Reviews

In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

3.0

In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury is the beginning of A Misty Bay Tearoom Mysteries. Vivian Wainwright owns Willow Pattern Tearoom in Misty Bay, Oregon. Jenna and Gracie are her two employees. When Jenna’s ex-husband, Dean is found dead on the cliffs under the Blue Surf Hotel, Jenna becomes Detective Lieutenant Tony Messina’s prime suspect. Vivian, Jenna, and Gracie work to clear Jenna and find the guilty party. I thought In Hot Water was easy to read with good characters. The characters suited the story. I liked Vivian Wainwright who is an older protagonist (in her 60s). I like that we are seeing more mature characters in cozy mysteries. Normally in the first book in a series, we are introduced to our characters and given their background. I found that lacking in this book. We are given some background information, but I wanted more. The point-of-view alternates between Vivian and Messina. I am not sure how I like this format. It is unique and it does allow readers to see how the police investigation is progressing (which was slow). The mystery is straightforward. It can be solved early in the book. I wish it had been more of a challenge to solve. I was easily able to discern the who and why. There was a detail that came out later that was a surprise. The three ladies kept busy asking questions. They were able to obtain some helpful details. They do receive threats which, of course, they ignore. The mystery is wrapped up at the end. I like the humor in the story. I also like how well Jenna, Vivian, and Gracie get along. I enjoy the friendship between Hal and Vivian as well. In Hot Water is a lighthearted cozy mystery that provides a nice diversion from real life. In Hot Water is a cute cozy mystery with teatime treats, a pink negligee, a nosedive death, a direct detective, hotel happenings, bothersome reporters, and three snoopy amateur sleuths.

kimlb's review

3.0

I struggled a bit with this one initially. I felt like I entered the story mid-way and it lacking in character development. However, it did pick up steam though it seemed to end abruptly. It was a good mystery plot and I am looking forward to the next one in the series from the author.

kt314's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

alireadsandknits's review

2.0

Sadly, this book was not for me. I read cozy mysteries extensively and really enjoy them, particularly ones with older protagonists. This had all the markings of hitting my sweet spot, but it missed. I didn't like the characters and agree with others that this didn't feel like the first in a series.

thisandthatwithkaren's review

4.0

"In Hot Water” the first instalment in A Misty Bay Tea Room Mystery series by Kate Kingsbury set in the town of Misty Bay, Oregon. A good start to a new series, I did have trouble getting into it at first but do recommend going past the 20% mark as it does pick up.

Vivian Wainwright the proprietress of a British-style tea shop must draw on her love for mystery novels to sleuth a murder.

I enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to give book 2 a try. I liked how it was centred around an older protagonist and a tea room. Vivian, Jenna and Gracie are all from different age groups so we see the different perspectives, I also like the banter between Jenna and Gracie almost like sisters. We also get the perspective of detective Tony which was kind of neat to see how his mind was working.

There are two possible romances forming which I look forward to seeing how they develop in the next book. Close to the end we have an addition of a furbaby named Felix which I always enjoy.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I liked the characters. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit but in the end I was correct.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

annieb123's review

4.0

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

In Hot Water is the series debut for Kate Kingsbury's cozy tea-room mystery. Released 12th Oct. 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.

The author is experienced, with several ongoing cozy series, In Hot Water is a promising start to a new small town storefront cozy, this time set in a tea shop. Protagonist Vivian is a widow in small town touristy Misty Bay, when her friend's ex-husband falls to his death wearing a pink negligee. Local police seem determined to put Vivian's friend Jenna in the frame for the murder. The secondary characters are sometimes a bit two dimensional and I felt that some were simply written in to provide plot points and move the scene along.

The plot resolution was a little more linear than I'm used to, but all in all the denouement was okay and well written. The language is fairly clean (PG rated) and there's no on-page blood or gore. I would recommend it to fans of amateur sleuth small town cozies. There were a few plot twists which challenged my suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's an engaging and fun book. The second book in the series is due out

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

swoo's review

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Enjoyed the book 

the_sassy_bookworm's review

2.0

⭐⭐

I really have little to say about this one. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't all that great either. I didn't find any of the characters likable. They all just blended together and were one dimensional. The plot itself was slow and bogged down by too much "tearoom" talk. It is what it is. Can't love them all, right?

peggyemi's review

2.0

In Hot Water is the first in a new series by author Kate Kingsbury and the first book I've read by this author. This series does have some promise but, in my opinion, with some tweaks. To begin with, I did not care for the character of Jenna - the main suspect in the murder of her ex-husband. She was rude and frankly unlikeable. I thought the reason for making Jenna the main suspect was tenuous and frankly a bit sexist. I thought the reason the trio decided to investigate the murder was in keeping with the cozy tradition. However, I found the trio to be too reckless in their sleuthing from my tastes, jumping into unrealistic situations without any real thought. I also thought it was fairly easy to figure out one of the main players in the investigation and this person's involvement.

I'm not sure this series is for me, but there are plenty who will enjoy the author and the series.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

abbitha1108's review

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25