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Critters and Criminals #1
Gator Queen
In the quirky town of Wahoo, Florida, Maggie Andrews stands she’s a petite, no-nonsense gator trapper who left the Boston Zoo to run her late dad’s business and reunite with her twin sister, Vera.
Then a rival trapper turns up dead. Vera’s gun is the murder weapon. And the prime suspect? Vera.
Jack Bianchi isn’t exactly part of the plan. But the handsome criminology professor renting the cabin next door is smart, charming, surprisingly good with kittens... and even better at chasing down leads. When they pretend to be a couple to distract Vera’s shady boyfriend, things get complicated fast.
Between the murder, the fake romance, and a real twelve-foot gator, Maggie’s got her hands full. But she’s not about to let her sister — or her budding situationship — go down without a fight.
GATOR QUEEN is a slightly edgy cozy mystery with heart, heat, and hilarious hijinks. Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Arsenic and Adobo!
Then a rival trapper turns up dead. Vera’s gun is the murder weapon. And the prime suspect? Vera.
Jack Bianchi isn’t exactly part of the plan. But the handsome criminology professor renting the cabin next door is smart, charming, surprisingly good with kittens... and even better at chasing down leads. When they pretend to be a couple to distract Vera’s shady boyfriend, things get complicated fast.
Between the murder, the fake romance, and a real twelve-foot gator, Maggie’s got her hands full. But she’s not about to let her sister — or her budding situationship — go down without a fight.
GATOR QUEEN is a slightly edgy cozy mystery with heart, heat, and hilarious hijinks. Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Arsenic and Adobo!
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
67 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lush
27 books583 followersTara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
March 26, 2024
Quirky, cozy and cute. This is a fun murder mystery with a bit of romance and some gators. I really liked this little book and the author does a great job with the characters. I felt like I was in FL with the Gator Queen and it was amazing to follow along with her and Jack while they try to figure out whodunnit.
This is a new to me author and I am so glad I gave this book a shot. Loved it! I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here and I will definitely be following along. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with silly shenanigans I think you will love this one. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will likely find this one to their liking as well although it does have a bit less spice.
4.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you NetGalley, 8th Note Press and Tara Lush for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 3/26/24
This is a new to me author and I am so glad I gave this book a shot. Loved it! I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here and I will definitely be following along. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with silly shenanigans I think you will love this one. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will likely find this one to their liking as well although it does have a bit less spice.
4.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you NetGalley, 8th Note Press and Tara Lush for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 3/26/24
May 25, 2024
This Book is Sooo Florida!!!!! As a born and raised Floridian I can say with complete confidence that this book is fire! Florida critters check. Florida man check. Corrupt politicians check. Murder mysteries that somehow involve gators check. Oh and romance too! Read it you will love it!
August 16, 2024
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I liked the quirkiness of the story. The characters were fun. I liked the added element of mystery. It was very entertaining- just not a wow for me. I can't say that I have ever read a book about a gator trapper. I liked learning more about that industry, and it added to the story.
Maggie has decided to throw caution to the wind and is moving back home to help open up a bookstore with her twin sister Vera. Maggie is going to pick up the mantle of gator trapping from her dad who has passed away. She hasn't been home in 6 years and has no idea what to expect. What she isn't surprised by is her competition's attitude. Gene is still the same misogynist that he was before but somehow he has gotten worse. Things take a turn for the weird and worse when Maggie finds his body after receiving a very vague call about a gator removal. Now the town is in shock- who killed Gene and why? Maggie decides to do some investigating of her own with their new tenant Jack who is a professor from Miami. They decie to join forces to dig deeper to see if they can uncover what happened. Once they start peeling back layers, they find things they didn't expect. A cover up. Election fraud. Nothing seems to be out of the realm of possibility. All Maggie has to do is clear her and her sister's name before their bookstore opens which shouldn't be a problem right?
This was a cozy, super fast and easy read. I would recommend it for a nice summer pickup. I am curious to see what happens with Maggie and Jack as well as Vera and Adam. Looking forward to book 2!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Maggie has decided to throw caution to the wind and is moving back home to help open up a bookstore with her twin sister Vera. Maggie is going to pick up the mantle of gator trapping from her dad who has passed away. She hasn't been home in 6 years and has no idea what to expect. What she isn't surprised by is her competition's attitude. Gene is still the same misogynist that he was before but somehow he has gotten worse. Things take a turn for the weird and worse when Maggie finds his body after receiving a very vague call about a gator removal. Now the town is in shock- who killed Gene and why? Maggie decides to do some investigating of her own with their new tenant Jack who is a professor from Miami. They decie to join forces to dig deeper to see if they can uncover what happened. Once they start peeling back layers, they find things they didn't expect. A cover up. Election fraud. Nothing seems to be out of the realm of possibility. All Maggie has to do is clear her and her sister's name before their bookstore opens which shouldn't be a problem right?
This was a cozy, super fast and easy read. I would recommend it for a nice summer pickup. I am curious to see what happens with Maggie and Jack as well as Vera and Adam. Looking forward to book 2!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 25, 2025
Thank you Netgalley, Tara Lush, and 8th Note Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was wonderfully hilarious, cozy, quirky, & so charming. The plot went together very smoothly, and the book was just the right pace. I didn’t want to put this book down for a single moment because it would just pull me right back in. The characters were so cute and well thought out which I always appreciate, & the twists & turns of this book kept me on my toes constantly, which made it all the more fun. The setting felt like home to me, because I live in Georgia but often go to Florida on summer vacations, especially as a kid, so I felt like I could relate to the main characters nostalgia in a small way, which i think helped me to keep reading. The book was very well worded the entire time, so it was easy to envision everything happening in my mind while I read. I think I’ll continue to read her books as they come out because I love her style of writing, it doesn’t fail to entertain. My only real critique of the book is that she said the word “probably” at the beginning of way too many sentences throughout the book. I never want to see that word again, i’m all probablyed out. Overall though, really good read and I recommend for a fun little time!
This book was wonderfully hilarious, cozy, quirky, & so charming. The plot went together very smoothly, and the book was just the right pace. I didn’t want to put this book down for a single moment because it would just pull me right back in. The characters were so cute and well thought out which I always appreciate, & the twists & turns of this book kept me on my toes constantly, which made it all the more fun. The setting felt like home to me, because I live in Georgia but often go to Florida on summer vacations, especially as a kid, so I felt like I could relate to the main characters nostalgia in a small way, which i think helped me to keep reading. The book was very well worded the entire time, so it was easy to envision everything happening in my mind while I read. I think I’ll continue to read her books as they come out because I love her style of writing, it doesn’t fail to entertain. My only real critique of the book is that she said the word “probably” at the beginning of way too many sentences throughout the book. I never want to see that word again, i’m all probablyed out. Overall though, really good read and I recommend for a fun little time!
March 20, 2024
OMG, guys, I loved this book so much!!! "Gator Queen" is like, the ultimate mash-up of mystery, romance, and small-town drama, and it's seriously sooo addictive!!!
First off, let's talk about Maggie Andrews. She's not your average Southern belle. Nope, she's a gator-trapping, cat-loving dynamo with a heart of gold and a determination that knows no bounds. Watching her navigate the murky waters of family drama and murder investigations is an absolute delight.
And then there's Jack Bianchi, the swoon-worthy criminology professor who finds himself entangled in Maggie's world. Their fake dating scheme had me grinning from ear to ear, and their chemistry practically leaps off the page. Lush has crafted a romance that sizzles and sparkles, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already captivating story.
But amidst all the fake dating shenanigans and swoon-worthy moments, there's a murder mystery afoot. When a rival gator trapper winds up dead and Vera becomes the prime suspect, Maggie and Jack team up to crack the case. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride from start to finish. With twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end, "Gator Queen" is like a puzzle you can't wait to solve.
But it's not just the mystery that'll keep you hooked – it's also the humor. Tara Lush has a knack for witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments that'll have you giggling into the wee hours of the night. It's like she's sprinkled magic dust on every page, turning an already captivating story into an absolute page-turner.
So, if you're in the mood for a book that's equal parts mystery, romance, and laugh-out-loud fun, then "Gator Queen" is the one for you. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!
First off, let's talk about Maggie Andrews. She's not your average Southern belle. Nope, she's a gator-trapping, cat-loving dynamo with a heart of gold and a determination that knows no bounds. Watching her navigate the murky waters of family drama and murder investigations is an absolute delight.
