I love books – just in case the content of this blog hadn’t given that away?! And I recently spent time at a party interrogating one of the Editorial Directors, Emily of Boldwood Books about the current state of the industry (I’m also really interested in business, and generally finding out ‘stuff’!) She did thank me the next day for attending her TEDtalk! One of the things we discussed was how ‘cosy mysteries’ are a super popular genre at the moment. For those of you not in the know, the definition of a cosy mystery is (according to Wikipedia – and thus spelt the American way!)

“Cozy mysteries, also referred to as “cosy mysteries” or “cozies”, are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially-intimate community. Cozies thus stand in contrast to hardboiled fiction, in which more violence and explicit sexuality are central to the plot. The term “cozy” was first coined in the late 20th century when various writers produced work in an attempt to re-create the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.”

I asked Emily for some recommendations of books Boldwood have published – and she very kindly sent me this (she did send me others too before her writers think she has favourites!!)

Here is the blurb:

“It is 5:30 am on Clio’s forty-fifth birthday and her hated ex is lying dead on her doorstep. Even worse, this is no accident. Someone’s killed him…
When single mum Clio‘s ex Gary turns up dead on the doorstep of her caravan – the one she’s been forced to live in ever since he stole every penny she had – there’s only one suspect. Her.
What’s more, she doesn’t remember much about the night he was killed – not just because of the forgetfulness that’s been plaguing her along with the hot flushes – but because she definitely had one too many cocktails with her two best friends Amber and Jeanie.
Clio does remember them talking about how much they all hated him though. And, in the frame for murder, she has to ask herself – if she didn’t kill Gary, who did? One of his many enemies? Or someone a little closer to home? And can she and her friends find the real killer before it’s too late?
Unputdownable mystery set on the English coast – perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Bad Sisters, and How to Kill Your Family.“

I enjoyed this from the start. It alternates between the ‘current’ timeline when Gary’s body has been found – with the last day of Gary’s life, to set the scene as to who might want to kill him. And there are lots of potential murderers as Gary was not a nice person at all.

The description of Clio and her friends Amber and Jeanie was very realistic (as a woman of a similar age!) – and you can tell there is plenty to fill them out back story wise – with one having young twins, and the other having just been kicked out of the local police force.

As the group of friends start their investigations, so do the police, and everything intertwines – whilst at the same time you’re finding out more about the colourful set of characters. There are interesting alliances between people who may otherwise be sworn enemies – but come together in an attempt to solve the mystery of Gary’s death.

I really enjoyed the book – it was a fun, escapist read with a ‘girl power’ / friends forever vibe. I liked it so much I requested a copy of the second book in the series from Net Galley which I am currently devouring!