This is an unusual review in that the first book “Murder for Shore” is being written by the main character of the second book “The Write Way to Die”, so I’m keeping the two reviews together for that reason.
REVIEW: MURDER-FOR-SURE by Beth Prentice and Aubrey Jackson
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Short Novella (90 pages)
5*****
Blurb: Daphne Wright thought the biggest challenge at her newly inherited beach house in Saltwater Bay would be battling the sand in her coffee. But when a human skull washes up with the morning tide, she’s suddenly pulled into a deadly mystery lurking beneath the waves. As secrets bubble to the surface, and the small town’s past proves as treacherous as the shifting sands, Daphne must navigate a tide of lies before the killer strikes again.
THOUGHTS: This was an interesting premise to a story in that it’s written by the main character of another book! I love that the character says who her favorite authors are, including the publisher of this book. LOL The story is actually a good one full of mystery, secrets, and a touch of romance. I also loved that the hero of the story comes across as neurodivergent (autism?) in the beginning but his love for Daphne brings out the hero in him. And there’s a decent ending to both the mystery and a HEA for the romance.
For a quick, cute cozy, pick this one up.
Recommended.
REVIEW: THE WRITE WAY TO DIE by Beth Prentice
Fiction, Cozy Mystery
5*****
Blurb: A writing retreat. A famous author. A deadly fall. Aspiring novelist Aubrey Jackson never expected her big break to be wrapped in crime scene tape. Invited to an exclusive writer’s retreat hosted by the legendary author Willow Fox, Aubrey was excited to sharpen her plot twists and finally finish her first book. But when Willow is found dead—pushed from a third story window—the peaceful getaway turns into a real-life investigation. With a retreat full of suspects, and the police pointing the finger at one of her best friends, Aubrey’s instincts kick in. After all, she’s read enough murder mysteries to know this wasn’t an accident! So with her writer buddies, Ellie and Spencer, by her side, she sets out to find a killer! Only problem? The sharp detective with gorgeous eyes and enough muscles to be on a magazine cover, who has a frustrating determination to arrest the wrong person. Can Aubrey uncover the truth before the killer writes her off for good? Or will her first big break end in a plot twist she never saw coming?
THOUGHTS: This includes a story within a story. The main character, Aubrey, is a new writer attending a private writing retreat being hosted by Willow Fox, a famous author. Aubrey is excited to be there, but there are a lot of underlying tensions that she picks up on. The book opens up with Aubrey working on the first chapter of her book, “Murder for Shore”, a cozy mystery. But after the first workshop, a real murder mystery occurs as Willow ends up dead. Aubrey’s friend, Jenny, is the prime suspect and she feels that it is up to her and her other two friends to prove to the handsome detective Tate that Jenny is innocent. But there are a lot of suspects and everyone seems to have a secret—and a motive. When Aubrey and her friends go snooping, they discover that even the building has secrets. As the mystery unfolds, so does Aubrey’s writing so you get to read Aubrey’s story as she’s writing it. (But it’s not finished before the book is, so you need to read the entire one in “Murder for Shore”.
Recommended.
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