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Wallshire Mystery #1
A Brew Most Foul
When Peyton Hart returns to the quaint town of Wallshire, she hopes to reconnect with her estranged mother and maybe even find her place in the world.
Instead, she’s thrust into a nightmare when Katarina, the enigmatic owner of the tea shop Steeped in Mysteary, is found dead—poisoned by her own brew.
To make matters worse, Peyton becomes the prime suspect in the investigation.
With the sharp-eyed Detective Levi Kessler questioning her every move and the town buzzing with gossip, Peyton finds herself caught in a web of secrets she never knew her mother was hiding.
Determined to clear her name and uncover the truth, Peyton dives headfirst into Wallshire’s quirky community, where everyone seems to have something to hide.
From cryptic notes in the tea shop to rivalries that run deeper than the finest Darjeeling, Peyton must navigate a blend of danger and charm to piece together the mystery.
A Brew Most Foul is a heartwarming and suspenseful cozy mystery that invites readers to savor every clue—and every cup of tea—while rooting for a heroine who’s learning to trust herself, one steep at a time.
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2025
About the author
H.C. Cardona
38 books16 followersH.C. Cordona is one of the pen names of Heather C. Myers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 14, 2026
A good cozy mystery
This is a good cozy mystery that I was able to read in a couple of hours.
Peyton is desperate to reunite with the mother who rejected her, and when someone kills her mom, she's the first suspect.
She uses her insights to piece the puzzle together and discover who took her mother's life.
This is a good cozy mystery that I was able to read in a couple of hours.
Peyton is desperate to reunite with the mother who rejected her, and when someone kills her mom, she's the first suspect.
She uses her insights to piece the puzzle together and discover who took her mother's life.
January 6, 2025
I love cozy books and (weirdly) I love books with really not nice characters - which is often not the case in cozy books. Peyton is your typical cozy mystery heroine but the cast of characters around her were slightly less typical.
In A Brew Most Foul, Peyton is a young lady moving back home after uni. However, 'home' is not where the heart is at all. The relationship she has with her mother is strained to say the least, which works well with a tea shop mystery. Her mother is not a very likeable person and I was here for that, as well as the backstory behind their tenuous relationship. While I can appreciate that many cozy mysteries are easy light reads, I do like ones where not everything is sunshine, cake pops and overly sweet icing. I don't want to give too much away about Peyton and her mother but I did wish this conflict had played out a bit more.
The interactions between Peyton and the detective Levi border on bodice-ripper romance at times. I am not a fan of such books, but I am a fan of perhaps a little smut in cozies from time to time.
The supporting cast are well written and interesting and I am curious to see how Peyton's relationships develop as this series continues.
I really enjoyed this book and hope it does develop in a new series - even if only a few books so as to not overstay its welcome.
In A Brew Most Foul, Peyton is a young lady moving back home after uni. However, 'home' is not where the heart is at all. The relationship she has with her mother is strained to say the least, which works well with a tea shop mystery. Her mother is not a very likeable person and I was here for that, as well as the backstory behind their tenuous relationship. While I can appreciate that many cozy mysteries are easy light reads, I do like ones where not everything is sunshine, cake pops and overly sweet icing. I don't want to give too much away about Peyton and her mother but I did wish this conflict had played out a bit more.
The interactions between Peyton and the detective Levi border on bodice-ripper romance at times. I am not a fan of such books, but I am a fan of perhaps a little smut in cozies from time to time.
The supporting cast are well written and interesting and I am curious to see how Peyton's relationships develop as this series continues.
I really enjoyed this book and hope it does develop in a new series - even if only a few books so as to not overstay its welcome.
January 13, 2025
The Answer to Some Questions . . .
Having achieved her degree, Peyton Hart returned to Wallshire, hoping that she and her estranged mother can make amends and maybe achieve some sort of relationship. Her memories of the town were vague since her mother had quickly sent her off to boarding school and then college, making her feel almost like a stranger now. She didn’t even know who her father was. She still carried a letter in her purse from her mother that she had not opened, so she opened it now and read: “Don't come back here. You're not wanted.” Too late now… she had nowhere else to go! Sitting in the “Little Brick Brew”, Peyton’s hot chocolate now cold, a bubbly young woman burst through the door, excitedly telling her barista friend she was starving and needed food desperately. Sasha then noticed Peyton at a table and went over to find out who she was and whether she needed a place to stay, inviting her to get a room at her inn. Sasha’s order was completed and she left. It was time for Peyton to head to the tea shop to meet with her mother, Katarina, whom she hadn’t seen in years. The townspeople she passed on the way greeted her and smiled, and a sense of peace finally settled in.
She walked into the tea shop and an impatient woman came in behind her. Her mother walked past Peyton as if she didn’t see her, waited on the customer, then glared at Peyton for being there. Cruel and hateful words followed. Finally she demanded Peyton leave her shop before her red face and tears scared off customers. Another customer started in as Peyton ran past her. She tried to walk off the pain and finally decided to find Sasha’s inn. Maybe she could get a job working night shift to have a place to stay. As soon as she walked in the door, Sasha came over to comfort her and gave her a room, reappearing with hot stew for her. Sasha offered to teach her to cook, and Peyton told her she would take any job at all that Sasha needed done. But for now, she needed to rest. And Wallshire was starting to feel like home.
The next morning, a knock at her door woke her. A man who identified himself as Detective Levi Kessler stood there. He hadn’t known Katarina Hart had a daughter and asked her to prove it! She pulled out the few letters her mother had sent her and handed them to him to read. His questions didn’t make sense until he finally told her that her mother had been poisoned last evening between 10 and 12. Peyton had no one who could vouch for her being here, so he took her to the station for questioning. Although she was not allowed to leave town, there was no evidence against her. But her mother didn’t deserve to be murdered, and she would follow this through and find who did this. Would she find the answers she needed, and maybe more than she could ever have expected? Could she clear her name? And would she find justice for her mother?
Having achieved her degree, Peyton Hart returned to Wallshire, hoping that she and her estranged mother can make amends and maybe achieve some sort of relationship. Her memories of the town were vague since her mother had quickly sent her off to boarding school and then college, making her feel almost like a stranger now. She didn’t even know who her father was. She still carried a letter in her purse from her mother that she had not opened, so she opened it now and read: “Don't come back here. You're not wanted.” Too late now… she had nowhere else to go! Sitting in the “Little Brick Brew”, Peyton’s hot chocolate now cold, a bubbly young woman burst through the door, excitedly telling her barista friend she was starving and needed food desperately. Sasha then noticed Peyton at a table and went over to find out who she was and whether she needed a place to stay, inviting her to get a room at her inn. Sasha’s order was completed and she left. It was time for Peyton to head to the tea shop to meet with her mother, Katarina, whom she hadn’t seen in years. The townspeople she passed on the way greeted her and smiled, and a sense of peace finally settled in.
She walked into the tea shop and an impatient woman came in behind her. Her mother walked past Peyton as if she didn’t see her, waited on the customer, then glared at Peyton for being there. Cruel and hateful words followed. Finally she demanded Peyton leave her shop before her red face and tears scared off customers. Another customer started in as Peyton ran past her. She tried to walk off the pain and finally decided to find Sasha’s inn. Maybe she could get a job working night shift to have a place to stay. As soon as she walked in the door, Sasha came over to comfort her and gave her a room, reappearing with hot stew for her. Sasha offered to teach her to cook, and Peyton told her she would take any job at all that Sasha needed done. But for now, she needed to rest. And Wallshire was starting to feel like home.
The next morning, a knock at her door woke her. A man who identified himself as Detective Levi Kessler stood there. He hadn’t known Katarina Hart had a daughter and asked her to prove it! She pulled out the few letters her mother had sent her and handed them to him to read. His questions didn’t make sense until he finally told her that her mother had been poisoned last evening between 10 and 12. Peyton had no one who could vouch for her being here, so he took her to the station for questioning. Although she was not allowed to leave town, there was no evidence against her. But her mother didn’t deserve to be murdered, and she would follow this through and find who did this. Would she find the answers she needed, and maybe more than she could ever have expected? Could she clear her name? And would she find justice for her mother?
March 10, 2025
ITA
Peyton Hart torna a Wallshire dopo aver concluso gli studi.
La madre, con la quale ha sempre avuto un brutto rapporto, le ribadisce che non la vuole, non l’ha mai voluta e le ordina di andare altrove.
Peyton decide di restare e alloggia in un locale del posto.
La mattina dopo viene svegliata dal Detective Levi Kessler per accertazioni: la mamma di Peyton è stata uccisa.
E così Peyton cercherà di capire chi ha ucciso la madre e perché.
La storia è lenta, sé vi piace il genere questo è. Da principio non ero molto soddisfatta però questo è lo stile della scrittrice.
Mi sono accorta di un paio di errori e qua e là buchi di trama, ma non l’ho trovato fastidioso.
Tra gli errori.
Primo Levi, che è una “tea person” sta facendo il tè per lui e Peyton (le insegna come si fa), versa il tè in tazze di ceramica e poi, nella storia, viene scritto che le buttano. Non si fa!
Il secondo Peyton, altra prova di tè, mette un “sand time” che è una clessidra. Passano i minuti e il timer suona. Esistono clessidre che suonano?
L’unico dubbio che mi resta è il rapporto super conflittuale con Levi. Cioè non riesco mai a capire perché se si vuole fare interagire per vari libri due personaggi, devono partire che litigano.
A fine libro ho trovato il link per due omaggi “A Tea for Two” e la ricetta di un infuso che è Levi approved. L’infuso è buono.
ENG
Peyton Hart returns to Wallshire after completing her studies.
Her mother, with whom she has always had an unpleasant relationship, reiterates that she does not want her, never wanted her, and orders her to go elsewhere.
Peyton decides to stay at Wallshire.
The following morning she is awakened by Detective Levi Kessler to ascertain: Peyton's mother has been murdered.
And so Peyton will try to figure out who killed her mother and why.
The story is slow; if you like the genre, this is it. At first I was not very satisfied; however, this is the writer's style.
I noticed a couple of errors and here and there plot holes, but I didn't find it annoying.
I noticed a couple of errors.
First one: Levi, who is a “tea person,” is making tea for him and Peyton (he teaches her how to make it), pours the tea into ceramic cups, and then, in the story, it is written that they throw them away. No, please: don't do it!
Second one: Peyton, another tea brewing test, sets a “sand timer” (hourglass?). Minutes go by, and the timer rings. Are there any hourglasses that ring?
Other than errors, I could not understand the adversarial relationship between Levi and Peyton. I don't understand why, if a writer wants two characters to interact for several books, the writer makes them start off fighting.
At the end of the book, I found the link for two giveaways, “A Tea for Two” and a recipe for a brew that is Levi approved. The brew is good.
Peyton Hart torna a Wallshire dopo aver concluso gli studi.
La madre, con la quale ha sempre avuto un brutto rapporto, le ribadisce che non la vuole, non l’ha mai voluta e le ordina di andare altrove.
Peyton decide di restare e alloggia in un locale del posto.
La mattina dopo viene svegliata dal Detective Levi Kessler per accertazioni: la mamma di Peyton è stata uccisa.
E così Peyton cercherà di capire chi ha ucciso la madre e perché.
La storia è lenta, sé vi piace il genere questo è. Da principio non ero molto soddisfatta però questo è lo stile della scrittrice.
Mi sono accorta di un paio di errori e qua e là buchi di trama, ma non l’ho trovato fastidioso.
Tra gli errori.
Primo Levi, che è una “tea person” sta facendo il tè per lui e Peyton (le insegna come si fa), versa il tè in tazze di ceramica e poi, nella storia, viene scritto che le buttano. Non si fa!
Il secondo Peyton, altra prova di tè, mette un “sand time” che è una clessidra. Passano i minuti e il timer suona. Esistono clessidre che suonano?
L’unico dubbio che mi resta è il rapporto super conflittuale con Levi. Cioè non riesco mai a capire perché se si vuole fare interagire per vari libri due personaggi, devono partire che litigano.
A fine libro ho trovato il link per due omaggi “A Tea for Two” e la ricetta di un infuso che è Levi approved. L’infuso è buono.
ENG
Peyton Hart returns to Wallshire after completing her studies.
Her mother, with whom she has always had an unpleasant relationship, reiterates that she does not want her, never wanted her, and orders her to go elsewhere.
Peyton decides to stay at Wallshire.
The following morning she is awakened by Detective Levi Kessler to ascertain: Peyton's mother has been murdered.
And so Peyton will try to figure out who killed her mother and why.
The story is slow; if you like the genre, this is it. At first I was not very satisfied; however, this is the writer's style.
I noticed a couple of errors and here and there plot holes, but I didn't find it annoying.
I noticed a couple of errors.
First one: Levi, who is a “tea person,” is making tea for him and Peyton (he teaches her how to make it), pours the tea into ceramic cups, and then, in the story, it is written that they throw them away. No, please: don't do it!
Second one: Peyton, another tea brewing test, sets a “sand timer” (hourglass?). Minutes go by, and the timer rings. Are there any hourglasses that ring?
Other than errors, I could not understand the adversarial relationship between Levi and Peyton. I don't understand why, if a writer wants two characters to interact for several books, the writer makes them start off fighting.
At the end of the book, I found the link for two giveaways, “A Tea for Two” and a recipe for a brew that is Levi approved. The brew is good.
January 11, 2026
H.C. Cardona - A Brew Most Foul
I picked this ebook up as a free giveaway from somewhere or other. Not my usual fare but I like a change now and again. This is an easy to read cosy mystery with characters that are endearing and relatable. Chapters are a good length for reading when you’re after a few minutes of relaxation. The story itself is good.
However there are a few negatives. “Familiar”. This term seems to apply to almost everything in the book:
“The Familiar clatter and chatter of the tavern” in a place she’d never been to before and had used a map to find.
“Watching as familiar buildings slipped by” in a town she’d never been to before yesterday. How can they be familiar, she’d used a map to find her way around? (Chapter 5)
“The door (of the car) opened with a familiar creak…” but she’d never been in the car before.
“I pushed the door open, the familiar creak of the hinges greeting me like an old friend.” this is the tavern she’s only been to once and then she was in a state of despair so she likely didn’t notice the sound of hinges. (chapter 7)
“...the familiar sights of wallshire” again, she’s only been there a day, how are they familiar? (chapter 11)
“I climbed the stairs to my room above the inn, each step creaking a familiar tune beneath my feet” She’s only been up to the room once before, how is it familiar?
“The familiar green interface of the (website)” which she’s never visited before.
“...pushed open the door to the inn, the familiar creak of the hinges…” Again? Seriously? Almost the same sentence as in chapter 7 but this is chapter 19.
Ok, enough with “familiar” which appears 29 times.
The other really annoying and very repetitive phrase is “a smile which didn’t quite reach her/his/their eyes. Sasha Ch.1, Sasha ch.3, Sasha ch.8, Richmond ch.8, Peyton ch.10, police officer ch.18, Sasha ch.20, Peyton ch.21… I was almost waiting for it as I turned each page.
While the book has its charm, these and a few other issues (a Super detective who jumps to conclusions with no evidence) kept pulling me out of the story in frustration so when the second book was offered free in a link at the end I decided this probably wasn’t something I wanted to continue with.
I picked this ebook up as a free giveaway from somewhere or other. Not my usual fare but I like a change now and again. This is an easy to read cosy mystery with characters that are endearing and relatable. Chapters are a good length for reading when you’re after a few minutes of relaxation. The story itself is good.
However there are a few negatives. “Familiar”. This term seems to apply to almost everything in the book:
“The Familiar clatter and chatter of the tavern” in a place she’d never been to before and had used a map to find.
“Watching as familiar buildings slipped by” in a town she’d never been to before yesterday. How can they be familiar, she’d used a map to find her way around? (Chapter 5)
“The door (of the car) opened with a familiar creak…” but she’d never been in the car before.
“I pushed the door open, the familiar creak of the hinges greeting me like an old friend.” this is the tavern she’s only been to once and then she was in a state of despair so she likely didn’t notice the sound of hinges. (chapter 7)
“...the familiar sights of wallshire” again, she’s only been there a day, how are they familiar? (chapter 11)
“I climbed the stairs to my room above the inn, each step creaking a familiar tune beneath my feet” She’s only been up to the room once before, how is it familiar?
“The familiar green interface of the (website)” which she’s never visited before.
“...pushed open the door to the inn, the familiar creak of the hinges…” Again? Seriously? Almost the same sentence as in chapter 7 but this is chapter 19.
Ok, enough with “familiar” which appears 29 times.
The other really annoying and very repetitive phrase is “a smile which didn’t quite reach her/his/their eyes. Sasha Ch.1, Sasha ch.3, Sasha ch.8, Richmond ch.8, Peyton ch.10, police officer ch.18, Sasha ch.20, Peyton ch.21… I was almost waiting for it as I turned each page.
While the book has its charm, these and a few other issues (a Super detective who jumps to conclusions with no evidence) kept pulling me out of the story in frustration so when the second book was offered free in a link at the end I decided this probably wasn’t something I wanted to continue with.
January 13, 2025
An intense murder mystery. An estranged daughter, who was never wanted. She has come to see if she can have any kind of relationship with her Mother.
Her Mother turns away and she falls in love with the town.
She finds a place to stay and possibly work at.
Then her Mother is found dead, a possible murder. The detective suspects Peyton.
So Peyton goes in search for clues to who could have motive.
She asks her Mother's helper, the reporter, the apothecary's owner, her Mother's friend and the Mayor.
Detective Levi does not have a good opinion of Peyton, just because he considers her pretty.
Where will the clues lead Peyton.
When she finds her father it is disheartening. For someone who seems proud to have a child, he comes off very cold to her.
I wonder how the Mayor knew she planned to stay in town even before her Mother was murdered; when she only indicated so to Sasha.
I wonder what he would say to her after finding out who killed her Mother.
I can not wait till the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Her Mother turns away and she falls in love with the town.
She finds a place to stay and possibly work at.
Then her Mother is found dead, a possible murder. The detective suspects Peyton.
So Peyton goes in search for clues to who could have motive.
She asks her Mother's helper, the reporter, the apothecary's owner, her Mother's friend and the Mayor.
Detective Levi does not have a good opinion of Peyton, just because he considers her pretty.
Where will the clues lead Peyton.
When she finds her father it is disheartening. For someone who seems proud to have a child, he comes off very cold to her.
I wonder how the Mayor knew she planned to stay in town even before her Mother was murdered; when she only indicated so to Sasha.
I wonder what he would say to her after finding out who killed her Mother.
I can not wait till the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2025
A quick and simple story but the mystery murder wasn't written very well. The most obvious culprit was the mayor's wife but the detective refused to even consider questioning her because she's married to the mayor and "all women have petty jealousy". 🤨 And we're supposed to believe he's an elite and very capable and successful detective?
There was barely any reason to suspect Peyton but of course the detective is determined to pin it on her. She was right, he didn't want to find the real culprit, he just wanted to be right. 😠 And they're supposed to have an attraction??? The entire time they're solving the case, it really felt dragged out. This was 200 pages. 🙃 And it was DRAGGED OUT.
All in all, this wasn't incredibly well-written but it's okay for a simple quick read.
There was barely any reason to suspect Peyton but of course the detective is determined to pin it on her. She was right, he didn't want to find the real culprit, he just wanted to be right. 😠 And they're supposed to have an attraction??? The entire time they're solving the case, it really felt dragged out. This was 200 pages. 🙃 And it was DRAGGED OUT.
All in all, this wasn't incredibly well-written but it's okay for a simple quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
A well written book with an interesting concept... That I just could not get into. While reading the book I started wondering what it aimed to be. A romance? A drama? A mystery? All of the above? After finishing the book I still feel like I don't have an answer to that question. This was not helped by the fact that I could not feel a connection to any of the characters, and after reading the last page I still feel that I don't know who they are.
Regardless of this review, I would tell people to read it and give it a try. This book and I simple have a "it's me, not you" relationship.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Regardless of this review, I would tell people to read it and give it a try. This book and I simple have a "it's me, not you" relationship.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 14, 2025
Peyton faces a variety of challenges trying to find her way in a small town that claims to look after it's own.
Attempts to connect with a mother who is not embracing thr possibility of connecting seem disheartening, to say the least.
Some efforts are simply dead ends.
The small town does seem to have its charms: Inn owner Sasha appears a welcoming and energetic possible friend, and support. A baker here, a cafe owner there - future books promise to be filled with more colorful folks.
I enjoyed the intruige and mystery of this small town whodunnit.
I'm looking forward to my next visit.
Attempts to connect with a mother who is not embracing thr possibility of connecting seem disheartening, to say the least.
Some efforts are simply dead ends.
The small town does seem to have its charms: Inn owner Sasha appears a welcoming and energetic possible friend, and support. A baker here, a cafe owner there - future books promise to be filled with more colorful folks.
I enjoyed the intruige and mystery of this small town whodunnit.
I'm looking forward to my next visit.
January 24, 2025
After Peyton has finished her schooling, she decides to return to her home town of Wallshire in hopes of repairing her relationship with her estranged mother who owns a local tea shop. Unfortunately, she's rejected and soon after, her mother is found dead making Peyton suspect number one. Throw in a cranky, broody detective who has it out for her, a friendly inn keeper, a cold father she never knew, and a growing list of new friends in the community, and we have an interesting, cozy mystery. This is the first book in a new series, so we'll see where it goes. Next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2025
This is the first in the series. The main character is Peyton Hart. Peyton comes to Wallshire to see a mother she doesn't really know. She was sent away to boarding school and then to college and now she thought it was time to meet her mother. Hoping her mother would finally want her. But she didn't and told Peyton to leave but by the next morning her mother was dead. The local cop is sure she did it and Peyton decides to see what she could learn because she knew she didn't do it. She begins to poke around but the closer to the truth she gets , the less likely it seems she'll ever know. Can she figure this out or live with this hanging over her ?
January 12, 2025
"A Brew Most Foul" is a fun mystery with a delightful blend of small-town charm and suspense. When the owner of a tea shop is found poisoned, local resident Peyton Hart becomes embroiled in the investigation. The quirky characters and intriguing plot twists make this a perfect read for fans of the cozy mystery genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2025
This is a fun cozy mystery. The characters in the small town of Wallshire are quirky and the storyline is intriguing. Peyton is an interesting character and if was great to see her come into her own throughout the story. I really enjoyed her banter with the broody detective Levi. This was a great start to the series and I look forward to learning more about Wallshire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2025
This is book 1 of the Wallshire Mystery Series. This book has some sad emotions to it and very quickly a murder. This book had me curious about each character in the book. It seems like everyone is suspicious and someone is hiding more than they are letting be seen. I really look forward to reading more in this series to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2025
This was a hard one for me. I guess personal reasons but shew. Katarina was...not nice to say the least. I felt for Peyton. It was a great mystery though. Levi is another one that may need a knock on the head or two lol. And I love that Peyton put him in his place. And often. I have a feeling he needs it more than most lol. I'm ready to read the next one though. It promises to be full of a lot!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 21, 2025
This was a strong start to the Wallshire Mystery series, it had that feel that I was looking for and was engaged with the cozy mystery element. The characters had that overall feel that I was looking for and was glad I got to read this, it left me wanting to read more in this series. I was invested in what H. C. Cardona wrote and how the characters were written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2025
A Brew Most Foul
Peyton Hart comes home after her graduation from University to meet with the Mother that had ignored her her whole life only to find her murdered the next day! The whole story follows her to an inn where she gets a job and then after becoming good friends with the owner, she sets out to find the murderer and maybe her future. Good story!
Peyton Hart comes home after her graduation from University to meet with the Mother that had ignored her her whole life only to find her murdered the next day! The whole story follows her to an inn where she gets a job and then after becoming good friends with the owner, she sets out to find the murderer and maybe her future. Good story!
December 28, 2024
A brand new series by H.C. Cardona and I enjoyed it. Likeable characters, nice writing style and a good storyline that keeps you guessing until the end.
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
January 12, 2025
I am not yet over the previous series and this new one is all set to capture my fancy! I love these mysteries because it not only tackles all these thrilling situations, it also offers quite a bit of romance and steam! I am totally prepared to love this as much as I loved HC’s other series!
January 13, 2025
Peyton wasn't guilty of killing her mother but who was?
She was an unwanted child whose mother and father had no use for her. But she couldn't have been the one who poisoned her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She was an unwanted child whose mother and father had no use for her. But she couldn't have been the one who poisoned her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2025
I found this to be an interesting start to a new series. It had everything I look forward to, a well written mystery, plenty of repartees and perhaps the start of a new relationship between Levi and Peyton. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Recommend reading.
January 17, 2026
Love Tea After Reading This Well Crafted Mystery
I liked the strong but vulnerable main character Peyton. I enjoyed trying to unravel the mystery. It is pleasant to see that a person can survive no matter how hard her family life may be.
I liked the strong but vulnerable main character Peyton. I enjoyed trying to unravel the mystery. It is pleasant to see that a person can survive no matter how hard her family life may be.
February 25, 2026
Delightful
A delightful book with good characters and a nice twist. Timeline continuity wasn’t always precise but it didn’t ruin the plot. A few points weren’t really believable but again, they didn’t ruin the plot.
A delightful book with good characters and a nice twist. Timeline continuity wasn’t always precise but it didn’t ruin the plot. A few points weren’t really believable but again, they didn’t ruin the plot.
March 12, 2026
this is my first cozy murder mystery. I really enjoyed the twist. at first I thought it could've been Sasha but boy was I wrong. she was just a good friend and I enjoyed the fact that Payton and Levi kinda had a thing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
This is a lovely mystery with heart and a puzzling murder. I liked the dynamic between Levi and Peyton. It gave the story a spark that piqued my interest. This was an enjoyable read.
December 7, 2025
Brew most foul
Quit being cute with words. It's not a narrative. For example "...cuddling me like a warm blanket."
You don't have to compare every line.
Quit being cute with words. It's not a narrative. For example "...cuddling me like a warm blanket."
You don't have to compare every line.
December 22, 2025
2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨
This is a nice cozy novel but it was quite put down able and a bit forgettable. It was a nice to read while I was reading but would be good as a holiday read.
This is a nice cozy novel but it was quite put down able and a bit forgettable. It was a nice to read while I was reading but would be good as a holiday read.
March 8, 2026
brew most foul
The story is quite good. I didn’t
Know the killer till the end and never suspected her. The language she uses is poetic
The story is quite good. I didn’t
Know the killer till the end and never suspected her. The language she uses is poetic
February 7, 2025
I enjoyed the book, the mystery was good. Like the grumpy detective vs our sunshine FMC. I felt the cosy atmosphere didn't hit quite as strongly. But mystery did well and I couldn't put the book down in the end.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2025
I don’t know what I was expecting from a free book from the Books app. It was an okay ish story, but… The detective character was kind of a jerk the whole time, and he ignored the blatant evidence that someone definitely had a motive to be behind the murder. I assume because the book would be over far too quickly, but if that was the case, I don’t understand why the author would choose to reveal that motive so early on. Either reveal it and have the character have an alibi, or save it for the end of the story.
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