The Only Way is Murder

Chloe Essex #1

by Lou Collins

Where fake tans and fake smiles abound, a dancing queen must tango with deception to unmask a murderer before the last curtain call.As the clock ticks down to her 50th birthday, Chloe Essex prepares to unveil her exciting new business venture in the quaint village of Speckled Hill. But her perfect celebration turns into a nightmare when she discovers her best friend dead in the marquee just hours before the event.

Accused of murder, Chloe must navigate suspicious business dealings, cat fights and tangled love affairs to clear her name and salvage her reputation.

With secrets buried deep beneath a sea of Botox, Chloe must unmask the murderer before they bring the final curtain down on her life.

Join Chloe in The Only Way is Murder, a humorous British contemporary cozy mystery where Miss-Marple-meets-Barbie. But be warned, when laughter, intrigue and murder combine, survival depends on unlimited supplies of fake tan and a vat of builders’ tea.Chloe Essex Cozy Mysteries, by author Lou Collins, is a funny, clean, small-town, female amateur sleuth series. While each mystery is a standalone, the series is best read in order to avoid spoilers!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Amazon, Amateur Sleuth

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2024

About the author

Click the FOLLOW button to be notified when Lou Collins has a new release.

For a FREE cozy from Lou Collins: https//loulovesbooks.com/larceny.

Welcome to the part where I talk about myself as if I didn’t write this. Let’s pretend it’s not awkward and carry on.

Lou Emerson writes as Lou Collins because she likes to be mysterious, a little extra, and frankly, using a pen name creates an excellent alibi.

She writes the Chloe Essex Cozy Mysteries; twisty, funny, and ever so slightly bonkers whodunnits set in Essex, England.

When not chained to her laptop, she also enjoys ballet, theatre, and true crime (watching, not committing, though don’t quote me), and is leading a quiet rebellion against ironing in favour of just one more chapter. She lives in the UK with her family, far too many mugs, and an enormous TBR pile.

Learn more at https://loulovesbooks.com and follow Lou on BookBub for the latest on new releases and sales: https://loulovesbooks.com/BookBub

Reviews

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Only Way is Murder: A Humorous British Contemporary Cozy Mystery" by Lou Collins is what I imagine cozy mystery mixed with a British version of the Real Housewives would be like. All these who's who of a British Village throwing down over who is with whose husband, who did what to who all while Chloe is having her big business launch/50th birthday party dissolving into utter chaos. At least now she's starting out her 50's like most people start out their 30's. A new business venture and a baby.

The mystery starts with Chloe's bff and event helper being found dead. Then just goes all over the place unraveling everyone's little secrets. By the end of it I'm a bit surprised Chloe was able to keep going and have her party too. I was also surprised a bit by the reveal of the culprit.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Only Way is Murder is a delightfully funny murder mystery. Infrequent notes from the author\narrator add to the fun. Chole, a former dancer, has to solve the murder of her best friend during one of the biggest weeks of her life. And nothing makes sense from the murder, to the phony money and the village gossip. Added to that her best friend was hiding his own secrets. Chole's internal dialogue is very amusing and makes the story full of laugh out loud moments. The supporting cast is hilarious. Mrs B is a mystery in herself. Trace and her surprise baby. These are just two of the supporting cast and they are sure to have more surprises in books to come. The promise of more fun with them is very apparent. The list of slang terms at the back comes in handy for some of the conversations in the book and is very handy. I am really enjoying all of the characters and found The Only Way is Murder a delightful way to spend and evening.

[Lisa Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite possibly the most fun cozy mystery I have ever read! 😍😂 Chloe Essex is a cross between Agatha Raisin and a dancer in A Chorus Line. I literally laughed out loud at all of the chaotic hi jinx. And the people in the town of Speckled Hill? I mean if this was reality tv, I would pop the popcorn and settle in for a night of binge watching! But most importantly, on top of all that, it was a really well written, juicy mystery that I just couldn’t put down. The addition of a witty narrator (think gossip girl) just put this book over the top! I can’t wait to read the next one, I’m now a fan! 5 ⭐️ obviously.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely you can't put it down !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fantastic mystery! Once I started I was riveted to it! Chloe is a vibrant character who's witty and focused in this new stage of her life. She's got some major decisions and challenges. There's a mysterious narrator that appears frequently in the book almost challenging the reader to figure out who they are ......maybe we'll know in the next in the series! The mystery is nearly impossible to figure out with the multiple scenarios that are presented as conceivable. Brilliant narrative by the author. And the ending ......awesome! Highly recommend any of Lou Collins' books!

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @loulovesb00ks for the opportunity to read the arc of your book. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thoughts:
The Only Way is Murder is a a cozy small town humorous read that had me giggling out loud many times.
With the mysterious murder of Chloe’s best friend, she has many secrets to figure out as she is accused of the murder.
Can she figure things out in time?
A very entertaining read with so much going on within the story. You certainly will not get bored reading The Only Way is Murder!
This is the first book I have read in the Chloe Essex Cozy Mystery series. Though I had no problem reading this as a standalone, I do hope to read the rest of the books in the series. I think it will give me more insight into main character, Chloe.
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme

[ThrillerSeeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Only Way is Murder is a cozy murder mystery with a stream of wit courtesy of the hilarious quips from the narrator.  Chloe is arranging a party for her fiftieth birthday / business launch when her best friend is murdered, and she is left solving the case. With an excellent cast of characters, this makes for an entertaining read, which I highly recommend.

[Leslie Ferrari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this first in the series again to prepare for the next. A retired dancer returns home to care for her father, who has dementia. Unfortunately, he lost the family fortune before his dementia was discovered. So now Chloe is looking to turn the estate into an upscale shopping area. Unfortunately, a couple deaths are impeding on her gala to launch the business.

[Alison Hoeksema · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Chloe Essex plans an event to showcase her site for potential local businesses, and her 50th, she has no idea what is coming her way! This story is funny, with a range of suspects to investigate, and well-written, with an unexpected outcome. A great read!
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is given voluntarily.

[theweebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Chloe organises a party to celebrate her new business venture and 50th birthday, she doesn’t forsee the mayhem that's about to unfold.

Her best friend Franco is murdered and she is the main suspect, so she sets out to find the killer. Unfortunately, this uncovers a myriad of secrets residents in the village are keeping. People she thought she knew well are now under suspicion.

It took me a bit of time to warm to Chloe and there were other characters I was unsure of. Overall though, I felt there was a great range of quirky characters. When trying to work out the killer, there was certainly plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.

The author has written a great cosy murder mystery filled with humour, some that gave some great laugh out loud moments.

[Tara Petersen Naccarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Only Way is Murder by Lou Collins is a hilarious, cozy mystery. One disaster after another befalls Chloe while she's trying to launch a business to save the family estate. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, something else happens. I love the group of ladies how they rally around Chloe to help solve the murder. The supporting cast being this story to life. I'm excited to see what happens in the next book in the series.

[elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

stick with this!!

Really enjoyed this book; there was so much going in initially that it was hard to keep track- but stick with it! So worth it!

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Only Way Is Murder By Lou Collins
Publication Date: July 20, 2024
Publisher: Boldface Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

I just read this cozy mystery, cover to cover, in one sitting. And I absolutely LOVED it!!

When the author reached out to me personally, shared the book's synopsis, and asked if I'd be willing to be a part of her team to read an advanced copy and share my thoughts, it was a resounding yes. She told me this was a contemporary cozy mystery that feels like Barbie meets Miss Marple... And that description is absolutely perfect!

This is the first book in the cozy mystery series with our female MC Chloe Essex, set in the English countryside village of Speckled Hill. Thankfully, there are more books coming, because I did not want to stop reading about Chloe and all of Speckled Hill's other residents!

The writing created such intrigue as the story unfolded, and I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud as I read. The characters are so enjoyable and Chloe is so lovably fun! One of the features I loved the most was the little interjections of the narrator throughout the book. It really added to the coziness of the mystery and created a feeling of nostalgia, as if I was watching an old episode of Murder She Wrote. This was a classic whodunnit mystery, with humor reminiscent of Bridget Jones and a cozy writing style.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, be sure to read this one as soon as it's released on July 20th!! If you've never read a cozy mystery, I think you'll enjoy this one as your gateway book into this genre. A huge thank you to Lou Collins and Boldface Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! Don't miss out on reading this book!

#TheOnlyWayIsMurder #LouCollins #ARCs #advancedreadercopy #streetteam #cozymysteries #mysteries #booklover #bookaddict #bookcommunity #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookreviews

[Heather Belleguelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to win a signed paperback copy of this book in an author giveaway on Facebook, and when I say “fortunate”, I mean “fortunate”. The story was a joy to read from start to finish.

I’ve never watched The Only Way is Essex, but I know enough about it to be able to appreciate the cleverness of the author’s setting, characters, and word use as she makes it a basis for this book and the subsequent ones in the series. Our sleuth is named Chloe Essex, for example, and that’s just the beginning of it.

Although the book follows the usual cozy mystery formula of an amateur sleuth in a small setting solving a murder with the help of an eclectic group of sidekicks, this novel is set apart by its wonderful comedy. The characters are all, well, “characters”, from the delightful Ray at the beauty salon to nosy neighbour and covert martial arts expert Mrs Buttinski. As the story advances, if something can go wrong, it will go wrong in comic fashion for poor Chloe as she tries to pull off a stunning launch for her new business venture. It doesn’t help that the murder victim is her best friend Franco, who is/was also the event organiser, so the only way is downhill from there.

Although there is a lot of humour and situation comedy, as I’ve mentioned, there’s also a more serious thread running through the story with Chloe’s dad suffering from Lewy body dementia. The author’s own father-in-law was affected by this condition, and the loving and sensitive way that both she and Chloe deal with it is a wonderful way to honour his memory and to raise awareness of the condition.

In conclusion, I would say that the mystery is well put together and kept me reading until the last page. And just so you know, there’s enough bling, fake tans, and designer gear to keep even the lovely GC happy as well. What more could you want from a book? Thank you, Lou Collins. The rest of the series is now firmly on my wish list.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speckled Hill may look like your typical quaint English village, but don’t be fooled—beneath the charming exterior lies secrets, schemes, and laugh-out-loud moments. In The Only Way is Murder, Lou Collins introduces us to Chloe Essex, a woman whose 50th birthday bash goes spectacularly off the rails when her best friend Franco is found dead before her party. If that’s not enough, Chloe quickly finds herself as the prime suspect.

As the first book in the series, it took me a little time to find my footing among the large, colorful cast of characters, but once I did, the story zips along with plenty of twists, surprises, and snarky humor. Chloe isn’t instantly likable—she’s ambitious, a little stubborn, and more than a little invested in her big plans for the family estate—but she’s relatable. Who hasn’t clung to a dream even as the chaos around it spirals out of control?

The mystery itself kept me guessing until the very end. With so many quirky, suspicious characters (and even more tangled relationships), every chapter revealed something new to puzzle over. And while the whodunit is solid, it’s the humor and physical comedy that really shine. Chloe’s misadventures had me laughing out loud more than once—sometimes at her quick wit and sometimes at the ridiculous situations she finds herself in.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a modern edge, plenty of humor, and a protagonist who feels real and relatable, The Only Way is Murder is a fantastic start to this new series. It’s clever, funny, and full of intrigue—and I’m already curious to see where Chloe’s next misadventure takes her.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiffing read indeed ! Bravo ! A very good storytelling by Lou Collins .Chloe Essex is on a countdown to her 50th birthday celebrations but it turns out to be a countdown to her friend’s murder ! And she stands accused! If it’s laughter you’re after you’ve found the right party so full of fun and it’s hale and hearty. It’s a birthday bash like no other you see , but let’s not be rash , as the quaint village of Speckled Hill is the setting for this hilarious cosy mystery . A spoof that is ever so funny and perfectly portrayed. With a vat of builder’s tea on hand and the occasional clue played, that’ll give you a chill. With Botox and fake tan in plenty supply , Chloe Essex survival depends on her cunning and her Barbie meets Marple mystery solving prowess sure fits the bill. Brilliant 🤩 Great work, awesome characters with awesome traits and descriptions are awesome and punchlines never late. A good flowing hilarious story and written very well. I’m leaving my review voluntarily in my own thoughts.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually defies my "shelves" - except maybe amusing. It's a whodunit that starts with a murder, in which the narrator pops in now and then, like in good, old fashioned radio mysteries (or maybe I'm just old!) The characters in the village of Speckled Hill are larger than life, with names to match. I love Ms Buttinski for example. Chloe, the centre of the story is trying to keep her family's estate above debt and ruin while caring for her dad, who needs a full time dementia nurse and a mother who's swaning around the Riviera somewhere saying yes to a marriage proposal from a Latin lover who, no doubt, has no more idea of the state of the family finances than she has. Or that she has a husband incapable of signing divorce papers. Here the narrator would say "Hasn't poor Chloe got enough troubles" ? But no - there's lots more. The party from hell where revelations come from the most unexpected sources for example!
This is a great read to rest your brain and make you laugh. I've already downloaded the next book to see what's in store next!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately I have been drowning in my TBR & trying desperately to catch up on reviews, so I have been reluctant to take on new books, but I couldn’t pass up on this new cozy mystery series that’s described as “Miss Marple meets Barbie…survival depends on unlimited supplies of fake tan & a vat of builders’ tea.” It sounded hilarious & I’m glad I didn’t resist.

The main character, Chloe, is witty and vibrant & turning 50 definitely isn’t slowing her down, although the murder of her best friend may put a damper on things. This was like a comedy sketch murder show, with a ton of small village gossip to go around. It was highly entertaining & one of the few cozy mysteries I’ve read in a long time that made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed it so much I forgot focus on the clues to try & figure out the killer for myself.

This is the first book in a new series and I already can’t wait for the next one.

* Thanks to the author for a free ebook ARC for review purposes

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me entertained. The characters were amusing. It reminded me of a soap opera mixed with a reality show. I was hesitant of Tracy at first but she does add a little something to the story. She is not like the others in Chloe’s life.
 
There were a lot of funny moments. There was also plenty of drama too. It was one thing after another when it got closer to the end. It kept me guessing because I had so many questions every time something happened. I had no idea who the killer was. I kept thinking it was one person and then the reveal totally blew me out of the water. I liked that Chloe found an ally in someone I was not expecting. The ending left me wanting to know more.
 
Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for my review.

[Helen Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun contemporary cozy mystery that will have you laughing out loud.

Think Stephanie Plum mets Bridget Jones in Midsomer!

Chloe Essex is launching a venture, one that will determine the fate of her childhood home and her own sanity, so when a murder threatens to derail her plans, and, on top of that, she is a prime suspect, what else can a girl do but turn amateur sleuth to save her name and reputation? Full of quirky characters and mad moments The Only Way is Murder is a hilarious romp seen through the eyes of a lovable, if slightly chaotic, Chloe who is deperately trying to keep all her the plates in her life spinning.

Well-written and with plenty of twists and turns, this book is a funny, engaging easy read that I devoured in one sitting.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's a newly-retired ballet dancer. She's caring for her father, who has dementia, and trying to save their family estate in England. To save their home, she's had her boyfriend and his crew build a new complex of ships, intended to host upscale craft and specialty shops, near the manor. For her grand opening, she rents a marquee (a fancy tent, apparently) and arranges to hold a very upscale party there, except...things begin to go wrong, from murder to counterfeit money, to the wrong beverages being delivered. It's an epic story that I enjoyed reading very much. I hope there are more books coming. Highly recommended!

[Lou Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first cozy mystery, The Only Way is Murder, is finally here!

Set in the charming corners of Essex, England, where I've lived all my life, this series is my love letter to British wit and rural nostalgia. Imagine a delightful mashup of Monty Python's absurdity, the charm of English village life, and a puzzle that keeps you guessing.

I aim to make you laugh, challenge your sleuthing skills, and provide a cozy escape with characters who become friends. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

[Sherri Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and fascinating mystery! I enjoyed all the twists and turns of the mystery and how well the characters were described. I didn’t like that Chloe somehow lets everyone run over her! That made it hard for me to empathize with her, otherwise I would have given the book 5 stars. After reading a free advance copy these are my opinions.

[Jon Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent enough but..

too many cliched characters.
It follows the lines of the majority of "cozy" mysteries .
Lovelorn woman thrown into situation not of her making discovers dead body and becomes a suspect.
As usual, she is drawn to the attractive police officer, although this thread was not pursued in the story.
Having said all this, I will read the second book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable, this story is definitely a binge read. A 50th birthday celebration for Chloe, a murder wasn’t part of it. How will this end, will the crime be solved quickly. Light reading, great for everyone. Will definitely brighten your day.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MC, Chloe, is someone that one of Murphy's laws is perfect for--"If you think that things are going well, you obviously don't know what is going on." The story is so much fun with lots of play on words. I found myself laughing throughout the book. Good mystery. Recommend reading.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. I loved how we were dropped right into the mystery and town. I never saw the end coming.

[Karen L. Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with its interesting characters and hard to solve murder. Chloe gets a surprise at the end of the book. I was an ARC reader and this is my honest opion.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Franco and why??? and now Chloe has a baby to take care of??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Funny, tight mystery. Looking forward to reading the entire series.