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That Murder Feeling: A Soul Garden Mystery
A whodunit with feelings so BIG they seep out.
Meet Rodrick Gray, PI…
Rod Gray isn’t your average small-town detective. He can see emotions — they bloom around people like living gardens, full of strange weather and stranger creatures. It’s a noisy way to walk through life but it helps him see what others can’t.
There’s one soul garden he’s never wanted to enter. A killer’s.
Until now. When the richest man in Two Lakes, Minnesota turns up dead in a blizzard, suspicion lands on Rod’s childhood friend Clementine Baker. To clear her name, Rod must learn what murder looks like in the soul. But his own feelings keep getting underfoot and time is running out.
Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library meets The Thursday Murder Club and Inspector Gamache. A genre-bending 1980s whodunit of snow, small-town secrets, and a whole lot of tangled feelings.
Meet Rodrick Gray, PI…
Rod Gray isn’t your average small-town detective. He can see emotions — they bloom around people like living gardens, full of strange weather and stranger creatures. It’s a noisy way to walk through life but it helps him see what others can’t.
There’s one soul garden he’s never wanted to enter. A killer’s.
Until now. When the richest man in Two Lakes, Minnesota turns up dead in a blizzard, suspicion lands on Rod’s childhood friend Clementine Baker. To clear her name, Rod must learn what murder looks like in the soul. But his own feelings keep getting underfoot and time is running out.
Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library meets The Thursday Murder Club and Inspector Gamache. A genre-bending 1980s whodunit of snow, small-town secrets, and a whole lot of tangled feelings.
- GenresMystery
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2026
5 people are currently reading
2142 people want to read
About the author
Neve Maslakovic
8 books104 followersNeve Maslakovic writes stories set in the corner where mystery meets science fiction. She is the author of five novels, including Regarding Ducks and Universes (“Inventive… a delight.” — Booklist). Her life journey took her from Belgrade, Serbia to a PhD at Stanford University’s STAR Lab to her dream job as a writer. She lives with her husband, son, and very energetic goldendoodle in the Twin Cities.
Find out more at www.nevemaslakovic.com
Find out more at www.nevemaslakovic.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 28, 2025
📖 THE STORY
Rodrick Gray is not your typical small-town PI. He sees emotions — literally. People glow with soul gardens: blooming vines of joy, storm clouds of grief, tiny creatures that scurry. It’s noisy, complicated, and a downright exhausting way to live… but it also means Gray notices things no one else ever will. There’s only one garden he’s sworn never to step inside: a killer’s.
But when the wealthiest man in Two Lakes, Minnesota is found dead during a brutal blizzard, Gray doesn’t get a choice. And things only get messier when the prime suspect turns out to be Clementine Baker — Gray’s childhood friend. To clear her name, he’ll have to do the unthinkable: walk through the emotional landscape of a murderer and face the tangle of his own feelings along the way. And in a town full of secrets, everyone’s garden has something to hide.
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
I absolutely loved the premise of seeing other people’s emotions — if I could choose a superpower, that would be it, hands down. The twist, though, is what really sold me: Gray doesn’t just see emotions, he stores his own in meteorite fragments he keeps in his pocket. Weird? Absolutely. Fascinating? Completely. It adds this strange, magical tension to everything he does. And then there’s the fact that Gray seems to have nine lives — literally. I’m still not entirely sure how it works, but it clearly ties back to those meteorite shards, and honestly, the mystery of it just makes him more interesting.
The supporting cast really shines and slowly grows on you as the story unfolds. There’s Shane, pure emotion wrapped in a kind-hearted human being. He’s the type who genuinely wants to help — and actually feels good doing it — which makes him instantly endearing. Then we have Clementine, the fiery prime suspect. She’s stubborn, determined, and absolutely refuses to let anyone hang a murder charge on her. And of course, Chief Gustafson — quirky, funny, and just the right amount of chaotic. You simply can’t have a great murder mystery without a lovable chief of police who brings both charm and comic relief.
While I loved the premise, I did find it hard to fully connect with Gray at times because he’s so emotionally shut down — which makes sense, given that his feelings are literally tucked away in meteorite fragments. Even so, he’s incredibly likeable. There’s a gentleness and old-school charm to him that makes you root for him, even when he feels a bit distant.
💡 OVERVIEW
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. I absolutely love a small-town murder mystery, and this book did not disappoint. Between the magical concept of seeing emotions, the quirky supporting cast, and the snowy, secret-filled setting, it hit all the right notes for me. The pacing sits on the slower side, but honestly? It works. It lets the mystery breathe and gives you time to settle into the emotional world-building. I’m definitely keen for Book 2 — there’s so much more to explore with Gray’s powers, the town of Two Lakes, and the tangled relationships that are just beginning to take shape.
💫Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review💫
Rodrick Gray is not your typical small-town PI. He sees emotions — literally. People glow with soul gardens: blooming vines of joy, storm clouds of grief, tiny creatures that scurry. It’s noisy, complicated, and a downright exhausting way to live… but it also means Gray notices things no one else ever will. There’s only one garden he’s sworn never to step inside: a killer’s.
But when the wealthiest man in Two Lakes, Minnesota is found dead during a brutal blizzard, Gray doesn’t get a choice. And things only get messier when the prime suspect turns out to be Clementine Baker — Gray’s childhood friend. To clear her name, he’ll have to do the unthinkable: walk through the emotional landscape of a murderer and face the tangle of his own feelings along the way. And in a town full of secrets, everyone’s garden has something to hide.
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
I absolutely loved the premise of seeing other people’s emotions — if I could choose a superpower, that would be it, hands down. The twist, though, is what really sold me: Gray doesn’t just see emotions, he stores his own in meteorite fragments he keeps in his pocket. Weird? Absolutely. Fascinating? Completely. It adds this strange, magical tension to everything he does. And then there’s the fact that Gray seems to have nine lives — literally. I’m still not entirely sure how it works, but it clearly ties back to those meteorite shards, and honestly, the mystery of it just makes him more interesting.
The supporting cast really shines and slowly grows on you as the story unfolds. There’s Shane, pure emotion wrapped in a kind-hearted human being. He’s the type who genuinely wants to help — and actually feels good doing it — which makes him instantly endearing. Then we have Clementine, the fiery prime suspect. She’s stubborn, determined, and absolutely refuses to let anyone hang a murder charge on her. And of course, Chief Gustafson — quirky, funny, and just the right amount of chaotic. You simply can’t have a great murder mystery without a lovable chief of police who brings both charm and comic relief.
While I loved the premise, I did find it hard to fully connect with Gray at times because he’s so emotionally shut down — which makes sense, given that his feelings are literally tucked away in meteorite fragments. Even so, he’s incredibly likeable. There’s a gentleness and old-school charm to him that makes you root for him, even when he feels a bit distant.
💡 OVERVIEW
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. I absolutely love a small-town murder mystery, and this book did not disappoint. Between the magical concept of seeing emotions, the quirky supporting cast, and the snowy, secret-filled setting, it hit all the right notes for me. The pacing sits on the slower side, but honestly? It works. It lets the mystery breathe and gives you time to settle into the emotional world-building. I’m definitely keen for Book 2 — there’s so much more to explore with Gray’s powers, the town of Two Lakes, and the tangled relationships that are just beginning to take shape.
💫Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review💫
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Prominent local business owner found dead in the middle of a blizzard! Having seemingly left his car willingly and died of exposure. Roderick Gray, local PI, gets pulled in to investigate when his best friend from childhood, Clementine Baker, arrested the suspect number one! Not that Rod as seen or heard from her since childhood, he barely remembers Clem, but Clem remembers him. She even has their Crime Knight Pact to prove it!
This was such a fun and cute mystery. Neve Maslakovic takes a general small town detective PI story in the '80s and add such a fun fantasy element where Gray can see people's soul gardens. The author does such a great job of crafting this incredibly unique power as something that doesn't really look like it should help in a murder investigation but it does! It adds such a fun level of mystery as you the reader are trying to figure out exactly how Gray's power work, and what the different plants/animals mean, as he describes these beautiful gardens. The author writes really quick snappy dialogue, I could hear the noir music in my mind while reading. I was so engrossed in the mystery. The characters are great which is sometimes hard to pull off when you are dealing with mysteries. Plus any book that references the amazing JB Fletcher instantly becomes a favorite of mine.
My only reason I rated this a 4.5 stars was that I thought it was sort of choppy in the writing style. There was a lot of jumping around, where the chapter would end leading up to an event and the next chapter would start after that event had ended, which made me check a few times that I didn't miss something. Honestly I got used it by the end of the book.
I would really love it if this book had art in it, as her descriptions of the soul gardens were so beautiful and I know my imagination didn't give it justice.
I highly recommend this for people who like Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, The Thursday Murder Club, (my fav) Murder She Wrote, or any sort of cozy murder mystery novel. I hope this gets turned into a multi-book series because it was so fun. I can't wait to see what Soul Garden Investigation Crew continues to get up too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a fun and cute mystery. Neve Maslakovic takes a general small town detective PI story in the '80s and add such a fun fantasy element where Gray can see people's soul gardens. The author does such a great job of crafting this incredibly unique power as something that doesn't really look like it should help in a murder investigation but it does! It adds such a fun level of mystery as you the reader are trying to figure out exactly how Gray's power work, and what the different plants/animals mean, as he describes these beautiful gardens. The author writes really quick snappy dialogue, I could hear the noir music in my mind while reading. I was so engrossed in the mystery. The characters are great which is sometimes hard to pull off when you are dealing with mysteries. Plus any book that references the amazing JB Fletcher instantly becomes a favorite of mine.
My only reason I rated this a 4.5 stars was that I thought it was sort of choppy in the writing style. There was a lot of jumping around, where the chapter would end leading up to an event and the next chapter would start after that event had ended, which made me check a few times that I didn't miss something. Honestly I got used it by the end of the book.
I would really love it if this book had art in it, as her descriptions of the soul gardens were so beautiful and I know my imagination didn't give it justice.
I highly recommend this for people who like Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, The Thursday Murder Club, (my fav) Murder She Wrote, or any sort of cozy murder mystery novel. I hope this gets turned into a multi-book series because it was so fun. I can't wait to see what Soul Garden Investigation Crew continues to get up too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2026
Maslakovic immediately pulls us into the story, with Rod going to work on behalf of a young couple who have found their bank account cleared out. However he quickly demonstrates that all is not what it seems.
Establishing the protagonist and acquainting the reader with the extent of what Rod can and cannot do was deftly done. He seems to have sorted out the extent of his gift and is coolly in charge. Until Clementine crashes into his life… Initially he does not recall who she is and how they know each other, until she reminds him that they were close childhood friends until the death of her grandmother meant that Clem no longer spent her summers at Two Lakes. There are strong reasons why Rod doesn’t like recalling this time in his life – in addition to losing Clem, his own family fell apart during the same year.
But when he learns that she has been living in Two Lakes for some time without bothering to get in touch with him – until she needs his help, he is taken aback. Especially as the police chief is convinced of her guilt in killing her boss. And unlike in most murder mysteries – the police chief and Rod have a strong personal relationship and an amiable working one. As details come to light – about the nature of Adam’s death, and Clem’s relationship with him – it doesn’t look good. Meanwhile, Rod is desperately searching for the symbol within the soul garden to denote the guilt of a murderer, while also being forced to confront upsetting memories.
There’s a lot going on in this one. The nature of Rod’s gift isn’t straightforward and exactly what he can do is extensive, but with major limitations. Occasionally ensuring the reader is fully aware of the extent of both his abilities and where they fail him did slightly hamper the pacing in places – but not to the extent that I was ever tempted to break off. However it did prevent me from giving this one 10/10. In the meantime, Maslakovic delves under the façade of this small tourist town, highlighting its strengths. And its weaknesses – there are some ugly incidents that prevents this whodunit from becoming too cosy.
That said, I stayed up later than I should to discover whodunit. And no – I hadn’t suspected the perpetrator, though when the reasons for the murder became clear, it made absolute sense. All in all, this is a memorable, nicely twisty paranormal murder mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’d love to see more in the series. While I obtained a copy of That Murder Feeling from the author via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
Establishing the protagonist and acquainting the reader with the extent of what Rod can and cannot do was deftly done. He seems to have sorted out the extent of his gift and is coolly in charge. Until Clementine crashes into his life… Initially he does not recall who she is and how they know each other, until she reminds him that they were close childhood friends until the death of her grandmother meant that Clem no longer spent her summers at Two Lakes. There are strong reasons why Rod doesn’t like recalling this time in his life – in addition to losing Clem, his own family fell apart during the same year.
But when he learns that she has been living in Two Lakes for some time without bothering to get in touch with him – until she needs his help, he is taken aback. Especially as the police chief is convinced of her guilt in killing her boss. And unlike in most murder mysteries – the police chief and Rod have a strong personal relationship and an amiable working one. As details come to light – about the nature of Adam’s death, and Clem’s relationship with him – it doesn’t look good. Meanwhile, Rod is desperately searching for the symbol within the soul garden to denote the guilt of a murderer, while also being forced to confront upsetting memories.
There’s a lot going on in this one. The nature of Rod’s gift isn’t straightforward and exactly what he can do is extensive, but with major limitations. Occasionally ensuring the reader is fully aware of the extent of both his abilities and where they fail him did slightly hamper the pacing in places – but not to the extent that I was ever tempted to break off. However it did prevent me from giving this one 10/10. In the meantime, Maslakovic delves under the façade of this small tourist town, highlighting its strengths. And its weaknesses – there are some ugly incidents that prevents this whodunit from becoming too cosy.
That said, I stayed up later than I should to discover whodunit. And no – I hadn’t suspected the perpetrator, though when the reasons for the murder became clear, it made absolute sense. All in all, this is a memorable, nicely twisty paranormal murder mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’d love to see more in the series. While I obtained a copy of That Murder Feeling from the author via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
December 24, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
We had a slow and rocky start and I almost called it quits, but I'm glad I stuck with it because I had a great time. I do just keep thinking of "That Funny Feeling" by Bo Burnham every time I see the title though, lmao.
The pros: I have to give props to the premise as a whole because I've truly never seen anything like it. The whole soul gardens ordeal and its origin is fascinating and such a fun spin on detective fiction, and it has well-thought out uses and limitations. I also appreciate the plot, because I love murder mystery and have read/watched/played a lot of them, and I think this is one of the most unique cases I've ever encountered. Moving on, I also really love the characters - Gray is smart, but he has his blind spots, and both the benefits and limitations of the soul gardens. Baker is so straightforward but never seems like it, very fun to read, and I love their history and their chemistry. Shane is a lovable goofball, and I love his moments. Everyone else, too - the Lindstroms, the Coopers, Rosemary, Chef Urban, Chief Gustafson, Jasper Jones - they're all very real. I also love the little town of Two Lakes, it's a cozy setting with plenty of history. To wrap up with the case again, I really loved it, I loved seeing the process and the theories and the conclusion. It was great.
The cons: I mentioned that I almost DNF'd this. It's because the first four chapters are all just getting to Baker, and then it's still not even until chapter nine that we get into the investigating (and even then I wouldn't say I was hooked until chapter eleven). Basically the full first quarter of the book I wish was a little more concise, and I found where the chapters were ending in that beginning quarter really annoyed me. A cliffhanger line every time, obvious bait. But once we got into the meat of it, I was locked in and, like I said, wound up really loving it. Aside from that, I think the prose isn't anything extravagant, but aside from some awkward lines here and there it was fine and served its purpose. The other most annoying thing was that this is technically a period piece, as it takes place in 1985, and we get brand-name drops all the time. It just felt a got a little irritating, lmao.
Ultimately, I'm very glad I stuck with this, and I hope the series continues!
We had a slow and rocky start and I almost called it quits, but I'm glad I stuck with it because I had a great time. I do just keep thinking of "That Funny Feeling" by Bo Burnham every time I see the title though, lmao.
The pros: I have to give props to the premise as a whole because I've truly never seen anything like it. The whole soul gardens ordeal and its origin is fascinating and such a fun spin on detective fiction, and it has well-thought out uses and limitations. I also appreciate the plot, because I love murder mystery and have read/watched/played a lot of them, and I think this is one of the most unique cases I've ever encountered. Moving on, I also really love the characters - Gray is smart, but he has his blind spots, and both the benefits and limitations of the soul gardens. Baker is so straightforward but never seems like it, very fun to read, and I love their history and their chemistry. Shane is a lovable goofball, and I love his moments. Everyone else, too - the Lindstroms, the Coopers, Rosemary, Chef Urban, Chief Gustafson, Jasper Jones - they're all very real. I also love the little town of Two Lakes, it's a cozy setting with plenty of history. To wrap up with the case again, I really loved it, I loved seeing the process and the theories and the conclusion. It was great.
The cons: I mentioned that I almost DNF'd this. It's because the first four chapters are all just getting to Baker, and then it's still not even until chapter nine that we get into the investigating (and even then I wouldn't say I was hooked until chapter eleven). Basically the full first quarter of the book I wish was a little more concise, and I found where the chapters were ending in that beginning quarter really annoyed me. A cliffhanger line every time, obvious bait. But once we got into the meat of it, I was locked in and, like I said, wound up really loving it. Aside from that, I think the prose isn't anything extravagant, but aside from some awkward lines here and there it was fine and served its purpose. The other most annoying thing was that this is technically a period piece, as it takes place in 1985, and we get brand-name drops all the time. It just felt a got a little irritating, lmao.
Ultimately, I'm very glad I stuck with this, and I hope the series continues!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book for free as an advanced copy.
This is an odd book for me. I usually don’t gravitate to the genres that are getting crossed here: Mystery and fantasy. . However, all the other books I’ve ready by Neve Maslakovic were good, so why not‽ I think they call this a cozy mystery when you get to know the whole town within the pages of the book.
Getting into the book took me a while, but once I had crossed the halfway point, I was hooked. It does start slow, and I questioned my commitment to the book. However, once I started to get into it, I could not put it down.
The books description already gives away what makes PI Gray different than all the others you may have come across: He can see soul gardens - or the feelings that somebody is experiencing. As a PI, that can be a pretty good skill to have to get to the truth - as long as one knows how to interpret these soul gardens - and what to expect. I got hung up on who designs these gardens - is it Gray making up the arrangement of “stuff” around a person, or is it a universal design that just nobody else can see. I got over this hurdle and just accepted that because nobody else sees these gardens, it does not really matter
Yes, there are fantasy elements in this book, but at the end, it is about the characters and how they interact with each other, and of course about whodonit. We explore all the characters we meet along the way to see how they would fit the search for motive and opportunity.
Even if fantasy is not your thing, but you like a solid murder mystery, give this book a try.
I rate this a 4 out of 5.
This is an odd book for me. I usually don’t gravitate to the genres that are getting crossed here: Mystery and fantasy. . However, all the other books I’ve ready by Neve Maslakovic were good, so why not‽ I think they call this a cozy mystery when you get to know the whole town within the pages of the book.
Getting into the book took me a while, but once I had crossed the halfway point, I was hooked. It does start slow, and I questioned my commitment to the book. However, once I started to get into it, I could not put it down.
The books description already gives away what makes PI Gray different than all the others you may have come across: He can see soul gardens - or the feelings that somebody is experiencing. As a PI, that can be a pretty good skill to have to get to the truth - as long as one knows how to interpret these soul gardens - and what to expect. I got hung up on who designs these gardens - is it Gray making up the arrangement of “stuff” around a person, or is it a universal design that just nobody else can see. I got over this hurdle and just accepted that because nobody else sees these gardens, it does not really matter
Yes, there are fantasy elements in this book, but at the end, it is about the characters and how they interact with each other, and of course about whodonit. We explore all the characters we meet along the way to see how they would fit the search for motive and opportunity.
Even if fantasy is not your thing, but you like a solid murder mystery, give this book a try.
I rate this a 4 out of 5.
December 1, 2025
What a delightfully unusual whodunit. Neve Maslakovic takes the familiar shape of a small-town mystery and infuses it with something luminous—feelings so vivid they bloom into gardens, storms, and creatures only Rodrick Gray can see. It’s a premise that feels both whimsical and haunting, and it gives the story a texture unlike any other.
Rod Gray is not your typical PI. His gift—seeing emotions as living landscapes—makes every encounter layered, noisy, and deeply human. When the richest man in Two Lakes is found dead in a blizzard, suspicion falls on Clementine Baker, Rod’s childhood friend. What follows is not just a race to clear her name, but a journey into the very heart of what murder looks like in the soul.
Maslakovic balances the intrigue of a classic mystery with the emotional resonance of literary fiction. The snowy setting, the tangled friendships, and the surreal soul-gardens all combine into a narrative that feels both cozy and unsettling. Fans of The Midnight Library and The Thursday Murder Club will find themselves right at home, yet surprised by the originality of the world-building.
This is a mystery that lingers—part puzzle, part meditation on how feelings shape us, even when they threaten to overwhelm. Perfect for curling up on a winter’s night, it’s a story that reminds us that solving a crime is never just about the facts, but about the people and emotions entwined within them.
With thanks to Neve Maslakovic, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Rod Gray is not your typical PI. His gift—seeing emotions as living landscapes—makes every encounter layered, noisy, and deeply human. When the richest man in Two Lakes is found dead in a blizzard, suspicion falls on Clementine Baker, Rod’s childhood friend. What follows is not just a race to clear her name, but a journey into the very heart of what murder looks like in the soul.
Maslakovic balances the intrigue of a classic mystery with the emotional resonance of literary fiction. The snowy setting, the tangled friendships, and the surreal soul-gardens all combine into a narrative that feels both cozy and unsettling. Fans of The Midnight Library and The Thursday Murder Club will find themselves right at home, yet surprised by the originality of the world-building.
This is a mystery that lingers—part puzzle, part meditation on how feelings shape us, even when they threaten to overwhelm. Perfect for curling up on a winter’s night, it’s a story that reminds us that solving a crime is never just about the facts, but about the people and emotions entwined within them.
With thanks to Neve Maslakovic, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
January 21, 2026
What an interesting concept to solving a mystery and finding a killer. It took me a bit of time to figure out what was going on and how things worked, but as the story progressed I got more into it and engaged with the characters and how the soul garden manifests.
Rodrick doesn't take murder cases. Usually he sticks to figuring out small cases about missing money or other small crimes. However, a woman from his past shows up and she's being looked at for the murder of her ex-boss and ex-lover. Rodrick has the ability to see gardens bloom around people depending on the emotions they are feeling as he talks to them. Sometimes there are palm trees and other times, roses and wheat. The premise is creative but I didn't feel like it was very well explained in the beginning.
I enjoyed Rodrick and his personality. He is a bit abrasive but not in an unkind way. He just seems to protect himself while having a great deal of compassion for those around him. The woman who comes back into his life, Clementine, is a childhood friend who was once his best friend and someone he solved mysteries with. Though at first he doesn't remember her name, he quickly realizes he does know her and does want to help her even if he doesn't want to solve a murder.
Overall, it was very well done and I think it did set the foundation for potentially more books.
Rodrick doesn't take murder cases. Usually he sticks to figuring out small cases about missing money or other small crimes. However, a woman from his past shows up and she's being looked at for the murder of her ex-boss and ex-lover. Rodrick has the ability to see gardens bloom around people depending on the emotions they are feeling as he talks to them. Sometimes there are palm trees and other times, roses and wheat. The premise is creative but I didn't feel like it was very well explained in the beginning.
I enjoyed Rodrick and his personality. He is a bit abrasive but not in an unkind way. He just seems to protect himself while having a great deal of compassion for those around him. The woman who comes back into his life, Clementine, is a childhood friend who was once his best friend and someone he solved mysteries with. Though at first he doesn't remember her name, he quickly realizes he does know her and does want to help her even if he doesn't want to solve a murder.
Overall, it was very well done and I think it did set the foundation for potentially more books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has such an interesting concept, which really makes it stand out from the usual style of murder mysteries. The soul gardens were fascinating, and I enjoyed the eighties setting as well although I hope that we see more of that and that it plays a bigger part in future books.
The relationship between Rod and Clem was very believable and developed at a good pace, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings for the two of them as well.
There was, I felt, a slightly front-loaded amount of explanation as to Rods abilities and the stones powers which did make the beginning of the book feel quite slow and I would have preferred those explanations and his history to be revealed more naturally over the course of the book. But I understand that there was a lot of backstory and setting up required to explain exactly what was going on.
I would definitely read more books in this series, as I found it a very enjoyable and unique read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this with me in exchange for my honest review.
The relationship between Rod and Clem was very believable and developed at a good pace, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings for the two of them as well.
There was, I felt, a slightly front-loaded amount of explanation as to Rods abilities and the stones powers which did make the beginning of the book feel quite slow and I would have preferred those explanations and his history to be revealed more naturally over the course of the book. But I understand that there was a lot of backstory and setting up required to explain exactly what was going on.
I would definitely read more books in this series, as I found it a very enjoyable and unique read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this with me in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2025
I love a murder mystery and one of the comps, Thursday Murder Club, is one of my favourites so I was excited for this read
Positives
- It’s a really creative twist on a murder mystery and the MC being able to see emotions made all the interactions really interesting
Negatives
- There was a lot of exposition dumping and telling over showing - I didn’t feel like I got much chance to figure things out for myself before it was explained to me
- Although the MC keeping his emotions in check was a big part of the story, it meant I felt quite disconnected from him
- It was comped to Thursday Murder Club so I was expecting a lot more of its signature dry humour but, although it was cosy, it didn’t have the humour so I feel the comp missed the mark slightly
Overall, a light and easy story which I’m glad I read, but just missed the mark for me
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Positives
- It’s a really creative twist on a murder mystery and the MC being able to see emotions made all the interactions really interesting
Negatives
- There was a lot of exposition dumping and telling over showing - I didn’t feel like I got much chance to figure things out for myself before it was explained to me
- Although the MC keeping his emotions in check was a big part of the story, it meant I felt quite disconnected from him
- It was comped to Thursday Murder Club so I was expecting a lot more of its signature dry humour but, although it was cosy, it didn’t have the humour so I feel the comp missed the mark slightly
Overall, a light and easy story which I’m glad I read, but just missed the mark for me
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy
Rodrick Gray, Private Investigator, has a whopper of a secret that only Shane, his assistant, knows. Gray senses what emotions you’re feeling. You’ll want to read the reason why for yourself.
Gray’s gift doesn’t seem to make his current case any easier to solve. Clementine Baker, his best friend from childhood, has been accused of murder in their small town of Two Lakes. He didn’t even know she’d moved back after many years away. Clem couldn’t possibly have done it, could she?
This begins a murder investigation with many twists and turns. Most of the characters work at a family resort, and many have known each other for years. What led to murder at this late date?
“That Murder Feeling: A Soul Garden Mystery” is the first in a series. It’s a page turner. Gray’s unusual gift adds to the mix. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Gray’s gift doesn’t seem to make his current case any easier to solve. Clementine Baker, his best friend from childhood, has been accused of murder in their small town of Two Lakes. He didn’t even know she’d moved back after many years away. Clem couldn’t possibly have done it, could she?
This begins a murder investigation with many twists and turns. Most of the characters work at a family resort, and many have known each other for years. What led to murder at this late date?
“That Murder Feeling: A Soul Garden Mystery” is the first in a series. It’s a page turner. Gray’s unusual gift adds to the mix. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
February 4, 2026
This was a solid and thoughtful mystery with a cozy feel and a darker edge. Rodrick Gray PI is a calm and steady main character who feels grounded and real. He runs a small business tied to plants and wellness which gives the story a unique setting. When a death shakes the community Rodrick is pulled into finding the truth. His past and his instincts guide him as he looks closer at the people around him. The town feels lived in and full of secrets that slowly come to light.
The mystery itself is layered and handled with care. The clues unfold at a steady pace and each discovery adds more meaning to the story. I liked how the book focused on grief trust and personal growth along with the case. The side characters felt important and connected to the outcome. The ending was satisfying and fit the tone of the book. This was an enjoyable read that balances emotion and mystery well and I am curious to continue the series.
The mystery itself is layered and handled with care. The clues unfold at a steady pace and each discovery adds more meaning to the story. I liked how the book focused on grief trust and personal growth along with the case. The side characters felt important and connected to the outcome. The ending was satisfying and fit the tone of the book. This was an enjoyable read that balances emotion and mystery well and I am curious to continue the series.
November 26, 2025
When I finally come across a new author that hits the sweet spot for me in terms of genre, I am so excited. Yes, this is one such author. The magic system in this is very interesting with only our protagonist Gray having powers, such as they are: he can see people’s emotions. As a PI, this is a useful tool, and he proves that in the murder case he takes on with his childhood best friend being the prime suspect. While this book is not perfect, especially with Gray being emotionally locked down for reasons the reader finds out about in the book. However, I really enjoyed this, and I will definitely read the next book in the series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clever cozy mystery with magical realism set in a quirky 1980s Minnesota town starts off the Soul Garden Mystery series. “Soul Garden” refers to detective Roderick “Rod” Grey’s ability to see emotions and deduce truth.
Rod Grey comes to the rescue of his childhood friend, Clementine “Clemmie” Baker when it appears she might be accused of murdering her boss, Adam Lindstrom, the richest man in town. Plenty of twits and turns before the big reveal - which is super!
While the book starts off slow, it is paced really well. Characters are nicely developed. The part about Rod having to learn to discern what a murder emotion looks like adds such interesting dimension to this book. It’s just so clever but might not be for everyone. If you like an off-beat, cozy mystery supported by magical realism this is your book!
Thank you NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for allowing me to read this ARC.
Rod Grey comes to the rescue of his childhood friend, Clementine “Clemmie” Baker when it appears she might be accused of murdering her boss, Adam Lindstrom, the richest man in town. Plenty of twits and turns before the big reveal - which is super!
While the book starts off slow, it is paced really well. Characters are nicely developed. The part about Rod having to learn to discern what a murder emotion looks like adds such interesting dimension to this book. It’s just so clever but might not be for everyone. If you like an off-beat, cozy mystery supported by magical realism this is your book!
Thank you NetGalley and Cosmic Tea Press for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise hooked me right away, and I found the beginning full of promise. It’s a shame that it doesn’t quite deliver on that potential. The idea is great and fairly well executed, but where I had hoped to dive deeper into this emotional magic and these intimate personal gardens, the actual investigation ended up taking over. That said, I enjoyed the secondary characters and the nods to the ’80s, which were often a bit too anecdotal for my taste. Overall, it makes for a pleasant read that could have taken me much further but ultimately falls short. We’ll see whether the sequel goes a bit further.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
That Murder Feeling by Neve Maslakovic
I really liked the fact that the main character Roderick could see emotions. What a different concept for a mystery.
Roderick is a private investigator so that works well with his profession.
When one of the local businessman are murdered and his best friend from childhood is a suspect. Roderick tries to find the real killer.
I liked the descriptions of the town and some of the funny characters.
I really hope to see more from this author and Roderick.
I really liked the fact that the main character Roderick could see emotions. What a different concept for a mystery.
Roderick is a private investigator so that works well with his profession.
When one of the local businessman are murdered and his best friend from childhood is a suspect. Roderick tries to find the real killer.
I liked the descriptions of the town and some of the funny characters.
I really hope to see more from this author and Roderick.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
three and a half stars. This book ended up being a mixed bag for me. I thought the premise (a PI who can see people’s emotions) was interesting and it was set in 1985 so it counts as historical mystery. But as the story went on, it seemed to lean heavily on dialogue between the characters discussing events and suspects and there was not enough action. The soul garden theme also felt convoluted and hard to follow so I grew impatient as I read the book despite liking the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 24, 2026
The first half of the book I spent a lot of time trying to imagine how Gray sees the world tied to emotions.
It is not just standard 'garden' of grass and trees, there are also things like storms, moats, animals, scarecrows, gargoyles.
He names things for what they represent like a Fog of Deception, Log of Worry.
He also has his emotions tied to stones, which is a great way to compartmentalise!
The second half I got more into the murder investigation.
I definitely got the 80's small town detective feel.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
It is not just standard 'garden' of grass and trees, there are also things like storms, moats, animals, scarecrows, gargoyles.
He names things for what they represent like a Fog of Deception, Log of Worry.
He also has his emotions tied to stones, which is a great way to compartmentalise!
The second half I got more into the murder investigation.
I definitely got the 80's small town detective feel.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Neve Maslakovic writes beautifully about dimensions a quarter-turn away from our own. I am grateful that she takes us around that corner with her. In "That Murder Feeling," Rod Gray is a PI who can see, hear, and smell the feelings of everyone around him but whose experience of his own feelings, even pain, is severely restricted. More than just a mystery, it's a story about being human.
Review of advance copy
That Murder Feeling is an intriguing take on a whodunit story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the underlying story about Gray and his abilities. I feel like there were some loose ends that could have been wrapped up, but perhaps that will happen in a future book as I think that there is definitely the potential for a series of stories here.
Thank you for the enjoyable read.
Thank you for the enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy
It’s a creative twist on a murder mystery with the MC being able to see emotions, but since he himself kept his emotions in check it was hard to relate to him. I also felt like the storytelling was very slow paced, too slow for my taste.
I received a free copy of this book through HiddenGems in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book through HiddenGems in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2026
He is a detective and he sees emotions which is not easy but he never uses them. A murder happens and he needs to get into the soul of the killer. It will not be easy but he needs to do it to save her from being accused of the crime. See how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
January 13, 2026
I loved Rodrick Gray’s interesting and intriguing ability! Really great premise for a private detective. Very thought provoking! The mystery really kept me guessing and glued to the book! These are my thought after enjoying an early copy of the book.
January 21, 2026
While I don't usually read books with a mix like this one, it wasn't bad but it wasn't my favorite either. I did like how Rodrick can see people's emotions that was a nice change, but the book just didn't grab me and hold my interest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A PI who can see emotions is an interesting premise. Parts of the book were slow, others seemed to speed by with lots of action. I hope this is the start of a series.
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley!
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley!
Want to read
January 29, 2026Placeholder.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 337 pages
⏱ Approx. 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Cosmic Tea Press
📅 Published: January 13, 2026
Although this novel isn't marketed as noir, it radiates that deliciously gloomy, smoke-and-shadow energy that noir fans crave. Rodrick Gray, PI, fascinated me. A man who can literally see feelings. The premise alone is magnetic. Imagine walking through town and knowing exactly who’s simmering with rage or drowning in regret because their “soul garden” gives it away. It’s haunting and visual in a way that lingers.
But here’s the thing: despite the inventive premise, the story takes its sweet time getting anywhere. The emotional world-building is rich, sometimes too rich, and it often stalls the momentum of the mystery itself. The snowy Minnesota setting and emotional world-building were immersive, but I wanted sharper tension, more grit in the middle chapters.
Rod himself is a mixed bag. Interesting? Absolutely. Easy to root for? Not quite. His emotional sensitivity is thematically strong, but it also adds to the drag, especially when paired with a case that never fully crackles to life. Still, Maslakovic’s prose carries an eerie, moody charm, like fog rolling off a frozen lake. I admired what this book was trying to do more than I enjoyed actually reading it.
Would I recommend it?
If you love your mysteries with a surreal, emotional twist, That Murder Feeling might catch your fancy.
Can You Feel That Murder Vibe?
Would you read a noir mystery with a fantasy twist, or do you like your detectives strictly grounded in reality?
📃 337 pages
⏱ Approx. 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Cosmic Tea Press
📅 Published: January 13, 2026
Although this novel isn't marketed as noir, it radiates that deliciously gloomy, smoke-and-shadow energy that noir fans crave. Rodrick Gray, PI, fascinated me. A man who can literally see feelings. The premise alone is magnetic. Imagine walking through town and knowing exactly who’s simmering with rage or drowning in regret because their “soul garden” gives it away. It’s haunting and visual in a way that lingers.
But here’s the thing: despite the inventive premise, the story takes its sweet time getting anywhere. The emotional world-building is rich, sometimes too rich, and it often stalls the momentum of the mystery itself. The snowy Minnesota setting and emotional world-building were immersive, but I wanted sharper tension, more grit in the middle chapters.
Rod himself is a mixed bag. Interesting? Absolutely. Easy to root for? Not quite. His emotional sensitivity is thematically strong, but it also adds to the drag, especially when paired with a case that never fully crackles to life. Still, Maslakovic’s prose carries an eerie, moody charm, like fog rolling off a frozen lake. I admired what this book was trying to do more than I enjoyed actually reading it.
Would I recommend it?
If you love your mysteries with a surreal, emotional twist, That Murder Feeling might catch your fancy.
Can You Feel That Murder Vibe?
Would you read a noir mystery with a fantasy twist, or do you like your detectives strictly grounded in reality?
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