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Frostfall Island #1
Murder at North Pond
Book 1 of London Lovett's brand new cozy mystery series!
When Anna St. James graduated college with a business degree, she never expected to find herself running a boarding house on a small island off the east coast. But life throws a lot of curves and Anna has certainly had her share of them. Now, settled into life as owner and landlady of the Moon River Boarding House on Frostfall Island, Anna couldn’t imagine living anywhere else or without the unique and somewhat eccentric tenants she considers family.
Anna would be perfectly content baking and keeping house but Frostfall Island, lovely, remote and somewhat wild, always manages to throw a curve of its own. Most of the time, Frostfall is a charming island with a busy fishing boat harbor and town that attracts summer tourists. But occasionally, quite occasionally, if that’s a phrase, there’s an unexpected murder. Without a dedicated police force, the locals look to Anna to solve crimes. She’s not entirely sure how she landed the role of amateur sleuth but she takes her side job seriously.
When a man dies in a pirate battle reenactment, Anna steps into gear. Only this time, she has a parallel mystery to solve. Her newest tenant, Nathaniel Smith, is quite the puzzle, a puzzle who came with a piercing blue gaze and a trove of secrets.
Book 1 of the Frostfall Island Cozy Mystery series
When Anna St. James graduated college with a business degree, she never expected to find herself running a boarding house on a small island off the east coast. But life throws a lot of curves and Anna has certainly had her share of them. Now, settled into life as owner and landlady of the Moon River Boarding House on Frostfall Island, Anna couldn’t imagine living anywhere else or without the unique and somewhat eccentric tenants she considers family.
Anna would be perfectly content baking and keeping house but Frostfall Island, lovely, remote and somewhat wild, always manages to throw a curve of its own. Most of the time, Frostfall is a charming island with a busy fishing boat harbor and town that attracts summer tourists. But occasionally, quite occasionally, if that’s a phrase, there’s an unexpected murder. Without a dedicated police force, the locals look to Anna to solve crimes. She’s not entirely sure how she landed the role of amateur sleuth but she takes her side job seriously.
When a man dies in a pirate battle reenactment, Anna steps into gear. Only this time, she has a parallel mystery to solve. Her newest tenant, Nathaniel Smith, is quite the puzzle, a puzzle who came with a piercing blue gaze and a trove of secrets.
Book 1 of the Frostfall Island Cozy Mystery series
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2022
621 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 27, 2022
Okay. We're hitting up a new series with a new locale and a new (VERY quirky) cast of characters. The island is small, but it has more than its fair share of murders. Apparently. I mean, this time, we're only dealing with one, but there have been others before and Anna has had to step in and take the reins in solving them.
But before we get to the murder, let's talk about Anna and her boarders. Anna is...well, she's resigned to being freshly turned 40 and she's (mostly) happy running her boarding house. She's still dealing with the past in little, unexpected ways (because THINGS HAPPENED in the past that set her on this particular path) and she's content with the group of boarders who have become like family to her. Well, mostly content. Her newest boarder is a little standoff-ish and a lot mysterious and Anna's honestly not sure at first if he's going to fit in with the others and their quirks.
Then a murder happens and Anna has to play the dual role of landlady and amateur detective. She doesn't have any fancy backup, but she puzzles her way through clues and motives until she gets the job done.
A little mystery, a charming island with a BIG small town vibe, a mysterious new tenant, and one lady who's trying to do her best with what she's been given. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But before we get to the murder, let's talk about Anna and her boarders. Anna is...well, she's resigned to being freshly turned 40 and she's (mostly) happy running her boarding house. She's still dealing with the past in little, unexpected ways (because THINGS HAPPENED in the past that set her on this particular path) and she's content with the group of boarders who have become like family to her. Well, mostly content. Her newest boarder is a little standoff-ish and a lot mysterious and Anna's honestly not sure at first if he's going to fit in with the others and their quirks.
Then a murder happens and Anna has to play the dual role of landlady and amateur detective. She doesn't have any fancy backup, but she puzzles her way through clues and motives until she gets the job done.
A little mystery, a charming island with a BIG small town vibe, a mysterious new tenant, and one lady who's trying to do her best with what she's been given. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 8, 2022
One thing I love about London Lovett's writing is that she instantly draws you in as if you know every single character in real life. I feel this makes for a better reading experience because you are able to feel the emotions of the story so much more. Plus there are so many quirky characters that it is hard not to love them!
As I began to read Murder at North Pond, I quickly found that this was not just your average cozy mystery because there was a lot more depth to the story and especially our main character Anna St. James. Anna had experienced such heartache when your husband was essentially lost at sea with no word on what exactly happened. The pain you felt as she talked through her experience with that was tremendous and I think it helped to make this book more than just a cozy mystery.
I am looking forward to book 2!
Thank you so much to author London Lovett for the advanced copy of Murder at North Pond!
As I began to read Murder at North Pond, I quickly found that this was not just your average cozy mystery because there was a lot more depth to the story and especially our main character Anna St. James. Anna had experienced such heartache when your husband was essentially lost at sea with no word on what exactly happened. The pain you felt as she talked through her experience with that was tremendous and I think it helped to make this book more than just a cozy mystery.
I am looking forward to book 2!
Thank you so much to author London Lovett for the advanced copy of Murder at North Pond!
February 6, 2022
I received an early copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very solid beginning of a series. I felt instantly connected to the main character and wish I could really visit Frostfall Island. The author is great at bringing her characters and settings to life. I enjoyed the yummy baking, the old Hollywood references, and the quirky characters. Nathaniel is very intriguing, wink! Lovett also does the mystery within a mystery really well, so I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
This was a very solid beginning of a series. I felt instantly connected to the main character and wish I could really visit Frostfall Island. The author is great at bringing her characters and settings to life. I enjoyed the yummy baking, the old Hollywood references, and the quirky characters. Nathaniel is very intriguing, wink! Lovett also does the mystery within a mystery really well, so I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
March 14, 2024
Anna St. James is the owner and landlady of Moon River Boarding House. In the early mornings, she enjoys a walk with her dog Huck and stops to capture the scenic landscape and nature's beauty with her watercolors. Opinions are mixed about the anticipated arrival of Nathaniel Smith, a new boarder, and the first mysterious impressions he creates raise concerns. It's only one puzzle for Anna to solve as a pirate reenactment turns to realism.
I loved the introduction to life on Frostfall Island. The setting of Frostfall Island is picturesque: an island off the east coast with views of the Atlantic Ocean from all sides of the island and the necessity of a ferry ride on the SS Salty Bottom to the mainland. The provision of a map at the beginning of the novel enhances the reader's experience. The diverse backgrounds of the characters are a delight. Anna is a woman you'd love to know in real life with a multitude of talents, from artist to landlady to chef to sleuth. I had a suspicion about Nathaniel Smith, and until it was verified, I loved the pace and build to reveal his background and reason for becoming a boarder away from the mainland.
The author's descriptive writing was a joy to read, creating vivid imagery or feelings that you've felt but couldn't have described so perfectly and therefore appreciated even more. A few favorites:
I loved the introduction to life on Frostfall Island. The setting of Frostfall Island is picturesque: an island off the east coast with views of the Atlantic Ocean from all sides of the island and the necessity of a ferry ride on the SS Salty Bottom to the mainland. The provision of a map at the beginning of the novel enhances the reader's experience. The diverse backgrounds of the characters are a delight. Anna is a woman you'd love to know in real life with a multitude of talents, from artist to landlady to chef to sleuth. I had a suspicion about Nathaniel Smith, and until it was verified, I loved the pace and build to reveal his background and reason for becoming a boarder away from the mainland.
The author's descriptive writing was a joy to read, creating vivid imagery or feelings that you've felt but couldn't have described so perfectly and therefore appreciated even more. A few favorites:
Anna’s favorite time of day for enjoying time as a watercolor artist outdoors "…I preferred to catch nature just before it went from inconspicuous to glorious. It was like spotting and admiring a movie star long before anyone else noticed their potential."I highly recommend a visit to Frostfall Island.
Friend Molly why she doesn’t care about a few wrinkles or a little chin sagging… "Each new line or sag is another year that I got through this wonderful adventure called life."
Anna’s thoughts on a restless night… "They were noisy, active and jumpy as a bunch of toddlers in a bounce house."
February 20, 2024
I enjoyed this first in a series cozy mystery though there is a lot of backstory I feel like I was missing. The main character Anna runs a boarding house on Frostfall Island. I love this aspect as it lends itself to many suspects, including the new mysterious boarder who just arrived in town. When someone is killed during a pirate battle reenactment Anna sets out to solve the mystery. The quirky characters & setting were my favorite part of this book and kept things entertaining.
December 22, 2022
This book was like a warm cup of tea. I loved the characters, Anna was such a strong and likeable character. Her boarders at Moon River Boarding House were so much fun. The setting of Frostfall Island was so beautiful and breezy. The mystery was entertaining and satisfying. There is a great set up for further books, I've bought them all and am looking forward to the next one.
I listened to this as an audiobook and loved Dara Rosenberg's narration. I also found myself frequently hungry as Anna prepared amazing meals for her boarders and found myself wanting a recipe book to go with the series.
I listened to this as an audiobook and loved Dara Rosenberg's narration. I also found myself frequently hungry as Anna prepared amazing meals for her boarders and found myself wanting a recipe book to go with the series.
February 12, 2023
This was actually a bit better than I thought. It was a quick, fast paced read. Anna St. James is a widow on a small island, she’s about to turn 40 and runs a running house with some eccentric characters. When a local is killed during a reenactment, the locals look to Anna to solve the mystery of his death rather than relying on the bungling local detective. At the same time her mysterious new tenant moves in and Anna must decide if Nate is friend or for.
March 8, 2025
Life on an isolated island on the east coast gets complicated when there is a murder. During a reenactment of a battle from long ago one of the participants is shot and killed. The island does not have a police force so a Detective has to be called form the mainland. One of the island residents runs a boarding house and she gets involved in solving the murder. A fun entertaining read.
January 5, 2024
While the murder mystery part didn’t start until almost the middle of the book & was over quickly, it still took me by surprise. I also really loved the setting & characters & writing. This was really well done & very enjoyable. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
January 8, 2024
3.75🌟
This was a quick and fun introduction to a new series. The mystery was good, but the unique group of characters was my favorite thing about the book. That ending has me wanting to pick up the next book sooner rather than later!
This was a quick and fun introduction to a new series. The mystery was good, but the unique group of characters was my favorite thing about the book. That ending has me wanting to pick up the next book sooner rather than later!
January 16, 2024
Enjoyed the characters and setting of this contemporary cozy mystery. Received this first in a series as a free ebook. Would read another but unavailable at my library.
March 4, 2023
2.5 stars - This was an interesting start to a series. I started it over twice because I felt like I must have missed a huge part but nope. It felt like l started mid story or mid series - why does she have a history with the detective? Why are there so many murders on this moody little island with no cars? Why has she solved so many murders/crimes? But most importantly - why do we not get the background story?
Aside from that huge plot hole that really threw me, the quirky folks at the boarding house are an entertaining cast. The sleuth has family (mother + sister) drama and her husband is “lost” at sea - which is clearly not the case but a plot point for future books.
Won’t continue with the series.
Aside from that huge plot hole that really threw me, the quirky folks at the boarding house are an entertaining cast. The sleuth has family (mother + sister) drama and her husband is “lost” at sea - which is clearly not the case but a plot point for future books.
Won’t continue with the series.
February 21, 2022
London Lovett has started a new Frostfall Island Cozy Mystery series and the first book is called Murder at North Pond.
When we get into the book, Frostfall Island is going to have a Pirate Battle reenactment, something the whole island enjoys!
Anna St. James runs a boarding house on Frostfall Island, which is a small island off the East Coast. Anna has a lot of kooky and somewhat eccentric list of boarders, including her sister, Cora. The island has visitors quite often, and at the beginning of this story, Anna's new boarder shows up, a handsome man named Nathanial Smith which has all of the boarders buzzing about him.
The whole island turns out for the reenactment, and it goes well, and everybody is happy until it was over and one of the pirates is still laying on the ground! Anna and a few others go up to him and they realize he has been shot by live ammunition, not the blanks they usually use, so a murder has been committed!
Unfortunately for the island, they don't have a police force so Anna takes charge until someone can come from the mainland. Anna has had to this a few times when murder happens. The island inhabitants trust her. In the meantime, she is also trying to figure out why her newest boarder has some very interesting newspaper files in his room.
I love this new series and can't wait for more. I gave this book a 5 star rating.
When we get into the book, Frostfall Island is going to have a Pirate Battle reenactment, something the whole island enjoys!
Anna St. James runs a boarding house on Frostfall Island, which is a small island off the East Coast. Anna has a lot of kooky and somewhat eccentric list of boarders, including her sister, Cora. The island has visitors quite often, and at the beginning of this story, Anna's new boarder shows up, a handsome man named Nathanial Smith which has all of the boarders buzzing about him.
The whole island turns out for the reenactment, and it goes well, and everybody is happy until it was over and one of the pirates is still laying on the ground! Anna and a few others go up to him and they realize he has been shot by live ammunition, not the blanks they usually use, so a murder has been committed!
Unfortunately for the island, they don't have a police force so Anna takes charge until someone can come from the mainland. Anna has had to this a few times when murder happens. The island inhabitants trust her. In the meantime, she is also trying to figure out why her newest boarder has some very interesting newspaper files in his room.
I love this new series and can't wait for more. I gave this book a 5 star rating.
April 7, 2022
I enjoyed the beginning of this cozy. I felt like I was missing a bunch of backstories, but know that it will be addressed in further books. The characters were fun, and I enjoyed the island. 3/5 stars.
May 14, 2023
Acquired the Kindle edition when offered free on Amazon.
My initial reaction was that this was a good, solid more-or-less cozy mystery. I've read -- or at least have tried to read -- a lot of really crappy books lately, and this was several huge steps up in quality. The writing and presentation are professional, the plot is cohesive, the characters are well-defined and interesting.
So why only three stars and not four?
Because . . . .
There were times when reading this that I felt the book had two writers. Anna St. James, the first-person protagonist, has one "voice" when she's by herself, and a very different voice when she's interacting with the other characters. Anna-by-Herself is much more aware of her surroundings and affected by them, much more introspective; Anna in the company of others tends to just talk. In those scenes the sentences get shorter, the action and narrative and description fall away. The difference between the two was sufficient to pull me out of the story just a little. Not much, but enough.
Second, I found it too difficult to believe in the bumbling, incompetent, rude police person. Norwich is TSTL.
Third, and slight spoiler here, .
Fourth, I can see why other reviewers would have felt somewhat lost, as though they'd been dropped into the middle of a series. Knowing that this is the first book, I didn't expect Anna to have a history of solving crimes on the island. By the same token, I appreciated not getting bludgeoned with backstory. How the author intends to close this gap might be interesting.
Fifth, the underlying mystery -- apart from the actual Murder at North Pond -- made me slightly uncomfortable from the very beginning. When it resurfaced toward the end, I became even more uncomfortable.
Still, I enjoyed it and eagerly read through to the end. Recommended as better than the usual free fare.
Closing notes: The unnamed island is more likely Kauai. What Opal "donned" was a "muumuu." Nothing bad happens to the dog. 😉
My initial reaction was that this was a good, solid more-or-less cozy mystery. I've read -- or at least have tried to read -- a lot of really crappy books lately, and this was several huge steps up in quality. The writing and presentation are professional, the plot is cohesive, the characters are well-defined and interesting.
So why only three stars and not four?
Because . . . .
There were times when reading this that I felt the book had two writers. Anna St. James, the first-person protagonist, has one "voice" when she's by herself, and a very different voice when she's interacting with the other characters. Anna-by-Herself is much more aware of her surroundings and affected by them, much more introspective; Anna in the company of others tends to just talk. In those scenes the sentences get shorter, the action and narrative and description fall away. The difference between the two was sufficient to pull me out of the story just a little. Not much, but enough.
Second, I found it too difficult to believe in the bumbling, incompetent, rude police person. Norwich is TSTL.
Third, and slight spoiler here, .
Fourth, I can see why other reviewers would have felt somewhat lost, as though they'd been dropped into the middle of a series. Knowing that this is the first book, I didn't expect Anna to have a history of solving crimes on the island. By the same token, I appreciated not getting bludgeoned with backstory. How the author intends to close this gap might be interesting.
Fifth, the underlying mystery -- apart from the actual Murder at North Pond -- made me slightly uncomfortable from the very beginning. When it resurfaced toward the end, I became even more uncomfortable.
Still, I enjoyed it and eagerly read through to the end. Recommended as better than the usual free fare.
Closing notes: The unnamed island is more likely Kauai. What Opal "donned" was a "muumuu." Nothing bad happens to the dog. 😉
July 9, 2022
What do you get when you mix a small island community, a pirate reenactment, a clever owner of a boarding house and a mysterious new stranger? One great murder mystery, that’s what!
Anna St. James is about to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Her quirky clan of boarders and the townspeople want to help her celebrate in style. However, business comes first and she must get ready for her new boarder, a Mr. Nathan Smith and get fresh vegetables for dinner.
Frostfall Island is an elusive little piece of heaven for the residents while others find it too remote. It is preparing for a pirate reenactment and there are quite a few tourists around. Anna has managed to stay clear of the event so far but that all changes when one of the actors is murdered. A lazy and chauvinistic detective from the mainland will be coming to gloss over yet another investigation leaving Anna no choice but to solve the murder yet again.
To complicate matters Anna’s new tenant is acting very secretive and has a file in his room with news clippings regarding the serial killer, PTK” (Pillow Talk Killer). Is he the killer, should she find a way to get him out of her house? So, why does she find the aloof man so attractive? She hasn’t shown any interest in a man since her husband went missing after a shipping accident years ago.
To find the answer to these questions and many more you need to read the newest cozy mystery series by London Lovett, “Murder at North Pond.” I thoroughly enjoyed the quirky characters and Anna’s quiet strength especially in putting the condescending detective in his place. My only complaint is I wish there had been more action. If you are looking for a quick and fun read that is also full of great vegetarian meal ideas this read should be place on your ‘to read’ list. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Anna St. James is about to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Her quirky clan of boarders and the townspeople want to help her celebrate in style. However, business comes first and she must get ready for her new boarder, a Mr. Nathan Smith and get fresh vegetables for dinner.
Frostfall Island is an elusive little piece of heaven for the residents while others find it too remote. It is preparing for a pirate reenactment and there are quite a few tourists around. Anna has managed to stay clear of the event so far but that all changes when one of the actors is murdered. A lazy and chauvinistic detective from the mainland will be coming to gloss over yet another investigation leaving Anna no choice but to solve the murder yet again.
To complicate matters Anna’s new tenant is acting very secretive and has a file in his room with news clippings regarding the serial killer, PTK” (Pillow Talk Killer). Is he the killer, should she find a way to get him out of her house? So, why does she find the aloof man so attractive? She hasn’t shown any interest in a man since her husband went missing after a shipping accident years ago.
To find the answer to these questions and many more you need to read the newest cozy mystery series by London Lovett, “Murder at North Pond.” I thoroughly enjoyed the quirky characters and Anna’s quiet strength especially in putting the condescending detective in his place. My only complaint is I wish there had been more action. If you are looking for a quick and fun read that is also full of great vegetarian meal ideas this read should be place on your ‘to read’ list. I can’t wait for the next installment.
February 27, 2022
Anna St. James never really expected to be running a boardinghouse on a small island in Maine when she got her business degree, but that is exactly where she is, now that her husband has died in a fishing accident and she wanted to stay in the house he inherited. To make ends meet, she decided a boardinghouse was the answer, and her "family" there includes a group of truly unique individuals - but somehow it all works.
Anna has a new tenant arriving, and when he gets there, it's clear he is not really likely to fit in with the others. In addition, he seems to be extremely antisocial and rather rude.
While this is all going on, the town's pirate festival happens, and during the fake skirmish between the pirates and the Spaniards, one of the Spaniards is actually shot and killed in plain sight, though no one realizes it at the time. Now Anna is also busy trying to figure out what happened, because the police detective from the mainland who covers this area always seems to come in and just arrest the first person he suspects. It's a given in the book that Anna has been the one to solve previous murders as well.
This was an enjoyable enough read.
Anna has a new tenant arriving, and when he gets there, it's clear he is not really likely to fit in with the others. In addition, he seems to be extremely antisocial and rather rude.
While this is all going on, the town's pirate festival happens, and during the fake skirmish between the pirates and the Spaniards, one of the Spaniards is actually shot and killed in plain sight, though no one realizes it at the time. Now Anna is also busy trying to figure out what happened, because the police detective from the mainland who covers this area always seems to come in and just arrest the first person he suspects. It's a given in the book that Anna has been the one to solve previous murders as well.
