What do you think?
Rate this book
A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery #5
Killed With a Kiss
KILLED WITH A KISS (A LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY—BOOK 5) is book five in a charming new cozy mystery series which begins with MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews!
Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, has made a drastic change: she has walked away from the fast life of New York City and settled down in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire.
In a romantic daytrip in the English countryside, Lacey lucks out in an antique market and stumbles upon an incredible find. She has high hopes as she makes it the centerpiece of her next auction.
But as summer is coming to a close, two high-rollers come into town and duke it out over the antique, their egos as big as their wallets. When one of them wins but loses the auction on a technicality, chaos ensues. The only thing that makes it worse is when one ends up dead.
Lacey finds herself in the fight of her life to save her business and her reputation—and, with the help of her beloved dog, to solve the mysterious death.
Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, has made a drastic change: she has walked away from the fast life of New York City and settled down in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire.
In a romantic daytrip in the English countryside, Lacey lucks out in an antique market and stumbles upon an incredible find. She has high hopes as she makes it the centerpiece of her next auction.
But as summer is coming to a close, two high-rollers come into town and duke it out over the antique, their egos as big as their wallets. When one of them wins but loses the auction on a technicality, chaos ensues. The only thing that makes it worse is when one ends up dead.
Lacey finds herself in the fight of her life to save her business and her reputation—and, with the help of her beloved dog, to solve the mysterious death.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2020
323 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Grace
477 books722 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 29, 2022
3.5 stars
Lacey and Tom are trying to carve out more time for their relationship but it isn't easy with their busy, demanding careers. With a horse festival starting next week, Lacey dreams up a new equestrian themed auction and invites Tom on a buying trip to Dorset. Tom is unable to make it so Lacey and Chester go alone. She hits the jackpot professionally and personally when she discovers a rare bronze sculpture to be the centerpiece of her auction AND a tantalizing new clue about her father. She also meets Colin, a handsome chap with an English Shepherd like Chester, who also has an eye for the same antiques Lacey wants for her auction. When Colin arrives in Wilfordshire for the auction, Lacey fears she may have sent the wrong message. Or is he there for the sculpture he lost out on? If so, he has competition from a wealthy Ukrainian businesswoman and a mysterious man bidding online. When the bidding war heats up, Lacey is elated but nervous when Hugh Buckingham, her online bidder shows up, clearly unwell, claiming he was the high bidder and Lacey is a fraud and cheat. When Lacey tries to visit Hugh Buckingham to work things out, she discovers his lifeless body inside his own. Naturally, she's a murder susepct once again. If she's going to save her reputation and her business, Lacey had better get to work to figure out what happens.
This series got off to a poor start but has improved considerably. The hook that keeps me reading is the story of Lacey's dad. It annoyed me when she had a good clue but chickened out on following up. She gets a better one and I'm sure she won't follow up on that either. I hope so. I missed the hook of finding out what happened to Chester's previous owners. That seems to have been a dead end. This series doesn't work as standalones and each one must be read in order if the reader is going to keep reading for the coziness.
Lacey annoys me. This shop is her dream and yet she leaves Gina with all the work. Gina annoys me too because she usually says "Go go!" and now she's saying "You're leaving me with all the work again?" At least this time it's job related. I enjoyed watching Lacey go antiquing and seeing her in action. She's really passionate and knowledable about what she wants. My eyes glazed over a bit at the amount of detail included in this story but it was informative. I closed the book to Google a few times to get a better idea of what Lacey was looking at.
The mystery plot was excellent until Lacey got involved and started guessing. She makes too many mistakes in her sleuthing and when she stumbles across the solution, it's always after accusing the wrong person which I hate. I suspected the same people as Lacey. It seemed obvious to me. The late plot twist was a little odd but at least it was a surprise. Tom is a nice guy but he is not relationship material. He's clueless about what Lacey wants and expects from him and is always preoccupied by work. He's an amazing pastry chef but takes on too many projects at once. He has a cafe AND a custom cake business with NO help. That's crazy. I found the relationship plot rather silly and it's all happened too fast for me. I don't feel any chemistry between Lacey and Tom.
Gina annoys me too because now she's cranky and grumbling about being left alone to do all the work. Lacey has the money to hire new help but she doesn't. She expects Gina to be happy because Lacey lavished an expensive gift on her friend to make up for the burden of singlehandedly running Lacey's shop. I'd be mad too if I were Gina. Suzy from the Lodge is now a recurring character. She's friendly with Lacey and making money now. She has help working for her for the busy summer season. Gabe, a teenage tech genius, comes to work for Lacey. He can barely string two words together and when he does, Lacey has no idea what he's talking about. I'm older than Lacey and understood most of what he said and I'm far from a tech genius. He seems a little suspicious though. He didn't ask about payment upfront or at all and just agreed to do it. How does Lacey know she can trust him?
The new characters include a lot of "rich, horsey people" all of them stereotypes. I would think a traveller from the Continent would know the exchange rate between Euros and GBP or is so rich he wouldn't care. That man and his wife sound like the annoying Texans. Colin is a passionate antiquer and a flirt. I can't tell if he's pursuing Lacey because he's into her or if he's pursuing Lacey because he's into her antiques. I don't trust him. What ever happened to "Can I call you some time?" or "Next time you visit, can I take you to coffee? My treat." Or better yet, speaking plainly. Lacey has yet to learn how to do that. She could be polite and say "If you're in Wilfordshire, stop by my shop and I'll treat you to a pastry at my boyfriend's cafe." That will let him down gently and then if he does come, she would know he was there for the antiques.
Dustin Powell is an affable man who loves antique equine memoribilia but one whiff of scandal has him running for the hills. I think he's trying to stiff Lacey. Did he murder to get the sculpture? What about Mr. Cheval? He's snooty and rude and really wants that sculpture. He seems upset not to be the high bidder, expecting to buy anything he wants. Did he off the competition?
Ms. Oxana "with an x" Kovalenko is the Ukraine's wealthiest female CEO of an Industrial, Plastics or Textile company award three years running. Yes she feels the need to introduce herself like that. She's one of THOSE! A rich *itch who will stop at nothing to get her own way. She has too much money and enjoys showing it off for others. She openly admits to lying, cheating and stealing her way to the top. Does her ambition extend to murder?
Mr. Hugh Buckingham bids online. He stops bidding as Oxana ups the bid by one pound. (It doesn't work that way I don't think) so Lacey awards Oxana the sculpture. Hugh is furious. He's obviously unwell and been sick for awhile. He is not a pleasant man and doesn't like to lose. I think he's sick as in poisioned so clearly his murder extends beyond the sculpture. I think he knows one of the bidders and has crossed them before. I think he's been poisoned perhaps to prevent him from winning the sculpture?
This was the best entry in the series so far but I'm more interested in the story of Lacey's dad. I might skip ahead and see if she finds out any more information and then maybe backtrack.
Lacey and Tom are trying to carve out more time for their relationship but it isn't easy with their busy, demanding careers. With a horse festival starting next week, Lacey dreams up a new equestrian themed auction and invites Tom on a buying trip to Dorset. Tom is unable to make it so Lacey and Chester go alone. She hits the jackpot professionally and personally when she discovers a rare bronze sculpture to be the centerpiece of her auction AND a tantalizing new clue about her father. She also meets Colin, a handsome chap with an English Shepherd like Chester, who also has an eye for the same antiques Lacey wants for her auction. When Colin arrives in Wilfordshire for the auction, Lacey fears she may have sent the wrong message. Or is he there for the sculpture he lost out on? If so, he has competition from a wealthy Ukrainian businesswoman and a mysterious man bidding online. When the bidding war heats up, Lacey is elated but nervous when Hugh Buckingham, her online bidder shows up, clearly unwell, claiming he was the high bidder and Lacey is a fraud and cheat. When Lacey tries to visit Hugh Buckingham to work things out, she discovers his lifeless body inside his own. Naturally, she's a murder susepct once again. If she's going to save her reputation and her business, Lacey had better get to work to figure out what happens.
This series got off to a poor start but has improved considerably. The hook that keeps me reading is the story of Lacey's dad. It annoyed me when she had a good clue but chickened out on following up. She gets a better one and I'm sure she won't follow up on that either. I hope so. I missed the hook of finding out what happened to Chester's previous owners. That seems to have been a dead end. This series doesn't work as standalones and each one must be read in order if the reader is going to keep reading for the coziness.
Lacey annoys me. This shop is her dream and yet she leaves Gina with all the work. Gina annoys me too because she usually says "Go go!" and now she's saying "You're leaving me with all the work again?" At least this time it's job related. I enjoyed watching Lacey go antiquing and seeing her in action. She's really passionate and knowledable about what she wants. My eyes glazed over a bit at the amount of detail included in this story but it was informative. I closed the book to Google a few times to get a better idea of what Lacey was looking at.
The mystery plot was excellent until Lacey got involved and started guessing. She makes too many mistakes in her sleuthing and when she stumbles across the solution, it's always after accusing the wrong person which I hate. I suspected the same people as Lacey. It seemed obvious to me. The late plot twist was a little odd but at least it was a surprise. Tom is a nice guy but he is not relationship material. He's clueless about what Lacey wants and expects from him and is always preoccupied by work. He's an amazing pastry chef but takes on too many projects at once. He has a cafe AND a custom cake business with NO help. That's crazy. I found the relationship plot rather silly and it's all happened too fast for me. I don't feel any chemistry between Lacey and Tom.
Gina annoys me too because now she's cranky and grumbling about being left alone to do all the work. Lacey has the money to hire new help but she doesn't. She expects Gina to be happy because Lacey lavished an expensive gift on her friend to make up for the burden of singlehandedly running Lacey's shop. I'd be mad too if I were Gina. Suzy from the Lodge is now a recurring character. She's friendly with Lacey and making money now. She has help working for her for the busy summer season. Gabe, a teenage tech genius, comes to work for Lacey. He can barely string two words together and when he does, Lacey has no idea what he's talking about. I'm older than Lacey and understood most of what he said and I'm far from a tech genius. He seems a little suspicious though. He didn't ask about payment upfront or at all and just agreed to do it. How does Lacey know she can trust him?
The new characters include a lot of "rich, horsey people" all of them stereotypes. I would think a traveller from the Continent would know the exchange rate between Euros and GBP or is so rich he wouldn't care. That man and his wife sound like the annoying Texans. Colin is a passionate antiquer and a flirt. I can't tell if he's pursuing Lacey because he's into her or if he's pursuing Lacey because he's into her antiques. I don't trust him. What ever happened to "Can I call you some time?" or "Next time you visit, can I take you to coffee? My treat." Or better yet, speaking plainly. Lacey has yet to learn how to do that. She could be polite and say "If you're in Wilfordshire, stop by my shop and I'll treat you to a pastry at my boyfriend's cafe." That will let him down gently and then if he does come, she would know he was there for the antiques.
Dustin Powell is an affable man who loves antique equine memoribilia but one whiff of scandal has him running for the hills. I think he's trying to stiff Lacey. Did he murder to get the sculpture? What about Mr. Cheval? He's snooty and rude and really wants that sculpture. He seems upset not to be the high bidder, expecting to buy anything he wants. Did he off the competition?
Ms. Oxana "with an x" Kovalenko is the Ukraine's wealthiest female CEO of an Industrial, Plastics or Textile company award three years running. Yes she feels the need to introduce herself like that. She's one of THOSE! A rich *itch who will stop at nothing to get her own way. She has too much money and enjoys showing it off for others. She openly admits to lying, cheating and stealing her way to the top. Does her ambition extend to murder?
Mr. Hugh Buckingham bids online. He stops bidding as Oxana ups the bid by one pound. (It doesn't work that way I don't think) so Lacey awards Oxana the sculpture. Hugh is furious. He's obviously unwell and been sick for awhile. He is not a pleasant man and doesn't like to lose. I think he's sick as in poisioned so clearly his murder extends beyond the sculpture. I think he knows one of the bidders and has crossed them before. I think he's been poisoned perhaps to prevent him from winning the sculpture?
This was the best entry in the series so far but I'm more interested in the story of Lacey's dad. I might skip ahead and see if she finds out any more information and then maybe backtrack.
November 23, 2021
Once again Lacey is confronted with a dead body after another auction and feels like she has to solve the crime. This many deaths in a small English town is a bit hard to buy, and her investigations are less than efficient, but they're still entertaining.
September 30, 2020
Another really good mystery solved by Lacey. This is a fun series to read. The auctions are interesting with the different themes. The characters are good and Chester, the dog, is adorable. I love the setting of the English coast. There is a little bit of romance but not enough to overshadow the mystery. Really entertaining!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2020
Who knew kissing could be so dangerous?
This is such a wonderful cozy mystery series! Well developed characters, good story and a great mystery. It stays a mystery who did it, until the end.
And, apart from the murder mystery, you just have to read more about Lacey's life, store and family and friends.
Again a book I couldn't put down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a wonderful cozy mystery series! Well developed characters, good story and a great mystery. It stays a mystery who did it, until the end.
And, apart from the murder mystery, you just have to read more about Lacey's life, store and family and friends.
Again a book I couldn't put down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2020
Another entertaining read in the Lacey Doyle mystery series.
Fiona Grace continues to entertain with an changing, page-turner plot, and the authentic characters have developed in their roles and relationships.
Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fiona Grace continues to entertain with an changing, page-turner plot, and the authentic characters have developed in their roles and relationships.
Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2020
Lacey in trouble again!
Lacey Doyle is in trouble again and she didn’t even do anything but have another auction. She has to solve another murder and the police actually ask for her help. She has another clue about her father. Great read! Can hardly wait til the next book comes out! Jo
Lacey Doyle is in trouble again and she didn’t even do anything but have another auction. She has to solve another murder and the police actually ask for her help. She has another clue about her father. Great read! Can hardly wait til the next book comes out! Jo
March 31, 2021
She does draw you in
Even though you know the pattern and think it is getting old, it just can’t work a 5th time...it does. She makes you care about these characters, gives them enough depth that you can relate to them, care about them. I thought this was going to be too formulaic—but she pulled it off. Nicely done.
Even though you know the pattern and think it is getting old, it just can’t work a 5th time...it does. She makes you care about these characters, gives them enough depth that you can relate to them, care about them. I thought this was going to be too formulaic—but she pulled it off. Nicely done.
July 15, 2021
Once again Lacey becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. This book fortunately had a bit more about antiques and less of the "police suspect the American outsider," but it was still there. The added odd behavior of Gina and Tom's distance were concerning until the end. Tanner was less menacing in this book than in the past; which was odd. The ending was quite delightful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
Fun and puzzling mystery
Killed with a Kiss was a great distraction from sore muscles after clearing a room for new flooring. Occasionally I see spots where I would like to edit to streamline the prose, but Fiona has clever plots which include humor and suspense, interesting art and antiques info, and a bit of romance.
Killed with a Kiss was a great distraction from sore muscles after clearing a room for new flooring. Occasionally I see spots where I would like to edit to streamline the prose, but Fiona has clever plots which include humor and suspense, interesting art and antiques info, and a bit of romance.
April 11, 2021
Outstanding
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time. Fiona Grace absolutely holds your interest and just when you think you have figured out who did it she takes another turn. Wonderfully written and I highly recommend.
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time. Fiona Grace absolutely holds your interest and just when you think you have figured out who did it she takes another turn. Wonderfully written and I highly recommend.
September 29, 2020
Once again Fiona Grace delivers!
October 15, 2020
Such a fun series!
I’m pretty good at figuring out “who done it,” but this one had me guessing until the end! I love that Tom and Lacey are engaged!
I’m pretty good at figuring out “who done it,” but this one had me guessing until the end! I love that Tom and Lacey are engaged!
February 10, 2021
I love this series. Lacey is engaging and her dog Chester is her best friend.
June 3, 2021
Another entertaining audiobook in this series.
June 27, 2021
Great series!
March 27, 2024
4 Stars
The Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery Series by Fiona Grace is a fun cozy mystery series with an amateur sleuth, whodunnit vibes, crime & investigation, suspense, tension, intrigue, drama, and intriguing developments.
Lacey Doyle is almost forty, and newly divorced - and in desperate need of a fresh start. So, she quits her job and her horrible boss and makes a sea change- moving to the charming seaside town of Wilfordshire, and opens an antique shop. But no sooner has she started to settle in, when one of her customers turns up dead- and Lacey is definitely prime suspect in the eyes of the town. She has no choice but to try and solve the crime so she can clear her name. Her fresh start, business, and reputation are on the line.
‘With a business to run, a next-door neighbor turned nemesis, a flirty baker across the street, and a crime to solve – is this new life all that Lacey thought it would be?’
As the series progresses, Lacey seems to attract trouble and mystery- getting drawn into investigations and mysterious developments….. all of which make for a fun read.
Each instalment in the series follows a fairly predictable ‘recipe’- especially after you’ve read a few of the books- but with a few clever touches from the author, she keeps you turning the pages, engrossed till the end. Even though the stories were a little predictable, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment and appreciation of the stories/series at all- in fact I found it to be part of their ‘charm’.
The Series contains:
-Murder in the Manor (Book #1)
-Death and a Dog (Book #2)
-Crime in the Café (Book #3)
-Vexed on a Visit (Book #4)
-Killed with a Kiss (Book #5)
-Perished by a Painting (Book #6)
-Silenced by a Spell (Book #7)
-Framed by Forgery (Book #8)
-Catastrophe in a Cloister (Book #9)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
The Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery Series by Fiona Grace is a fun cozy mystery series with an amateur sleuth, whodunnit vibes, crime & investigation, suspense, tension, intrigue, drama, and intriguing developments.
Lacey Doyle is almost forty, and newly divorced - and in desperate need of a fresh start. So, she quits her job and her horrible boss and makes a sea change- moving to the charming seaside town of Wilfordshire, and opens an antique shop. But no sooner has she started to settle in, when one of her customers turns up dead- and Lacey is definitely prime suspect in the eyes of the town. She has no choice but to try and solve the crime so she can clear her name. Her fresh start, business, and reputation are on the line.
‘With a business to run, a next-door neighbor turned nemesis, a flirty baker across the street, and a crime to solve – is this new life all that Lacey thought it would be?’
As the series progresses, Lacey seems to attract trouble and mystery- getting drawn into investigations and mysterious developments….. all of which make for a fun read.
Each instalment in the series follows a fairly predictable ‘recipe’- especially after you’ve read a few of the books- but with a few clever touches from the author, she keeps you turning the pages, engrossed till the end. Even though the stories were a little predictable, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment and appreciation of the stories/series at all- in fact I found it to be part of their ‘charm’.
The Series contains:
-Murder in the Manor (Book #1)
-Death and a Dog (Book #2)
-Crime in the Café (Book #3)
-Vexed on a Visit (Book #4)
-Killed with a Kiss (Book #5)
-Perished by a Painting (Book #6)
-Silenced by a Spell (Book #7)
-Framed by Forgery (Book #8)
-Catastrophe in a Cloister (Book #9)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
July 14, 2023
This one starts off with Lacey beginning to turn her new cottage into her home and becoming more at home in her new community and with her antiques business. Admittedly her character seems far more self-important in this book than the previous with how her thoughts run away bit, but overall, she is still a relatable and likable character.
She decides to hold another auction to coincide with the local equestrian festival taking place with the races and embarks on a short journey to procure various items to offer at this event and along with some terrific finds, she meets some new characters and stumbles upon more info - possible leads to her father.
Alas, she and her trusted canine companion again discover a dead body who has a connection to Lacey. So, again the mystery of her father is put on hold while she tries to prove, she is not the bad egg the local detective thinks she is and that she is not to blame for the death or a theft that occurred the same night by trying to figure out who did both.
An enjoyable read and a great listen. Cozy mystery done right. Safe and clean read, too, for younger readers who enjoy a good mystery. Nothing graphic or foul. Definitely recommend.
She decides to hold another auction to coincide with the local equestrian festival taking place with the races and embarks on a short journey to procure various items to offer at this event and along with some terrific finds, she meets some new characters and stumbles upon more info - possible leads to her father.
Alas, she and her trusted canine companion again discover a dead body who has a connection to Lacey. So, again the mystery of her father is put on hold while she tries to prove, she is not the bad egg the local detective thinks she is and that she is not to blame for the death or a theft that occurred the same night by trying to figure out who did both.
An enjoyable read and a great listen. Cozy mystery done right. Safe and clean read, too, for younger readers who enjoy a good mystery. Nothing graphic or foul. Definitely recommend.
Read
July 25, 2022Many of the reviews of this series mentions the repetition of story lines, sources of conflict, the unrealistic aspects of so many murders in a small town, Lacey being a suspect in all of them, the overall sameness of the books. These so much reflect my own thoughts which I have expressed to some of my friends.
Yet I keep reading them. I ask myself “Why?”
Here are some of the reasons: I love learning about the world of antique dealers and auctioneers and how they ply their trades; I think the author has done a good job researching this. Another reason I keep on with them is that I am a sucker for all things British, especially mysteries set in small English villages. And a third reason is that I do find some of the characters likable… not Lacey, so much, but Tom, Gina, and even Taryn, her protagonist, as well as some of the shop owners. And finally, as routine as the stories become as you read more and more of them, I have to say hat in all five books I have read, I am surprised at who turns out to have done it.”
Yet I keep reading them. I ask myself “Why?”
Here are some of the reasons: I love learning about the world of antique dealers and auctioneers and how they ply their trades; I think the author has done a good job researching this. Another reason I keep on with them is that I am a sucker for all things British, especially mysteries set in small English villages. And a third reason is that I do find some of the characters likable… not Lacey, so much, but Tom, Gina, and even Taryn, her protagonist, as well as some of the shop owners. And finally, as routine as the stories become as you read more and more of them, I have to say hat in all five books I have read, I am surprised at who turns out to have done it.”
June 10, 2021
Aaaaaaaaand I’m done. The series does not get better as it goes. In fact, it gets worse. For a woman who is just about and finally is 40, she’s about as whiney and immature as a teenager. Her constant negative thoughts about Tom are maddening. Rather than having a grown up relationship with conversations, she makes stupid, petty comments constantly. Why should he have to tell her he’s hired someone? Who cares! It should be a good thing. This constant need to clear herself before she ends up bankrupt with nothing is insane and beyond unrealistic. Yes, I know this is suppose to be a mindless read, but a person can only roll their eyes so many times before it’s annoying and no longer mindless. As for the spoiler warning, why on earth would they get married?! They have a severely rocky relationship and apparently spend almost no time together. And, still no dad. So I’m not listening to any more. If you haven’t started the series yet, give it a pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery. Unfortunately Lace is becoming increasingly self-absorbed while wondering why her boyfriend isn't paying her more attention. In her quest to solve the mystery, no one gets her loyalty as she is willing to suspect close friends as possible murderers. The initial book through out the hint that she is searching for her long lost father. So far most of the story lines have ignored the father until dropping a teaser at the end. And the worst part? I really dislike the narrator, Mary Sarah. Her voice goes up when it should go down and vice versa. Her pacing often feels off. She doesn't give the American characters an American accent which can make it hard to remember why people think Lacey isn't local.
December 31, 2023
Vexed on the Visit (A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery #4) — Fiona Grace/Narrator: Mary Sarah (26 chapters + Epilogue) Dec. 23, 2023
Lacey is excited to have a real getaway date with Tom when her sister, Mom and nephew give her a surprise visit. Though perturbed, Tom welcomes them and ends up inviting them on their trip. Lacey is upset about this but once she gets there ends up enjoying her time with her nephew. While on their trip, Lacey stumbles upon a rare coin and later, the seller is found dead. Now, Lacey has to find the killer or she won’t be able to return home.
Back to the original narrator, but the theatrics is toned down, making it easier to listen.
Five stars.
Lacey is excited to have a real getaway date with Tom when her sister, Mom and nephew give her a surprise visit. Though perturbed, Tom welcomes them and ends up inviting them on their trip. Lacey is upset about this but once she gets there ends up enjoying her time with her nephew. While on their trip, Lacey stumbles upon a rare coin and later, the seller is found dead. Now, Lacey has to find the killer or she won’t be able to return home.
Back to the original narrator, but the theatrics is toned down, making it easier to listen.
Five stars.
January 1, 2022
Once again, Lacey Doyle gets involved in a murder. When the town of Wilfordshire is hosting a horse tournament weekend, Lucy decides to hold an auction specializing in items that wealthy horse people might be interested. Everything seems to go well and the auction is a success. But that’s when things start to go south for Lacey!
May 9, 2024
I enjoyed the different light murder mystery-solving directions the book went in. It's an easy junk food read. As an audio book, I'm having an extremely hard time with the narrator's whispery, syrupy, sing-songy style of reading. Speeding it up to 1.5x helps.
August 23, 2024
The very affected style of the narration in the audiobook is a huge factor, for anyone who listens to that version, and definitely distracted from the story for me. It’s a light, cosy mystery, but would definitely benefit from a different actor in my opinion.
September 17, 2024
This may be the most difficult crime to solve of the first 5 books in the Lacey Doyle series. There were many suspects and plenty of red herrings, but when the climax came it was easy to look back on the foreshadowed clues to the solution. A satisfying addition to the series!
November 6, 2025
Horse people can be strange!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries with lots of plot twists and turns. The characters are just complicated enough to keep you turning page after page!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries with lots of plot twists and turns. The characters are just complicated enough to keep you turning page after page!
November 30, 2025
I did not finish this audio book. The reader, Mary Sarah, irritates me so much I just can’t push past it anymore. I’ve listened to two other books read by her and managed to finish but just barely. I can’t do it anymore. I like the story and the author but not the reader.
October 7, 2021
How can one person be a suspect in so many murders? This story was a bit convoluted and confusing.
October 10, 2021
I listened to an audio version of this book. It is totally unbelievable but I injoyed the easy to follow story line and characters
January 2, 2022
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews