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Sapphire Beach #1

Condos and Corpses

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Condos and Corpses is Book One in the Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series.

A condo on the Florida Gulf Coast. A humanitarian worker with a passion for jewelry making. A murder next door.

Connie can think of no other option but to sell the beach front condo she recently inherited from her beloved aunt, but a murder in the apartment next door stalls her plans. As she tries to prove her friend and neighbor’s innocence, she contemplates keeping the condo and opening a jewelry shop in Sapphire Beach, where tourists abound, to showcase her handmade creations. But starting a business would mean walking away from an eleven-year career in humanitarian work, and her overseas contacts have become like family over the years. Will she find a way to combine her love for jewelry making with her passion for humanitarian work and solve the murder in the process?

If you enjoy cozy mysteries that keep you guessing, loveable characters, and sun-drenched Florida beaches, you’ll love the Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series.

Download Condos and Corpses and begin your getaway today!

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2019

820 people are currently reading
851 people want to read

About the author

Angela K. Ryan

38 books76 followers
Angela K. Ryan is the author of the Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series, the Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, and the Cape Cod Cozy Mysteries. She writes clean, feel-good cozies for readers who love humor, lots of twists and turns, and happy-dance endings.

When she is not writing, Angela enjoys the outdoors, especially kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snowshoeing, and skiing. She lives in Massachusetts and loves all four of the New England seasons, but she looks forward to regular escapes to the white, sandy beaches of southwest Florida, where her mother resides.

It is fitting that Angela’s series take place in fictitious seaside towns in Massachusetts and Florida. These small towns would be idyllic if it weren’t for all the bodies that keep turning up!

Angela dreams of one day owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel like the sweet pup in her Sapphire Beach Series, but she isn’t home enough to take care of one. So, for now, lives vicariously through one of her main characters, Connie.

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5 stars
565 (46%)
4 stars
395 (32%)
3 stars
202 (16%)
2 stars
36 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
709 reviews39 followers
November 6, 2020
A nice read. Our MC is smart. Quite refreshing, she isn't running from a failed relationship, or lost her job or was disgraced in any way. Following the death of her aunt, she's packing up her Aunt's condo and getting it ready for sale. It's come to her in the will, but her life and job is in Boston. But an unexpected murder puts a dear friend in the police headlights, and Connie vows to help Grace clear her name.

Given that this is book 1 in the series, there was a bit of character development going on, and I have no doubts we will see many of these characters in future installments. There's no wacky or eccentric friend thus far to contend with, nor has our MC fallen in love in this first installment. YES!!! She's quite intelligent and I liked her decision in the end.

The story was an easy read and I liked the mystery (and why the person was murdered) and how it wrapped up in the end. This is probably a series I will continue.
Profile Image for Lise.
1,066 reviews
March 27, 2024
The sad task of clearing her deceased aunt's apartment brings Connie, her sister and her mother to the sunny shores of Florida. Connie had planned to put the inherited property on the market, but a murder next door is sure to depress the value of the place and worse still, the best friend of Connie's aunt has been implicated. It's time to investigate.

I loved this cosy! Connie was just an all-around nice person who genuinely tried to do her best for everyone. The setting was perfect with a beautiful vacation vibe. The mystery was not complex, but Connie and her friend discerned the villain with well-placed questions to the right people. Perhaps the only disappointment was the lack of emotion shown in response to the loss of such a beloved aunt.

I'll be looking forward to more in this series.
Profile Image for Courtney.
359 reviews30 followers
July 2, 2022
This was an excellent cozy! I really loved how the author wrapped up the mystery. As the characters had their final conversations, the reader was able to see how each of the clues fit together. There were elements that only the police knew, and things that the main character kept to herself, but it was neat to see all of the little clues left throughout the whole story. I also really like the Christian aspect. It was not preachy or overly "in your face," but it was obvious that faith was an important part of the main character's life. As she was trying to make some big decisions about her life, she prayed. She went to church. It felt very real to me.
Profile Image for Kathy.
37 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2020
Good start to this series. Enjoyed the characters. Looking forward to the next book to see how they develop.
91 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2023
Sapphire Beach.

Considering Sapphire Beach is the location of a story based around two murders, it is pretty remarkable that it has such a cozy vibe! This is a Florida I could live in! I wouldn’t even need the fancy condo!
Profile Image for Dale Lussier.
357 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2021
When one door closes another one will open.

Connie is cleaning out her aunts condo that inherited in Florida to get it ready to sell before going home to Boston. She has made new friends and will be sad to leave the warmer weather. Only a murder happens in the building and she decides to help solve the case.
349 reviews
June 29, 2020
Condos and Corpses

Couldn’t put down once I started. Going to her aunt’s condo to clean it and get it ready to see, she runs into a couple murders, which she had to try to solve. In the meantime she makes new friends and has big changes made for her life. An awesome read that you must read!!
49 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2020
Good read

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. I love how interesting mysteries are. I would recommend this book and arthur.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,629 reviews102 followers
September 4, 2023
I loved getting to know Connie and her new friends in Florida. Since I was somewhat familiar with the series from having collected it since it came out (just now getting around to reading it), I knew Connie was staying in Florida for good since she made an appearance a couple times by phone in the Seaside Ice Cream Shop series when she advised her cousin Anna on sleuthing out a murder or three. (I’m only on book 3 there).

Once I knew who all were the good guys, I just fell in love with the whole area and place where Connie was gonna be living. Grace was just the sweetest neighbor ever! And I really liked her daughter too. Elyse, well she was the perfect best friend material from her first appearance on the page. I liked that there’s even a romantic interest possibility for Connie in the form of Elyse’s hubby’s detective partner, Zach. Full disclosure: I’ve read all the future blurbs, so I do know what happens! 😉

That was one epic showdown/takedown on Connie’s part! I bet that perp never knew what hit ‘em! She didn’t get off totally unhurt but she sure came back from it with a vengeance that I love seeing in a main character. Not the mean kinda vengeance just determination to get herself out from under this crazy situation. As with all my other fave cozies, this one does the same and I loved it when everyone gathered at Connie’s place for food and fellowship as well as a special announcement from her. Can’t wait to dig into the next book! It sounds like there’ll be an ongoing side mystery concerning Connie’s new shop.
Profile Image for Lisa.
536 reviews
March 26, 2024
Condos And Corpses by Angela K. Ryan is the first book in the Sapphire Beach book series.

Connie Petretta is in Sapphire Beach because her aunt has passed away and Connie inherited her aunt's condo. Connie is tackling necessary steps to put the condo up for sale so she can return to Boston and her job. But before she can finish, there is a murder in Connie's Aunt's best friend Grace's apartment and Grace is the main suspect.

While the police are investigating the first murder, a few days later a second murder occurs.

Turns out, there are several possible suspects besides Grace, including Grace's daughter who the deceased has harassed several times.

For a cozy mystery, Angela K. Ryan has, for the most part, written well fleshed out, likeable characters, including the first deceased person (well, obviously, the deceased isn't well liked). There's not much major suspense but the murderer's identity was a surprise, as I had decided someone else was the killer.

I recommend this book highly, especially if your reading time is limited. It well written, enjoyable, and a quick read. I look forward to reading book 2 in this series.
3,059 reviews13 followers
May 29, 2024
“Condos and Corpses”, first in the 'Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery' series, is a slice of a life in the process of change.
A couple of murders are thrown in because they are required in almost every cosy mystery.
TBH the novel would be much the same with or without the mystery part.
Connie Petretta has inherited a condo in Sapphire Beach, Florida.
Her intention is to clean it up and sell it but she's feeling restless in her job (working for a humanitarian organisation) and finds that she actually likes the people, area and climate.
The title actually gives the game away - she's staying!
One of the residents in her block is bludgeoned and thrown from a balcony! He was a handsy building developer with more enemies than most.
Days later his ex-wife, who also lives in the same block, is murdered.
Of course Connie decides that she will investigate - again because the genre demands it.
She does, and proves successful - another box ticked.
It's a completely formulaic book, better than some and worse than others. I won't remember it in the morning.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
Profile Image for Diane Wachter.
2,392 reviews10 followers
April 22, 2025
A Saphire Beach Cozy Mystery, Bk 1, EBK-M, Kindle, @ 2019, Read 4/20/2025, Fiction, Cozy Mystery.
After the illness and death of a beloved aunt, and the probate process had been finalized, niece Connie drove down to Florida from Massachusetts, with her mother and sister for the company. Connie was chosen to close down and sell her aunt's condo and disposing of all the treasures the family didn't feel the need to keep. Connie was confident that 10 days would be sufficient, and the she could head back to her dream job of fundraising for "Feeding The Hungry". But during the week, a board member of the condo association was killed and thrown off the balcony of Grace Jenkens condo, who had been a good friend and neighbor to Connie's aunt. Grace was the main suspect, she didn't have a reliable alibi, and the victim was not well liken in the community, so anyone could have killed him, but why was he even in Grace's home? Things escalated, another person died, and now the whole condo community was at risk.
Who and why?
3☆'s = Good, held my interest.
Profile Image for Karen Wright.
605 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2021
It was pretty good. I was happy that I liked it, it was one of those free books that I wasn't too sure about. The only thing that I really was not a fan of was that it was a Christian kind of book, not overly religious but not really my taste. Connie is smart and I loved her as a character other than the fact that she constantly has to remind readers of her work in Africa (back more to Christianity) and her life calling. The only other thing that bothered me was when Bob let it slip about Hank not being an angel, really, she was too smart not to have made the connection on the elevator. Other than those minor things I really liked the book. The story was interesting and the characters were great, the dialog was just very natural. I loved the writer's style. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing what Connie ends up doing.
215 reviews
February 19, 2025
Connie left Boston for Sapphire Beach, Florida to go through her deceased aunt’s belongings. Concetta, her aunt, left her condo to Connie in her will. Connie has worked at Feeding The Hungry, a non-profit agency eleven years. She plans to stay at the condo for about a week, put it on the market to sell, then return to Boston. While she is in Florida, Hank, one of the residents, falls to his death from the balcony of the condo belonging to Grace, best friend of Connie’s aunt. Grace was out on her bicycle training for a race, so she is shocked. The police are called, and have taped off her condo, so she can’t enter. They inform her Hank was pushed. Who pushed him, and why was he in her condo. The police begin their investigation with Grace.
This was an interesting mystery. I did not figure out who killed Hank until right before the reveal. Not a heavy read. I enjoyed it.

1,709 reviews8 followers
September 12, 2021
an easy fun read

This is the first book in a series that I think has great potential. I enjoyed this first book the characters are well developed and fun to follow. Connie inherits her aunts condo in Florida and goes down from Boston to clean out the condo and put it on the market. First their is a murder in the unit next door owned by her aunts best friend. Shortly the victims exwife who also lives in the condo complex is found murdered. Connie jumps in to try and solve the murders to clear her aunts friend with help from some new friends she has made. This was an easy fast read that I enjoyed. I look forward to reading the next book
160 reviews
September 25, 2023
Fun Cozy Mystery with an Engaging Heroine
After the death of her namesake aunt, Connie heads to Sapphire Beach prepared to sell her aunt's condo and return to her non-profit job in Boston. A murder in the building and a close friend of her aunt's being named the chief suspect has her postponing her plans and helping to exonerate the friend and find the real killer. But when another body pops up, the stakes are raised and Connie must determine who she can trust to bring the killer to justice before she becomes the next victim. I loved this cozy mystery and purchased the boxed sets after reading the prequel (Vacations and Victims).
591 reviews
October 16, 2023
Don't Jump to Conclusions

Connie was unsure of what to do with her life and work, both were becoming stale. When her Aunt died from cancer she left Connie her condo fully paid for. As she was cleaning up a murder takes place in her Aunts best friend apartment causing all sorts of problems. The man that was killed was a real estate tycoon, along with his wife being murdered the following Sunday. By using defective materials clients lost millions of dollars, their homes, and life saving and some their lives. The developer didn't know about the defective materials until after they were sold. Reallygood book keeping you wondering who did it
Profile Image for Diane Campbell.
Author 2 books1 follower
September 15, 2021
An enjoyable read!

I nearly didn’t read this Kindle book. After three pages in which there were several poorly constructed sentences I decided not to read any further. I checked the reviews again, wondering why I’d bought it in the first place. All the reviewers had rated it highly, so I decided to continue with the story.

I really enjoyed the plot and the characters and found that most of the book was well written. The awkward sentences were few and far between. I’m even thinking of reading more in the series.
19 reviews6 followers
March 13, 2024
Wonderful read!

Connie leaves her hometown of Boston and goes down to sapphire beach to settle .loose ends of her favorite Aunt's Estate. While there , she meets new friends, inherits a sweet dog; and of course discovers a corpse.
The characters are so likeable and funny.
The story intriguing. Connie's sleuthing is believable. You feel as if a regulAr civilian would factually do it and succeed in finding the killer.
Grab a glass of lemonade or ice tea, sit on your patio and get ready to visit "Sapphire Beach, Florida
344 reviews7 followers
July 31, 2025
Enjoyable cozy

Connie's aunt left her her Florida condo when she died. She has left the cold climes of a Boston winter for sun-drenched beaches in order to ready the condo for sale. Until a member of the association is found murder, having been thrown off the balcony of her neighbor's unit. Now Connie knows her aunt's best friend didn't do, but who did? Then the man's ex-wife was killed as well. Connie is determined to clear her neighbor's good name. Fun characters. Interesting plot. Lots of red herrings.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,158 reviews13 followers
March 16, 2021
This is the first in the series. The main character is Connie. She has come to Sapphire Beach to bury her aunt and settle her affairs. She loves it there but can she how she could ever leave Feeding the Hungry. Before she can rally do anything there are 2 murders. She doesn't fell she can sell the condo left her with murderer running loose. She sets out to find out who the killer is and maybe even figure out a way to stay there. Can she manage to figure it all out before it's too late ?
2,646 reviews12 followers
November 21, 2021
Plot twists and good mystery make for fun reading…

This is a light, fun, cozy mystery with a few plot twists to make for a fun read. It was a little predictable but I always like books that include dogs. The characters are likable and there is a potential for romance in the future. It’s an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more in the series. I finished the book in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for mary arnold.
438 reviews
August 13, 2022
Connie from Boston inherits her aunt’s condo at Sapphire Beach. A body is found in the apartment next door. The clues link several of the people who live in the building. Connie just wants to sell the condo and get back to the city and her work for a non-profit organization. It seems the condo will sell quicker and bring a better price once the murder is solved. This is a well written cozy mystery, with likeable characters in an easy read.
Profile Image for Barbara.
845 reviews
September 23, 2023
This is a short, cozy mystery that is a quick, clean read. Connie thinks she want to return to her home in Boston, but soon comes to love the Sapphire Beach condo she has inherited. Her neighbors and welcoming, she soon makes friends. It's perplexing that a man was thrown to his death from a neighbors balcony. She want to find out who the culprit is before she returns to Boston. Is the man that has been following her the bad guy? Read on to find out.
Profile Image for VICTORIA STEWART.
151 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were great…so many interesting people that all feel like a family. You really get a sense of their closeness within the building. The story moves along at a nice pace, there were no dull points or chapters that were hard to get through. Every chapter was interesting and the secondary stories were great too. It was a well rounded read that kept interested. I’m excited I stumbled upon this series and look forward to the next installment!
Profile Image for Joy Lyn.
157 reviews
January 10, 2025
Solving a murder with new friends-

This book is about Connie who is visiting Florida to sell the condo her late aunt left to her. While she is there, a murder takes place next door and she is determined to find out who did it. She extends her stay in Florida and makes some great friends while she is there. In the end, the murder mystery is solved and Connie has a big announcement to make to her new friend.
▪️Language - none
▪️Sex scenes - none
▪️Violence - mild
827 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2021
Good cozy with a LOL moment

While preparing her aunt's condo for sale, Connie becomes involved in solving the murder on her friend's balcony. Along the way she made new friends. At a crossroads in her life, the homily at Mass led her to wait on making a change. Great location, charming characters and lots of suspects make this a good light read. Clean read as well.
Profile Image for Alayne.
2,442 reviews7 followers
April 28, 2021
A highly enjoyable read where the heroine has the sense to take someone with her when she's investigating a couple of murders, and to call the police and keep them up to date with what she's learned. Hooray! It's an intriguing mystery and I thought I knew the murderer but I was totally wrong! A good one.
Profile Image for Cathy Davis.
52 reviews3 followers
May 13, 2021
When murders start happening Connie starts wondering who and why! She then looks until she finds out the why!

Connie is trying to decide whether to stay in warm weather or back
to the cold of Boston. But then the murders start. Read to learn what Dokie does to catch the killer!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
173 reviews
June 17, 2021
Lots of characters... I should maybe jot them down to give myself a reminder before reading #2 at some point! And, look at me, reading another cozy! did a good job getting me in the beach spirit! Read another review that mentioned a prequel, so I did jump over to that book after only a couple pages of this one and then returned.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews

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