Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Amber, a 31 year old aspiring private investigator decides to leave her life in Seattle behind after a professional and personal setback. She seeks refuge with her estranged grandmother, Jade McCallen, at the upscale seven ponds retirement community in Arizona. Despite their lack of prior contact, Jade and her circle of friends warmly welcome Amber into her fold.
The Community is busy with the production of a true crime podcast, "Death Comes Calling". However the sudden death of Admiral, casts a shadow over the community.
When Jade becomes the primary suspect in his death, Amber is compelled to clear her grandmother's name, unraveling a web of secrets involving a missing tortoise and a expensive family heirloom.
The Community is busy with the production of a true crime podcast, "Death Comes Calling". However the sudden death of Admiral, casts a shadow over the community.
When Jade becomes the primary suspect in his death, Amber is compelled to clear her grandmother's name, unraveling a web of secrets involving a missing tortoise and a expensive family heirloom.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Amber Winslow has never met her grandmother, because she is- for some reason- secretly estranged from her mom. But Amber recently lost her career as an unlicensed (yet) private investigator and broke up with her boyfriend Bones. As a partner, Bones took credit for all of Amber’s ideas and called her a secretary.
So Amber heads to Arizona to a luxury retirement community to meet Jade McCallum, her grandmother and a successful true crime podcaster. Soon a man is dead and Jade is charged with the crime. Amber has to figure out who the murderer is before Jade is officially charged and also to find the deceased’s family heirloom, a 3 million dollar diamond.
This was a confusing and slow start for me, and I almost put it down several times. It seemed like it started in the middle of the character development, I had to check and make sure this wasn’t a part of a series that I didn’t read the first books. It is a standalone- but I would love to see more from Amber and Jade. The characterization and the story building came kind of slow for me. But I really loved the last 25% of the book for the plot and the redemption of the characters.
First 50% - 2 stars
50-75% - 3 stars
75-100% - 5 stars
There are some great quirky side characters, Tatiana the tortoise, a nice arc for Bones the ex and Amber’s mom.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. Book to be published 4/29/25.
So Amber heads to Arizona to a luxury retirement community to meet Jade McCallum, her grandmother and a successful true crime podcaster. Soon a man is dead and Jade is charged with the crime. Amber has to figure out who the murderer is before Jade is officially charged and also to find the deceased’s family heirloom, a 3 million dollar diamond.
This was a confusing and slow start for me, and I almost put it down several times. It seemed like it started in the middle of the character development, I had to check and make sure this wasn’t a part of a series that I didn’t read the first books. It is a standalone- but I would love to see more from Amber and Jade. The characterization and the story building came kind of slow for me. But I really loved the last 25% of the book for the plot and the redemption of the characters.
First 50% - 2 stars
50-75% - 3 stars
75-100% - 5 stars
There are some great quirky side characters, Tatiana the tortoise, a nice arc for Bones the ex and Amber’s mom.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. Book to be published 4/29/25.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This delightful mystery hit my humor “sweet spot”. Smart, witty dialogue and an assortment of intelligent quirky characters kept me turning pages. It was so entertaining, it made me want to grab the popcorn.
Although it isn’t listed as first in a series, the ending gave off whiffs of future possibilities. One can hope, can’t one?
5 Shiny, Chuckling Stars
Although it isn’t listed as first in a series, the ending gave off whiffs of future possibilities. One can hope, can’t one?
5 Shiny, Chuckling Stars
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the most fun I’ve had reading a murder mystery in a very long time. I’ve read one book by this author’s other pen-name, but this is my first experience with her murder writing. I seriously wanted to stay up all night until I finished it because I was having so much fun! The best part about this book was all of the characters. They all had such big personalities and the way they all interacted with each other was just a blast! I had many aspects of the actual mystery figured out super early on, which I usually hate, but with this book it did not ruin the experience for me because I loved the characters so much and was just happy to be along for the ride!
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.
funny
fast-paced
Murder Runs in the Family is a cozy, laugh out loud, murder mystery.
Amber Winslow, the FMC, shows up out of the blue, at her estranged grandmothers retirement community, only to discover her Grandma goes by a different name than she expected, Jade McCallan. Amber really has nowhere else to turn, and hopes her Grandma will take her in. Jade is not only happy to welcome her granddaughter, but also not all that surprised to see her. Amber soon finds out that her Grandma knows more than she lets on.
