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Switched at Death: A Venus Bixby Mystery
Second installment in the award-winning Venus Bixby Mystery series from Valerie Taylor, also author of What's Not Said: A Novel.
Thanksgiving weekend always marks the start of Christmas festivities in Chatham Crossing. But, this year, when the annual tree lighting ends in flames, this charming and usually joyful town finds little to celebrate.
After the town's long-time, beloved mayor, collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, Venus Bixby thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor's death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor's death.
Will Venus's clever sleuthing be enough to save Christmas for this charming seaside town?
Includes cookie recipes and a playlist!
Thanksgiving weekend always marks the start of Christmas festivities in Chatham Crossing. But, this year, when the annual tree lighting ends in flames, this charming and usually joyful town finds little to celebrate.
After the town's long-time, beloved mayor, collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, Venus Bixby thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor's death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor's death.
Will Venus's clever sleuthing be enough to save Christmas for this charming seaside town?
Includes cookie recipes and a playlist!
332 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2025
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Taylor
5 books345 followersValerie Taylor lives in Connecticut and considers herself a typical "average Jane." She might remind you of the reclusive neighbor who fancies herself a novelist. Unlike many of her peers whom she admires, she does NOT have a degree in literature. But she is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: What's Not SAID, What's Not TRUE, What's Not LOST. The roots of those three novels, as well as the first two books in the Venus Bixby Mystery series—A WHALE OF A MURDER and SWITCHED AT DEATH—most likely took hold during her early years watching Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, and The Twilight Zone. Her love of oldies music stems from hours listening and dancing to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and being in the Bobby Darin fan club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 19, 2025
This was such a fun one! Keep in mind that this is the second book in the series, but it does read great as a standalone! The author's writing was fun and charming, giving us all of the small-town vibes. Mix in the holidays, and it's the perfect cozy read. A suspenseful novel with twists and turns galore, it's definitely a recommended read.
Thank you Suzy approved book tours!
Thank you Suzy approved book tours!
April 13, 2025
I adored Valerie Taylor’s first book in the Venus Bixby series, so I couldn’t wait for her second one, Switched at Death, to come out. It's another cozy mystery where Venus Bixby and her sister Sherrie help solve the murder of beloved Mayor Duffy of Chatham Crossing. Ms. Taylor has a way of immersing you in the small New England town, and in this second book, you get to experience the holiday traditions of its locals. This book is filled with well-drawn and complex characters and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I won’t include any spoilers here, but I thought I knew who committed the crime and was thrilled to discover I was completely wrong. Read this book; you will ride a roller coaster that will knock your socks off. I was given an advance copy, and this is my honest opinion.
April 22, 2025
Valerie Taylor knocks it out of the park again with Switched at Death, the second charming installment in the Venus Bixby Mystery series! With the perfect blend of small-town secrets, holiday cheer, and a dash of danger, this book had me hooked from page one. Venus is the kind of witty, relatable heroine you want as your best friend—smart, scrappy, and fiercely loyal, even when she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery tied to her cookie bakery (and during the most festive time of year, no less!). I adored the quirky cast of characters—from frenemy Carole to the feline scene-stealers Sonny and Cher—and the cozy seaside town of Chatham Crossing is brought to life with so much heart, it practically sparkles. The twists kept me guessing, the romance added the perfect touch of sweetness, and the included cookie recipes and playlist were the icing on the gingerbread house. This is a warm, witty, and wildly fun read that’s made for curling up with a cup of cocoa!
March 9, 2025
A story as old as time. Promises not kept; equals/ enemies made!! Two sleuthing sisters looking to get to the bottom of things. Old friends and business partners turn into adversaries/enemies. The last people I would has suspected came out in the reveal. Some people just seemed too nice to be guilty. Lol. I liked that Venus could regroup and change her business plan and still become profitable as a business owner. I wasn't a fan of Sherrie's snark and attitude at first, but that changed as the story progressed .I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
May 26, 2025
A cozy small town mystery! I actually liked this one even better than the first in the series.
Venus Bixby, her twin sister, and the town’s detective, are back at it when the Mayor winds up dead at the Christmas tree lighting! Seems dramatic - but really it’s genius - with so many people in attendance, how will they ever find the guilty party. Or was it just an innocent heart attack and a most unfortunate time?
I love the small town setting, and even though this book is set around the holidays, it was a great read for May! Makes me miss Christmas a bit!
I sure hope there’s more adventures coming for Venus and Chatham Crossing!
Venus Bixby, her twin sister, and the town’s detective, are back at it when the Mayor winds up dead at the Christmas tree lighting! Seems dramatic - but really it’s genius - with so many people in attendance, how will they ever find the guilty party. Or was it just an innocent heart attack and a most unfortunate time?
I love the small town setting, and even though this book is set around the holidays, it was a great read for May! Makes me miss Christmas a bit!
I sure hope there’s more adventures coming for Venus and Chatham Crossing!
April 25, 2025
Venus Bixby is back, and she's sleuthing with her sister, Sherrie, once again. I loved A Whale of a Murder, so I was really excited to find out what Venus is up to now. Chatham Crossing's mayor has been murdered at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and feisty Venus must solve the crime while managing her cookie bakery and kitty daycare. This story is filled with plenty of suspense, several unexpected twists and turns, and a hefty dose of New England charm. I especially loved the cats, Sonny and Cher, and all the holiday magic. The perfect cozy mystery for any time of the year.
April 25, 2025
Cat’s Stats
Detective- Venus Bixby, business partner of the widow as well as founder of a cat daycare and rescue
Police- Detective Oscar Donovan
Crime- Murder
Victim- Simon Duffy, Mayor
Fun hook- Cats and Their Cradle, feline daycare and rescue
Mewsings
This is my first mystery by this author and I enjoyed it. The heroine was likable and fun. I enjoyed the world building and the cozy-mystery animal twist.
Detective- Venus Bixby, business partner of the widow as well as founder of a cat daycare and rescue
Police- Detective Oscar Donovan
Crime- Murder
Victim- Simon Duffy, Mayor
Fun hook- Cats and Their Cradle, feline daycare and rescue
Mewsings
This is my first mystery by this author and I enjoyed it. The heroine was likable and fun. I enjoyed the world building and the cozy-mystery animal twist.
April 20, 2025
A pair of sleuthing sisters,romance,complex friendships,politics & murder! This book has it all & then some. AND,one of my favorite cookie recipes is included in the back of the book ❤️ Even though this is book #2 ,it can easily be read as a standalone. Thank you Valerie Taylor for my copy of your cozy mystery book. It releases on 4-22-‘25 do yourself a favor & grab a copy.
April 5, 2025
Ambition, drama, jealously, intrigue, and murder in a small whaling town in Massachusetts. Valerie Taylor skillfully threads the mystery through all the shenanigans, surprising the reader at the end.
April 21, 2025
It's a very nice, cozy mystery and entertaining. Two murders during the holidays made it challenging for our sleuth. Also, family visits made it more complicated to investigate. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy reading it. Thanks to the author for a lovely book.
April 23, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Valerie Taylor for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Switched at Death coming out April 22, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
After the town's long-time, beloved mayor, collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, Venus Bixby thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor's death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor's death.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t read the first book in the series. I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries. I thought the New England setting was really fun. I think there’s a lot of interesting characters in the book. I think the whole town was involved in each other’s lives. it was a fun mystery. So I would definitely read more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
After the town's long-time, beloved mayor, collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, Venus Bixby thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor's death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor's death.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t read the first book in the series. I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries. I thought the New England setting was really fun. I think there’s a lot of interesting characters in the book. I think the whole town was involved in each other’s lives. it was a fun mystery. So I would definitely read more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
July 3, 2025
Not enough sleuthing. 2.5* rounded up, because the writing has a nice light-footed touch I can appreciate.
Venus Bixby is a woman who seems to think the world revolves around her. When she is invited to a dinner party, she thinks the party is in honour of the new business she is about to open and she is miffed when the host doesn’t even mention said business during the party. Another time, when her lover/lodger brings a guest to Venus’ Thanksgiving dinner and is asked to make introductions, Venus is miffed again:
There are a lot of things Venus doesn’t think odd. For instance that the mayor’s wife gets a position on the Town Committee. Her only gripe is that she wanted that position. Though I’m not quite sure what it is the Town Committee is or does, the mayor appointing his own wife is nepotism. And she doesn’t even balk when the mayor and his wife want to take dancing lessons at her dance studio, but refuse to pay for the privilege.
As an aside, I see this sort of thing often in cozies where everyone just accepts it as fact. It’s not an okay thing and elected officials should do better than even give off the suggestion that they are willing to take back-handers for favours. On the other hand, what can you expect from a town that presents in its town charter the coin-flip as an alternative to direct democracy. /rant
Then the tree lighting goes horribly wrong and Venus and her sister Sherrie feel they must get involved. Of course their involvement does not stop at making a list of possible suspects and going to the wake to see who behaves suspiciously. The local detective lets Venus take control of the situation. He follows Venus when she leads him away when the two of them stumble upon a crime scene; he shares information with her first.
Why? She’s stumbled on a corpse before and to her own claims solved that murder. (I haven’t read the first book, so I can’t verify whether Venus actually solved the murder or the murderer revealed themselves to her, which Cozy sleuths often mistake for solving a murder.) But even if she was the greatest sleuth ever, it’s way too earlier in her sleuthing career for the police to recognise her greatness.
At the very least, detective Donovan should have insisted Venus share her information first. He does insist, however, that Venus come with him when he goes to tell the widow about the autopsy finds, claiming that Venus is a close friend of the widow. She isn’t, at least not lately, and shouldn’t it be the widow’s decision who’s shoulder she wants to cry on?
Again, Venus takes over.
And from his position in the corner, he doesn’t even raise a hand and suggest Venus is looking at the situation from the wrong angle.
Venus steadily marches on from her angle and comes up with a plan to get all her key suspects in one place,
I’m a fan of mysteries where the sleuth talks to this person and that and gradually figures out who’s the culprit. Gathering all the suspects in a room where the sleuth dismisses one by one all but one, is a great finish. I don’t like how it was done here: gather all the suspects in one place, ply them with alcohol and wait for one of them to loose their wits.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
Venus Bixby is a woman who seems to think the world revolves around her. When she is invited to a dinner party, she thinks the party is in honour of the new business she is about to open and she is miffed when the host doesn’t even mention said business during the party. Another time, when her lover/lodger brings a guest to Venus’ Thanksgiving dinner and is asked to make introductions, Venus is miffed again:
I thought she worked for me. Shouldn’t I do the introductions?
There are a lot of things Venus doesn’t think odd. For instance that the mayor’s wife gets a position on the Town Committee. Her only gripe is that she wanted that position. Though I’m not quite sure what it is the Town Committee is or does, the mayor appointing his own wife is nepotism. And she doesn’t even balk when the mayor and his wife want to take dancing lessons at her dance studio, but refuse to pay for the privilege.
I didn’t think you’d mind. Rich and powerful have their privileges, ya know.Corruption and open to bribery are not privileges.
As an aside, I see this sort of thing often in cozies where everyone just accepts it as fact. It’s not an okay thing and elected officials should do better than even give off the suggestion that they are willing to take back-handers for favours. On the other hand, what can you expect from a town that presents in its town charter the coin-flip as an alternative to direct democracy. /rant
Then the tree lighting goes horribly wrong and Venus and her sister Sherrie feel they must get involved. Of course their involvement does not stop at making a list of possible suspects and going to the wake to see who behaves suspiciously. The local detective lets Venus take control of the situation. He follows Venus when she leads him away when the two of them stumble upon a crime scene; he shares information with her first.
Why? She’s stumbled on a corpse before and to her own claims solved that murder. (I haven’t read the first book, so I can’t verify whether Venus actually solved the murder or the murderer revealed themselves to her, which Cozy sleuths often mistake for solving a murder.) But even if she was the greatest sleuth ever, it’s way too earlier in her sleuthing career for the police to recognise her greatness.
At the very least, detective Donovan should have insisted Venus share her information first. He does insist, however, that Venus come with him when he goes to tell the widow about the autopsy finds, claiming that Venus is a close friend of the widow. She isn’t, at least not lately, and shouldn’t it be the widow’s decision who’s shoulder she wants to cry on?
Again, Venus takes over.
Oscar just sat there, listening.I want to interpret that in the most favourable way, that the detective believes he learns more by listening than by talking (including asking questions). Except that the detective comes off as a sap that is relegated to the corner while the grown ups are talking.
And from his position in the corner, he doesn’t even raise a hand and suggest Venus is looking at the situation from the wrong angle.
Venus steadily marches on from her angle and comes up with a plan to get all her key suspects in one place,
so the detective could grill each suspect regarding means, motive, and opportunity.Since when do the police need help in that department? They can just walk up to people and say: “can I ask you a few questions?”
I’m a fan of mysteries where the sleuth talks to this person and that and gradually figures out who’s the culprit. Gathering all the suspects in a room where the sleuth dismisses one by one all but one, is a great finish. I don’t like how it was done here: gather all the suspects in one place, ply them with alcohol and wait for one of them to loose their wits.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
April 2, 2025
This book is like if Murder, She Wrote had a baby with Gilmore Girls and then let a cat run the town council. It’s a cozy mystery set in this quirky New England town called Chatham Crossing, where everyone knows everyone… or thinks they do. The story kicks off with the sudden death of the mayor—right at the town’s holiday tree lighting, no less—and from there, Venus Bixby gets tangled up in a web of secrets, politics, and small-town pettiness. Oh, and there’s definitely murder afoot.
I’m a sucker for cats and chaos, so when Venus opens her kitty daycare and adoption center (adorably named Cats & Their Cradle), I was in. The whole scene of her prepping for the grand opening while juggling relationships, rivalries, and her very active imagination had me both rooting for her and laughing. And her cats, Sonny and Cher, are icons.
The writing is super fun—Valerie Taylor has this cheeky, breezy style that makes even the gossip feel juicy instead of mean. Venus’s “friendship” with Carole (the mayor’s wife and her cookie shop partner) is messy. Like, Real Housewives messy. Carole throwing that dinner party where she low-key hijacks the night just to boost her own political ambitions was cringe. I wanted to fling a cookie at her. Poor Venus thinks the dinner’s to celebrate her new business, and instead she ends up sidelined while Carole plays power games and drops some seriously shady digs about the Sabinas.
But what really grabbed me were the emotional undercurrents. Venus misses her late husband, she’s trying to figure out what love looks like with Budd (her delightfully flirty and surprisingly deep boyfriend), and she’s constantly trying to prove herself in a town that still clings to its old boys’ club.
Switched at Death totally worked for me. It’s a little sassy, a little sentimental, and full of sneaky surprises. If you love small-town drama, strong female leads, and cats, this one’s for you. Highly recommend for cat moms, cozy mystery fans, and anyone who enjoys watching people stir the pot.
I’m a sucker for cats and chaos, so when Venus opens her kitty daycare and adoption center (adorably named Cats & Their Cradle), I was in. The whole scene of her prepping for the grand opening while juggling relationships, rivalries, and her very active imagination had me both rooting for her and laughing. And her cats, Sonny and Cher, are icons.
The writing is super fun—Valerie Taylor has this cheeky, breezy style that makes even the gossip feel juicy instead of mean. Venus’s “friendship” with Carole (the mayor’s wife and her cookie shop partner) is messy. Like, Real Housewives messy. Carole throwing that dinner party where she low-key hijacks the night just to boost her own political ambitions was cringe. I wanted to fling a cookie at her. Poor Venus thinks the dinner’s to celebrate her new business, and instead she ends up sidelined while Carole plays power games and drops some seriously shady digs about the Sabinas.
But what really grabbed me were the emotional undercurrents. Venus misses her late husband, she’s trying to figure out what love looks like with Budd (her delightfully flirty and surprisingly deep boyfriend), and she’s constantly trying to prove herself in a town that still clings to its old boys’ club.
Switched at Death totally worked for me. It’s a little sassy, a little sentimental, and full of sneaky surprises. If you love small-town drama, strong female leads, and cats, this one’s for you. Highly recommend for cat moms, cozy mystery fans, and anyone who enjoys watching people stir the pot.
May 18, 2025
🔍 Switched at Death: A Venus Bixby Mystery by Valerie Taylor
A twisty, small-town whodunit where secrets don’t stay buried—they claw their way back with a vengeance.
✨ Review
**🌆 Small-Town Shadows: Taylor crafts a deceptively quaint setting where gossip is currency and everyone’s smile hides a knife.
**🕵️♀️ Venus Bixby—Reluctant Sleuth: A coroner with a sharp wit and sharper scalpel, her forensic curiosity unravels lies with chilling precision.
**⚰️ High-Stakes Premise: A body swap at the morgue? More than a mix-up—it’s the first domino in a conspiracy of silenced scandals.
**🔄 Pacing Like a Pendulum: Alternates between methodical clue-gathering and gasp-worthy reveals, though some red herrings distract.
**💔 Themes That Stick: Explores grief, identity, and the ethics of truth—elevating this beyond typical procedural fare.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0–5)
Plot Ingenuity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5) (A corpse switcheroo? Bravo.)
Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Venus’s backstory aches; villains need more nuance.)
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (You’ll smell formaldehyde and fresh-baked pie.)
Twist Execution: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.8/5) (One twist lands like a thunderclap; others fizzle.)
Emotional Payoff: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (The finale lingers like a midnight confession.)
Overall: 4.2/5 - A mystery that doesn’t just ask ‘whodunit’—it whispers ‘how many more are buried?’
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Valerie Taylor for the advance review copy. Perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs and Julia Spencer-Fleming, this book proves even sleepy towns have teeth. Best read with the lights on—and your doors locked.
Note: Pair with Sharp Objects for another tale of small-town rot. Trigger warnings for loss and medical ethics.
A twisty, small-town whodunit where secrets don’t stay buried—they claw their way back with a vengeance.
✨ Review
**🌆 Small-Town Shadows: Taylor crafts a deceptively quaint setting where gossip is currency and everyone’s smile hides a knife.
**🕵️♀️ Venus Bixby—Reluctant Sleuth: A coroner with a sharp wit and sharper scalpel, her forensic curiosity unravels lies with chilling precision.
**⚰️ High-Stakes Premise: A body swap at the morgue? More than a mix-up—it’s the first domino in a conspiracy of silenced scandals.
**🔄 Pacing Like a Pendulum: Alternates between methodical clue-gathering and gasp-worthy reveals, though some red herrings distract.
**💔 Themes That Stick: Explores grief, identity, and the ethics of truth—elevating this beyond typical procedural fare.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0–5)
Plot Ingenuity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5) (A corpse switcheroo? Bravo.)
Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Venus’s backstory aches; villains need more nuance.)
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (You’ll smell formaldehyde and fresh-baked pie.)
Twist Execution: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.8/5) (One twist lands like a thunderclap; others fizzle.)
Emotional Payoff: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (The finale lingers like a midnight confession.)
Overall: 4.2/5 - A mystery that doesn’t just ask ‘whodunit’—it whispers ‘how many more are buried?’
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Valerie Taylor for the advance review copy. Perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs and Julia Spencer-Fleming, this book proves even sleepy towns have teeth. Best read with the lights on—and your doors locked.
Note: Pair with Sharp Objects for another tale of small-town rot. Trigger warnings for loss and medical ethics.
June 8, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
☕️ enjoy cozy mysteries
🎄 are missing Christmas right now
📚 want to continue the series
🐈⬛ have ever wanted to start a kitty cat daycare
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Thanksgiving weekend always marks the start of Christmas festivities in Chatham Crossing. But, this year, when the annual tree lighting ends in flames, this charming and usually joyful town finds little to celebrate.
After the town’s long-time, beloved mayor collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, VENUS BIXBY thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor’s death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor’s death.
Will Venus’s clever sleuthing be enough to save Christmas for this charming seaside town?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Such a fun follow up to the first mystery introducing Venus! I really enjoyed this one, as it made me miss the holiday season a lot. I enjoyed the mystery as well, along with the fact that her sister happens to be in town and can help her solve the mystery. Venus is a true wunderkind, as she has already started 2 businesses and solves mysteries as well! I enjoyed the twists and turns in this novel, and I loved that the people you least expected turned out to be the ones you should suspect! I can’t wait to see what happens to Venus next!
☕️ enjoy cozy mysteries
🎄 are missing Christmas right now
📚 want to continue the series
🐈⬛ have ever wanted to start a kitty cat daycare
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Thanksgiving weekend always marks the start of Christmas festivities in Chatham Crossing. But, this year, when the annual tree lighting ends in flames, this charming and usually joyful town finds little to celebrate.
After the town’s long-time, beloved mayor collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, VENUS BIXBY thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor’s death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor’s death.
Will Venus’s clever sleuthing be enough to save Christmas for this charming seaside town?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Such a fun follow up to the first mystery introducing Venus! I really enjoyed this one, as it made me miss the holiday season a lot. I enjoyed the mystery as well, along with the fact that her sister happens to be in town and can help her solve the mystery. Venus is a true wunderkind, as she has already started 2 businesses and solves mysteries as well! I enjoyed the twists and turns in this novel, and I loved that the people you least expected turned out to be the ones you should suspect! I can’t wait to see what happens to Venus next!
April 13, 2025
Switched at Death is the 2nd Book in the Venus Bixby Mystery series by Valerie Taylor.
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the series A Whale of a Murder and I was so excited for the second installment.
It's Thanksgiving weekend and the small Whaling town of Chatham Crossing is getting ready for all the Christmas fun!
When the mayor drops dead at the annual tree lighting, there are more questions than answers.
I am a crazy cat lady, and I was so excited when Venus opened her kitty daycare and adoption center. I mean- Cats & Their Cradle- how cute is that! Her cats Sonny and Cher are as important characters as the human characters.
Small town gossip and rumors are running rampant. I absolutely love Venus and Carole's frenemy relationship. I mean they are partners in the business, and she is the mayor's wife, and she is politically motivated unbeknownst to poor Venus.
Secrets, lies, twists are rampant in this small-town mystery.
I absolutely LOVED this book so much!
The characters are well written, quirky and flawed.
The mystery was so well written and kept me flipping the pages.
An amazing cozy mystery I highly recommend!
I can't wait for more books in this series.
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the series A Whale of a Murder and I was so excited for the second installment.
It's Thanksgiving weekend and the small Whaling town of Chatham Crossing is getting ready for all the Christmas fun!
When the mayor drops dead at the annual tree lighting, there are more questions than answers.
I am a crazy cat lady, and I was so excited when Venus opened her kitty daycare and adoption center. I mean- Cats & Their Cradle- how cute is that! Her cats Sonny and Cher are as important characters as the human characters.
Small town gossip and rumors are running rampant. I absolutely love Venus and Carole's frenemy relationship. I mean they are partners in the business, and she is the mayor's wife, and she is politically motivated unbeknownst to poor Venus.
Secrets, lies, twists are rampant in this small-town mystery.
I absolutely LOVED this book so much!
The characters are well written, quirky and flawed.
The mystery was so well written and kept me flipping the pages.
An amazing cozy mystery I highly recommend!
I can't wait for more books in this series.
May 14, 2025
Oh Venus! Getting herself wrapped up in yet another death. Cats! Cookies! Chaos! I thoroughly enjoy these novels in that they are light, with some suspicions, quirky characters, a few giggles here and there and just enough mystery to throw you off the trail of who really did it. When the mayor collapses at the lighting ceremony, it seems a heart attack did him in. A tragedy but that is life, isn't it? Venus is busy opening her new kitty daycare, Cats and Their Cradle and is busy keeping to herself. But when rumblings about the Mayor's death being tied to her bakery start working through town, Venus knows she needs to solve the mystery of what caused the Mayor's death. With the help of her snarky sister, Sherry the two get to sleuthing and what they find may just shock Venus. Will she be able to believe who is responsible? This is the perfect afternoon read, I enjoyed the holiday vibe and Sonny & Cher. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
April 22, 2025
Hold onto your (Santa Claus) hats, cozy mystery fans--that irrepressible amateur sleuth, Venus Bixby, has just landed in the middle of another mystery. In Valerie Taylor's newest offering the New England Town of Chatham Crossing is preparing for its annual Christmas revels when a mysterious death casts a pall over the festivities. With its quirky characters and intricate plot twists, Switched at Death will keep you guessing. Is the murderer someone Venus knows? Will you figure it all out before the end of the book (probably not)? Will Christmas still happen in Chatham Crossing? There's an added bonus for readers, whether you solve the mystery or not. In addition to sleuthing, Venus runs a successful cookie bakery, and Taylor includes eight delicious cookie recipes, as well as a delightful playlist on Spotify you can listen to while you're baking!
I was given an advanced copy and this is my honest opinion.
I was given an advanced copy and this is my honest opinion.
May 22, 2025
Holiday reads in May? Fun, right? It was a nice break from all the summer heat we’ve been having to read about Thanksgiving, Christmas sweaters, hot cocoa, and tons of cookies (recipes are included).
Yet, this isn’t all warm and fuzzy, although the cats (Sonny & Cher) add a lot of that. When the mayor of this quaint little town ends up dead at the annual tree lighting ceremony, Venus Bixby, the town’s booming businesswoman, must put on her sleuthing hat again.
What I especially enjoy about Valerie’s books is their inviting feel. Once again, in 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, I was delighted with the quirky but endearing characters, the charming small-town atmosphere, and the mix of humor and suspense.
𝐶𝑎𝑡𝑠, 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑜𝑠, 𝐶𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @valerieetaylor for the gifted book.
April 8, 2025
The town’s beloved mayor is dead. When it’s determined that it wasn’t an accident, Venus and her twin sister, Sherrie, set out to solve the crime. Turns out there are several suspects. Then, the cookie bakery is demolished but the rest of the shop isn’t. Who would want to kill the mayor and is the same person responsible for destroying the cookie bakery?
A fun whodunit about friendship, jealousy, lies, and more. I had my suspicions, and it turns out I was right, at least about part of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A fun whodunit about friendship, jealousy, lies, and more. I had my suspicions, and it turns out I was right, at least about part of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 6, 2025
Valerie Taylor’s “Switched at Death: A Venus Bixby Mystery,” released on April 22, 2025, is a charming mystery in the award-winning Venus Bixby Mystery series. This second installment introduces a romantic twist.
The novel begins with shocking headlines in the Chatting Crossings Chronicle announcing Mayor Simon Duffy’s unexpected death on Thanksgiving weekend in 2010. Set in the beautiful Chatting Crossing Cape Cod, the reader is immediately hooked on the mystery surrounding Duffy’s passing. The autopsy report holds the key to uncovering the truth.
The suspenseful plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the secrets beneath the surface.
June 2, 2025
Christmas vibes to read in June and I’m good with it. This mystery was entertaining, has a great setting of a small New England town, and has an interesting cast of characters.
I love that the main character, entrepreneur, Venus Bixby is a seasoned woman, like myself. I like the bit of local political drama in the small town as well as the mystery itself which is how did the beloved mayor really die as he was lighting the town’s Christmas tree.
This is the second in the series and it is easily read as a stand alone.
The book also includes a playlist and recipes at the end which always makes any read better.
I love that the main character, entrepreneur, Venus Bixby is a seasoned woman, like myself. I like the bit of local political drama in the small town as well as the mystery itself which is how did the beloved mayor really die as he was lighting the town’s Christmas tree.
This is the second in the series and it is easily read as a stand alone.
The book also includes a playlist and recipes at the end which always makes any read better.
March 19, 2025
Sleuthing sisters are back again. I enjoyed the first installment but wasn’t as crazy about this one. The murder of the beloved mayor is the theme of the holiday season. Venus and her twin, Sherrie (visiting from CA for the holidays) get a little help from Sherrie’s daughter this time. While I enjoyed their detecting process, I was a little less enamored with Venus’s jealousy. I felt it took away from the storyline and made her look insecure when she’s a small business mogul. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.
April 16, 2025
Once again Venus is in the middle of things, even though she didn't try to be. It's the holiday season and at the tree lighting, the mayor dies. Of course, it's murder and Venus has to figure out who killed the mayor while trying to get her kitty daycare going. Interesting storyline, clean and easy to figure out. Pretty quick, easy read - good for an afternoon break. I'll keep up with the series just to see the different things Venus gets into.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2025
In this second book in the series, we once again enjoy watching Venus Bixby juggle her businesses, her love life, and her penchant and and talent for solving mysteries. Along with her twin sister and the town’s detective, Venus sifts through possibilities and theories. The story kept me guessing until the end and, as with all good mysteries, I didn’t figure out the murderer, but once revealed, it all made sense. This is a fun cozy mystery, set in a cute New England town with all its own quirkiness. I love that it’s set during the Christmas holidays, too!
June 3, 2025
Cats! Cookies! Chaos!
Coming off a few darker reads (I’m looking at you, Armstrong) this book is exactly the palate cleanser I needed.
It doesn’t matter that it’s June.
It doesn’t matter that I hadn’t read the first of the series.
It doesn’t matter that cozy mysteries aren’t my normal fare.
With its quirky, robust characters, its small-town tropey goodness, and its low-stakes murder mystery, this book came at the perfect time.
I’m immediately tracking down Whale of a Murder for the next time my soul needs a literary breather.
Coming off a few darker reads (I’m looking at you, Armstrong) this book is exactly the palate cleanser I needed.
It doesn’t matter that it’s June.
It doesn’t matter that I hadn’t read the first of the series.
It doesn’t matter that cozy mysteries aren’t my normal fare.
With its quirky, robust characters, its small-town tropey goodness, and its low-stakes murder mystery, this book came at the perfect time.
I’m immediately tracking down Whale of a Murder for the next time my soul needs a literary breather.
March 10, 2025
Switched at Death is a Venus Bixby Mystery by Valerie Taylor. Christmas is a joyous time of the year. I think that small town USA especially celebrates Christmas pulling in all of the magic of the season. A dead Mayor Simon was not on the agenda for the tree lighting ceremony. Venus is pulled into the murder and its a race to solve the crime. I love how small towns pull together in a crisis. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
April 18, 2025
Up in smoke!
The Christmas Tree Lighting was a disaster! The tree caught fire, the mayor is dead, and the friendship between Venus and her BFF is toast – can things get worse? Oh, definitely!
The plot is interesting, the twists kept me guessing, and the characters have me wanting to read the next book in the series. I always enjoy cozies that include animals. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
The Christmas Tree Lighting was a disaster! The tree caught fire, the mayor is dead, and the friendship between Venus and her BFF is toast – can things get worse? Oh, definitely!
The plot is interesting, the twists kept me guessing, and the characters have me wanting to read the next book in the series. I always enjoy cozies that include animals. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
April 28, 2025
This is book two in this series. I have not read book one and it was not an issue to keeping up with the story and characters.
This book was full of intrigue and interesting characters. I loved the humor that was woven into the story. I did not guess whodunnit. I wasn’t even close.
I love reading books that take place in New England. I’ll be looking for book one and any other books from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was full of intrigue and interesting characters. I loved the humor that was woven into the story. I did not guess whodunnit. I wasn’t even close.
I love reading books that take place in New England. I’ll be looking for book one and any other books from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 7, 2025
It was great to be back in Chatham Crossing especially during the holidays! Venus is such a unique character and I appreciate her entrepreneurial spirit and her sleuthing skills. The secondary characters in this series add a lot to the story and I enjoyed the new characters and Cats & Their Cradle, Venus’ new cat sitting/adoption venue. Loved that a playlist and recipes were included again - - added bonuses!
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