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Dune House Mystery #1-4

Dune House Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4

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Start a heartwarming cozy mystery series with endearing friendships, puzzling mysteries, and a little romance, with the first four books in the bestselling Dune House Cozy Mystery Series in this box set.When Suzie inherits a grand, old house on the beach, she together with her best-friend, Mary, go to see the dilapidated structure. With Suzie looking for a new challenge and Mary’s impending divorce, the friends decide to refurbish the old house back into its former glory as a majestic B&B. What started off as a few days away turns into a new beginning. In their fifties the two friends never expected the exciting adventures their decision would lead to. They love life in the beautiful beachside setting, filled with fun, new romances and a bit of sleuthing.This box set Seaside SecretsBoats & Bad GuysTreasured HistoryHidden HideawaysIf you like page-turning cozy mysteries with strong female sleuths, baffling mysteries and a long list of suspicious characters, you'll love these heartwarming whodunnits by USA Today and WSJ Bestselling Author Cindy Bell.Get the Dune House Cozy Mystery Box Set and start solving the mysteries today!

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2017

966 people are currently reading
483 people want to read

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Cindy Bell

226 books328 followers

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5 stars
476 (45%)
4 stars
318 (30%)
3 stars
169 (16%)
2 stars
53 (5%)
1 star
20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
20 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2018
You get what you pay for

Ms. Bell needs to spend less time writing and more time editing. The stories are predictable with grammar and punctuation errors (not to mention wrong words) on every page. The books were free. Every one in a while, a free book is a wonderful surprise. Not this time.
689 reviews
April 27, 2018
I read two of the four books hoping the writing would get better, it didn't. The author 'told' us nearly everything, there was very little 'showing'. It's difficult to stay interested in a book when you can't get involved in the story. Not going to bother with the other two books.

I love the premise of 50 something women sleuthing, but the main character, Suzie, kept being dumb. I like my heroines to have at least a modicum of smarts. Her friend Mary was smarter, but never over road Suzie.
29 reviews
May 1, 2018
All the elements that should make up a good series: beachside b & b, two single female friends in their 50s to fix it up and run it, mysterious happenings. But the books need more editing and seem to be all writing to a formula. Ok, but not really good.
Profile Image for Wendy Hodges.
2,908 reviews42 followers
February 28, 2023
Book one is interesting and a little quirky. A small town with a person who appears to have his hands in everything related to the town and people. A mysterious heart attack with no signs of health issues or drug use. A son who was estranged from his father and an old house in need of some love and care. Two friends who are at a bit of a crossroads when one is left the house. But she has a background of being very determined in investigating stories. I enjoyed it, it's well written and has a nice flow and wonderful characters, clues popping up all over the place so a fairly easy one to solve.

Book two
Only short but interesting with a treasure map. A mystery surrounding the suicide of a local artist inspires the friend duo into investigating, but the finding of a map puts them in the sights of a couple of undesirables. Didn't take long to read but the series is fairly light so makes a change from most of the books I read. There is a hint of romance in this one as well.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-readOriginalPage-turnerRealisticTwistedUnpredictableWittyWonderful characters

Book three

Wonderful characters with crazy hidden agendas arrive to stay at Dune house on opening day, they certainly keep Susie and Mary on their toes. A damaged pipe leads to another mystery to solve with at least two out four guests as suspects. A possible connection to the civil war is just one of the clues for the amateur sleuths and police detective Jason to look into. These stories only take about an hour to read but they fairly light and easy reading, well written with a little romance thrown in.

Book four

Boy! This got a bit worrying for a bit, suspense and some action in this close call mystery. Plus the romance moves on between Paul and Susie. The sleuths take on rescuing and proving someone is innocent as a body is washed up on a nearby beach. I loved Paul sticking up for Susie, Trent was out of order, Jason I know was only doing his job but I think if he had been there at the start he would have done the same, these two women have worked their way into several hearts in the few months they have been at Dune House. I love that each mystery has been very different and interesting, these stories are only short, more novella size than anything, but for readers who like different and a little quirky as well as fairly light, then this series is ideal. Well written with some fun and banter so not all heavy, this does have it's serious side but I found it a wonderful read.
305 reviews
April 1, 2018
Cute who-done-it

This is the first four books in the series. Mary inherited an old mansion, converting it into a bed and breakfast with the help of her best friend Sylvia. Together they run into multiple problems: murders and drug runners. Solving the problems they found new friends and helped clean out corruption. A fun read for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and short stories.
Profile Image for K.T..
Author 39 books66 followers
May 30, 2018
The writing was a little wooden and I struggled with that. I found some of it a bit tongue in cheek and there was way too much description of how darn jolly their friendship was. Felt a bit forced at times and the plot would have benefitted from the time put in to stroking the characters and probably fleshed them out better. Solid plots but just not expanded enough. A Sunday afternoon read really. Lots may love it so don't be put off by me.
16 reviews
June 18, 2018
I really enjoyed reading about Suzie and Mary's adventures in Dune House. Being I am about their age, I could relate to them both in ways perhaps others cant. I highly recommend this set to anyone who enjoys mysteries as well as very likable characters. The history of Dune House makes these stories very fascinating. Who doesn't love to hear stories about the old days and the memories of the places.
242 reviews
May 23, 2018
Investigative Reporter Can’t Stop

Retirement doesn’t kill the curious nature of Susie. She inherits a B&B, but can’t let the mystery of why her uncle left it to her instead of his own son. She doesn’t trust anyone, but herself to solve anything so the mysteries keep coming. Great middle-aged sleuthing!
670 reviews7 followers
May 29, 2018
Great set of stories.

I will be looking for the rest of this story line and anything else by this author. Cindy Bell has a great way with words. Her descriptions and dialogue make you feel as though you were part of the plot. Each book finishes the story line but leads you into the next book. Give this a try for a good old fashioned cosy mystery.
285 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2018
I really enjoyed reading these entertaining stories of Suzie and Mary starting their b and b and the characters that they meet.
From the time Suzie inherits the house to the end of book four immerse yourself in the picturesque town and the people that live their. Really looking forward to the next one
Profile Image for Carolyn.
466 reviews
November 8, 2019
Midlife Career Change For Two

Suzy and Mary had been best friends since the met now they both need a change. Mary I’d divorcing and Suzy inherits a former bed and breakfast that they plan to rehabilitate and run. Lots of mysteries to solve and new lives to experience. Fun stories and quick reads. Great series and author. Recommend.
50 reviews
January 17, 2022
poorly Written

I did read the first 4 books hoping they would get better. They did not. The books were written at maybe a 4th grade reading level. There were so many grammatical errors, I stopped counting. Use of adverbs was non existent Simplistic plots. It was my fault for wasting my time reading these books. I will not continue the series.
143 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery series

Thankfully your books popped up on my Kindle subscription. I like the easy reading these books provided. The stories were captivating and at times thrilling. I like that there were not too many characters in these books. Some book have too many characters keep track of. I look forward to finished this series.
Mahalo,
Robert Ericksen
729 reviews7 followers
August 5, 2017
Truly Wonderful Series

I kind of read these out of order but after reading a later one in the series I absolutely had to start from the beginning. Let me tell you it was worth reading. It's a series I plan to follow.
14 reviews
April 1, 2018
Sweet mysteries, ideal beach reading

These are great books to read at the beach. Short sweet mysteries that will entertain you without bogging you down. Each book is a very easy afternoon read.
Profile Image for Nancy.
75 reviews
April 1, 2018
The premise of the story was intriguing, thus 2 stars instead of 1. The writing must get better, as this series has a dozen books; I couldn't get through the first one. Good writers paint me a picture with their words. This book was entirely telling, rather than showing. Boring...
Profile Image for Angel Graham.
Author 1 book33 followers
April 7, 2018
I really wanted to like this box set, but just didn't as much as I had hoped. My biggest problem was the telling, not showing. Also, needs a lot of editing. Fun premise, I like the 50 something ladies as sleuths, but they took a lot of unnecessary risks.
Profile Image for carol wishart.
20 reviews
April 23, 2018
The whole book set

All the four books in this boxed set where: once you start reading you can't stop. There are plenty of twists that you think you know who done it but it then makes you think again.
Profile Image for Adelheid.
59 reviews5 followers
May 10, 2018
Average

The initial premise and characters have a lot of promise, but this set of short, forgettable stories falls short of holding long-term interest. The author includes some pathetic foreshadowing in each, so not much mystery here.
175 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2018
Short stories

This set is a very fast read. Each story is a very typical cozy mystery. It's hard to imagine a person like Suzie being as gutsy as she is in the stories. It was entertaining.
100 reviews
May 18, 2018
Very enjoyable

I really liked the pluckiness of the characters. Suzie and Mary were a fun balance of determination and caution. They are a fun team both in running the bed and breakfast and solving problems. Very enjoyable stories.
Profile Image for Elswet.
24 reviews
June 19, 2018
So Sweet

These are very sweet and enjoyable. “Cozy” is the perfect term for this series, at least so far. I wish I could continue it. It has been a delightful diversion from my usual.
144 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2018
Dodgy Dealings, Here I Come

Cindy Bell, you have captured my attention with this book set. Good plot, good characters, good interweaving of storyline. Excited to read Dodgy Dealings next!
Profile Image for Karen Morzella.
5 reviews
September 7, 2018
Love it..Characters r refreshing and my age!! Now just find Mary someone. Can’t wait to start the rest of the series .

No dislikes here. Keep the series going...
Love that the characters our around my age it makes it more fun.
131 reviews
November 21, 2018
Sweet nothins

A woman in her 50s world experienced. refuses to kiss a m@n who she is very attracted to for a very long time. Just too cautious? This is a "very cute" series of stories. But not romantic in the least. Loyalty is the predominate emotion up until the very end.
82 reviews
May 15, 2021
Very enjoyable

Susie, Mary and lead you on a series of exciting and mysterious hunts for the murderer. They all live in a small beach town that has fun, mystery and intrigue at every turn.
11 reviews
July 17, 2022
Great stories. Couldn't stop reading

Great stories. You could almost smell the salty air when Cindy described Dune house. Kept me guessing who would be next
Really liked the collection
21 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2022
Historic Hune House Mysteries

Loved this series. Very easy reading. Keeps your attention. Suzie and Mary restore the Historic June House and turn it into a B & B. These are mysteries about some of their guests. Thoroughly enjoyed every one!
422 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2023
Dune Home Cozy Mystery

I really enjoyed reading these books. I like a mystery that is easy to read and doesn't twist in several directions. I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Cindy Bell.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

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