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The Deadly Gala: A Driftwood Cove Mystery
In the charming coastal town of Driftwood Cove, autumn means crisp sea breezes, falling leaves, and the annual Halloween Gala. For Violet Primrose, it should be a night of laughter with friends, dancing beneath twinkling lights, and soaking in the festive spirit of the season. But when the evening takes a chilling turn and a guest is found dead, the celebration quickly becomes a crime scene.
With rumors swirling and secrets hiding behind clever costumes, Violet and her close-knit circle are once again drawn into a dangerous game of uncovering the truth. But as suspicions rise and relationships are tested, Violet soon realizes that solving a murder might not be the only challenge she faces.
From the author of The Deadly Garden comes the second book in the Driftwood Cove Mystery Series, a twist-filled whodunit brimming with small-town charm, coastal New England atmosphere, and plenty of surprises.
With rumors swirling and secrets hiding behind clever costumes, Violet and her close-knit circle are once again drawn into a dangerous game of uncovering the truth. But as suspicions rise and relationships are tested, Violet soon realizes that solving a murder might not be the only challenge she faces.
From the author of The Deadly Garden comes the second book in the Driftwood Cove Mystery Series, a twist-filled whodunit brimming with small-town charm, coastal New England atmosphere, and plenty of surprises.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2025
4 people want to read
About the author
Robin Stephanie
2 books8 followersRobin Stephanie was born and raised in Massachusetts, where the changing seasons, small-town charm, and historic landscapes sparked her imagination from an early age. Though she holds a degree in business management, storytelling has always been her true passion. After years of running a successful lifestyle blog, Robin decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a novelist.
Her debut cozy mystery is a blend of wit, warmth, and a dash of suspense—just the way she likes her books. Robin’s stories are often set in quaint towns that feel like home, with characters you’d want to have coffee with (or solve a mystery alongside).
When she’s not plotting her next mystery or reading one, you can find her exploring new places with her husband, laughing over group texts with her three grown children, or doting on her fluffy white Pomeranian, Marshmallow—who thinks she’s the star of the show (and she might be right).
Robin believes it’s never too late to chase a dream, especially one that involves a good cup of coffee, a twisty plot, and the joy of getting lost in a great story.
Her debut cozy mystery is a blend of wit, warmth, and a dash of suspense—just the way she likes her books. Robin’s stories are often set in quaint towns that feel like home, with characters you’d want to have coffee with (or solve a mystery alongside).
When she’s not plotting her next mystery or reading one, you can find her exploring new places with her husband, laughing over group texts with her three grown children, or doting on her fluffy white Pomeranian, Marshmallow—who thinks she’s the star of the show (and she might be right).
Robin believes it’s never too late to chase a dream, especially one that involves a good cup of coffee, a twisty plot, and the joy of getting lost in a great story.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 8, 2025
Robin Stephanie’s The Deadly Gala is a delightful, sharply written cozy mystery that feels like slipping into a familiar sweater—comfortable, full of personality, and hiding a few sharp edges. Set in the charming, slightly eccentric coastal town of Driftwood Cove, this book is a perfect blend of small-town atmosphere, wry humor, and a genuinely puzzling murder that kept me turning pages long after “just one more chapter.”
What I loved most
• Violet Primrose is a wonderful protagonist: clever, curious, and human in all the right ways. Robin gives Violet a warm inner voice—witty, observant, and often funny—that made me root for her from page one. Her relationships (especially with Detective Silas Grant and her friends Arthur and Chris) feel genuine and give the story emotional grounding without slowing the mystery.
• The setting. Driftwood Cove is a character in itself. The town’s Halloween gala at the historical museum is vividly rendered—the decorations, the community personalities, the slightly eerie undertone of Salem-area lore. Robin’s sensory details (the creak of museum floors, the smell of autumn, the hush of a summer house gone quiet) create a cozy-but-creepy atmosphere that is perfect for a Halloween-set mystery.
• Plot and pacing. The book opens with a strong hook—an evening that should have been a celebration becomes a crime scene—and maintains a steady momentum. Clues are dropped thoughtfully; red herrings feel plausible; and the amateur-sleuthing trio (Violet, Arthur Merrick, and high-school tech whiz Chris Harper) is fun to follow. The investigation balances neighborhood gossip, local politics (the Ashwood Preserve tension), and small breakthroughs that feel earned rather than convenient.
• Supporting cast and secondary plots. Robin populates the book with memorable side characters: Penny Crane (whose ambitions and mysterious behavior add delicious suspicion), Travis (the drunken bar scene that raises more questions than answers), Phyllis (Martha’s elderly mother whose knowledge of town history provides useful lore), and Jacob Becker, the museum curator—each adds texture and motive. I also appreciated the subplot about Esther’s anonymous blog and the way technology and old-school sleuthing collide—plus the heartwarming inclusion of Petunia, the white Pomeranian, who brings lightness to darker moments.
• Tone & voice. The narrative strikes an excellent balance: cozy and charming, but with stakes that feel real. Robin’s dialogue sparkles—snappy, believable, and often funny—while her descriptions never linger too long. There’s also a gentle romantic thread with Detective Silas that adds depth without dominating the plot.
Who should read it
Fans of classic cozy mysteries (think Agatha Raisin meets modern small-town comfort), readers who enjoy amateur sleuths with heart, and anyone who loves atmospheric settings tied to local lore will adore The Deadly Gala. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon or for getting into the Halloween spirit without leaning into gore.
Final verdict
Robin Stephanie delivers a smart, entertaining mystery with lovable characters, clever plotting, and a cozy, slightly spooky setting that sticks with you. The Deadly Gala is an excellent addition to the Driftwood Cove series—I can’t wait to see what Violet and crew investigate next. Highly recommended.
What I loved most
• Violet Primrose is a wonderful protagonist: clever, curious, and human in all the right ways. Robin gives Violet a warm inner voice—witty, observant, and often funny—that made me root for her from page one. Her relationships (especially with Detective Silas Grant and her friends Arthur and Chris) feel genuine and give the story emotional grounding without slowing the mystery.
• The setting. Driftwood Cove is a character in itself. The town’s Halloween gala at the historical museum is vividly rendered—the decorations, the community personalities, the slightly eerie undertone of Salem-area lore. Robin’s sensory details (the creak of museum floors, the smell of autumn, the hush of a summer house gone quiet) create a cozy-but-creepy atmosphere that is perfect for a Halloween-set mystery.
• Plot and pacing. The book opens with a strong hook—an evening that should have been a celebration becomes a crime scene—and maintains a steady momentum. Clues are dropped thoughtfully; red herrings feel plausible; and the amateur-sleuthing trio (Violet, Arthur Merrick, and high-school tech whiz Chris Harper) is fun to follow. The investigation balances neighborhood gossip, local politics (the Ashwood Preserve tension), and small breakthroughs that feel earned rather than convenient.
• Supporting cast and secondary plots. Robin populates the book with memorable side characters: Penny Crane (whose ambitions and mysterious behavior add delicious suspicion), Travis (the drunken bar scene that raises more questions than answers), Phyllis (Martha’s elderly mother whose knowledge of town history provides useful lore), and Jacob Becker, the museum curator—each adds texture and motive. I also appreciated the subplot about Esther’s anonymous blog and the way technology and old-school sleuthing collide—plus the heartwarming inclusion of Petunia, the white Pomeranian, who brings lightness to darker moments.
• Tone & voice. The narrative strikes an excellent balance: cozy and charming, but with stakes that feel real. Robin’s dialogue sparkles—snappy, believable, and often funny—while her descriptions never linger too long. There’s also a gentle romantic thread with Detective Silas that adds depth without dominating the plot.
Who should read it
Fans of classic cozy mysteries (think Agatha Raisin meets modern small-town comfort), readers who enjoy amateur sleuths with heart, and anyone who loves atmospheric settings tied to local lore will adore The Deadly Gala. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon or for getting into the Halloween spirit without leaning into gore.
Final verdict
Robin Stephanie delivers a smart, entertaining mystery with lovable characters, clever plotting, and a cozy, slightly spooky setting that sticks with you. The Deadly Gala is an excellent addition to the Driftwood Cove series—I can’t wait to see what Violet and crew investigate next. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review