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Lily Larkin #6
Artful Deceit
A stolen bag. A hidden past. A truth too dangerous to share.
Lily Larkin’s life on the Isles of Scilly is finally settling into a comfortable rhythm – especially now that her relationship with PC Flynn Grainger is beginning to blossom.
But a spate of burglaries soon shatters the calm. And when Lily’s own flat is broken into, things take a chilling turn.
The only thing missing? A backpack containing a stash of cash and two passports... both bearing her face, but different identities.
Desperate to retrieve the stolen bag – and to keep Flynn out of the loop – Lily follows a trail of clues to a secluded artists’ retreat, where secrets simmer just beneath the surface.
As the truth edges closer, she finds herself in a race against time. Can she recover the stolen items before the police do? Or will the discovery of her hidden past spark questions she’s not ready to answer?
With Flynn’s transfer looming and her heart on the line, Lily must confront the mystery of her childhood – and decide just how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
Lily Larkin’s life on the Isles of Scilly is finally settling into a comfortable rhythm – especially now that her relationship with PC Flynn Grainger is beginning to blossom.
But a spate of burglaries soon shatters the calm. And when Lily’s own flat is broken into, things take a chilling turn.
The only thing missing? A backpack containing a stash of cash and two passports... both bearing her face, but different identities.
Desperate to retrieve the stolen bag – and to keep Flynn out of the loop – Lily follows a trail of clues to a secluded artists’ retreat, where secrets simmer just beneath the surface.
As the truth edges closer, she finds herself in a race against time. Can she recover the stolen items before the police do? Or will the discovery of her hidden past spark questions she’s not ready to answer?
With Flynn’s transfer looming and her heart on the line, Lily must confront the mystery of her childhood – and decide just how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
71 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Ellis
57 books433 followersHannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 4, 2025
Hannah Ellis delivers another engaging entry in the Lily Larkin series with Artful Deceit. As someone who's followed Lily's journey from the beginning, I found this installment particularly strong, balancing a clever mystery with genuine emotional depth.
The mystery itself is well-constructed and genuinely kept me guessing. I loved how Ellis used the art retreat setting—it provided just enough suspects to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming. The red herrings were cleverly placed, and I appreciated that the solution made sense in retrospect while still surprising me.
Lily's character development continues to shine. Her investigative mistakes felt realistic rather than contrived, and watching her stumble through various wrong theories made her more relatable. The tree-climbing scene was both hilarious and cringe-worthy—classic Lily!
The emotional subplot about Flynn leaving hit hard. Their relationship feels genuine, with real stakes and believable conflicts. I appreciated that Ellis didn't give them an easy solution—the tension between Lily's need for stability and Flynn's career obligations felt authentic.
The pacing felt uneven in places. The middle section, where Lily's investigating the art retreat, dragged a bit with repetitive scenes of her searching rooms. I also found myself frustrated by how long Lily kept the passport secret from Flynn—while I understood her reasoning, it stretched credibility that she wouldn't confide in him sooner.
Artful Deceit successfully balances mystery, romance, and character development while setting up intriguing threads for future books.
If you're already invested in Lily's story, this is a must-read. If you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the character relationships and ongoing mysteries.
The mystery itself is well-constructed and genuinely kept me guessing. I loved how Ellis used the art retreat setting—it provided just enough suspects to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming. The red herrings were cleverly placed, and I appreciated that the solution made sense in retrospect while still surprising me.
Lily's character development continues to shine. Her investigative mistakes felt realistic rather than contrived, and watching her stumble through various wrong theories made her more relatable. The tree-climbing scene was both hilarious and cringe-worthy—classic Lily!
The emotional subplot about Flynn leaving hit hard. Their relationship feels genuine, with real stakes and believable conflicts. I appreciated that Ellis didn't give them an easy solution—the tension between Lily's need for stability and Flynn's career obligations felt authentic.
The pacing felt uneven in places. The middle section, where Lily's investigating the art retreat, dragged a bit with repetitive scenes of her searching rooms. I also found myself frustrated by how long Lily kept the passport secret from Flynn—while I understood her reasoning, it stretched credibility that she wouldn't confide in him sooner.
Artful Deceit successfully balances mystery, romance, and character development while setting up intriguing threads for future books.
If you're already invested in Lily's story, this is a must-read. If you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the character relationships and ongoing mysteries.
November 15, 2025
The Isles of Scilly are rocked when a string of burglaries is committed on the island where few doors are locked. When Lily Larkin discovers that her backpack, which contains her false passport, her real passport and a stack of cash, is missing, she begins an investigation devoid of police assistance.
OH MY DAYS! I always enjoy this series, but this novel was a corker. From laughter to tears, my emotions ran the gamut. Lily is an absolute gem of a character, and she always yanks me into the story where I spend hours following her around, worrying about her safety. To illustrate my involvement: I read the book over a 12-hour period, in two sittings.
Lily describes her detection method as asking questions until she finds the right answer. And, with a genuinely friendly investigator on an island that encourages community, this works well for her. Well, that and a tiny bit of law-breaking... It's a treat to see her in full "unearth the truth" mode.
A second star in this series has emerged: Lily's boyfriend, Flynn, whose law and order counterpoint runs deliciously contrary to Lily's methods. His love affair with Lily is perfection: not too sickly sweet, but absolutely adorable. While I normally prefer my mysteries to be romance-free, in this series, the addition is so organic that it would feel slightly barren without it.
Finally, the scenery - sheer bliss. Few settings could beat this gorgeous island. It's really the third star in the series. I love heading to the Isles of Scilly with Lily; it's my happy place.
5 stars for a fabulous story that tied up several story arcs and leads the reader on into future mysteries. You could dive into the series here, but I would recommend reading the works from the beginning to get the full impact this particular plot imparts. It's worth it. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Hannah Ellis and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
OH MY DAYS! I always enjoy this series, but this novel was a corker. From laughter to tears, my emotions ran the gamut. Lily is an absolute gem of a character, and she always yanks me into the story where I spend hours following her around, worrying about her safety. To illustrate my involvement: I read the book over a 12-hour period, in two sittings.
Lily describes her detection method as asking questions until she finds the right answer. And, with a genuinely friendly investigator on an island that encourages community, this works well for her. Well, that and a tiny bit of law-breaking... It's a treat to see her in full "unearth the truth" mode.
A second star in this series has emerged: Lily's boyfriend, Flynn, whose law and order counterpoint runs deliciously contrary to Lily's methods. His love affair with Lily is perfection: not too sickly sweet, but absolutely adorable. While I normally prefer my mysteries to be romance-free, in this series, the addition is so organic that it would feel slightly barren without it.
Finally, the scenery - sheer bliss. Few settings could beat this gorgeous island. It's really the third star in the series. I love heading to the Isles of Scilly with Lily; it's my happy place.
5 stars for a fabulous story that tied up several story arcs and leads the reader on into future mysteries. You could dive into the series here, but I would recommend reading the works from the beginning to get the full impact this particular plot imparts. It's worth it. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Hannah Ellis and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
November 20, 2025
This is, for now, the best book in the series and loved it!
The island is hit by a wave of robberies that unsettle the peaceful routines of its inhabitants. Until now, the book is pretty calm. It's only when Lily's flat is robbed and her backpack goes missing that all hell breaks loose. The bagpack's contents can lend Lily in a huge set of troubles, and she better get it back before the police neutralise the culprit.
What I loved about book six is the amount of tension it held, the author carved such a tense atmosphere, that, even if I knew who did it pretty early in the book, kept me on the edge of my seat. It was great to walk the path with Lily and see her for the first time lose controle and focus and even doubt her investigative skills.
With a hidden secret almost in the open, Flynn's imminent departure and another heartbreakingly sad event, I enjoyed witenessing the change operating in Lily's character, how she has, somehow, matured through this experience and learnt to settle in the island and call it, at last, home.
I won't be saying more, as spoilers may slip easily, but one thing is sure, that last chapter left me " sur ma faim" and I can't wait for the next book to be out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The island is hit by a wave of robberies that unsettle the peaceful routines of its inhabitants. Until now, the book is pretty calm. It's only when Lily's flat is robbed and her backpack goes missing that all hell breaks loose. The bagpack's contents can lend Lily in a huge set of troubles, and she better get it back before the police neutralise the culprit.
What I loved about book six is the amount of tension it held, the author carved such a tense atmosphere, that, even if I knew who did it pretty early in the book, kept me on the edge of my seat. It was great to walk the path with Lily and see her for the first time lose controle and focus and even doubt her investigative skills.
With a hidden secret almost in the open, Flynn's imminent departure and another heartbreakingly sad event, I enjoyed witenessing the change operating in Lily's character, how she has, somehow, matured through this experience and learnt to settle in the island and call it, at last, home.
I won't be saying more, as spoilers may slip easily, but one thing is sure, that last chapter left me " sur ma faim" and I can't wait for the next book to be out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2025
This is the sixth book in the Lily Larkin Mystery series, set on the Isles of Scilly. The story begins with Lily enjoying her summer romance with Flynn, a local police constable, when a series of burglaries suddenly disrupts their island paradise. What starts as routine thefts takes a darker turn when Lily realizes her own flat has been broken into and her backpack stolen, a backpack containing tens of thousands in cash, two passports (one real, one forged), and more secrets than she can afford to lose.
The book centers on Lily's investigation into who stole her belongings while trying to hide the truth from Flynn, all while dealing with the imminent departure of both her employee Jessica and her boyfriend, who's leaving for London in two weeks. The mystery becomes tangled with Lily's past, her uncle's secrets, and the arrival of an art retreat group that just happens to be staying near each robbery site.
The strongest aspect of this book is how Ellis portrays Lily as a realistic, flawed protagonist. She's not a superhero detective who magically solves crimes. Instead, she makes mistakes, she forgets to lock her door, she jumps to conclusions, she breaks into places she shouldn't.
SPOILER: This shows character growth through consequences rather than the typical "protagonist is always right" formula.
Lily's emotional burden feels earned. She's losing people she cares about (Jessica and Flynn), discovering uncomfortable truths about her uncle's mysterious past, and carrying the weight of forged documents. The way Ellis interweaves these personal crises with the mystery investigation makes the book feel lived-in rather than plotted.
The mystery structure itself starts strong. The appearance of the pencil from Rowe Art Residency at Lily's apartment gives her a tangible clue to follow. The art retreat group presents multiple suspects with different motives, Martha wants financial independence from her husband, Saffron appears too lucky and convenient, Roland seems secretive, and Silas is an enigma.
SPOILER:
The romance between Lily and Flynn provides genuine tension. Their different perspectives on where they stand, Flynn wants to define the relationship while Lily is terrified he'll leave, creates authentic conflict that doesn't overshadow the mystery but informs it.
Where i feel it breaks:
The repeated emphasis on Lily's fear of losing people, Jessica leaving, Flynn departing becomes repetitive by the halfway point. Ellis covers the same emotional ground multiple times: Lily worries about being alone, thinks about Flynn leaving, realizes Jessica won't be needed in winter, then worries about being alone again. The cycle doesn't deepen, it just repeats.
The investigation itself becomes unfocused. Lily sneaks around checking rooms (she searches Roland's bedroom while he sleeps, searches Silas's tent, pokes through Saffron's accommodation) but these searches lack forward momentum. She finds nothing in most places, and when she does find something (like the pencil), the next steps feel muddled. The book doesn't clearly establish what Lily is looking for beyond her own backpack, and there's never a moment where she connects the dots between the different burglaries and her theft in a meaningful way.
