Murder Mystery Book Club

Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery #1

by Danielle Collins

Eva Stewart runs a charming bed and breakfast in the Florida Keys with her talkative parrot. One of her favorite things to do is read murder mystery novels. She even has a murder mystery book club. When a dead body is found near the bed and breakfast, Eva has a real murder mystery on her hands. Can she help solve the mystery, even if it implicates one of her esteemed guests and ruffles the feathers of the local police department, or will her book smarts be the end of her?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Crime

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2012

Reviews

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Cozy Stars/ Book #1

Entertaining, light cozy mystery!

The B&B setting was very appealing and the owner, Eva loves to read murder mysteries! She heads up a book club that meets at her bed and breakfast every Friday evening.

The book club is currently reading Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. She has a parrot named Poirot, that is a bit of a show-off!

Eva and her book club besties are soon on the trail of a real life killer when a dead body is found near the B&B. They need to investigate this because Detective Makos doesn't have a clue!!!!!! Which is a classic "cozy" component. Enter the book club sleuths.

As with most cozies, it is more about the charaters and community than the mystery. Read and listened via Hoopla!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

I picked this series because of Key West, Florida which we have visited several times plus I live in Florida.

Eva Stewart runs a B&B in Key West, Florida. One morning she finds a dead body in the alley and the fun begins. She gets off to a bad start with detective Makos the new detective in Key West. She has a book club which starts investigating the death. To detective Maple surprise they come up ☝ with information leading to arrest of the killer. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fun friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Stewart, owner of the Keys B&B, was shocked at news of a dead body in the alley way between her B&B and the cottage she lived in. The police, led by a new city Detective, were all over, questioning her guests, herself and the staff. But Eva thought they were moving in the wrong direction. Her decision to involve her book club members – named the Murder Mystery Book Club – was a good one. After all, they read lots of mysteries so reckoned they knew all the ins and outs of investigating. And Eva’s uncle was a PI, so that gave her inside knowledge. But could Eva and her club, along with Poirot the parrot, find the killer?

Murder Mystery Book Club is the 1st in the Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery series by Danielle Collins and I quite enjoyed it. Light, entertaining with lots of fun – and a loud mouthed, mischievous parrot – I laughed aloud a number of times. I’ll definitely look at #2 in the series and recommend this one without hesitation.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery

Well written by this author.

This is an Agatha Christy story for sure. A murder book club, their investigating a real life murder which ends up solving a case. There is a tasteful romance budding in the background.

Good description of each character which, for me, gave me a descriptive picture in my mind.
I do recommend this for mystery buffs.

[Melike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting and the eccentric mix of characters in this cozy mystery that takes place in Key West. The main character has a parrot named Poirot, adorable!

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sencillo, divertido, entretenido

Eva vive y trabaja en su hotel en el pueblo de Florida Keys, cuando una noche ocurre un asesinato justo en la parte de atrás, y justo ella fue testigo de alguien huyendo. Ahí que habla con el detective como testigo. Pero si curiosidad es más grande y se dedica a investigar por su cuenta. Así que entre ella y si club de lectura de misterios, se dedicarán a intentar resolver un crimen en la vida real en vez de los libros. Podrá ella y sus amigos ayudar en la investigación y descubrir quien es el asesino?

El un libro sencillo, tranquilo, lleno de clichés y son nada de misterio, pero muy rápido y entretenido de leer. Me gustaron los personajes, están bien definidos, o que hace este tipo de lectura fácil para pasar el rato sin pensar mucho.
En fin, me gustó mucho la serie y seguro buscaré leer los demás más adelante.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, light cozy mystery. I enjoyed the amateur sleuthing of the book club members.

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 This book is set in Key west. Eva has a bed and breakfast she owned for 6 years. Her maids Elena and Benita were life savers. She even started a Mystery Book Club. There was a strange man a British Oliver that was a guest there. He was rude but there was a man that had got killed at the inn. She thought it might be Oliver but it was not. Another man was smoking a cig on the corner following Oliver. The Murder Mystery Book Club Cordelia, Eva, Willard Kay and her husband Pete were trying to look into the murder. Vicky a examiner doctor befriended Eva and became member of Book Club. Detective Jerome was new to Key West and did not want Eva help. there is a cute parrot that Eva owns Poirot. This book was ok. Likethe fact it was set in Miami

[Christie Guillory · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery that takes place in the Florida Keys. Cute, short read, but very superficial. It was still enjoyable however.

[Wonda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cozy, yes...Lifetime movie...yes...for me...not at all! I'm in the minority here, but it was overly done! At least the audio was!!!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this had all the components of a great cozy mystery, but the delivery just wasn’t that great. There wasn’t really any chemistry between the main character and anyone, let alone the two potential male love interests. The interactions between them seemed forced and it was annoying that she didn’t feel the information she found out would be useful to the police until she had concrete proof. This mysterious background that she supposedly has was never fully explained, and that was frustrating. Granted, there has to be a bit of a stretch in believability when civilians get involved in trying to solve crimes on their own, but this just fell flat. Also, I usually very much enjoy books with a specific setting and want to travel and visit there. Even though the Keys are constantly referenced, I just didn’t get a feel for the location. It really could have been set anywhere. I will not continue with the series.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice easy read with a plot that has a few twists and turns. If you are looking for a nice easy read, I recommend this one!

[Sydney Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read with lovable characters. Key West is my home away from home and reading this made me feel like I was there! Will definitely be reading the rest of the series

[Destiny Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy Mystery I Actually Enjoyed

I've given the cozy mystery/crime genre of books a couple of tries, but didn't finishing any of the books. They usually bored me and got bogged down with colorful details about unimportant things like describing wallpaper and floor tiles in the middle of what should have been an intense scene.

This books was much more balanced in it's descriptions and was paced quickly enough that it didn't drag but also didn't go by too quickly... accept for the end. I felt like the last 3 or 4 chapters breezed by a little too quickly and I found myself wanting one more scene. One more "Oh no, the bad guy got away!", one more moment of danger, or one more moment to setup possible friendship or romantic tension between characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I plan to give the other books in this series a read and I recommend other readers do too.

[Laura ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a solid cozy murder mystery!! I went to the beach over the weekend and I really wanted to read something that would give me all the welcoming & restful beach vibes. I liked that this book was not too long, and it was just the perfect vacation getaway story.

I also admittedly found myself searching for Airbnb’s in the Florida Keys 😂🌴 I am excited for the second book!

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF
I found two typos in the first chapter, which I was quite willing to overlook, but I just could not get into the characters or the plot. Stopped after reading about three chapters.
Such a pity since the cover was so pretty!

[Rebs ✿ · Rating 2 out of 5]

*1.5

There was no mystery in this murder, we are given heavy hits about the suspects within the first few chapters and the ENTIRE book is a hunt on finding them. Boringggggg! Too much romance, not enough mystery. Won't be continuing the series ✌🏽

[Carolyn Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva is fairly wealthy, and she owns a B&B as something to do. Her favorite projects are refinishing guest rooms (which are known by the color), and the mystery book club that meets at the B&B once a week...until there's a murder in the alley next door.

Maybe it's just my perception. The crime happens right next to her building--I thought--but during the rest of the book, it "seems" to have happened farther away. Eva certainly isn't concerned for her guests. A really big fence? It doesn't say. Anyway, the murder is "exciting" for the mystery club, who are convinced that discussing a book over the course of several weeks (and their past reading) makes them crime-solving experts. Who are we to judge?

The side story involves Eva's somewhat vivid imagination and assumptions combined with cluelessness.

Ruben is Eva's long-time friend and carpenter; her redecorating partner. They have shared meals etc., over plans; no big deal. But Ruben asks her to dinner to a place she has wanted to go, and her reaction--in her head--is a bit over the top.

Eva's inner dialogue reminds me of a hysterical old woman who imagines detailed scenarios of terrible things that will happen to her. "I just know that a ruggedly handsome highwayman in a hooded cape, on a sleek brown horse, is going to stop here late one night and carry me away to his dark lair..." It makes me fear for her stability, honestly, and I like her less.

Then there are the times she "bites her tongue," knowing it's best not to say anything--such as to Joy--about her thieving proclivities. Really? It takes effort to not comment? It makes her sound snooty and condescending. Because although she shows compassion for Joy, Eva wants to correct her behavior by informing her it's wrong to steal. As if Joy doesn't know that.

Every time I started to like Eva, she did or thought something "off." She even wondered why the policeman asked "only her" to verify a photo, when she was the only person to have spoken to the subject. It must mean something!

Perhaps Eva is just a fantasy character. One with no current cares, but a (distantly) troubled past. A romantic figure stuck in modern Florida, when her soul belongs in another era? That makes more sense.

The mystery was fine, the story was okay, and I liked the medical examiner. As a cozy mystery, I give this...

3/5 Stars

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off to a Perfect Start ! . . .

This is a fun cozy mystery series starting out with Eva Stewart who has a bed and breakfast in the Florida Keys. Her talkative parrot has the fitting name of Hercule Poirot, because Eva adores murder mystery novels and is part of a murder mystery book club.

Detective Makos came to ask her questions about a dead body found in the alley next to Eva’s bed and breakfast, and she couldn’t help but be thrilled about a real murder mystery on her hands. She pointed him to the kitchen when he asked for a cup of coffee, preparing to tell him where the cups are. But he was already selecting one, held it up and said “Detective” to show he figured that out already, and they smiled. With it being 6 a.m., she ran upstairs to change and put on a little mascara… well, he was handsome!

She told him she was leaving the B&B for her cottage in a storm last night and thought she saw a shadow. When he left, probably going back to the scene of the crime, she wondered if there could be clues where she had seen the shadow. Sure enough, she pulled back the fronds of a large Travelers palm and saw two perfect footprints, one after the other, pressed in the dirt before the mulch began. And when she looked at the wrought iron fence further along, she saw a piece of denim fabric caught at the top of a newel post. She ran to find the detective and present him with her first two clues. Will she be able to help solve the mystery? Or will she instead make herself a target for the murderer?

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid start to a new Key West Cozy mystery series. This book centers around a bed and breakfast in Key West and it's owner, Eva. Eva is a true mystery buff, her parrot is even named Poirot. Eva has regular meetings of her Murder Mystery Book Club at the B & B, where they review several chapters at a time and talk about the story. Then, a body is found in the alley next to the B & B.

Eva sets off to investigate when the clues she provides the new detective in town seem to go unappreciated. Her book club members help in the investigation and I really enjoyed the variety of fun characters- who truly are characters! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery. I've already purchased the second in the series and have pre-ordered number three!

[K8 Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most cozy murder mysteries, I read them when I can’t stand the noise of the world any more, but don’t have a brain for much at all. This book served its purpose…the characters were pretty fun, especially the parrot. I can see there is room for their development. The writing was good enough that I read the whole thing and wasn’t annoyed… unlike the other one I tried, where I only made it four pages and had rolled my eyes twice. I would read another one by this author.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Sue and the book club are acceptable though the book club itself didn’t do a whole lot of sleuthing together. Eva is a hoot😂😂 I think she’s the best character so far. Don’t like the love triangleish developing and hope it goes away. The mystery was pretty straight forward, nothing complicated and the resolution was pretty much the same. So a pretty light, uncomplicated read

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical cozy. Girl runs a bed and breakfast in the Florida Keys. Someone is murdered in an alley next to her. She and the new cop in town fight at first meeting. She runs a murder mystery book club and they decide to search for clues. Case solved in the end and girl and cop like each other.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read.
Wasn't too much of a thriller by any means but more of a cute, funny, old people who are up in your business mystery.
Reminds me of me and friends. We would totally solve a mystery like this! haha

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars. Obviously I’m in the minority here, but what started out with such a fun premise, the execution fell flat for me. I did enjoy the ending though, so I might give book 2 a chance at some point.

[Tita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor editing. Poor character development. Subtle racism. Story development was very weak. The bird was the most interesting character.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Stewart runs a B&B in the Florida Keys and hosts a murder mystery book club. When a man's body is found in the alley behind her house, Eva and the rest of the club find themselves investigating a real mystery.

Eva has a "secret past" and an interest in crimes and mysteries. She independently wealthy and owns and runs the B&B for something to fill her days. She knows that she should turn over all the evidence she finds to the new detective in town but he puts her back up and seems dismissive of what she has to tell him.

Also new in town is the flamboyant medical examiner Dr. Vicky Clem who is also interested in mysteries and seems like someone who could become a good friend. Vicky is willing to pass on some of the information she learns to Eva.

This is the first in a new cozy series which looks like it has potential. I liked Eva and the other characters in her book club which includes a couple of dog groomers, an eccentric artist, and a women-of-a-certain age.

There is a potential for a romance between Eva and the new detective if only Eva's contractor would get out of the way. He wants romance but Eva is only interested in him as a contractor.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of the mystery being set in Key West and the amateur sleuth is a B&B owner. The B&B sounds like an interesting place and it was easy to picture it. The setting of Key West did not really get developed hopefully it will in an upcoming book.

Eva is impulsive and carelesss, she decides not to share important information with the detective and when he gets angry with her about it and the risks she's taking she goes off in a huff and expects him to apologize. Really? Then he comes over with flowers and does! I don't know why he would, but I think this was annoying. The story leans a little too much toward the romance aspect and tbat is one example

There was really no mystery here it's obvious who the main suspects are and there are no plot twists or red herrings to distract and derail anyone. It's a short book and a quick read.

Not sure why it has C.A. Larmer then Danielle Collins as the author.

[Marie Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

i think i got used to “out of the curve” murder mysteries, so this one seemed a bit… boring? i don’t know. i can’t say it doesn’t attend all you’d expect from the genre, yet i think the rush to show the results of the investigation at the end took any emotion i had left. there was no surprise about it.

plus the latin american stereotypes… the way south america is cited as if it’s some kind of small territory… not a whole ass continent… like be fr…

one star for checking the genre’s list and overall textual cohesion/coherence. can’t say i enjoyed enough to appreciate anything more than this.

[Karen Whalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book club and a B&B – and a beach!

This book has a great combination—a book club, a B&B, and a setting in the Florida Keys…together with a handsome detective and a handsome handyman/home remodeler as his rival. Not all the clues added up (maybe they weren’t supposed to), but the crime itself had a clever premise appropriate to the Keys. What I enjoyed the most was the protagonist, her friends, and the Florida setting. I gave it a four rating because of some typo - errors.