This was an enjoyable enough read.
November 29, 2023
Anna St.James is a well known amateur sleuth on Frostfall island but her day job is running a boarding house.
I found this setting interesting because you do not hear much about boarding houses in today’s world. The characters are quite interesting and add to the story line.
This is the first book in the series but I feel like I missed a few books because it is noted that Anna has solved murders in the past. This is just a slight nuance but it does not take away from the story line.
The series opens with Anna losing her husband and the grief she felt. This cozy has a deeper feel but in a good way.
A pirate re-enactment comes to the island and one of the characters is murdered. The detective from the mainland is a dope and that is why Anna needs to solve the murder on her own.
Nathaniel is a new tenant at the boarding house and he is a bit of a mystery of his own. I hope he stays apart of the series!
The end of the book left a bit of a cliffhanger and it also had me wanting to read the next book.
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I found this setting interesting because you do not hear much about boarding houses in today’s world. The characters are quite interesting and add to the story line.
This is the first book in the series but I feel like I missed a few books because it is noted that Anna has solved murders in the past. This is just a slight nuance but it does not take away from the story line.
The series opens with Anna losing her husband and the grief she felt. This cozy has a deeper feel but in a good way.
A pirate re-enactment comes to the island and one of the characters is murdered. The detective from the mainland is a dope and that is why Anna needs to solve the murder on her own.
Nathaniel is a new tenant at the boarding house and he is a bit of a mystery of his own. I hope he stays apart of the series!
The end of the book left a bit of a cliffhanger and it also had me wanting to read the next book.
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
May 25, 2023
Frostfall Island is home to a sleepy fishing village that has a slight murder problem. As a boarding house owner and respected member of the community, Anna St. James is often asked to step in and investigate when the off-island police force fails to close a case. During an event to encourage tourism, a pirate battle reenactment, one of the actors is killed. Anna will need to take the reins and uncover the truth.
So enthralled with the concept of this book - the boarding house - I briefly contemplated selling up and finding a boarding house just like Anna's. (I was vetoed, but that's another story.) The descriptions of the island held the hint of a siren's call; Frostfall Island would be an amazing place to live. Even the more outrageous characters (those I would normally consider far too ott) were well written and I enjoyed every single one. The mystery, alas, required knowledge that was withheld from the reader until close to the end - this was the only minor disappointment.
Murder at North Pond is a fantastic start to a new series. I can't wait for more!
So enthralled with the concept of this book - the boarding house - I briefly contemplated selling up and finding a boarding house just like Anna's. (I was vetoed, but that's another story.) The descriptions of the island held the hint of a siren's call; Frostfall Island would be an amazing place to live. Even the more outrageous characters (those I would normally consider far too ott) were well written and I enjoyed every single one. The mystery, alas, required knowledge that was withheld from the reader until close to the end - this was the only minor disappointment.
Murder at North Pond is a fantastic start to a new series. I can't wait for more!
January 8, 2024
This was a cozy reading with a very slow start which got better as I read more of the story. I liked the boarding house with its quirky-dependent boarders but they seemed too needy and clinging. Nate, their latest boarder was seen as rude and aloof; he was even considered to be this serial killer: Pillow Talk Killer (PTK) because he had a notebook in his room that was filled with news clippings about this PTK; it turns out that he is a detective who turned in his badge because he could not take the force any longer; not being able to nab the killer made him want to hide out at the Moon River Boarding House on Frostfall Island to get away from civilization.
The island is known for having 'mishaps' and the proprietor, Anna St. James, is good at solving these fallacies/fatalities as was done in this case: Guilt-ridden over decades brought about this latest 'mishap'.
All is well with good friends and a round of cinnamon buns to go around with plenty of milk.
The island is known for having 'mishaps' and the proprietor, Anna St. James, is good at solving these fallacies/fatalities as was done in this case: Guilt-ridden over decades brought about this latest 'mishap'.
All is well with good friends and a round of cinnamon buns to go around with plenty of milk.
February 10, 2022
Murder At North Pond is the first book in a new series from author London Lovett. I can honestly say that I very much enjoyed the story! There’s not just one mystery, there’s three! I applaud London Lovett because they all just flowed seamlessly! The story follows Anna who is running a boarding house and also serves as a sort of unofficial detective for the island.
I loved how all the scenery and characters were described. There’s a tea shop owned by Anna’s friend Sera that I kind of wish was a real place. And there’s a character named Opal that very much makes me think of Miss Patty from Gilmore Girls!
It was so much fun reading this story and I was so excited that I had guessed correctly at one of the little mysteries! I’ve still got questions though, which makes me excited to see what comes next!
I loved how all the scenery and characters were described. There’s a tea shop owned by Anna’s friend Sera that I kind of wish was a real place. And there’s a character named Opal that very much makes me think of Miss Patty from Gilmore Girls!
It was so much fun reading this story and I was so excited that I had guessed correctly at one of the little mysteries! I’ve still got questions though, which makes me excited to see what comes next!
January 23, 2024
Murder on a Small Island
I haven’t read any books by this author before, but I certainly will be looking for more from them. This story takes place on a small island in the Atlantic - Frostfall Island (fictional). There are no police on the island so when something nasty happens, like murder, the townspeople turn to Anna who seems to have a knack for finding out the truth. Anna runs a boarding house filled with quirky characters. I could just picture them when I was reading the story, each one individual.
In this book, the island is the scene for a reenactment between pirates and Spanish conquistadores (circa 1600s). During the “battle” one of the Spaniards is actually killed. When the inept mainland detective botches the case, Anna goes to work.
I really enjoyed the book. The scenery, the story, the characters—all well done. Definitely recommended.
I haven’t read any books by this author before, but I certainly will be looking for more from them. This story takes place on a small island in the Atlantic - Frostfall Island (fictional). There are no police on the island so when something nasty happens, like murder, the townspeople turn to Anna who seems to have a knack for finding out the truth. Anna runs a boarding house filled with quirky characters. I could just picture them when I was reading the story, each one individual.
In this book, the island is the scene for a reenactment between pirates and Spanish conquistadores (circa 1600s). During the “battle” one of the Spaniards is actually killed. When the inept mainland detective botches the case, Anna goes to work.
I really enjoyed the book. The scenery, the story, the characters—all well done. Definitely recommended.
June 6, 2024
I love London Lovett. I read something of her's last year, I'm blanking on it, and I've been meaning to get back to her. I was totally in the mood for a good cozy mystery so I started fresh with the Frostfall Island series.
After an initial head scratching moment in which we meet Anna St. James and we are told she had already solved mysteries and has a reputation for being the person to go to when a crime has been committed, and I had to check five times that I indeed had volume number one, I just settled into it.
I love kooky side characters, and a great many of them either live in the b&b or on the island.
In this one an actor is killed during a pirate battle reenactment. Anna is also dealing with a new tenant at the b&b who is acting suspiciously.
So, this is awesome, and I had ordered number 2 before I even finished this one.
After an initial head scratching moment in which we meet Anna St. James and we are told she had already solved mysteries and has a reputation for being the person to go to when a crime has been committed, and I had to check five times that I indeed had volume number one, I just settled into it.
I love kooky side characters, and a great many of them either live in the b&b or on the island.
In this one an actor is killed during a pirate battle reenactment. Anna is also dealing with a new tenant at the b&b who is acting suspiciously.
So, this is awesome, and I had ordered number 2 before I even finished this one.
January 11, 2024
Enjoyable!
This took a while to get into. There are so many 'main' characters to describe and add backstory that I started getting bored and frustrated. Anna and Nathaniel are the stars here and they have been described most interestingly - there is definitely more to unpack there. Also, this author describes every sunset, every flower, every tree branch so if you hate that, be forewarned.
The mystery was great, it unfolded naturally. Anna has a logical mind and is curious - no supernatural nonsense where the mystery is solved by clues off page. Nathaniel is a nice addition to the house and I can see how this will be a good series to dive in to. Looking forward to the next one!
This took a while to get into. There are so many 'main' characters to describe and add backstory that I started getting bored and frustrated. Anna and Nathaniel are the stars here and they have been described most interestingly - there is definitely more to unpack there. Also, this author describes every sunset, every flower, every tree branch so if you hate that, be forewarned.
The mystery was great, it unfolded naturally. Anna has a logical mind and is curious - no supernatural nonsense where the mystery is solved by clues off page. Nathaniel is a nice addition to the house and I can see how this will be a good series to dive in to. Looking forward to the next one!
February 4, 2024
Very cozy
This mystery has many familiar and beloved elements: idiotic policeman, underestimated but always right amateur detective, a supportive community rallying around the main character. Anna, a widow who runs a boarding house filled with interesting boarders, is intrigued and a little wary of the new addition to the house’s residents. Nate is very reserved, and he has an unnerving obsession with a serial murder case puzzling police on the mainland for years. But there’s a murder right on Anna’s turf, so she settles in and solves that case, taking breaks to cook up delicious baked goods for her guests. This little island seems like a pleasant place to live. I wish it existed in real life.
This mystery has many familiar and beloved elements: idiotic policeman, underestimated but always right amateur detective, a supportive community rallying around the main character. Anna, a widow who runs a boarding house filled with interesting boarders, is intrigued and a little wary of the new addition to the house’s residents. Nate is very reserved, and he has an unnerving obsession with a serial murder case puzzling police on the mainland for years. But there’s a murder right on Anna’s turf, so she settles in and solves that case, taking breaks to cook up delicious baked goods for her guests. This little island seems like a pleasant place to live. I wish it existed in real life.
January 19, 2025
Cute story. Enjoyed the case and the way the author wove together the wise of the story. I think however the author might be a little bitter about getting older. Being over 40 isn't as bad as the author made it out to be. It was a little annoying all the ageism in this story. However, the story itself was good. I would recommend this book if you want a quick light read. It is a bit easy to figure out but I have discovered most cozies are. The author would do well to eliminate the ageism in her books as it is quite a bit offensive,. It can turn off some people quite a bit, in fact, at one point I almost stopped reading the book due to all the mislabels of being over 40 years of age. In fact, I have discovered my observation skills have increased greatly over 40.
June 23, 2023
Anna is an unorthodox amateur investigator. Living on a small island with no law enforcement, she somehow became the go-to person for solving crimes; especially murder. Apparently the island has had a disproportionate number of murders, so Anna has some previous experience at solving them. This is especially important as the mainland police officer with jurisdiction over the island is an idiot who is lazy and quick to say that Anna interferes in his investigations. This book has a murder during a pirate vs. Spanish battle reenactment. Interesting and quirky characters make this a good cozy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2023
What a charming cozy mystery. Set on an island in the Atlantic, presumably not too far off the mainland, a boarding house owner is the one the islanders turn to for crime solving as the mainland detective assigned to to them when needed is incompetent and lazy. When a re-enactor is murdered at a pirate battle reenactment the detective promptly arrests the wrong man, who whilst he had opportunity had no motive nor means. So our intrepid detective finally arrives at the correct perpetrator through research and deductions. I look forward to the second in the series.
October 1, 2023
An re-enactment ends in murder.
Anna owns and manages a boarding house on Frostfall Island. The island is small and doesn’t rate its own police department, so a murder requires a detective to come from the mainland. When an actor is killed in a pirate attack held for entertainment for tourists and locals, the detective arrests the first suspect he finds. Anna feels called to find the real murderer, while suspecting she may already have a criminal newly arrived as a boarder. An uncomplicated mystery and some rather quirky characters.
Anna owns and manages a boarding house on Frostfall Island. The island is small and doesn’t rate its own police department, so a murder requires a detective to come from the mainland. When an actor is killed in a pirate attack held for entertainment for tourists and locals, the detective arrests the first suspect he finds. Anna feels called to find the real murderer, while suspecting she may already have a criminal newly arrived as a boarder. An uncomplicated mystery and some rather quirky characters.
November 8, 2023
Murder at North Pond by London Lovett is the first book in the Frostfall Island Cozy Mystery series. Anna St. James runs the Moon River Boarding House on Frostfall Island and has a history of solving murders on the island, so when a man dies in a pirate battle re-enactment, it is up to Anna to step in her detective role again. A charming mystery where we get to know the inhabitants of Frostfall Island with quite a few strange and quirky characters amongst them. I loved the island setting and all the complexities which come with it. An interesting and enjoyable cozy mystery.
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