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Murder by Month Mystery #1
May Day
Big fish. Little pond. Dead body?!? Yeah, don't worry about me. I'll be fine...
The not-so-proud owner of a dead-end job and a cheating boyfriend, cosmopolitan Mira James jumps at the chance for a fresh start in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota. She immediately regrets her move. That is, until she crosses paths with Jeff, the ultimate sexy nerd. When their romance heats up, she thinks she has it made.
And she does, right up until Jeff turns up dead.
Anxious to learn more about the man who briefly stole her heart, Mira delves into Battle Lake's mysteries, including an old land deed obscuring ancient Ojibwe secrets, an octogenarian crowd with freaky social lives, and a handful of thirty-something high school buddies who hold bitter, decades-old grudges.
Mira soon discovers that unknown dangers are concealed under the polite exterior of this quirky town, and revenge is a tator tot hotdish best served cold.
May Day is a laugh-out-loud romantic comic caper mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy the humorous mysteries of Liliana Hart, Chelsea Field, Gina LaManna, Janet Evanovich, Denise Grover Swank, Amy Vansant, and Stephanie Bond. If you love to laugh while reading a page-turning mystery, this series is for you!
May Day is the first in an ongoing series featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. The books can be read in any order; each novel stands alone.
The not-so-proud owner of a dead-end job and a cheating boyfriend, cosmopolitan Mira James jumps at the chance for a fresh start in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota. She immediately regrets her move. That is, until she crosses paths with Jeff, the ultimate sexy nerd. When their romance heats up, she thinks she has it made.
And she does, right up until Jeff turns up dead.
Anxious to learn more about the man who briefly stole her heart, Mira delves into Battle Lake's mysteries, including an old land deed obscuring ancient Ojibwe secrets, an octogenarian crowd with freaky social lives, and a handful of thirty-something high school buddies who hold bitter, decades-old grudges.
Mira soon discovers that unknown dangers are concealed under the polite exterior of this quirky town, and revenge is a tator tot hotdish best served cold.
May Day is a laugh-out-loud romantic comic caper mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy the humorous mysteries of Liliana Hart, Chelsea Field, Gina LaManna, Janet Evanovich, Denise Grover Swank, Amy Vansant, and Stephanie Bond. If you love to laugh while reading a page-turning mystery, this series is for you!
May Day is the first in an ongoing series featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. The books can be read in any order; each novel stands alone.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2006
3361 people are currently reading
16380 people want to read
About the author
Jess Lourey
50 books4,440 followersMy name is Jess Lourey, and I write about secrets.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews
March 21, 2020
An interesting enough cozy that sees Mira moving to a small country town, meeting the man of her dreams, then being stood up by him. She shows up for work on Monday, just to stumble across his dead body. Mira is then on a mission to find out who killed him and why.
Easier said than done, in a town full of whimsical characters, who often have their own secrets. A lot of which Mira really didn't want to know. After some hilarious encounters, which leaves the reader chuckling, Mira narrows down her list of suspects and hones in on the killer.
An amusing, light read, I found May Day to be just what I needed after a long week at work. It takes a lighthearted view, and for all lovers of cozy mysteries it's worth a read.
Easier said than done, in a town full of whimsical characters, who often have their own secrets. A lot of which Mira really didn't want to know. After some hilarious encounters, which leaves the reader chuckling, Mira narrows down her list of suspects and hones in on the killer.
An amusing, light read, I found May Day to be just what I needed after a long week at work. It takes a lighthearted view, and for all lovers of cozy mysteries it's worth a read.
April 12, 2024
This is the first in the murder by the month mystery series. I love the idea of a cozy mystery/rom com series and this book did not disappoint. Mira has a horrible day where she loses her job, finds her boyfriend cheating, and doesn’t know what to do next when her friend calls and begs her to come house sit for her while she goes with her boyfriend to Alaska. Despite not wanting to go back to small town life Mira agrees and quickly gets part time jobs at the library and the newspaper. When she meets a handsome man she thinks are really turning up for her until she finds him dead in the library. Determined to figure out what happened she begins to investigate despite her lack of knowledge of the town. I thought the humor was good in this one and I liked the Minnesota culture that was in it. The one thing I didn’t like was Mira’s reaction to Jake and the ending of their connection. I felt like she owed him an explanation. I’m excited to see what other exploits Mira gets into with the rest of this series.
