A shocking fire. A hidden murder. And an innocent man accused.
When a devastating house fire claims the life of local construction magnate Morris Cummings, the community immediately starts gossiping. While no one got along with Morris, the immediate suspect is Michelle Watson's business partner—a kind-hearted elderly man who also happens to be Morris’s brother. Despite his gentle nature, the mounting evidence points squarely at Harv.
Unwilling to let an innocent man take the fall, Michelle investigates behind her police ex-boyfriend’s back. She enlists the help of her reluctant twin sister, Chelsea, whose position at Maple Springs Community Bank gives her important access to money trails.
As they track down leads and interview suspects, loyalties are overturned and faith is tested in a way that Chelsea and Michelle have never faced before.
Transactions We Expose is a Christian cozy mystery capturing the challenge of deceit, the unbreakable bond of loyalty, and the foundation of faith.
I'm not usually a reader of cozy mysteries, but since I've read almost everything by Amanda Tero and enjoyed them all, and I enjoyed the first two stories in this series, I wanted to read this one. It was good. I kept guessing who did it and yet wasn't quite sure I was right. And I really liked that the things that were wrong were shown as wrong and that the story didn't just end with just the crime solved. There was so much more to this story than just a murder mystery. There was character growth, and admitting to being wrong, there was Christian life and learning to trust. Even though I'm not usually a fan of murder mysteries, this one was well done. Nothing graphic or detailed. I am looking forward to reading the next book from Chelsea Michelle.
(Watson Twins Mysteries: book 1/Chelsea Michelle collection: book 3)
Cozy mysteries that keep me guessing are so fun to read, and this one definitely has twists/turns that took me by surprise! Even though I finished Coffee We Spill first (which does have some spoilers for this book because of side characters), I still couldn't decide exactly which character was guilty of the main crime until the very end.
I also liked the Christian faith content! This isn't a story where characters are perfect role models (the twins make some questionable decisions as they try to investigate - lying, fake flirting, etc.), but I could see their character growth/conviction moments throughout the story. And the prayer scenes are good! One in particular stood out to me that I thought connected the twins' separate POVs well.
This book also continues the clean romance plotline from the previous stories. Michelle's new match adds some extra intrigue, and I now have a certain character in mind for Chelsea, so I'm intrigued to see how things continue for them!
*Content to note* .....May contain minor spoilers..... Victim discovered by paramedics at house fire scene (not graphic). Discussions of potential past affair. Discussions of potential murder, suspects, motives, etc. (not graphic). Memorial service scenes. Brief mentions of alcohol/discovery of drug.
**Thank you to the authors for providing a complimentary e-copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.**
This. Was. So. Good. Absolutely everything I want & hope for in a cozy mystery!
This is the first full length novel, after two mini mysteries, and it absolutely kept me guessing. I really didn’t have any solid suspicions on the perpetrator until over halfway through, and even then it was more of a “well….everyone kind of has a motive”. There are a couple secondary storylines that are ongoing throughout their stories and I *do* have my suspicions about those ~ I’m curious to see if those suspicions are correct!
I also really love the faith storylines that are in this series ~ it’s hard to find strong Christian cozy mysteries and I really appreciate how they weave it in, in such realistic ways.
I would suggest checking out the 2 mini mysteries first (“Hours We Regret” and “Chaos We Unravel”) because they do help set up characters and establish some ongoing storylines ~ they’re quick & enjoyable reads!
This is definitely my favorite so far and I cannot wait for the next mini mystery and the 2nd full length!
I Just finished this book yesterday and it was well written and keep you guess who the murder was until the very end. The main characters are very interesting to read about and learn all their difference. I hope that the write continues with this storyline as there is so much that she can do with it. There were so many suspects that you had to really thing about them. I hope that Chelsea finally gets together with Nate but we will wait and see who the author think would be best for her. I loved how the family all came together to help Michelle with the coffe shop. I would recommend this cozy mystery all my friends. I had never read any of her books before but will keep getting her books as they are very well written and have great story lines that will keep anyone read them.
So happy to have finally read this one, and I got to buddy-read it with The Very Awesome Mikayla!
I enjoyed the mystery, and while the extremes of the twins' personalities (especially Michelle's) annoyed me at times, they still had their cool sister bond and it was fun seeing them work together. Kyle remains a great character, and it was interesting to see what happened with everyone else. The mystery did seem to resolve really suddenly, but I didn't mind too much. The set up for the next book was great too!
Immediate 5 stars!! I have not been this invested in a mystery book for a while and this one was beautiful. I am not ashamed to admit that I am had no clue who the murderer was the entire book, but I was deliciously surprised by the twists, shocks and reveals. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic of Chelsea and Michelle's personalities in this book and especially the twintuition inner dialogue. Let's move on to boys....Michelle! Babe! Have you no shame? I was cringing at the way that girl was able to get herself out of a jam or gather information just by flirting. Also I just am super worried that Jeremy will turn out to be her stalker. I changed my mind about Kyle and Chelsea. I think he would balance out Michelle's wild side well like how Chelsea does. Moving on to Chelsea's love life....sorry Eric. I'm not feeling it with you, but man alive, did I get some banter vibes from Nate. And he has dimples!!! Look, I'm just going to say this in the hopes the authors are reading my review. You know what I want, because of the gazebo lunch scene and the parking lot scene. Please do me a solid!! Great writing and flow throughout the whole story and some good faith moments as well. I will be recommending this one and I cannot wait to read the next story.
This was a wonderful who-done-it with plenty of quirky characters and a heap of suspects. Michelle and Chelsea have their work cut out for them if they plan to keep Harv out of jail. Well, Chelsea's only doing it more to keep MICHELLE from ending up there... or worse! These twins are priceless, and so very different. Sure they look alike and share a belief system, but personality wise they are Night and day. While Michelle goes about poking her nose where it clearly doesn't belong with a contented smile and spring in her step, Chelsea hesitantly ventures into digging up behind the scenes and hidden trails while staying safely obscured in the shadows. Their friend, and Michelle's ex, Kyle can only give up and pray they keep themselves safe, and him on speed-dial.
With all the suspects bopping around, Harv clearly not his usual self, and suspicion mounting, the twists and turns of this mystery will keep you guessing the identity of the culprit til the climactic reveal. It's a self-contained mystery latte with an extra pump of romance. You'll definitely savor the who-done-it, and the romance will leave a lingering taste, as it gives a glimpse into what may possibly come next for our darling duo.
I received a gift copy of this book and voluntarily provide this review. The Christian beliefs portrayed in this book were refreshing, as, too often, any positive compass is lacking in contemporary publications. This is the first full length book in this series, though it has two shorter predecessors. I look forward to finding out what the girls stumble into next time. Happy Reading Y'all 📚
It’s been quite a while since I last read a murder mystery, and even longer since I remember reading a cozy mystery! I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, especially after reading the two prequel novellas that came out before this one.
There was a lot to love about this story. I especially enjoyed getting to know the characters better; this book helped flesh them out for me a lot more than the novellas, so that was wonderful! Plus, I loved the sister element in the story, and the way their family encouraged and supported them—that was super special! The small-town vibes were lots of fun, and I also enjoyed watching the sisters as they picked up clues here and there. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery along with them, although I managed to get on the wrong track in the end (don’t ask me to be a detective; it turns out I’m not that good at the job!).
I didn’t enjoy everything about the book, but I suppose that’s to be expected. One thing I didn’t expect that would bother me as much as it did was Michelle’s dating life. She seemed to have a pretty flippant attitude about flirting with and dating multiple guys, and, well…I guess I’m more of a Chelsea in that area. There was also quite a bit of lying as they tried to either mislead characters or try to get information—that didn’t sit so well with me. And the book felt rather long, somehow. I don’t think much could have been taken away from it without losing a lot, but I struggled to keep my interest up around halfway through the story (gratefully, that did improve as I got closer to the climax).
Overall, though, this is a fun, cozy mystery, perfect for anyone who loves longer books, involved plots, a diverse cast of characters, strong faith elements, and a little sweet romance. I enjoyed the story, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next from these authors! This book sets up a lot of possible scenarios going forward, and I can’t wait to see how things will pan out for these characters.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
Really enjoyable storytelling. Compelling cosy reading.simple story , popular setting and good structure. That’s the boring stuff over with … An innocent is accused when there’s a shocking fire and someone dies. Michelle is adamant to help out never mind her ex boyfriend and Chelsea of course is not going to say o to her twin. Lots of suspects and delving of clues . A right mystery to do . Loved it
This was such a fun storyline loved watching the characters coming more into themselves and seeing how the twins distinctive personalities work together (even sometimes unwillingly in Chelsea’s case) to figure out the mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this story from the authors. All thoughts are my own.
A great story! Loved all the twists and turns. Definitely kept me guessing. Those who love cozy mysteries will love this book. I received a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
SO fun! Really solid start to a new series; the world and character building were fantastic. I was freaking out (in the best way) about the story-building of the friend group writing the entire time.
Transactions We Expose is the third book in the Watson Twins series, written by A.M. Heath and Amanda Tero. From the very beginning, there are so many events happening that you can’t help but wonder, which one is the real mystery? Once the main mystery unfolds, even more new characters are introduced, keeping you guessing about who the bad guy is behind the mysterious murder. The book is full of suspense, as every character seems suspicious in some way.
Chelsea continues to be more cautious and worried than Michelle. However, this time, she finds herself caught up in a bit of light romance as she’s pursued by a sweet guy, which honestly made me so happy! Michelle remains the typical small-town girl who plays spy and gets overly involved in everything, but her new “spy partner” and boyfriend definitely make her shenanigans even more entertaining.
I was also thrilled that some long awaited answers from the first book, Hours We Regret, were finally revealed! Lastly, there’s a character I had been suspicious of and by the end, it’s revealed that they have a secret of their own! I can’t wait to find out what it is.
This was my favorite book in the series!
✨ I received a copy of the book and chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
An unlikely friendship between an ex Los Vargas showgirl and a retired top housekeeper of the finest London hotel leads them on new adventures when they take a relaxing cruise to the Bahamas. Unknown to Viv, her ex-husband is on board and is still verbally as cruel as when they were married. Gemma. meanwhile, finds every tiny flaw with the housekeeping on the ship. When a man is killed Viv suspects her ex, but when he’s killed, all suspicion turns to her. How will she and Gemma prove her innocence before the 10 day cruise ends?
This was such a nice cozy mystery! One of my favorite things about this book is that there are not a bunch of half-done side characters: all of them feel equally real. It was not obvious who the murderer was, but once it was revealed, it wasn’t super confusing either. The only reason it did not get five stars is because of personal preference. It was a little more romantic than I like, but not bad. Would definitely recommend!!
I enjoyed this book as Michelle and Chelsea, twins with opposite personalities, investigated a murder alongside some interesting and thoughtful males, particularly Michelle's ex-boyfriend, Kyle. A touch of romance added to this story and I'm left with my fingers crossed about future relationships. I recommend this book.
I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very well written and entertaining. There's suspense, there's laughter, there's tears, there are surprises aplenty. I really felt for the characters. With a little bit of a cliffhanger ending, I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
I received a free ARC from the authors and this is my honest opinion.
When one person just can't seem to stay out of a good mystery, her twin might not like it, but will she jump in to help? I love their opposite points of view and the way that God's Word is the center of everything. As we all do, they might want to do things their way but ultimately God's wins in the end.
Delightful cozy mystery that will have you laughing at the shenanigans that the twins manage to get into! Unlike the previous books in the series, this is a full length book, to give you more to love. I’ve enjoyed reading all of them, I would suggest reading them in order as there are spoilers in the following books.
The mystery in this book kept me guessing right from the start. I didn't figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed...and even then, I wasn't sure! If you enjoy cozy mysteries, do yourself a favor and add this to your list.
This clean Christian who-done-it was a fun, twisty mystery with lots of red herrings and tangled relationships to sort through! I enjoyed the way the twins supported and provided a foil for each other!
Great story! Funny, light romance, fantastic sister vibe, (I definitely see my sister and I in some of their conversations😂) good mystery too. Kept my guessing. 👍 Some very likable characters too. Looking forward to "seeing" them again.
This is a wonderful, fun, faith-filled whodunnit story involving Chelsea and Michelle, identical twins with almost opposite personalities. Chelsea works in a bank and Michelle works in a coffee shop and bakes. Michelle draws Chelsea into helping solve a murder which takes many twists and turns. It is a page-turner, keeping you guessing who the real murderer is until the very end.
This is an amusing story of twins, looking the same, but with very different personalities. Michelle is a baker, Chelsea works at the bank. They share their faith which grounds them. When a business man is murdered, there’s plenty of suspects. There’s more to this book than murder. I am writing an honest review. I received a complimentary copy from the authors.
4 stars. I was really excited for this book. The first 2 novellas were quite enjoyable and I was eager to see the twins on a full-blown adventure. I enjoyed the complicated whodunnit with its large cast of suspicious characters, and the several-mysteries-merging-into-one. I liked the coffee shop aspect as well, and the great family relationships.
There were, however, a few things that made me struggle, and they're all wrapped up in one word: Michelle. Funnily enough, I'm a cross between Chelsea and Michelle in personality. But I definitely relate to Shell most often. Which is why she aggravated me so much. As a fellow extroverted, impulsive, stubborn, impatient girl who often doesn't think things through, I felt that she fell into the flighty, exaggerated field instead of relatable. Frankly, she had no common sense sometimes! And her consistent, constant rule breaking really, really got on my nerves, as well as her busybody nosiness. Who digs through a lawyer's case files?? And who jumps into a stranger's car, says "KISS ME!", and proceeds to do it??? I just couldn't get over it, I'm sorry. I understand her character will arc slowly over the books, however, though in this one she seemed to do less character changing than Chelsea. (Who, I acknowledge, has her own difficulties, but they grate on me less, personally.)
That said, Michelle was a sweet girl overall and I definitely enjoyed following her sleuthing and business-work. The mystery was well done, and while the Christian content wasn't as strong as I expected, it was there, and I appreciated it. I think I'll probably like this book better upon reread, when I'm not constantly expecting Michelle to be murdered or publicly humiliated, either of which kept me in knots the whole book through!
ALSO, I need to know her boyfriend's whole backstory, and Kyle needs to pick a girl, because if he keeps dillydallying the whole series through he might not be my favourite anymore. ;P I hope Ryan and Justin show up more in the coming books as well!!
Content: off-screen murder; divorce; undetailed kissing, hugging, etc; a christian MC dates a non-christian; some on-screen tension & spookiness (3/5 intensity rating).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*