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Venus Bixby #1
A Whale of a Murder
Sea breezes and fireworks fill the air in cozy Chatham Crossing, the peaceful and historic whaling town situated between Providence and Cape Cod.
Venus Bixby, owner of the forever popular music store Oldies & Goodies, is counting on the festivities over the Fourth of July weekend to propel her to a position on the prestigious Town Committee.
After years of living in the shadow of her late husband, Venus will finally be the center of attention this holiday weekend: starting with her fiftieth birthday celebration and ending as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
Faster than a cookie crumbles, her dream collapses on the morning of her party when she trips over orange platform shoes in the gardens of the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum and breaks her thumb. When it’s discovered the shoes are attached to the body of the manager of the museum’s gift shop, Venus becomes both a suspect and a sleuth in Chatham Crossing’s first murder in decades.
Given this unexpected turn of events, will Venus ever sing and dance at her birthday party, or will her fractured thumb end up in handcuffs?
Includes cookie recipes and playlist!
Venus Bixby, owner of the forever popular music store Oldies & Goodies, is counting on the festivities over the Fourth of July weekend to propel her to a position on the prestigious Town Committee.
After years of living in the shadow of her late husband, Venus will finally be the center of attention this holiday weekend: starting with her fiftieth birthday celebration and ending as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
Faster than a cookie crumbles, her dream collapses on the morning of her party when she trips over orange platform shoes in the gardens of the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum and breaks her thumb. When it’s discovered the shoes are attached to the body of the manager of the museum’s gift shop, Venus becomes both a suspect and a sleuth in Chatham Crossing’s first murder in decades.
Given this unexpected turn of events, will Venus ever sing and dance at her birthday party, or will her fractured thumb end up in handcuffs?
Includes cookie recipes and playlist!
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
232 people are currently reading
3412 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Taylor
5 books346 followersValerie Taylor lives in Connecticut and considers herself a typical "average Jane." She might remind you of the reclusive neighbor who fancies herself a novelist. Unlike many of her peers whom she admires, she does NOT have a degree in literature. But she is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: What's Not SAID, What's Not TRUE, What's Not LOST. The roots of those three novels, as well as the first two books in the Venus Bixby Mystery series—A WHALE OF A MURDER and SWITCHED AT DEATH—most likely took hold during her early years watching Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, and The Twilight Zone. Her love of oldies music stems from hours listening and dancing to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and being in the Bobby Darin fan club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 10, 2024
Sixties’ oldies, a charming seaside location, and quirky characters—what more could you ask for in a cozy mystery? Venus, the main character, was feisty and fun, and her crime-solving solution was inspired. Another installment please!
July 14, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Venus Bixby owns Oldies & Goodies, a music store and bakery popular with tourists. She has big plans for the 4th of July weekend beginning with a celebration of her 50th birthday in the gardens at the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum. Then she will be the Grand Marshall in the parade. Now that her husband has passed away it is her turn to shine. She has her sights set on a seat on the prestigious Town Committee.
But when Venus arrives at the museum to check out the setup for her birthday party she stumbles over a pair of orange platform heels. The shoes are attached to the manager of the museum's gift shop and she has clocked her last day of working there. Venus broke her thumb in the fall but after getting it taken care of she learns she is a suspect in the woman's murder. That is not good at all. It could destroy all her plans. She is going to have to sleuth out the real killer before she finds herself singing and dancing all the way to a jail cell.
____
As the first book in the series, the author has a big job of introducing the setting, prominent places, her characters, and their relationships while unfolding an intriguing mystery. She used the first few chapters to do that which made for a clunky start. I think spreading this out more would have improved the flow at the beginning. The pacing was better as the story continued and the investigation got rolling.
The characters are an eclectic group. I enjoyed meeting Venus but it took me a few chapters to warm up to her. I think you would call her relationships with every person in her life as complicated. She knows what she wants and she is going to get it and she can be brusque. But so can her "best friend" Carole who has her own agenda. Chatham Crossing has its share of quirky residents. Several try to come together to do good things but there always seems to be a competitive undercurrent between them. That makes them interesting but not the type that gives off the cozy mystery feels.
Two characters jumped right into my heart. Sonny and Cher, two yellow tabbies Venus adopted to "guard" Oldies & Goodies from "Mickies and Minnies" found in old historic buildings. They are the store's mascots and get attention from the customers young and old.
The mystery is complex with many moving parts and suspects. Venus didn't know who she could trust with people close to her on her suspect list. She did share her findings with Detective Donovan, but he didn't usually reciprocate. Venus working with her sister on the Sisters' List of Suspects was very entertaining. They came up with some interesting theories. I liked the articles from The Chatham Crossing Chronicle interspersed throughout the story to share some details and put forth questions that moved the story forward. The way the reveal was set up was great and it led to a very satisfying conclusion.
The music store theme was fun and I appreciated the playlist at the end of the story. Even better you can find the A Whale of a Murder playlist on Spotify. There are also 12 recipes at the back of the book for cookies, bars, and bread.
A Whale of a Murder is a lighthearted mystery with curious characters. Now that we have met so many residents of Chatham Crossing I am intrigued to see what Ms. Taylor has planned for them next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Venus Bixby owns Oldies & Goodies, a music store and bakery popular with tourists. She has big plans for the 4th of July weekend beginning with a celebration of her 50th birthday in the gardens at the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum. Then she will be the Grand Marshall in the parade. Now that her husband has passed away it is her turn to shine. She has her sights set on a seat on the prestigious Town Committee.
But when Venus arrives at the museum to check out the setup for her birthday party she stumbles over a pair of orange platform heels. The shoes are attached to the manager of the museum's gift shop and she has clocked her last day of working there. Venus broke her thumb in the fall but after getting it taken care of she learns she is a suspect in the woman's murder. That is not good at all. It could destroy all her plans. She is going to have to sleuth out the real killer before she finds herself singing and dancing all the way to a jail cell.
____
As the first book in the series, the author has a big job of introducing the setting, prominent places, her characters, and their relationships while unfolding an intriguing mystery. She used the first few chapters to do that which made for a clunky start. I think spreading this out more would have improved the flow at the beginning. The pacing was better as the story continued and the investigation got rolling.
The characters are an eclectic group. I enjoyed meeting Venus but it took me a few chapters to warm up to her. I think you would call her relationships with every person in her life as complicated. She knows what she wants and she is going to get it and she can be brusque. But so can her "best friend" Carole who has her own agenda. Chatham Crossing has its share of quirky residents. Several try to come together to do good things but there always seems to be a competitive undercurrent between them. That makes them interesting but not the type that gives off the cozy mystery feels.
Two characters jumped right into my heart. Sonny and Cher, two yellow tabbies Venus adopted to "guard" Oldies & Goodies from "Mickies and Minnies" found in old historic buildings. They are the store's mascots and get attention from the customers young and old.
The mystery is complex with many moving parts and suspects. Venus didn't know who she could trust with people close to her on her suspect list. She did share her findings with Detective Donovan, but he didn't usually reciprocate. Venus working with her sister on the Sisters' List of Suspects was very entertaining. They came up with some interesting theories. I liked the articles from The Chatham Crossing Chronicle interspersed throughout the story to share some details and put forth questions that moved the story forward. The way the reveal was set up was great and it led to a very satisfying conclusion.
The music store theme was fun and I appreciated the playlist at the end of the story. Even better you can find the A Whale of a Murder playlist on Spotify. There are also 12 recipes at the back of the book for cookies, bars, and bread.
A Whale of a Murder is a lighthearted mystery with curious characters. Now that we have met so many residents of Chatham Crossing I am intrigued to see what Ms. Taylor has planned for them next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
May 12, 2024
Valerie Taylor, the Author of “A Whale of a Murder” “A Venus Bixby Taylor” has written an enjoyable and delightful cozy mystery. The genres for this novel are mystery, cozy mystery, and fiction. I appreciate that the author provides a list of nostalgic music, and recipes for amazing baked goods in the back of the book. In this captivating novel, the author vividly describes the scenery , the plot, and the colorful and dramatic characters. The characters are complex, complicated, quirky, dysfunctional, competitive, and mostly likable. The female protagonist, Venus Bixby, is a widow, and owner of a music store, “Oldies & Goodies”, and would like to step out of the shadow of her well-liked dancer husband. Venus would also like a position on the town council, as do some other characters that live in Chatham Crossing. Venus has a twin sister, and both will be celebrating their 50th Birthdays. This year her special birthday will be celebrated during a town celebration. The catering is provided from her friend and there will be loads of food and baked goods. The party is to take place in the garden of the Whaling Museum. Several of the characters have their own motives and secrets. Something very special and precious is supposed to be revealed at the Museum.
Unfortunately, Venus falls over a pair of shoes, and breaks her thumb. The shoes are on the feet of the now dead manager of the Museum gift shop. Venus herself is not sure if she can help solve the crime, or be a major suspect. Some of the characters are quite suspicious, and after another dead body is found, there is cause for alarm. This is a witty story, and I look forward to other books in this series. I highly recommend this book to others.
Unfortunately, Venus falls over a pair of shoes, and breaks her thumb. The shoes are on the feet of the now dead manager of the Museum gift shop. Venus herself is not sure if she can help solve the crime, or be a major suspect. Some of the characters are quite suspicious, and after another dead body is found, there is cause for alarm. This is a witty story, and I look forward to other books in this series. I highly recommend this book to others.
May 4, 2024
This series features Venus Bixby, who was a character in the authors romantic comedy series. This is a cozy mystery about the murder of a museum gift shop manager, and Venus has to solve it.
I loved the music and playlist, as well as the recipes. There were parts of this book that literally made me laugh out loud. It’s a book that just makes the reader feel happy while they’re reading it. I can’t wait to read what Venus does next!
I loved the music and playlist, as well as the recipes. There were parts of this book that literally made me laugh out loud. It’s a book that just makes the reader feel happy while they’re reading it. I can’t wait to read what Venus does next!
May 9, 2024
A WHALE OF A MURDER is a fun, cozy mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed! Valerie Taylor created some original and very likable characters in this fun book. The setting was described perfectly and I found the writing to be excellent. Now I am looking forward to the next installment of the “A Venus Bixby Mystery” series!
Many thanks to Aspetuck Publishing and Valerie Taylor for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to the publication date.
Many thanks to Aspetuck Publishing and Valerie Taylor for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to the publication date.
May 10, 2024
If your looking for the perfect cozy mystery this book is for you!
This book series is set in Chatham Crossing, Massachusetts and the main character is music store owner of the forever popular music store Oldies & Goodies, Venus Bixby. She’s preparing to celebrate her fiftieth birthday along with counting on the festivities over the Fourth of July weekend to propel her to a position on the prestigious Town Committee. Always feeling like she’s been in her husbands shadow, she’s hoping this weekend will change everything. Starting with her fiftieth birthday celebration and ending as the parade’s Grand Marshal. What better place to host than the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum! As Venus walks through the museum grounds to check on the preparations she trips over the platform shoes of the museum gift shop manager, Margaret McGee. The woman is dead and a valuable artifact is missing.
Enter Detective Oscar Donovan who knows he will have his hands full with all the party guests as suspects, with Venus finding the body that shoots her to the top! Venus and her sister Sherrie create a List of Suspects and begin their own investigation. A Whale of a Murder, the first in the Venus Bixby Mystery series! It was filled with memorable characters! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This book series is set in Chatham Crossing, Massachusetts and the main character is music store owner of the forever popular music store Oldies & Goodies, Venus Bixby. She’s preparing to celebrate her fiftieth birthday along with counting on the festivities over the Fourth of July weekend to propel her to a position on the prestigious Town Committee. Always feeling like she’s been in her husbands shadow, she’s hoping this weekend will change everything. Starting with her fiftieth birthday celebration and ending as the parade’s Grand Marshal. What better place to host than the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum! As Venus walks through the museum grounds to check on the preparations she trips over the platform shoes of the museum gift shop manager, Margaret McGee. The woman is dead and a valuable artifact is missing.
Enter Detective Oscar Donovan who knows he will have his hands full with all the party guests as suspects, with Venus finding the body that shoots her to the top! Venus and her sister Sherrie create a List of Suspects and begin their own investigation. A Whale of a Murder, the first in the Venus Bixby Mystery series! It was filled with memorable characters! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
July 12, 2024
Ah…no…
Any book filled with music references and that’s dedicated to Jimmy Buffett has to be fantastic….right? Nope, apparently not. I so wanted to like this story but just couldn’t get into to it. The ‘blurb’ promised snarky dialogue, and smart witty characters, never found it or them. What I did find was disjointed story telling and unlikeable characters. Well, to paraphrase The Master Pirate himself: “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” and I think I’ll find a different book to read, just not this one.
Any book filled with music references and that’s dedicated to Jimmy Buffett has to be fantastic….right? Nope, apparently not. I so wanted to like this story but just couldn’t get into to it. The ‘blurb’ promised snarky dialogue, and smart witty characters, never found it or them. What I did find was disjointed story telling and unlikeable characters. Well, to paraphrase The Master Pirate himself: “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” and I think I’ll find a different book to read, just not this one.
May 12, 2024
A murder mystery, a birthday party and lots of fun!
What a delightful mystery, an enchanting town, a murder to be solved, yummy recipes and a great playlist, what more can you ask for? If you like cozy mysteries this one is for you, you’ll have a great time reading.
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.
𝗔 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 by Valerie Taylor Author released April 23, 2024.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
What a delightful mystery, an enchanting town, a murder to be solved, yummy recipes and a great playlist, what more can you ask for? If you like cozy mysteries this one is for you, you’ll have a great time reading.
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.
𝗔 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 by Valerie Taylor Author released April 23, 2024.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
December 26, 2024
Hoping book #2 is better
Good try, but doesn’t cut it. This book reads like a poorly written convoluted YA book. The storyline is okay, but the main character is weird. By the way she spoke and the thoughts assigned to her by the author, you couldn’t tell to what generation she belonged. She wasn’t believable and I’m not sure I’d want to read the next story.
Good try, but doesn’t cut it. This book reads like a poorly written convoluted YA book. The storyline is okay, but the main character is weird. By the way she spoke and the thoughts assigned to her by the author, you couldn’t tell to what generation she belonged. She wasn’t believable and I’m not sure I’d want to read the next story.
September 2, 2024
Fun Romp!
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It took me a little while to get all the characters straight but then it all came together. I also liked that part of it was set in a museum and the museum gift shop since I worked at a museum for years and was the buyer for the shops. Also enjoyed all the song references. The main character Venus Bixby owns a golden oldies music shop and songs titles old and new are sprinkled throughout the narrative. Recommended.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It took me a little while to get all the characters straight but then it all came together. I also liked that part of it was set in a museum and the museum gift shop since I worked at a museum for years and was the buyer for the shops. Also enjoyed all the song references. The main character Venus Bixby owns a golden oldies music shop and songs titles old and new are sprinkled throughout the narrative. Recommended.
September 3, 2024
A whale of a cozy mystery!
This mystery hits all the high notes for a cozy mystery – a small, safe town where everyone knows everyone, a prominent, if eccentric matron of the community who is somewhat suspected of a (gentle, off-screen) murder and becomes an underground sleuth to find the real murderer, a cast of quirky town people, including an actual detective who is also on the mystery trail, lots of possible suspects, lots of interesting current and past relationships among the suspects, and a plot that unfolds as leisurely in time as a small town Fourth of July parade day without the parade. Taylor keeps us guessing until the end who it could be, and we are rooting for our heroine to figure it out, which, of course, she does, but not before an intricate web of small-town life is woven and painted in vivid colors. A delightful immersion and a perfect beach read!
This mystery hits all the high notes for a cozy mystery – a small, safe town where everyone knows everyone, a prominent, if eccentric matron of the community who is somewhat suspected of a (gentle, off-screen) murder and becomes an underground sleuth to find the real murderer, a cast of quirky town people, including an actual detective who is also on the mystery trail, lots of possible suspects, lots of interesting current and past relationships among the suspects, and a plot that unfolds as leisurely in time as a small town Fourth of July parade day without the parade. Taylor keeps us guessing until the end who it could be, and we are rooting for our heroine to figure it out, which, of course, she does, but not before an intricate web of small-town life is woven and painted in vivid colors. A delightful immersion and a perfect beach read!
July 11, 2024
This is the first in the series. The main characters are Venus and her twin sister Sherrie. Venus finds herself involved in the murder investigation Of a young woman. She sets out with the help of her visiting sister to figure out who did what. They are getting a lot of answers but what does it all come down to. With the help of the local police she thinks she has it all worked out. By the time she is done, she is the only one to figure it out. It was a surprise to me as well..
July 16, 2024
A must read for Mystery Lovers
The first few chapters where a little hard to finish. There was a lot of moving from one main character to multiple. However once you get past meeting all the characters and the whereabouts, the story flows wonderfully. Most chapter leaving amazing cliffhangers that move you to keep reading. I couldn't put it down once it started flowing. Begging me to find the culprit.
The first few chapters where a little hard to finish. There was a lot of moving from one main character to multiple. However once you get past meeting all the characters and the whereabouts, the story flows wonderfully. Most chapter leaving amazing cliffhangers that move you to keep reading. I couldn't put it down once it started flowing. Begging me to find the culprit.
April 25, 2024
Good Read
The first book in this series is really good. The characters are so real. I can just picture this group of friends. Kinda reminds me of the golden girls. There is murder and humor and a great playlist and Recipes as a bonus.
The first book in this series is really good. The characters are so real. I can just picture this group of friends. Kinda reminds me of the golden girls. There is murder and humor and a great playlist and Recipes as a bonus.
May 2, 2024
I love the snarky attitude of the characters, and a shop like Oldies and Goodies (records and baked goods) makes me wish it was real life. Recipes and a playlist included in the book! The mystery at first seems like an inconvenience for Venus, the birthday girl. Ir does get her party cancelled, after all. As the investigation proceeds, you meet the characters of the seaside town of Chatham's Crossing. Some you'll root for and some you won't. That's part of the fun! Highly recommended.
May 26, 2024
Valerie Taylor is a gifted writer. I read Whale of a Murder in two days flat. It is a page-turner. I enjoyed all the references to Providence, RI, Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. It is breezy, easy and fun reading. I enjoyed it immensely.
I received an Advance Reader Copy.
I received an Advance Reader Copy.
September 12, 2025
Venus Bixby is about to celebrate her 50th birthday. There is to be a party for her at local museum. She arrives and trips over the body of the museum gift shop manager. For there the mystery is who would want to kill her. Several suspects are revealed. There is also the theft of the museums priced item a statue of Posedian. Are the two things connected.
May 20, 2024
This was such a delightful story filled with quirky characters and the charm of a small New England coastal town. I absolutely loved it.
July 9, 2024
Valerie Taylor paints a whimsical, cozy tale of Chatham County and Venus Bixby! A sweet read with a fun playlist included as well as cookie recipes this baker looks forward to trying!
July 11, 2025
I won this in a giveaway. This was just like a murder she wrote episode in a great way. I loved the location and the main character Venus.
June 8, 2025
It’s really a good book. I recommend reading it.
May 15, 2024
Valerie Taylor's new novel, a cozy mystery featuring Venus Bixby, a mature protagonist/sleuth, takes place in a quaint New England seaside town. Written with charm and humor, A Whale of a Murder is as light-hearted and engaging as Valerie's previous work, with the added bonus of cookie recipes and a playlist.
March 24, 2024
A Whale of a Murder: A Venus Bixby Mystery is a debut cozy mystery. I wanted to like it and it had potential but it didn't keep my attention. The beginning was slow. The first chapter is a newspaper story. The next chapters were from the main character, Venus Bixby's point of view which was ok. Venus doesn't come across very likeable. She seems spoiled and self centered. She falls and breaks her thumb and it is her 50th birthday. She has a boyfriend Budd. Another chapter focuses on Venus's store, the employees including her good friend Carole who has a catering business. I didn't like Carole either and she.doesn't seem like a very good friend although she caters a nice birthday party at the end. Another chapter is about Maggie McGhee and the Whaling Museum. The beginning is all rather disjointed and an unusual introduction to the characters. Whatever. I kept reading. Often an author makes the characters unlikable to start and by the end they grow and are ok. That is kind of the case. Venus trips over a dead body. She suspects everyone including Budd. Once the story got going it was ok although too descriptive at times and the humor missed the mark. I liked Venus's twin Sherrie and the cozy mystery was ok but not too hard to guess the culprit. I read a lot of cozy mysteries and I could never write one so I try to give the benefit of the doubt to all authors but I had a tough time with this one. It did get better but the characters and relationships are what I enjoy and these weren't very well fleshed out. It just didn't hold my attention. I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley and Aspertuck Publishing and I voluntarily leave this review. #AWhaleOfAMurder #AVenusBixbyMystery #NetGalley #AspertuckPublishing
April 10, 2024
'After years of living in the shadow of her late husband, Venus will finally be the center of attention this holiday weekend: starting with her fiftieth birthday celebration and ending as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
Faster than a cookie crumbles, her dream collapses on the morning of her party when she trips over orange platform shoes in the gardens of the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum and breaks her thumb. When it’s discovered the shoes are attached to the body of the manager of the museum’s gift shop, Venus becomes both a suspect and a sleuth in Chatham Crossing’s first murder in decades.'
This is an enjoyable, light hearted cozy murder, ideal for an afternoon read. The tourist town seaside setting and characters are well described (although to be honest I didn't really like any of them very much, including Venus herself). The whodunit was interesting but there is a lot of back story (about 30%) and a fair bit of that turned out to be irrelevant and just distracted. This may be because it is a first in series and so be less intrusive in future installments. Overall I have given 3 stars as it is well written and easy to read for cozy mystery fans. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Faster than a cookie crumbles, her dream collapses on the morning of her party when she trips over orange platform shoes in the gardens of the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum and breaks her thumb. When it’s discovered the shoes are attached to the body of the manager of the museum’s gift shop, Venus becomes both a suspect and a sleuth in Chatham Crossing’s first murder in decades.'
This is an enjoyable, light hearted cozy murder, ideal for an afternoon read. The tourist town seaside setting and characters are well described (although to be honest I didn't really like any of them very much, including Venus herself). The whodunit was interesting but there is a lot of back story (about 30%) and a fair bit of that turned out to be irrelevant and just distracted. This may be because it is a first in series and so be less intrusive in future installments. Overall I have given 3 stars as it is well written and easy to read for cozy mystery fans. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 5, 2024
This book was...OK. I liked the subject but I wasn't too crazy about the characters. Venus is attention seeking and her "friends" are jealous of her. Especially Carole. Venus refers to her as he BFF. Well, if this is the way a BFF treats her friends, no thanks.
I will say by the end of the book they somewhat redeemed themselves. This is why I rated it a three rather than a two. The only one who seemed to have pure motives and care about Venus was her sister Sherry. She came running when she thought Venus might need her, and when they figured things out she took a backseat and shed all the glory on Venus.
I might read the second installment if I run across it, but won't go out of my way for it.
I will say by the end of the book they somewhat redeemed themselves. This is why I rated it a three rather than a two. The only one who seemed to have pure motives and care about Venus was her sister Sherry. She came running when she thought Venus might need her, and when they figured things out she took a backseat and shed all the glory on Venus.
I might read the second installment if I run across it, but won't go out of my way for it.
June 3, 2025
I appreciate receiving a Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. A cozy mystery with a museum and an oldies music shop as settings? I signed up right away.
As cozy mysteries go - and I read my share - this one isn't very good. The mystery itself is pretty lame, and the cozy part falls short for me as well. The charm of the town doesn't come through, and the characters, especially the main character, are not likeable. Her relationships don't make sense, and the way she speaks - to herself and others - about her alleged best friend and boyfriend makes one wonder how she can have them.
Bonus point for including cookie recipes, although those too are unremarkable. There's better bakery-based mystery content out there.
As cozy mysteries go - and I read my share - this one isn't very good. The mystery itself is pretty lame, and the cozy part falls short for me as well. The charm of the town doesn't come through, and the characters, especially the main character, are not likeable. Her relationships don't make sense, and the way she speaks - to herself and others - about her alleged best friend and boyfriend makes one wonder how she can have them.
Bonus point for including cookie recipes, although those too are unremarkable. There's better bakery-based mystery content out there.
July 21, 2025
Jolly good fun mystery!
As I sit wasting away here in the heat of a Phoenix summer, I read this book and daydreamt of this quirky town, museum and clan of motley characters. What a fun mystery it two, I enjoyed the sisters, love interests and twists and turns which kept me guessing.
Read it! You won’t regret allowing this cozy mystery to find smiles in each chapter
As I sit wasting away here in the heat of a Phoenix summer, I read this book and daydreamt of this quirky town, museum and clan of motley characters. What a fun mystery it two, I enjoyed the sisters, love interests and twists and turns which kept me guessing.
Read it! You won’t regret allowing this cozy mystery to find smiles in each chapter
October 13, 2025
Cute, fun read.
Enjoyed the playlist and the recipes in that back of the book. (The spicy chocolate chip cookies were the best)
Enjoyed the playlist and the recipes in that back of the book. (The spicy chocolate chip cookies were the best)
April 5, 2024
Book Title: a Whale of a Murder
A Venus Bixby Mystery
Book 1
Author: Valerie Taylor (award winning author)
Genre: Fiction
Pub Date: Will be released on April 23, 2024/ preorder now.
Print Length: 319 pages
Book Reviewed By Sylvia J.
After finishing the last book in the author's romantic comedy trilogy, What’s Not Lost, the author decided to spin off one of the minor characters named Venus Bixby and make her the sleuth in this new brand new cozy mystery series. As stated above A Whale of a Murder : A Venus Bixby Mystery.
The book starts off with a murder investigation. The manager of the museum’s gift shop was murdered. Her name was Margaret “Maggie McGee. I would say the police have a lot of investigating to do right now, with this murder. The story takes place in Chatham Crossing Massachusetts. This is an historic town situated between Providence and Cape Cod. Ms. Venus Bixby may have been the last to see Ms. McGee alive in the garden that morning. The police need to take a full statement from Venus. They have to wait though, because Venus fell over a pair of platform shoes and broke her thumb and is now on pain medication.
Will Venus be a suspect now? There hasn’t been a murder in Chatham crossings in decades. Venus Bixby is the owner of a retro-music store called Oldies and Goodies. Was she in the wrong place at the wrong time?
One will adore this quote in the book
“ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” This is a quote from Helen Keller. I adore good quotes. Let me share one more from the book with you. “ Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
The museum wasn’t used to dealing with dead bodies at the museum. There was never a murder there before, what is going on? They had five whale skeletons displayed in the grand hall of the museum.
This book is a debut cozy mystery. I found it to be a very cute book and very cozy, especially hearing about the cats in the book. There was humor thrown into the book which I enjoyed, as I found myself laughing due to that.
Five stars is my rating of the book. All of the talk of food in the book will make one hungry. All of the music talk in the book will make one dance. There are so many recipes in the back of the book and a playlist of free songs that are on Spotify that depict the story of a Whale of a Murder which I just read and reviewed above.
A Venus Bixby Mystery
Book 1
Author: Valerie Taylor (award winning author)
Genre: Fiction
Pub Date: Will be released on April 23, 2024/ preorder now.
Print Length: 319 pages
Book Reviewed By Sylvia J.
After finishing the last book in the author's romantic comedy trilogy, What’s Not Lost, the author decided to spin off one of the minor characters named Venus Bixby and make her the sleuth in this new brand new cozy mystery series. As stated above A Whale of a Murder : A Venus Bixby Mystery.
The book starts off with a murder investigation. The manager of the museum’s gift shop was murdered. Her name was Margaret “Maggie McGee. I would say the police have a lot of investigating to do right now, with this murder. The story takes place in Chatham Crossing Massachusetts. This is an historic town situated between Providence and Cape Cod. Ms. Venus Bixby may have been the last to see Ms. McGee alive in the garden that morning. The police need to take a full statement from Venus. They have to wait though, because Venus fell over a pair of platform shoes and broke her thumb and is now on pain medication.
Will Venus be a suspect now? There hasn’t been a murder in Chatham crossings in decades. Venus Bixby is the owner of a retro-music store called Oldies and Goodies. Was she in the wrong place at the wrong time?
One will adore this quote in the book
“ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” This is a quote from Helen Keller. I adore good quotes. Let me share one more from the book with you. “ Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
The museum wasn’t used to dealing with dead bodies at the museum. There was never a murder there before, what is going on? They had five whale skeletons displayed in the grand hall of the museum.
This book is a debut cozy mystery. I found it to be a very cute book and very cozy, especially hearing about the cats in the book. There was humor thrown into the book which I enjoyed, as I found myself laughing due to that.
Five stars is my rating of the book. All of the talk of food in the book will make one hungry. All of the music talk in the book will make one dance. There are so many recipes in the back of the book and a playlist of free songs that are on Spotify that depict the story of a Whale of a Murder which I just read and reviewed above.
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