And then there's Jack Bianchi, the swoon-worthy criminology professor who finds himself entangled in Maggie's world. Their fake dating scheme had me grinning from ear to ear, and their chemistry practically leaps off the page. Lush has crafted a romance that sizzles and sparkles, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already captivating story.
But amidst all the fake dating shenanigans and swoon-worthy moments, there's a murder mystery afoot. When a rival gator trapper winds up dead and Vera becomes the prime suspect, Maggie and Jack team up to crack the case. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride from start to finish. With twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end, "Gator Queen" is like a puzzle you can't wait to solve.
But it's not just the mystery that'll keep you hooked – it's also the humor. Tara Lush has a knack for witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments that'll have you giggling into the wee hours of the night. It's like she's sprinkled magic dust on every page, turning an already captivating story into an absolute page-turner.
So, if you're in the mood for a book that's equal parts mystery, romance, and laugh-out-loud fun, then "Gator Queen" is the one for you. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!
December 24, 2024
This was a lot of fun! I loved the characters and the setting as well as the unusual (for books, probably not in real life) of trapping gators. Maggie and Jack make a formidable duo who are guaranteed to make you laugh. The mystery was intriguing and had me guessing but the humor is what will have me coming back for book 2
Want to read
February 7, 2024Well this sounds interesting, thank you 8th Note Press!
February 20, 2024
Gator Queen was a fun mystery that's pretty charming and a great light-hearted trip into the world of catching gators. While this is fun and lighthearted there are moments between Maggie and her sister that I found myself being frustrated with. There is romance is book but not as much as I was hoping. However, the romance we do get between Maggie and Jack is fun and flirty which made me want to see where their relationship went next. Overall this was an enjoyable read!
May 17, 2024
In short this is a murder mystery revolving around Maggie, a gator trapper, and the dead body she found of a rival trapper. Her twin sister is a prime suspect and she’s determined to clear her name.
What I liked:
🐊Great characters. From Maggie to her twin Vera to her sidekick Jack
🐊Strong sense of place. The descriptions make you feel like you’re in the FL swamp
🐊Great twists and red herrings. I thought I had the murder figured out and was completely wrong. Loved all the twists
🐊A little bit of romance. Maggie and Jack had a fake dating thing going on for the investigation and had great chemistry and banter. Loved that it evolved.
I have been eagerly wanting to read this cozy mystery since I first heard about it and was SO excited when my library home came in. It was such a fun read!
What I liked:
🐊Great characters. From Maggie to her twin Vera to her sidekick Jack
🐊Strong sense of place. The descriptions make you feel like you’re in the FL swamp
🐊Great twists and red herrings. I thought I had the murder figured out and was completely wrong. Loved all the twists
🐊A little bit of romance. Maggie and Jack had a fake dating thing going on for the investigation and had great chemistry and banter. Loved that it evolved.
I have been eagerly wanting to read this cozy mystery since I first heard about it and was SO excited when my library home came in. It was such a fun read!
April 5, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! As a Floridian I can attest to the accuracy of the mayhem that resides in our state that Tara Lush writes about . Maggie was such a strong character, I can’t wait for another book to come out . If you like cozy mysteries with some romance and all things Florida Man , this is the book for you .
March 28, 2024
A fun new cozy mystery set in small town Florida featuring twin gator catching sisters who are trying to open a romance only bookstore but get caught up in a murder investigation featuring their nemesis. Full of corrupt politicians, underhanded land developers, some romance and a cute kitten sidekick.
This was a fresh, humorous story perfect for fans of authors like Mia P. Manassala or Jennifer J. Chow. I couldn't resist picking this up after seeing so many rave reviews and I'm not at all sorry I did. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Disability rep: vitiligo
This was a fresh, humorous story perfect for fans of authors like Mia P. Manassala or Jennifer J. Chow. I couldn't resist picking this up after seeing so many rave reviews and I'm not at all sorry I did. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Disability rep: vitiligo
March 24, 2024
I loved this book. It was a quick read. I enjoyed the twin sister characters. I like the story line trying to prove her sister’s innocence. I even liked the budding romance that was building throughout the story. Portraying women in strong rolls like gator trapping was pretty cool too.
March 6, 2024
Can we talk about how awesome this cover is??? 🐊 🐾 🌴
When I saw Tara Lush was releasing a new cozy mystery series I jumped at the chance to read it early! I’m obsessed with her Crescent Moon Mystery series and absolutely loved the premise of her new Critters & Criminals series!
This is 100% Florida and I’m so here for it! Gator Relocation Services, Gator Sanctuary, swamplands, shady real estate deals, murder mystery, fake dating, an adorable kitten, quirky characters and a romance bookstore?? Cozy mystery perfection!
🐊 Gators
🌴 Florida
💖 Romance Bookstore
🫶Family
📚 Series Debut
🔍Cozy Mystery
🐾 Adorable Kitten
😹 Hoot & a Half
♥️ Budding Romance
This was such a fun series debut that kept me guessing and laughing until the last page! I can’t wait to see where Tara Lush will take the series from here!! 10/10 recommend!
Method Read: 📖
Thank you Tara Lush & 8th Note Press for the advanced copy!
When I saw Tara Lush was releasing a new cozy mystery series I jumped at the chance to read it early! I’m obsessed with her Crescent Moon Mystery series and absolutely loved the premise of her new Critters & Criminals series!
This is 100% Florida and I’m so here for it! Gator Relocation Services, Gator Sanctuary, swamplands, shady real estate deals, murder mystery, fake dating, an adorable kitten, quirky characters and a romance bookstore?? Cozy mystery perfection!
🐊 Gators
🌴 Florida
💖 Romance Bookstore
🫶Family
📚 Series Debut
🔍Cozy Mystery
🐾 Adorable Kitten
😹 Hoot & a Half
♥️ Budding Romance
This was such a fun series debut that kept me guessing and laughing until the last page! I can’t wait to see where Tara Lush will take the series from here!! 10/10 recommend!
Method Read: 📖
Thank you Tara Lush & 8th Note Press for the advanced copy!
March 14, 2024
Maggie Andrews has recently moved back to her hometown of Wahoo, Florida from Boston. She will takeover her late fathers gator trapping business and opening a romance bookstore with her twin sister Vera. When Maggie is called to gator sighting she finds the dead body of Gator Gene shot dead. Vera's gun was used in the killing so she is the prime suspect. Maggie teams up with their new tenant, Jack. 😍😉
This book has everything mystery, romance and laugh out loud parts. Once I started this book I could not put it down. I loved this book. I'm so excited to see it will be a new series. I can't wait to read more about Maggie and Vera.
This book has everything mystery, romance and laugh out loud parts. Once I started this book I could not put it down. I loved this book. I'm so excited to see it will be a new series. I can't wait to read more about Maggie and Vera.
March 28, 2024
I was super intrigued by the description of this one! I live in Louisiana and really love alligator-related things so an alligator romcom mystery? I had to read it!
The mystery aspect of this book was well-written and interesting. I was able to figure out who the culprit was early, but just early enough for me to feel smart, not enough to make the story uninteresting. I found the Florida small-town antics fun and some details like the alligator cater/romance store business cards were really funny!
What didn't 100% work for me was the romance and characters. I was rooting for a different person to be the love interest than the one Maggie ended up with. I didn't connect with a lot of the characters well and particularly struggled with Vera. She seemed shallow and insecure and made a lot of mistakes because of it. I felt bad for Maggie having to clean up her messes.
I think if you want a mystery set in a Florida small town you'll love this one. However, if you go into it expecting a romance it falls a bit flat. I'm more of a romance reader so I don't think I'll continue the series but I think mystery readers will really enjoy this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and 8th Note Press for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
The mystery aspect of this book was well-written and interesting. I was able to figure out who the culprit was early, but just early enough for me to feel smart, not enough to make the story uninteresting. I found the Florida small-town antics fun and some details like the alligator cater/romance store business cards were really funny!
What didn't 100% work for me was the romance and characters. I was rooting for a different person to be the love interest than the one Maggie ended up with. I didn't connect with a lot of the characters well and particularly struggled with Vera. She seemed shallow and insecure and made a lot of mistakes because of it. I felt bad for Maggie having to clean up her messes.
I think if you want a mystery set in a Florida small town you'll love this one. However, if you go into it expecting a romance it falls a bit flat. I'm more of a romance reader so I don't think I'll continue the series but I think mystery readers will really enjoy this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and 8th Note Press for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
March 25, 2024
Thank you netgalley, and 8th note press for the opportunity to read this book!
This book was such a quirky, funny, cozy read and is perfect for a rainy day in the house. I was drawn in right away by the mystery aspect of the story. This book follows Maggie Andrews, who isn’t your typical girl, no, she runs Gator Queens, a gator trapping business in a small town in the state of Florida, with her twin sister, after her father passes away. Maggie receives a mysterious gator call, and once arriving, finds a dead body who her sister, Vera, becomes the prime suspect of. Watching the murder investigation unfold was one of my favorite things. BUT maggie doesn’t solve this investigation on her own 👀 OF COURSE there’s a love interest, duh, that would be Jack Bianchi, a criminology professor, who happens to be in town renting their cabin to get some writing done. To help further the investigation, they decide on a fake dating scheme that had me GIGGLING!
i think this book was so well written, with the banter, the laugh out loud moments, and the mystery of who is behind the murder. I also loved the fact that Vera had vitiligo adding a bit of seriousness into the story and how women can perceive themselves with this. I loved seeing Maggie tell her she was still beautiful etc.
If you are in the mood for a cozy, low stakes read this is a book for you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was such a quirky, funny, cozy read and is perfect for a rainy day in the house. I was drawn in right away by the mystery aspect of the story. This book follows Maggie Andrews, who isn’t your typical girl, no, she runs Gator Queens, a gator trapping business in a small town in the state of Florida, with her twin sister, after her father passes away. Maggie receives a mysterious gator call, and once arriving, finds a dead body who her sister, Vera, becomes the prime suspect of. Watching the murder investigation unfold was one of my favorite things. BUT maggie doesn’t solve this investigation on her own 👀 OF COURSE there’s a love interest, duh, that would be Jack Bianchi, a criminology professor, who happens to be in town renting their cabin to get some writing done. To help further the investigation, they decide on a fake dating scheme that had me GIGGLING!
i think this book was so well written, with the banter, the laugh out loud moments, and the mystery of who is behind the murder. I also loved the fact that Vera had vitiligo adding a bit of seriousness into the story and how women can perceive themselves with this. I loved seeing Maggie tell her she was still beautiful etc.
If you are in the mood for a cozy, low stakes read this is a book for you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 5, 2024
I received this eARC from NetGalley and 8th Note Press in exchange for an honest review.
📚THE PLOT:
Maggie Andrews decides to return to her hometown of Wahoo, Florida, to take over her deceased father's gator trapping business and assist her sister Vera in opening a bookstore. However, Maggie Andrews finds herself caught up in the investigation of a murder involving her local rival trapper who was shot by Vera's gun.
💭MY THOUGHTS:
This was a really enjoyable read, quite cozy! The plot flowed smoothly, and I couldn't put the book down. The dynamic between Maggie and Jack, a criminology professor, added an extra layer of intrigue with some building tension. However, I found myself frustrated with Vera at times. Overall, it was a fun mix of fake dating, sexual tension, murder investigation, and gator trapping.
🚩We Get:
Fake dating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
sexual tension : 🌶
murder investigation :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
gator trapping :⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚THE PLOT:
Maggie Andrews decides to return to her hometown of Wahoo, Florida, to take over her deceased father's gator trapping business and assist her sister Vera in opening a bookstore. However, Maggie Andrews finds herself caught up in the investigation of a murder involving her local rival trapper who was shot by Vera's gun.
💭MY THOUGHTS:
This was a really enjoyable read, quite cozy! The plot flowed smoothly, and I couldn't put the book down. The dynamic between Maggie and Jack, a criminology professor, added an extra layer of intrigue with some building tension. However, I found myself frustrated with Vera at times. Overall, it was a fun mix of fake dating, sexual tension, murder investigation, and gator trapping.
🚩We Get:
Fake dating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
sexual tension : 🌶
murder investigation :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
gator trapping :⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 2, 2024
Gator Queen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Even in the quirky town of Wahoo, Florida, twenty-five-year-old Maggie Andrews is an anomaly—a petite but determined female gator trapper who isn’t afraid to get dirty. But to fulfill her father’s dying wish, Maggie left her job at the Boston Zoo to take over the family business and reunite with her twin sister Vera.”
I loved this one!! The mystery was a good one along with the romance. I love the humor in it which a lot of books lack. The characters are well written and the setting is amazing. I want to visit Wahoo. I will recommend this author and this book to anyone and everyone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Even in the quirky town of Wahoo, Florida, twenty-five-year-old Maggie Andrews is an anomaly—a petite but determined female gator trapper who isn’t afraid to get dirty. But to fulfill her father’s dying wish, Maggie left her job at the Boston Zoo to take over the family business and reunite with her twin sister Vera.”
I loved this one!! The mystery was a good one along with the romance. I love the humor in it which a lot of books lack. The characters are well written and the setting is amazing. I want to visit Wahoo. I will recommend this author and this book to anyone and everyone.
February 27, 2024
This one was quite fun to read! I initially wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the title and the cover but was pleasantly surprised!
The way this book is a mystery and has a romance plot made my heart so happy.
I read this one while recovering and I just could not put it down even though I was supposed to be getting a lot of sleep (oops)!
It is a very quick book to read so if you are looking for an easy-to-read mystery this is the book for you!
Thank you very much to NetGalley and 8th Note Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The way this book is a mystery and has a romance plot made my heart so happy.
I read this one while recovering and I just could not put it down even though I was supposed to be getting a lot of sleep (oops)!
It is a very quick book to read so if you are looking for an easy-to-read mystery this is the book for you!
Thank you very much to NetGalley and 8th Note Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2024
Gator Queen is totally out of my norm for reading, but I LOVED IT! The main character has just moved back to her hometown to take over her father's gator trapping business and help her sister open a romance only bookstore. It doesn't take long before there's a murder and lots of rumors in this small town. I found the characters to be relatable and honest, funny, and engaging. Even if you're not usually into mystery, I think you might really enjoy this! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Tara Lush's other books!
Read
February 19, 2024This is a fun unserious type of book. It's super short under 300 pages and while sometimes I don't thin it's to it's benefit because parts feel rushed I do think this is a nice book to jump into if you are looking for a quick contemporary "murder mystery" that doesn't take itself seriously.
July 8, 2024
I LOVED this book. Such a fun summer mystery with a cute Romance Subplot! The writing was so fun. I found myself laughing out loud and I just couldn’t put it down.
February 16, 2024
This cozy mystery is 2 parts sisterhood mixed with 1 part "Florida Man." The setting of Florida and all of its eccentricities really enhances the story in this cozy mystery. The story was adorable with just the right amount of romance and mystery to keep the plot moving. I will follow along with this series and be sure to read book 2.
May 2, 2024
3.5 stars rounded down. It was an enjoyable read, but not a good book, you know? But I gave it that extra half star for the setting.
December 10, 2024
Fun, easy listen. Lil’ romance, lil’ adventure, lil’ predictable. Still very fun.
June 1, 2025
This was a cute book.
February 18, 2024
less out of left field than I expected, a really fun mystery with a nice romance subplot. cozy, and very reptile loving. thanks for the arc.
April 1, 2024
Thank you NetGalley + 8th Note Press for the advanced copy of Gator Queen.
Maggie has only been back in her hometown of Wahoo, Florida after deciding to take over her father's gator trapping business for a few weeks but she's already knee deep in a whole lot of chaos and a plot that's far bigger than just her. And when the rival gator trapper ends up dead and shot with her twin sister's gun, she pairs up with an incredibly hot criminology professor who is in town writing a book about serial killers, to solve the murder and prove her sister innocent.
I found the concept of this book to be great fun, from the small town Florida setting to the framed for murder storyline. The execution however was rough at best. This book read like a low-budget hallmark but without the Christmas setting to make up for the cringe-factor. I think I could have enjoyed the book more if the main character and her criminology professor love interest had an ounce of common sense in how they investigated. This pair had the investigative subtlety of a kick in the shins. Not even the police detective himself felt like he was in any way qualified to do his job.
Maggie rolled her eyes entirely too much to be a full-grown adult and the love interest called a woman he wants to sleep with "tater-tot" which i personally find unforgivable. 😅
One thing I will give the story is that I was so engaging while trying to explain the storyline to a friend that a complete stranger stopped me to ask if I was talking about someone I knew because she was 100% invested. Which just proves that anything can be believable if you set it Florida.
Maggie has only been back in her hometown of Wahoo, Florida after deciding to take over her father's gator trapping business for a few weeks but she's already knee deep in a whole lot of chaos and a plot that's far bigger than just her. And when the rival gator trapper ends up dead and shot with her twin sister's gun, she pairs up with an incredibly hot criminology professor who is in town writing a book about serial killers, to solve the murder and prove her sister innocent.
I found the concept of this book to be great fun, from the small town Florida setting to the framed for murder storyline. The execution however was rough at best. This book read like a low-budget hallmark but without the Christmas setting to make up for the cringe-factor. I think I could have enjoyed the book more if the main character and her criminology professor love interest had an ounce of common sense in how they investigated. This pair had the investigative subtlety of a kick in the shins. Not even the police detective himself felt like he was in any way qualified to do his job.
Maggie rolled her eyes entirely too much to be a full-grown adult and the love interest called a woman he wants to sleep with "tater-tot" which i personally find unforgivable. 😅
One thing I will give the story is that I was so engaging while trying to explain the storyline to a friend that a complete stranger stopped me to ask if I was talking about someone I knew because she was 100% invested. Which just proves that anything can be believable if you set it Florida.
April 24, 2024
In the mood for a warm and cozy mystery & romance combo that is simultaneously a promising start to a brand new book series? Gator Queen has you covered! The first in the new Critters and Criminals series, this book was a nice mental break not just from reality but also from darker books I tend to gravitate towards.
After her dad passed away, Maggie decides to leave her job and life in Boston in order to move back to Wahoo, Florida and continue family’s gator trapping business. Also to be there for her twin Vera who’s also embarking on a new business venture in the form of a romance bookstore. When a rival gator trapper is found dead and Vera becomes a murder suspect, Maggie enlists the help of their new tenant, a criminology professor she just happens to share some intense chemistry with.
This was one of those feel good stories (despite murder, lies, corruption), with likable and/or memorable characters, an adorable kitten called Catsy and a hot criminology prof who walks around shirtless a lot. The mystery wasn’t so mysterious but the investigation and trying to prove things were entertaining. I also really enjoyed the way the author poked fun at all the bizarre news that tends to come out of Florida.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next in this series. The cover was definitely representative of the vibe of this read and I was here for it!
A big thank you to 8th Note Press & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
After her dad passed away, Maggie decides to leave her job and life in Boston in order to move back to Wahoo, Florida and continue family’s gator trapping business. Also to be there for her twin Vera who’s also embarking on a new business venture in the form of a romance bookstore. When a rival gator trapper is found dead and Vera becomes a murder suspect, Maggie enlists the help of their new tenant, a criminology professor she just happens to share some intense chemistry with.
This was one of those feel good stories (despite murder, lies, corruption), with likable and/or memorable characters, an adorable kitten called Catsy and a hot criminology prof who walks around shirtless a lot. The mystery wasn’t so mysterious but the investigation and trying to prove things were entertaining. I also really enjoyed the way the author poked fun at all the bizarre news that tends to come out of Florida.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next in this series. The cover was definitely representative of the vibe of this read and I was here for it!
A big thank you to 8th Note Press & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 28, 2024
I've read Tara's Coffee Lovers mystery series and one of her romance books before, so I was really interested in her new book which blends the cozy mystery genre with a lot more romance. Tara has done a fabulous job of bringing together the flirty banter and sizzling romantic tension while keeping the charm we love in cozy mysteries intact! Her witty writing and fun whacky Florida setting never fail to make me laugh.
There is plenty of potential for future stories, especially with the twins reconnecting to honor their father's dying wish. The characters have interesting careers, which allows room for growth in the storyline. I appreciate that Jack, the romantic interest/partner in sleuthing, is a criminology professor. It's refreshing to see a slightly different male lead than the usual ones we see in cozy mysteries, although I still love cozy mysteries because of all the cozy comforts they bring.
If you're looking for an entertaining read that combines cozy mystery feels with a lot more romance, then check out this book.
There is plenty of potential for future stories, especially with the twins reconnecting to honor their father's dying wish. The characters have interesting careers, which allows room for growth in the storyline. I appreciate that Jack, the romantic interest/partner in sleuthing, is a criminology professor. It's refreshing to see a slightly different male lead than the usual ones we see in cozy mysteries, although I still love cozy mysteries because of all the cozy comforts they bring.
If you're looking for an entertaining read that combines cozy mystery feels with a lot more romance, then check out this book.
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