Rhythmic Deception: An Athletic Cozy Mystery

by Nina Hunt

A rhythmic gymnast disappears mid-performance in Spain, leaving behind a trail of glitter-and blood. Back in Green Acres, Susie bakes a batch of cupcakes that may or may not contain stolen jewelry.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2026

Reviews

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow a day for this clean, fast-paced, complex, action-packed, contemporary, international youth sports cozy mystery novella, that starts with Mia, Eli, and Toby Andrews in Barcelona, Spain, for a Rhythmic Gymnastics meet, while the Neighborhood Watch Grannies hold down the fort in Green Acres, California, involving abduction, adventure, children, midlife, trafficking, glitter with a union contract, born at night but not LAST night, staging, access, identity, visibility, event staff, a badge printer, controlled movements, money, sponsors, stalking, a marking, smuggling, cupcakes, contraband, ESC, Routine Exit, a contradiction, logistics, a fixer, a situation, surveillance, permits, a promoted snack bag, a loop, transport, teenagers hoarding cables, gems, a ping, chamber delivery, braided crimes, police, Next Routine, Paris, paper dancers, credential ballet, paper whispers, lavender, a printer, a warning, a note, distraction, trust unlocked, couriers, observing, documenting, not engaging, a hook, controlled acceptance, a switch, a nondisclosure agreement, jamming, a trap, and receipts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic addition to the Around the World in 80 Clues series that keeps you guessing until the end. Once you begin, there are so many twists and turn that you just can't put it down. In this book, Mia, her tech savvy, photographer son, Eli and the smartest, intuitive, clue finding dog Toby go to Barcelona, Spain to cover the Rhythmic Gymnastics event. But, there's a problem. In the middle of her performance, a gymnast disappears and her coach is missing. It doesn't look good and Mia, Eli and Toby are on the case. But back home in Green Acres, the Grannies have a case of their own. It seems there some jewel smuggling. But what does Susie's cupcakes have to do with it and how is it connected to Spain? So the Grannies with Sheriff Caldwell are trying to unwind the puzzle. This is a fun, fast-paced unputdownable book that I highly recommend as well as the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhythmic Deception is a Superb story and series about Mia Andrews a Journalist and her clever son Eli who is Tech Savvy and their very clever sleuthing dog Toby. They go to Barcelona for Mia to report on the Rhythmic Gymnastics. A Coach goes missing and the mystery starts. Mia with Eli and Toby start to investigate. But while this is happening in there Home Town the Grannies discover there are strange things happening which are linked to Barcelona. But can they all discover all the pieces of these puzzles and uncover the truth?
Excellent story which I enjoyed reading very much and I highly recommend that you read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia, Eli, and Toby are in Spain for the rhythmic competition when of course Toby gets them in the middle of a crime. This time it is smuggling gems between Spain, Paris, and Green Acres. The secret to do the deeds is in having the right badges to move where you want to go. I would love to have Eli with me sometimes to be able to get into all the computers and cameras that see the world. He's pretty good for a kid and Toby always finds the right clues. The Grannies in Green Acres with Sheriff Caldwell manage to handle everything at home while Mia is busy traveling the world.
I received this as an arc and this is my review.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhythmic Deception: An Athletic Cozy Mystery (Around the World with 80 Clues), my fourteenth enjoyable read from author Nina Hunt. A 182-page cozy animal mystery. There are so many cozy mysteries out there and so many authors writing them, but they're popular and I enjoy them & read my share of them. If you enjoy Tessa Aura you'll like Nina Hunt. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Relay & Rumors: An Athletic Cozy Mystery (Around the World with 80 Clues) high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one yet.

Mia and Liam are in Spain covering a rhythmic competition. Disappearances, strange glitter, hidden identities, and strange happenings back home combine in this fun mystery. With help from Toby’s nose, they are soon deep in intrigue and danger that spans the ocean.

I enjoyed the mystery. The series is finally hitting its stride. This book is much more cohesive than earlier ones in the series. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhythmic Deception: An Athletic cozy mystery, Around the World with 80 clues.

80 clues is an understatement. Took me awhile o st into this story, so many moving parts. It is a good mystery and the dog is always right.

[Beverley Ammeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the perfect balance of mystery and deceit. I enjoyed reading the novel and highly recommend it.