When Liz Hutton returns to her Florida hometown after living in Atlanta for many years, she’s ready for a change. She plans to spend time with family and friends, help manage her aunt’s ice cream shop and savor the beaches and sunsets along the southern Gulf coast. The last thing she expects is landing smack dab in the middle of a homicide investigation. But after a notorious realtor is murdered and the prime suspect uses Dot’s Big Dipper for an alibi, Liz launches her own investigation to help the local police solve the case. Inspired by her experience as a 911 operator along with a passion for mystery novels and true crime podcasts, Liz digs into the death of the self-proclaimed King of Real Estate—collecting clues, gathering tips and connecting the dots—until the case is solved with one unforeseen twist of fate. A Hint of Murder is the first title in a new series from the author of Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries.
After leaving Atlanta, Liz Hutton returns to her home in Crystal Bay, Florida. Her plan is to manage her aunt’s ice cream shop, Dot’s Big Dipper. She has her hands full with her feisty aunt and her mother. Things get even more crazy when a local business man - the Real Estate King of Crystal Bay - is murdered.
Dot and Liz are even more suprised when they learn that one of Dot’s friends uses her as an alibi. Liz turns her love for mystery novels and her former job as a 911 operator into investigating this murder case. She won’t rest until the guilty party is found.
This is a quick read which can be a nice interlude between longer books. It’s fast-paced with short chapters and fun characters. It’s not a complex mystery, but it’s fun to follow Liz on her quest for the truth.
A good easy read with a nice plot. Alright I did have part of the solution as soon as I read about the murder but even so it still held a few surprises. (I have read something very similar) The characters are vivid, although I must admit that her aunt gets on my nerves. When the self proclaimed king of real estate is murdered the other realtor in town is taken in for questioning. Several items were found that belonged to her and she did mislead the police with her alibi. However she doesn't think she did it and neither do her aunt and mother. Her mother puts pressure on her to investigate. Should she? Whilst her aunt is still talking about her filmed interview for a place on a show featuring ice cream parlour owners. Careful not to antagonise her police officer brother and the new detective in town she starts asking questions. Will she find out anything other than the murky secrets that the town seems to have. Will she get on with the new detective and what about the crush she had as a high schoolers on another local? Watch the fireworks start.
A rating somewhere in the middle. Parts of the story were interesting, but I felt like this really needed an editor! Not just typos, but also half sentences, confusing, seemingly out of order sentences. I found it very distracting. I am also tired of older women characters with sex on the brains, snotty, gossipy attitudes described as "sweet" and seemingly out of touch attitudes (you don't know who Lady Gaga is?). Come on! I am almost 70 and it doesn't ring true. That said, I do seem some decent writing and potentially good storylines. I'm on the fence.
Just like the Sky High mysteries, the author needs a proofreader for the books. Characters change names within a page and things get confusing. Liz’s brother is Matt and then changed to Peter. I like the storyline and look forward to learning more about Liz, Jason and Ethan.
New characters new setting and a murder to solve. I enjoyed the murder mystery. Hopefully there's a book that follows so we see Lizzie join the police, grand mother go on show and relationships grow. Thank you .
The Paradise Bay Stories are so enjoyable to read, I hope Mary Maxwell will continue to be inspired to write about this location and the Comunity. I look forward to reading more Mary Maxwell novels in the future!
One of the best novels I've read for awhile. Kept me engrossed and eagerly waiting to see what would happen next. I recommend this to any of my friends who like cozy mysterys.
I thoroughly enjoyed Scoops & Snoops. This is the second series of Mary Maxwell I've read. It's very nice to read books that don't include swear words and sex. I get the idea about what's going on between the characters without explicit descriptions and it's refreshing.
I just finished this book and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire adventure. The characters are so fun and their character and personality really makes you not want to put this book down Not very many writers have that talent.