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Busybodies Collection #1-6
Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner
6 hours, 37 minutes
Every nosy neighbor, gossipy friend, and meddling relative is just one good mystery away from becoming a detective. From behind locked doors or out in broad daylight, driven by chance or curiosity, amateur sleuths get in over their heads in these six hair-raising, hilarious stories.
Staged by Elle Cosimano
Is it harder to find a killer or land a buyer? In this playful short story from New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano, two unlikely real estate agents become even unlikelier detectives.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A family reunion turns deliciously sinister when a murder threatens to spoil one mother’s big night in this short story from USA Today bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
Some lovely people will do very bad things to stay out of trouble in this gemlike whodunit from Emma Rosenblum, bestselling author of Very Bad Company and former executive editor at Elle.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
Meddlesome Marge keeps too close a watch on her neighbor’s house across the street in this twisty short story from Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
When a viral stunt goes off the rails, it’s chaos at the mall. Award-winning author Kellye Garrett explores how IRL the internet can get when someone almost dies in this taut and timely short story.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
As a new crush develops and a friend goes missing, a young woman who loves old movies stumbles into the plot of one in this quirky short story from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.
Every nosy neighbor, gossipy friend, and meddling relative is just one good mystery away from becoming a detective. From behind locked doors or out in broad daylight, driven by chance or curiosity, amateur sleuths get in over their heads in these six hair-raising, hilarious stories.
Staged by Elle Cosimano
Is it harder to find a killer or land a buyer? In this playful short story from New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano, two unlikely real estate agents become even unlikelier detectives.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A family reunion turns deliciously sinister when a murder threatens to spoil one mother’s big night in this short story from USA Today bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
Some lovely people will do very bad things to stay out of trouble in this gemlike whodunit from Emma Rosenblum, bestselling author of Very Bad Company and former executive editor at Elle.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
Meddlesome Marge keeps too close a watch on her neighbor’s house across the street in this twisty short story from Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
When a viral stunt goes off the rails, it’s chaos at the mall. Award-winning author Kellye Garrett explores how IRL the internet can get when someone almost dies in this taut and timely short story.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
As a new crush develops and a friend goes missing, a young woman who loves old movies stumbles into the plot of one in this quirky short story from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.
Audible Audio
First published October 15, 2024
15 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Elle Cosimano
18 books8,200 followersUSA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author, Edgar® Nominee, Bram Stoker® Nominee, & ITW Thriller Award winner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 2, 2024
I will post the reviews for each story as I complete them.
Staged
the setup…
Lyda is a new real estate agent trying desperately to clinch her first sale. The property at hand is a sad Victorian needing lots of work. Dani, her best friend since childhood, is now a home stager (trained on TikTok), sees a diamond in the literal rough and has workers readying it for the next day’s open house. They leave landscaper Sawyer Mackenzie behind as they run off to do some last minute errands, only to return and find the lothario’s dead body in the master bathroom upstairs!
the heart of the story…
The subject is busybodies and as this is a small town, everyone knows everybody else’s business. There’s the next door nosy neighbor Mrs. Price, Sawyer who was dating Marilee (Lyda’s cleaner) but broke up with her, George the painter whose cousin Tansey was dating him before…well, you get the picture. They’ve all converged at the house around the same time so there’s no shortage of potential suspects and amateur sleuths.
the narration…
Megan Tusing brought just the right airiness to this cozy mystery/comedy. Her storytelling skills were great.
the bottom line…
It’s not a complicated mystery and all the busybodies contribute to solving who killed Sawyer. It was intriguing enough for me to try and figure it out (I was wrong) and it has the author’s signature touch in pairing Lyda and Dani to do the investigation. It was just what I was hoping it would be. Really recommend the audio format. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
The Reunion Dinner
the setup…
This year, Josephine Ying is hosting the Chinese New Year dinner, normally done at the home of Big Uncle (Liuyi). But she now has the chance to break the trend since he broke his leg after an unfortunate fall and Josephine is going all out. She and husband Adam are also excited about their son Keith coming home with a surprise. Unfortunately, that surprise is new fiancée Lacey who they’ve never met or known about. But others at the dinner seem to know her well…and they’re not happy.
the heart of the story…
It’s Josephine’s point of view here as she takes stock of the situation. There’s her sister Yolanda who divorced husband George a year ago and still hasn’t shared why. Her daughter Francine had the most viral reaction when Lacey showed up. And, nephew Porter was awfully uncomfortable at seeing her. Not long after her arrival, Lacey drops dead in the middle of the room! Whodunit?
the narration…
Eunice Wong was pitch perfect as Josephine, keeping me on edge through the end. She was a fantastic storyteller.
the bottom line…
This is a kick of a story that had a plethora of suspects and motives. But, I still wasn’t prepared for that surprise at the end. So very, very clever. Oh, and do yourself a favor…dinner is best served up on audio.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Crime of Fashion
the setup…
Nellie Otis is a fashion assistant at Elle, responsible for the “fashion closet” and she’s on location at their current photo shoot. After she returns from getting a drink for Marlee Price, the aging famed musician at the center of the project (she’s the replacement star for the one who fell ill), everything goes crazy as the $3 million Bulgari necklace on loan for shoot is now missing. The armed guard who minutes ago was caught snoozing is now searching frantically for the piece and sort of holding everyone hostage in the meantime. Some of the fingers are being pointed at Nellie so she’s got motivation to help find the precious piece.
the heart of the story…
There’s more here than what is on the surface. Charlotte Plepto is the new editor-in-chief who unceremoniously forced out her predecessor with wealthy Daddy’s bankroll. Pointer, the disgraced photographer, is on his first major assignment after having been accused of misbehaving with the models and he has an axe to grind. Nellie has her hands full and she’s the low woman on the proverbial totem pole and her boss, Farrah Freeze the fashion director, isn’t making it easy.
the narration…
Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite narrators and she brought the characters and story to life. And, she delivered the fun.
the bottom line…
This was more The Devil Wears Prada intrigue than mystery but it was fun. I had a sense of who was really behind the theft and got most of it right. It didn’t matter because it was the behind the scenes treachery that took center stage. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
The Nosy Neighbor
the setup…
Marge remembers the day when the “flamboyant” Doris and her husband Bob moved into the neighborhood almost fifty years ago. She’s been snooping on her, reporting what she sees to her husband Harold regularly. But lately Marge is beginning to think that Doris is planning to get rid of Bob and doesn’t think he’ll be returning from their trip to Spain.
the heart of the story…
It’s all Marge as she justifies her role as the proverbial nosy neighbor as just looking out for everybody. Well, when you start digging deeper, be careful what you find. Think Gladys from the old show Bewitched.
the narration …
If I had to imagine what the ideal voice would sound like to depict a nosy neighbor it would definitely be Sherri Slater. She nailed Marge as well as Doris.
the bottom line…
This was another funny little mystery that fits well into this busybody collection. I had several laugh-out-loud moments and the little twist at the end brought a couple of surprises. Short but clever. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
One Lucky Subscriber
the setup…
Kennedy has sole custody of her little brother DJ so her time is valuable. But when Kidd, his favorite YouTube creator, comes up with a crazy challenge to celebrate reaching 10 million subscribers, she gives in and participates because the payoff is insane…and so is the challenge.
the heart of the story…
I’m not sure. Frankly, I was lost most of the time until the end. Kennedy teams with another player, all identified with a number on their yellow outfits, ten of them in all. I never quite grasped how to win the challenge. But, someone was trying to sabotage the game.
the narration…
I liked Jordan Cobb who seemed to be perfect in the role of Kennedy, clearly capturing the cynicism of the character. She was a great storyteller.
the bottom line…
I’m not the audience for this one. I don’t follow anybody on YouTube and don’t understand that world or the common vernacular. If you do, I think you’d find this interesting because there is a message here.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
A Classic Case
the setup…
Every Wednesday, Audrey bikes to her favorite video rental store, Keep It Classic, which only stocks vintage movies. The day and time is important because that’s when sweet old Mr. Hoffman comes in to renew the same movie starring 1960s starlet Katia Kelly. And then there’s Grant, the store owner who she has a bit of a crush on. However, on this Wednesday, Mr. Hoffman doesn’t show up. Grant assures her he’s fine but Audrey’s not convinced and sets out to do her own bit of snooping.
the heart of the story…
Audrey may be out of her league but her heart’s in the right place. Her efforts to find out whether Mr. Hoffman is in trouble lead to some scary moments. Even though her “relationship” with the man was limited at best, he was still important in her life. And so is Grant.
the narration…
Helen Laser has become one of my favorite narrators and she shines here. The storytelling was such that she gave nothing away while giving perfect voices to Audrey and Grant.
the bottom line…
This is such a nice landing for the final story in this collection. Audrey is that person who resorts to being a busybody for all the right reasons and everyone should have an “Audrey” looking out for them. I loved the ending.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
Staged
the setup…
Lyda is a new real estate agent trying desperately to clinch her first sale. The property at hand is a sad Victorian needing lots of work. Dani, her best friend since childhood, is now a home stager (trained on TikTok), sees a diamond in the literal rough and has workers readying it for the next day’s open house. They leave landscaper Sawyer Mackenzie behind as they run off to do some last minute errands, only to return and find the lothario’s dead body in the master bathroom upstairs!
the heart of the story…
The subject is busybodies and as this is a small town, everyone knows everybody else’s business. There’s the next door nosy neighbor Mrs. Price, Sawyer who was dating Marilee (Lyda’s cleaner) but broke up with her, George the painter whose cousin Tansey was dating him before…well, you get the picture. They’ve all converged at the house around the same time so there’s no shortage of potential suspects and amateur sleuths.
the narration…
Megan Tusing brought just the right airiness to this cozy mystery/comedy. Her storytelling skills were great.
the bottom line…
It’s not a complicated mystery and all the busybodies contribute to solving who killed Sawyer. It was intriguing enough for me to try and figure it out (I was wrong) and it has the author’s signature touch in pairing Lyda and Dani to do the investigation. It was just what I was hoping it would be. Really recommend the audio format. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
The Reunion Dinner
the setup…
This year, Josephine Ying is hosting the Chinese New Year dinner, normally done at the home of Big Uncle (Liuyi). But she now has the chance to break the trend since he broke his leg after an unfortunate fall and Josephine is going all out. She and husband Adam are also excited about their son Keith coming home with a surprise. Unfortunately, that surprise is new fiancée Lacey who they’ve never met or known about. But others at the dinner seem to know her well…and they’re not happy.
the heart of the story…
It’s Josephine’s point of view here as she takes stock of the situation. There’s her sister Yolanda who divorced husband George a year ago and still hasn’t shared why. Her daughter Francine had the most viral reaction when Lacey showed up. And, nephew Porter was awfully uncomfortable at seeing her. Not long after her arrival, Lacey drops dead in the middle of the room! Whodunit?
the narration…
Eunice Wong was pitch perfect as Josephine, keeping me on edge through the end. She was a fantastic storyteller.
the bottom line…
This is a kick of a story that had a plethora of suspects and motives. But, I still wasn’t prepared for that surprise at the end. So very, very clever. Oh, and do yourself a favor…dinner is best served up on audio.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Crime of Fashion
the setup…
Nellie Otis is a fashion assistant at Elle, responsible for the “fashion closet” and she’s on location at their current photo shoot. After she returns from getting a drink for Marlee Price, the aging famed musician at the center of the project (she’s the replacement star for the one who fell ill), everything goes crazy as the $3 million Bulgari necklace on loan for shoot is now missing. The armed guard who minutes ago was caught snoozing is now searching frantically for the piece and sort of holding everyone hostage in the meantime. Some of the fingers are being pointed at Nellie so she’s got motivation to help find the precious piece.
the heart of the story…
There’s more here than what is on the surface. Charlotte Plepto is the new editor-in-chief who unceremoniously forced out her predecessor with wealthy Daddy’s bankroll. Pointer, the disgraced photographer, is on his first major assignment after having been accused of misbehaving with the models and he has an axe to grind. Nellie has her hands full and she’s the low woman on the proverbial totem pole and her boss, Farrah Freeze the fashion director, isn’t making it easy.
the narration…
Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite narrators and she brought the characters and story to life. And, she delivered the fun.
the bottom line…
This was more The Devil Wears Prada intrigue than mystery but it was fun. I had a sense of who was really behind the theft and got most of it right. It didn’t matter because it was the behind the scenes treachery that took center stage. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
The Nosy Neighbor
the setup…
Marge remembers the day when the “flamboyant” Doris and her husband Bob moved into the neighborhood almost fifty years ago. She’s been snooping on her, reporting what she sees to her husband Harold regularly. But lately Marge is beginning to think that Doris is planning to get rid of Bob and doesn’t think he’ll be returning from their trip to Spain.
the heart of the story…
It’s all Marge as she justifies her role as the proverbial nosy neighbor as just looking out for everybody. Well, when you start digging deeper, be careful what you find. Think Gladys from the old show Bewitched.
the narration …
If I had to imagine what the ideal voice would sound like to depict a nosy neighbor it would definitely be Sherri Slater. She nailed Marge as well as Doris.
the bottom line…
This was another funny little mystery that fits well into this busybody collection. I had several laugh-out-loud moments and the little twist at the end brought a couple of surprises. Short but clever. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
One Lucky Subscriber
the setup…
Kennedy has sole custody of her little brother DJ so her time is valuable. But when Kidd, his favorite YouTube creator, comes up with a crazy challenge to celebrate reaching 10 million subscribers, she gives in and participates because the payoff is insane…and so is the challenge.
the heart of the story…
I’m not sure. Frankly, I was lost most of the time until the end. Kennedy teams with another player, all identified with a number on their yellow outfits, ten of them in all. I never quite grasped how to win the challenge. But, someone was trying to sabotage the game.
the narration…
I liked Jordan Cobb who seemed to be perfect in the role of Kennedy, clearly capturing the cynicism of the character. She was a great storyteller.
the bottom line…
I’m not the audience for this one. I don’t follow anybody on YouTube and don’t understand that world or the common vernacular. If you do, I think you’d find this interesting because there is a message here.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
A Classic Case
the setup…
Every Wednesday, Audrey bikes to her favorite video rental store, Keep It Classic, which only stocks vintage movies. The day and time is important because that’s when sweet old Mr. Hoffman comes in to renew the same movie starring 1960s starlet Katia Kelly. And then there’s Grant, the store owner who she has a bit of a crush on. However, on this Wednesday, Mr. Hoffman doesn’t show up. Grant assures her he’s fine but Audrey’s not convinced and sets out to do her own bit of snooping.
the heart of the story…
Audrey may be out of her league but her heart’s in the right place. Her efforts to find out whether Mr. Hoffman is in trouble lead to some scary moments. Even though her “relationship” with the man was limited at best, he was still important in her life. And so is Grant.
the narration…
Helen Laser has become one of my favorite narrators and she shines here. The storytelling was such that she gave nothing away while giving perfect voices to Audrey and Grant.
the bottom line…
This is such a nice landing for the final story in this collection. Audrey is that person who resorts to being a busybody for all the right reasons and everyone should have an “Audrey” looking out for them. I loved the ending.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
December 15, 2024
This collection gives you a taste of wonderful, creative storytelling combined with amateur sleuthing. The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a standout with its twisty plot and shocking conclusion. A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson was the last story and very memorable. The main character Audrey is extremely likable with a hint of Nancy Drew making her relatable to all amateur sleuths. My favorite story without a doubt was The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose. The main character Marge reminded me of Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched who was much too curious for her own good. This story is original with a final twist I never saw coming. Thank you, NetGalley for my copy.
October 25, 2024
This is a review of the 6 ebook Amazon Original Short Stories Collection.
This collection contains six short stories. They are all about busybodies, nosy neighbors or meddling relatives. I thought that these stories/cozy mysteries were all good reads.
In Staged by Elle Cosimano the story is about a real estate agent who stages a house and then tries to solve a case. This was a fun story that included two friends staging a house. But then when something bad happens they try to become detectives.
In The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto a family dinner turns deadly. This story takes place during the Chinese New Year celebration. Josephine is hosting the dinner, when her son surprises her by bringing an unexpected guest. This was a fun crazy story.
In Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum a $3 million dollar necklace disappears during a closed photo shoot. This was a fun mystery to try to figure out who stole the jewelry.
In The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose Marge has been spying on her neighbors Doris and Bob for years. This was a fun story because Marge had her suspicions. I really enjoyed both Doris and Marge. This was such an amusing story.
In One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett a viral stunt takes place at the mall. A social media influencer/Youtuber sets up a a crazy challenge in a mall. This was a an enjoyable read.
In A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson a woman who loves old movies develops a crush on the store owner. In this story the video store clerk is usually grumpy. And old Mr. Hoffman rents the same film every week. When Audrey becomes concerned she tries to figure out what has happened to her favorite older gentleman.
Overall this was a fun series. If you like cozy mysteries and want to see some new stories by your favorite authors then definitely check these out.
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
October 13, 2024
The Busybodies - Amazon Original Stories
By Elle Cosimano - Jesse Q. Sutanto - Emma Rosenblum - Nita Prose - Kellye Garrett - Alicia Thompson
✔️ The Staged by Elle Cosimano
Oh my! She just needed to sell the house, but a dead body? I don’t know if that’s going to make it! Maybe the staging will work!
✔️ The Reunion Dinner Jesse Q. Sutanto
After all, it was going to be the perfect reunion! She was going to prove herself as the perfect host! But, surprise! My fiancée, mom… And that’s when the reunion dinner really started!
✔️ Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
How I enjoyed this story! Not everting is what it seems and sometimes you need to look the other way to get what you really want from life! So well played!
✔️ The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
Hilarious! This one was bittersweet but all too real. We’ve had that neighbor, the one who “wears purple” and we don’t quite understand. But the thing is, we need to be careful as you really never know what people are capable of…
✔️ One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
Social media, followers and subscribers; a whole new world! Oh I’d definitely want to win so much money just by simply hiding! But this time, the game was different. What if it’s not about the money? What if something else happens? Stay tuned and hit the bell!
✔️ A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
What’s not to love about old movies? Rent, watch and return. This used to be the Mr Hoffman’s routine up until Audrey noticed he didn’t come back to return his movie. Where is he? Did something bad happen? Audrey will set herself in a journey to discover the truth. However, this may be simply, a classic case!
I loved each one of the stories and it got me thinking of how many little details we keep in our minds about everything that surrounds us! We know so much about the others and the other way round! It’s impressive to realize how nosy we really are! Such a great collection of short stories!
I loved the narrators who gave life to each of the characters! It was a great experience and enjoyed it deeply. I sure love audiobooks!
By Elle Cosimano - Jesse Q. Sutanto - Emma Rosenblum - Nita Prose - Kellye Garrett - Alicia Thompson
✔️ The Staged by Elle Cosimano
Oh my! She just needed to sell the house, but a dead body? I don’t know if that’s going to make it! Maybe the staging will work!
✔️ The Reunion Dinner Jesse Q. Sutanto
After all, it was going to be the perfect reunion! She was going to prove herself as the perfect host! But, surprise! My fiancée, mom… And that’s when the reunion dinner really started!
✔️ Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
How I enjoyed this story! Not everting is what it seems and sometimes you need to look the other way to get what you really want from life! So well played!
✔️ The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
Hilarious! This one was bittersweet but all too real. We’ve had that neighbor, the one who “wears purple” and we don’t quite understand. But the thing is, we need to be careful as you really never know what people are capable of…
✔️ One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
Social media, followers and subscribers; a whole new world! Oh I’d definitely want to win so much money just by simply hiding! But this time, the game was different. What if it’s not about the money? What if something else happens? Stay tuned and hit the bell!
✔️ A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
What’s not to love about old movies? Rent, watch and return. This used to be the Mr Hoffman’s routine up until Audrey noticed he didn’t come back to return his movie. Where is he? Did something bad happen? Audrey will set herself in a journey to discover the truth. However, this may be simply, a classic case!
I loved each one of the stories and it got me thinking of how many little details we keep in our minds about everything that surrounds us! We know so much about the others and the other way round! It’s impressive to realize how nosy we really are! Such a great collection of short stories!
I loved the narrators who gave life to each of the characters! It was a great experience and enjoyed it deeply. I sure love audiobooks!
October 20, 2024
Busybodies
Staged by Elle Cosimano
This was a fun one! Two rival real estate agents stumble upon a murder they have to solve. One of the gardeners I believe winds up dead in a house up for sale, and a third real estate rival planned the murder and staged the house before she left. A fun story and I couldn’t figure out who did it! Also loved the Elle Cosimano humor!
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
I also had high expectations for this one that definitely paid off. It’s about a woman who is hosting Chinese New Year and her son brings home a fiance she didn’t know about. This woman ends up dead. As the MC, Josephine, investigates to prevent her son from being blamed for it, she finds out that this woman was involved with multiple family members in bad ways and kinda sorta got what’s coming to her. She blamed the murder on a brother in law who cheated on her sister, but she reveals at the end that she’s the one who poisoned the fiance to save her son!
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
In this story, a necklace goes missing on a photo shoot set and the main character Nellie must prove her innocence. There is a lot of drama at the magazine that Nellie uncovers because her goal is to become a writer for the magazine so she’s pretty good at sleuthing. She discovers that one of the directors did it in spite of the new editor there, and the furor proves her innocence as well but at the end of the day is a kleptomaniac, which Nellie ignores because she got a promotion.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
This one was fun! It follows a lady in her 70s who has a nosy neighbor named Marge. But the more we hear from our MC, the more we find that actually she is the more nosy one, as she knows everything that’s happening in Marge’s house.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
In this story a girl enters a competition by a famous influencer in order to win money. She meets another girl who is competing and she is friendly, but at the end we find out she orchestrated the stealing of the money when the influencer gets hurt. The setting was hide and seek in this big mall, which was cool, but I thought the influencer was going to start hunting them or something haha.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
In this story a woman who often sees this older man in an old movie shop finds out he’s gone missing and she tries to find him. She breaks into his home and a guy who she has a crush on who works at the movie shop catches her doing it. But then she finds out the old man is actually in a romance with a movie star and the guy she likes has been watching his house lol. At least they now have a romance together! This was cute and funny.
Staged by Elle Cosimano
This was a fun one! Two rival real estate agents stumble upon a murder they have to solve. One of the gardeners I believe winds up dead in a house up for sale, and a third real estate rival planned the murder and staged the house before she left. A fun story and I couldn’t figure out who did it! Also loved the Elle Cosimano humor!
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
I also had high expectations for this one that definitely paid off. It’s about a woman who is hosting Chinese New Year and her son brings home a fiance she didn’t know about. This woman ends up dead. As the MC, Josephine, investigates to prevent her son from being blamed for it, she finds out that this woman was involved with multiple family members in bad ways and kinda sorta got what’s coming to her. She blamed the murder on a brother in law who cheated on her sister, but she reveals at the end that she’s the one who poisoned the fiance to save her son!
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
In this story, a necklace goes missing on a photo shoot set and the main character Nellie must prove her innocence. There is a lot of drama at the magazine that Nellie uncovers because her goal is to become a writer for the magazine so she’s pretty good at sleuthing. She discovers that one of the directors did it in spite of the new editor there, and the furor proves her innocence as well but at the end of the day is a kleptomaniac, which Nellie ignores because she got a promotion.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
This one was fun! It follows a lady in her 70s who has a nosy neighbor named Marge. But the more we hear from our MC, the more we find that actually she is the more nosy one, as she knows everything that’s happening in Marge’s house.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
In this story a girl enters a competition by a famous influencer in order to win money. She meets another girl who is competing and she is friendly, but at the end we find out she orchestrated the stealing of the money when the influencer gets hurt. The setting was hide and seek in this big mall, which was cool, but I thought the influencer was going to start hunting them or something haha.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
In this story a woman who often sees this older man in an old movie shop finds out he’s gone missing and she tries to find him. She breaks into his home and a guy who she has a crush on who works at the movie shop catches her doing it. But then she finds out the old man is actually in a romance with a movie star and the guy she likes has been watching his house lol. At least they now have a romance together! This was cute and funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
Six cozy mysteries by six renowned and iconic authors!
Staged by Elle Cosimano
3 stars - When a well known figure in their town was found dead under very unusual circumstances, it’s up to a real estate agent to figure out whodunit. I really liked the pacing of this story and the tone that Elle Cosimano used while writing. The ending wrapped up pretty quickly, which is to be expected with a short story, but the reasoning still was a stretch to me. However, it was fun!
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
4.5 stars - One thing about me is that I love asian authors. I always eat asian family stories up because they reflect my childhood and the characters make me feel so nostalgic. When Josephine’s family dinner goes awry, she must scope out who killed her daughter-in-law to be. I loved being in the mind of Josephine, she was razor sharp, quick witted, and relentless. This one was FULL of twists and an ending I did not see coming.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
4 stars - When a valuable piece of jewelry goes missing, it is up to Nellie to find out what happened to the $3,000,000 necklace before she loses her job… and her freedom. This was a fun Devils Wears Prada-isque mystery! Nellie and all of their coworkers were so fun to follow and honestly I think this short story could be flushed out into a whole book series!
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
3.5 stars - After decades of being the unappointed neighborhood watch, Marge’s spying takes a turn when she notices something out of the ordinary. Her POV was so funny and erratic. This is honest to God the exact musings/train of thought of an old woman busy body. I come across a lot of them at my job. The story itself was so silly and fun! The ending made me literally LOL, it felt like one of those paradox scary movies.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
3 stars - After a Mr. Beast-like character, launches a contest to win $50,000, Kennedy has to hide through the night in the biggest mall in order to beat the other opponents. This short story was so well laid out. It had really fast pacing and was a fun, twisty mystery. It never really felt like anyone was in major danger so it was a bit different than the other short stories so far.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
4 stars - With Mr. Hoffman nowhere to be found and his house is left in a suspicious state, Audrey has to dig a bit deeper to find out where her weekly video store friend disappeared to. This story has a really fun romance subplot and honestly I found it to be super appealing. I liked the pacing of the story and it tied up really nicely.
Overall really enjoyed this cozy mystery short story collection. I would totally recommend. Thank you Netgalley and Brillance Publishing for this audiobook arc!
October 7, 2024
This was such a fun group of short mysteries! I am not usually a big short story person but when I saw the authors listed here, I knew I had to read it. All the stories were well written and kept me invested throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook as it brought the stories to life. Definitely a good one if you need a short story between novels.
October 17, 2024
Nosy Neighbors and Accidental Detectives
In an era where true crime podcasts dominate and armchair detectives abound, Amazon Original Stories' Busybodies collection arrives as a charming reminder that sometimes the most intriguing mysteries unfold right in our own backyards. This anthology of six novellas celebrates the time-honored tradition of sticking one's nose where it doesn't belong – with delightfully unpredictable results.
A Diverse Tapestry of Tales
Each story in the Busybodies collection offers a unique flavor of mystery, ensuring there's something for every palate:
Staged by Elle Cosimano: A real estate agent's open house becomes a crime scene, proving that in the cutthroat world of property sales, a killer instinct can be taken too literally.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto: Family gatherings are often dramatic, but Sutanto takes it to new heights with a Chinese New Year celebration that serves up more than just dumplings and drama.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum: The glossy world of high fashion turns deadly in this sharp-witted tale that proves looks can kill.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose: Prose, known for her bestseller "The Maid," delivers a suburban mystery that shows how deadly dull neighborhoods can become when imaginations run wild.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett: In an age where influencers reign supreme, Garrett's story of a YouTube challenge gone wrong feels terrifyingly plausible.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson: Nostalgia meets mystery in this love letter to classic cinema and video stores, where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.
The Art of the Novella
One of the collection's strengths lies in its format. Each novella is long enough to sink your teeth into but short enough to devour in a single sitting. It's the literary equivalent of binge-watching your favorite mystery series, with each story leaving you satisfied yet eager for the next.
Everyday Heroes and Villains
The protagonists of these tales aren't hardboiled detectives or brilliant forensic scientists. They're realtors, fashionistas, bored housewives, and movie buffs. It's this ordinariness that makes their adventures so compelling. The authors skillfully blur the line between hero and busybody, reminding us that sometimes the most effective crime-solvers are those who simply can't mind their own business.
A Masterclass in Pacing
Despite their brevity, each novella manages to pack in twists, red herrings, and satisfying resolutions. The authors demonstrate a keen understanding of pacing, building tension and releasing it in ways that keep pages turning (or screens swiping).
Humor Meets Suspense
While the mysteries at the heart of each story are genuinely intriguing, it's the undercurrent of humor that sets this collection apart. From Sutanto's wickedly funny family dynamics to Thompson's playful nods to classic films, Busybodies proves that even in the face of danger, there's always room for a good laugh.
A Reflection of Our Times
Collectively, these stories offer a fascinating snapshot of contemporary anxieties and obsessions. Whether it's our fascination with true crime, our love-hate relationship with social media, or our nostalgia for simpler times, Busybodies taps into the zeitgeist with uncanny precision.
The Perfect Literary Snack
In a world where attention spans are shrinking and free time is at a premium, the Busybodies collection offers the perfect literary snack. These novellas are ideal for commutes, lunch breaks, or those precious moments of quiet after the kids are in bed.
A Gateway to New Authors
For readers, this collection serves as an excellent introduction to six talented authors. It's a low-risk way to sample different writing styles and discover new favorites. Each story leaves you wanting more – a clever marketing strategy that will likely lead readers to explore the authors' full-length works.
Final Verdict: A Must-Read Collection
Busybodies is more than just a collection of mysteries; it's a celebration of curiosity, a tribute to those who refuse to mind their own business. It reminds us that extraordinary stories often lurk behind ordinary facades, waiting for someone nosy enough to uncover them.
Whether you're a mystery aficionado or simply someone who enjoys peeking through the blinds at your neighbors, Busybodies offers a reading experience that's as addictive as neighborhood gossip and as satisfying as solving the crossword puzzle before your morning coffee gets cold.
So go ahead, indulge your inner busybody. After all, as this collection proves, sometimes being nosy isn't just fun – it might just solve a crime.
In an era where true crime podcasts dominate and armchair detectives abound, Amazon Original Stories' Busybodies collection arrives as a charming reminder that sometimes the most intriguing mysteries unfold right in our own backyards. This anthology of six novellas celebrates the time-honored tradition of sticking one's nose where it doesn't belong – with delightfully unpredictable results.
A Diverse Tapestry of Tales
Each story in the Busybodies collection offers a unique flavor of mystery, ensuring there's something for every palate:
Staged by Elle Cosimano: A real estate agent's open house becomes a crime scene, proving that in the cutthroat world of property sales, a killer instinct can be taken too literally.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto: Family gatherings are often dramatic, but Sutanto takes it to new heights with a Chinese New Year celebration that serves up more than just dumplings and drama.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum: The glossy world of high fashion turns deadly in this sharp-witted tale that proves looks can kill.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose: Prose, known for her bestseller "The Maid," delivers a suburban mystery that shows how deadly dull neighborhoods can become when imaginations run wild.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett: In an age where influencers reign supreme, Garrett's story of a YouTube challenge gone wrong feels terrifyingly plausible.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson: Nostalgia meets mystery in this love letter to classic cinema and video stores, where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.
The Art of the Novella
One of the collection's strengths lies in its format. Each novella is long enough to sink your teeth into but short enough to devour in a single sitting. It's the literary equivalent of binge-watching your favorite mystery series, with each story leaving you satisfied yet eager for the next.
Everyday Heroes and Villains
The protagonists of these tales aren't hardboiled detectives or brilliant forensic scientists. They're realtors, fashionistas, bored housewives, and movie buffs. It's this ordinariness that makes their adventures so compelling. The authors skillfully blur the line between hero and busybody, reminding us that sometimes the most effective crime-solvers are those who simply can't mind their own business.
A Masterclass in Pacing
Despite their brevity, each novella manages to pack in twists, red herrings, and satisfying resolutions. The authors demonstrate a keen understanding of pacing, building tension and releasing it in ways that keep pages turning (or screens swiping).
Humor Meets Suspense
While the mysteries at the heart of each story are genuinely intriguing, it's the undercurrent of humor that sets this collection apart. From Sutanto's wickedly funny family dynamics to Thompson's playful nods to classic films, Busybodies proves that even in the face of danger, there's always room for a good laugh.
A Reflection of Our Times
Collectively, these stories offer a fascinating snapshot of contemporary anxieties and obsessions. Whether it's our fascination with true crime, our love-hate relationship with social media, or our nostalgia for simpler times, Busybodies taps into the zeitgeist with uncanny precision.
The Perfect Literary Snack
In a world where attention spans are shrinking and free time is at a premium, the Busybodies collection offers the perfect literary snack. These novellas are ideal for commutes, lunch breaks, or those precious moments of quiet after the kids are in bed.
A Gateway to New Authors
For readers, this collection serves as an excellent introduction to six talented authors. It's a low-risk way to sample different writing styles and discover new favorites. Each story leaves you wanting more – a clever marketing strategy that will likely lead readers to explore the authors' full-length works.
Final Verdict: A Must-Read Collection
Busybodies is more than just a collection of mysteries; it's a celebration of curiosity, a tribute to those who refuse to mind their own business. It reminds us that extraordinary stories often lurk behind ordinary facades, waiting for someone nosy enough to uncover them.
Whether you're a mystery aficionado or simply someone who enjoys peeking through the blinds at your neighbors, Busybodies offers a reading experience that's as addictive as neighborhood gossip and as satisfying as solving the crossword puzzle before your morning coffee gets cold.
So go ahead, indulge your inner busybody. After all, as this collection proves, sometimes being nosy isn't just fun – it might just solve a crime.
November 23, 2024
This is a cozy mystery collection with quick, convenient resolutions that didn’t give enough depth or suspense for me. The last two leaned more into romance and were a bit more enjoyable. But the writing isn’t bad so if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, you might enjoy this collection more than I did.
🐕 Howls Interesting concept but most stories felt rushed and hollow. Endings felt too convenient or incomplete. Some stories seemed to end randomly/mid-story. Other felt almost pointless or unsatisfying.
Staged 2
Real estate staging should be for showcasing life, not death.
Vacuum tracks in carpet. Mallet. Azalea bushes. BMW. Pink carpet.
• Real estate gone wrong
• Hot landscaper
• Amateur sleuth sisters
• Quippy dark comedy
• Hints of enemies to lovers romance
The Reunion Dinner 2.5
A sixty-something main character plans to upstage their sibling’s family holiday dinner when given the chance.
Chinese New Year. Roast pig. Cocktails. Yu sheng.
• Cozy holiday
• Dinner party gone wrong
• Family celebration and reunions
• Mother Knows Best
• Unhinged sabotage
Crime of Fashion 2
A missing necklace at a photo shoot. A responsible assistant in the hot seat.
Black dress. Wavy hair. Gems. Handbags. Yellow diamond.
• Photoshoot drama
• Gumshoe sleuthing
• Find the thief
• Job at risk
The Nosy Neighbour 3
Snooping while house-sitting for a neighbour.
Hobbies. Bungalow. Picture window. Hydrangeas.
• Older adult sleuthing
• House-sitting for a neighbour
• Unreliable, unhinged characters
• Flip the script twists
One Lucky Subscriber 4
Hide and seek in a mall for a YouTuber’s competition.
Shopping mall. Numbered contestants. Tesla. Rose wall. Livestream. Stuffed animal.
• Content creation hide and seek
• Attempt to sabotage the game or clumsy host?
• Cheating to win attempts
• Everyone’s a suspect attempted murder mystery
A Classic Case 5
A video rental customer worries when a usual customer doesn’t show up at his regular time.
Movie rental. Black-and-white movies. Peanut butter. Flannel.
• Missing acquaintance
• Clue hunting with a crush
• Quirky main character
• Meet-cute movie style romance
Content Heads-Up: Blood. Death. Dead body (discovery of). Drugging. Poisoning. Murder. Jealousy. Theft. Potential false accusation. Dementia (implied). Loss of spouse. Parental ambivalence (gave up custody to family).
Rep: American. Chinese. English. Cis. Hetero. Pansexual. Dark, pale, and ambiguous skin tones. Obsessive compulsive disorder. Stutter.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
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🐕 Howls Interesting concept but most stories felt rushed and hollow. Endings felt too convenient or incomplete. Some stories seemed to end randomly/mid-story. Other felt almost pointless or unsatisfying.
Staged 2
Real estate staging should be for showcasing life, not death.
Vacuum tracks in carpet. Mallet. Azalea bushes. BMW. Pink carpet.
• Real estate gone wrong
• Hot landscaper
• Amateur sleuth sisters
• Quippy dark comedy
• Hints of enemies to lovers romance
The Reunion Dinner 2.5
A sixty-something main character plans to upstage their sibling’s family holiday dinner when given the chance.
Chinese New Year. Roast pig. Cocktails. Yu sheng.
• Cozy holiday
• Dinner party gone wrong
• Family celebration and reunions
• Mother Knows Best
• Unhinged sabotage
Crime of Fashion 2
A missing necklace at a photo shoot. A responsible assistant in the hot seat.
Black dress. Wavy hair. Gems. Handbags. Yellow diamond.
• Photoshoot drama
• Gumshoe sleuthing
• Find the thief
• Job at risk
The Nosy Neighbour 3
Snooping while house-sitting for a neighbour.
Hobbies. Bungalow. Picture window. Hydrangeas.
• Older adult sleuthing
• House-sitting for a neighbour
• Unreliable, unhinged characters
• Flip the script twists
One Lucky Subscriber 4
Hide and seek in a mall for a YouTuber’s competition.
Shopping mall. Numbered contestants. Tesla. Rose wall. Livestream. Stuffed animal.
• Content creation hide and seek
• Attempt to sabotage the game or clumsy host?
• Cheating to win attempts
• Everyone’s a suspect attempted murder mystery
A Classic Case 5
A video rental customer worries when a usual customer doesn’t show up at his regular time.
Movie rental. Black-and-white movies. Peanut butter. Flannel.
• Missing acquaintance
• Clue hunting with a crush
• Quirky main character
• Meet-cute movie style romance
Content Heads-Up: Blood. Death. Dead body (discovery of). Drugging. Poisoning. Murder. Jealousy. Theft. Potential false accusation. Dementia (implied). Loss of spouse. Parental ambivalence (gave up custody to family).
Rep: American. Chinese. English. Cis. Hetero. Pansexual. Dark, pale, and ambiguous skin tones. Obsessive compulsive disorder. Stutter.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
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November 4, 2024
Busy Bodies, there’s a mystery around every corner by multiple authors such as Jesse Q Sutanto,, El CosaMano, Nita Pros, Emma Rosenblum, Kellye Garrett and Alicia Thompson.. The anthology is made up of six short Cozy mysteries that range from hilarious to quirky and there’s even one that gives you a creepy uneasy feeling but all great and so worth reading once I started with the first one I couldn’t stop my favorite who is either nosy neighbor or family reunion but all are worth picking up you can either get them in this one book or separately with Kindle unlimited that also has the audio narration with it, something I absolutely appreciate it. From a necklace that goes missing in a lot door scenario to a family reunion dinner that doesn’t go the way the host thinks it should, A lonely and shy girls search for her Tuesday afternoon video searching partner and a funny but creepy one called lucky subscriber to a woman who is asked to watch the house of her neighbor who is also the vein of her existence and loses her mind in the process. These books are so funny I am laughing just remembering them I four out of the six books in my opinion were five star reads not to mention the great narration on the audiobooks I just can’t say enough about this funny quick laugh out loud fall on the ground laughing mysteries. So so good! #NetGalley, #AmazonOriginals,#Busy bodies,
November 6, 2024
Busybodies is an engaging anthology featuring six novellas that delve into the chaos caused by meddling relatives, nosy neighbors, and social media influencers. Each story is filled with mystery and clever twists and captures the essence of characters grappling with unexpected events.
In “Staged” by Elle Cosimano, real estate agent Lyda finds herself investigating when her landscaper turns up dead in a home she’s trying to sell. The character-driven narratives offer enthralling insights into their lives.
I was pleasantly surprised by the contributions from authors like Garrett, Thompson, and Rosenblum, alongside familiar names like Cosimano, Sutanto, and Prose. Their unique perspectives make this collection an enjoyable read.
Overall, the anthology is a delight with clever storytelling that leaves you wanting more. I’m grateful for the e-galley of The Busybodies Collection via NetGalley.
In “Staged” by Elle Cosimano, real estate agent Lyda finds herself investigating when her landscaper turns up dead in a home she’s trying to sell. The character-driven narratives offer enthralling insights into their lives.
I was pleasantly surprised by the contributions from authors like Garrett, Thompson, and Rosenblum, alongside familiar names like Cosimano, Sutanto, and Prose. Their unique perspectives make this collection an enjoyable read.
Overall, the anthology is a delight with clever storytelling that leaves you wanting more. I’m grateful for the e-galley of The Busybodies Collection via NetGalley.
December 16, 2024
This was an enjoyable audiobook compilation of six different stories, each by a different author. All stories have the same theme of nosey neighbors. Cozy mysterious stories that kept me engaged.
I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Read
October 16, 2024Cute! I read the stories rather than listened but they all great fun!
November 13, 2024
A collection of “mystery” short stories that ranged from 1 - 3 stars. Mostly 2 Star reads though, it’s not a great effort. Still, the highlights were Sutanto and Thompson’s stories, which felt the most cohesive and engaging. If I’d recommend any of the stories, individually, it would be those two.
Crime of Fashion was bottom of the list. It manages to stereotype every horrible character into a mess of women hating women and reducing #metoo into lies against men for revenge. Just an awful road to take all around.
The other stories are a mash of oversimplified, boring, and forgettable. Overall, as a whole collection, it’s not worth the listen.
* I received a free early audio copy from the publisher via netgalley
Crime of Fashion was bottom of the list. It manages to stereotype every horrible character into a mess of women hating women and reducing #metoo into lies against men for revenge. Just an awful road to take all around.
The other stories are a mash of oversimplified, boring, and forgettable. Overall, as a whole collection, it’s not worth the listen.
* I received a free early audio copy from the publisher via netgalley
November 14, 2024
This compilation of six novellas by six mystery writers highlights the 'amateur sleuth.' The introduction to the collection reads: "Every nosy neighbor, gossipy friend, and meddling relative is just one good mystery away from becoming a detective. From behind locked doors or out in broad daylight, driven by chance or curiosity, amateur sleuths get in over their heads in these six hair-raising hilarious stories."
I"ll give a brief description of each novella.
*****
Staged by Elle Cosimano
Struggling real estate agent Lyda and her friend Dani are staging a neglected Victorian house that Lyda's desperate to sell. The century old disaster has a sagging front porch, crooked walls, and dusty foul-smelling carpets.
To spruce the property up, Lyda has hired handsome gardener Sawyer Mackenzie, who's outside showing off his sun-kissed hair, tight jeans, and toned chest. Sawyer, a lothario known for 'loving and leaving 'em', has broken a few hearts around town.
Lyda and Dani go off to purchase some things for the staging and return to find Sawyer dead in the house. The gardener is sprawled on the bedroom floor, with his clothes scattered around, and a giant purple hickey on the side of his neck.
When the authorities can't nab the the killer Lyda steps up to save the day.
*****
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Josephine Ying is very excited to be hosting her extended family's Chinese New Year dinner for the very first time.
Josephine's husband suggests she's gone overboard with the roasted whole pig, but Josephine retorts, "Everyone traveling from all over the country to come to dinner." This includes the couple's son Keith, who works on Wall Street and says he's bringing a 'fabulous surprise.'
Josephine pictures a necklace or bracelet from Tiffany's, or perhaps an expensive handbag. But when Keith arrives....VERY LATE....he says "Ma, Ba, remember how I said I had a surprise? Well, I'd like you to meet Lacey, my fiancée." Josephine is gobsmacked, as are other family members, some of whom already know and hate Lacey.
During the dinner Lacey drops dead: "Her eyes were open, staring glassily at nothing. There was foam at the corners of her mouth." Josephine is fearful her son Keith will be accused of murder, so she uncovers the killer herself.
*****
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
Meticulous Nellie Otis is an assistant at the fashion magazine 'Elle', for which she "maintained, with precision, a systematically structured fashion closet that housed designer clothing and accessories." Nothing in Nellie's purview has ever gone missing.....until now!
A three-million dollar Bulgari necklace has disappeared from a fashion shoot. The necklace was on a designated jewelry table, with Nellie and an armed security guard beside it. When Nellie went to fetch a soda for the cover model, the guard apparently fell asleep, and the necklace vanished.
If the Bulgari isn't found, heads will roll, specifically Nellie's head - ESPECIALLY because editor-in-chief Charlotte is blaming Nellie for the theft.
To save her job Nellie makes it her business to catch the culprit.
*****
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
Septuagenarian Marge has known her across-the-street neighbor Doris for fifty years. According to Marge, Doris is a busybody with her nose up in everyone else's business. Marge isn't the one to talk, however, because she stares out the window at Doris and her husband Bob all day.
According to Marge, Doris is a jumped up floozy, but Bob is "slowing down, sicker than usual, wheezy and unsteady on his feet."
Marge is surprised when Doris comes over one day and announces, "I've booked Bob and me a special long weekend in Spain. We'll be studying flamenco.....[and] you never know, one of us might like it so much, we may never come back!" Doris asks Marge to look after the house while she and Bob are gone, and to be sure to water the newly planted hydrangeas in the backyard.
Marge can't resist the opportunity to snoop around Doris's house, and for various reasons, Marge suspects Doris killed Bob. Marge tries to prove Doris is a murderer....which leads to a surprising finale.
*****
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
Internet sensation Kidd - who does outsize stunts - is staging an event at the American Dream Mall, which has three million square feet, one-hundred-plus stores, five floors, two mini-golf courses, and one indoor theme park.
Ten contestants, flown in from all over the United States, are vying to win $50,000. The idea is that the players are given a head start to hide in the mall, each one carrying a case with fifty grand. Kidd announces, "I'll be spending the next eight hours playing the world's largest game of hide-and-seek. The [contestants] can hide anywhere they want. I find them. The money's mine." On the other hand, anyone who isn't found within the eight hours gets to keep the money.
Kidd's team will film him during the search, and Kidd expects the video to make a big splash online.
Contestant #4 teams up with contestant #2, and they find (what they think is) an excellent hiding place. The game proceeds, and after some hours Kidd has located several players and is approaching the hiding place of players 4 and 2.
Around this time there's a big kerfuffle and Kidd is injured. Kidd insists, "Someone tried to kill me. We're trying to figure out who...." and he begins accusing everyone in sight.
This leads to surprising revelations, and a light bulb moment helps contestant #4 resolve the case.
*****
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
Audrey is a rather shy young woman who looks forward to Wednesdays.
Wednesday is the day Audrey goes to the 'Keep It Classic' video store to rent an old-timey film. It's also the day Audrey meets up with Mr. Hoffman, "the sweet eightysomething-year-old-man who came in at precisely two o'clock to renew his rental on his favorite movie, 'She Who Laughs Last', starring notoriously reclusive 1960s ingenue Katia Kelly."
There's another reason Audrey patronizes the video store. She has a HUGE crush on the owner, Grant, a nice-looking fellow who always wears jeans, a heather-gray T-shirt, and a soft plaid flannel. Grant is polite, but other than that, seems to take no notice of Audrey.
One Wednesday, Mr. Hoffman doesn't show up at 'Keep It Classic', much to Audrey's chagrin. Audrey tries to get Grant to 'investigate', but he shrugs off Mr. Hoffman's absence. Audrey decides to go to the elderly gent's house herself....and when Grant shows up as well, things take an unexpected turn.
This little mystery has fun elements and a not-so-surprising ending.
****
All the suspense stories are fun, but my two favorites, for their 'twists', are The Reunion Dinner and The Nosy Neighbor.
Thanks to Netgalley, the authors, and Amazon Original Stories for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 16, 2024
Overall rating for the whole collection 3.5★s
Staged is a short story by Elle Cosimano in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Realtor Lyda and her friend Dani are busy staging a rundown old house for inspection, but in their small town, some of the handymen employed to bring it up to scratch don’t get on with others, especially gardener Sawyer Mackenzie who might have dated and dropped their sisters or cousins, breaking hearts. When Sawyer ends up dead in the ensuite, the list of potential killers is not short, but the sheriff settles on one person fairly quickly. Only he’s got it wrong and Lyda, having taken note of the signs, is determined to prove who the real killer is. Will likely appeal to thirty-something fans of light chick-lit. 3 stars
The Reunion Dinner is a short story by best-selling American author, Jesse Q. Sutanto in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Josephine Ying uses a somewhat underhand trick to get the annual family reunion Chinese New Year dinner shifted from Big Uncle’s to her home, certain she will win them all over with her hospitality. Even though her English husband thinks she’s gone overboard, it’s all going well until her son, Keith turns up with a surprise fiancée. Josephine isn’t the only one upset. Then one of the guests dies, the cops turn up, and Josephine is worried the cops will arrest Keith. But as she chats to others, she learns that several family members have a motive to kill. Will the cops believe her? A fun tale with a great twist. 4 stars
Crime Of Fashion is a short story by Emma Rosenblum in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. It’s a fashion shoot for Elle magazine, and Nellie Otis, assistant to the stylist/fashion director, is responsible for the jewellry on loan when a fabulous Bulgari necklace goes missing while she has her back turned. When the ex-cop hired as armed guard (who fell asleep!) conducts a search, it’s found in the handbag of the new, young Editor-in-Chief. Also present, the photographer and the rock star’s publicist. Editor claims it was planted, and Nellie, on the lowest rung of the ladder, is looking at a slur that will stop her career dead. What else can she do but investigate? Some clever deductive work and a nice twist in this one. 4 stars
The Nosy Neighbor is a short story by Nita Prose in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Since Marge retired, she spends a lot of her day at her picture window, relaying all she sees to her husband, Harold, no longer talking, but still listening. Doris and Bob are right across the road so she sees a lot of what they’re up to, something Doris is less than pleased about. Marge is way too nosy for her liking. When Doris and Bob go to Spain for a long weekend, it’s Marge’s chance to check out her suspicions: she’s sure that Doris is trying to get rid of Bob so she can play away. And what she finds (peanuts!) proves it, to her, at least. But will she have the last laugh? A lesson not to be nosy, with a nice twist. 3 stars.
One Lucky Subscriber is a short story by Kellye Garrett in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Kennedy considers herself lucky to be one of ten contestants competing for the $10,000 in a game of hide and seek in a deserted shopping mall. YouTuber, Kidd is famous his ten million subscribers and for stunts in which he gives away large sums of cash. These contestants are dressed in yellow jumpsuits, carry a golden cash-filled briefcase, and have to record it all on a GoPro. By the time five have been eliminated by being found, Kennedy thinks she’s in with a chance, until someone tries to kill Kidd. A silly, confusing story made more difficult to follow by characters sometimes having names, other times, numbers. May appeal to millennials. 2 stars.
A Classic Case is a short story by Alicia Thompson in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Audrey looks forward to Wednesdays for three reasons: biking down to Keep It Classic to rent a Black & White movie helps her feel connected to her late grandma; she gets to chat to sweet old Mr Hoffman as the eighty-six-year-old renews his rental of “She Who Laughs Last”; and she can try to interact with the taciturn, unsmiling store owner, Grant.
But this Wednesday, no Mr Hoffman! Audrey is concerned about his absence, but Grant, looking tired and on edge, seems unfazed by it. Audrey can’t let it go, rides to Mr Hoffmans and enters his house, injuring herself in the process. No Mr Hoffman! When Grant turns up demanding to know what she’s up to, she’s noting unusual things and guessing at possible explanations from a rich source: all the movies she watches. But Audrey has the wrong end of more than one stick. Cute twist. 5 stars.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.
Staged is a short story by Elle Cosimano in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Realtor Lyda and her friend Dani are busy staging a rundown old house for inspection, but in their small town, some of the handymen employed to bring it up to scratch don’t get on with others, especially gardener Sawyer Mackenzie who might have dated and dropped their sisters or cousins, breaking hearts. When Sawyer ends up dead in the ensuite, the list of potential killers is not short, but the sheriff settles on one person fairly quickly. Only he’s got it wrong and Lyda, having taken note of the signs, is determined to prove who the real killer is. Will likely appeal to thirty-something fans of light chick-lit. 3 stars
The Reunion Dinner is a short story by best-selling American author, Jesse Q. Sutanto in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Josephine Ying uses a somewhat underhand trick to get the annual family reunion Chinese New Year dinner shifted from Big Uncle’s to her home, certain she will win them all over with her hospitality. Even though her English husband thinks she’s gone overboard, it’s all going well until her son, Keith turns up with a surprise fiancée. Josephine isn’t the only one upset. Then one of the guests dies, the cops turn up, and Josephine is worried the cops will arrest Keith. But as she chats to others, she learns that several family members have a motive to kill. Will the cops believe her? A fun tale with a great twist. 4 stars
Crime Of Fashion is a short story by Emma Rosenblum in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. It’s a fashion shoot for Elle magazine, and Nellie Otis, assistant to the stylist/fashion director, is responsible for the jewellry on loan when a fabulous Bulgari necklace goes missing while she has her back turned. When the ex-cop hired as armed guard (who fell asleep!) conducts a search, it’s found in the handbag of the new, young Editor-in-Chief. Also present, the photographer and the rock star’s publicist. Editor claims it was planted, and Nellie, on the lowest rung of the ladder, is looking at a slur that will stop her career dead. What else can she do but investigate? Some clever deductive work and a nice twist in this one. 4 stars
The Nosy Neighbor is a short story by Nita Prose in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Since Marge retired, she spends a lot of her day at her picture window, relaying all she sees to her husband, Harold, no longer talking, but still listening. Doris and Bob are right across the road so she sees a lot of what they’re up to, something Doris is less than pleased about. Marge is way too nosy for her liking. When Doris and Bob go to Spain for a long weekend, it’s Marge’s chance to check out her suspicions: she’s sure that Doris is trying to get rid of Bob so she can play away. And what she finds (peanuts!) proves it, to her, at least. But will she have the last laugh? A lesson not to be nosy, with a nice twist. 3 stars.
One Lucky Subscriber is a short story by Kellye Garrett in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Kennedy considers herself lucky to be one of ten contestants competing for the $10,000 in a game of hide and seek in a deserted shopping mall. YouTuber, Kidd is famous his ten million subscribers and for stunts in which he gives away large sums of cash. These contestants are dressed in yellow jumpsuits, carry a golden cash-filled briefcase, and have to record it all on a GoPro. By the time five have been eliminated by being found, Kennedy thinks she’s in with a chance, until someone tries to kill Kidd. A silly, confusing story made more difficult to follow by characters sometimes having names, other times, numbers. May appeal to millennials. 2 stars.
A Classic Case is a short story by Alicia Thompson in the Busybodies Collection published under the Amazon Original Stories banner. Audrey looks forward to Wednesdays for three reasons: biking down to Keep It Classic to rent a Black & White movie helps her feel connected to her late grandma; she gets to chat to sweet old Mr Hoffman as the eighty-six-year-old renews his rental of “She Who Laughs Last”; and she can try to interact with the taciturn, unsmiling store owner, Grant.
But this Wednesday, no Mr Hoffman! Audrey is concerned about his absence, but Grant, looking tired and on edge, seems unfazed by it. Audrey can’t let it go, rides to Mr Hoffmans and enters his house, injuring herself in the process. No Mr Hoffman! When Grant turns up demanding to know what she’s up to, she’s noting unusual things and guessing at possible explanations from a rich source: all the movies she watches. But Audrey has the wrong end of more than one stick. Cute twist. 5 stars.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.
October 17, 2024
What do you get when you take a half dozen dynamic writers and set them free with the task of writing novellas about controlling family members, nosy neighbors, vengeful coworkers, and internet stars? That would be the Busybodies collection of short stories that combine mystery, humor, revenge, karma, and people with too much time on their hands.
In Staged, Elle Cosimano (writer of the popular Finlay Donovan series) tells the story of a real estate agent who is trying to gain some traction at her office by putting in some extra work on her latest house for sale. Lyda enlists the help of her best friend and some local contractors to fix up the Victorian she’s trying to sell, but when her landscaper ends up dead in the bedroom, Lyda will have to do some fast detective work to find the killer and earn her commission.
Jesse Q. Sutanto keeps it all in the family, when Josephine Ying hosts her first Chinese New Year get-together for The Reunion Dinner. She had been wanting to host the dinner for years, so this year is special, especially when her son announces he has a big surprise. Josephine is dreaming of something sparkly for her, as his Wall Street job is just down the street from Tiffany’s, but instead he shows up with a fiancée. And when she turns up dead, Josephine finds out that the family has far more suspects than she thought.
When a very expensive necklace goes missing during a fashion photography shoot, it’s the closet assistant who has to figure out what happened in Emma Rosenblum’s Crime of Fashion. Nellie is an OCD wannabe writer working for Elle in the fashion closet, organizing all the clothes and accessories that designers lean them. But when a $3 million necklace goes missing during a cover shoot, Nellie knows that she will be the one to lose her job if it doesn’t show up. She has to plan out her investigation with the same sort of system she has for keeping the closet in perfect shape, if she wants to save the day and keep her job.
Nita Prose (author of The Maid) goes to Florida in The Nosy Neighbor, where Madge spends her days looking out the window and talking to her husband. Meanwhile, across the street Doris is living her life. She’s trying out tai chi and painting live models. She even insists her husband join her in flamenco lessons. Her husband Bob is less enthusiastic about her hobbies. He’s in his mid-70s also, asthmatic and exhausted. But he takes the dance classes with Doris, and even joins her on a trip to Spain. Doris asks Marge to look after their house while they’re gone, and water the new flowers in the back. But Marge starts to wonder just what is under those flowers, and she goes a little crazy.
In Kellye Garrett’s One Lucky Subscriber, Kidd, a guy with ten million followers online hosts a giant game of hide-and-seek in a mall after hours. There is $50,000 on the line, and most of the ten contestants have been in his games before. They were chosen by his audience through comments on their videos. But then there is Kennedy, the one lucky subscriber, who got chosen at the last minute. She has sole custody of her little brother, so that money would really come in handy. But she has to survive the night, and an attempt on Kidd’s life, to try to win that golden briefcase.
And lastly, in Alicia Thompson’s A Classic Case, a quiet woman spends her Wednesday afternoons in a classic movie rental shop. Audrey has a little bit of a crush on the owner Grant, but she is intrigued by Mr. Hoffman. He is a retired man who comes into the shop every week at the exact same time and rents the same movie every week, She Who Laughs Last, starring Katia Kelly. But when Mr. Hoffman doesn’t show up one Wednesday, Audrey gets concerned. Grant shrugs it off, but he has also has a suspicious bandage on his hand. Audrey finds Mr. Hoffman’s address and heads to his house to see if he’s okay, but what she finds there only brings up more questions.
These six stories are all about similar themes, but they couldn’t be more different. They are smart and intriguing, and they all have twists you can’t see coming. I enjoyed reading them all, and I loved getting a small glimpse into all these authors’ minds. If you’re not interested in all of them, you can buy only the stories that you are drawn to, but for me, I’m glad I read the whole collection. I wanted to read some because I am a big fan of Cosimano, Sutanto, and Prose. And now that I’ve read the stories by Garrett, Thompson, and Rosenblum also, I’m a fan of theirs too. These are tasty appetizers, and now I want to read more.
Egalleys for The Busybodies Collection were provided by Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley, with many thanks.
In Staged, Elle Cosimano (writer of the popular Finlay Donovan series) tells the story of a real estate agent who is trying to gain some traction at her office by putting in some extra work on her latest house for sale. Lyda enlists the help of her best friend and some local contractors to fix up the Victorian she’s trying to sell, but when her landscaper ends up dead in the bedroom, Lyda will have to do some fast detective work to find the killer and earn her commission.
Jesse Q. Sutanto keeps it all in the family, when Josephine Ying hosts her first Chinese New Year get-together for The Reunion Dinner. She had been wanting to host the dinner for years, so this year is special, especially when her son announces he has a big surprise. Josephine is dreaming of something sparkly for her, as his Wall Street job is just down the street from Tiffany’s, but instead he shows up with a fiancée. And when she turns up dead, Josephine finds out that the family has far more suspects than she thought.
When a very expensive necklace goes missing during a fashion photography shoot, it’s the closet assistant who has to figure out what happened in Emma Rosenblum’s Crime of Fashion. Nellie is an OCD wannabe writer working for Elle in the fashion closet, organizing all the clothes and accessories that designers lean them. But when a $3 million necklace goes missing during a cover shoot, Nellie knows that she will be the one to lose her job if it doesn’t show up. She has to plan out her investigation with the same sort of system she has for keeping the closet in perfect shape, if she wants to save the day and keep her job.
Nita Prose (author of The Maid) goes to Florida in The Nosy Neighbor, where Madge spends her days looking out the window and talking to her husband. Meanwhile, across the street Doris is living her life. She’s trying out tai chi and painting live models. She even insists her husband join her in flamenco lessons. Her husband Bob is less enthusiastic about her hobbies. He’s in his mid-70s also, asthmatic and exhausted. But he takes the dance classes with Doris, and even joins her on a trip to Spain. Doris asks Marge to look after their house while they’re gone, and water the new flowers in the back. But Marge starts to wonder just what is under those flowers, and she goes a little crazy.
In Kellye Garrett’s One Lucky Subscriber, Kidd, a guy with ten million followers online hosts a giant game of hide-and-seek in a mall after hours. There is $50,000 on the line, and most of the ten contestants have been in his games before. They were chosen by his audience through comments on their videos. But then there is Kennedy, the one lucky subscriber, who got chosen at the last minute. She has sole custody of her little brother, so that money would really come in handy. But she has to survive the night, and an attempt on Kidd’s life, to try to win that golden briefcase.
And lastly, in Alicia Thompson’s A Classic Case, a quiet woman spends her Wednesday afternoons in a classic movie rental shop. Audrey has a little bit of a crush on the owner Grant, but she is intrigued by Mr. Hoffman. He is a retired man who comes into the shop every week at the exact same time and rents the same movie every week, She Who Laughs Last, starring Katia Kelly. But when Mr. Hoffman doesn’t show up one Wednesday, Audrey gets concerned. Grant shrugs it off, but he has also has a suspicious bandage on his hand. Audrey finds Mr. Hoffman’s address and heads to his house to see if he’s okay, but what she finds there only brings up more questions.
These six stories are all about similar themes, but they couldn’t be more different. They are smart and intriguing, and they all have twists you can’t see coming. I enjoyed reading them all, and I loved getting a small glimpse into all these authors’ minds. If you’re not interested in all of them, you can buy only the stories that you are drawn to, but for me, I’m glad I read the whole collection. I wanted to read some because I am a big fan of Cosimano, Sutanto, and Prose. And now that I’ve read the stories by Garrett, Thompson, and Rosenblum also, I’m a fan of theirs too. These are tasty appetizers, and now I want to read more.
Egalleys for The Busybodies Collection were provided by Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley, with many thanks.
November 4, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Amazon Originals short story collections that are free for Prime subscribers in the Kindle app. I especially appreciate the ability to add on free Audible narration, which ultimately is how I listened to this series (although I am very grateful to have received an ARC of the digital ebook from NetGalley). As a whole this collection has some powerhouse authors and excellent narrators.
Staged by Elle Cosimano, narrated by Megan Tusing
As a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, I was looking forward to this real estate murder mystery. I liked how this book started off with friends prepping to sell a house with some suggestion of possible romance, but then there’s a turn toward murder and mystery. It’s all packed in such a brief book that I never felt like I could sink my teeth in to the plot or characters. Lots of potential but overall a bit of a miss for me. Interestingly, narrator Megan Tusing received a SOVAS nomination for this in Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Short Story Anthology – Best Voiceover!
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto, narrated by Eunice Wong
If you love Sutanto's Aunties series or Vera Wong, give this a shot. In this story Josephine Ying is eager to fulfill Chinese New Year hosting duties when tragedy strikes. A surprise guest ends up dead, and Josephine takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. This started out cheeky and humorous but ultimately became a bit too silly and intertwined to believable. The narration was great. This was my second favorite book in the series.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum, narrated by Brittany Pressley,
This short story brings a bit of mystery into the fashion world as an expensive necklace goes missing on a photoshoot. I found this decently interesting because of the setting, and I would recommend it to fans of The Devil Wears Prada, The Bold Type or Gossip Girl. In general, it's probably a bit forgettable, but it's a very readable short story that fits in with the series.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose, narrated by Sherri Slater,
I am a big fan of Nita Prose, so I was really looking forward to this fourth installment. This short story really embraces the "busybody" in main character Marge who spies on her neighbors and suspects nefarious deeds afoot. This book had a fun few quirks but lacked the endearing charm of The Maid series.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett, narrated by Jordan Cobb
Unfortunately, this is the dud of the bunch. I had a hard time keeping track of or caring about any of the oddly-named characters. The writing felt forced with awkward analogies, misfired metaphors and superfluous similes. The plot is difficult to follow, but I might summarize the chaos as some sort of financially-motivated social media competition in a mall? I think? While I was excited to be exposed to a new author through this read, I discovered that I am not the reader for Kellye Garrett. If you read and/or listen this short story because it's free to Amazon Prime subscribers or perhaps you are committed to completing the series, I would recommend turning it into a drinking game for every "GoPro."
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson, narrated by Helen Laser
A Classic Case of saving the best for last! This final Busybodies chapter is the best of the bunch. Admittedly, I am a biased romance devotee who will possibly over-inflate a rating for a book that involves chemistry or crushing. Alicia Thompson comes through with a cozy mystery for anyone who has nostalgia for Blockbuster video. When Audrey picks up on a break in rental enthusiast Mr. Hoffman's routine, she begins to suspect something terrible has transpired. As she tries to get to the bottom of his absence, her path must cross with the "hot and grumpy" clerk. This short book is less sinister than the rest but still plays into the busybody mystery theme.
Staged by Elle Cosimano, narrated by Megan Tusing
As a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, I was looking forward to this real estate murder mystery. I liked how this book started off with friends prepping to sell a house with some suggestion of possible romance, but then there’s a turn toward murder and mystery. It’s all packed in such a brief book that I never felt like I could sink my teeth in to the plot or characters. Lots of potential but overall a bit of a miss for me. Interestingly, narrator Megan Tusing received a SOVAS nomination for this in Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Short Story Anthology – Best Voiceover!
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto, narrated by Eunice Wong
If you love Sutanto's Aunties series or Vera Wong, give this a shot. In this story Josephine Ying is eager to fulfill Chinese New Year hosting duties when tragedy strikes. A surprise guest ends up dead, and Josephine takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. This started out cheeky and humorous but ultimately became a bit too silly and intertwined to believable. The narration was great. This was my second favorite book in the series.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum, narrated by Brittany Pressley,
This short story brings a bit of mystery into the fashion world as an expensive necklace goes missing on a photoshoot. I found this decently interesting because of the setting, and I would recommend it to fans of The Devil Wears Prada, The Bold Type or Gossip Girl. In general, it's probably a bit forgettable, but it's a very readable short story that fits in with the series.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose, narrated by Sherri Slater,
I am a big fan of Nita Prose, so I was really looking forward to this fourth installment. This short story really embraces the "busybody" in main character Marge who spies on her neighbors and suspects nefarious deeds afoot. This book had a fun few quirks but lacked the endearing charm of The Maid series.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett, narrated by Jordan Cobb
Unfortunately, this is the dud of the bunch. I had a hard time keeping track of or caring about any of the oddly-named characters. The writing felt forced with awkward analogies, misfired metaphors and superfluous similes. The plot is difficult to follow, but I might summarize the chaos as some sort of financially-motivated social media competition in a mall? I think? While I was excited to be exposed to a new author through this read, I discovered that I am not the reader for Kellye Garrett. If you read and/or listen this short story because it's free to Amazon Prime subscribers or perhaps you are committed to completing the series, I would recommend turning it into a drinking game for every "GoPro."
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson, narrated by Helen Laser
A Classic Case of saving the best for last! This final Busybodies chapter is the best of the bunch. Admittedly, I am a biased romance devotee who will possibly over-inflate a rating for a book that involves chemistry or crushing. Alicia Thompson comes through with a cozy mystery for anyone who has nostalgia for Blockbuster video. When Audrey picks up on a break in rental enthusiast Mr. Hoffman's routine, she begins to suspect something terrible has transpired. As she tries to get to the bottom of his absence, her path must cross with the "hot and grumpy" clerk. This short book is less sinister than the rest but still plays into the busybody mystery theme.
October 17, 2024
Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner (Busybodies Collection #1-6) by Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett, and Alicia Thompson
The Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner is an engaging anthology featuring six diverse stories from talented authors Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett, and Alicia Thompson. Each short story/book captures the essence of amateur sleuthing and the intrigue of everyday life, woven together by the common theme of curious characters who find themselves embroiled in mysteries.
What I enjoyed most:
1. Diverse Perspectives: Each author brought a unique voice and style, offering a rich tapestry of narratives. From Cosimano's sharp wit to Sutanto's heartfelt storytelling, the collection showcases a range of tones that keep me engaged.
2. Relatable Characters: The protagonists are ordinary individuals who stumble into extraordinary situations. Their relatable quirks and motivations make it easy for me to connect with them, whether they're uncovering secrets in their neighborhoods or navigating personal dilemmas.
3. Clever Plots: Each story is well-crafted with intriguing mysteries that unfold at a satisfying pace. The plots are often laced with humor, adding levity to the tension, and keeping me guessing until the final reveal.
4. Thematic Depth: Beyond the mysteries, the collection explores themes of community, friendship, and the often-overlooked connections we have with those around us. This adds an emotional resonance that elevates the stories.
Areas of Opportunities:
1. Inconsistent Pacing: While some stories built the suspense effectively, others felt rushed or drawn out, which affected the overall flow. A few narratives could have benefited from tighter editing to enhance the pacing.
2. Character Development: In certain stories, characters came across as archetypal or underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth. A more nuanced exploration of their backgrounds would have enhanced the emotional impact.
Overall, Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner was a delightful collection celebrating the art of mystery through the lens of everyday life. With its engaging characters, clever plots, and a mix of humor and heart, this collection is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and lighthearted whodunits. Whether you're a seasoned mystery lover or new to the genre, it offers a charming escape into the world of amateur sleuthing. Highly recommended for those seeking a cozy read that invites curiosity around every corner!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this advanced copy. While the ARC is a gift, my reviews are solely based on my own opinions, and I’m under no obligation to any company or individual to post. #Busybodiescollection #NetGalley
The Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner is an engaging anthology featuring six diverse stories from talented authors Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett, and Alicia Thompson. Each short story/book captures the essence of amateur sleuthing and the intrigue of everyday life, woven together by the common theme of curious characters who find themselves embroiled in mysteries.
What I enjoyed most:
1. Diverse Perspectives: Each author brought a unique voice and style, offering a rich tapestry of narratives. From Cosimano's sharp wit to Sutanto's heartfelt storytelling, the collection showcases a range of tones that keep me engaged.
2. Relatable Characters: The protagonists are ordinary individuals who stumble into extraordinary situations. Their relatable quirks and motivations make it easy for me to connect with them, whether they're uncovering secrets in their neighborhoods or navigating personal dilemmas.
3. Clever Plots: Each story is well-crafted with intriguing mysteries that unfold at a satisfying pace. The plots are often laced with humor, adding levity to the tension, and keeping me guessing until the final reveal.
4. Thematic Depth: Beyond the mysteries, the collection explores themes of community, friendship, and the often-overlooked connections we have with those around us. This adds an emotional resonance that elevates the stories.
Areas of Opportunities:
1. Inconsistent Pacing: While some stories built the suspense effectively, others felt rushed or drawn out, which affected the overall flow. A few narratives could have benefited from tighter editing to enhance the pacing.
2. Character Development: In certain stories, characters came across as archetypal or underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth. A more nuanced exploration of their backgrounds would have enhanced the emotional impact.
Overall, Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner was a delightful collection celebrating the art of mystery through the lens of everyday life. With its engaging characters, clever plots, and a mix of humor and heart, this collection is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and lighthearted whodunits. Whether you're a seasoned mystery lover or new to the genre, it offers a charming escape into the world of amateur sleuthing. Highly recommended for those seeking a cozy read that invites curiosity around every corner!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this advanced copy. While the ARC is a gift, my reviews are solely based on my own opinions, and I’m under no obligation to any company or individual to post. #Busybodiescollection #NetGalley
October 27, 2024
This collection of mysteries follows 6 busybodies that true crime'd too close to the sun. From nosy neighbors to workplace scandals, this was a wild ride. I love anything Elle Cosimano writes, and through her being in this collection, I've found other authors to add to my TBR.
This is my ranking, starting with my favorite:
Staged
Crime of Fashion
A Classic Case
Reunion Dinner
One Lucky Subscriber
Nosy Neighbors
Staged by Elle Cosimano:
This was hilariously unhinged. If Elle Cosimano published her grocery list, I’d read it. That’s how much I enjoy her writing.
Two real estate agents are getting their listings prepared for their open houses. Directly across the street from each other, and for the same day. Someone is found dead in one of the homes and the killer is on the loose. Who did it? Lyda and her best friend are going to find out.
Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto:
Okay, this was wilddddd!!
Josephine is hosting a big family dinner. Her son brings an unexpected guest: his surprise fiancé. Someone drops dead at the dinner table, cops show up, and Josephine works her way through the guest list to puzzle the night together. A lot of people in the room have motive.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum:
This was sooo good! During a magazine photoshoot, a $3M necklace goes missing. Now the assistant, Nellie, has to piece together what happened because she’s the easy target to pin it on. I was picturing that ABC Family show “The Bold Type” the whole time.
That ending was fascinating too!!
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose:
This one’s a bit creepier. We all have that neighbor who stares out their window and is in everyone’s business. In this case, Marge. She’s 75 and gets asked to housesit for Doris, across the street (that she’s watched for 50 years).
Doris and he’s husband are going to Spain for a few days, but the story isn’t adding up. Marge is convinced Doris is up to no good and investigates.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett:
A game of hide-and-seek inside a mall gets crazy with an attempted murder. Hosted by a YouTube star, everyone is competing for big prize money. There’s a group of fan favorites, plus Kennedy, a subscriber.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson:
Audrey loves spending time at the local video store, browsing the classics. She has a crush on the owner, and weekly chats with an elderly customer. Mr. Hoffman come into the store every Wednesday at 2pm to renew the same movie. Only, this week, he doesn’t arrive. Audrey takes it upon herself to track him down and find out what happened.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!
This is my ranking, starting with my favorite:
Staged
Crime of Fashion
A Classic Case
Reunion Dinner
One Lucky Subscriber
Nosy Neighbors
Staged by Elle Cosimano:
This was hilariously unhinged. If Elle Cosimano published her grocery list, I’d read it. That’s how much I enjoy her writing.
Two real estate agents are getting their listings prepared for their open houses. Directly across the street from each other, and for the same day. Someone is found dead in one of the homes and the killer is on the loose. Who did it? Lyda and her best friend are going to find out.
Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto:
Okay, this was wilddddd!!
Josephine is hosting a big family dinner. Her son brings an unexpected guest: his surprise fiancé. Someone drops dead at the dinner table, cops show up, and Josephine works her way through the guest list to puzzle the night together. A lot of people in the room have motive.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum:
This was sooo good! During a magazine photoshoot, a $3M necklace goes missing. Now the assistant, Nellie, has to piece together what happened because she’s the easy target to pin it on. I was picturing that ABC Family show “The Bold Type” the whole time.
That ending was fascinating too!!
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose:
This one’s a bit creepier. We all have that neighbor who stares out their window and is in everyone’s business. In this case, Marge. She’s 75 and gets asked to housesit for Doris, across the street (that she’s watched for 50 years).
Doris and he’s husband are going to Spain for a few days, but the story isn’t adding up. Marge is convinced Doris is up to no good and investigates.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett:
A game of hide-and-seek inside a mall gets crazy with an attempted murder. Hosted by a YouTube star, everyone is competing for big prize money. There’s a group of fan favorites, plus Kennedy, a subscriber.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson:
Audrey loves spending time at the local video store, browsing the classics. She has a crush on the owner, and weekly chats with an elderly customer. Mr. Hoffman come into the store every Wednesday at 2pm to renew the same movie. Only, this week, he doesn’t arrive. Audrey takes it upon herself to track him down and find out what happened.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!
November 21, 2024
3★
I read kindle previews from NetGalley, so I haven't heard the audio
I reviewed each of them:
My review of Staged by Elle Cosimano
My review of The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My review of Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
My review of The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
My review of One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
My review of A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
I read kindle previews from NetGalley, so I haven't heard the audio
I reviewed each of them:
My review of Staged by Elle Cosimano
My review of The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My review of Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
My review of The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose
My review of One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
My review of A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
October 29, 2024
This compilation, available to Amazon Prime members as an audiobook comprises six short stories, cosy mysteries by popular authors. All slightly off beat, entertaining and good fun! Average rating 3.5★ rounded up to 4★
Staged by Elle Cosimano
First time realtor Lyda, with the help of her friends is staging an old house for open inspection. Returning from picking up supplies they find their old friend and lothario dead in the house and turn to sleuthing. 3★
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A woman is pleased when she finally gets to host the family Chinese New Year dinner but it doesn’t all go to plan. Her son has promised her a surprise but it’s definitely not one she’s going to enjoy. Then there is a murder with a host of suspects with motives but will the guilty party be found? Great unexpected ending! 3.5★
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
When an exquisite Bulgari necklace at a fashion shoot disappears the young wardrobe assistant is the one the finger is pointed at. To keep her job and reputation she must solve the case herself. Some enjoyable tongue-in-cheek comments on the fashion industry. 3.5★
The Nosy Neighbour by Nita Prose
Marge is the elderly, nosy neighbour who sits at her window keeping tabs and passing judgment on what her neighbour Doris and her husband Bob are doing. But Doris has her own plans for Marge to get her just rewards for her nosiness. Very enjoyable, even if I wouldn’t want either Marge or Doris as my neighbour. 4★
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
A high stakes Hide and seek reality show in a shopping mall set up by a popular social media influencer turns into a murder investigation. Interesting idea that didn’t quite work for me. 3★
A Classic case by Alicia Thompson
A young introverted woman who loves old movies is alarmed when the elderly man she meets at the video store without fail every week doesn’t turn up. The grumpy sales clerk who she has a secret crush on, seems not to care about her or his missing customer. Cute story and my pick of the collection. 4★
with thanks to Amazon Original Stories for a copy of the ebook to read
Staged by Elle Cosimano
First time realtor Lyda, with the help of her friends is staging an old house for open inspection. Returning from picking up supplies they find their old friend and lothario dead in the house and turn to sleuthing. 3★
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A woman is pleased when she finally gets to host the family Chinese New Year dinner but it doesn’t all go to plan. Her son has promised her a surprise but it’s definitely not one she’s going to enjoy. Then there is a murder with a host of suspects with motives but will the guilty party be found? Great unexpected ending! 3.5★
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum
When an exquisite Bulgari necklace at a fashion shoot disappears the young wardrobe assistant is the one the finger is pointed at. To keep her job and reputation she must solve the case herself. Some enjoyable tongue-in-cheek comments on the fashion industry. 3.5★
The Nosy Neighbour by Nita Prose
Marge is the elderly, nosy neighbour who sits at her window keeping tabs and passing judgment on what her neighbour Doris and her husband Bob are doing. But Doris has her own plans for Marge to get her just rewards for her nosiness. Very enjoyable, even if I wouldn’t want either Marge or Doris as my neighbour. 4★
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett
A high stakes Hide and seek reality show in a shopping mall set up by a popular social media influencer turns into a murder investigation. Interesting idea that didn’t quite work for me. 3★
A Classic case by Alicia Thompson
A young introverted woman who loves old movies is alarmed when the elderly man she meets at the video store without fail every week doesn’t turn up. The grumpy sales clerk who she has a secret crush on, seems not to care about her or his missing customer. Cute story and my pick of the collection. 4★
with thanks to Amazon Original Stories for a copy of the ebook to read
October 7, 2024
I don't love short story collections, but this features some of my favorite authors, and I appreciate having a chance to review it! I enjoyed all of the stories and now have some new authors to follow. Each one features a cozy mystery of sorts, nothing too disturbing.
I'll go through each story separately:
Staged by Elle Cosimano: 2 friends are getting a house ready for sale when someone is found dead in the house. There are plenty of suspects, and Lyda and her friend need to solve the case to get the house sold. Some good sleuthing and a surprising murderer! 4 stars.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A Chinese New Year celebration goes awry when a guest is poisoned. Everyone has a reason to hate this person, and more comes out as the story unfolds. I had a hunch about the murderer. One of the darker stories here. 3.5 stars.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum: An important piece of jewelry goes missing at a photo shoot. It's found, but is it as simple as it looks? The lowly assistant needs to find the culprit before she loses her job. Shallow people, nice surprise at the end. But unrealistic. 3.5 stars.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose: 2 old friends face off as one is living her life to the fullest, and the other is following with her eyes, until she sees something she's not supposed to. Strong twist at the end, also quite dark. 4 stars.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett: Innovative story set in the American Dream Mall as contestants vie for the chance to win $50,000 in a TikTok video challenge. Something seems to go horribly wrong, but in the end. it's all just a show. Or is it? This manages to make you think, but I found it a bit hard to follow. 3.5 stars.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson: My favorite of the bunch! Audrey is a bit socially off. She meets old Mr. Hoffman every week as they take out old movies from the classics rental store, but one week he doesn't show up, and she goes to find him. Strong detailing, realistic characters, cute romance/mystery. 4.5 stars.
Altogether, easy, quick, enjoyable reads.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon, and the authors for an advanced copy for review.
I'll go through each story separately:
Staged by Elle Cosimano: 2 friends are getting a house ready for sale when someone is found dead in the house. There are plenty of suspects, and Lyda and her friend need to solve the case to get the house sold. Some good sleuthing and a surprising murderer! 4 stars.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A Chinese New Year celebration goes awry when a guest is poisoned. Everyone has a reason to hate this person, and more comes out as the story unfolds. I had a hunch about the murderer. One of the darker stories here. 3.5 stars.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum: An important piece of jewelry goes missing at a photo shoot. It's found, but is it as simple as it looks? The lowly assistant needs to find the culprit before she loses her job. Shallow people, nice surprise at the end. But unrealistic. 3.5 stars.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose: 2 old friends face off as one is living her life to the fullest, and the other is following with her eyes, until she sees something she's not supposed to. Strong twist at the end, also quite dark. 4 stars.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett: Innovative story set in the American Dream Mall as contestants vie for the chance to win $50,000 in a TikTok video challenge. Something seems to go horribly wrong, but in the end. it's all just a show. Or is it? This manages to make you think, but I found it a bit hard to follow. 3.5 stars.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson: My favorite of the bunch! Audrey is a bit socially off. She meets old Mr. Hoffman every week as they take out old movies from the classics rental store, but one week he doesn't show up, and she goes to find him. Strong detailing, realistic characters, cute romance/mystery. 4.5 stars.
Altogether, easy, quick, enjoyable reads.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon, and the authors for an advanced copy for review.
November 17, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner is the collected omnibus of Busybodies 1-6. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Amazon Stories, it's 206 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a mixed bag of mystery stories written around "nosey" amateur sleuths solving crimes which pop up in their orbits. The stories vary in intensity, but all are lightly humorous, and all are more or less in the cozy subgenre. There are several collections with different themes (secrets/mysteries, thrillers, adventure/fantasy, etc). All are available free to prime/unlimited subscribers and all can be downloaded as singles or collections.
In both graphics and layout, these collections are more colorful than expected, with each new story delineated with a full color cover page with cover art. The interactive table of contents is handy for flipping back and forth without having to read from cover to cover in order.
The audiobook narration contains 6 different story narrators, and the sound and production quality are high throughout.
The stories themselves are a mixed bag. Several of them are by authors with massive followings, and a couple were less familiar. All were well written and enjoyable. For readers looking to test out new authors, this is an accessible and easy way to do that without committing to a full novel.
Four stars. Diverting and fun. (And really, that's the point!).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner is the collected omnibus of Busybodies 1-6. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Amazon Stories, it's 206 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a mixed bag of mystery stories written around "nosey" amateur sleuths solving crimes which pop up in their orbits. The stories vary in intensity, but all are lightly humorous, and all are more or less in the cozy subgenre. There are several collections with different themes (secrets/mysteries, thrillers, adventure/fantasy, etc). All are available free to prime/unlimited subscribers and all can be downloaded as singles or collections.
In both graphics and layout, these collections are more colorful than expected, with each new story delineated with a full color cover page with cover art. The interactive table of contents is handy for flipping back and forth without having to read from cover to cover in order.
The audiobook narration contains 6 different story narrators, and the sound and production quality are high throughout.
The stories themselves are a mixed bag. Several of them are by authors with massive followings, and a couple were less familiar. All were well written and enjoyable. For readers looking to test out new authors, this is an accessible and easy way to do that without committing to a full novel.
Four stars. Diverting and fun. (And really, that's the point!).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 23, 2024
Book 243 of 300 ~ 2024
🌟🌟🌟💫
Cute collection with an almost equal amount of mehs and ooooos.
The narrator helps.
So the breakdown:
Book 229 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 1 Staged
🌟🌟🌟💫
I needed a cute little cosy mystery, and that's what I got.
Decent pace and ok ending.. felt a bit abrupt. Oh, wells.
Book 231 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 2 The Reunion Dinner
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
When the village bicycle turns up at your family reunion dinner, you can be sure to expect gossip, fury, and a murder?
Trust Ms Sutanto to give it a twist. One star just because she wrote it.
Book 237 of 300 ~ 2024 book 3 Crime of Fashion
🌟🌟🌟
Meh. After book 2, this felt disappointing and just rather messy. I dragged my feet with this one and just hoped that the next one will be better.
So jewellery went missing and it becomes the assistants fault... even worse, her possible crime.
The little twist at the end made it get the extra half star.
Book 238 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 4 The Nosy Neighbour
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nita Prose is brilliant, and this gave me some goosebumps. Be weary of who you watch and who might be watching you.
Book 239 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 5 One Lucky Subscriber
🌟🌟💫
Interesting premise. Good try. Hold my attention? No. I can barely recall it, which is rare.
Book 242 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 6 A Classic Case
🌟🌟🌟💫
The twist was so exciting, and I was squealing.. and then it went flat and meh. Should have rolled with it. Ahhh, instead of turning it into a love story. I made it more exciting by making it a what if similar to Nita Prose's book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book243of300 #amreading #amlistening #busybodiesbook #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #goodreads #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟💫
Cute collection with an almost equal amount of mehs and ooooos.
The narrator helps.
So the breakdown:
Book 229 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 1 Staged
🌟🌟🌟💫
I needed a cute little cosy mystery, and that's what I got.
Decent pace and ok ending.. felt a bit abrupt. Oh, wells.
Book 231 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 2 The Reunion Dinner
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
When the village bicycle turns up at your family reunion dinner, you can be sure to expect gossip, fury, and a murder?
Trust Ms Sutanto to give it a twist. One star just because she wrote it.
Book 237 of 300 ~ 2024 book 3 Crime of Fashion
🌟🌟🌟
Meh. After book 2, this felt disappointing and just rather messy. I dragged my feet with this one and just hoped that the next one will be better.
So jewellery went missing and it becomes the assistants fault... even worse, her possible crime.
The little twist at the end made it get the extra half star.
Book 238 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 4 The Nosy Neighbour
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nita Prose is brilliant, and this gave me some goosebumps. Be weary of who you watch and who might be watching you.
Book 239 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 5 One Lucky Subscriber
🌟🌟💫
Interesting premise. Good try. Hold my attention? No. I can barely recall it, which is rare.
Book 242 of 300 ~ 2024 - book 6 A Classic Case
🌟🌟🌟💫
The twist was so exciting, and I was squealing.. and then it went flat and meh. Should have rolled with it. Ahhh, instead of turning it into a love story. I made it more exciting by making it a what if similar to Nita Prose's book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book243of300 #amreading #amlistening #busybodiesbook #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #goodreads #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
April 6, 2025
Six novella collection, all involving average folks attempting to solve a range of crimes.
Staged — Real estate agents and home stagers Lyda and Dani must solve the murder mystery of the town’s Thirst Trap, Sawyer McKenzie. Cute, but could push the romantic part of the HFN further.
The Reunion Dinner — Best of the bunch—and it’s not even close. Josephine Ying has been clamoring to host her extended family’s Chinese New Year dinner party for ages. Now, it’s finally her turn. Love the delicious foods and traditions. Clever, twisty, and fun.
Crime of Fashion — Nellie Otis is an assistant at ELLE magazine. The theft of a yellow diamond Bulgari necklace has everyone—especially Nellie—under suspicion. Fun story, nice solve, and witty ending.
The Nosy Neighbor — Doris and Marge are senior citizens—and neighbors. Doris’s husband’s disappearance is the catalyst for the story.
Jumps the shark. Super messy.
This author absolutely does not work for me. Her dumbed-down style and Unreliable Narrator Tropes are anathema to the discerning thriller reader.
One Lucky Subscriber — Kennedy is intent on winning a $50,000 challenge. It’s organized by an influencer, Kidd, whom her little brother avidly follows.
Weak and basic. Zero character development. Flimsy plot. Almost a toss-up for worst of the collection…but nah. That still goes to Prose.
A Classic Case — Audrey is an old movie buff. When Mr. Hoffmann, another regular the local video store, disappears…Audrey feels compelled to investigate.
A cute and cozy mystery. Author could push further with the budding romance.
Runner-up for best story of the collection.
Staged by Elle Cosimano (4 ⭐️)
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto (5 ⭐️)
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum (4 ⭐️)
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose (2 ⭐️)
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett (2 ⭐️)
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson (4 ⭐️)
Staged — Real estate agents and home stagers Lyda and Dani must solve the murder mystery of the town’s Thirst Trap, Sawyer McKenzie. Cute, but could push the romantic part of the HFN further.
The Reunion Dinner — Best of the bunch—and it’s not even close. Josephine Ying has been clamoring to host her extended family’s Chinese New Year dinner party for ages. Now, it’s finally her turn. Love the delicious foods and traditions. Clever, twisty, and fun.
Crime of Fashion — Nellie Otis is an assistant at ELLE magazine. The theft of a yellow diamond Bulgari necklace has everyone—especially Nellie—under suspicion. Fun story, nice solve, and witty ending.
The Nosy Neighbor — Doris and Marge are senior citizens—and neighbors. Doris’s husband’s disappearance is the catalyst for the story.
Jumps the shark. Super messy.
This author absolutely does not work for me. Her dumbed-down style and Unreliable Narrator Tropes are anathema to the discerning thriller reader.
One Lucky Subscriber — Kennedy is intent on winning a $50,000 challenge. It’s organized by an influencer, Kidd, whom her little brother avidly follows.
Weak and basic. Zero character development. Flimsy plot. Almost a toss-up for worst of the collection…but nah. That still goes to Prose.
A Classic Case — Audrey is an old movie buff. When Mr. Hoffmann, another regular the local video store, disappears…Audrey feels compelled to investigate.
A cute and cozy mystery. Author could push further with the budding romance.
Runner-up for best story of the collection.
Staged by Elle Cosimano (4 ⭐️)
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto (5 ⭐️)
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum (4 ⭐️)
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose (2 ⭐️)
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett (2 ⭐️)
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson (4 ⭐️)
October 13, 2024
I love a good short story collection.
Particularly, when there’s a good theme throughout.
While I don’t think that’s how anaphylaxis works, The Nosy Neighbour by Nita Prose was tight, funny, and DARK.
I generally have a No Murders rule, when it comes to friends, I’d definitely have got along better with Doris, over Marge.
A Crime of Fashion had some good points. I liked the whodunnit vibe, the quirky main character, and the twisty bit at the end. I didn’t love the casual use of OCD, or the False Accusation plotline.
Family Reunion Dinner does well with the whole, Everybody’s A Suspect! Thing. Is it the jilted business partner? Or the jilted lover? Or the OTHER jilted lover? I also loved the Chinese New Year dinner setting. It’s amazing what a good writer can do with only 50 pages.
A Classic Case – Love a good grumpy-sunshine trope. There was just enough mystery and just enough romance to make this a satisfying read.
One Lucky Subscriber was the most ‘modern’ of the short stories. Influencers, YouTubers, and Views. I was expecting more of a twist at the end, but I still enjoyed it.
Staged was my least favourite of the bunch, which is weird, as I love Elle Cosimano’s stuff. I didn’t find the romance interesting, and the two main characters were strangely ambivalent over their friend’s death.
Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Brilliance Publishing for this collection.
Particularly, when there’s a good theme throughout.
While I don’t think that’s how anaphylaxis works, The Nosy Neighbour by Nita Prose was tight, funny, and DARK.
I generally have a No Murders rule, when it comes to friends, I’d definitely have got along better with Doris, over Marge.
A Crime of Fashion had some good points. I liked the whodunnit vibe, the quirky main character, and the twisty bit at the end. I didn’t love the casual use of OCD, or the False Accusation plotline.
Family Reunion Dinner does well with the whole, Everybody’s A Suspect! Thing. Is it the jilted business partner? Or the jilted lover? Or the OTHER jilted lover? I also loved the Chinese New Year dinner setting. It’s amazing what a good writer can do with only 50 pages.
A Classic Case – Love a good grumpy-sunshine trope. There was just enough mystery and just enough romance to make this a satisfying read.
One Lucky Subscriber was the most ‘modern’ of the short stories. Influencers, YouTubers, and Views. I was expecting more of a twist at the end, but I still enjoyed it.
Staged was my least favourite of the bunch, which is weird, as I love Elle Cosimano’s stuff. I didn’t find the romance interesting, and the two main characters were strangely ambivalent over their friend’s death.
Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Brilliance Publishing for this collection.
October 22, 2024
This is a collection of 6 short cozy mystery stories.
My overall rating is 3,5 ⭐️
1. Staged - Elle Cosimano - Lyda is a real estate agent that tries to sell an old house with the help of her friend Dani. When the landscaper ends up dead in the house they manage to find the killer. This was not realistic, but it was a fun and entertaining read. I also liked Lyda and Will’s banter.
2. The Reunion Dinner - Jesse Q. Sutanto- this started with a family traditional Chinese New Year’s diner and became a murder mystery. With a few other suspects I did not expect the ending. Even for a short story, the crime was “solved” so fast and without needing any evidence.
3. Crime of Fashion- Nellie is an assistant at ELLE and during a photo shoot an expensive necklace is stolen. She did a good job solving the crime and getting a promotion. I did not expect the ending. Short and nice mystery.
4. The Nosy neighbor- We have 2 neighbors in their 70s that are pretty nosy. I liked the story, but it was too short and the ending was surprising.
5. One Lucky subscriber - this one was different and it is about a hide and seek contest on a YouTube channel. Fortunately there is no murder, but the ending was disappointing.
6. A classic case - this is my favorite because it has some romance and a cute ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My overall rating is 3,5 ⭐️
1. Staged - Elle Cosimano - Lyda is a real estate agent that tries to sell an old house with the help of her friend Dani. When the landscaper ends up dead in the house they manage to find the killer. This was not realistic, but it was a fun and entertaining read. I also liked Lyda and Will’s banter.
2. The Reunion Dinner - Jesse Q. Sutanto- this started with a family traditional Chinese New Year’s diner and became a murder mystery. With a few other suspects I did not expect the ending. Even for a short story, the crime was “solved” so fast and without needing any evidence.
3. Crime of Fashion- Nellie is an assistant at ELLE and during a photo shoot an expensive necklace is stolen. She did a good job solving the crime and getting a promotion. I did not expect the ending. Short and nice mystery.
4. The Nosy neighbor- We have 2 neighbors in their 70s that are pretty nosy. I liked the story, but it was too short and the ending was surprising.
5. One Lucky subscriber - this one was different and it is about a hide and seek contest on a YouTube channel. Fortunately there is no murder, but the ending was disappointing.
6. A classic case - this is my favorite because it has some romance and a cute ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 12, 2024
A collection of short mystery stories from Elle Cosimano, Jesse Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett, and Alicia Thompson. Each of these stories follows a fun female main character and has a cozy, humorous vibe. My thoughts on the collection as a whole: Absolutely worth the read, a great collection to pick up in between longer novels to mix things up. It is the perfect season to give these a go and you might find a new author to explore (I definitely did!)
Detailed reviews below :)
Staged by Elle Cosimano 4
Exactly the kind of story you would expect from Cosimano but still unique. Funny and fun, a great addition.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto 3.5
Great representation (as Sutanto always has) and a classic character for her! I really enjoyed the concept and how the mystery played out.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum 2.75
I didn't love the writing style here and just felt like it was a bit lacking compared to other works in the collection.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose 2.5
Another one where the writing style and concept didn't really speak to me.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett 3.25
A very original concept and a fun one to watch play out.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson 4.25
I absolutely loved this one. Definitely more romantic and silly than the others but I appreciate that!
Detailed reviews below :)
Staged by Elle Cosimano 4
Exactly the kind of story you would expect from Cosimano but still unique. Funny and fun, a great addition.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto 3.5
Great representation (as Sutanto always has) and a classic character for her! I really enjoyed the concept and how the mystery played out.
Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum 2.75
I didn't love the writing style here and just felt like it was a bit lacking compared to other works in the collection.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose 2.5
Another one where the writing style and concept didn't really speak to me.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett 3.25
A very original concept and a fun one to watch play out.
A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson 4.25
I absolutely loved this one. Definitely more romantic and silly than the others but I appreciate that!
October 13, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The “Busybodies Collection”, a series of short stories written by Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett, and Alicia Thompson.
I’m not generally a fan of short stories, as I find them lacking in detail and character development, but these were entertaining if you like a good quick mystery. They are each short enough to read in one sitting.
Staged - I love a good Elle Cosimano story, and this one had a similar vibe to her other books. This was probably my favourite in the collection. 4 stars
The Reunion Dinner – This one was good, kept me guessing until the end. 3.5 stars
A Crime of Fashion – I couldn’t really get into this one, maybe it was the setting (fashion magazine) or the writing style, but I guessed the ending at the beginning and it didn’t hold my attention. 2 stars
The Nosy Neighbor – I also liked this this one, unreliable narrator and a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming! 4 stars
One Lucky Subscriber – This was my least favourite, I found it had a lack of description and setup at the beginning and I was just confused through most of it. 2 stars
A Classic Case – This story was cute, it turned out to be more of a lighter storyline but it could have gone darker and I didn’t foresee the ending. 3 stars
Overall 4 stars for the collection!
I’m not generally a fan of short stories, as I find them lacking in detail and character development, but these were entertaining if you like a good quick mystery. They are each short enough to read in one sitting.
Staged - I love a good Elle Cosimano story, and this one had a similar vibe to her other books. This was probably my favourite in the collection. 4 stars
The Reunion Dinner – This one was good, kept me guessing until the end. 3.5 stars
A Crime of Fashion – I couldn’t really get into this one, maybe it was the setting (fashion magazine) or the writing style, but I guessed the ending at the beginning and it didn’t hold my attention. 2 stars
The Nosy Neighbor – I also liked this this one, unreliable narrator and a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming! 4 stars
One Lucky Subscriber – This was my least favourite, I found it had a lack of description and setup at the beginning and I was just confused through most of it. 2 stars
A Classic Case – This story was cute, it turned out to be more of a lighter storyline but it could have gone darker and I didn’t foresee the ending. 3 stars
Overall 4 stars for the collection!
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