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Hook, Line, and Murder
What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!
When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?
When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2026
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
G.G. Calpo
1 book66 followersGG Calpo is a retired lawyer and accountant who traded contracts and numbers for the far more enjoyable chaos of fictional crime. Now she writes cozy whodunits featuring warm-hearted golden-aged sleuths who’ve seen it all, heard it all and will investigate a murder with zero hesitation. She loves stories where the stakes are personal, family and friendships are paramount, with characters who refuse to follow the outline and endings that pull the rug out. When not plotting twisty crimes—on paper only, of course—she spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 21, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sweet Buns Cafe has become the unofficial clubhouse for retirees from Whitman’s Port Post Elementary School. Arriving at the cafe following their morning walk, they notice a ruckus at the nearby park. One of the fishermen has caught something, but it is not a fish. He has pulled in a hand. A hand wearing a signet ring that retired kindergarten teacher Meg Brightbook recognizes.
Meg shutters when Detective Jonathan Storm arrives on the scene. A man whom she feels bungled the investigation into her husband and only child’s deaths. She doesn’t trust him to get justice for one of her former students. Soon, Meg and her fellow retirees, Barbara, Liz, Stefan, and Edna, are beginning their own investigation. It’s a good thing because Detective Storm decides one of their own is guilty. When Meg is targeted, she fears the killer is on her tail, or is it the killer of her husband and her son?
Ms. Calpo introduces a wonderful cast of characters in this first Sweet Tooth Murder Mystery—a group of retired schoolteachers, each with their own strengths and interests. Seriously, after handling classrooms of children for all those years, they are ready, willing, and able to take on anything together. They are joined by Meg’s daughter-in-law, Dora, her grandson, Archer, and housekeeper, Rosita. Each plays a vital part in the story. I felt all the characters developed well within the story, while leaving room for growth as the series continues.
The mystery was very well-plotted. The victim wasn’t well-liked, and she really didn’t care. She was out for herself and piled up a good stack of enemies. The senior sleuths worked through the clues, always meeting up at the Sweet Buns Cafe to share their results. They eliminated suspects and pulled in new ones. It was quite entertaining following along as they worked toward the truth. I appreciated how Meg and her grandson worked together to find more evidence that advanced the case. In a story filled with twists, the last one was a shocker.
Hook, Line, and Murder is a layered story with a twisty mystery filled with emotional moments that pull at your heart. It has set this series off to a terrific start. I am looking forward to Book 2.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Sweet Buns Cafe has become the unofficial clubhouse for retirees from Whitman’s Port Post Elementary School. Arriving at the cafe following their morning walk, they notice a ruckus at the nearby park. One of the fishermen has caught something, but it is not a fish. He has pulled in a hand. A hand wearing a signet ring that retired kindergarten teacher Meg Brightbook recognizes.
Meg shutters when Detective Jonathan Storm arrives on the scene. A man whom she feels bungled the investigation into her husband and only child’s deaths. She doesn’t trust him to get justice for one of her former students. Soon, Meg and her fellow retirees, Barbara, Liz, Stefan, and Edna, are beginning their own investigation. It’s a good thing because Detective Storm decides one of their own is guilty. When Meg is targeted, she fears the killer is on her tail, or is it the killer of her husband and her son?
Ms. Calpo introduces a wonderful cast of characters in this first Sweet Tooth Murder Mystery—a group of retired schoolteachers, each with their own strengths and interests. Seriously, after handling classrooms of children for all those years, they are ready, willing, and able to take on anything together. They are joined by Meg’s daughter-in-law, Dora, her grandson, Archer, and housekeeper, Rosita. Each plays a vital part in the story. I felt all the characters developed well within the story, while leaving room for growth as the series continues.
The mystery was very well-plotted. The victim wasn’t well-liked, and she really didn’t care. She was out for herself and piled up a good stack of enemies. The senior sleuths worked through the clues, always meeting up at the Sweet Buns Cafe to share their results. They eliminated suspects and pulled in new ones. It was quite entertaining following along as they worked toward the truth. I appreciated how Meg and her grandson worked together to find more evidence that advanced the case. In a story filled with twists, the last one was a shocker.
Hook, Line, and Murder is a layered story with a twisty mystery filled with emotional moments that pull at your heart. It has set this series off to a terrific start. I am looking forward to Book 2.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy
Hook Line and Murder
This is a cute, cozy mystery. The protagonist is Meg Brightbook, a retired teacher. Meg and her friends, also retired educators, meet frequently for sweets at their neighborhood sweets shop. While walking off their calories after one such visit, they spy police activity at the nearby lake and see parts of a dismembered body being pulled from the lake by a distressed fisherman.
When they recognize the head as belonging to Brie, a former student, the ladies decide to investigate. Especially after Meg realizes the detective in charge was Jonathan Strom, the man who investigated the deaths of her husband and son on the lake last year, and called it accidental. Meg knew they were both too skilled to have suddenly had an accident in the water when nothing was found wrong with their craft. She knew in her bones he was wrong. This suspicion underpins many of her subsequent decisions.
The ladies start asking questions and soon learn that Brie had been up to no good. She used her job as a server at posh parties to get gossip, which she used to blackmail guests. She cheated on agreements and shook down business owners who did not want bad publicity. So they had too many suspects to check out, but check them out, they did doggedly. Their skills varied; one had good computer skills, another was quite observant, while Meg used some of her newly acquired kickboxing skills when the occasion required. Detective Storm went down a blank alley and tried to arrest one of their group. Since she had an elderly mother to care for, she took her Mom and left town for parts unknown.
There followed a good discussion about what caring for a parent on the edge of dementia looks like and the burden it places on families. In the Filipino culture, sending a loved one to a nursing home is not encouraged. Many characters here are from that group, as is the author. We learn about customary foods and other practices as they are woven throughout the story.
Grandchildren play a part in the story as Meg's grandson teaches her some computer skills she was unaware of. Their secretive examination of remote-controlled camera files proves integral to the story and - maybe to the backstory of her husband's death? Does Bries' murder get solved? Yes, but not before a few twists and turns and danger.
Do read this pleasant cozy. The author plans to make this a series, and I look forward to seeing more of these intrepid ladies.
I found a few parts improbable or silly, such as the T-shirts, but they did not detract that much from the overall review.
I received an advance copy of this book for review and have reviewed it voluntarily.
This is a cute, cozy mystery. The protagonist is Meg Brightbook, a retired teacher. Meg and her friends, also retired educators, meet frequently for sweets at their neighborhood sweets shop. While walking off their calories after one such visit, they spy police activity at the nearby lake and see parts of a dismembered body being pulled from the lake by a distressed fisherman.
When they recognize the head as belonging to Brie, a former student, the ladies decide to investigate. Especially after Meg realizes the detective in charge was Jonathan Strom, the man who investigated the deaths of her husband and son on the lake last year, and called it accidental. Meg knew they were both too skilled to have suddenly had an accident in the water when nothing was found wrong with their craft. She knew in her bones he was wrong. This suspicion underpins many of her subsequent decisions.
The ladies start asking questions and soon learn that Brie had been up to no good. She used her job as a server at posh parties to get gossip, which she used to blackmail guests. She cheated on agreements and shook down business owners who did not want bad publicity. So they had too many suspects to check out, but check them out, they did doggedly. Their skills varied; one had good computer skills, another was quite observant, while Meg used some of her newly acquired kickboxing skills when the occasion required. Detective Storm went down a blank alley and tried to arrest one of their group. Since she had an elderly mother to care for, she took her Mom and left town for parts unknown.
There followed a good discussion about what caring for a parent on the edge of dementia looks like and the burden it places on families. In the Filipino culture, sending a loved one to a nursing home is not encouraged. Many characters here are from that group, as is the author. We learn about customary foods and other practices as they are woven throughout the story.
Grandchildren play a part in the story as Meg's grandson teaches her some computer skills she was unaware of. Their secretive examination of remote-controlled camera files proves integral to the story and - maybe to the backstory of her husband's death? Does Bries' murder get solved? Yes, but not before a few twists and turns and danger.
Do read this pleasant cozy. The author plans to make this a series, and I look forward to seeing more of these intrepid ladies.
I found a few parts improbable or silly, such as the T-shirts, but they did not detract that much from the overall review.
I received an advance copy of this book for review and have reviewed it voluntarily.
March 9, 2026
Hook, Line, and Murder delivers exactly what cozy mystery readers hope for — a light, engaging mystery wrapped in a warm community atmosphere — but it also offers something deeper beneath the surface.
Meg makes a compelling amateur sleuth, not because she possesses extraordinary detective skills, but because her motivations feel deeply human. The unresolved grief surrounding the loss of her husband and child adds emotional authenticity without overwhelming the cozy tone. Instead, the story explores healing in quiet, meaningful ways.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ensemble cast. The retired teachers bring humor, loyalty, and believable friendship dynamics that make their investigative adventures feel both entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt. Their café meetings quickly become a highlight, blending everyday comfort with investigative determination.
While the mystery includes twists appropriate to the genre, the real draw lies in the characters and the sense of community. Readers are given a strong introduction to personalities who will clearly anchor future installments of the series.
I love how the story gently expands beyond the traditional cozy formula. Alongside the mystery are thoughtful explorations of grief recovery, caring for aging parents, and cultural perspectives that add depth without sacrificing the light reading experience cozy fans expect.
As a series opener, this novel succeeds in establishing both emotional stakes and long-term potential — leaving me curious to return to Sweet Buns Café for the next mystery.
In Conclusion:
Hook, Line, and Murder is a strong and welcoming start to The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery Series, blending the comforting elements cozy mystery readers love with thoughtful emotional depth. While the mystery itself delivers satisfying twists appropriate to the genre, the real strength lies in its characters and the sense of community that surrounds them. Meg’s journey adds a layer of healing and resilience that gives the story lasting warmth beyond the investigation. Readers looking for a light yet meaningful mystery filled with friendship, heart, and the promise of future adventures will find this an enjoyable and comforting read.
Read the full review and discover more indie reads at GinaRaeMitchell.com.
Meg makes a compelling amateur sleuth, not because she possesses extraordinary detective skills, but because her motivations feel deeply human. The unresolved grief surrounding the loss of her husband and child adds emotional authenticity without overwhelming the cozy tone. Instead, the story explores healing in quiet, meaningful ways.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ensemble cast. The retired teachers bring humor, loyalty, and believable friendship dynamics that make their investigative adventures feel both entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt. Their café meetings quickly become a highlight, blending everyday comfort with investigative determination.
While the mystery includes twists appropriate to the genre, the real draw lies in the characters and the sense of community. Readers are given a strong introduction to personalities who will clearly anchor future installments of the series.
I love how the story gently expands beyond the traditional cozy formula. Alongside the mystery are thoughtful explorations of grief recovery, caring for aging parents, and cultural perspectives that add depth without sacrificing the light reading experience cozy fans expect.
As a series opener, this novel succeeds in establishing both emotional stakes and long-term potential — leaving me curious to return to Sweet Buns Café for the next mystery.
In Conclusion:
Hook, Line, and Murder is a strong and welcoming start to The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery Series, blending the comforting elements cozy mystery readers love with thoughtful emotional depth. While the mystery itself delivers satisfying twists appropriate to the genre, the real strength lies in its characters and the sense of community that surrounds them. Meg’s journey adds a layer of healing and resilience that gives the story lasting warmth beyond the investigation. Readers looking for a light yet meaningful mystery filled with friendship, heart, and the promise of future adventures will find this an enjoyable and comforting read.
Read the full review and discover more indie reads at GinaRaeMitchell.com.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Brianna Townsend's dismembered body is fished from Duck Harbor, retired kindergarten teacher Meg Brightbook and her fellow teacher friends find themselves investigating—partly to clear a colleague wrongly accused, and partly because Detective Storm, who botched the investigation into Meg's husband and son's deaths a year earlier, seems determined to make the same mistakes again.
The ensemble cast is the book's greatest strength. Meg, Barbara, Liz, Stefan, and Edna feel like real people with distinct personalities and authentic friendship dynamics. Their banter crackles with warmth and humor, even as they navigate serious territory.
The supporting characters—from Meg's daughter-in-law Dora to her grandson Archer to housekeeper Rosita—add depth and complexity.
The mystery itself has genuine twists. Just when you think you've identified the killer, Calpo pulls the rug out in a way that's both surprising and emotionally resonant.
The pacing occasionally drags during investigative scenes, and some subplot threads (like the CCTV hacking and the ominous ending hints) feel underdeveloped. The pink "TOOTH Rules" shirts at the end are… well, let's say they're memorably cringe-worthy, even if they're meant to be.
Hook, Line, and Murder succeeds as both a cozy mystery and a story about healing. It's perfect for readers who enjoy amateur sleuths with actual investigative skills, ensemble casts with genuine chemistry, and mysteries that pack an emotional punch.
The ensemble cast is the book's greatest strength. Meg, Barbara, Liz, Stefan, and Edna feel like real people with distinct personalities and authentic friendship dynamics. Their banter crackles with warmth and humor, even as they navigate serious territory.
The supporting characters—from Meg's daughter-in-law Dora to her grandson Archer to housekeeper Rosita—add depth and complexity.
The mystery itself has genuine twists. Just when you think you've identified the killer, Calpo pulls the rug out in a way that's both surprising and emotionally resonant.
The pacing occasionally drags during investigative scenes, and some subplot threads (like the CCTV hacking and the ominous ending hints) feel underdeveloped. The pink "TOOTH Rules" shirts at the end are… well, let's say they're memorably cringe-worthy, even if they're meant to be.
Hook, Line, and Murder succeeds as both a cozy mystery and a story about healing. It's perfect for readers who enjoy amateur sleuths with actual investigative skills, ensemble casts with genuine chemistry, and mysteries that pack an emotional punch.
March 1, 2026
I was hooked from the start!
Hook, Line, and Murder is the first book in author G.G. Calpo’s fresh new Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery series, and its engaging main characters and compelling plot had me hooked from the start. Retired kindergarten teacher and recent widow, Meagan “Meg” Brightbook, is still very much in mourning over the suspicious deaths of her husband and son the previous year, and her friend group of other retired educators has been a strong, supportive lifeline for her. So, when Brie Townsend, a local bad girl, is murdered and her friend Edna Gomez, who’d had a recent and very public run-in with the young woman, becomes the police’s number one suspect, she and the rest of her group leap into action to find the real killer and clear their friend’s name.
Meg is such a sympathetic and relatable character, still grieving over the tragic loss of her husband and grown son in a boating accident. But her friends have kept her involved and active, preventing her from giving up on life. The appearance of Edna’s attorney, Fred, has also piqued her interest and sparked thoughts that there could be more to her own story ahead. I liked how Meg and her fellow retired teachers knew everyone in their neck of Long Island, having had them as pupils or the parents of their pupils at one time or another, and boldly asked whatever questions they had without hesitation, confident they would get answers. I enjoyed them developing a plan of action and splitting up their investigatory tasks among the group, giving attention to everyone’s particular strengths, skills, or knowledge.The plot unfolds through Meg’s point of view and is more complex than you realize at first; there’s more than one death that needs the group’s scrutiny after all. I enjoyed the brief glimpse into Filipino culture and family relationships, too. Although I had some suspicions, I never anticipated the path the story would take to reach its final resolution. Talk about twists and turns!
I recommend HOOK, LINE, AND MURDER to readers of cozy mysteries and domestic thrillers.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
Review of advance copy
Brianna "Brie" Townsend, though only in her twenties, had a reputation for less-than-savoury activities. When her hand (and then the rest of her) was pulled from the waters of the bay, it seemed that karma had finally caught up with her. Meagan Brightbook and her friends, all retired from the local school, worry when the detective (who blundered through the case of her husband and son's murder) is assigned to the case. Their fears are realised when he arrests the wrong person, leading them to start their investigation to find the real killer.
Even though they are retired, Meg and the gang are fit and quick-witted. It's delightful to see a group of "later years" be portrayed as more than the stereotypical grandmas/grandpas who usually grace the pages of a cosy mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, it ran in twists and turns, keeping the grand reveal secret until the last pages. This is also a great treat. Not being able to guess is half the fun.
Take a stroll with these retirees; they'll take you places you never imagined!
Thank you to G.G. Calpo and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
Even though they are retired, Meg and the gang are fit and quick-witted. It's delightful to see a group of "later years" be portrayed as more than the stereotypical grandmas/grandpas who usually grace the pages of a cosy mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, it ran in twists and turns, keeping the grand reveal secret until the last pages. This is also a great treat. Not being able to guess is half the fun.
Take a stroll with these retirees; they'll take you places you never imagined!
Thank you to G.G. Calpo and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
February 16, 2026
with fun, snappy dialogue that puts the reader into the middle of each scene—no matter what it might entail—the story brings readers, especially those of a ‘certain age’, who might be facing issues associated with sudden loss to the inevitable: What would I do? How would I handle it? Who can I depend on to help me get through this hideous loss?
This Sweet TOOTH group retirees aren’t ready to hang up their teacher tools yet because there’s still a lot of life left in there, gray hair and aching joints be damned. This is a great story that while showing all the usual bumps and grinds of a first attempt will smooth out into a terrific cozy series—one we look forward to seeing where author Calpo will take things.
On a scale of 1-5, Hook, Line and Murder merits a 4.5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
This Sweet TOOTH group retirees aren’t ready to hang up their teacher tools yet because there’s still a lot of life left in there, gray hair and aching joints be damned. This is a great story that while showing all the usual bumps and grinds of a first attempt will smooth out into a terrific cozy series—one we look forward to seeing where author Calpo will take things.
On a scale of 1-5, Hook, Line and Murder merits a 4.5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
Review of advance copy
I love a good mystery and used to read Mary Higgins Clark years ago. I also read her daughter's books (Carol Higgins Clark). The writing style loosely reminds me of them. I liked how each chapter led to the next and different suspects came and went.
I give it four vs five stars because I really wanted one mystery solved or at least not as muddled when the book ended.
The characters were fun and pretty well developed. Appears there will be more to this series so I sit back and wait.
Thanks for this advanced reader copy for which I've given my honest review.
I give it four vs five stars because I really wanted one mystery solved or at least not as muddled when the book ended.
The characters were fun and pretty well developed. Appears there will be more to this series so I sit back and wait.
Thanks for this advanced reader copy for which I've given my honest review.
Review of advance copy
Hook, Line, and Murder is book 1 in a Sweet TOOTH by GG Calpo. I believe that book 1 in a series is so important. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of introducing the characters as well as the weave the murder of Meg's husband, Rich, and son, Jim into the story. I can't wait for Meg and friends next sleuthing opportunity. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The retired seniors, teachers, helping sleuth and solve a crime, and their comraderie and companionship for each other in their friend group. And they even found a clue towards the murder of Meg's husband and son!! It can only get more interesting as dicey situations come, and I'm here for it all! It was suspenseful, entertaining, and captivating. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
February 16, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It has that cozy-mystery feel that’s easy to settle into, but it also has more heart and emotion than I expected. The characters felt warm and believable, and I liked how the story balanced light, comforting moments with genuine suspense. It was an engaging, relaxing read that still kept me curious about what would happen next. Definitely a solid pick if you enjoy character-driven mysteries you can unwind with.
February 19, 2026
“Hook, Line, and Murder: Sweet TOOTH: Book 1” is a charming and engaging cozy mystery. GG Calpo weaves an intriguing whodunit filled with well‑drawn characters and small‑town charm. When a murder disrupts the quiet community, a group of retired educators steps in to unravel the truth. It’s a fun, fast read that keeps you turning the pages.
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.
Review of advance copy
This was a really enjoyable read.
I loved the retired elementary school kick-boxing protagonist and her fellow retiree friends who all become sleuths much to the chagrin of the detective in charge of the case.
I look forward to reading their next adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the retired elementary school kick-boxing protagonist and her fellow retiree friends who all become sleuths much to the chagrin of the detective in charge of the case.
I look forward to reading their next adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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January 17, 2026A woman is dead and her body has been dismembered. Who would do such a thing? Who killed her and why?
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.
Review of advance copy
I enjoyed this eclectic group of "sleuths" as they wanted to keep friends and neighbors from being wrongly arrested of murder. The victim was not well thought of in town, had blackmailed a lot of people, and didn't care who was hurt. As the members of TOOTH followed the clues and easily getting others to tell their thoughts, tales, and assisting, innocent people were freed or kept from arrest. Some of the things that happened were more personal for Meg but did not become clear until toward the end of the book. I had an idea who may have been the killer of the main murder, then waffled, and went back to hoping I was wrong. I look forward to the next story to see how the background story plays out.
I received a copy through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews