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Mangrove Bay Cozy #1
Hide and Seek
Returning to her sleepy, backwoods hometown in the Everglades was the last thing Vivian Blake ever thought she’d do. So was solving her uncle’s murder.
Recently single, and with no other family to speak of, psych nurse Vivian Blake ditched her carefully calculated urban life for the swampy fishing village of Mangrove Bay, Florida.
Though initially happy to be back at her beloved uncle Don’s place, the nostalgic feeling faded when she realized ex-con Ben was staying in the next room. And making matters worse, high school mean girl, the perfect Cassie Heatherton, was back in town as well.
Convinced that local law enforcement arrested the wrong suspect, Vivian set out to find her uncle’s killer. A frantic search ensued as she sifted through old relics and clues in unlikely places, from Don’s cluttered garage to the murky depths of the Everglades.
Uncovering small-town secrets in the process, Vivian realized she may be the next victim—unless she gives up this cryptic game of hide and seek.
Because this game is no child’s play.
Recently single, and with no other family to speak of, psych nurse Vivian Blake ditched her carefully calculated urban life for the swampy fishing village of Mangrove Bay, Florida.
Though initially happy to be back at her beloved uncle Don’s place, the nostalgic feeling faded when she realized ex-con Ben was staying in the next room. And making matters worse, high school mean girl, the perfect Cassie Heatherton, was back in town as well.
Convinced that local law enforcement arrested the wrong suspect, Vivian set out to find her uncle’s killer. A frantic search ensued as she sifted through old relics and clues in unlikely places, from Don’s cluttered garage to the murky depths of the Everglades.
Uncovering small-town secrets in the process, Vivian realized she may be the next victim—unless she gives up this cryptic game of hide and seek.
Because this game is no child’s play.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2023
71 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 19, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Vivian has moved to Mangrove Bay after her divorce too be with her uncle Don. Her uncle has a new friend Ben who lives in the house. Vivian moves in and then her uncle Don is killed. His best friend is arrested but Vivian and Ben do not believe it. They find the truth leading to the arrest of the killers. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
Vivian has moved to Mangrove Bay after her divorce too be with her uncle Don. Her uncle has a new friend Ben who lives in the house. Vivian moves in and then her uncle Don is killed. His best friend is arrested but Vivian and Ben do not believe it. They find the truth leading to the arrest of the killers. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
May 26, 2023
So this book had me from the start, Vivian is celebrating her birthday when someone shows up at the door and the next thing you know she's in her car and driving away!
We then see her at her Uncle Don's who btw has a roommate! Who Vivian instantly dislikes but has a valid reason for the dislike. But when her uncle is suddenly murdered and his best friend of decades is in jail for the murder, she works with said disliked roommate to find the killer.
Everything was wrapped up nicely so we get closure on all the characters, which is great. It can almost be like a stand alone book as well.
This is a wonderful start to a fresh new series and I can't wait to see where Vivian and Ben go in the future!
Thank you booksprout and Joy Patrick for allowing me to read this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We then see her at her Uncle Don's who btw has a roommate! Who Vivian instantly dislikes but has a valid reason for the dislike. But when her uncle is suddenly murdered and his best friend of decades is in jail for the murder, she works with said disliked roommate to find the killer.
Everything was wrapped up nicely so we get closure on all the characters, which is great. It can almost be like a stand alone book as well.
This is a wonderful start to a fresh new series and I can't wait to see where Vivian and Ben go in the future!
Thank you booksprout and Joy Patrick for allowing me to read this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 28, 2024
3.5 stars, this ended better than it began. For a long time I really didn’t like the MFC, she was sooooo judgmental, and her demanding the arrest of someone with no evidence 😒🙄.. however, she sort of redeemed herself by the end as she worked to solve her uncle’s murder
April 25, 2023
Great Small Town USA Murder Mystery!
This was a really good story, that could be many towns, as most have their history, and small towns have that little thing that big towns don't, everyone knows everyone, and they know everything about everyone... Or DO They??...
Being forced to make a decision to stay with her husband, his girlfriend who is pregnant with their child... or go back home to her Uncle's, she went back home, with absolutely nothing else! Vivian is really beside herself!
When she gets there, she finds out that her Uncle has had a house guest for that past 2 months, who is a newly released ex-con. Ben seams to be a nice guy, but what are ex cons suposed to be like?
Vivian goes in to the local magic shop, where she spent countless hours as she was growing up., and encounters the local mayor (who is a real piece of work from when they were in school, Cassie was the mean girl) and still has her ways.
So, her Uncle Don ends up being killed within his own shop, and Vivian and Ben are going to find out who really killed him and why!
While tracking down information from one of the people that Uncle Don did business with, she ends up getting rammed into the back of her car, and tried to be ran off the road!
This was a really good story!
Thank you, Joy Patrick for sharing this good cozy mystery!
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
This was a really good story, that could be many towns, as most have their history, and small towns have that little thing that big towns don't, everyone knows everyone, and they know everything about everyone... Or DO They??...
Being forced to make a decision to stay with her husband, his girlfriend who is pregnant with their child... or go back home to her Uncle's, she went back home, with absolutely nothing else! Vivian is really beside herself!
When she gets there, she finds out that her Uncle has had a house guest for that past 2 months, who is a newly released ex-con. Ben seams to be a nice guy, but what are ex cons suposed to be like?
Vivian goes in to the local magic shop, where she spent countless hours as she was growing up., and encounters the local mayor (who is a real piece of work from when they were in school, Cassie was the mean girl) and still has her ways.
So, her Uncle Don ends up being killed within his own shop, and Vivian and Ben are going to find out who really killed him and why!
While tracking down information from one of the people that Uncle Don did business with, she ends up getting rammed into the back of her car, and tried to be ran off the road!
This was a really good story!
Thank you, Joy Patrick for sharing this good cozy mystery!
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
April 30, 2023
Having learned her husband has been unfaithful and he has a pregnant mistress, Vivian Blake leaves town and returns to her childhood home and Uncle Don. She finds that Uncle Don took in an ex-con, Ben, staying in the room next to her. Some things change and some things remain the same, like the mean girl, Cassie and the mayor. There are some quirky characters in town as well. When Vivian finds Uncle Don murdered in his own shop, it is up to her to find the murderer. With the help of Ben, Vivian starts to track down clues. This puts her in danger as someone rams her car and tries to drive her off the road. Can she and Ben find her uncle's murderer without getting hurt? We are treated to many twists and turns and red-herrings that keeps you turning pages. I highly recommend this book. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
April 29, 2023
A Killer
A killer is on the loose. Cassie, the mayor is the culprit. If only the truth can be found. Though initially happy to be back at her beloved uncle Don’s place, the nostalgic feeling faded when she realized ex-con Ben was staying in the next room. And making matters worse, high school mean girl, the perfect Cassie Heatherton, was back in town as well. Convinced that local law enforcement arrested the wrong suspect, Vivian set out to find her uncle’s killer. A frantic search ensued as she sifted through old relics and clues in unlikely places, from Don’s cluttered garage to the murky depths of the Everglades.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
A killer is on the loose. Cassie, the mayor is the culprit. If only the truth can be found. Though initially happy to be back at her beloved uncle Don’s place, the nostalgic feeling faded when she realized ex-con Ben was staying in the next room. And making matters worse, high school mean girl, the perfect Cassie Heatherton, was back in town as well. Convinced that local law enforcement arrested the wrong suspect, Vivian set out to find her uncle’s killer. A frantic search ensued as she sifted through old relics and clues in unlikely places, from Don’s cluttered garage to the murky depths of the Everglades.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
April 25, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! The writer did a beautiful job of transporting me to Mangrove Bay; a small town that very much reminded me of the small town I lived in once.
The characters were so well developed that I felt I knew them. The authors descriptive telling of how the characters were thinking or behaving made them seem very real.
I was actually surprised by the outcome of this cozy mystery. I hadn’t been able to guess who had committed the crime.
This was an easy read that flowed so well. I would have read it all in one day had real life not required my attention. I’ll be reading more books by Joy Patrick for sure.
The characters were so well developed that I felt I knew them. The authors descriptive telling of how the characters were thinking or behaving made them seem very real.
I was actually surprised by the outcome of this cozy mystery. I hadn’t been able to guess who had committed the crime.
This was an easy read that flowed so well. I would have read it all in one day had real life not required my attention. I’ll be reading more books by Joy Patrick for sure.
