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Arson at the Art Gallery: A Getaway Bay Mystery, Book 1
Her new life wasn't supposed to begin with a murder...
Widow Addison Lake needs to laugh again. To live again. Moving to Getaway Bay and fixing up the rundown beach house into a bed and breakfast should be just the ticket. But the dream of a fresh start quickly becomes a nightmare when her cousin's art gallery catches fire – and a body is found in the ashes.
The bristly local detective needs an arrest, and Addison must act fast to prove her cousin's innocence. But between the beach house renovations, an ailing uncle, an over-protective daughter and the quirky inhabitants of Getaway Bay, she has her work cut out.
Can Addison and her new friends uncover the real culprit before her cousin is charged with murder?
Widow Addison Lake needs to laugh again. To live again. Moving to Getaway Bay and fixing up the rundown beach house into a bed and breakfast should be just the ticket. But the dream of a fresh start quickly becomes a nightmare when her cousin's art gallery catches fire – and a body is found in the ashes.
The bristly local detective needs an arrest, and Addison must act fast to prove her cousin's innocence. But between the beach house renovations, an ailing uncle, an over-protective daughter and the quirky inhabitants of Getaway Bay, she has her work cut out.
Can Addison and her new friends uncover the real culprit before her cousin is charged with murder?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
Audible Audio
Published June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 12, 2026
The narrator did an excellent job, making the audiobook especially engaging. The mystery was well plotted, and I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the murderer. The author kept me guessing throughout the story, which is always a plus. I also enjoyed the main character and looked forward to seeing how she would unravel the case. Overall, this was a satisfying mystery with strong narration and an unexpected ending. I would recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
July 8, 2026
Much like the murder victim, this book didn't have a pulse. It's THAT cozy. The writing was okay, the dialogue was okay, but oh my god, the audio production, particularly at the beginning, was horrendous! I almost gave up. It felt the narrator read it aloud in her room and nobody had bothered to edit out the heavy intakes of breath. I've never heard anything like it and I listen to so many audiobooks. It got better overtime, but still!
There were a ton of HP mentions, which I can't forgive in 2026, but especially not when the only reason the series is references is because one character reads it to their dying parent who has dementia and has never read the series before (ergo: no personal connection to it whatsoever).
I wish the side characters in particularly had been better fleshed out. The protagonist Addison is likeable, warm but not naive, which I appreciate in an amateur sleuth.
I did not like the ending, which I can't elaborate on for spoiler reasons, but suffice it to say that I can suspend my disbelief of how real life works only so far.
I will not be checking out further installments in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the free audiobook arc!
There were a ton of HP mentions, which I can't forgive in 2026, but especially not when the only reason the series is references is because one character reads it to their dying parent who has dementia and has never read the series before (ergo: no personal connection to it whatsoever).
I wish the side characters in particularly had been better fleshed out. The protagonist Addison is likeable, warm but not naive, which I appreciate in an amateur sleuth.
I did not like the ending, which I can't elaborate on for spoiler reasons, but suffice it to say that I can suspend my disbelief of how real life works only so far.
I will not be checking out further installments in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the free audiobook arc!
July 12, 2026
I was given an advanced listener copy of this works audio book from NetGalley free of charge in return for an honest review. The Narration is excellent and the narrator really works hard to give each character their own voice so there was never any confusion as to who was speaking.
Addison and her daughter have moved away from Sidney to Getaway Bay. The plan is leave the pain of loosing her husband and the father her daughter very much loved. She wanted a fresh start and what could be better than a small beach side town where she can fix up a run down beach house and into a bed and breakfast.
She's even got her cousin near by for family support. The new life is off to a shining start, but things soon take a turn for the worst when her cousin Layla's art gallery catches fire with her sister Jenna inside. With the cops are certain that her cousin is guilty.
Its up to Addison to figure out who committed the crime and prove her innocent and maybe catch a murderer.
The story is a very cozy mystery read with clues and characters presenting themselves in and around a mother and college bound daughter trying to start over. Its a perfect read for a lazy afternoon with just the right amount of twists to keep you guessing.
An all together fun and sweet read. I look forward to the rest of this series.
Addison and her daughter have moved away from Sidney to Getaway Bay. The plan is leave the pain of loosing her husband and the father her daughter very much loved. She wanted a fresh start and what could be better than a small beach side town where she can fix up a run down beach house and into a bed and breakfast.
She's even got her cousin near by for family support. The new life is off to a shining start, but things soon take a turn for the worst when her cousin Layla's art gallery catches fire with her sister Jenna inside. With the cops are certain that her cousin is guilty.
Its up to Addison to figure out who committed the crime and prove her innocent and maybe catch a murderer.
The story is a very cozy mystery read with clues and characters presenting themselves in and around a mother and college bound daughter trying to start over. Its a perfect read for a lazy afternoon with just the right amount of twists to keep you guessing.
An all together fun and sweet read. I look forward to the rest of this series.
June 9, 2026
I liked that this was a short listen/read, but the narrator's voice was too breathy and her tone was hard to listen to. I felt she just read through the story and didn't connect emotionally, which left the listener needing more. The storyline being based in a small coastal town with the main character a widower that moves there to renovate a B&B was cozy and very inviting, but it lacked depth in the murder mystery aspect.
May 29, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for an ARC of this audiobook - here is my honest review.
Arson at the Art Gallert is a perfectly cosy mystery - except not too cosy, cos it's hot in Queensland.
Addison has just moved to Getaway Bay with her teen daughter Olivia, buying a slightly run-down house with the intention of converting it into a bed and breakfast. Getaway Bay is familiar to Addison, having spent summers there growing up with her cousins Layla and Jenna. When Layla's art gallery is burned down, and Jenna found dead, just after Addison arrives, she channels her late husband's homicide detective instincts and seeks to clear Layla's name.
This is a short audiobook, clocking in at just over 4 hours, making it a easy listen. This is greatly helped by Pen Larkins' lovely narration, gentle Aussie accents, nothing over exaggerated but well enunciated and expressed. Pen really helped bring the lively, small cast of characters to life, which is so important in cosy mysteries where the characters really propel the story along.
I am definitely interested in continuing this series and tuning into what is next for Addison and her family in Getaway Bay - and I'll be sure to do that by way of the audiobooks! 4 stars for an easy, compelling, pleasurable audiobook experience.
Arson at the Art Gallert is a perfectly cosy mystery - except not too cosy, cos it's hot in Queensland.
Addison has just moved to Getaway Bay with her teen daughter Olivia, buying a slightly run-down house with the intention of converting it into a bed and breakfast. Getaway Bay is familiar to Addison, having spent summers there growing up with her cousins Layla and Jenna. When Layla's art gallery is burned down, and Jenna found dead, just after Addison arrives, she channels her late husband's homicide detective instincts and seeks to clear Layla's name.
This is a short audiobook, clocking in at just over 4 hours, making it a easy listen. This is greatly helped by Pen Larkins' lovely narration, gentle Aussie accents, nothing over exaggerated but well enunciated and expressed. Pen really helped bring the lively, small cast of characters to life, which is so important in cosy mysteries where the characters really propel the story along.
I am definitely interested in continuing this series and tuning into what is next for Addison and her family in Getaway Bay - and I'll be sure to do that by way of the audiobooks! 4 stars for an easy, compelling, pleasurable audiobook experience.
June 29, 2026
Thank you #netgalley and #BolindaAudio for the audio version of #Arsonattheartgallery
I enjoyed this story. We're drawn in to Addison's life as she makes the move to a tourist town to open a bed and breakfast. This is a cozy mystery set in Australia (a surprise for me when I started listening) with a mature protagonist dealing with the loss of her husband and ready to start anew. A short listen at just over 4 hours. We follow Addison as she greats her new home with her daughter and cousin by her side. Another death in the family spoils the beginning of this new chapter in her life but also leads to confidence in her decision to move. The characters and story arc felt natural and real. And although there are a few changes to her original plan, we are left with hope that she has found a place to call home. (It's a cozy so a hopeful ending is not a spoiler.)
I will admit, I almost DNF'd this book. The narrator is, as another reviewer noted, breathy. BUT- I realized 1/2 way through that her voice gained confidence and the "breathy" sounds had subsided about 1/3 of the way into the book. I'm glad I kept going because the story is really good and the narrator improved as time went on. An easy read with a satisfying ending. Perfect "light" murder mystery listen. It left me hoping that we get to meet these characters again and explore more of this Australian town.
I enjoyed this story. We're drawn in to Addison's life as she makes the move to a tourist town to open a bed and breakfast. This is a cozy mystery set in Australia (a surprise for me when I started listening) with a mature protagonist dealing with the loss of her husband and ready to start anew. A short listen at just over 4 hours. We follow Addison as she greats her new home with her daughter and cousin by her side. Another death in the family spoils the beginning of this new chapter in her life but also leads to confidence in her decision to move. The characters and story arc felt natural and real. And although there are a few changes to her original plan, we are left with hope that she has found a place to call home. (It's a cozy so a hopeful ending is not a spoiler.)
I will admit, I almost DNF'd this book. The narrator is, as another reviewer noted, breathy. BUT- I realized 1/2 way through that her voice gained confidence and the "breathy" sounds had subsided about 1/3 of the way into the book. I'm glad I kept going because the story is really good and the narrator improved as time went on. An easy read with a satisfying ending. Perfect "light" murder mystery listen. It left me hoping that we get to meet these characters again and explore more of this Australian town.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️
Great little Aussie cosy mystery.
After losing her husband Addison and daughter Olivia move away from Sydney to the small town Getway Bay.
While still settling in, she finds out her cousin’s art gallery has burnt to the ground and a body has been found.
Addison is sure her cousin has nothing to do with it but the police have other ideas, so she starts to dig into the reasons why some locals might be guilty.
I really enjoyed this quick read. It was a fun whodunnit which had me changing my mind a couple of times before working out the culprit.
The narration was excellent, easy on the ear and I do love the Australian accent.
A perfect example of a cosy mystery. I hope the others in the series are made into audiobooks too.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
Great little Aussie cosy mystery.
After losing her husband Addison and daughter Olivia move away from Sydney to the small town Getway Bay.
While still settling in, she finds out her cousin’s art gallery has burnt to the ground and a body has been found.
Addison is sure her cousin has nothing to do with it but the police have other ideas, so she starts to dig into the reasons why some locals might be guilty.
I really enjoyed this quick read. It was a fun whodunnit which had me changing my mind a couple of times before working out the culprit.
The narration was excellent, easy on the ear and I do love the Australian accent.
A perfect example of a cosy mystery. I hope the others in the series are made into audiobooks too.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2026
A great big ‘thank you’ to NetGalley and
Bolinda Audio for the Arc Audio Book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Arson at the Art Gallery (Book 1 of A Getaway Bay Mystery)
by Catherine Lee and narrated by Pen Larkins. Set in Queensland, Australia - one of my absolute favorite places in the world - a woman moves to Getaway Bay to fix up an old beach house dreaming of turning it into a bed and breakfast but only to have her plans derailed when her cousin’s art gallery goes up in flames and she’s left to uncover the mystery behind a murder.
It was a relatively short read/listen with quite a few twists and turns. I think having an Australian voice over artist was the icing on the cake for me. The story line was pretty good and I enjoyed it all in all. Would be interested in book 2 of this series when it comes out.
Bolinda Audio for the Arc Audio Book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Arson at the Art Gallery (Book 1 of A Getaway Bay Mystery)
by Catherine Lee and narrated by Pen Larkins. Set in Queensland, Australia - one of my absolute favorite places in the world - a woman moves to Getaway Bay to fix up an old beach house dreaming of turning it into a bed and breakfast but only to have her plans derailed when her cousin’s art gallery goes up in flames and she’s left to uncover the mystery behind a murder.
It was a relatively short read/listen with quite a few twists and turns. I think having an Australian voice over artist was the icing on the cake for me. The story line was pretty good and I enjoyed it all in all. Would be interested in book 2 of this series when it comes out.
June 28, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
I really enjoyed this quick cozy mystery, the writing captured me right away and the main characters were likeable.
The narrator did a great job keeping me engaged and adding personality to the characters.
I was not expecting the reveal, it was a little out of left field for me but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the ending. If you need a quick and fun mystery, this is a good one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ARC.
I really enjoyed this quick cozy mystery, the writing captured me right away and the main characters were likeable.
The narrator did a great job keeping me engaged and adding personality to the characters.
I was not expecting the reveal, it was a little out of left field for me but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the ending. If you need a quick and fun mystery, this is a good one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ARC.
June 1, 2026
This was a good book. Lots of topics and emotions one reads through and was presented very well. Strong women doing things to get their lives going.
July 8, 2026
2.5 stars. Pleasant enough. Predictable. Not very detailed.
July 9, 2026
Cozy, suspenseful, australian. I loved it!
August 6, 2026
Quite a short story, listened on audiobook on the car. Easy listening, nothing too exciting or scary to put me off driving!
A gentle murder with a twist that I predicted
A gentle murder with a twist that I predicted
October 28, 2026
Love this author’s later books, but I’m not a cosy mystery lover. This was, thankfully, a very short read. Lots of eye rolls and loopholes. Don’t judge the author based on this.
June 8, 2026
Many thanks to the author, Bolinda Audio, and Netgalley for ALC of this book.
Addison has just moved to Getaway bay to the beach house that she has recently bought to finally start living again. She is planning on renovating the beach house and then run an AirBnB once all sorted which would then give her company as well as something to do once her daughter goes off to college.
But everything comes to a stop still when her cousin's art gallery is set on fire with her younger cousin found dead inside on the first night of her being there. Addison feels compelled to look into what has happened because it looks like the cops are following a different trail that might not actually catch the killer. When an unsavoury character from the past also pops back up, the urgency is real.
Very excited to see future books in this small town murder mystery series.
The narrator was brilliant and listening to the book red in an Aussie accent made a lot more difference than I would have initially thought.
TW: Arson, Murder, mentions of DV, stalking
Addison has just moved to Getaway bay to the beach house that she has recently bought to finally start living again. She is planning on renovating the beach house and then run an AirBnB once all sorted which would then give her company as well as something to do once her daughter goes off to college.
But everything comes to a stop still when her cousin's art gallery is set on fire with her younger cousin found dead inside on the first night of her being there. Addison feels compelled to look into what has happened because it looks like the cops are following a different trail that might not actually catch the killer. When an unsavoury character from the past also pops back up, the urgency is real.
Very excited to see future books in this small town murder mystery series.
The narrator was brilliant and listening to the book red in an Aussie accent made a lot more difference than I would have initially thought.
TW: Arson, Murder, mentions of DV, stalking
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews