This is the first book in a new series called Britton Bay by contemporary romance author, Jody Holford. I kind of wondered what a cozy mystery would be like when written by someone who has only written romance. Well, I was happily surprised that I really liked it! It had just the perfect atmosphere and a really good murder mystery! I could picture this unfolding on Hallmark or maybe Lifetime.
My Goodreads review:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an incredibly sweet cozy mystery! It was a different touch to have an experienced contemporary romance writer writing a cozy mystery, but I loved the whole atmosphere that gave the book! Kind of like a Hallmark movie. I’ve only read cozies so far by cozy mystery writers or ones who have written some suspense as well. Maybe the biggest difference for me (and this was definitely a good thing) was that Molly and Sam didn’t bicker with each other like the main sleuth sometimes does with the man she’s falling for but somehow doesn’t think she should or doesn’t think she deserves a guy like that. I like that Molly didn’t want to play the martyr and swear off men for good, even though when she first moved there she said she was going to just work. She realized Sam was nice and way different from her ex. This was a fun treat and I am definitely looking forward to the next book!
Molly Owens was just settling into her new town and sweet little rental home when her grumpy reporter turned up dead–she was the one that found him in his home when he didn’t report to work for the second day in a row. Molly felt responsible for sending the man to interview a local woman from the founding family in town. She thought maybe Vernon had stumbled onto something that got him killed, and she wasn’t going to be satisfied till the real killer was caught.
I absolutely loved the main characters in this book. Alan is just the nicest boss, Elizabeth turned out to be a very sweet co-worker, Sam of course is awesome and Cali is such a character! I wasn’t real impressed with Clay, but I don’t think readers were supposed to be impressed with him. Since Molly had no typical best-friend-of-the-main-character, I loved that Sam was such a good sounding board. Although Bella may prove to be a good friend in future books when Molly needs a friend who’s a girl. The little dog Tigger sounded so adorable too!
This book had all the elements I love in a cozy of great characters, sweet small town, an adorable pet, cops who weren’t grumpy–and a more unique job for the guy interest–Sam is a mechanic, not a cop! 😉 I don’t dislike cop boyfriends, they can come in very handy, but sometimes it’s fun to switch it up.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 
Mmm. Sounds good Thanks for the review! 🙂
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You’re welcome, happy to enable hehe 😉
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