Final Thoughts:
"Artful Deceit" starts with genuine promise. The mystery is compelling, Lily is a character worth following, and the emotional stakes feel real. However, the book falters by losing focus on the central investigation, spending time on dead-end subplotsand ultimately ending before the mystery is solved.
My Rating: 4/5
The book centers on Lily's investigation into who stole her belongings while trying to hide the truth from Flynn, all while dealing with the imminent departure of both her employee Jessica and her boyfriend, who's leaving for London in two weeks. The mystery becomes tangled with Lily's past, her uncle's secrets, and the arrival of an art retreat group that just happens to be staying near each robbery site.
The strongest aspect of this book is how Ellis portrays Lily as a realistic, flawed protagonist. She's not a superhero detective who magically solves crimes. Instead, she makes mistakes, she forgets to lock her door, she jumps to conclusions, she breaks into places she shouldn't.
SPOILER: This shows character growth through consequences rather than the typical "protagonist is always right" formula.
Lily's emotional burden feels earned. She's losing people she cares about (Jessica and Flynn), discovering uncomfortable truths about her uncle's mysterious past, and carrying the weight of forged documents. The way Ellis interweaves these personal crises with the mystery investigation makes the book feel lived-in rather than plotted.
The mystery structure itself starts strong. The appearance of the pencil from Rowe Art Residency at Lily's apartment gives her a tangible clue to follow. The art retreat group presents multiple suspects with different motives, Martha wants financial independence from her husband, Saffron appears too lucky and convenient, Roland seems secretive, and Silas is an enigma.
SPOILER:
The romance between Lily and Flynn provides genuine tension. Their different perspectives on where they stand, Flynn wants to define the relationship while Lily is terrified he'll leave, creates authentic conflict that doesn't overshadow the mystery but informs it.
Where i feel it breaks:
The repeated emphasis on Lily's fear of losing people, Jessica leaving, Flynn departing becomes repetitive by the halfway point. Ellis covers the same emotional ground multiple times: Lily worries about being alone, thinks about Flynn leaving, realizes Jessica won't be needed in winter, then worries about being alone again. The cycle doesn't deepen, it just repeats.
The investigation itself becomes unfocused. Lily sneaks around checking rooms (she searches Roland's bedroom while he sleeps, searches Silas's tent, pokes through Saffron's accommodation) but these searches lack forward momentum. She finds nothing in most places, and when she does find something (like the pencil), the next steps feel muddled. The book doesn't clearly establish what Lily is looking for beyond her own backpack, and there's never a moment where she connects the dots between the different burglaries and her theft in a meaningful way.
Final Thoughts:
"Artful Deceit" starts with genuine promise. The mystery is compelling, Lily is a character worth following, and the emotional stakes feel real. However, the book falters by losing focus on the central investigation, spending time on dead-end subplotsand ultimately ending before the mystery is solved.
My Rating: 4/5
December 8, 2025
Lily's troubles take center stage🎒
4.5🌟 stars
Good, easy reading and I liked the romance woven into the mystery.
Normally I prefer mysteries where the personal lives of the investigators take a minor role, but not on this one. Lily Larkin's life is imploding and her problems are the overall focus in this book in the series.
What a mess for Lily! She's the victim of theft and she's desperate to recover her stolen items because their very existence puts her in a questionable light. Especially difficult since her love interest, Flynn, is a police constable. Plus, her man has to leave the island as his temporary stint there is ending in days and she has major questions about her early childhood on the island that locals are reluctant to discuss. And her assistant at the ice cream shop presents an unwelcome surprise that increases her feelings of abandonment.
This cozy mystery checked all the boxes for the genre for me. Plenty of suspects and red herrings, a bit of danger, personable locals and an amateur investigator who just can't be deterred, even when her methods for finding the truth skirt into illegal, but all justified by her good intentions. The way Flynn deals with Lily's activities and her secret seemed quite realistically conflicted. He tries so hard to be a good policeman, but his heart has him weighing his professional duty against his loyalty to Lily.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5🌟 stars
Good, easy reading and I liked the romance woven into the mystery.
Normally I prefer mysteries where the personal lives of the investigators take a minor role, but not on this one. Lily Larkin's life is imploding and her problems are the overall focus in this book in the series.
What a mess for Lily! She's the victim of theft and she's desperate to recover her stolen items because their very existence puts her in a questionable light. Especially difficult since her love interest, Flynn, is a police constable. Plus, her man has to leave the island as his temporary stint there is ending in days and she has major questions about her early childhood on the island that locals are reluctant to discuss. And her assistant at the ice cream shop presents an unwelcome surprise that increases her feelings of abandonment.
This cozy mystery checked all the boxes for the genre for me. Plenty of suspects and red herrings, a bit of danger, personable locals and an amateur investigator who just can't be deterred, even when her methods for finding the truth skirt into illegal, but all justified by her good intentions. The way Flynn deals with Lily's activities and her secret seemed quite realistically conflicted. He tries so hard to be a good policeman, but his heart has him weighing his professional duty against his loyalty to Lily.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
November 20, 2025
A wave of burglaries has hit the Isles of Scilly, and Lily Larkin is among the victims. Her backpack, which held a large sum of money and two passports—one a forgery—has vanished. Determined to crack the case, Lily is eager to recover her belongings, convinced they contain the key to uncovering the mysteries of her childhood. Thank you to Hannah Ellis and Book sirens for the ARC. My review is voluntary.
The sixth book in this seven-part series presents a standalone crime in each instalment, while also continuing two overarching themes: the mystery of Lily’s childhood and her developing romance with PC Flynn Grainger. In this latest entry, these ongoing storylines take centre stage, making it most rewarding to read the entire series for full enjoyment.
The Lily Larkin Mysteries is a well written series featuring likable and well rounded central characters and an idyllic setting. The mystery of Lily's childhood keeps the reader hooked over the various instalments.
The sixth book in this seven-part series presents a standalone crime in each instalment, while also continuing two overarching themes: the mystery of Lily’s childhood and her developing romance with PC Flynn Grainger. In this latest entry, these ongoing storylines take centre stage, making it most rewarding to read the entire series for full enjoyment.
The Lily Larkin Mysteries is a well written series featuring likable and well rounded central characters and an idyllic setting. The mystery of Lily's childhood keeps the reader hooked over the various instalments.
November 22, 2025
4.5 stars. There are some burglaries on the island of Scilly, and Lily, the main character, is one of the victims. In her desperation to find her lost items, she starts investigating several people on the island, including a group that is attending an artist’s retreat. In previous books, Lily’s investigations made more sense than they did here, and the culprit wasn’t surprising, which is why I’m taking off a half-star.
Lily’s relationship with PC Flynn Grainger is getting stronger, even in the face of hardships and an unexpected heartbreaking event. Lily continues to learn more about her upbringing and family, and the ending of this book promises more to come in the next book. Looking forward to it!
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lily’s relationship with PC Flynn Grainger is getting stronger, even in the face of hardships and an unexpected heartbreaking event. Lily continues to learn more about her upbringing and family, and the ending of this book promises more to come in the next book. Looking forward to it!
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 15, 2025
I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is honest opinion. I've been following this Lily Larkin mystery/love story series since the beginning. The love story is not only between Lily and PC Flynn Grainger, but also between all the residents of the island of Scilly and their beautiful home. The descriptions in the books make me want to visit for myself. In this episode a thief is on the rampage and steals Lily's backpack, her last link to her uncle, and the time for Flynn to leave for London finally arrives. Tragedy strikes at the police station. More is about to change there than just losing PC Flynn. Lily is determined to research her family history, but that, and what happens to her and Flynn will have to wait until the next episode is published. I'm loving this series!
November 16, 2025
In Artful Deceit, Lily Larkin has now lived on the Isles of Scilly for six months, the ice cream shop is flourishing, and her relationship with P.C. Flynn Grainger is comfortable. Suddenly, there are a series of robberies In this friendly idyllic place. Lily panics when her backpack is stolen, containing a great deal of cash and two passports, one fake. Unwilling to tell the P.C. about the contents of her backpack, Lily slides into her self assigned role of amateur detective. This is a fun, lively continuation of the Lily Larkin cozy mystery series. The scenery is beautiful, and the characters are well defined. I recommend reading this new installment. With thanks to the publisher and Book Sirens for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
November 18, 2025
✨️📚Booksirens ARC Review🫖✨️
Thank you @booksirens and author Hannah Ellis for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of "Artful Deceit."
If you are looking for a cute and easy read, this quaint, cozy mystery will bring you on an adventure.
The format of the book allows for an easy and fast read that is both descriptive and draws the reader into the mystery.
The scene setting is so vivid, I could close my eyes and picture every detail, which made me feel part of the story.
Read if you love:
❤️ Romance
☕️ Mystery
🌞 Seaside Settings
🎨 Quirky artists
👠 Heroine with family secrets
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:
🌶🌶
#books #bookssirens #arcreview #bookrec #mystery #bookstagrammers #readwithme #checkitout #bookaholics #booksbooksbooks📚 #hannahellis #fiction #seasideadventures
Thank you @booksirens and author Hannah Ellis for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of "Artful Deceit."
If you are looking for a cute and easy read, this quaint, cozy mystery will bring you on an adventure.
The format of the book allows for an easy and fast read that is both descriptive and draws the reader into the mystery.
The scene setting is so vivid, I could close my eyes and picture every detail, which made me feel part of the story.
Read if you love:
❤️ Romance
☕️ Mystery
🌞 Seaside Settings
🎨 Quirky artists
👠 Heroine with family secrets
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:
🌶🌶
#books #bookssirens #arcreview #bookrec #mystery #bookstagrammers #readwithme #checkitout #bookaholics #booksbooksbooks📚 #hannahellis #fiction #seasideadventures
November 22, 2025
I love this series about Lily and her now boyfriend Flynn. It starts feeling a bit heavy as Flynn is set to leave Scilly in 2 weeks and it weighs heavy on both of them.
The island is plagued with burglaries and even Lily's backpack gets stolen. She doesn't tell Flynn about it as it contains items from her past which even she is not sure about, so goes on to find the culprit(s) herself.
She has a lot of possible suspects and works through them in the course of the book. It feels like there's not an order in her thoughts, but I guess that's the way Lily has to solve the mystery. :-)
I loved the ending of the book, full of emotions and hope for the future.
Can't wait to read the next one!
The island is plagued with burglaries and even Lily's backpack gets stolen. She doesn't tell Flynn about it as it contains items from her past which even she is not sure about, so goes on to find the culprit(s) herself.
She has a lot of possible suspects and works through them in the course of the book. It feels like there's not an order in her thoughts, but I guess that's the way Lily has to solve the mystery. :-)
I loved the ending of the book, full of emotions and hope for the future.
Can't wait to read the next one!
December 18, 2025
‘You get me into some really dubious situations, you know?’
Lily Larkin is back for her sixth adventure and this one hits too close to home. The island is victim to a spat of burglaries and the perp hits her apartment and makes off with the a backpack containing a lot of money and fake passports that she’d found in her uncle’s things when he died. She has no idea where any of it came from, but knows no good could come from it seeing the light of day...so she has to solve the case and steal back what was stolen before her boyfriend does. I felt like this one got off to a bit of a slow start and the bad guy was a little too obvious to me, but it wrapped up nicely and left me anxious for the next book in the series.
Lily Larkin is back for her sixth adventure and this one hits too close to home. The island is victim to a spat of burglaries and the perp hits her apartment and makes off with the a backpack containing a lot of money and fake passports that she’d found in her uncle’s things when he died. She has no idea where any of it came from, but knows no good could come from it seeing the light of day...so she has to solve the case and steal back what was stolen before her boyfriend does. I felt like this one got off to a bit of a slow start and the bad guy was a little too obvious to me, but it wrapped up nicely and left me anxious for the next book in the series.
December 30, 2025
Wonderful book!
I really enjoy this series! In this book, with Flynn set to return to London, Lily's trying to not think about the future. We learn even more about her past in this book, where there are a series of burglaries (not something common in the lovely town of St Mary’s, where people leave their doors unlocked). It's a rude awakening for many people. I was surprised as to who the burglar was when they were revealed.
The characters in this well told story are wonderful, and it's just a completely enjoyable experience to read.
I am rooting for Lily and Flynn - we'll see how things pan out both in this book and the future :).
Next, please!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoy this series! In this book, with Flynn set to return to London, Lily's trying to not think about the future. We learn even more about her past in this book, where there are a series of burglaries (not something common in the lovely town of St Mary’s, where people leave their doors unlocked). It's a rude awakening for many people. I was surprised as to who the burglar was when they were revealed.
The characters in this well told story are wonderful, and it's just a completely enjoyable experience to read.
I am rooting for Lily and Flynn - we'll see how things pan out both in this book and the future :).
Next, please!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2025
Just as Lily is feeling comfortable in her new chosen home, some burglaries
start happening. Who would do this in a small seaside town where residents leave their doors unlocked? I was gobsmacked at the reveal. The last person I'd think of , and it was unbelievable to me who perpetrated these crimes. Let that sit a minute, and deal with Flynn being reassigned to London. Lily is afraid their relationship is over as long distance. They agree to visit at regular intervals, where Lily plans to sleuth the murders of her parents and grandma. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
start happening. Who would do this in a small seaside town where residents leave their doors unlocked? I was gobsmacked at the reveal. The last person I'd think of , and it was unbelievable to me who perpetrated these crimes. Let that sit a minute, and deal with Flynn being reassigned to London. Lily is afraid their relationship is over as long distance. They agree to visit at regular intervals, where Lily plans to sleuth the murders of her parents and grandma. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
November 21, 2025
4.5 Stars
If you've enjoyed and followed the Lily Larkin regional cozy mystery series so far, this one will not disappoint. The gang work together to find the thief on the island, while the MC struggles with her unknown past and her new relationship with the handsome PC. The story takes a heartbreaking turn, but leaves a lot of potential for the next book's storyline. I love how the author can change enough of each subsequent novel to be truly different, surprising, and all-encompassing with plenty of twists and turns while maintaining a lighthearted but relatable plot and cast of characters. Looking forward for the next one. Sidenote, I adore the cover art!
BookSirens Review Copy
If you've enjoyed and followed the Lily Larkin regional cozy mystery series so far, this one will not disappoint. The gang work together to find the thief on the island, while the MC struggles with her unknown past and her new relationship with the handsome PC. The story takes a heartbreaking turn, but leaves a lot of potential for the next book's storyline. I love how the author can change enough of each subsequent novel to be truly different, surprising, and all-encompassing with plenty of twists and turns while maintaining a lighthearted but relatable plot and cast of characters. Looking forward for the next one. Sidenote, I adore the cover art!
BookSirens Review Copy
November 29, 2025
When a spate of burglaries occur, and then Lily herself is a victim, she decides not to report it but instead conduct her own investigation. Also on the horizon is Flynn's impending departure to London so Lily has a lot on her plate.
Once again, this was a riveting read. I enjoy how Lily gets herself into all sorts of scrapes, this time literally. Her quest to learn more about her past is slowly gaining momentum and I am enjoying the gradual unravelling of this side of things. With her mind made up at the end, it leaves me hanging in desperation for the next book to see what is going to happen.
Once again, this was a riveting read. I enjoy how Lily gets herself into all sorts of scrapes, this time literally. Her quest to learn more about her past is slowly gaining momentum and I am enjoying the gradual unravelling of this side of things. With her mind made up at the end, it leaves me hanging in desperation for the next book to see what is going to happen.
December 1, 2025
Artful Deceit was a fun addition to the Lily Larkin series. The island break-ins already set things on edge, but once Lily’s own backpack goes missing- cash, passports, secrets and all- the story really kicks into gear. Watching her try to solve the mess without letting Flynn see how panicked she actually was was fantastic. Their relationship hits some emotional bumps too. The island setting is cozy as ever, the mystery is still great, and the ending definitely hints that bigger revelations are coming. I am totally invested in Lily's journey!
December 2, 2025
So many Revelations ?
This series has been fantastic I can't wait for the next instalment. Lily and Flynn usually help each other solve the crimes, although Lily does most of the snooping under the radar locals know she likes to solve crimes & joke she should be a private eye cos she's so good at working it all out. She tells Flynn or the Sargent what she finds out & quite often gets in a pickle but generally she's good. This one's a bit different but I'm not going to give any spoilers.
This series has been fantastic I can't wait for the next instalment. Lily and Flynn usually help each other solve the crimes, although Lily does most of the snooping under the radar locals know she likes to solve crimes & joke she should be a private eye cos she's so good at working it all out. She tells Flynn or the Sargent what she finds out & quite often gets in a pickle but generally she's good. This one's a bit different but I'm not going to give any spoilers.
November 18, 2025
The island is struggling with a wave of burglaries, but things take a personal turn when one of Lily’s own belongings is stolen. Because of the secrets she carries, she’s reluctant to involve the police and instead embarks on solving the crimes herself. Secrets, crime, and romance blend well together in this story. It's an entertaining and interesting read which I can only recommend.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
November 27, 2025
I did not expect to be crying while reading this story, but there were a couple times that just got me in the feels and I couldn't hold back!
So well written and engaging! I was drawn in from the start. I so enjoyed getting deeper into Lilys story as our investigation was underway.
I was thrilled to see this will not be the last in the series!
So well written and engaging! I was drawn in from the start. I so enjoyed getting deeper into Lilys story as our investigation was underway.
I was thrilled to see this will not be the last in the series!
December 1, 2025
These books from Hannah Ellis are a breath of fresh air. They are set on the beautiful Isles of Scilly and have a easy to follow plot and lovely characters. Lily and her PC boy friend are great and can't wait for book severn.
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.
November 15, 2025
A group of thefts has the whole town stumped. Lilly is desperate to solve the case in order to find her stolen backpack. Her boyfriend must not know because he is a deputy sheriff.
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.
November 29, 2025
I just love this series and the fact she's making me wait until MARCH for the next one (a perfectly reasonable amount of time actually to write a whole book) is a crime. I need more Lily Larkin in my life
December 21, 2025
This was a most enjoyable read that captivated me from the first page.
I enjoyed the usual bunch of characters and various red herrings employed in the story.
I really look forward to the next installment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the usual bunch of characters and various red herrings employed in the story.
I really look forward to the next installment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 18, 2025
I like the continuation of Lily's story but you don't need to know it to enjoy the book and the mystery as it stands alone.
November 30, 2025
As always, a wonderful brisk read with action and emotions. And not a massive cliffhanger so I don't have to scream at the author like last time 😆
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars
December 1, 2025
Hannah Ellis is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint.
December 1, 2025
artful deceit - good story
I really enjoyed this latest book in the series and read it in a day. Am looking forward to the next book.
I really enjoyed this latest book in the series and read it in a day. Am looking forward to the next book.
December 9, 2025
Wow, this one was deep. Great series and love the main couple.
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