A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is the first book in the NEW “Allie Cobb” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Lyrical Underground, coming January 8, 2019.
The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .
Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.
Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic’s ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .
Coming back home is never easy, but when your best friend becomes a person of interest, what else is there do to, but help set the record straight.
Who wanted Mr. Winchester dead? It’s a bevy of people with stronger motives and I love how the author weaves in and out of suspects keeping me entrenched in all aspects. The clues were done in a manner that had me putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle, but it was those directional challenges, aka red herrings, that enhanced how well this story was being told. The tone was comfortable and the pacing was made it easy to follow along the path that the author has staged. Allie is a great character and it was fun getting to know more about her and her family dynamics. The secondary characters rounded out the great cast of characters from Sloane to Luke to Matt to Ursi, okay she’s a cat, but adorable, and to all those who interacted with Allie. I enjoyed my visit to Rushing Creek, Indiana and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Allie and her friends in this delightfully charming series.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Sounds like the start of a great series! The cover looks like my home, except for the knife in the pillow!
LOL 😆 Haha 😂
That’s a good thing I guess
Debbie, I promise you, Allie Cobb makes every effort to make sure knives are kept in a kitchen drawer and not in her pillows! lol Thanks for your kind words!
Sounds like a great new series. Bi’m looking forward to reading it.
Hope you enjoy it, Christi!
I read an advanced copy of “A Literal Mess” and enjoyed it a lot.
You’re too kind, Grace. Thank you!
Can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks, Debra! 🙂
I’m looking forward to giving this one a try. As always, I enjoyed your musings, Dru!
Hope you enjoy it, Linda!
Cute cover
Looks like a great read
The art department really nailed the cover, Linda. I’m a cat person, so seeing a kitty on the cover makes my day!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Dru Ann. I’m over the moon that you enjoyed your time in Rushing Creek!
I am so looking forward to reading this! Sounds great!
Hope you like it, Devon!