That very first night Amber stays in the Seven Ponds retirement community, one of Jade's group of close friends, is found dead, suspected of being murdered. Jade is soon taken off into police custody, as the main suspect in the murder. Amber is determined, as a private investigator, to clear her Grandma's name. Amber works with Jade's friends to unveil all the clues that lead to the truth behind the Admiral's death.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery so much! There were so many moments that were just hilarious. From the Admirals mysteriously missing, over 90 years old tortoise, whom Amber stumbles upon and adopts as her own, to the fact that the group of friends actually had a bet going on whether the Admiral or the tortoise would live longer, and even collected on that bet once the Admiral had died. When Amber creates a makeshift sling to carry the male tortoise, who she names Tatiana, around with her, I can just imagine her walking around a retirement community looking for clues, with the tortoise. It gets even better when Amber's ex-boyfriend shows up, ends up helping with some of the PI activities, and is forced to carry around Tatiana in the makeshift sling! I love a pet character, and I really enjoyed how the author kept Tatiana a true part of the entire story, always mentioning him throughout. I also loved Nasty Nancy, and Ethan, and really all the characters!
The unveiling of the murderer in this one I love as well. I highly recommend this story if you love a hilarious cozy mystery with an awesome animal sidekick.
Some Fav Quotes:
"'Are you the person I should talk to if I want to flirt my way past these locked doors?'"
""Grandma, are you blackmailing me?" Her grandmother tsked. "It's not blackmail, child. It's extortion...""
"Raffi dressed for the break-in in a pinstriped suit and bow tie, his toupee whipped up into a dark froth atop his head."
"...and the fact that Tatiana was whirling around an exquisitely patterned white rug atop a Roomba vacuum."
"Tatiana settled against her chest like a baby being lulled to sleep by its mother's heartbeat."
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley, and the author for a review copy of this book!
Amber Winslow, the FMC, shows up out of the blue, at her estranged grandmothers retirement community, only to discover her Grandma goes by a different name than she expected, Jade McCallan. Amber really has nowhere else to turn, and hopes her Grandma will take her in. Jade is not only happy to welcome her granddaughter, but also not all that surprised to see her. Amber soon finds out that her Grandma knows more than she lets on.
That very first night Amber stays in the Seven Ponds retirement community, one of Jade's group of close friends, is found dead, suspected of being murdered. Jade is soon taken off into police custody, as the main suspect in the murder. Amber is determined, as a private investigator, to clear her Grandma's name. Amber works with Jade's friends to unveil all the clues that lead to the truth behind the Admiral's death.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery so much! There were so many moments that were just hilarious. From the Admirals mysteriously missing, over 90 years old tortoise, whom Amber stumbles upon and adopts as her own, to the fact that the group of friends actually had a bet going on whether the Admiral or the tortoise would live longer, and even collected on that bet once the Admiral had died. When Amber creates a makeshift sling to carry the male tortoise, who she names Tatiana, around with her, I can just imagine her walking around a retirement community looking for clues, with the tortoise. It gets even better when Amber's ex-boyfriend shows up, ends up helping with some of the PI activities, and is forced to carry around Tatiana in the makeshift sling! I love a pet character, and I really enjoyed how the author kept Tatiana a true part of the entire story, always mentioning him throughout. I also loved Nasty Nancy, and Ethan, and really all the characters!
The unveiling of the murderer in this one I love as well. I highly recommend this story if you love a hilarious cozy mystery with an awesome animal sidekick.
Some Fav Quotes:
"'Are you the person I should talk to if I want to flirt my way past these locked doors?'"
""Grandma, are you blackmailing me?" Her grandmother tsked. "It's not blackmail, child. It's extortion...""
"Raffi dressed for the break-in in a pinstriped suit and bow tie, his toupee whipped up into a dark froth atop his head."
"...and the fact that Tatiana was whirling around an exquisitely patterned white rug atop a Roomba vacuum."
"Tatiana settled against her chest like a baby being lulled to sleep by its mother's heartbeat."
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley, and the author for a review copy of this book!
⭐️ 5/5
Third person POV
Linear timeline
Setting: retirement community in Arizona
FMC: Amber
Amber, a young PI-in-training, teams up with her feisty, podcast-savvy grandma to solve a murder in this sharp, hilarious mystery. This story blends quirky characters, a twisty plot, and just the right dose of chaos. The mystery kept me guessing, but what really stood out was the lighthearted tone balanced by a layered plot and strong character development.
I really enjoyed the retirement community setting…it turns into a chaotic yet tight-knit support system that adds so much warmth and humor. And the theme of finding your purpose and self-worth really resonated with me.
I can’t wait to read what Tamara Berry writes next in this genre!
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing me an ARC of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed her are my own.