July 1, 2021
Mira’s life in Minneapolis is falling apart, so when a chance comes up to be an assistant librarian and part time reporter in the small town of Battle Lake, Minnesota, she jumps at the chance. She’s not expecting her love life to be super active there, but then she meets Jeff, and it is love at first sight. At least it is for a week until she finds his dead body in the middle of the library one morning when she goes to open it. Worried that she is a jinx, Mira decides to figure out what happened. The fact that she can turn it into an article for the paper is an added bonus. Will she figure out what happened?
This series has been on my radar for years, so it was with anticipation that I picked up this book. I was very disappointed with it. While we start out with Mira finding the dead body, we then flashback to get background on the characters. The result was a slow start to the book. The mystery was decent, with enough to keep me engaged and an ending that surprised me. The characters were more types, built to create comedy instead of be real characters. And most of the jokes didn’t land, especially since they were more raunchy than funny. This definitely isn’t one of my typical cozies, and I found that content off-putting. It was almost forced into the book. I really did want to like this book, especially since I have a few others in the series already. But I will probably move on without reading them.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This series has been on my radar for years, so it was with anticipation that I picked up this book. I was very disappointed with it. While we start out with Mira finding the dead body, we then flashback to get background on the characters. The result was a slow start to the book. The mystery was decent, with enough to keep me engaged and an ending that surprised me. The characters were more types, built to create comedy instead of be real characters. And most of the jokes didn’t land, especially since they were more raunchy than funny. This definitely isn’t one of my typical cozies, and I found that content off-putting. It was almost forced into the book. I really did want to like this book, especially since I have a few others in the series already. But I will probably move on without reading them.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 12, 2019
This was an interesting and sometimes entertaining read. The main character is witty and humorous at times, but occasionally her humor is in poor taste. There is a love interest, a back story that lets you understand some of the main character's reactions to certain situations, a murder and quirky secondary characters.
While the main character is not always admirable, you do tend to understand her. There are a few things that could have been better researched such as public information around wills. Overall, the book is well-written with decent pacing and has a few plot twists and turns that keep it interesting. I will give the next book in the series a chance.
While the main character is not always admirable, you do tend to understand her. There are a few things that could have been better researched such as public information around wills. Overall, the book is well-written with decent pacing and has a few plot twists and turns that keep it interesting. I will give the next book in the series a chance.
May 9, 2025
3.5 stars
In 2020 I jumped into this series at book 7 (November Hunt). I was charmed and read on to the series’ end. I always thought that I would return to the earlier volumes and enjoy getting to know Mira, Mrs. Berns, and the whole cast of Battle Lake characters. Finally, I've got around to it.
I'm glad that I didn't begin here actually, as Lourey hadn't really found her groove yet. Mira is fairly well defined—I recognize her despite her potential alcohol problems and her non-vegetarian menus. I was thrilled when Mrs. Berns showed up in the first pages (more stewing hen than spring chicken), but she and Mira haven't connected yet. I'll be interested to see which book sees them becoming friends and co-conspirators.
I may be mistaken, but this is the earliest book I could find by Lourey, but I can already see a lot of the things that make me like her work. Her female characters are realistic, not a Mary Sue among them. They've got problems, they've got secrets, they've got questionable judgment, plus they are curious as cats. I also love the Minnesota setting, a place I've never visited but feel like I know because of Lourey's novels. Battle Lake seems like the Minnesotan version of Agatha Christie's St. Mary Mead, a small community where it's possible to recognize everyone and to have an opinion about them. Plus, Lourey is really good at thinking up really creepy situations for her characters, even in this cozy mystery.
I wouldn't do the amount of lock picking that Mira does, which is the one thing that I didn't care for here, but this is a common feature of cozy mysteries, much to my chagrin. I hate it but I can't avoid it. And it makes me wonder how many people would feel justified doing a bit of B&E to find out a bit of information? Despite this bugbear of mine, I enjoy Mira and this series and I plan to continue on reading them.
In 2020 I jumped into this series at book 7 (November Hunt). I was charmed and read on to the series’ end. I always thought that I would return to the earlier volumes and enjoy getting to know Mira, Mrs. Berns, and the whole cast of Battle Lake characters. Finally, I've got around to it.
I'm glad that I didn't begin here actually, as Lourey hadn't really found her groove yet. Mira is fairly well defined—I recognize her despite her potential alcohol problems and her non-vegetarian menus. I was thrilled when Mrs. Berns showed up in the first pages (more stewing hen than spring chicken), but she and Mira haven't connected yet. I'll be interested to see which book sees them becoming friends and co-conspirators.
I may be mistaken, but this is the earliest book I could find by Lourey, but I can already see a lot of the things that make me like her work. Her female characters are realistic, not a Mary Sue among them. They've got problems, they've got secrets, they've got questionable judgment, plus they are curious as cats. I also love the Minnesota setting, a place I've never visited but feel like I know because of Lourey's novels. Battle Lake seems like the Minnesotan version of Agatha Christie's St. Mary Mead, a small community where it's possible to recognize everyone and to have an opinion about them. Plus, Lourey is really good at thinking up really creepy situations for her characters, even in this cozy mystery.
I wouldn't do the amount of lock picking that Mira does, which is the one thing that I didn't care for here, but this is a common feature of cozy mysteries, much to my chagrin. I hate it but I can't avoid it. And it makes me wonder how many people would feel justified doing a bit of B&E to find out a bit of information? Despite this bugbear of mine, I enjoy Mira and this series and I plan to continue on reading them.
November 30, 2012
I picked this book up for free in the kindle store. I'm just now getting around to it. It was strongly suggested that this book was a "cozy " mystery. I think some hardcore cozy readers might disagree . Most cozies lack strong language and crude sexual comments. The F bomb was dropped a time or two and some of the jokes were a little rough.
Mira is staying at a friend's farm in small town Minnesota. She gets a job at the small library. She meets a nice guy and starts to care about him, then he is murdered. Mira wants to know why. So she becomes an amatuer sleuth.
Well, let me tell ya, this is one whacked town. The deeper Mira digs, the stranger it gets.
There were a few creepy moments and I did get a chuckle out of Mira's narrative a time or two. It wasn't a terrible book by any means, just not what I was expecting. I think it would help if the book was described as a humorous mystery.
Overall a C -.
Mira is staying at a friend's farm in small town Minnesota. She gets a job at the small library. She meets a nice guy and starts to care about him, then he is murdered. Mira wants to know why. So she becomes an amatuer sleuth.
Well, let me tell ya, this is one whacked town. The deeper Mira digs, the stranger it gets.
There were a few creepy moments and I did get a chuckle out of Mira's narrative a time or two. It wasn't a terrible book by any means, just not what I was expecting. I think it would help if the book was described as a humorous mystery.
Overall a C -.
June 1, 2024
I LOVE Jess Lourey, but I think I now love Mira more! Surrounded by whimsical characters and a dead body, she makes the best of the situation in the most hilarious ways possible. Believable? No. Hysterical, though? Yes! Sign me up for more.
June 11, 2015
I did not really like this book. It was crude and poorly written. I think she tried to hard to make her descriptions different and apparently she isn't getting enough sex, so that's all she had her main character think about. I rated it 2.25 of 5 stars, which may have been a little high.
abandoned
August 11, 2021I just can't make a connection with anything in this book ... the story line, the setting and worst of all, the main character. A snarky comment can be funny, but snarky all the time just gets old. I see a young woman who is unhappy with herself and everything around her.
August 22, 2015
Several things about this book really irritated me. First, the author has no ear for a southern accent. I know that Kennie's accent was supposed to be fake, but the syntax was wrong and ya'll is NOT singular. If a true southerner is speaking to one person, then the word you is used. Second, the main character described common, ordinary things in the most disgusting ways. Everything, from a cow's tongue to an old woman's neck became awful, creepy things. Third, when the main character spoke or thought about sex it was done in crude and coarse language. None of these things added to the story.
February 21, 2015
Does anyone in Minnesota actually use "ya'll" as a singular pronoun? Man, that's bothering the crap out of me. It's plural, dammit! I should go to sleep...
January 2, 2021
What an unpleasant read this was. The writer seems to have been going for an irreverent and snarky heroine, but she landed on just plain mean. The pervasive ageism and blatant transphobia (a subplot added just for humour- this wasn't that funny back in 2006 when this book was published, either) just confirmed the 1 star status.
August 6, 2021
DNF around page 50.
Just not for me. This was a book club pick.
The main character is an idiot who couldn't make a good choice to save her life.
Just not for me. This was a book club pick.
The main character is an idiot who couldn't make a good choice to save her life.
November 26, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 👒🐕
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of twelve
Mia is asked to come Minnesota to take care of a friend's home and dogs. She meets a man looking for land for his company. He is murdered! But why? She keeps asking questions which leads to the truth and arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 🐶😮 2024 🏠👒
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of twelve
Mia is asked to come Minnesota to take care of a friend's home and dogs. She meets a man looking for land for his company. He is murdered! But why? She keeps asking questions which leads to the truth and arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 🐶😮 2024 🏠👒
April 3, 2024
This was a cute murder mystery novel. I have never read anything written by Jess Lourey before, but this one was really easy to read, had the perfect amount of characters, not to mention had the right amount of twists and turns. Great who done it book, perfect for any book club, or an easy rainy day read.
Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2024
This was a good book about a librarian that worked to solve the mystery of a small town murder after being new in town. It was interesting to see her meet all the town folk and form opinions about people. I'm very excited about this murder by month series that is being republished month by month this year and next year by a new (to me) local author I've discovered and met! This was the first installment, and I just received book 2 in the mail today, right in time for June. It is titled June Bug.
June 26, 2024
There's ageism, transphobia, and misogyny, but other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play? The mystery itself is reasonably well-done -- the main character Mira's lightbulb moment in solving it didn't make a ton of sense to me, but that could have been me just not paying attention to earlier clues) -- but then Mira would think or say something ignorant/hateful. I could never tell if the character's unlikeability was intentional or a reflection of the author's, who was otherwise competent. I didn't hate this as much as I feel like I should have, but I won't be reading anything else in the series.
July 8, 2020
Fast paced romance/mystery set in small town Minnesota.
Not my usual style, but I quite enjoyed this first book in the Mira James Mystery series, set in Battle Lake, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The connection with the Public Library and the surprising twist leading to the finale were a bonus.
Not my usual style, but I quite enjoyed this first book in the Mira James Mystery series, set in Battle Lake, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The connection with the Public Library and the surprising twist leading to the finale were a bonus.
April 23, 2022
This book is well written and of good pace. The mystery was also interesting. I just don't much care for the narrator, so I'm going to let this one go.
May 4, 2024
This book is getting a new release, which is how I picked this up to read. From the blurb, I thought it may be a cosy mystery, at least the type of cosy mystery I'm used to reading. I'd label this as a general mystery, because of much of the content. And I think this more aligns with books such as the Stephanie Plum series, written by Janet Evanovich.
My thoughts on this are mixed. I liked the way the book started to setup the character and the new small town setting of Battle Lake. The character lands a job in a library, which was another bonus, and is house sitting with two pets and starting a small vegetable garden. Two more ticks. But then Mira starts becoming man hungry, and that's definitely developed into a main characteristic in the book. So much so that she meets a guy in the library and it turns into insta-love, an element I'm not a fan of in books. And this is where the book veers away from cosy mystery territory to me.
What I did like is the clever way the author ties in Mira writing an article for the local newspaper about the murder, giving her some cover to investigate. Of course, the investigation becomes bigger than just nosing around and asking questions, and it's the investigation side that felt more cosy to me, but not all the time. So mixed feelings on that as well.
But overall it's a good mystery that may be a little simple in construct, but entertaining in execution. I like many elements of the small town setting. We have a cast of characters that are stereotypes, but they are fun and interesting. Mira, as a protagonist, is a little too volatile at times for a cosy, but I can see room for development in the series.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy of the book for an honest review. All comments are my own.
My thoughts on this are mixed. I liked the way the book started to setup the character and the new small town setting of Battle Lake. The character lands a job in a library, which was another bonus, and is house sitting with two pets and starting a small vegetable garden. Two more ticks. But then Mira starts becoming man hungry, and that's definitely developed into a main characteristic in the book. So much so that she meets a guy in the library and it turns into insta-love, an element I'm not a fan of in books. And this is where the book veers away from cosy mystery territory to me.
What I did like is the clever way the author ties in Mira writing an article for the local newspaper about the murder, giving her some cover to investigate. Of course, the investigation becomes bigger than just nosing around and asking questions, and it's the investigation side that felt more cosy to me, but not all the time. So mixed feelings on that as well.
But overall it's a good mystery that may be a little simple in construct, but entertaining in execution. I like many elements of the small town setting. We have a cast of characters that are stereotypes, but they are fun and interesting. Mira, as a protagonist, is a little too volatile at times for a cosy, but I can see room for development in the series.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy of the book for an honest review. All comments are my own.
May 8, 2024
Jess Lourey is one of my favorite authors and I am so happy she is re releasing murder by the month series. The plot does center around a murder but is hilarious and if you are from Minnesota you will throughly enjoy this book. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series. If you are up from some humor along with who done it plot, this book is for you.
June 6, 2025
I really wanted to like this first installment of the Month by Month romcom mystery series. I found it to be just kind of meh. I was ok with the writing style but it felt like it dragged. I was not a fan of the FMC. I gave up about 12% in.
November 13, 2022
MAY DAY
By: Jess Lourey
🐡
My first book ever to read free on the library's Libby app! I wanted to read another by Lourey after "Quarry," but I didn't feel the need to buy one.
🐡
This was an entertaining one. It had a bit of romance & some mystery. It seemed slow-paced to me, & although it is part of an 15 or so book series, I doubt I will read another.
🐡
Mira is an interesting character. I like that she is independent & single, & she charts her own course. The other characters is this one are also interesting.
🐡
The guy Mira is interested in dies fairly early in this one, & trying to determine who killed him kept my interest.
🐡🐡🐡
By: Jess Lourey
🐡
My first book ever to read free on the library's Libby app! I wanted to read another by Lourey after "Quarry," but I didn't feel the need to buy one.
🐡
This was an entertaining one. It had a bit of romance & some mystery. It seemed slow-paced to me, & although it is part of an 15 or so book series, I doubt I will read another.
🐡
Mira is an interesting character. I like that she is independent & single, & she charts her own course. The other characters is this one are also interesting.
🐡
The guy Mira is interested in dies fairly early in this one, & trying to determine who killed him kept my interest.
🐡🐡🐡
July 7, 2024
I’d watched the original Indiana Jones movie. I knew the basics of archaeology. This should be a piece of cake.
I was intrigued by the Murder-by-Month mystery concept so I thought I would give this book a shot. I'm not usually into cozy mysteries or romances, and more into darker thrillers, but I was in the mood for something a bit light. I'm glad I took a shot with this.
Mira tried to move away from her small town to the big city, mostly to escape all the talk about her dead father that kept following her around. She wasn't really getting what she needed out of city life, so she decided to take her friend who lived in Battle Lake, Minnesota (a different small town than the one she grew up in) up on her offer to house sit while she went off to Alaska for the summer with the latest love of her life. Mira finds a great guy who is visiting Battle Lake almost immediately but then he turns of dead. oops!
This book was funnier than I was expecting. The Indiana Jones quote up above was an example of things that made me smile while reading it. Mira knows she is in over her head while she is snooping around, but if she wasn't doing it, we wouldn't have a book. I did like that she didn't want to drink as much as she used to due to her father but did slip back into it and then out of it. I did like that when she thought she was being clever, it was sometimes thrown back into her face. Things did not always go perfectly for Mira.
On the other hand, there were a lot of very convenient things happening to Mira to help her get an idea of what was going on in the town. Someone would give her some cryptic clue, but would also give her a lead on who to talk to next. This happened so many times that I decided to just go with it. I kept thinking of Murder, She Wrote and how there were a lot of convenient things that happened to Jessica Fletcher too when she solved her cozy murder mysteries. I was also put off a bit by shameful thoughts of a young woman worrying about if anyone would think she was a slut because she slept with a guy she had started to date. I had to check the year the book was written. Such antiquated thinking, but that was a minor quibble since it was mostly passing thoughts here and there.
I didn't realize this was the first book the author wrote and I think that helps explain some of the issues I had with it. I think there were enough good things in this that I would like to read more of the series to see what else happens with Mira and if the storylines improve.
I was intrigued by the Murder-by-Month mystery concept so I thought I would give this book a shot. I'm not usually into cozy mysteries or romances, and more into darker thrillers, but I was in the mood for something a bit light. I'm glad I took a shot with this.
Mira tried to move away from her small town to the big city, mostly to escape all the talk about her dead father that kept following her around. She wasn't really getting what she needed out of city life, so she decided to take her friend who lived in Battle Lake, Minnesota (a different small town than the one she grew up in) up on her offer to house sit while she went off to Alaska for the summer with the latest love of her life. Mira finds a great guy who is visiting Battle Lake almost immediately but then he turns of dead. oops!
This book was funnier than I was expecting. The Indiana Jones quote up above was an example of things that made me smile while reading it. Mira knows she is in over her head while she is snooping around, but if she wasn't doing it, we wouldn't have a book. I did like that she didn't want to drink as much as she used to due to her father but did slip back into it and then out of it. I did like that when she thought she was being clever, it was sometimes thrown back into her face. Things did not always go perfectly for Mira.
On the other hand, there were a lot of very convenient things happening to Mira to help her get an idea of what was going on in the town. Someone would give her some cryptic clue, but would also give her a lead on who to talk to next. This happened so many times that I decided to just go with it. I kept thinking of Murder, She Wrote and how there were a lot of convenient things that happened to Jessica Fletcher too when she solved her cozy murder mysteries. I was also put off a bit by shameful thoughts of a young woman worrying about if anyone would think she was a slut because she slept with a guy she had started to date. I had to check the year the book was written. Such antiquated thinking, but that was a minor quibble since it was mostly passing thoughts here and there.
I didn't realize this was the first book the author wrote and I think that helps explain some of the issues I had with it. I think there were enough good things in this that I would like to read more of the series to see what else happens with Mira and if the storylines improve.
July 30, 2024
Initially, this was not going to be a very nice/positive review. It took me three-quarters of the way through to actually feel engaged and intrigued and wanting to know whodunnit. There was a mistake right at the end that made me see red for a moment.
Then I read the writer's acknowledgement and knew I couldn't do it. She apparently updated the book since its publication and writing it was a very important journey for her, so I decided that the mistake she'd decided to leave in and okay. Plus the last 25% was actually entertaining. It's never going to be a favorite of mine, but I appreciate it for what it is. A light but clever cozy mystery with a few blemishes but a decent heroine and some fun supporting characters.
Then I read the writer's acknowledgement and knew I couldn't do it. She apparently updated the book since its publication and writing it was a very important journey for her, so I decided that the mistake she'd decided to leave in and okay. Plus the last 25% was actually entertaining. It's never going to be a favorite of mine, but I appreciate it for what it is. A light but clever cozy mystery with a few blemishes but a decent heroine and some fun supporting characters.
April 28, 2025
May Day
Murder by Month Romcom Mystery, Book #1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I honestly don’t remember.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Audible
Dates Read: 4/20/25 - 4/22/25
Rating: 2 Stars
Narrator(s): Jennifer Jill Araya
The Characters:
Mira James:
The Story:
Just okay. The love interest is also the victim, so I really didn’t get rom-com vibes, but it was full of mystery. not sure if I will continue the series.
Murder by Month Romcom Mystery, Book #1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I honestly don’t remember.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Audible
Dates Read: 4/20/25 - 4/22/25
Rating: 2 Stars
Narrator(s): Jennifer Jill Araya
The Characters:
Mira James:
The Story:
Just okay. The love interest is also the victim, so I really didn’t get rom-com vibes, but it was full of mystery. not sure if I will continue the series.
July 18, 2024
I think this was a Prime freebie. It was definitely a lightweight mystery, but somewhat less than a fun read since the hunky guy who seems like perfectly wonderful long-term romance potential gets killed off at the beginning. (I would have posted a Spoiler Alert, but it happens so early that you will know anyway.)
In the author notes at the end she mentions a TedX talk where she explains about this, but I didn't find the TedX talk yet.
ADDED NOTE: I found the talk: TedX talk Jessica Lourey on YouTube. Now that I have an understanding of the "why" in writing this novel, her first, I've changed my rating.
In the author notes at the end she mentions a TedX talk where she explains about this, but I didn't find the TedX talk yet.
ADDED NOTE: I found the talk: TedX talk Jessica Lourey on YouTube. Now that I have an understanding of the "why" in writing this novel, her first, I've changed my rating.
May 14, 2025
3.5 stars
May 25, 2025
what the actual fuck
August 26, 2025
This was a great thriller with slight RomCom vibes. Kept me interested and wanting to keep reading.
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