July 1, 2023
4.5 stars. I enjoyed this well written mystery. Vivian Blake recently single, moves in with her uncle Don in the village of Mangrove Bay. Only for him to be murdered soon after. An ex-con house guest, a high school rival and a magic shop owner all fall under suspicion and Vivian is sure the wrong person has been arrested. This is a well told story with decent suspects and lead character who is quick to judge, a few twists and turns and an ending that is inventive if a little implausible and abrupt. A very promising start and a town I would like to revisit. I received a complimentary copy from the Author but then like it enough tobo buy the book anyway
June 2, 2024
This is the second first book of a series, written by this author, I have read today, and I like how she has crafted the stories. The characters are humble, intelligent, makes mistakes, yet learns from them, and very good role models for the readers of these stories. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding out who actually killed the main character's uncle and why. The answer in this one wasn't quite the surprise the other first book was, but it also showed the people were human in their assumptions. I most definitely recommend this book, and look forward to reading the rest of both series of books.
May 19, 2023
When Vivian discovers her husband’s infidelity, she jumps in her car and heads to Mangrove Bay, back to her Uncle Don’s house where she grew up. Even though she had been gone for a while, the little town was still the same. Within a few days, though, her uncle is murdered. Determined to find his killer, Vivian is forced to lay her biases aside and join forces with her uncle’s roommate. Can they find the killer? I loved the little town and the little group of quirky folks who so lovingly support Vivian. Quick read but with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.
May 27, 2023
On the night of Vivian’s forty-first birthday she discovers her husband’s affair with a woman who is now having his baby. Vivian heads back home to Mangrove Bay in Florida where she had grown up with her Uncle Don to start over. Not long after, Uncle Don is murdered and Vivian is determined to catch his killer. I really enjoyed this fast-paced Murder Mystery that kept my interest from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
June 6, 2023
Hide and Seek, A Mangrove Bay Mystery expertly written by Joy Patrick. This book is a great small town USA murder mystery. This was a really good story, that could be many small towns, as most have their history. We are treated to many twists and turns and red-herrings that keeps you turning pages. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 8, 2025
Who's Hiding and Who is Seeking?
There are several people doing both. I enjoyed the book and the mystery. It was a great puzzle with very interesting characters. However, I was surprised by Vivian's turn in attitude toward Ben when she found out about his history. You will have to read this short cozy mystery to find out if she changes her mind or if she was right to be scared.
I received an advance copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are several people doing both. I enjoyed the book and the mystery. It was a great puzzle with very interesting characters. However, I was surprised by Vivian's turn in attitude toward Ben when she found out about his history. You will have to read this short cozy mystery to find out if she changes her mind or if she was right to be scared.
I received an advance copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 30, 2023
What is Hidden?
Vivian decides to go stay with her uncle after her life becomes uncertain. She has returned to her childhood hometown only to find out things have changed quite a bit. Tragedy strikes and she finds herself trying to solve the mystery. The story was intriguing and left you wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Vivian decides to go stay with her uncle after her life becomes uncertain. She has returned to her childhood hometown only to find out things have changed quite a bit. Tragedy strikes and she finds herself trying to solve the mystery. The story was intriguing and left you wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2023
Hide and Seek
This is a good a Mangrove Bay Mystery about Vivian who finds out her husband has cheated and has a child on the way so she returns to her uncle and then he is murdered and the ones behind his death try to murder her and Ben another houseguest of her uncle but the tables are turned and the culprits are caught I enjoyed this story
This is a good a Mangrove Bay Mystery about Vivian who finds out her husband has cheated and has a child on the way so she returns to her uncle and then he is murdered and the ones behind his death try to murder her and Ben another houseguest of her uncle but the tables are turned and the culprits are caught I enjoyed this story
June 12, 2023
Good story. I thought it was well written and kept my attention. When I first started reading I didn't care for Vivian-I thought she was judgemental and cruel, but as the story progressed I stopped believing that. The mystery was intriguing and will be glad to read another book if this is a series. Recommend reading.
February 17, 2024
This is a very well written cozy about a psychiatrist who on her 41st birthday finds out that her perfect life is a lie and that her husband’s young mistress is expecting a child. She moves back to her uncle’s home where she was raised and two days later he is murdered. As she confronts her fears, she uncovers the truth of her uncle’s death.
April 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this read! I could not put it down. Very interesting story filled with complex and some devious characters. Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem making this a real page turner and a must read.
May 25, 2023
I have really beed enjoying this author's books and this one is no exception. I love the writing style and how she had us constantly guessing as the book got close to the end. This book is a definite must-read
June 11, 2023
This was a fun read with a lot of mystery and intrigue. The author did a great job of creating believable and likable characters that kept me hooked. I got this arc for free and this is my honest opinion.
June 13, 2023
An Enjoyable Read
This was my first story by Joy Patrick and I was pleasantly surprised. There was no great mystery as to “who done it,” but a nice little twist at the end. Have already ordered her Magnolia Manor trilogy, but hope there might be more going on in
Mangrove Bay.
This was my first story by Joy Patrick and I was pleasantly surprised. There was no great mystery as to “who done it,” but a nice little twist at the end. Have already ordered her Magnolia Manor trilogy, but hope there might be more going on in
Mangrove Bay.
June 1, 2023
Who killed Uncle Don and why??? You can hide one almost anywhere, can't you??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
July 19, 2023
OMG!!
Great read! Thoroughly engrossing plot and believable characters. I love a fantastic mystery and this one obliges! This story is an absolute must for one to read!!
Great read! Thoroughly engrossing plot and believable characters. I love a fantastic mystery and this one obliges! This story is an absolute must for one to read!!
September 11, 2023
Great small town cozy
Hide and Seek is a very short read involving a jilted wife, small town ex cons, and of course a murder. You'll enjoy the characters.
Hide and Seek is a very short read involving a jilted wife, small town ex cons, and of course a murder. You'll enjoy the characters.
November 1, 2023
great book
Well written, great characters, amazing setting. Her uncle is murdered…his best friend charged. Vivian and Ben solve the murder. Can’t wait for the next one
Well written, great characters, amazing setting. Her uncle is murdered…his best friend charged. Vivian and Ben solve the murder. Can’t wait for the next one
June 24, 2023
An entertaining series starter with a couple of great lead characters. Fun to read and difficult to put down.
April 29, 2023
Joy Patrick has written a deadly cozey mystery with second chances for a small town community with an array of bold, vibrant colorful characters along with a couple of deadly schemers. It wouldn't be a deadly mystery without the schemers. You won't be able to not be drawn into mane characters stories with their intriguing pasts while becoming enticed further by the death of a man the whole town cherished. Who could have done such a despicable thing. As I said " Hide and Seek " is a story of second chances and throughout the plot you will discover how important and precious this makes the small town of Mangrove it will keep you turning page after page with all its unexpected revelations you can't imagin what you're going to find in the end. So acquire " Hide and Seek " for hours of intriguing and enjoyable entertainment . Kat
May 2, 2023
This was a great story! It really was. I actually didn't want it to end.
I have this author's two previous books and I enjoyed them very much, also.
This one is about a woman who has discovered some very troubling info abt her husband....troubling enough for her to leave him straight away. She returns back home to Mangrove Bay and stays with her uncle until one morning, he's discovered to be dead. There is more than one suspect in this puzzling murder, tho, and Viv is certain that the man who's in jail for it isn't the right man.
Viv sets about discovering who the true perp is and ends up finding out a bit more than she expected.
This is a very engaging read and I highly recommend it. If the first two Joy Patrick books hadn't already made me a fan, this one surely would've done the trick.
I have this author's two previous books and I enjoyed them very much, also.
This one is about a woman who has discovered some very troubling info abt her husband....troubling enough for her to leave him straight away. She returns back home to Mangrove Bay and stays with her uncle until one morning, he's discovered to be dead. There is more than one suspect in this puzzling murder, tho, and Viv is certain that the man who's in jail for it isn't the right man.
Viv sets about discovering who the true perp is and ends up finding out a bit more than she expected.
This is a very engaging read and I highly recommend it. If the first two Joy Patrick books hadn't already made me a fan, this one surely would've done the trick.
May 13, 2023
This was an enjoyable cozy mystery! Vivian Blake returns to her hometown of Mangrove Bay, Florida after her marriage falls apart in the wake of her husband's infidelity. She stays at the house of her Uncle Don Burton, in one of his guest rooms. His other guest room is occupied by Ben Templeton, an ex- convict who Don befriended. Vivian is very distrustful of Ben, and makes her opinion of him known to Don and Ben himself. Don is found dead in his garage/workshop. Vivian is sure that Ben is the person who killed him. Is Vivian right or did someone else kill him? Why was he killed? Find out the answers to these questions by reading this good cozy mystery. I highly recommend it to other cozy mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews