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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Grab a cup of tea and settle down for the evening. You won't want to stop once you start reading this delightful first book in H.Y. Hanna's Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series!
Gemma Rose finds herself and her tearoom in a kettle of boiling water when a customer is murdered. This mysterious American tourist seemed to have more secrets than friends in Oxfordshire! With the help of some friends, nosy neighbors, a long lost beau and a cute cat, Gemma is able to ferret out the murderer and save her charming new business.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were relateable (who's mother hasn't tried to fix them up with a suitable young bachelor?) and the engaging story kept me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out who the murderer was! I was very surprised by the end. I am anxiously awaiting the next book!
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Gemma Rose finds herself and her tearoom in a kettle of boiling water when a customer is murdered. This mysterious American tourist seemed to have more secrets than friends in Oxfordshire! With the help of some friends, nosy neighbors, a long lost beau and a cute cat, Gemma is able to ferret out the murderer and save her charming new business.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were relateable (who's mother hasn't tried to fix them up with a suitable young bachelor?) and the engaging story kept me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out who the murderer was! I was very surprised by the end. I am anxiously awaiting the next book!
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was really enjoying this one, a cozy mystery with good dialogue and characters I actually liked. It was heading to a four star read.
And then of course, the autistic coded character is the murderer, and I felt my heart drop. We need positive representation. Not violent murderers.
Disappointed. But I might read the others.
TW: murder, disapproving parents, college, car chase, medication
And then of course, the autistic coded character is the murderer, and I felt my heart drop. We need positive representation. Not violent murderers.
Disappointed. But I might read the others.
TW: murder, disapproving parents, college, car chase, medication
What a darling book. I haven't laughed out loud at a book in a long time. Very well paced although it sped up quite a bit at the end. Gemma's mom reminded me of Hyacinth Bucket.
This was a good story. I liked the theme. I was a bit surprised of how the story was laid out. I had a preconceived idea that the female protagonist would get together with the cop. Although it didn't happen in this first of the series I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. At least that is the mystery you are left with. I was a bit worried when the book tells you there is a glossary at the end of the book. I thought I might have to go back and forth but that never happened. I liked this cover better than the other cover shown on some of the other editions.
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/arc-roundup-january-edition/
*Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the only “adult” book on this whole list, and of course it is a cozy mystery. And I really enjoyed it. Cozy mysteries are often all the same–likable but single female MC, murder taking place nearby MC’s home/place of work, often involves food or baking, almost always a pushy mother trying to set up her almost-ineligible daughter with some well-meaning but boring doctor or lawyer–but somehow this book put a new spin on a worn formula.
Gemma is a lot of fun to follow, and her romance (of course) with her first love (now a detective) doesn’t move too fast. The setting, I think, has a lot to do with making this mystery seem fresh. I’ve read many mysteries set in England, but never one that took place specifically in Oxford. I loved all the scenes when Gemma explored her old college stomping grounds and explained some of Oxford’s old traditions. Definitely worth a look if you’re into cozies.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the only “adult” book on this whole list, and of course it is a cozy mystery. And I really enjoyed it. Cozy mysteries are often all the same–likable but single female MC, murder taking place nearby MC’s home/place of work, often involves food or baking, almost always a pushy mother trying to set up her almost-ineligible daughter with some well-meaning but boring doctor or lawyer–but somehow this book put a new spin on a worn formula.
Gemma is a lot of fun to follow, and her romance (of course) with her first love (now a detective) doesn’t move too fast. The setting, I think, has a lot to do with making this mystery seem fresh. I’ve read many mysteries set in England, but never one that took place specifically in Oxford. I loved all the scenes when Gemma explored her old college stomping grounds and explained some of Oxford’s old traditions. Definitely worth a look if you’re into cozies.
Look, I wasn’t expecting Inspector Morse, but this has got to be one of the most painful cozy mysteries I’ve ever read, then to top it off the depiction of someone who is insinuated to be on an autism spectrum is beyond insulting and offensive. Add in blatant ageism and dismissal of sexual harassment bordering on sexual assault, and the only conclusion is that H.Y. Hanna should be ashamed of herself. I can’t place any blame on publishers and editors, because she’s self-published.
What a cute new cozy mystery series! I loved the main character Gemma and her cast of backup characters. I especially loved the group of 'Old Biddies' (as Gemma called them), who were trying their hands at investigating the murder. This book had me guessing till the very end and even when I got there I was shocked at who the murderer was! It took me completely by surprise! I definitely plan on reading the next novel in this series and catching up with Gemma and Muesli.
Gemma has opened her own shop. It's amazing and cute, and then an American Tourist dies! He has one of her scones in his mouth, so now her business is on the line. How can she possibly not be involved in solving this crime when her name and company are in jeopardy?
Gemma is fun, and smart. I liked her, and the price were good too. She isn't without emotions, and at the same time it only makes her character more realistic. It's a cute and fun cozy mystery and I would like to read more from this author!
My copy came from Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Gemma is fun, and smart. I liked her, and the price were good too. She isn't without emotions, and at the same time it only makes her character more realistic. It's a cute and fun cozy mystery and I would like to read more from this author!
My copy came from Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Read this as my free Kindle loan for the month. This was a perfectly decent cozy mystery. The lead character is cute, but I wish we learned more about the supporting characters. Overall, the book felt a little "lite" compared to most books in this genre, but it is the first and hopefully things will develop more in others. I was surprised by who the murdered was (not because it was some minor character who only shows up on one page) and I thought the reasoning behind this was a bit stretched, but it ultimately worked. I will read more.
I liked the mystery, and how she chooses to cycle rather than drive, but I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaated the ending cause it feels super ableist to go 'oh it's the weird mentally ill guy'