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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. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect.

After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder.

With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2024

30 people are currently reading
6301 people want to read

About the author

Sydney Leigh

2 books71 followers
Sydney Leigh spent several years running a seasonal business, working in the summer so she could spend cold months in cool places. Now she writes modern cozy mysteries and thinks about murder. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and served on the board of Crime Writers of Canada from 2018-2021.

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5 stars
89 (12%)
4 stars
260 (36%)
3 stars
262 (36%)
2 stars
78 (10%)
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28 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
Profile Image for benedicta.
423 reviews698 followers
October 31, 2023
“So the bed-and-breakfast is now a prison and we’re housing a murderer?” Egad. I hadn’t thought about it like that. Were we turning into the Bates Motel?
Jessica and her bestie, Kat are co-partners of a new pink flamingo themed B and B. On their opening night, Jesse invites her ex and her school sweetheart now turned small town celebrity to perform and he shows up with his creepy agent/step-dad, his assistant who seems to hate his step-dad's guts and then some of Jesse's high school bullies show up as well. What could go wrong, right?

Sarah, Jessica's sister-in-law finds a body drowned in the pond on the premises the next morning. The detective on the case places a mini lock down on the bed-and-breakfast to him help investigate the murder. Jessica, also a true crime podcast enthusiast enlists herself to help Detective James get to the bottom of this gruesome act of violence.

This was a cozy mystery and for an author's debut. It was a fine blend of sweet and bloody. I expected more bloody and thrilling scenes, less fluff and celebrity gossip.

I thought at least there would be more back story explaining the drama and tension between the characters. Also, the investigation process kind of got lost among the tiktok slangs, instagramer-girlies-weekend-getaway vibes and RuPaul's drag race references.

***

my first arc!!! 🔪💗 look at this pretty cover!! 😩😭

thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review 🎉
Profile Image for Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme).
868 reviews954 followers
May 1, 2024
After getting burned out in a career she hated, Jess Byrne and her best friend, Kat Miller, decided to set up shop in Jess’s grandmother’s run down former boarding house. Revamped as an Instagram-worthy B&B, it’s now finally their opening weekend. Hoping to hit all of the right chords, Jess even arranged for her former high school boyfriend turned singing sensation, Lars Armstrong, to give an exclusive, private performance.

Already nervous about seeing her ex in the flesh once again, Jess is dismayed to also discover that Lars’s creepy stepfather slash manager has tagged along for the ride. A man known for getting under people’s skin, it’s not exactly a surprise when Bob turns up dead only hours later. Worse still, however, all eyes are on Lars as the perpetrator for the dastardly crime.

Desperate for help, Lars begs Jess for assistance. Considering that she can’t quite square him as a murderer, she agrees to do a little digging. Besides, now that the media has arrived, the reputation of her brand-new B&B is up for grabs. But as Jess starts asking questions and turning over stones, she’s alarmed to realize that her ex might not be quite as innocent as she thought—especially when he’s found at the scene of yet another murder.

With the help of her best friend, Kat, Jess is adamant to get to the bottom of what happened right under her nose. Will she, however, be able to uncover the truth before Lars is in handcuffs and her B&B is abandoned by the once eager crowds? After all, luck hasn’t exactly been on their side. It’s now up to the two true crime buffs to stop this killer in their tracks. Can they catch whoever it is in time?

Holy cannoli! A quick, easy read that was peppered with giggle-worthy humor, Peril in Pink was just what the doctor ordered—especially in between some harder hitting thrillers. I mean, I’m not one to pass up an amateur sleuth, but one that is also a diehard true crime fan? Well, what’s not to love? And now that I’m done, this delightful mix of cozy mystery with just a dash of crime fictionlighthearted fun.

The biggest winner to this slam dunk success, however, were easily the characters themselves. One hundred percent genuine and true-to-life, their relationships were pure dynamite and hit just the right chord. On top of that, the dialogue flowed easily and made for scenes that felt like they came straight out a well-written movie. Don’t get me wrong, Jess’s interactions with Lars were a tad cringe-worthy at times, but that merely made me even happier when the police spotlight was directed at him.

Then there was the plot, which was simply a boatload of fun. Filled with plenty of humor and wit, the slowly unwinding puzzle of who could have been behind the murderous plot felt wholly natural to this mystery snob. After all, with heaps of red herrings and nary a guess within sight, I was kept in near total suspense. Quite frankly, it had a definite Agatha Christie-esque vibe that made the whole book a total home run. And between you and me, there wasn’t a single thing I’d want to change in this to die for whodunnit.

All said and done, I can’t recommend this knockout debut strongly enough. The perfect kind of palate cleanser for this thriller addict, Leigh has, without a doubt, made a memorable splash in the world of mystery books. There’s only one thing left bugging me just a bit—my utmost desire to see this as just the first book in what’s sure to be a bestselling series. So if you’re looking for the ultimate vacation from all things stressful, grab a copy of this brilliant dive into all things cozy. You definitely won’t regret it in the least. Rating of 5 stars.

Thank you to Sydney Leigh, Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: March 19, 2024

👉 Be sure to head to my Amazon Storefront to order. I get a small commission and would love your support!

Trigger warning: bullying, death of a spouse
349 reviews44 followers
April 27, 2024
Debut author.
Cozy mystery.
Well written, fun story.
Locked B&B mystery with many characters.
Different family members play roles in this B&B’s story, including a clever dog.
I admit, I didn’t figure out the correct killer.
I rarely read cozies, but I’d read more of them from this author.
Jess & Kat are the proprietors of the new B&B, The Pearl.
Jess & Kat are both strong and smart/practical women.
I hope to see more of Jess and Kat in future books.

Thank you Sydney Leigh (and Crooked Lane Books) for choosing me to win a copy of Peril In Pink.
Also, thank you for permitting Hannah Mary McKinnon to read the first chapter of this book on First Chapter Fun (FCF). FCF is a collaboration by Hannah Mary McKinnon & Hank Phillippi Ryan on most Tuesdays. FCF can be found on Facebook and Instagram. Feel free to join the fun.

#Sydney Leigh #Hannah Mary McKinnon # Hank Phillippi Ryan #First Chapter Fun #Adult Story Time
Profile Image for Juliette Nicole.
326 reviews14 followers
December 3, 2023
3 ⭐️

Thank you so much to the author, Sydney Leigh, for giving me an ARC of her book in exchange for a review. Peril in Pink is out on March 19, 2024.

I finished this story in one sitting! That definitely means it kept me hooked until the finale. I liked Jess and Kat a lot, and the B&B certainly feels like a place I’d like to spend a weekend once (minus the murders obviously) 💘

This book was a nice, quick read that had a good finale, although I did guess the plot quite easily. That’s fine though, I’ve spent a very cozy Sunday morning with this book. It’s not too much of an edge-on-your-seat thriller, but it sure is entertaining and it has some minor twists and turns that I appreciated. There’s many characters involved, but you’ll get to know them quickly enough to understand the story.
Profile Image for Brittany.
368 reviews54 followers
January 10, 2025
Jess Byrne has prepared everything for an Instagram-worthy grand opening of her new B&B including a live performance from her ex-boyfriend-reality singing sensation, Lars Armstrong. When Lar's arrives to the B&B, he brings his stepdad turned manager, Bob. Everything seems to be going well until Bob is found dead and Lars is quickly named the prime suspect. In order to save the weekend and her B&B, Jess must work with the gorgeous detective, James to find the true killer.

This was a fun mystery. I enjoyed the concept of a trendy B&B. The descriptions of The Pearl had me dreaming of a vacation. The investigation with Jess and Detective James was intriguing and filled with quirky characters that all had their own motives for murder. Every time I thought I had the killer figured out a new twist would occur, and I was left guessing until the end. I am interested to see where the story goes since Peril in Pink seems to be the start of a series but would love to see more of Jess and Detective James.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to review Peril in Pink. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for ✨Alexis✨.
39 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2023
In theory this book hit all the marks for me. I am a hospitality professional who escapes by reading thrillers. The B & B concept had me hooked from the first page, the fluffy pink feeling really had me going, but when it came to the actual thriller part this story it was lacking. By the middle of the book, I truly just wanted it to be over. The characters were not likable enough for me to cheer on. The story was very loose and didn’t really work. I truly wanted to love this story, but at the end I really ended up not caring who the killer was or why they even did it. Not the feeling you are hoping for at the end of a thriller.
I want to thank Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book for review.
Profile Image for Kirsten Mattingly.
191 reviews41 followers
May 5, 2024
I was in the mood to read something light and not-too-serious, and selected the cozy mystery Peril in Pink. It was just what I was hoping for. I finished this breezy and entertaining book in just a few days.

The author is undoubtedly a fan the old tv series “Murder, She Wrote” and has peppered her novel with nods to that show. Jessica Fletcher is the amateur detective in that tv show. The main character in this book is named Jess and the setting is in a small beach town called Fletcher Lake.

The plot was really good and interesting
. Almost everyone is a suspect in the murder investigation, and the author has cleverly dropped clues for us readers without being too obvious. I couldn’t figure out whodunit but after I finished the book, I went back to reread parts and it all was logical.

I also loved the cute husky, Duke. I’m a sucker for a book with a smart dog who helps find clues.

Some of the dialogue was cringey, especially the sentences where people talked in hashtags. It made me think of that annoying Old Navy Christmas commercial from 2022 with Jennifer Coolidge. I would have liked more natural dialogue where it didn’t sound like the scripted way people talk in tv commercials.

I hope Sydney Leigh writes a next book in this series because I quickly became invested in these characters.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a free advance download of this audiobook for review consideration.
Profile Image for Maddie Smith.
127 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2024
When opening a B&B, Jess didn’t expect to end up at a crime scene like one of her murder podcasts.

There were lots of random pop culture references (lululemon, Jacob Elordi, My Favorite Murder, etc.) that I thought were overdone. Lots of hashtags too.

Lots of dumb details and a high school mean girl rivalry. I don’t think anyone actually acts like that!

47% and we are justtttt starting the investigation. I’m kind of bored and just want to skim to get to the end. I’m not a big cozy mystery person, but I’m too curious to not know who did it so I will finish it.

A younger detective is struggling with video playback (????) for several pages and I’m annoyed. It feels like an afterthought to tell the audience what is happening and why Jess and her business partner, Kat, get to see the video footage.

Lots of unlikeable characters here. Jess is being immature and several men are just… gross.

Her brother talks to her like a dog??? “Settle.” This man actually said that to his sister. His poor wife.

Speaking of his wife, Sarah, it is kind of thrown together for the relationship between her and Jess to be randomly bad/weird at the beginning and then magically better after a murder. (???)

What was with the multiple pages with reference after reference to celebrities?! I just found it repetitive and boring since they were so close together. Please tell me if anyone else noticed this.

20-somethings don’t speak in hashtags 🫠

The title… what?! It was mentioned once and in SUCH a stupid way… I just can’t.

Noooo there are more references to pop culture, whyyyyyy

Ew, George is nasty offering Jess to “join” him and Paula in a creepy-ass way. They’ll say that but no cursing?! SHE DESCRIBED HIS CHEST AS FURRY 🤮

Yeah, this one wasn’t for me. The vibes were good at the beginning but it quickly became cringey and boring. I wanted more of the B&B in general for the vibes but it was no plot no vibes just… a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Violet Springs.
253 reviews10 followers
August 31, 2023
Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building. It is a sparkling debut mystery that combines humour, intrigue, and a touch of celebrity glamour. Set in the picturesque Hudson Valley, the story centres around the grand opening of The Pearl B&B, owned by the resourceful and determined Jess Byrne.

The B&B's opening event takes an unexpected turn when Jess's ex-boyfriend, the famous reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong, arrives with his stepdad and manager, Bob. The festivities quickly sour when Bob is discovered dead, and Lars becomes the prime suspect. Jess, motivated by her desire to protect her B&B's reputation, agrees to help Lars clear his name, leading her into a web of secrets and mysteries.

As Jess delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers unexpected connections and startling revelations. With the pressure mounting and another murder occurring with Lars at the scene, Jess realizes she's in over her head. With the support of her best friend and business partner, Kat, Jess is determined to unravel the truth behind the murders and clear Lars's name.

It combines the charm of a small-town setting with the intrigue of a murder mystery. Jess's quirky personality and determination make her a relatable and engaging protagonist, while the presence of a celebrity suspect adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. The locked-door scenario and the need to keep the guests safe amidst a media frenzy create a sense of urgency and tension that keeps readers on their toes.

Overall, this debut mystery promises an engaging blend of humor, suspense, and unexpected twists. As Jess navigates the complexities of murder investigations and the challenges of running a B&B, readers are in for a delightful and captivating read that will leave them guessing until the very end.
Profile Image for Liezel Hewitt.
61 reviews7 followers
September 6, 2023
3 ⭐️

This book gives you that feeling of packing your bags and booking in to The Pearl for the weekend, just so that we can Rosè all day! #onlycoolvibes!

This was a fun and light murder mystery. It gave me a Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars kind of vibe.

The author did a great job in describing the B & B and surrounding scenery . Pulls you in from the very first page.

This book will be a great beach holiday read!
Profile Image for Marija.
700 reviews45 followers
March 28, 2024
This was an easy-to-read cozy mystery and also a debut for the author. It is a sweet read that kept my attention until the end. I liked the mix of giggle moments, cozy mystery, and not many blood scenes. The plot was good, characters and dialogues between them were well-written even though in some moments cringy, but that is just the way it is supposed to be to get the attention of the police. All in all, this is a perfect read in between dark thrillers and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you to Sydney Leigh, Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley for my early copy of the book.
5 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2023
So fun! This was such an enjoyable mystery that I honestly could not guess. Peril in Pink follows a woman named Jess who has opened up a stylish bed and breakfast and had curated everything to go perfectly opening weekend, however the sudden murder of her ex’s stepfather derails everything and in order to salvage the weekend, she attempts to solve the murder herself. This was a classic case of amateur sleuth and I loved the vibes of the setting. It felt like a summer read and each character was unique, many having something they were trying to hide. Admittedly I did find a few scenes a bit cringy and the way Lars acted with Jess annoyed me because it felt a bit disrespectful. Other than that, I enjoyed reading this book! 4/5 stars. Thank you netgalley and crooked lane books for the copy.
Profile Image for Amanda Mercedes.
678 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2024
Woowee my anxiety would have been through the ROOF if this had happened to me on my opening weekend. A double murder, unsolved, on the opening weekend of a B&B? Yikes! Especially when the first murder is a high profile person.
Jess seems to have everything set for opening weekend. The renovations came out spectacular, she has a great staff, and her ex, who is a singing sensation, has agreed to perform for the opening weekend (and for free). This all quickly goes downhill when Lars’ (the ex) stepfather/manager is found dead. And not just dead—murdered. On the hunt for the killer, Jess has to figure out how to keep the guests at ease and not run for the hills and ruin her business before it has even really started. Things get even worse when a second murder happens soon after. Jess puts on her detective hat and joins forces with the hot detective to figure out what’s going on at her B&B.
This was a fun and quick read; perfect if you’re looking for a cozy mystery. I actually did not guess the murderer and was surprised by the twist at the end. Also her pup was such a treat!

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc! All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Stephanielikesbooks.
713 reviews81 followers
March 27, 2025
This was a cute, fun cozy mystery read!

The characters were likable (especially the plucky, funny main character, Jess and her straight-talking friend, Kat), the B and B setting was fun, and there was the hint of a sweet romance with the (swoon-worthy) local police detective. All of this provided a good back-drop for the murder storyline which occurred during the opening weekend of the new B and B. There were lots of suspects for Jess and her friend, Kat, to investigate as they tried their hand at amateur sleuthing to save their inn.

This book made me feel happy as I read it. It was just the entertaining, easy, feel-good read I needed (in a cozy murder kind of way!).

I listened to half of this story on audiobook (my first audiobook trial) and read the remainder digitally. The narrator did a good job of making the characters come to life and I could visualize the setting and goings-on (this was also true with the e-version of the book).

If you love cozy mysteries or are looking for a feel-good easy read, I recommend you check this one out.

Thanks to the author for the complimentary audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jamele (BookswithJams).
2,050 reviews94 followers
March 24, 2024
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, Crooked Lane Books, and Dreamscape Media for the copies to review!

This was a super fun cozy mystery that I absolutely enjoyed! It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B and owner Jess Byrne has the rosé flowing and is ready. Her ex-boyfriend, reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong, has showed up to perform live, and she has the support from most everyone in her hometown. All things are going well, until Bob, Lars’ stepdad-turned-manager turns up dead. Oh and Lars is the main suspect.

This was such a great read, I loved the setup, the hometown and the people, and of course the mystery to solve. Jess Byrne was a great protagonist and I’m so glad this is the first in a series, I definitely will be continuing on when the next book is out. I really enjoyed the audio also, and highly recommend adding this to your list!
Profile Image for vickie.
216 reviews77 followers
March 2, 2024
3.5 stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Sydney Leigh for giving me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
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Peril in Pink was a cute light hearted murder mystery. I was super interested in this one and listened to it in any free time that I had! The book definitely keeps you engaged and interested in what the mystery is.
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The book was good but nothing really stood out if that makes sense, the plot twists didn't really leave me on the edge of my seat in the way i wish it did and at certain times it felt like the characters weren't taking the murder seriously, like I know they're at a B&B to relax but if there was a murder i would be a bit more on edge and more eager to leave lol.
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I think this is a good book for people who are more into cozy murder mysteries or people who are new to the whole mystery murder genre especially when if the reader is younger.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,200 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2024
This was a delightful and drama filled first installment which is certain to be a great cozy mystery series. I loved the descriptions of the B&B, from the pool to the décor and the cute café. Okay maybe not the murder, but the DRAMA surrounding it was so interesting. It's no surprise that a famous person can bring a lot of baggage, but it is a surprise when that baggage happens to explode at the B&B's grand opening. I really enjoyed Jesse because she is not a sweet, overly optimistic MC/sleuth, but rather a sassy and snarky and still very lovably flawed person. The same goes with most of her family and friends and I honestly enjoyed that. I was SHOCKED by the ending and had a great time reading this book.
Profile Image for Beyond the Pages with Eva K.
3,070 reviews167 followers
February 26, 2024
Quick Summary: A #cozy mystery

My Review: Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh is book #1 in the new Hudson Valley B and B Mysteries series.

About the Book: A grand opening event is set to take place at The Pearl B & B. Everything is going well until a body is discovered. A hometown boy who has a spotty reputation with the locals is the primary suspect. When a second body turns up and other secrets are revealed, it’s anybody’s guess who committed the murders.

About the Narration: Traci Odom gets a thumbs up from this listener. I was glued to my seat. (Thanks for making it so entertaining.)

My Final Say: What a fabulous start to a new mystery series. It reminds me of a modern day version of a BBC show that I watch. I loved it - amateur lady detective for the win! I’m all set to read book two.

This story had characters galore. The unique ties to the victim were interesting and provided just the right amount of texture to the story. More was really going on behind the scenes than I originally thought. I didn’t want to miss a minute of it. Also, I loved the rivalry and tension between the main suspect and the lead detective.

Other: Although this mystery came off like a NA to post NA read (due to the numerous mentions of hashtag and pop culture references, as well as due to some of the actions and attitudes displayed by the characters), it still landed well. It’s cute and contemporary, which has its own appeal. Readers who want a fresh energy with their cozy will like this one.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 🔍🕵️‍♀️
Narration: 👍
Audiobook: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for allowing access to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this work. I look forward to acquainting myself with additional books in this series.
Profile Image for Findapassion1114.
207 reviews31 followers
September 25, 2023
Rosé all day 🍾

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions , @sydneyleigh , @crookedlanebooks for the gifted copy.

This was such a fun, cozy, murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. It's also her debut novel, which I found hard to believe, the writing was great! I loved all the dialog, which made this very fast-paced. I'm so glad I picked this one up on @netgalley. It's been labeled as Schitt's Creek meets Only Murders In The Building, and it definitely didn't disappoint.
[I love both those shows, so I definitely had to grab this one]

It has everything you could think of for a great book:

• small-town 🏡
• little bit of romance 💞
• murder 🔪🩸
• whodunit 🔍
• twists after twist 🪢
• Rosé Rosé Rosé 🍾
Oh....and everything is PINK lol
🩷🩷🩷🩷

I highly recommend this one!

𝗣𝗨𝗕 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘:
March 19, 2024

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QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever stayed in a bed & breakfast? Did it have a theme?

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#thrillerbooks #thrillerreader #thrillerlover #thrillerobsessed #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram #bookaholic #booklover #bookstagrammer #booklove #bookcommunity #bookobsessed #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookishfeatures #tbr #tbrpile #bookbuzz #mysteryandthrills #BookstaBFF23 #thrillerbooklovers #perilinpink #sydneyleigh #murdermystery #cozymystery
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Profile Image for Sanda.
422 reviews110 followers
December 14, 2023
Who hasn't daydreamed about opening up a pink themed B&B with their best friend and then playing amateur sleuths trying to solve a murder? Just me eh? Peril in Pink takes this premise, inserts some high school reunion style drama and lots of rosé. (some rosé definitely got sipped while reading this fun new cozy mystery debut!)

Jess and her bestie are going all out to make the opening weekend of their brand new B&B, a success. Jess went as far as inviting her high school ex, now a successful singing show winner, Lars to perform. When his step-dad/manager with a colourful past turns up dead, Jess is forced to put her sleuthing hat on and try to figure out what actually happen. If the detective in charge of the actual police investigation also happens to be easy on the eyes, so be it....

Grab this one if you're a fan of:
- small town cozy mysteries
- 'besties investigate' vibes
- a dash of romance/attraction on the side
- unresolved high school drama
- quick, fun reads

And beware, you might end up wanting to Rosé all day too! A big thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review & ThrillerBookLoversPromotions for including me in this tourl!
Profile Image for Sofia Samu.
335 reviews26 followers
January 21, 2024
1.5/5

I managed to finish this book, and I think that's an achievement!

Peril in Pink is a cozy mystery set during the opening of the Pearl Breakfast-and-Bed. The owner, Jess, has everything ready to welcome her first guests; even a reality singing star, who is also her ex-boyfriend, is here to perform. With him comes his stepdad-manager, who ends up dead later. Jess needs to help the police and solve the mystery of this death to save the reputation of her business.

Although I haven't read many cozy mysteries, I picked up this book because the premise sounded interesting. I have to mention some of the aspects that hindered my enjoyment:

- For a book where barely anything happens, it is for sure over-written. Nonsensical conversations, unfunny jokes, hashtags everywhere, and cringy pop-culture references, are just some of the stuff that clog up the narration and plot. For example, from the moment our characters decide to watch the footage from the security cameras, it takes them MULTIPLE chapters to do it!
- All the characters feel as real as cardboard cutouts do.
- The reveal was meh.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shannon.
8,413 reviews428 followers
March 7, 2024
This was an okay debut cozy mystery by a new Canadian author set in a new boutique B&B. I found it a tad over dramatic for my personal tastes. Fans of cozy mysteries with quirky characters and a slew of suspects plus a cute dog sidekick are sure to enjoy this more than I did. Gook on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,873 reviews327 followers
April 14, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts

The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley is having its grand opening and Jess Byrne, her partner, and best friend Kat Miller, along with Jess's brother Nate want it to be a huge success. They have booked reality singing sensation and Jess's ex-boyfriend Lars Armstrong to perform. The guests arrive to check-in and Jess encourages everyone to take pictures and share their opening weekend experience all over social media. #bestplaceever #girlsweekend #thiscallsforwine #Roséallday

Lars arrived with his stepfather/manager, Bob, and Jess knows they have a very strained relationship. Later when Bob is found dead and Lars leads the list of suspects Jess doesn't know what to think. Lars proclaims his innocence and begs Jess to help him. She is worried about how the murder is going to affect her B&B. She wants the killer caught as soon as possible and before her guests, one of whom could be a murderer, checks out, so she agrees to help him.  She never imagined she would find him at the scene of another murder.

A killer is on the loose, guests aren't happy, and The Pearl is getting the worst publicity ever. #murder #killer #don'tstayhere Jess asks Kat for help as they try to save the B&B, catch the killer, and hopefully clear Lars' name too.

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Jess and Kat take on a huge project turning Jess’s grandmother’s run-down former boarding house into a fun B&B aimed at 20 - 30-year-olds like themselves. With them handling the basic running of the place, Jess's brother running the bar, his wife Sarah doing yoga sessions, her Aunt Marnie working wherever she is needed, and her mother dropping by randomly to throw in her 2 cents, The Pearl B&B is a real family affair. All the characters are well-developed for the first book in the series. Their interactions and dialogues are true to real life.

The Pearl is an amazing B&B. The "behemoth" Queen Anne is set on a large piece of land and has ten guest rooms each with a bottle of sparkling Rosé in the mini-fridge, "a big pool, sprawling deck, and an adjacent garage turned bar" the Cool Vibes Café, all with a soft-blush aesthetic. It's a superb place for a cozy mystery series.

The victim was not a nice man and had caused a lot of trouble. The more we found out about his past more suspects were brought to light. Kat and Jess are obsessed with true crime. "Murderinos" who love the My Favorite Murder podcast. So of course they are primed to be expert amateur sleuths.  Detective Holloway wants them to butt out and leave the case to him. The girls learned about some surprising relationships and a second murder twisted everything up. Jess ran herself ragged trying to do everything to be sure her guests were taken care of while trying to solve the case. It was her dog Duke though that gave Jess her A-Ha moment and set the reveal in motion.

Peril in Pink has set this series off to a fine start. A fresh voice that will draw a new generation to cozy mysteries while entertaining current fans of the genre.  #funny #sparklingrosé #murder #mystery #Insta-worthy #hudsonvalley I am looking forward to the continuation of the delightful new series.
Profile Image for red.
139 reviews61 followers
November 19, 2023
Peril in pink is a cozy small town murder mystery and a real page turner with a cute pink barbie aesthetic. c'mon just tell me what's there to not like? Out of the two people that died one was a lying stealing creepo and other was a homicidal board certified asshole so i truly didn't care about these victims anyway. in fact i might've rejoiced a little along with the townspeople. I mean this Pearl B&B in Fletcher lake in New York was giving dragonfly Inn in Stars hollow in Connecticut and i was living for the nostalgia of it all. You even have Jess and Kat just like Lorelai and Sookie albeit a bit boring. tbh Kat seemed more interesting than Jess. Although I will admit, Lars was way too annoying that what I'd expect of a man in his late twenties who is also a celeb. But Whatever. As if I'm the one to talk about annoying high school first loves lol. Also I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who felt the sparks fly between the ex-lovers, guess the sparks didn't land at the right place because instead we're going on a date with this detective who pretty much did nothing besides the interrogation??? thank god he's pretty. That reminds Duke, the little baby, the sweet dog solved more of the case single-handedly than all these characters did combined. The ending wasn't something I didn't see coming because I found them shady from the very beginning but given its a cozy mystery thats understandable.

(Can you believe this is second time I'm writing this review and it's just so damn annoying because Netgalley couldn't just save it the first time around and now i don't even have my footnotes like wtf man!)

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND SYDNEY LEIGH FOR THE E-ARC.
Profile Image for bean.
478 reviews1,939 followers
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February 25, 2024
This gave "Only Murders in the Building" minus the podcast, Martin Short, and Steven Martin.

"Peril in Pink" is a fun & cozy murder-mystery, set at the grand opening of "The Pearl B&D" in Hudson Valley. Jess has turned the B&B into an Instagram Influencers dream & even enlisted the help of her now-famous-musician ex-boyfriend of hers, Lars, to preform at the opening. Everything was going great until Lar's step-father and manager, Bob, is found dead and Lars is the prime suspect. The story really picks up as Jess tries to solve the murder & uncover the secrets of everyone at the B&B. I was suspicious of literally everyone because, there wasn't a single character who DIDN'T have a motive to kill Bob, even people NOT EVEN AT THE B&B. The only person I was confident wasn't behind it, was the literal prime suspect.

I was hooked to the story pretty early on & was engaged the entire time. I loved Jess's obsession with the "My Favorite Murder" podcast & thought it tied into the story really well.

& I would like to stay at this B&B, k thanks.
Profile Image for Bbecca_marie.
1,570 reviews54 followers
March 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh

Thank you so much Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for my advanced copies and the chance to review it honestly.

It’s the grand opening for Jess’ B&B and she’s ready for an Instagram-worth welcome. Her ex, Lars is a reality singing sensation and is all set to perform. He arrives to the B&B with his stepdad turned manager. But things take a turn when his stepdad is found dead.

I had so much fun reading and listening to this book. I love when I can read a book and switch to the audiobook when I need to do things around the house or run errands. If you like cozy mysteries, this is a fast one for you. Everyone is a suspect, it’s twisty, and it’s cozy. The pop culture references and banter were a nice touch and made this story enjoyable! I ended up finishing it as an audiobook and I really liked the narrator. This is the first installment in the Hudson Valley Mysteries and I’m looking forward to book two. Peril in Pink is out Merch 19, 2024!

Happy reading
Profile Image for Lea Day.
231 reviews9 followers
November 6, 2023
This is a good first book by the author.

It is about Innkeeper Jess trying to have a Grand Opening for her B&B Inn that she is starting with her best friend, brother and sister in law.

An ex boyfriend Lars volunteers to be the entertainment for her opening which sounds great on paper. He’s a cute famous singer coming back to their hometown to help a friend out..or is it to help himself??

Lars is found under suspicious circumstances with two dead bodies and he convinces Jess to help proof his innocence for old times sake.

Last but not least we have a cute detective who so happens to have s grudge against Lars that goes back to their High School days.

It was a well plotted who done it. I felt my age when reading some of the sayings in this book lol.
‘WITWWVBD’ this means what in the world would Victoria Beckham Do. Who knew that was a thing lol. I think the book would have been without these type of cliches.

All and all a good quick read. Hopefully there will be a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

#PerilinPink #NetGalley#Cozyread
Profile Image for Ashley | AshleyTReads.
447 reviews49 followers
March 13, 2024
Jess has opened a new B&B in her hometown and during her grand opening there is a murder. Being in her hometown, we get to see all the old high school cliques, like who were the mean girls, who Jess’ old boyfriend was, how everyone is doing now that they’re older… and then we also have a murder to solve!

This was a fun cozy mystery! I normally don’t read cozy mysteries, but I am so glad that I requested this one! Former high school drama plus a murder mystery was too much fun.

The narrator for this audiobook is Traci Odom. Her voice is very mature and I could not tell how old our MC was supposed to be until roughly the 60% mark & then she said she was 28. I thought she was supposed to be middle-aged or a little older, so the high school stuff was throwing me for a loop at first.

Read this book if you like:
🗝️ whodunnit
👮‍♀️ swoon-worthy detective
😱 drama! From boyfriends to best friends
💞 a small, budding romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for ‎‧₊˚✧ liz ✧˚₊‧‎.
14 reviews2 followers
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October 26, 2023
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The opening of Jess Byrne and Kat Miller’s B&B is going great, but that all changes when a body is found the next morning.

“Peril in Pink” by Sydney Leigh is a cozy debut mystery that I enjoyed reading.
The storyline was good, I loved reading about Jess talking to/interrogating the suspects and trying to solve who did it. I really enjoyed there being multiple suspects, it kept me guessing throughout the whole book. I liked most of the characters, such as Jess and Kat, and there are also characters I would have liked to see more of, like James Holloway.
I definitely recommend this small-town, cozy mystery, which comes out March 19, 2024!
Profile Image for Megyn.
468 reviews13 followers
March 4, 2024
Jess and her best friend Kit join together to open a B & B in their hometown. On opening weekend, Jess’s famous ex boyfriend comes to preform. When things go wrong and someone ends up dead, Jess and Kit team up figure out the killer and hopefully keep their B & B customers happy.

This book was just ok for me. I liked the setup and the characters. However, I did have a hard time connecting with the characters. I feel like a lot of the dialogue was cringey and a bit weird. The mystery ties up nicely and there were some decent twists throughout. The little bit of romance was cute as well.

I feel like this one had such a slow pace. I feel like I read all day and was barely making progress. There was a lot of repetition and it took the characters forever to actually do anything.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review.
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