What do you think?
Rate this book
A TOPAZ TRAP: THE KAREN McLAREN COSY MYSTERY SERIES BOOK 1
Book 1 of a charming 8-book cosy mystery series perfect for fans of Sally Smith, Steve Higgs, LJ Ross, Robert Thorogood, and Richard Osman.
When she relocates to Spain’s Costa del Sol, Karen McLaren turns her back on an unfaithful husband and a long teaching career. She arrives at the Club Britannia complex for the over-60s carrying many plans for her future…
…finding herself making inquiries about the tragic death of a magician isn’t one of them.
Though local police have declared the event an accident, Karen is unconvinced. Helped by an eclectic group of the resort’s residents, Karen discovers a real talent for investigating. Her sharp intellect, and the expert lip-reading skills a progressive hearing loss has forced her to develop allow her to follow a trail of clues. She realises that what appeared to be an unfortunate accident is actually something far more complex.
But things are not easy. The police don’t take kindly to an amateur gang of expat detectives treading on their turf. And with every twist and turn, Karen and her friends are hampered by false leads and deliberate deceptions.
How did a simple retirement plan of fine wine and Spanish sunshine grow so complicated?
Author this cosy mystery does not contain any gore, violence, or profanity. Nor does it contain any scenes of an explicit nature.
Although books featuring Karen McLaren can be read in any order, A Topaz Trap is the first book in the series. If you enjoy cosy mysteries, then this is definitely the book for you!
When she relocates to Spain’s Costa del Sol, Karen McLaren turns her back on an unfaithful husband and a long teaching career. She arrives at the Club Britannia complex for the over-60s carrying many plans for her future…
…finding herself making inquiries about the tragic death of a magician isn’t one of them.
Though local police have declared the event an accident, Karen is unconvinced. Helped by an eclectic group of the resort’s residents, Karen discovers a real talent for investigating. Her sharp intellect, and the expert lip-reading skills a progressive hearing loss has forced her to develop allow her to follow a trail of clues. She realises that what appeared to be an unfortunate accident is actually something far more complex.
But things are not easy. The police don’t take kindly to an amateur gang of expat detectives treading on their turf. And with every twist and turn, Karen and her friends are hampered by false leads and deliberate deceptions.
How did a simple retirement plan of fine wine and Spanish sunshine grow so complicated?
Author this cosy mystery does not contain any gore, violence, or profanity. Nor does it contain any scenes of an explicit nature.
Although books featuring Karen McLaren can be read in any order, A Topaz Trap is the first book in the series. If you enjoy cosy mysteries, then this is definitely the book for you!
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2025
69 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 14, 2025
After Karen McLaren's husband cheats on her, she abandons her teaching career and moves to an over 60 resort on Spain's Costa del Sol
When a magician is "accidentally" guillotined during a magic act, Karen suspects murder and sets about questioning the locals. Life in their community is generally pretty boring, and they welcome her as an interesting addition to their group.
When she invites the locals to her apartment to start a music appreciation group (first meeting features the Kinks) she commits the unforgivable sin of sharing the curry with Falstaff, an obese stray cat. If the author is a cat owner, she should be aware that cats should never eat garlic or onions - poison to their species. (I have also seen author have cats in their books eat chocolate.)
Karen's second unforgiveable crime is that she addresses everyone as "dear".
When a magician is "accidentally" guillotined during a magic act, Karen suspects murder and sets about questioning the locals. Life in their community is generally pretty boring, and they welcome her as an interesting addition to their group.
When she invites the locals to her apartment to start a music appreciation group (first meeting features the Kinks) she commits the unforgivable sin of sharing the curry with Falstaff, an obese stray cat. If the author is a cat owner, she should be aware that cats should never eat garlic or onions - poison to their species. (I have also seen author have cats in their books eat chocolate.)
Karen's second unforgiveable crime is that she addresses everyone as "dear".
April 2, 2026
A fairly predictable story set up. Karen caught her husband of 30 years, with another woman so she packed up and moved to Spain. When at a show a local magician is guillotined in a trick gone wrong, so Karen decides to investigate.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews