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Abi Button Cozy Mystery #1
Tall Men and Strangers
Abigail (Abi) Button is thirty-one, and in spite of kissing a few frogs she has yet to find her prince. On the lookout for a tall, dark stranger (but not too strange) she realises he has been living nearby all the time. It’s just that she has not really noticed Jack Thornley until she meets him in her road late one evening, standing by an emergency ambulance.
Abi’s elderly neighbour is Ivy Smith, and she’s ninety-one. She gives Abi a small silver key, telling her to keep it secret from her nephew Jack who is helping to care for her. What the key opens, Abi has no idea.
Ivy worries that she hears someone moving around her house at night, when she should be alone. Abi tries to reassure her by saying it’s only the old house settling at night, or noisy neighbours, but Ivy Smith is unconvinced. Soon Abi is unconvinced, too.
As Abi’s friendship with Jack develops, he invites her to his local church where she meets Danny. Much to her embarrassment she remembers kissing Danny at school. Old memories start to surface, threatening to put the relationship with Jack in jeopardy.
A cozy mystery romance taking place in a small English town, told by Abi Button.
Abi’s elderly neighbour is Ivy Smith, and she’s ninety-one. She gives Abi a small silver key, telling her to keep it secret from her nephew Jack who is helping to care for her. What the key opens, Abi has no idea.
Ivy worries that she hears someone moving around her house at night, when she should be alone. Abi tries to reassure her by saying it’s only the old house settling at night, or noisy neighbours, but Ivy Smith is unconvinced. Soon Abi is unconvinced, too.
As Abi’s friendship with Jack develops, he invites her to his local church where she meets Danny. Much to her embarrassment she remembers kissing Danny at school. Old memories start to surface, threatening to put the relationship with Jack in jeopardy.
A cozy mystery romance taking place in a small English town, told by Abi Button.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2019
381 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 9, 2023
Sweet, cozy read!!
It's a great cozy read to have. I kinda wish I had got to read this in a cafe as it would be the perfect setting.
It is an average cozy mystery with no big twist or turns, but it's still a fun read. The writing is a bit different as it felt like the author was just writing in a journal at some points, and the MFC would go off point. Just like someone thinking. This was a surprising thing that I actually quite enjoyed
It's a great cozy read to have. I kinda wish I had got to read this in a cafe as it would be the perfect setting.
It is an average cozy mystery with no big twist or turns, but it's still a fun read. The writing is a bit different as it felt like the author was just writing in a journal at some points, and the MFC would go off point. Just like someone thinking. This was a surprising thing that I actually quite enjoyed
May 10, 2021
At last
Finally looks I can read and enjoy without specifics of sexual activity!! I really enjoyed the story and excellent writing. Thank you!
Finally looks I can read and enjoy without specifics of sexual activity!! I really enjoyed the story and excellent writing. Thank you!
December 25, 2021
5/5 stars
Abigail (Abi) Button is thirty-one, and in spite of kissing a few frogs she has yet to find her prince. On the lookout for a tall, dark stranger (but not too strange) she realises he has been living nearby all the time. It’s just that she has not really noticed Jack Thornley until she meets him in her road late one evening, standing by an emergency ambulance.
Abi’s elderly neighbor is Ivy Smith, and she’s ninety-one. She gives Abi a small silver key, telling her to keep it secret from her nephew Jack who is helping to care for her. What the key opens, Abi has no idea.
Ivy worries that she hears someone moving around her house at night, when she should be alone. Abi tries to reassure her by saying it’s only the old house settling at night, or noisy neighbors, but Ivy Smith is unconvinced. Soon Abi is unconvinced, too.
As Abi’s friendship with Jack develops, he invites her to his local church where she meets Danny. Much to her embarrassment she remembers kissing Danny at school. Old memories start to surface, threatening to put the relationship with Jack in jeopardy.
Abigail (Abi) Button is thirty-one, and in spite of kissing a few frogs she has yet to find her prince. On the lookout for a tall, dark stranger (but not too strange) she realises he has been living nearby all the time. It’s just that she has not really noticed Jack Thornley until she meets him in her road late one evening, standing by an emergency ambulance.
Abi’s elderly neighbor is Ivy Smith, and she’s ninety-one. She gives Abi a small silver key, telling her to keep it secret from her nephew Jack who is helping to care for her. What the key opens, Abi has no idea.
Ivy worries that she hears someone moving around her house at night, when she should be alone. Abi tries to reassure her by saying it’s only the old house settling at night, or noisy neighbors, but Ivy Smith is unconvinced. Soon Abi is unconvinced, too.
As Abi’s friendship with Jack develops, he invites her to his local church where she meets Danny. Much to her embarrassment she remembers kissing Danny at school. Old memories start to surface, threatening to put the relationship with Jack in jeopardy.
February 11, 2021
Good mystery
This is a fun book with a great gospel message in it. I especially enjoyed the English references which are very different at times from American speech. Good mystery.
This is a fun book with a great gospel message in it. I especially enjoyed the English references which are very different at times from American speech. Good mystery.
August 11, 2025
Abi Button is 31, single, and still waiting on her prince—until she meets Jack, her neighbor’s handsome nephew.
But when 91-year-old Ivy hands Abi a mysterious silver key and mentions strange noises in her house, things take a turn for the spooky.
With old flings, new feelings, and secrets hiding in plain sight, this cozy mystery is full of charm, slow-burn romance, and small-town vibes!
This is truly a quick read, and I’m glad I started with the first book in this series. At the beginning, I was a bit confused because it felt like I had missed a previous book and that the story had already started, but after 2–3 chapters everything was fine, so the writing style didn’t quite sit well with me at first.
The story itself is fast-paced—we immediately learn about the character connections, and the relationship between Abi and Jack develops quickly, even though he has quite a few red flags that she masks as “he cares.”
The book is a bit predictable—I don’t want to give too many spoilers and ruin the experience for you. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something light, quick, and easy to read, with a touch of cozy mystery. Let’s not overdo it—it is amateur sleuthing, after all.
But when 91-year-old Ivy hands Abi a mysterious silver key and mentions strange noises in her house, things take a turn for the spooky.
With old flings, new feelings, and secrets hiding in plain sight, this cozy mystery is full of charm, slow-burn romance, and small-town vibes!
This is truly a quick read, and I’m glad I started with the first book in this series. At the beginning, I was a bit confused because it felt like I had missed a previous book and that the story had already started, but after 2–3 chapters everything was fine, so the writing style didn’t quite sit well with me at first.
The story itself is fast-paced—we immediately learn about the character connections, and the relationship between Abi and Jack develops quickly, even though he has quite a few red flags that she masks as “he cares.”
The book is a bit predictable—I don’t want to give too many spoilers and ruin the experience for you. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something light, quick, and easy to read, with a touch of cozy mystery. Let’s not overdo it—it is amateur sleuthing, after all.
January 9, 2021
Abigail and Jack or maybe Danny?
Abi has settled for the night when she notices the blue lights coming in the curtains. She investigates only to find an ambulance outside. When she goes outside she finds Jack talking with the medics. He invites her in his Aunt Ivy's home and she is surprised to find an elderly woman who is very much independent. Ivy is insistent on not going to the hospital! The medics finally agree and helps her to her bed. Abi and Ivy become friends over the next few days so much so that Ivy entrusts Abi with a small key but doesn't tell her anything else about it except not to tell Jack she has it and she will know what to do with it when she dies! When Ivy voices her concerns over noises she keeps hearing at night, Abi decides to set up her infrared camera to find out if someone is coming into Ivy's house at night. Who or what does she find? When Ivy passes a few weeks later, Jack turns into a different man. What happens next? Who is Danny and how does he help Abi? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Lizzie Lewis. It will have you guessing as to what happens next!😉
Abi has settled for the night when she notices the blue lights coming in the curtains. She investigates only to find an ambulance outside. When she goes outside she finds Jack talking with the medics. He invites her in his Aunt Ivy's home and she is surprised to find an elderly woman who is very much independent. Ivy is insistent on not going to the hospital! The medics finally agree and helps her to her bed. Abi and Ivy become friends over the next few days so much so that Ivy entrusts Abi with a small key but doesn't tell her anything else about it except not to tell Jack she has it and she will know what to do with it when she dies! When Ivy voices her concerns over noises she keeps hearing at night, Abi decides to set up her infrared camera to find out if someone is coming into Ivy's house at night. Who or what does she find? When Ivy passes a few weeks later, Jack turns into a different man. What happens next? Who is Danny and how does he help Abi? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Lizzie Lewis. It will have you guessing as to what happens next!😉
February 8, 2021
What a story!!!
Extremely interesting read! Figuring out the ins & outs of what Ivy's nephew, Jack, was doing through out the story was intense.
An amazing read for all ages 10 years & up.
Extremely interesting read! Figuring out the ins & outs of what Ivy's nephew, Jack, was doing through out the story was intense.
An amazing read for all ages 10 years & up.
Read
October 23, 2020I shook his hand with a mix of enthusiasm and restraint, if such a thing is possible to achieve. “Abi Thornley,” I found myself saying, but surely only to myself. “Mrs Abi Thornley.” Yes, it sounded good. I’m a bit of a traditionalist about these things. What was I thinking of? Here was an old lady, possibly dead, and I was contemplating marriage to a man I’d only seen a few times before, and never spoken to even once. (p. 2).
*blinks*
It’s page TWO. She just met him. Is she 12?
He is a dentist and when he says he has to see a patient, she has a jealous moment. Yikes.
The dialog is just so stilted.
“I’ve always been called Abi,” I said. “Abi Button. I’ve lived in this road all my life. I know I’ve seen you around sometimes, but I don’t think I’ve spoken to you before. I’m sorry about that. I’m sure you’re a good neighbour. You must have known my parents, James and Frances Button.” (p. 17).
But she gets asked to granny sit, and does without bothering to introduce herself to the old woman.
The right man had never come along for me, either. Not until now. I said, “Do you think Jack‒‒‒‒”
Fortunately my question was interrupted by the front doorbell. It was much too soon for Jack to have shared his feelings for me with his aunt. (pp. 18-19).
Gee, you think? He met you hours ago. And what was that ‘not until now’ bit? [is SHE the murderer? Lol - she runs about killing everyone poor Jack even looks at?]
Then she starts asking the old woman’s doctor about her health and gets ANNOYED when he won’t tell her anything.
I’m done.
I do not like this heroine.
DNF at 15%
January 4, 2024
Abi isn't actively looking for romance until it comes knocking at her door. When she steps outside of her home to see what is going on at an elderly neighbor's house, she meets the woman's nephew, Jack. He introduces her to his aunt, Ivy, and she and Abi build an instant rapport. When Ivy tells Abi that she believes someone is coming into her house at night, Abi insists it's just the old house settling, or perhaps noisy neighbors. Ivy isn't convinced, however, and she gives Abi a small silver key and tells her to keep it a secret. In the meantime, Jack and Abi begin dating, and he even takes her to his church, where she encounters Danny, whom she shared a kiss with in school. When Ivy passes away, Abi learns what the key is for, which unleashes drama she hadn't counted on and leaving her wondering if Ivy truly died of natural causes.
Well now. The story was okay. Some things had me raising my eyebrows, such as how quickly Abi fancied herself falling in love with Jack, yet still being attracted to Danny. Also, after church was introduced, the story became rather preachy. I don't mind that a character is religious, but I do mind when that begins to color everything in the book. Characterizations weren't all that great. Abi came across as a bit of a dithering ditz, and I was dismayed to see how often she skived off work (she co-owns a coffee shop, so it's not like she was going to be fired, but still).
This probably would have earned an average score from me, but the sudden religion peddling drops it to a two.
Well now. The story was okay. Some things had me raising my eyebrows, such as how quickly Abi fancied herself falling in love with Jack, yet still being attracted to Danny. Also, after church was introduced, the story became rather preachy. I don't mind that a character is religious, but I do mind when that begins to color everything in the book. Characterizations weren't all that great. Abi came across as a bit of a dithering ditz, and I was dismayed to see how often she skived off work (she co-owns a coffee shop, so it's not like she was going to be fired, but still).
This probably would have earned an average score from me, but the sudden religion peddling drops it to a two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2021
Abi Button lives in a house her parents handed down to her that was built way back in the day. Interesting look at the societal hierarchy that existed when the houses were built and dictated who lived where. Ivy Smith lives right down the street in a similar house, though Abi never chatted with her until dentist Jack Thornley came into her life. He’s keeping an eye on the elderly Ivy (in her 90s), especially since she lives alone and has multiple medications to take. She seems quite fully there when chatting with Abi, though, even secretly passing her a fancy key and asking her to keep it a secret, even from Jack.
*spoiler alert* This really was a case of seeing it coming. Jack Thornley just felt off from the get-go. Abi Button is an interesting protagonist, and I’ll read more of this series if she smartens up in subsequent entries in the series. The way she fawned over Jack like she had to get mattress in the next few weeks or else was too much. If she’s going to be ‘one of those protagonists,’ I won’t continue. Perhaps her partner at the bakery will knock some sense into her.
*spoiler alert* This really was a case of seeing it coming. Jack Thornley just felt off from the get-go. Abi Button is an interesting protagonist, and I’ll read more of this series if she smartens up in subsequent entries in the series. The way she fawned over Jack like she had to get mattress in the next few weeks or else was too much. If she’s going to be ‘one of those protagonists,’ I won’t continue. Perhaps her partner at the bakery will knock some sense into her.
April 1, 2023
If you are looking for a good cosy mystery that is clean, funny, and has your good ol' romance, the whole nine yards, then, this book is your must read. All the books in the series has no dull moment, I really liked it. Abby Button, The narrator in the story is a clown. lol! She doesn't know when she is thinking and when she is unintentionally airing out loud her innermost thoughts that is never supposed to cross her lips. As I read the book, at some point, I was also confused with Abby and I always end up laughing because of it.
August 20, 2020
Rather predictable but enjoyable
This book and the series were free and as I enjoy cozy mysteries I downloaded them all. The book was predictable but I still wanted to finish it and I am glad I did. I'm not a religious person and was worried when I noticed it was a religious cozy mystery but thankfully it did not bother me.
This book and the series were free and as I enjoy cozy mysteries I downloaded them all. The book was predictable but I still wanted to finish it and I am glad I did. I'm not a religious person and was worried when I noticed it was a religious cozy mystery but thankfully it did not bother me.
January 10, 2021
How can a mystery be funny?
Lizzie Lewis found a way to do it. My first thought when I finished reading this was, "what a cute story". Abi Button, the lead character, is adorably quirky and fun. This book will lift your spirits and was what I needed after the year we've had. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Lizzie Lewis found a way to do it. My first thought when I finished reading this was, "what a cute story". Abi Button, the lead character, is adorably quirky and fun. This book will lift your spirits and was what I needed after the year we've had. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
February 2, 2021
Beautifully told cozy mystery
Abi has romantic hopes for Jack but is something sinister going on with him in regard to his Auntie? Abi unravels the mystery of the nighttime noises Ivy is hearing. When Ivy passes away has there been foul play? What is in the mysterious box Ivy has Abi holding the key to open upon her death? Join the investigation with Abi and friends.
Abi has romantic hopes for Jack but is something sinister going on with him in regard to his Auntie? Abi unravels the mystery of the nighttime noises Ivy is hearing. When Ivy passes away has there been foul play? What is in the mysterious box Ivy has Abi holding the key to open upon her death? Join the investigation with Abi and friends.
July 4, 2021
Interesting and fun to read
This was very cleverly written and showed the character of the girl and the subtle but big change that one simple incident can make in a life when it's orchestrated by God. The mystery was good and the "love interest" brought back memories of my own past.
This was very cleverly written and showed the character of the girl and the subtle but big change that one simple incident can make in a life when it's orchestrated by God. The mystery was good and the "love interest" brought back memories of my own past.
August 10, 2022
Tall Men and Strangers
After reading book two in this series I decided to read book one. It wasn't necessary read but I really enjoyed the characters and wanted to find out how they met. Abi's curiosity of the goings on at her elderly neighbor's home gets her involved in Ivy's secret. A very well written book. I look forward to reading about more of Abi's life.
After reading book two in this series I decided to read book one. It wasn't necessary read but I really enjoyed the characters and wanted to find out how they met. Abi's curiosity of the goings on at her elderly neighbor's home gets her involved in Ivy's secret. A very well written book. I look forward to reading about more of Abi's life.
December 3, 2022
A good story.
This was a decent story about a woman who had poor taste in men or was fooled by them despite her best efforts. The plot is easily followed, but I just couldn't enter the story like I usually do. No fault of the author and I believe that if someone else reads it, they will enjoy it immensely.
This was a decent story about a woman who had poor taste in men or was fooled by them despite her best efforts. The plot is easily followed, but I just couldn't enter the story like I usually do. No fault of the author and I believe that if someone else reads it, they will enjoy it immensely.
November 17, 2023
This cozy mystery romance was really good. I'm glad I got it. Unfortunately I had high hopes for Jack and Abi as a couple. Jack turned out to be a snake! I despise him now. I love Abi though, she's great and deserves love. I also liked Ivy and Melanie. I am hoping that I enjoy the rest of the series just as much as I loved this first book.
September 23, 2024
Not my cup of tea. I found the main character Abigail Button extremly annoying and quite fickle. The story is more a romance novel than a mystery/crime novel. The story seemes rushed and revolves more about love interests than solving any mystery. Other characters are also quite predictable. As I am not a fan of romance novels, this is not a series I will further pursue.
September 9, 2022
Mystery Twists
I so enjoyed this contemporary mystery. I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters were brilliant, strong and supportive. I don't want to give any spoilers but has a twist that you don't see coming ... I highly recommend this book
I so enjoyed this contemporary mystery. I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters were brilliant, strong and supportive. I don't want to give any spoilers but has a twist that you don't see coming ... I highly recommend this book
September 12, 2022
Kept me going to the end
Characters are somewhat predictable, yet all very real to imagine. The plot keeps you moving forward. I enjoyed getting to know them all. I'll miss Ms. Ivy, and glad some person felt inclined to leave. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Characters are somewhat predictable, yet all very real to imagine. The plot keeps you moving forward. I enjoyed getting to know them all. I'll miss Ms. Ivy, and glad some person felt inclined to leave. I'm looking forward to the next book.
January 2, 2023
Red flag tells
Things progress very quickly in the book it took away from the story for me.
Things progress very quickly in the book it took away from the story for me.
January 21, 2024
This is the first book in the Abi Button cozy mystery series. I started the series that follows this one, then realized these are compatible. Interesting and likable characters. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
June 5, 2025
A great blend of mystery and romance. It's so hard to find a good romance that's clean. It has a delightful meet-cute and the character development was excellent. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a cozy romance.
September 1, 2025
I liked this book, and the character Abi , I only gave it 3.5 stars because of the Christianity parts towards the middle and end of the book , since I'm not a religious person , with more romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in . I still found this an enjoyable read though .
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April 14, 2020First in the series, England. Rather shallow but a good time passer.
September 8, 2020
Cute, clean cozy more romantic than mystery. Enjoyed this book.
January 14, 2021
Christ centered
Give it time if at first you think, “This doesn’t sound Christian.” It takes a little while to get into, but it picks up speed.
Give it time if at first you think, “This doesn’t sound Christian.” It takes a little while to get into, but it picks up speed.
May 8, 2021
Predictable but still an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews