Everything is coming up rosé for innkeeper Jess Byrne until a murder on opening weekend gives her B&B’s killer vibe a whole new meaning. Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building in this sparkling debut mystery. It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. 

Dru’s Short Musing:
The opening of your B&B should be a happy occasion, not so for Jess when murder rears its ugly head.

When all was said and done, this was a fun and charming whodunit that I could not put down, quickly becoming a page-turner. All the pieces were there, the protagonist or two who decided to help the police investigate the murder; a B&B full of potential suspects, a mother who has friends in high places that can help gather clues, and the killer who was hiding in plain sight doing everything possible to keep their misdeed from being discovered. I liked how the author staged this with visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, and a cast of characters, where a few had pivotal roles in how well this story was being told. There were a few surprises tossed in to keep me guessing throughout until the killer’s identity was revealed. Overall, this was a delightfully entertaining debut, and I can’t wait for more adventures with Jess and her friends.

Series Name: Hudson Valley B&B Mystery Book #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: March 19, 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.