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Deadline Cozy Mystery #1
Sunny Side Up
Previous cover edition for the Kindle edition with ASIN: B01K5WHEZ6
“He deserves to be murdered.”
“Who said that?”
“Apparently, you did.”
With her bitter divorce behind her, Eve Lloyd wants to relax and think about her next step. Paying her aunt, Mira Lloyd, a.k.a. Elizabeth Lloyd, renown historical romance author, a long overdue visit, she plans to spend a month on Rock-Maine Island lounging around and plotting the launch of her new life. Her ex-husband, however, has other ideas. As for her aunt… she’s gone missing. And now there’s a dead body to contend with and a murder weapon with her fingerprints on it.
A mantle of suspicion hangs over Eve and everyone she encounters has a reason to want her out of the way. Unwilling to leave matters in the hands of swoon worthy Detective Jack Bradford… only because it’s her civic duty to provide a new perspective, Eve Lloyd engages the assistance of her new friend and fellow suspect, Jill Saunders. They both stumble their way through a long list of possible motives and suspects in a race to find the killer before either one turns into the next victim.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
“He deserves to be murdered.”
“Who said that?”
“Apparently, you did.”
With her bitter divorce behind her, Eve Lloyd wants to relax and think about her next step. Paying her aunt, Mira Lloyd, a.k.a. Elizabeth Lloyd, renown historical romance author, a long overdue visit, she plans to spend a month on Rock-Maine Island lounging around and plotting the launch of her new life. Her ex-husband, however, has other ideas. As for her aunt… she’s gone missing. And now there’s a dead body to contend with and a murder weapon with her fingerprints on it.
A mantle of suspicion hangs over Eve and everyone she encounters has a reason to want her out of the way. Unwilling to leave matters in the hands of swoon worthy Detective Jack Bradford… only because it’s her civic duty to provide a new perspective, Eve Lloyd engages the assistance of her new friend and fellow suspect, Jill Saunders. They both stumble their way through a long list of possible motives and suspects in a race to find the killer before either one turns into the next victim.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
164 pages, ebook
First published February 7, 2017
1626 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
Sonia Parin
124 books199 followersI write Cozy Mysteries: humorous historical (1920s), contemporary and paranormal.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 1, 2020
3 stars to Sonia Parin's Sunny Side Up, the first issue in her "Deadline" Cozy Mystery series. I stumbled upon this free e-book last fall and thought it might be a fun read. As I was cleaning up my Kindle Reader on my iPad today, I re-found it and decided to give it a chance, since it was under 100 pages. Cute read, a bit simple, but has potential as a series.
Story
Eve Lloyd sold her NY restaurant and divorced her useless ex-husband, rented out her apartment on a six-month lease and took a trip to visit her aunt. But when she arrived, her aunt was gone and the townsfolk found Eve quite strange. She comes back from dinner with her aunt's real estate agent and finds a dead body in her kitchen with a woman she'd only met the day before, claiming she just walked in on the dead body. As she tries to establish her own alibi, and prevent the townsfolk from thinking she's guilty, Eve finds a few new friends and develops a crush on the detective. She's captured by the perpetrator before the end and almost meets her own maker, but luckily the detective saves her. And Eve learns what her ex-husband did to try to save her.
Strengths
A cute, fun, simple read... nice intro to the cast of characters and the town. Easy for a light afternoon. Good beginning for a new series that shows promise.
Suggestions
It needs depth. Dialogue was a little combative in the beginning. Wish I knew more about her parents and why she's so close to her aunt. Everything just sorta "comes together" as a setup for the series... just hoping it isn't always like that as it would be too simple.
Final Thoughts
It's a light-and-quick read in between complex plots or an emotional roller-coaster of a read. Give it a chance but look at it as just a couple of hours of fun.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
Story
Eve Lloyd sold her NY restaurant and divorced her useless ex-husband, rented out her apartment on a six-month lease and took a trip to visit her aunt. But when she arrived, her aunt was gone and the townsfolk found Eve quite strange. She comes back from dinner with her aunt's real estate agent and finds a dead body in her kitchen with a woman she'd only met the day before, claiming she just walked in on the dead body. As she tries to establish her own alibi, and prevent the townsfolk from thinking she's guilty, Eve finds a few new friends and develops a crush on the detective. She's captured by the perpetrator before the end and almost meets her own maker, but luckily the detective saves her. And Eve learns what her ex-husband did to try to save her.
Strengths
A cute, fun, simple read... nice intro to the cast of characters and the town. Easy for a light afternoon. Good beginning for a new series that shows promise.
Suggestions
It needs depth. Dialogue was a little combative in the beginning. Wish I knew more about her parents and why she's so close to her aunt. Everything just sorta "comes together" as a setup for the series... just hoping it isn't always like that as it would be too simple.
Final Thoughts
It's a light-and-quick read in between complex plots or an emotional roller-coaster of a read. Give it a chance but look at it as just a couple of hours of fun.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
May 7, 2023
I love murder mysteries. The genre was among the first I fell in love with when I became addicted to my neighborhood library along with horror. The love for science fiction and fantasy, came later. Growing up, Agatha Christie was my favorite female writer period. There was no one else that could write like her, to my young mind. So now, older, supposedly wiser, whenever I get an opportunity to read a new writer, regardless of gender, I pray for a story that will sweep me away with a mystery worthy of the genre. I always try to love a book, and especially when reading a new writer, but I really think that readers needed a little more "save the cat" characterization to make Eve (the MC) more likeable. Eve is a recent divorcee, and recently divorced people are usually not at their best. (Been there.) Sonia Parin focuses on all the things that do NOT make a good detective and gives us that in her amateur sleuth. Eve is accusatory and self-righteous. Why would anyone ever answer any of her interrogatives when every question is laden with accusation? I needed more depth in Eve to make her more sympathetic. It was just an OK quick read that could have been more.
December 11, 2017
Another cute story ruined by the writing. Eve Lloyd is so unbelievable as a sleuth. I think Parin needs to read more mysteries.
Sure this was cozy, but...omigod. She leaps to stupid conclusions faster than an ice cube melts in a hot frying pan. As for all the accusations she throws around... No. It just made her character interactions and Eve look and feel stupid.
As an example of how not to write. How to recognize a book still in draft form...this is your baby.
Sure this was cozy, but...omigod. She leaps to stupid conclusions faster than an ice cube melts in a hot frying pan. As for all the accusations she throws around... No. It just made her character interactions and Eve look and feel stupid.
As an example of how not to write. How to recognize a book still in draft form...this is your baby.
July 22, 2017
This was a surprisingly good read discovered as a freebie through Kindle Australia to introduce you to the series.
A quickly paced cosy read that had you thinking as much as Eve was surmising who the killer was. I loved the humorous back and forth between Eve and her new found friend Jill, and the suspense was certainly ratcheted right up as the killer closed in. A highly recommended cosy mystery and one that I will read more of in the series.
A quickly paced cosy read that had you thinking as much as Eve was surmising who the killer was. I loved the humorous back and forth between Eve and her new found friend Jill, and the suspense was certainly ratcheted right up as the killer closed in. A highly recommended cosy mystery and one that I will read more of in the series.
April 27, 2020
A short cozy mystery that was a light mystery with a few twists. I enjoy Ms. Parin's writing but the main character, Eve Lloyd, I just didn't connect with throughout the story. She's stressed out, unpredictable, jumping to conclusions and has a tendency to just say whatever she's thinking to whoever she's with at the moment. Too much drama for me.
July 2, 2017
Sunny Side Up is a mystery with humor and suspense that keeps you guessing. A getaway after a divorce to visit her aunt finds Eve in the middle of a murder investigation, and she is a suspect. This is a fun read and appropriate for everyone.
June 21, 2017
Sunny side up
What a wonderful read, I enjoyed the story line and the characters were fantastic, Jill and Eve were so humorous with their chattering back and forth. Definitely a must read for Cozy readers!!
