Murder in the Cul-de-sac

by Penny Brooke

Charlotte Young is finally settling down in Green Oaks, focusing on her bookbinding project and looking forward to an exciting dinner date with someone special.

But when a notorious busybody is found dead, the police department faces intense scrutiny after a critical call for help goes unanswered.

Determined to uncover the truth, Charlotte dives into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she realizes there may be more secrets in the victim’s neighborhood than she ever imagined.

Can Charlotte untangle the mystery and reveal the truth? Or will this most recent puzzle put her in harm’s way?

This fun-filled and clean bookbinding cozy mystery will have you guessing until the very end.

162 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2024

About the author

Penny Brooke has been reading mysteries for as long as she can remember. When not penning her own stories, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, crocheting, and cozying up with her pups and a good novel.

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in an intriguing cosy mystery series. Set in Green Oaks, Charlotte is left her grandmother's estate with a big library of books. She spent her summers with her grandmother and made some long-lasting friends, so she doesn't hesitate to move into the house left to her. She's an editor, but her passion is bookbinding; oh, and solving the murders she comes across in her town.

Her best friend from childhood, Nat, is the local medical examiner, who just happens to be divorced from a police detective, Brandon. Brandon is in the local force, and there's much animosity between Charlotte and him!

This is a typical cosy mystery series with no cliff hangers; it's full of characters you'd find in a small town, and there's a pet, or 2 in the storyline. I do enjoy reading cosy mystery. Even though the books are based around a dead body, it's dealt with in a sensitive way, with no gory bits!

I read a lot of cosy mystery books, and this author is one of a few, where I will always download any new releases when they're available as I know they're going to be a good read. Other good cosy mystery series by Penny Brooke are Garden Cove Library; Seabreeze Bookshop and Word Travels Mobile Bookshop.

Each book is a standalone mystery, but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth outing for Charlotte and the Green Oaks crew.

I have had the pleasure of my acquaintance with Charlotte (the copy-editor with a bookbinding vlog); her housekeeper, Isla; her two cats; her medical examiner friend and ally; her new neighbour (and potential love interest) as well as her adversaries: the sheriff and the junior detective who happens to be the ME's ex - so more intense rivalry. This could work as a standalone and I cannot unread the previous books so my estimate, if this is your first in the series, is three stars as you will not have such a good understanding of the motives and significance of the interactions at work here.
The main suspects are the residents of the cul-de-sac in the title (although the police and any other Green Oaks resident are potentials too due to the antagonistic, prickly nature of the victim. Her main redeeming feature is her characterful dog who becomes central to the plot. I "got" the perpetrator early on despite some twists and plot cul-de-sacs. This is why i have deducted a star from this otherwise easy to read, entertaining and involving tale.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read with an interesting plot that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. 

In this episode of the Green Oaks Bookbinding series, Charlotte once again finds herself entangled in a murder investigation. When a local resident, who is disliked by many, is murdered, it sets off a chain of events that keeps both Charlotte and the reader on their toes.

The quest to uncover the truth is captivating, filled with enough red herrings and surprises to make it an enjoyable read, and a enough suspects to keep readers guessing. One of the book's strengths lies in its character development and enough twists to keep the story interesting. Each resident of the cul-de-sac harbors their own secrets and motives, adding significant depth to the story. But who could have disliked the victim so much to commit murder? 

Overall, "Murder in the Cul-de-sac" is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre. The author has crafted a story that is both entertaining and heartwarming, making it a perfect read for a cozy afternoon.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte offers to help sheriff Bruce when the department is accused of negligence leading to a murder. The victim had been making excessive 911 calls and at times denying she made them. At odds with all her neighbors, the only one seeming to miss her is her dog. M.E. Nat, has felt that something was off in the case and digs deeper into the matter. Bruce forces Charlotte to work alongside Detective Brad, despite their animosity. Charlotte is able to find some overlooked clues and put the pieces together. Can she trap the killer before they get away?

Another enjoyable mystery from Penny Brooke. Great characterization and plenty of clues for careful readers to pick up on. I like how Bruce called both Charlotte and Brad out on their behaviors. While her loyalty to Nat is commendable, I hope to see them evolving to point of mutual respect. Rocky was very entertaining and I loved how instrumental he was in solving the case. I did hope he would be adopted by the crew but his ending made sense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Charlotte is finding her groove with the growth of followers with her bookbinding project, she finds herself in the middle of another investigation.

The victim not very well liked, including by Charlotte and Isla once they learned more about her past, so there is no shortage of suspects.

I did figure out the motive halfway through but not who the actual culprit is as people aren't always who they seem.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started out as Charlotte hoping to help the police gain back their respect ended with her collaborating with her bestie’s ex (who had no use for Charlotte but tolerated her because his boss did) to catch a killer. The victim's sweet dog helped a little. Isla had fallen in love with sweet Rocky and I hoped she could adopt him, but there were extenuating circumstances. All in all, Rocky was a happy little camper. I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some neighbors can be really annoying but can they be so annoying that they deserve to be murdered? That is what Charlotte tries to find out. She has good investigative instincts and assists the police even though they would rather she stay away from the investigation. This is an enjoyable cozy series with some interesting twists and turns. It can be read as a standalone.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice short book, interesting plot. Once again Charlotte has to solve another mystery when the police think they have the right person. Good characters down to earth. I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Charlotte and her friends solved this murder. It wasn't easy with the false leads and that no one seemed to like the victim. The clue that solved it was interesting.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ties that bind her project together might be helping Charlotte also mend her heart

ties in a certain neighborhood could also choke out neighborliness - and maybe a few neighbors.

balance and bonds in a small town can be tricky, but so fun and enticing to read about.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and cozy!

Charlotte finds herself in another mystery with a mean old lady, a mean old man and a colicky baby! As usual, the police don't want her help but she sees things that others miss.

[Lisa DeChiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read with likable characters and an easy read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow characters with good flow of reading!