The Toast of New Year's Eve

Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery #8

by Virginia K. Bennett

When the town librarian is an avid mystery and true-crime reader, the local law enforcement must need a book-smart assistant like her, right?

Librarian Rebecca Ramsey is hosting a New Year’s at Noon party for the children of the Newfound region this year. Much like the adults who will be celebrating twelve hours later, they enjoy dancing, snacks and drinks while anticipating the countdown. Thinking she can pull off the equivalent of an all-nighter, Rebecca attends an Elegant Eighties New Year’s Eve Party at The Glacial Inn with her police-chief boyfriend later the same night. Listening to good music and eating good food are on their collective to-do list.

When the clock strikes midnight, and the ball drops, so does the body of one partygoer. The recently divorced woman celebrating her newly single status goes from dancing by herself to a pair of angel eyes.

Can the power of love help Rebecca and Chief Towne solve the mystery of the deceased divorcee, or will they always wish they could turn back time?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Novella, Mystery

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2023

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 8 of 15

I picked this series because it is located in New Hampshire where we lived for a number of years.

Rebecca and Kenny are celebrating New Year's Eve at a local restaurant when a murder occurs. With Rebecca's help Kenny is able to make an arrest and a happy ending 😀.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca and Kenny’s New Year’s kiss gets interrupted by a murder. I love that each book in the series is a quick and fun read. I loved the 80’s themed New Year’s Eve party. It made the story so much fun. I was hearing 80’s music in my head while reading this. I like the way the last chapter of each book wraps up the murder as if I were watching a murder mystery show. A fun read with mystery and a little romance. I am so invested in Rebecca and Chief Towne.

[Karen Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descriptions of the costumes are hilarious, whether you lived through the 80s or know the style from movies, from the big hair and sequins to the popular 80s music. My usual preference is for a full length novel, while this is a novella, but I really enjoyed this fast read. This is my first Newfound Lake mystery and I’m definitely grabbing the rest so I can enjoy more of this charming town’s characters. Kenny and Rebecca are the perfect couple. I only wish the author had included more of the history of the town and the area. Part of the enjoyment is reading about the setting, and this seems like a good one.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Toast of New Year's Eve (A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery #8)" by Virginia K. Bennett is a great, quick, New Year's Eve cozy mystery. If you're familiar with the other books of the series, it follows a similar route to the previous books. This includes some familiar characters.

The mystery didn't give any one particular person away. However, it did wrap up well and was a very cozy ending. I like that these don't end with any super close calls for anyone. It may be close in some of the books, but help is always on its way or ready already to step in.

Great read for while you wait for a New Year's Eve party to start. Or, just to fill your New Year's Eve, if you're like me and rather be at home with a good book.

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Toast of New Year's Eve," the eighth installment of the "A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery" series, we find our protagonist, librarian Rebecca Ramsey, juggling multiple celebrations and a murder investigation in one eventful day. Rebecca begins by hosting a delightful New Year’s at Noon party for the children of the Newfound region. With cheerful dancing, snacks, and drinks, the young partygoers experience a countdown just like their adult counterparts. However, Rebecca's day doesn't end there. Later that evening, she attends an Elegant Eighties New Year’s Eve Party at The Glacial Inn with her boyfriend, Police Chief Kenny Towne. Their night is filled with good music and delectable food, promising a perfect celebration until a shocking event unfolds.
As the clock strikes midnight and the ball drops, the festive atmosphere is shattered by the sudden death of a newly finalized divorcee who was attending the party. This unexpected turn of events transforms the joyous occasion into a crime scene, with Rebecca and Kenny finding themselves at the center of the investigation. Though the police typically handle such cases with support from the community, the dynamic duo of Rebecca and Kenny step up to solve the mystery, showcasing Rebecca's cleverness and determination as an amateur sleuth. Their challenge is compounded by a local newspaper reporter’s scrutiny, urging them to solve the case before an unflattering article has the opportunity to go to print.
One particularly delightful aspect of "The Toast of New Year’s Eve" is its nostalgic charm. The story is peppered with references to the Electric Slide and iconic entertainers from the eighties, which add a layer of whimsy and familiarity for readers who cherish those memories. The narrative is rich with suspense, featuring a plethora of suspects and red herrings that keep readers on their toes. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and motivations, adding depth to the unfolding mystery. This installment's unique developments and intriguing plot twists set it apart from others in the series, offering readers a fresh and engaging experience, just as the rest of the series has done so far.
This cozy mystery is a delightful addition to the "A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery" series, leaving fans eager for the next book, "Now You Sesame, Now You Don’t." With its blend of romance, humor, and suspense, "The Toast of New Year’s Eve" provides a captivating reading experience that stands out in the cozy mystery genre. The book’s combination of relatable characters, nostalgic elements, and a intriguing storyline ensures that it will be a favorite among mystery enthusiasts and fans of the series alike.

[beccalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5⭐️ honestly it wasn’t my cup of tea. maybe because it was more of a mystery than a thriller and the killer wasn’t shocking or unexpected. i also don’t think this book is meant for 20 year olds, respectively it gives the vibe of something an older lady would like. it was cozy i’ll give the author that, but it wasn’t for me and that’s fine, who knows maybe you’ll like it but for me it was meh.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read in the series

Rebecca and Kenny have plans for a romantic New Year’s Eve date. They have reserved seats at the Inn for dinner and the dance afterwards. They are having a great time up to the romantic kiss as the ball dropped. Just then one of the guests falls to the floor bleeding. When she turns out to be dead from a gunshot wound the chief dives into the investigation with help from Rebecca. The investigation moves quickly with a surprise ending.

[marita lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a series that is short - like novellas. Each series takes place around different seasons and are a good fast read, that will leave you satisfied when you need a short binge.

Rebecca is very likeable and the Chief of Police, the girls and his ex wife all strive to have a good relationship in a blended family.

[Patricia Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Toast of New Years Eve

I read this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down. This was a great book and the ending was so nice. Definitely one of my favorite books of Virginia K Bennett!!!

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Newfound Lake series by Virginia Bennett. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Shelly Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palate Cleanser

Quick fun reads. Thought I had this one figured out, but once again, there was a surprise twist at the end nd.