Third person POV
Linear timeline
Setting: retirement community in Arizona
FMC: Amber
Amber, a young PI-in-training, teams up with her feisty, podcast-savvy grandma to solve a murder in this sharp, hilarious mystery. This story blends quirky characters, a twisty plot, and just the right dose of chaos. The mystery kept me guessing, but what really stood out was the lighthearted tone balanced by a layered plot and strong character development.
I really enjoyed the retirement community setting…it turns into a chaotic yet tight-knit support system that adds so much warmth and humor. And the theme of finding your purpose and self-worth really resonated with me.
I can’t wait to read what Tamara Berry writes next in this genre!
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing me an ARC of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed her are my own.
Book Review: Murder Runs in the Family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Tamara Berry. @tamaratamaralucy
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press @poisonedpenpress
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC.
Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry is a fun, eccentric cozy mystery that delivers laughs, chaos, and an unconventional murder investigation.
Amber Winslow, a former PI-in-training, flees her life and crashes at her estranged grandmother Jade’s upscale retirement home. But instead of a fresh start, she walks into a murder case—Jade is arrested for the death of fellow resident George “The Admiral” Vincent, whose $3 million heirloom ring is also missing. Determined to clear her grandmother’s name, Amber dives into a mystery full of nosy retirees, a missing tortoise, and a true crime podcast crew that’s a little too eager to investigate.
The retirement home setting was hilarious, packed with scheming seniors and unexpected twists. Jade’s true crime podcast crew stole the show, adding humor and chaos to every scene. The mystery started as a simple whodunit but evolved into a morally complex case, forcing Amber to rethink justice. And her personal growth was satisfying, as she finally stood up for herself and embraced her new life.
The slow start bogged down the first half, and Amber’s ex, Bones, was completely unnecessary—his presence only added frustration. The romance with Ethan lacked depth, making it hard to invest in. Lastly, the missing perspective of The Admiral made the twist feel a little morally ambiguous.
If you love quirky cozy mysteries with humor, found family, and true crime chaos, this book is a fun ride—despite a few missteps.
#CozyMystery #MurderRunsInTheFamily #TamaraBerry #TrueCrimePodcast #AmateurSleuth #MysteryBooks #FoundFamily #CrimeFiction #bookreviewer #BookLovers #BookNerds #Bibliophile #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #BookwormLife #ReadingCommunity #BookshelfGoals #BookAddict #LiteraryEscape
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Tamara Berry. @tamaratamaralucy
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press @poisonedpenpress
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC.
Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry is a fun, eccentric cozy mystery that delivers laughs, chaos, and an unconventional murder investigation.
Amber Winslow, a former PI-in-training, flees her life and crashes at her estranged grandmother Jade’s upscale retirement home. But instead of a fresh start, she walks into a murder case—Jade is arrested for the death of fellow resident George “The Admiral” Vincent, whose $3 million heirloom ring is also missing. Determined to clear her grandmother’s name, Amber dives into a mystery full of nosy retirees, a missing tortoise, and a true crime podcast crew that’s a little too eager to investigate.
The retirement home setting was hilarious, packed with scheming seniors and unexpected twists. Jade’s true crime podcast crew stole the show, adding humor and chaos to every scene. The mystery started as a simple whodunit but evolved into a morally complex case, forcing Amber to rethink justice. And her personal growth was satisfying, as she finally stood up for herself and embraced her new life.
The slow start bogged down the first half, and Amber’s ex, Bones, was completely unnecessary—his presence only added frustration. The romance with Ethan lacked depth, making it hard to invest in. Lastly, the missing perspective of The Admiral made the twist feel a little morally ambiguous.
If you love quirky cozy mysteries with humor, found family, and true crime chaos, this book is a fun ride—despite a few missteps.
#CozyMystery #MurderRunsInTheFamily #TamaraBerry #TrueCrimePodcast #AmateurSleuth #MysteryBooks #FoundFamily #CrimeFiction #bookreviewer #BookLovers #BookNerds #Bibliophile #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #BookwormLife #ReadingCommunity #BookshelfGoals #BookAddict #LiteraryEscape
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc. Pub date is April 29.
This was an entertaining cozy mystery that I sailed right through in one day.The setting is a retirement home with a cast of elderly characters who are….charming? odd? Both I guess. Ha!
In the beginning the story moved along at a good pace but slowed down quite a bit. The slower pace wasn’t necessarily a bad thing because it was fun to follow the mystery and make guesses but the change in pace was definitely noticeable.
I wasn’t especially fond of the way the story wrapped up but it was a good book overall.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes