#Throwback for Murder: A Trending Topic Mystery

by Sarah E. Burr

Some throwbacks are best forgotten.

With crime in Central Shores, Delaware, finally trending downward, social media influencer Coco Cline considers archiving her amateur sleuthing exploits. But when a blast from her friend Charlotte’s past dies under suspicious circumstances, all thoughts of Coco leaving her crime-solving days behind get deleted. The local police are looking at Charlotte, which means Coco needs to find them another suspect, or even better, the real killer.

Teaming up with the Sleuth Squad to clear one of their own, Coco and her friends scour the victim’s socials for clues. What was this guy doing in Central Shores? Who did he have ties with other than Charlotte?

With the evidence mounting against Central Shores’s favorite coffee shop owner, it’s a race against time before Charlotte’s rep is permanently canceled. Can Coco uncover another killer, or will Charlotte go from barista to behind bars?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Sarah E. Burr lives near New York City. Hailing from the small town of Appleton, Maine, she has been dreaming of being Nancy Drew since she was a little girl. After not finding any mysteries in corporate America, Sarah began creating some of her own.

She writes the award-winning Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, the Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. "You Can’t Candle the Truth" was a 2022 NGIBA Best Mystery Finalist and a 2022 Silver Falchion Best Supernatural Mystery Finalist. "Too Much to Candle" was a 2023 NGIBA Best Paranormal Finalist, and "#TagMe for Murder" was a 2024 NGIBA Best Chick Lit Finalist.

Sarah is the co-host of "It's Bookish Time," a live-streamed web series featuring author interviews and book discussions. She writes on the Writers Who Kill blogging team and is a member of Sisters in Crime. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah sings Broadway show tunes, plays video games with her husband, and enjoys walks with her rescue dogs, Eevee and Itto.

Stay connected with Sarah and receive free stories, be the first to learn about book news, book deals, and more by signing up for her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.

Reviews

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coco is busy covering the Central Shores Police Department's festival, for the dedication of their new center, as part of her job as social media manager for the department when she gets a frantic text from her best friend Charlotte. Coco rushes to her aid to find Charlotte confronting a massive man who turns out to be her abusive ex-boyfriend. When the brusier returns ten minutes later, ewhile Coco covers the booth so Charlotte can get some air, she realizes he is struggling and seems to be having a reaction to something. When he collapses, Coco looks for an epi-pen but can't find one before the EMTs take over. When the man, who is from out of town, dies, Charlotte immediately becomes a suspect as she is one of few locals who knew him and was aware of his allergies. Coco immediately calls together the Central Shores Sleuth Squad so everyone can figure out how to get Charlotte off the hook. There are several things I really enjoy about this series. First are the friendships and how well the group works together, each with their own areas of expertise. Second, I enjoy the various uses of social media to get clues and answer questions, I always learn something new. Finally, I enjoy that the characters are real, not perfect, but willing to grow and learn and change direction. I am totally invested in this group and can't wait for their next challenge.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Central Shores, Delaware, has a new high-tech protective services building, and a festival is being held to celebrate its opening. Coco Cline, acting as the police department’s social media manager, has been very involved in planning and promoting the event. The festival is barely underway when Coco gets an SOS call from her friend Charlotte to come to her Brewed to Perfection booth ASAP. When she arrives, she finds Charlotte clearly frightened, and a man from Charlotte’s past trying to convince her he’s changed. Coco sends the man packing, but he returns later in distress and collapses right in front of Coco and dies. Classified as a “suspicious” death, Charlotte tops the suspect list. Coco and her friends know Charlotte couldn’t kill anyone, so the Central Shores Sleuth Squad gets together to clear one of their own of the crime and serve up the real killer to the authorities.

What I enjoy about this series is the way the friendships continue to strengthen as the series progresses, as does Coco’s relationship with Hudson. Coco’s “bestie” and “demanding diva”, Jasper, doesn’t have much of a filter, but his heart is in the right place. Charlotte has a lot thrown at her in this story, but she tries to push through. She has her hunky boyfriend, Deacon, who is the team supervisor of the CSC forensic analysis department, to lean on, but he has to walk a fine line regarding the case. Amanda, their friend and Coco’s coworker, has been recovering from a traumatic event, but she is easing back into her tasks and wants to help Charlotte. All the core characters in this series feel so genuine; it is extremely easy to get invested in their lives.

The victim and I share the same allergy, and even with today’s cautions and labeling, we have to remain vigilant. Even the best protection plan can go awry, especially when murder is involved. Coco is a social media maven. I feel like I learn something new in every book. It amazes me what she finds digging deep into social media accounts and how she connects the dots for would-be suspects; great jumping-off points for the clues to follow. I loved that her dad even got involved in helping to solve the case. He made a scary decision, but it ended okay. I had such a good time following along with the Sleuth Squad as the clues came together.

Part of the story follows Coco as she contemplates the direction of her blog and business. Was it still giving her joy and fulfilling what she needed now? Ms. Burr intertwines this, the mystery, daily life ups and downs, and the introduction of Jasper’s new friend smoothly into the story. OMG! Jasper always brings the funny! Serious topics, like miscarriage and domestic abuse, are addressed as well.

#Throwback for Murder was a fast-paced and action-packed escape. The author drops her readers right into the middle of everything. Trending and relevant topics, a mystery that touched me personally, and engaging and fun characters kept the pages flying. There looks to be some changes coming in Coco’s work, and I am excited to see how she handles the pivot. #ilovedit #aperfectescape

*This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Kylie Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, cozy read! This is actually the first Trending Topic Mystery I've read. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Burr and when I saw her newest book available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance! The main character, Coco, and her loveable, quirky group of friends known as the "Sleuth Squad" were all fun to get to know and I love that their unique personalities and connections had them all working together throughout the story. The author does a wonderful job of creating an engaging mystery filled with humor. I also enjoy the use of social media in solving the crime. It's a fresh twist to crime solving and adds a modern touch to sleuthing. I'm #hooked on this series. I can't wait to go back and read the first few as well as wait for the next installment. Thank you to #NetGalley and #LevelBest Books for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant going into this one because the last one in the series wasn’t my favorite (it lagged and wasn’t very compelling). This one, however, hit the ground running and was constant action, making it more interesting. There was a good balance between investigating and catching up with her friends, which in the other one, I felt, was overdone. I did figure out who the guilty party was beforehand but Jasper’s antics with his new friend more than made up for that and the reveal was well done. I enjoyed this one so much and look forward to seeing how Coco’s blog evolves with the new changes.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #LevelBestBooks for an honest review.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Throwback for Murder is the 4th book in Sarah E. Burr’s Trending Topic series. Coco Cline is an influencer and consultant. She is dating Hudson who is a TV journalist. Coco’s best friends are Charlotte and Jasper. There is a festival in town. Coco is there working and Charlotte has a coffee stand. An old boyfriend of Charlotte’s shows up but then he has an allergic attack and dies. Charlotte is a suspect and The friends need to figure out who wanted him dead. They have to sort through secrets and lies to get to the truth. Coco has some decisions to make regarding Trending Topic’s future. The characters and friendships make this book and series so enjoyable. The cozy mystery kept me guessing and brought up the topics of domestic abuse and miscarriage. Both were handled respectfully. It seems like the books going forward are taking a little different path as is hinted at with Coco’s decisions regarding Trending Topic’s future. This continues to be an enjoyable cozy mystery series. I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley and Level Best Books and I voluntarily leave this review. #ThrowbackForMurder #TrendingTopicMystery #NetGalley

[Cozybooklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hoped to like this book, but it didn't happen.
I think the story was okay, but I did6like the characters.
The constant oh my hashtags drove me crazy, so I am kindly leaving a 3 star review, because the mystery and story wasn't bad.

[Kelly Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I enjoyed the mystery that unfolded. A guy collapsing at a festival and dies from a peanut allergy. But how did peanuts get in his coffee cup. Coco Cline is on the case with her sleuth crew. This book was a nice cozy murder mystery. Bonus points for the adorable white kitty, Coco’s bestie Jasper adopts 😍

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"#Throwback for Murder (A Trending Topics Mystery #4)" by Sarah E. Burr has Coco questioning her influencer career drive and diving into yet another mysterious death. Coco's friend has an ex turn up suddenly. Just as suddenly he is permanently out of the picture. The police may be looking at Coco's friend as a possible suspect but there seems to be plenty of people who weren't to fond of him.

Coco keeps telling people she's not investigating with none of them really believe her. Well, at least she's knowingly lying when she's saying this, nothing more frustrating than an amateur sleuth that keeps insisting they're not investigating and tries to make themselves believe. So thank you for the main character being honest with themself.

[Meezan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying Sarah E. Burr's Trending Topic Mysteries since the beginning, so I was very excited to receive an ARC of the fourth installment in the series, #Throwback for Murder. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint. In fact, this may be my favorite book in the series.

It starts out at a festival to celebrate the opening of the Central Shores Community Safety Center. The celebration is interrupted when a blast from the past falls ill and eventually dies. (I must point out here how the title of this book fits perfectly with the victim's story.) Evidence points to Charlotte, one of Coco Cline's best friends, as the one who potentially murdered the victim. Lifestyle Influencer, Coco, and her friends use a mix of modern technology and good old-fashioned sleuthing to uncover the truth and clear Charlotte's name.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Central Shores, Delaware, once again visiting with the Sleuth Squad. I loved that this book starts at a festival and the reader is fully immersed in the experience. It felt like I was there.

Having just re-listened to the first in this series, I can say that these characters have shown tremendous growth since the beginning. Relationships are evolving and there is now a cat added to the mix. This isn't Coco's cat. Miranda's human is Jasper, and I am here for it. Jasper is my favorite character in this series and I just love that he now has a cat. The scene where Miranda is first discovered nearly brought tears to my eyes. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it was going to all unfold. There is another scene later in the book that did bring tears to my eyes, but those were tears of laughter because it was so funny!

There are a lot of characters in this book, but I was okay with that. It was fairly easy to differentiate who the suspects were and who were simply members of the community. Even with that differentiation, I still could not figure out who the culprit was. It surprised me, but it came to a logical conclusion. Speaking of the conclusion, I love how this book shows that not every case is cut and dry. The lines are sometimes blurred. You will have to read the book to find out exactly what I'm talking about.

One thing I always appreciate in these books is diversity. The communities created by Sarah Burr truly are welcoming to everyone. On a personal note, in this series it's especially heart-warming to see at least one physically disabled character living life just like everyone else in the community. This character is working and could possibly be involved in a romantic relationship soon. That's the way I love to see representation. It makes me feel like I could easily fit into that community.

I also love that Coco is seeing a mental health professional. It isn't a large part of the book, but it's there to let us know that Coco isn't dealing with everything on her own. Of course she has her friends, but it's good to know she's open to professional counseling.

I really enjoyed the scenes with Coco's family. I especially loved the scenes with Coco's father. I hope to see more of her family in future installments.

Along with the mystery, there are a number of subplots that are naturally and seamlessly woven into the story. These subplots never interfere with the flow of the mystery and they give us glimpses into the characters' lives other than solving mysteries. I enjoyed seeing the natural progression of their lives and I'm even more enthusiastic about seeing them continue to grow in future installments.

There are some serious topics covered in this book, as indicated by the trigger warning in the beginning. While these topics do play a role in the overall story, they never felt overwhelming to me. Sarah Burr has a gift for lightening the mood without glossing over serious situations. It's the perfect blend of heart and humor.

I have to admit, I got a kick out of the multiple references to the Baltimore Ravens football team. They are my team! But I promise you, you don't have to be a football fan to appreciate these references. They are worked into the book in a way that works well with the story.

As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery, but I recommend starting with book 1, #FollowMe for Murder, so you can see the growth of the characters. If you've been reading each installment, then this is certainly not one you'll want to miss. #Throwback for Murder is a strong addition to a modern and entertaining series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and Sarah E. Burr for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[KatieinBavaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️: 2.5
🌶️: 0

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book. I really did. I grew up on Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, Harriet The Spy and the like. After a crazy week, a cozy murder mystery ala Jessica Fletcher/Miss Marple vibes felt like exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, this books wasn’t it.

Was there a murder mystery storyline? Yes. Did it have a decent little twist in the who done-it? Yup. Was the FMC a plucky detective who inserted herself into the case much the exasperation albeit appreciation of a beleaguered police chief? Definitely.

That’s where the comparisons end.

Now I will note that apparently this is the fourth book in a series. I read this while on a plane that unfortunately didn’t have working wifi so I was unable to look this up myself. And I don’t remember seeing that detail on NG but I will go back and check once I have the internet again. That might allow some excuses for a few of my complaints as many of these characters were probably introduced in previous installments.

Look. I’m a millennial. Who is chronically online. But the amount of TikTok speak peppered throughout this book had even me cringing. The author didn’t use a single curse word (which is totally fine!) but instead of using other alternatives, middle school level phrases were inserted instead? But the phrase that made me literally want to chuck my kindle into the next row was "Holy Hilary Duff." And that was after I barely restrained myself from DNFing it completely after reading “My heart plummeted to my butt. How in the name of Travis Kelce had…” which was at 15%.

There were SO many side characters that I had a hard time keeping track of all of them. Mainly because most of them were only introduced to advance a meaningless detail and then never to be heard from again? It also felt a bit like Collum from Derry Girls when it came to a lot of the details. Just excessive explanations about food preparation or street names or steps in a process that didn’t add to the plot but mainly pulled me out of the story.

Lastly, I really struggled with the dialogue. It felt very jilted and stiff? Almost a bit robotic in places. I didn’t feel chemistry within a lot of the friend group and their conversations didn’t feel very connected. I can’t put my finger on exactly the problem but I just didn’t find it believable?

Overall, I appreciated the premise but I definitely will not be continuing this journey with Coco and her friends.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Throwback for Murder by Sarah E. Burr

📱 Overview
Sarah E. Burr’s Throwback for Murder catapults readers into the cutthroat world of viral fame and cold-blooded crime. When social media influencer-turned-true-crime podcaster Hazel Nguyen investigates a decades-old murder linked to a viral #ThrowbackThursday post, she uncovers secrets that someone will kill to keep buried. Burr deftly blends Gen Z digital culture with classic whodunit tension, delivering a fresh take on the cozy mystery genre that’s equal parts witty and wicked.

✨ Key Strengths
📸 Modern Twist – The fusion of true-crime podcasting and social media sleuthing feels razor-sharp and timely.
💀 Page-Turning Plot – Twists unfold like an algorithm feeding your next obsession—impossible to scroll past.
🗣️ Voice-Driven Narration – Hazel’s snarky, self-aware commentary adds levity without undercutting the stakes.
🔍 Layered Mystery – Past and present crimes intertwine with satisfying precision.

⚠️ Considerations
🌐 Niche References – Some tech-savvy humor may fly over analog readers’ heads.
⚡ Pacing – The first act prioritizes character setup over action, but the payoff is worth the binge.

⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
📱 Concept & Originality → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🕵️ Mystery Construction → ★★★★ (4/5)
🎭 Character Appeal → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A like-worthy thriller—double-tap for danger and dark humor.

🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
🎧 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets The Appeal in podcast-form
📲 Internet-age mysteries with bite
🖤 Protagonists who weaponize wit as deftly as clues

🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah E. Burr for the advance review copy. Throwback for Murder is the kind of addictive read that’ll have you ignoring notifications—and sleeping with the lights on.

(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)

[J.C. Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

In #Throwback for Murder, influencer Coco Cline is faced with another confounding murder while dealing with something much more personal-coming to terms changes in what's important in her life.
When a visitor to Central Shores dies under mysterious circumstances at a community fair, the police are at a loss for suspects. Until it becomes known that the victim was the former boyfriend of Coco's compatriot Charlotte. Fingers immediately are pointed at Charlotte when the evidence suggests she may have had a hand in the dead man's demise.
To get to the bottom of the case and clear Charlotte in the process, Coco and her clue crew-Charlotte, Jasper, and Hudson-commence their search for answers. Why was he even in Central Shores? What secrets was he hiding? How did the murderer pull off the crime and frame Charlotte at the same time?
You'll have to read the story to get the answers and you won't be disappointed. For my money, this is the finest installment in the Trending Topic Murders. There's a sense of urgency that's palpable throughout the story.
This is also a deeply personal story. Coco is realizing she's entering a new stage in her life and isn't sure where she's headed. We're also given a glimpse into a horrific chapter of Charlotte's life and how that led her to Central Shores.
On a lighter note, we come to find out that Jasper may have not one, but two, soul mates in his life. While one is a kind human, the other is an utterly spoiled feline. I'll leave it up to you to decide which one has captured more of Jasper's heart.
We're at the height of summer. #Throwback for Murder is the perfect read for you poolside, at the beach, on the porch, or anywhere else you spend your free time.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Influencer Coco Cline was enjoying the CFC festival when an urgent text from Charlotte alters the mood. Rushing to Charlotte’s side, she notices her friend is terrified. Confronting Charlotte is the abusive ex she ran away from. After getting Kiefer to leave Charlotte alone, Coco agrees to cover the coffee booth so Charlotte can regroup. To her shock, Kiefer returns a few minutes later, in obvious distress, asking for his pen before falling at her feet. What looks like a tragic accident is soon classified as a murder with Charlotte in the crosshairs. Can Coco and the Sleuth Squad clear their friend’s name?

In the 4th Trending Topics Mystery, Sarah Burr mixes humor, friends, social issues, and murder into a delightful brew. Opening with a trigger warning for addressing domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and miscarriage, Ms. Burr makes clear that her characters and their experiences are rooted in reality. Social media plays a large part in the series as well, being not only Coco’s job but a way to gather information to solve the case. Coco and her friends on the Sleuth Squad are endearing and supportive of each other, creating a tight knit group reminiscent of found families. Coco’s “what the hashtag” campaign to avoid cursing was cute and clever. Jasper going gaga over an abandoned kitten added a nice depth to his character. The conclusion of the mystery left me as conflicted as Coco and company were. With Coco rebranding from lifestyle influencer to mystery solver, I’m looking forward to more in this charming series.

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

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a quiet nine months for Coco Cline and her friends. In that time, the new government office building in Central Shores has been finished, and the city is holding a festival to celebrate. However, Coco’s friend, Charlotte, is shocked when her ex shows up during the festival. She came to town to get away from him. A few minutes after a tense standoff ends, he dies under the suspicious circumstances. With all the evidence pointing to Charolette, can Coco clear her friend?

Once again, Coco is surrounded by a good group of friends, and I enjoyed spending time with them and watching their relationships grow. There isn’t too much with her family this time. The plot started quickly and the pacing never lagged, with several sub-plots to keep us engaged. I did have a couple of niggles with the ending, but they are minor. There are a few laughs as well. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up today.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Mackenzie Busalacchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Throwback For Murder is the next book in the Trending Topic Mystery series. When Charlotte's abusive ex shows up in Central Shores, Charlotte needs all the support from her friends that she can get. Then, when her ex dies under suspicious circumstances, Charlotte becomes the prime suspect in his murder investigation. Coco will NOT let Charlotte take the blame for her ex's death. In order to solve this mystery, Coco will need the help of her entire Sleuth Squad. Hudson, Jasper, Charlotte, Deacon, and new member Miranda all quickly dive into the case.

The Trending Topic Mystery series is a contemporary, trendy, fun cozy series that also takes on some harder topics (domestic abuse, miscarriages, bullying, etc). The author does a great job balancing the challenging subjects with the lightheartedness of a good cozy mystery. The characters in this series are fantastic. I absolutely love Jasper. And, in this installment in particular, Jasper is amazing. I loved when he met Miranda!!! I did think this mystery was a bit predictable; however, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I can't wait to see what the Sleuth Squad gets up to next.

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah E. Burr delivers a lively and modern cozy mystery in #Throwback for Murder: A Trending Topic Mystery, blending social media culture with classic whodunit structure. The story follows influencer Coco Cline, who is pulled back into amateur sleuthing when a suspicious death threatens her friend’s reputation. As online personas, digital footprints, and real-world relationships collide, Coco and her “Sleuth Squad” must sift through posts, connections, and hidden histories to uncover the truth.

The novel stands out for its contemporary setting, integrating social media investigation into the traditional cozy mystery format. Burr keeps the tone light yet suspenseful, balancing community charm with rising stakes as suspicion tightens around a beloved local figure. The fast-moving investigation and focus on friendship and loyalty make it an engaging read for fans of tech-savvy cozy mysteries.

[Rose Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's so nice to spend time with Coco, Hudson and the rest of the Sleuth Squad.

Social media influencer, Coco Cline, is back with a new mystery to solve alongside her buddies in her Sleuth Squad.
Coco’s trying to stay away from getting involved in the latest death to hit Central Shores in Delaware, but when one of her own is targeted as the possible killer, Coco has to step in.
The victim in this case is not a nice guy and there are a lot of layers to the crime. Coco works through the layers with the help of the Sleuth Squad. Even her dad makes an appearance and helps out.

Ms. Burr skillfully lays out the plot, allowing clues to slip into the story.
I loved this latest instalment and the changes Coco is contemplating in her work life as well.

A well-written mystery that kept me guessing until the ending.

I recommend this series and this book!

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Charlotte’s ex shows up in town and then dies from an allergic reaction to crushed peanuts, Charlotte is the main suspect. Why Coco knows that Charlotte didn’t kill the man, the evidence is saying otherwise. Can Coco and the gang figure out who really had it in for the man? As an unlikely human, the options are limitless, but can they find the proof they need to clear Charlotte?

While each, and every entry contains a solid mystery that keeps you guessing to the end, the author also has developed her character so well that you’re not just coming to figure out whodunit, you’re coming to each new entry to catch up with old friends. That to me, is a series that is always going to be on my must-read list

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Social media influencer Coco Cline and her Sleuth Squad are back to solve another murder. Her best friend Charlotte is suspected of slipping peanuts into her highly allergic ex boyfriend's latte. As they investigate the ex boyfriend's connections, it becomes increasingly clear that he was not a good person.
This is the 4th book in the Trending Topic series, and while I have not read the first 3, I didn't feel like I was trying to play catch up on who everyone was and what their connections to each other were. The story was well paced with enough suspects to keep you guessing until the end. The often use of "hashtags!" as a curse word got old very quick for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ebook.

[Ppcfransen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man practically dies in Coco’s arms. A man her friend Charlotte has a history with. Of course Coco is going to investigate if her friend ís going to be a suspect.

Story weavered a bit between good and okay. It gets a bit repetitive if from a group offriends each take turns being a suspect (see other books in the series). It was also a bit repetitieve that Coco and friend would go somewhere to interview a person that held their interest, then hear a noise, go round the back of the building and find a situation. This happened not once, not twice, but three times.

I appreciate that the killer was a genuine surprise (at least to Coco) and not someone she merely forgot to think about.

I read an ARC through NetGalley.

[Renee Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Sarah E. Burr has a knack for creating the most awesome characters! They have down to earth qualities. The interaction between them is superb! You'll love in love with each one.
Her stories are up to date with today's issues. Interesting and compelling. I find when I pick up one of her books, I just can't stop!
This one is another delight. Coco and her squad are right out of today's world. Fresh! Smart! Great story plot. 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.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was such a cosy murder mystery read that I couldn’t put down. The characters were strong and the plot was well paced.

When Coco’s best friend becomes the number one suspect to her ex-boyfriends death she immediately jumps on the case to prove her friends innocence. Can she unravel the mystery in time to save her friend, and what else will she discover through her investigation?

The author kept me guessing who the murderer was until the very end and I am happy to say I didn’t see it coming.

If you love a cosy mystery this is the book for you.

[Trina Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fun mystery in Central Shores. Coco Cline is at it again and solving a new mystery. When her friend’s past comes back to haunt her after someone nearby dies. Coco, of course, jumps in to help. The story is exciting and keeps you guessing, for me it was a total page turner in the most cozy of senses. I liked how Coco tries to clear her friend's name and solve this mystery before it’s too late. A good read for anyone who likes mysteries, highly recommended!!!!

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

[Genesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco finds herself entangled in a murder investigation, and fortunately, she enjoys solving puzzles. This time, however, her friend Charlotte is the prime suspect. With the help of her Sleuth Team and her fiancé, Hudson, Coco is on the hunt for clues. I thoroughly enjoyed the book; it was entertaining, and the suspense, along with the emotions Coco experienced while dealing with her friend's precarious situation, brought me to tears. It's a real page-turner and definitely worth reading.

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

[madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this book, it was so fun to read and entertaining! It was a great cozy mystery and I would highly recommend if you like that! Coco was such a fun character to read about, I loved her and all the other characters too!

I didn’t realize when I got the arc that this was apart of the series so this is me reading out of the blue and without context 😭. It was still very enjoyable and easy to understand, I loved how lighthearted the writing was as well!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Aminda Gailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Coco Cline book and her group of sleuths. Absolutely love Sarah's writing style and just how it's just fun and entertaining. Coco's best friends past has popped up to cause some major pain in her life. Her ex that she ran from is standing right in front of her coffee stand at the festival, but then he reappears having an allergic reaction to peanuts. All of sudden Charlotte is the one that looks guilty. Coco and her team come to the rescue to clear Charlottes name.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book and would rate it 3.5 if I could.

Coco is a fun MC and the book felt cozy despite the plot and the themes within the pages. It had a festival and coffee shop vibes, and AI think this would be a great book for this time of the year. I really really enjoyed this!

I have not read the other books in this series, I had no idea until I finished and started looking at reviews that it was book 4, but you can get by without knowing too much of the past stories.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-copy!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super solid showing for a cozy mystery. It was a nice change of pace to see a book where there is an established healthy and supportive relationship for the main sleuth. Overall, the mystery was solid and there were enough red herrings to keep people from guessing the murderer from the beginning. The writing was a little predictable and cliche at some points, but I feel like that par for the course with this genre. This is a cozy mystery for all the people who eat up a Hallmark Mystery Movie, but want it to be a little more relevant and young!

[Wendy Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Throwback For Murder is a charming, funny and entertaining cozy mystery. It’s the fourth in the series. Social media influencer Coco Cline is in the middle of a murder investigation when the past comes back to haunt her friend. Sarah Burr entwines an intriguing plot with a colorful cast of cookey and realistic characters. Burr’s book is a great blend of humor and suspense. I highly recommend this book!.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coco Cline has plans to give up being an amateur sleuth to devote more time to being a social media influencer. Those plans quickly change when someone from her friend Charlotte's past dies under suspicious circumstances. When the police target Charlotte as the killer, Coco jumps into investigating to clear her friend's name. Can Coco find the real killer before Charlotte ends up in jail? A fun cozy with much more contemporary vibes. A new step forward for cozy mysteries!