Sunset resort where she works. When the latest unhappy guest, Eugene Tarkington, ends up poisoned in his penthouse suite, she bolts into action to steer the stubborn detective Green away from her friend, Ellis. She is aided by her grandmother, the unstoppable Lulu, and Spud, Lulu's Welsh corgi. The whole Tarkington clan is at the resort, and all of them have motives to be suspected of the crime. The story is a delightful romp filled with quirky characters, a loveable dog, and a budding romance. Can't wait to read more in this series!
March 2, 2023
Great book
October 12, 2021
Are you looking to escape into a great cozy? Look no further.
Penthouse, Pools and Poison was such a fun read. Millie Wentworth assistant general manager of the Gulf Palms Resort is known as The Fixer because making sure every guest- even the cranky ones- have a good vacation experience is what her job is all about.
When a particularly disgruntled guest turns up dead, and she, then a friend are viewed as suspects, Millie's life is turned upside down and it becomes her job to figure out just what happened—fast.
Well-drawn characters and hilarious moments abound in this cozy. Stevens gifts the reader with her assured touch for spot-on dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring the Florida resort to life. You'll be right there in the action and you won't want this rollicking romp to end.
Penthouse, Pools and Poison was such a fun read. Millie Wentworth assistant general manager of the Gulf Palms Resort is known as The Fixer because making sure every guest- even the cranky ones- have a good vacation experience is what her job is all about.
When a particularly disgruntled guest turns up dead, and she, then a friend are viewed as suspects, Millie's life is turned upside down and it becomes her job to figure out just what happened—fast.
Well-drawn characters and hilarious moments abound in this cozy. Stevens gifts the reader with her assured touch for spot-on dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring the Florida resort to life. You'll be right there in the action and you won't want this rollicking romp to end.
April 6, 2023
Someone should have proofread this book. Words were missing or there were extra words, which didn't make sense.The story was good and the main characters were likeable, but reading it was painful. For example, when a word is spelled with hyphens between each syllable, it's not necessary to say, "He pronounced every syllable." That's what the hyphens indicate. Phrases using "heck" in the wrong place make no sense, either. I think this book went to publication too soon. I hope the authors and publisher worked these bugs out in this first book.
April 15, 2023
Am I just so lame? Am I actually an old lady? It’s FRIDAY NIGHT and I’m tucked into bed reading a cozy mystery about an assistant manager at a Florida resort and a group of elderly women solving a murder case. And I love every damn minute hahaha
This book was so pure. Spud the corgi🥹🥹
This book was so pure. Spud the corgi🥹🥹
December 29, 2023
Hot garbage does not even begin to describe this book....
I only read this through because it was quick, and my book club picked it so I wanted to be prepared for the inevitable roasting when we met up and my did we roast well.
This story is completely unbelievable, predictable, and lazy. I have read sci-fi novels about alien protons that were far more believable than this. The Assistant GM of a kind of crappy yet fancy at the same time hotel tracks down the killer of one of her hotel guests who was kind of an asshole anyway. Right. I get it, she is trying to clear her name and her buddies but no one believes that this nobody is actually going to accomplish this right? Wrong. Miss death-wish follows someone she suspects of murder to their house and actually has the cahones to walk right up the driveway. STUPID STUPID STUPID. No one would do this, ever. Then more shocking... the DOG she brought with HER on a covert ops mission decides to bark revealing her lamely sought out hiding spot and the jig is up. But wait, there's more. She somehow knocks the killer into the pool at the last second and he kind of flounders there until the authorities arrive... just.... no...
It is all clunky, and terribly foreshadowed and just shallow. I cannot even waste anymore of my time to review it, ripping it apart would take too long.
I only read this through because it was quick, and my book club picked it so I wanted to be prepared for the inevitable roasting when we met up and my did we roast well.
This story is completely unbelievable, predictable, and lazy. I have read sci-fi novels about alien protons that were far more believable than this. The Assistant GM of a kind of crappy yet fancy at the same time hotel tracks down the killer of one of her hotel guests who was kind of an asshole anyway. Right. I get it, she is trying to clear her name and her buddies but no one believes that this nobody is actually going to accomplish this right? Wrong. Miss death-wish follows someone she suspects of murder to their house and actually has the cahones to walk right up the driveway. STUPID STUPID STUPID. No one would do this, ever. Then more shocking... the DOG she brought with HER on a covert ops mission decides to bark revealing her lamely sought out hiding spot and the jig is up. But wait, there's more. She somehow knocks the killer into the pool at the last second and he kind of flounders there until the authorities arrive... just.... no...
It is all clunky, and terribly foreshadowed and just shallow. I cannot even waste anymore of my time to review it, ripping it apart would take too long.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews