Doomed by Blooms: A Josie Posey Mystery

Josey Posey Mystery #1

by Anna St. John

Josie Posey, a mature yet ever-feisty big city crime reporter turned crime solver, has officially retired to a small, touristy town in middle America where she and her posse of friends “unofficially” have their noses in everything.

Josie loves her new life, but a weekly game of mahjong isn’t she itches to get back into the action. She gets more than she bargained for when The Village Gazette asks her to interview their local celebrity, a former NYC prima ballerina.

Then, the ballerina’s husband is discovered dead—face down in the couple’s beloved field of flowers. Now, Josie has the inside track on solving the murder, with her quirky Mahjong Mavens as useful sidekicks.

And if a killer in their midst wasn’t enough distraction, Josie’s matchmaking friends are pushing her to date again—particularly, to pursue an attraction toward a certain local blacksmith, with whom sparks fly.

Genres: Mystery

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2023

About the author

Anna St. John writes cozy mysteries featuring a mature, yet feisty, fomer crime reporter, Josie Posey, as the amateur sleuth.

Her debut novel, DOOMED BY BLOOMS, was released by Level Best Books in February 2023 and is a finalist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards, Mystery & Mayhem Division. It was also chosen as a 2024 Kansas Notable Book. CLOCKED OUT is the second book in her Josie Posey Mystery Series. It released Feb. 6, 2024.

A former journalist, award-winning advertising copywriter and ad agency owner, Anna is married to her high school sweetheart. She writes from her home office in Kansas, with her Old English Sheepdog by her side.

Anna is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Kansas Authors Club. --Amazon.com

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

Josie Posey has retired from her high-pressure job as a big-city crime reporter at the Kansas City Star and moved to the idyllic small town of English Village in Sunflower County, Kansas. She now works for The Village Gazette and they have assigned her to interview another new resident of the village, former New York City prima ballerina, Betty Hamilton. She also meets her husband Robert and their "golden goddess of a dog", Tinkerbelle. Josie expected Betty to be lovely but arrogant and cool. Betty expected Josie to be a hard-boiled reporter with frown lines etched into her face. They were both wrong. They talk about a variety of things and quickly become friends. Josie's only concern is Betty's hovering husband who appears to be pretty controlling.

When Josie's editor notifies her later in the day that Betty's husband was found dead, face down in a bed of flowers and foaming at the mouth Josie is shocked. When her editor told her she wanted Josie to get the whole story, her big-city crime reporter and crime-solving skills kicked into high gear. And she is not alone. Her friends, also known as the Mahjong Mavens, are on board to help her solve the case in any way they can. Josie is a little leary about getting them involved but this murder mystery may take their minds off her lack of a love life and their desire to remedy that situation.

_____

I quickly fell for Josie and her "posse of biddies" as Police Chief Marshall called them along with Josie's fluffy sheepdog Moe. Josie, Kate, Sharon, and Nellie are the Mahjong Mavens and great friends. Nellie and Sharon were school teachers and Kate was in the military. Retired ladies who like to have fun and do good works throughout the community are now ready to help Josie catch a killer which will drive Chief Marshall crazy. While I don't play Mahjong I would love to learn and hang out with these wonderful characters the author has created.

Ms. St. John plotted out a terrific mystery. While the spouse is always a suspect Josie is pretty sure Betty didn't kill her husband but she may be involved with someone who did. There turned out to be several suspects.  I enjoyed the way the Mavens delved into the case in their own way and they did their best to report their finding to the police chief. They knew they were on the right track when Josie was threatened. That threat got Chief Marshall to admit the "biddies" were onto something and Josie really could be in danger. Tagging along while the ladies tracked down clues had the pages flying. That said, I was kept guessing to the end and taken aback by the motive.

I am surprised that Doomed by Blooms is Anna St. John's debut novel. The characters were engaging and well-developed. The mystery was very well-plotted and written. It grabbed me from the start. English Village is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery series and the author's words brought the small town to life. Mahjong, great friends, Naked Ladies, murder, mystery, threats, drama, and a little chaos come together to make Doomed by Blooms a Perfect Escape.

I can't wait to visit English Village again! The second Josie Posey Mystery, Clocked Out is being released on February 6, 2024. Stay tuned for my review.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw it was on the Kansas notables list. It’s a cozy murder set in a fictional town near Kansas City. It has veiled references to BTK and Hallmark. Apparently the police need the help from a retired crime reporter to solve a murder. I believe this is the 1st in a series of Josie Posey books.

[Riley K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Posey, a mature yet ever-feisty big city crime reporter turned crime solver, has officially retired to a small, touristy town in middle America where she and her posse of friends “unofficially” have their noses in everything.

Josie loves her new life, but a weekly game of mahjong isn’t she itches to get back into the action. She gets more than she bargained for when The Village Gazette asks her to interview their local celebrity, a former NYC prima ballerina.

Then, the ballerina’s husband is discovered dead—face down in the couple’s beloved field of flowers. Now, Josie has the inside track on solving the murder, with her quirky Mahjong Mavens as useful sidekicks.

And if a killer in their midst wasn’t enough distraction, Josie’s matchmaking friends are pushing her to date again—particularly, to pursue an attraction toward a certain local blacksmith, with whom sparks fly.

I found this story to be fantastical. I really enjoyed Josie's detective skills and her quirky friendships. Will recommend to others.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doomed by Blooms by Anna St. John takes readers on a delightful journey alongside Josie Posey, a retired big city crime reporter turned crime solver, as she navigates her new life in a small, touristy town in middle America. With her posse of friends who are always in the know, Josie finds herself drawn into a web of mystery when she is asked to interview a local celebrity, a former NYC prima ballerina. Little does she know that this interview will lead her to uncover a murder that shakes the tranquil town to its core. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Doomed by Blooms is the well-crafted character of Josie Posey. Despite her retirement, Josie's passion for solving crimes and her sharp investigative skills never waver. St. John skillfully portrays Josie as a mature yet ever-feisty protagonist, making her instantly relatable and endearing to readers. Her desire to dive back into the action is palpable, and it is through her eyes that we experience the twists and turns of this enthralling murder mystery. The setting of the small town adds an extra layer of charm to the story. St. John expertly paints a vivid picture of this idyllic place, where everyone seems to know everyone else, and a weekly game of mahjong is the highlight of social gatherings. However, beneath the surface of this peaceful community, secrets lurk, and the discovery of a body in a field of flowers sets the stage for a gripping investigation. The author seamlessly weaves together the cozy atmosphere of the town with the unsettling nature of the crime, creating a perfect balance of intrigue and familiarity. The Mahjong Mavens, Josie's quirky group of friends, provide both comic relief and indispensable assistance in her pursuit of justice. St. John skillfully develops these characters, giving each of them distinct personalities and roles in the story. Their interactions and camaraderie add depth and charm to the narrative, making them a delight to follow as they help Josie piece together the puzzle of the murder. In addition to the suspenseful plot and well-drawn characters, Doomed by Blooms also explores the theme of second chances and the intricacies of relationships. Josie's friends, with their relentless matchmaking efforts, push her to explore her attraction to a local blacksmith, sparking a romantic subplot that adds depth to the story. The sparks that fly between Josie and the blacksmith create a captivating dynamic that keeps readers invested in their journey. Anna St. John's writing style is engaging and immersive, capturing the readers' attention from the first page to the last. The pacing is well-balanced, providing a steady stream of clues and revelations that keep the readers guessing until the final resolution. The author's attention to detail and ability to create vivid imagery make the scenes come alive, allowing readers to easily visualize the events as they unfold. Overall, Doomed by Blooms is a captivating and entertaining mystery novel that combines elements of suspense, romance, and friendship. Anna St. John's skillful storytelling and well-crafted characters make this a book that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Whether you're a fan of cozy mysteries or simply seeking an engaging read, Doomed by Blooms is a book that should not be missed.

[Rocky Hirajeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm walk in the sun. Charming, heartwarming, and page-turning in equal measure, Anna St. John’s Doomed by Blooms is sure to please any fan of cozy mysteries.

Who couldn’t love a main character named Josephina Posey (Josie Posey, to her friends), especially one so brave, resourceful, and delightful, or one with so lovable a sidekick as Moe the sheepdog? Fresh from life as a crime reporter in the big city, Josie has settled into small-town existence quite nicely, a feat owing no small debt to her fearless friends, the Mahjong Mavens, who stick to her side almost as closely as her canine pal. Although Josie enjoys quieter days compared to her time spent chasing urban serial killers, her life in English Village, Kansas is shaken up by the death of Bob Hamilton, the husband of the ballet dancer Josie just interviewed that very morning. And Josie has the best intentions—as well as a good working relationship with the police chief—but she can’t help but wade knee-deep into the investigation herself. It is, after all, where she excels. Even when threats confront her via anonymous phone calls and late-night “gifts,” Josie and her Mavens move in tandem with—and sometimes in opposition to—the English Village police, until the perpetrator of the murder is finally unraveled.

An endearing and supremely entertaining first entry into what is sure to be a marvelous mystery series, Doomed by Blooms has everything a cozy mystery fan could want: a small town where everyone seems to know one another; a cast of colorful characters, including a host of suspects who all act suspiciously; a charming setting which you wouldn’t mind living in yourself; an endearing romance; small-town festivities and events; and splashes of details like homemade recipes, Mahjong, music, and doggy outings.

The plot is a whodunit at its core, but St. John wraps everything with such an alluring locale, and with such charismatic details, that you can’t help but be swept away by all the happenings—eager, as Josie is, to find out who the killer is.

And I, for one, look forward to seeing what adventures Ms. Posey gets up to in the next installment.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Posey gets an assignment to interview former Prima Ballerina Beth Hamilton, for the local paper the Kansas City Star. It is her first interview since she retired to the small town of English Village and she is full of angst, which she considers ridiculous, as she was a much lauded big-city Crime Reporter.
The interview goes well with Beth’s husband Robert sitting on the sidelines, watching every move, listening to every word spoken. And so the scene is set for a lovely, warm-hearted cosy murder from Anna St John, Doomed By Blooms, as only hours later, Robert is found dead in the garden, face down in a bed of Naked Ladies.
As Josie has recorded the interview as well as taken notes she is asked by the Police Chief to come in and go through the interview in search of possible clues. This is all Josie needs to set out to discover, if possible, who has committed the murder.
She enlists the help of a group of friends, the Mahjong Mavens who love nothing better, after Mah-jong, than solving puzzles.
Set in the lovely old Cotswold Style town of English Village, we meet her beloved English Sheep dog Moe, her Mahjong Maven friends, Sharon, Nellie and Kate, Police Chief Marshall and a possible love interest in Harvey, the Blacksmith.
St John sets the stage well as she presents with protagonist Josey Posey, a gentle view of a lady settling into a new life after having been recently widowed, still relatively new to the community, feeling her way from a crime perspective and trying her best not to get too involved, in what has now turned the Hamilton household into a Crime scene.
The plot line is one that is familiar to cosy Murder readers, but the ‘who did it’ has been well disguised within the range of very possible suspects and the everyday life in a small community.
Doomed by Blooms is the first book in a new series from Anna St John and the next book is one to be looked forward to reading.

[Ivanka Fear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful cozy mystery! The excitement begins early in the book when Josie, a former Kansas City crime reporter who retired to a charming English-style town, does her first human interest story for the local paper. Who would ever imagine a puff piece about a ballerina would lead Josie to a murder investigation?

When the ballerina’s husband, Bob, is poisoned, Josie and her mahjong-playing friends (old biddies, as Chief Marshall calls them) involve themselves in the case, the Chief warns them to stay out of it. So naturally, Josie puts on her crime reporter cap and plays amateur sleuth, putting herself in danger.

Josie and her friends volunteer to help hardware owner Harvey, whose hobby is to turn metal to art, with his booth for the Summer’s End Festival, while keeping their eyes open for clues to the identity of Bob’s murderer.

I enjoyed all aspects of this book, from the solving of Bob’s murder to the flirtation between Josie and Harvey, the Mahjong Mavens’ friendship, and the lovely community of English Village. Author Anna St. John has created an appealing older sleuth with endearing touches such as Piper, her red VW convertible, and her English sheepdog, Moe.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries set in pleasant little towns, add this book to your list. A fun, easy read! I look forward to more of Josie Posey’s adventures!

[Derralyn Monahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished ✔️ Doomed by Blooms by Anna St. John and it was pretty enjoyable overall.

4 ⭐️’s
Kindle Unlimited: No

I did like this book overall and if there are more books to come, I’d probably read them. I do question why someone who is suppose to have “big city chops” as a reporter, and who was instrumental in helping solve three murders would break down, shaking and scared to death when she receives a phone call from someone telling her to back off looking into the most recent murder. It seems that someone with that knowledgeable background in crime solving would get a grey after receiving a threat like the one she did instead of getting weepy. She also had the police telling her what she needed to do to stay safe but didn’t. She’s definitely wishy-washy. I’d expect a journalist like Josie to be stronger and more the backbone.

Yes, I’d recommend this book to others.

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[Laura Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like a cozy mystery where the amateur sleuth at least has some background and skills that make solving a crime seem like a within-the-realm-of-possibility task. A retired big city crime reporter seems to fit that bill. But Josie is kind of a dithery combo of charging out to investigate and yet responding to threats in a very civilian-like way. And I really wish authors would quit using uncharged cell phones to solve every problem a supposedly intelligent main character gets into. "How could I have forgotten to charge it?"

Also, people seem to be falling all over themselves to tell Josie their personal life stories. And the notes that provide a framework for solving the murder seem ridiculous. If those issues were really weighing on the victim's mind, I have to think he'd have done something more than leave his wife cryptic notes and hope she'd 1) find them and 2) figure them out. The explanation over the notes and how they used them as conversation starters, etc., just didn't work for me.

That said, it was an interesting story, and I like seeing a mature woman protagonist. Hoping the next one will be a bit more polished.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ameeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doomed by Blooms was a bit of a spur of the moment request for me via NetGalley. I am thankful I was approved for this ARC and a bit disappointed in myself that I didn't manage to read this sooner. I found myself a bit disenchanted with cozy mysteries recently. So, I gave myself the necessary break.

Anna St. John's book is delightful! Yes it involves a group of women (The Mahjong Mavens) do quite a bit of amateur sleuthing and driving the local detective bonkers, but it's also a symbiotic relationship for Josie and the detective. There is mutual respect and appreciation between these two which I found refreshing. Josie was a big-time city slicker reporter, but now she's retired and enjoying her days seeing her lady crew. However, when murder strikes, Josie's inner journalist and crime solver emerges and she can't help but involve herself in figuring out what happened.

There are lots of red herrings in this book! I made it through the book in a day, because I wanted to know what happened. I also really liked the people in the town and the ways they connected with one another. I am hopeful there will be another installment for Josie and the Mahjong Mavens.

[Connie P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be a good series

I did like this book, and if there are more books to come, I will probably read them. I do question why someone who is supposed to have "big city chops" as a reporter, and who was instrumental in helping solve three murders, would break down, shaking and scared to death, when she receives a phone call from someone telling her to back off looking into Bob's murder. It seems that someone with that background history in crime solving would get a bit angry after receiving a threat like that, not all weepy. And once she had the police telling her what she needed to do to stay safe, she backpeddles, saying it was probably just a teenage prank. She seems a little bit wishy-washy. I expected a journalist like Josie to be stronger, with more backbone. Of course, this is the first book, and the characters are just coming to life. On the plus side, the dog, Moe, is a sweetheart.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

DOOMED BY BLOOMS is the first book in the Josie Posey Mysteries by Anna St. John. This is a fun, lighthearted cozy mystery featuring retired crime reporter Josie Posey. I love that Josie and her band of “Mahjong Mavens”, (or “posse of biddies” as the town’s police chief calls them) are ready and able to jump into an investigation when a former prima ballerina’s husband is murdered. Having just interviewed the ballerina, Josie is certain the woman couldn’t be the killer. The group works well together, and each shows their individual strengths at uncovering the truth. The author crafts a well-plotted mystery with several suspects that kept me guessing and red herrings that threw me off the scent. Josie is an admirable and tenacious character and I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Cathlina Bergman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I enjoyed this book more at the beginning, but it just became more improbable and outlandish. I get that cozy mysteries call upon you to suspend disbelief, but characters suddenly had connections that hadn't even been hinted at earlier in the book, the main character seems to have just the right conversation with just the right person to reveal the next clue or false lead, and it's silly that random townspeople are all obsessed with the same things the protagonist is obsessed with. Nobody has a life away from the protagonist or this murder mystery. A mystery, by the way, that I solved on page 21.

I have a few other cozy mysteries on my To Be Read shelf, but I have a new indicator that I probably won't enjoy a book: recipes in the back of the book. 🙄. And the incredibly awkward way of pointing out each of these recipes through the course of the book.

[Gayle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will fall in love with Josie and her "biddies," which are anything but. The friendship between the four women is one not to be reckoned with. Although the characters are in their fifties and sixties, they are active, fun, and living their lives to the fullest. This book is a lovely cozy mystery in what I hope to be a series.

The twists and turns along the way kept me guessing the whole time. Although many characters seem likely to be the murderer, the person responsible will surprise you. I love it when that happens! I highly recommend this book. I devoured it in less than five days. And, of course, any book with a dog as the protagonist's companion, well, how can you go wrong? Make sure to check this one out.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Josie Posey mystery finds Josie investigating after the husband of a local ballerina is found murdered. Josie is excited to be reporting again, even if its just for the local paper. However, her first interest piece goes awry when the husband of the feature is found murdered. Her new friend is automatically the suspect so Josie decides to investigate to clear her name.

I was surprised this was the first (as far as I could tell) book in this series. There were a lot of things referenced that made it feel like it was later (like book 3 minimum) in the series. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this story, and would definitely read more in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Annemarie DeClark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Posey is delightful in this adorable cozy mystery. Josie’s friendships within the Mahjong Mavens, her red Volkswagen convertible named Piper, her Old English sheepdog Moe, and her cottage in English Village, in Sunflower County, Kansas are the charming details that make this a sweet read. However, not everything is sweet as pie in this cozy village, because woven into all the charm is a cleverly-crafted murder mystery.

When Betty Hamilton’s husband is found dead in a field of flowers at their home, Josie takes it upon herself to assist Chief Marshall in digging up the truth.

Designed to keep the reader guessing, Doomed by Blooms is a fabulous start to the series, and I cannot wait to read more Josie Posey Mysteries.

[Joshua Donellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been in a habit of reading extremely dark material of late and, don't get me wrong, that's absolutely my jam. But you know what goes well with jam? Honey. No. Wait. That analogy doesn't work. But you know what DOES work? This book. Which is sweet. Like the aforementioned honey.

This is a delightful, breezy cosy mystery with fun and captivating characters. Great to see a 50+ woman protagonist (Hollywood, pay attention, it can be done) and especially one as entertaining as Josie. There's plenty to love here including her friends the Mahjong Mavens and the town in which the story's set.

This is a fun, short read that will make you smile and probably rub your feet if you ask it nicely.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the cover! I love plants and flowers; so I was drawn in by the cover and title. But I also really enjoyed my first Josie Posey Mystery. Not a super long read; but it was a perfect cozy little mystery (with some delicious looking recipes at the back).

Kudos! Debut author!

I am familiar with the plant in question, but did not know about its toxicity.

I really enjoyed that the main character was in her mid fifties and that the book was very "clean". (A book that I could recommend to my mother.)

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet again) a "new to me" author. Thank you for the opportunity to read the Advance Release Copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author Anna St. John and the publisher Level Best Books for approving my ARC request.

[Cynthia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doomed By Blooms by Anna St. John is the first in the Josie Posey mysteries.When Josie inherited her grandmother’s estate, she retired from being a crime reporter and at age fifty-five moved to town aptly names English Village. She’s developed a group of close friends, who have named themselves the Mahjong Mavens, and according to Jose pretend they are crime-solvers. Josie lands a new job as a features reporter for the local paper and is interviews a local celebrity ballerina. When her husband is murdered, Josie jumps into action to solve the mystery.

This is a charming and enjoyable cozy mystery, perfect for a summer afternoon. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.). I look forward to the next in the series.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doomed By Blooms is the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series by Anna St. John. It is about a former big city crime reporter, who after the death of her husband decided to retire to a quiet small town. When a murder takes place she quickly goes back to her roots to piece together who the culprit is with the help of her fellow mahjong mavens, in order to make sure the police catch the right person. Will Josie find out who is responsible before it is too late? Read Doomed By Blooms to find out.
This was a fast and enjoyable mystery and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick cozy mystery with a middle aged main character.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute cozy mystery that centers around four women in a small town. This story is about a retired investigative reporter who is adjusting to small town life after the death of her husband. I struggled with parts of the book and grew bored in the middle- a few parts were confusing and could have benefited from one more edit. If you like a cozy mystery that involves a quaint small town, a group of competent women with some quirky characters and murder thrown in - this may be a book for you. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It reminded me a little of London Lovett’s series where there are interesting characters and it is a quick enjoyable read. I liked that this series had a group of women working together and they were not overly suspicious just the right amount ^.~ . There is a hint at romance which I want for Josie. It’s nice that the MFC is a not your average 25 year old. I am excited to read the next in the series! Thank you to NetGalley to provide me the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doomed by Blooms by Anna St. John is the first book in her Josie Posey Mystery series. This was an interesting read. The book has well-developed characters who are fun and the storyline runs smoothly. I really like former big-city crime reporter and now amateur sleuth Josie Posey. Along with her Mahjong Mavens friends she tackles the job of solving this mystery. This is a good beginning to the series.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Waybusymama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate a "cozy" mystery - more focused on the whodunit than the crime scene splatter- and Doomed by Blooms was a nice easy read. However, I didn't find the writing to my liking. Maybe it was the authors insistence that the protagonist and her friends were "old" when they're really only a few years older than I am? Maybe it was that the prose was more "tell" than "show"? In the end I was more interested in Josie's sweet dog Moe and her slow build romance with Harvey.

[Rebecca Saltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Josie Posey, her red convertible called Piper, and the Mahjong Mavens, a feisty group of women who are prepared to tackle any challenge. When a murder happens in their quiet Kansas town, they spring into action, drawing on their knowledge of the local people and their secrets to help solve the crime. A fun cozy with a dash of matchmaking on the side that will have you wishing you too were one of the of the mavens.

[Emily Janes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice little quick read. Overall the story was pretty good, and I did like Josie, the main character. Between Josie and her friends, everyones dogs, the murder suspects, and everyone’s significant others I was having a very hard time keeping track of all of the characters. On top of that Josie gave her car a people name that confused me more than once.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Liz Steckel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, light mystery with a charming small-town setting and a cast of well-developed, quirky characters. Josie Posey and her Mahjong Mavens make for an entertaining sleuthing team, though the mystery itself was a bit predictable. Despite that, the engaging writing and fast pace make this an enjoyable weekend read. If you like cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and a hint of romance, this is worth checking out!

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there's soon another instalment in this series as I loved this one and had a lot of fun.
It's compelling and well plotted, there's a fleshed out and likeable cast of characters, and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
The author delivers an excellent novel and I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read this was! I mean this in the best possible way when I say this made me think of the Nancy Drew mysteries when I was young, excepting now Nancy is in her late 50's, a widow, and has her mahjong friends help her solve a murder mystery in a small Kansas town. She even has a new budding romace with the town's blacksmith/artist. A very sweet cozy mystery.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet mystery filled with colorful characters in an adorable setting! It's great seeing an older woman as the main character. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the mystery and look forward to seeing what adventures Josie gets up to next!