What a wonderful read, I enjoyed the story line and the characters were fantastic, Jill and Eve were so humorous with their chattering back and forth. Definitely a must read for Cozy readers!!
July 24, 2022
After working to clear the debts her cheating and embezzling ex-husband created at their co-owned restaurant, Eve Lloyd needs a reset. On a whim, she travels to visit her aunt, Mira, who lives on a sweet little island where the population is small and the crime rate is smaller. Two problems arise immediately: Mira is missing and the body of Eve's ex-husband is found in Mira's cottage.
Most cosies are mind-popcorn and Sunny Side Up is no exception. I wanted entertainment when I started reading this book and, for the most part, I was entertained. The mystery is engaging, though the solution lacked. However, while I would have chosen a different murderer and motive, the author did present a credible scenario. Moreover, I wasn't fond of Eve's method of interrogation. She was snippy at best and accusatory at worst. It's a wonder that the townspeople didn't get together, dream up an archaic bylaw, and have her thrown off the island.
Despite all the negatives, the story flowed. Even at her most irritating, I was hoping Eve would prevail. And Eve's friendship with one of the other suspects created some lovely comedic moments.
I hope that the Eve who emerged at the end of the book continues on in the rest of the series - if so, I'll be happy to spend more time with her.
Most cosies are mind-popcorn and Sunny Side Up is no exception. I wanted entertainment when I started reading this book and, for the most part, I was entertained. The mystery is engaging, though the solution lacked. However, while I would have chosen a different murderer and motive, the author did present a credible scenario. Moreover, I wasn't fond of Eve's method of interrogation. She was snippy at best and accusatory at worst. It's a wonder that the townspeople didn't get together, dream up an archaic bylaw, and have her thrown off the island.
Despite all the negatives, the story flowed. Even at her most irritating, I was hoping Eve would prevail. And Eve's friendship with one of the other suspects created some lovely comedic moments.
I hope that the Eve who emerged at the end of the book continues on in the rest of the series - if so, I'll be happy to spend more time with her.
March 4, 2023
Eve Lloyd sold her restaurant in Manhattan. It's time to accept Aunt Mira's invitation to her home on Rock-Maine Island. However, the planned R&R becomes anything but as Aunt Mira is missing, and Mira not only discovers a murder victim but can identify him. As the newcomer in town, how does she explain she's the only person that knows the victim?
I enjoyed the island setting. I also liked the secondary characters of the bookstore owner, travel agent, and hot detective (although it's become an all too familiar trope in cozies). However, I found it difficult to warm up to Eve or her new friend Jill, who has looked after Mira's home during her past trips. Some may enjoy Eve and Jill's dialogue, considering it repartee or humorous. Still, when together, they spend more time doubting and accusing each other of various activities than developing a bond of friendship. The tone leaned on the sarcastic edge that does not build a bond of friendship for me in characters (or real life).
A quick read that entertains all who enjoy an island setting. I don't plan to continue reading the series.
I enjoyed the island setting. I also liked the secondary characters of the bookstore owner, travel agent, and hot detective (although it's become an all too familiar trope in cozies). However, I found it difficult to warm up to Eve or her new friend Jill, who has looked after Mira's home during her past trips. Some may enjoy Eve and Jill's dialogue, considering it repartee or humorous. Still, when together, they spend more time doubting and accusing each other of various activities than developing a bond of friendship. The tone leaned on the sarcastic edge that does not build a bond of friendship for me in characters (or real life).
A quick read that entertains all who enjoy an island setting. I don't plan to continue reading the series.
October 28, 2019
Cute Cozy Mystery!
Eve has come to visit her aunt on a small Maine island after a devastating betrayal and divorce. Aunt Mira is unexpectedly gone and Eve is suspected of the murder of her ex- husband, whose body is found in the kitchen of her aunt's house. Eve feels she must search for the murderer to exonerate herself. Lots of chases, snooping, suspects and suspicion until the finale outcome explains everything. Very Entertaining read
Eve has come to visit her aunt on a small Maine island after a devastating betrayal and divorce. Aunt Mira is unexpectedly gone and Eve is suspected of the murder of her ex- husband, whose body is found in the kitchen of her aunt's house. Eve feels she must search for the murderer to exonerate herself. Lots of chases, snooping, suspects and suspicion until the finale outcome explains everything. Very Entertaining read
April 24, 2018
Very enjoyable, light mystery. I especially like the dry humor!
August 21, 2019
A getaway after a divorce to visit her aunt finds Eve in the middle of a murder investigation, and she is a suspect. This is a fun read
August 20, 2020
This was a fun cozy mystery I read over my lunch breaks at work. It was a nice escape.
October 25, 2019
Good fast read
Great for a good fast mystery read! I will certainly look for more from Sonia Parin. A B
C D
Great for a good fast mystery read! I will certainly look for more from Sonia Parin. A B
C D
December 2, 2020
I liked the interplay among the characters. Interesting book with a murder to solve. A handsome detective to help with the case. A divorced main character with a missing Aunt. A female just meet to become a new friend.
October 22, 2019
A fun quick read.
June 20, 2021
Superficial cozy mystery with not much mystery and not much character development.
An okay read to waste a couple hours at beach or poolside, but there are many better cozy mysteries.
An okay read to waste a couple hours at beach or poolside, but there are many better cozy mysteries.
May 29, 2025
No, just no. Even for an amateur sleuth this MC did a horrible job. Her thoughts were all over the place while leaping to wild conclusions that made no sense, the dialogue was cringy, and the actions and thoughts were not ones that a sane person would do/ have. This book could have used another run through and editor and/ or proof reader.
June 30, 2019
Entertaining. Enjoyable. Quick mystery read.
Eve goes to visit her aunt Mira, and becomes a suspect when her ex-husband is found dead in Mira 's kitchen. Disregarding the warning from the lead Detective on the case, Mira and her new friend Jill, continuously theorize about who the murderer could be. They also continuously find themselves in less than favorable situations.
This cozy mystery is entertaining, quick to read, and holds your interest from beginning to end!!
Eve goes to visit her aunt Mira, and becomes a suspect when her ex-husband is found dead in Mira 's kitchen. Disregarding the warning from the lead Detective on the case, Mira and her new friend Jill, continuously theorize about who the murderer could be. They also continuously find themselves in less than favorable situations.
This cozy mystery is entertaining, quick to read, and holds your interest from beginning to end!!
October 4, 2019
Very enjoyable dialogue.
I found the brisk pace of the story and the dialogue very refreshing. I'll have to watch for more of the author's books.
I found the brisk pace of the story and the dialogue very refreshing. I'll have to watch for more of the author's books.
November 23, 2018
Sunny side up
This was a really enjoyable book. It starts with Eve, a chef, who is divorced, recently sold her restaurant and has decided to relax at her aunt Mira’s house on the coast. Her aunt lives on an island right on the beach and Eve spent many summers with her so it feels like home. She tries to reach her aunt who is a romance writer, but her aunt isn’t answering her phone. When Eve arrives her aunt isn’t home but she has her own key so she makes herself at home. She finds out from the travel agent that her aunt isn’t on a trip that anyone knows about and so she assumes she has gone off to think, which is not unusual. There’s a complexity to the plot that I haven’t been seeing lately in cozy mysteries so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The thing I couldn’t quite accept is that her aunt doesn’t try to call her about any of this and just disappears although it does add to the story. I highly recommend reading it!
This was a really enjoyable book. It starts with Eve, a chef, who is divorced, recently sold her restaurant and has decided to relax at her aunt Mira’s house on the coast. Her aunt lives on an island right on the beach and Eve spent many summers with her so it feels like home. She tries to reach her aunt who is a romance writer, but her aunt isn’t answering her phone. When Eve arrives her aunt isn’t home but she has her own key so she makes herself at home. She finds out from the travel agent that her aunt isn’t on a trip that anyone knows about and so she assumes she has gone off to think, which is not unusual. There’s a complexity to the plot that I haven’t been seeing lately in cozy mysteries so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The thing I couldn’t quite accept is that her aunt doesn’t try to call her about any of this and just disappears although it does add to the story. I highly recommend reading it!
August 26, 2018
I had high hopes for this book. The premise was interesting – Eve Lloyd, a newly divorced woman, decides to visit her aunt for a month-long visit while contemplating the next phase of her life. However, upon arriving at her aunt’s home on Rock-Maine Island, she finds that her aunt has gone missing and that there is a murderer on the loose.
Being the outsider on the island, Eve is regarded with suspicion and people want her gone. Though Detective Jack Bradford has things well in hand, Eve is unwilling to sit idly by and, with the help of her new friend and fellow suspect, undertakes the task of finding the killer herself.
I wanted something lighthearted and entertaining. What I got was a story that was silly and annoying at turns with occasional bits of actual sleuthing thrown in.
Rating: 2 stars
Being the outsider on the island, Eve is regarded with suspicion and people want her gone. Though Detective Jack Bradford has things well in hand, Eve is unwilling to sit idly by and, with the help of her new friend and fellow suspect, undertakes the task of finding the killer herself.
I wanted something lighthearted and entertaining. What I got was a story that was silly and annoying at turns with occasional bits of actual sleuthing thrown in.
Rating: 2 stars
June 14, 2018
Just what a Cozy Mystery should be...
I needed a book to 'cleanse my palate' after a very intense, and, sorry to say, boring read. This book did the trick. The mystery was interesting, the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed the humor. Plan to read more of Sonia Parin's books.
I needed a book to 'cleanse my palate' after a very intense, and, sorry to say, boring read. This book did the trick. The mystery was interesting, the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed the humor. Plan to read more of Sonia Parin's books.
January 7, 2019
Brilliant and engrossing.
Like my favorite potato chips, one just can't read just one of these mysteries. I'm on my 9th and I know once I finish I'll want more of Eve and Rock-Maine Island. Sonia does a fantastic job of making her cast of characters belivable and, for the most part , likable. Yes, one simply can't go wrong picking up anything written by Ms Parin!
Like my favorite potato chips, one just can't read just one of these mysteries. I'm on my 9th and I know once I finish I'll want more of Eve and Rock-Maine Island. Sonia does a fantastic job of making her cast of characters belivable and, for the most part , likable. Yes, one simply can't go wrong picking up anything written by Ms Parin!
June 17, 2018
The ex who tried to do the right thing
Loved the main character - spunky, divorcee who doesn't take things lying down. A murder (her ex) has her viewing everyone with distrust. Can she solve the murder before another death? A great easy read cozy with a hint of romance.
Loved the main character - spunky, divorcee who doesn't take things lying down. A murder (her ex) has her viewing everyone with distrust. Can she solve the murder before another death? A great easy read cozy with a hint of romance.
June 24, 2018
A welcome read
Smart, likable, interesting characters. Enjoyable conversation with plot not easily predictable. Interested in reading more in this series- developing Jack and Mira’s relationship.
Smart, likable, interesting characters. Enjoyable conversation with plot not easily predictable. Interested in reading more in this series- developing Jack and Mira’s relationship.
June 7, 2018
Great. Short story
This rates a 5 star rating, but the darn thing didn't cooperate. Looking forward to more books from this author
This rates a 5 star rating, but the darn thing didn't cooperate. Looking forward to more books from this author
June 22, 2018
A little romance, a good dose of suspense
I like Sonia Parin's writing style. Likeable characters in a setting that is easy to visualize. Looking forward to the next book.
I like Sonia Parin's writing style. Likeable characters in a setting that is easy to visualize. Looking forward to the next book.
July 5, 2018
Nice
I enjoyed this story . It was the first time I read a book by this author and I like the way she told the story.
I enjoyed this story . It was the first time I read a book by this author and I like the way she told the story.
October 15, 2018
A nice interesting cozy set in a semi rural area not all that far from NYC. Great characters and creative sleuthing with an interesting bunch of red herrings. Very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews