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Minerva Biggs Mysteries #1
Mystery Repeats Itself
Delighted by the promise of living and working in a glittering Gilded Age mansion, Minerva Biggs moves to idyllic Bryd Hollow, North Carolina with her dog Plantagenet. She’s looking for a new beginning; what she finds is five quite possibly deranged people, four French bulldogs, two distracting dimples attached to one inconvenient man … and one murder.
Nope, make that two murders. When Minerva makes a connection between her new employer’s fatal fall and the death of his celebrated great-grandfather in the same spot more than a century before, she doubts that either was an accident. Delving into old secrets and new grudges, she begins to unravel the twisted threads that bind past to present. Right up until she tangles them around the wrong guy. Oops.
With a trial looming, a scandal raging, and her job prospects dwindling, Minerva races to solve both crimes. Preferably before her new beginning comes to an unfortunate end.
Nope, make that two murders. When Minerva makes a connection between her new employer’s fatal fall and the death of his celebrated great-grandfather in the same spot more than a century before, she doubts that either was an accident. Delving into old secrets and new grudges, she begins to unravel the twisted threads that bind past to present. Right up until she tangles them around the wrong guy. Oops.
With a trial looming, a scandal raging, and her job prospects dwindling, Minerva races to solve both crimes. Preferably before her new beginning comes to an unfortunate end.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2022
822 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 6, 2024
A fun cozy mystery with an engaging main character.
July 4, 2024
Altho’ the story takes place in North Carolina, I felt like it was an hamlet in the United Kingdom. Perhaps it’s the names of the characters, (Minerva, Percy, Clifford, Plantagenet), or it’s the 70 room Gilded age mansion complete with all the trappings. It might have been the names of these grand buildings: Baird House or Tybryd Estate; not names usually associated with N. C.
The residents of Baird House live like a baron and family with a small but competent staff of servants. Author, Cordelia Rook, does a good job of creating quirky, memorable characters. Minerva and her dog will be fun to follow in this cozy series that has 5 volumes.
If you were to read Rook’s bio, you will find this statement: “tireless champion of the Oxford comma”. Ms. Rook, I’m not sure what references you’ve studied but it would behoove you to brush up on the proper use of commas. There are too many situations for me to mention them all but one big error is using a comma between two independent clauses; it’s not necessary and is distracting.
That annoyance aside, MYSTERY REPEATS ITSELF was lots of fun with a bumbling, good hearted, big dog loving sleuth nicknamed “Minnie Biggs”📚
The residents of Baird House live like a baron and family with a small but competent staff of servants. Author, Cordelia Rook, does a good job of creating quirky, memorable characters. Minerva and her dog will be fun to follow in this cozy series that has 5 volumes.
If you were to read Rook’s bio, you will find this statement: “tireless champion of the Oxford comma”. Ms. Rook, I’m not sure what references you’ve studied but it would behoove you to brush up on the proper use of commas. There are too many situations for me to mention them all but one big error is using a comma between two independent clauses; it’s not necessary and is distracting.
That annoyance aside, MYSTERY REPEATS ITSELF was lots of fun with a bumbling, good hearted, big dog loving sleuth nicknamed “Minnie Biggs”📚
October 21, 2024
Free e-book at time of download. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
2.5 stars rounded down
Minerva Biggs, former teacher, has just taken a job as personal assistant to the Baird family of Tybard estate. While on a tour of the family home the day before she officially starts work, Minerva is rudely hit in the face with a door by her new boss and then when her very large dog tries to defend her, Minerva's new boss kicks her beloved companion! Not exactly the way she wanted to start off a new job. To make matters worse, at dinner that night, Minerva learns her boss, Clifford Baird, is pressuring his son Percy to marry another luxury hotel magnate's daughter in order to merge the two brands and consolidate the wealth. Oddsbodkins! What century is this? Then when Clifford dresses in his old clothes for a lunch meeting followed by a hike and fails to return, only Minerva is worried. Finally, his anxious wife calls the police who discover Clifford's body where he had fallen over a cliff. Minerva wonders if Clifford was murdered and if his death has any connection to the murder of one of his ancestors 100 years ago? When her dog discovers evidence Clifford was indeed murdered and a key piece of evidence goes missing, the police chief suspects Minerva is the killer! Minerva helps direct the attention elsewhere but knows that isn't right either. She's determined to find out the truth! Can she dig around and figure it out before she ends up fired, or worse?
This story was kind of meh for me. I can't really explain why. The plot wasn't bad but it took awhile to set up and teased at Minerva's past. Gosh that incident would have seemed far-fetched not so long ago but I would believe it now. It was so bizarre though. I ended up figuring out why Clifford was killed pretty quickly. Minerva was on the right track. I wasn't sure who though but by process of elimination, I think anyone can figure it out.
The characters are all pretty two-dimensional and mostly unlikable. Minerva isn't too bad. She's not TSTL but she does do some dumb stuff. I feel bad for her because this family is so awful, she may not be allowed to keep her job because she's pretty? HELLO what century is this?! Minerva obviously loves her dog Plantagenet and is a scholar of medieval history rather than Victorian. She claims to use Victorian slang but the words she speaks are much older than that. Also the name Plantagenet. Wouldn't someone who loves the Victorian era name her dog Albert or Bronte or ANYTHING actually associated with the Victorian era? That seemed a little odd to me. I've never once read of anyone in the Victorian era/Gilded Age using oddsbodkins and other archaic slang. Plant is a good boy! He can't help being extra large any more than Minerva can help being pretty. Plant has some training as a guard dog and naturally he wants to protect the human who is good to him. If people are prejudiced against him because of his size and color, that's their problem not his. (Furniece Rupee barks hi! People are scared of her because she's black and medium big Blue Heeler X. Labraheeler/Shepherd? No they haven't done a DNA test. No no one cares what breeds she is thanks, same as Minerva and Plant.) He's just doing his job! Maybe she should get him a vest that says "I'm a trained guard dog."
The Bairds are just not likable. Clifford is nasty. He's an authoritative patriarch who cares only about money and not a bit about his family. He routinely cheats on his wife and most recently with the previous personal assistant! He's already disinherited one child and threatens the other two playing them off each other. He's rude to Minerva and her dog too and sees everyone has an opponent he has to best. Mrs. B is lively and cheerful. She speaks in italics and I find her rather annoying. Is she unaware of her husband's infidelities? Does she really not care? Is she married to him for the money and that's it? Her reaction to his disappearance seems oddly calm and then she does a 180 when Minerva gives the police a clue. Mrs. B seems to love her children and that's about it. If she wasn't small I'd say she was the murderer.
Daughter Gwen is estranged from the family and I sure as heck don't blame her. She's living happily with her husband and children in Italy and won't/can't even come home for her father's funeral. Frankly, I wouldn't either. Elaine lives at home and works for the family business. It's unclear what she does exactly. She seems OK but spoiled. She's clever though and determined not to make the mistakes her sister did. Tristan, who is only vaguely and occasionally employed, comes home for a month each year to help with plans for the family's annual ball. He's lazy and spoiled and doesn't really want to DO anything. He's happy to live off the family money. Percy also lives at home and is vying for his father's attention in order to inherit the business. Percy is the only NICE one in the family. Right away he greets Plant, not even noticing Minerva and when he does, he's rude to her. Not in the same way his father is but still, he insults her and tries to fire her right away before she's even started working. He digs into Minerva's background without permission which upsets her but yet he's also very kind and sympathetic. Percy doesn't like to deal with his father's drama and prefers to walk away rather than continually engage in an argument he can't win.
Other members of the household staff include Snick, the Bairds’ household manager (never butler). I really can't stand him. He enjoys a good gossip and loves being around the family at their worst. For him, they provide entertainment, like a soap opera. Minerva actively involves Snick in her investigation, albeit reluctantly. I wouldn't trust him if I were her. He may even be the murderer. The only other live-in staff is Rebecca, the personal chef. I thought she was the housekeeper from the way she acts. She's standoffish with Minerva but a good cook. If she wanted to kill Clifford, it would be easy to do so. Why would she push him off a cliff and how?
Clifford would have Percy marry Paisley for her family fortune. Paisley is an airhead and gold digger. She sucks up to Mrs. B trying to be helpful but really isn't. Her plans for a funeral are super weird for the most part and she should stick to doing whatever it is she does and leave the event planning to Minerva. I can see why Percy isn't interested in her. Ruby Walker is the Chief and I think she's a good cop but she does try to railroad Minerva into admitting she committed the murder. I can't stand that trope. Simone Benoit, the last PA, was also Clifford's last mistress. Oh ew! She seems decent even if she's a cat person. She's willing to help with the investigation but mainly only to keep herself from becoming a suspect.
In the Victorian era, Alistair Baird was a robber baron who made the family fortune and built a grand estate and the cottage where the family now lives. He was just as nasty as Clifford but at least he was pious so he felt guilty about his misdeeds. His wife, Emily, was long suffering. She was a tough lady and managed the family's brand. Anything said about the family had to be approved by her and she would do whatever it took to keep up her husband's good reputation in the community, even though he didn't deserve it. How far did she go to keep her family's good name? Did she murder her husband? Did he have a lover and his wife found out and killed the lover? Is there a connection to Clifford's death.
Perhaps I'll return to this series at a later date but for now, this one just didn't click with me.
2.5 stars rounded down
Minerva Biggs, former teacher, has just taken a job as personal assistant to the Baird family of Tybard estate. While on a tour of the family home the day before she officially starts work, Minerva is rudely hit in the face with a door by her new boss and then when her very large dog tries to defend her, Minerva's new boss kicks her beloved companion! Not exactly the way she wanted to start off a new job. To make matters worse, at dinner that night, Minerva learns her boss, Clifford Baird, is pressuring his son Percy to marry another luxury hotel magnate's daughter in order to merge the two brands and consolidate the wealth. Oddsbodkins! What century is this? Then when Clifford dresses in his old clothes for a lunch meeting followed by a hike and fails to return, only Minerva is worried. Finally, his anxious wife calls the police who discover Clifford's body where he had fallen over a cliff. Minerva wonders if Clifford was murdered and if his death has any connection to the murder of one of his ancestors 100 years ago? When her dog discovers evidence Clifford was indeed murdered and a key piece of evidence goes missing, the police chief suspects Minerva is the killer! Minerva helps direct the attention elsewhere but knows that isn't right either. She's determined to find out the truth! Can she dig around and figure it out before she ends up fired, or worse?
This story was kind of meh for me. I can't really explain why. The plot wasn't bad but it took awhile to set up and teased at Minerva's past. Gosh that incident would have seemed far-fetched not so long ago but I would believe it now. It was so bizarre though. I ended up figuring out why Clifford was killed pretty quickly. Minerva was on the right track. I wasn't sure who though but by process of elimination, I think anyone can figure it out.
The characters are all pretty two-dimensional and mostly unlikable. Minerva isn't too bad. She's not TSTL but she does do some dumb stuff. I feel bad for her because this family is so awful, she may not be allowed to keep her job because she's pretty? HELLO what century is this?! Minerva obviously loves her dog Plantagenet and is a scholar of medieval history rather than Victorian. She claims to use Victorian slang but the words she speaks are much older than that. Also the name Plantagenet. Wouldn't someone who loves the Victorian era name her dog Albert or Bronte or ANYTHING actually associated with the Victorian era? That seemed a little odd to me. I've never once read of anyone in the Victorian era/Gilded Age using oddsbodkins and other archaic slang. Plant is a good boy! He can't help being extra large any more than Minerva can help being pretty. Plant has some training as a guard dog and naturally he wants to protect the human who is good to him. If people are prejudiced against him because of his size and color, that's their problem not his. (Furniece Rupee barks hi! People are scared of her because she's black and medium big Blue Heeler X. Labraheeler/Shepherd? No they haven't done a DNA test. No no one cares what breeds she is thanks, same as Minerva and Plant.) He's just doing his job! Maybe she should get him a vest that says "I'm a trained guard dog."
The Bairds are just not likable. Clifford is nasty. He's an authoritative patriarch who cares only about money and not a bit about his family. He routinely cheats on his wife and most recently with the previous personal assistant! He's already disinherited one child and threatens the other two playing them off each other. He's rude to Minerva and her dog too and sees everyone has an opponent he has to best. Mrs. B is lively and cheerful. She speaks in italics and I find her rather annoying. Is she unaware of her husband's infidelities? Does she really not care? Is she married to him for the money and that's it? Her reaction to his disappearance seems oddly calm and then she does a 180 when Minerva gives the police a clue. Mrs. B seems to love her children and that's about it. If she wasn't small I'd say she was the murderer.
Daughter Gwen is estranged from the family and I sure as heck don't blame her. She's living happily with her husband and children in Italy and won't/can't even come home for her father's funeral. Frankly, I wouldn't either. Elaine lives at home and works for the family business. It's unclear what she does exactly. She seems OK but spoiled. She's clever though and determined not to make the mistakes her sister did. Tristan, who is only vaguely and occasionally employed, comes home for a month each year to help with plans for the family's annual ball. He's lazy and spoiled and doesn't really want to DO anything. He's happy to live off the family money. Percy also lives at home and is vying for his father's attention in order to inherit the business. Percy is the only NICE one in the family. Right away he greets Plant, not even noticing Minerva and when he does, he's rude to her. Not in the same way his father is but still, he insults her and tries to fire her right away before she's even started working. He digs into Minerva's background without permission which upsets her but yet he's also very kind and sympathetic. Percy doesn't like to deal with his father's drama and prefers to walk away rather than continually engage in an argument he can't win.
Other members of the household staff include Snick, the Bairds’ household manager (never butler). I really can't stand him. He enjoys a good gossip and loves being around the family at their worst. For him, they provide entertainment, like a soap opera. Minerva actively involves Snick in her investigation, albeit reluctantly. I wouldn't trust him if I were her. He may even be the murderer. The only other live-in staff is Rebecca, the personal chef. I thought she was the housekeeper from the way she acts. She's standoffish with Minerva but a good cook. If she wanted to kill Clifford, it would be easy to do so. Why would she push him off a cliff and how?
Clifford would have Percy marry Paisley for her family fortune. Paisley is an airhead and gold digger. She sucks up to Mrs. B trying to be helpful but really isn't. Her plans for a funeral are super weird for the most part and she should stick to doing whatever it is she does and leave the event planning to Minerva. I can see why Percy isn't interested in her. Ruby Walker is the Chief and I think she's a good cop but she does try to railroad Minerva into admitting she committed the murder. I can't stand that trope. Simone Benoit, the last PA, was also Clifford's last mistress. Oh ew! She seems decent even if she's a cat person. She's willing to help with the investigation but mainly only to keep herself from becoming a suspect.
In the Victorian era, Alistair Baird was a robber baron who made the family fortune and built a grand estate and the cottage where the family now lives. He was just as nasty as Clifford but at least he was pious so he felt guilty about his misdeeds. His wife, Emily, was long suffering. She was a tough lady and managed the family's brand. Anything said about the family had to be approved by her and she would do whatever it took to keep up her husband's good reputation in the community, even though he didn't deserve it. How far did she go to keep her family's good name? Did she murder her husband? Did he have a lover and his wife found out and killed the lover? Is there a connection to Clifford's death.
Perhaps I'll return to this series at a later date but for now, this one just didn't click with me.
December 4, 2023
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
✅ well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
✅ takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
✅ impossible to put down
I'm so pleasantly surprised by this one.
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
✅ well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
✅ takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
✅ impossible to put down
I'm so pleasantly surprised by this one.
April 29, 2022
I’ve been a fan of Cordelia Rook’s writing since… well, since before she was Cordelia Rook, actually. In her other pen names, I loved her quirky style, her way-outside-the-box characters and her sense of humour. Especially her sense of humour. All of that is present and correct in this new series of cozy-with-dog mysteries.
Here’s the premise: Minerva Biggs has found her ideal job, working as a personal assistant in a Gilded Age mansion with serious history. She’s a big history fan, and already knows a ton about the Baird family, whose home this is. They’re seriously weird, but when you’re as rich as they are, maybe that goes with the territory. Patriarch Clifford maintains a firm hand on the tiller of both the business and his family, to the extent of managing their marital arrangements, or trying to. This does not go down well, as Minerva notices on her very first day on the job.
And then Clifford disappears. Oh dear. And turns up dead at the bottom of a waterfall. Oh dear, oh dear. And Minerva, in her innocent, well-meaning, bumbling way, manages to accidentally prove that it’s murder and then to implicate the cute-with-dimples son Percy. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
Well, you know how things go in this sort of a book. Minerva, aided, abetted and sometimes hindered by her giant of a dog, Plant (short for Plantagenet) has to scramble to get Percy off the hook, and the only way to do that involves diving into the past and solving an identical murder a hundred years earlier. And if she can do that, she just may get to keep her job and perhaps get to hang around the cute be-dimpled Percy.
This was a whole heap of fun, and I liked the little surprise jokes that popped up, like all the children’s names being Arthurian (Percy, Elaine, Tristan, and I’m guessing that the absent Gwen is really Guinevere; but where’s Lancelot, I wonder?), and Minerva’s wacky little phrases (odsbodikins!). I guessed the murderer at a very early stage, but then that’s not really the point of a book like this, is it? It’s all about the journey, not the destination and here the journey had me laughing out loud. I was entertained from the first page to the last. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Minerva Biggs has found her ideal job, working as a personal assistant in a Gilded Age mansion with serious history. She’s a big history fan, and already knows a ton about the Baird family, whose home this is. They’re seriously weird, but when you’re as rich as they are, maybe that goes with the territory. Patriarch Clifford maintains a firm hand on the tiller of both the business and his family, to the extent of managing their marital arrangements, or trying to. This does not go down well, as Minerva notices on her very first day on the job.
And then Clifford disappears. Oh dear. And turns up dead at the bottom of a waterfall. Oh dear, oh dear. And Minerva, in her innocent, well-meaning, bumbling way, manages to accidentally prove that it’s murder and then to implicate the cute-with-dimples son Percy. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
Well, you know how things go in this sort of a book. Minerva, aided, abetted and sometimes hindered by her giant of a dog, Plant (short for Plantagenet) has to scramble to get Percy off the hook, and the only way to do that involves diving into the past and solving an identical murder a hundred years earlier. And if she can do that, she just may get to keep her job and perhaps get to hang around the cute be-dimpled Percy.
This was a whole heap of fun, and I liked the little surprise jokes that popped up, like all the children’s names being Arthurian (Percy, Elaine, Tristan, and I’m guessing that the absent Gwen is really Guinevere; but where’s Lancelot, I wonder?), and Minerva’s wacky little phrases (odsbodikins!). I guessed the murderer at a very early stage, but then that’s not really the point of a book like this, is it? It’s all about the journey, not the destination and here the journey had me laughing out loud. I was entertained from the first page to the last. Five stars.
December 22, 2023
Minerva Biggs left her old life behind, moving from her teaching career to work as a PA for a wealthy hotelier. One of her perks is free accommodation at the family's large home, which entangles her in the family drama. When her boss dies, she fears foul play - even more so when she discovers that his father had drawn his last breath in the same manner.
This was a delightful read. Barely a few pages in, the main character became familiar, leaving me feeling that I was not reading an introduction to a series but a book much further along where all the kinks have been worked out. Minerva's sidekick, her faithful guard dog, was a pleasant addition to the cast. He had just enough shenanigans to make him unique, but not so much that he became an annoyance. Perfect pet. The rest of the team who round out the company are highly individualistic - different from each other and distinctive from every other author's cosy characters.
Were the characters the main draw of this story, it would be a remarkable read and well worth the time invested. This is not entirely the case. The mystery itself is so elaborate that it holds that place of honour. It was a maze! In the final pages, I was convinced I had correctly pegged the murderer - but no, my conclusion jumping missed the mark, and I was delighted with the way the author unknotted the puzzle.
At this moment, I wish I was a TV producer as I would quickly option this series. This mystery will please any fan of the genre.
This was a delightful read. Barely a few pages in, the main character became familiar, leaving me feeling that I was not reading an introduction to a series but a book much further along where all the kinks have been worked out. Minerva's sidekick, her faithful guard dog, was a pleasant addition to the cast. He had just enough shenanigans to make him unique, but not so much that he became an annoyance. Perfect pet. The rest of the team who round out the company are highly individualistic - different from each other and distinctive from every other author's cosy characters.
Were the characters the main draw of this story, it would be a remarkable read and well worth the time invested. This is not entirely the case. The mystery itself is so elaborate that it holds that place of honour. It was a maze! In the final pages, I was convinced I had correctly pegged the murderer - but no, my conclusion jumping missed the mark, and I was delighted with the way the author unknotted the puzzle.
At this moment, I wish I was a TV producer as I would quickly option this series. This mystery will please any fan of the genre.
June 10, 2022
Minerva Biggs accepts a job as a personal assistant in Bryd Hollow, North Carolina, bringing along her very large dog, Plantagenet, assured that he's welcome. But when she's injured by her employer the first day, and her dog is also a target, she at first rethinks, then decides she has nowhere else to go, so lets it slide.
Not long after, her new employer is found dead, and she finds her own job in jeopardy. Convinced it was not an accident, and might actually be related to the death of his great-grandfather over a century before in the same spot, she sets out to find a killer. Unfortunately, in doing so she might also find herself a casualty...
When I saw this book I really liked the plot line, so thought I would give it a try. It started out well, but unfortunately, soon became boring to me. It just could not hold my attention. I would like to know: At that point, the book lost my interest completely, and I really didn't care what happened or who was the murderer. It just became another cozy about a woman who is penniless, homeless, and doesn't know what to do with her life.
I skimmed to the end just to see what happens, and while it was well written (hence the three stars), I didn't find anything here that would make me read the next in the series. Sorry.
Not long after, her new employer is found dead, and she finds her own job in jeopardy. Convinced it was not an accident, and might actually be related to the death of his great-grandfather over a century before in the same spot, she sets out to find a killer. Unfortunately, in doing so she might also find herself a casualty...
When I saw this book I really liked the plot line, so thought I would give it a try. It started out well, but unfortunately, soon became boring to me. It just could not hold my attention. I would like to know: At that point, the book lost my interest completely, and I really didn't care what happened or who was the murderer. It just became another cozy about a woman who is penniless, homeless, and doesn't know what to do with her life.
I skimmed to the end just to see what happens, and while it was well written (hence the three stars), I didn't find anything here that would make me read the next in the series. Sorry.
July 9, 2022
Real Page Turner!
This author had me up half the night reading. The story is just intriguing from the first few lines. The style of her writing is unique and not like any other author I have read. The characters are so clearly depicted I felt like if I closed my eyes I could see them as if remembering them from a face to face meeting. The detail that the author described the Baird properties sent me heading to the internet to look up the area when I realized it was just make believe! And the fact that we are owned by a 140 pound Great Dane was just frosting on the cake! I loved all the twists and turns. Especially loved the intricate details that "Minerva" used to not only push the plot along but to draw the reader into feeling like we are with her piecing together the mystery.
This is my new favorite author and I am looking forward to reading all her books. Well done!
This author had me up half the night reading. The story is just intriguing from the first few lines. The style of her writing is unique and not like any other author I have read. The characters are so clearly depicted I felt like if I closed my eyes I could see them as if remembering them from a face to face meeting. The detail that the author described the Baird properties sent me heading to the internet to look up the area when I realized it was just make believe! And the fact that we are owned by a 140 pound Great Dane was just frosting on the cake! I loved all the twists and turns. Especially loved the intricate details that "Minerva" used to not only push the plot along but to draw the reader into feeling like we are with her piecing together the mystery.
This is my new favorite author and I am looking forward to reading all her books. Well done!
April 24, 2022
Sassy Cozy
I liked this story and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The writing is really sassy and fun. I liked the dog, Plant, that had a prominent focus in the story. I also liked the weaving of family history with the present series of events which added to the intrigue of the story. There is also a hint of romance and the promise of more to come. All of the characters were quirky and I petsonally like books with quirky characters. This story has all the makings for an excellent new cozy mystery series. Highly recommended.
I liked this story and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The writing is really sassy and fun. I liked the dog, Plant, that had a prominent focus in the story. I also liked the weaving of family history with the present series of events which added to the intrigue of the story. There is also a hint of romance and the promise of more to come. All of the characters were quirky and I petsonally like books with quirky characters. This story has all the makings for an excellent new cozy mystery series. Highly recommended.
February 21, 2024
It was okay…
Just not the cozy for me. I did like Plant, but honestly, he was about the only one. I just didn’t really connect with the other characters, and some just annoyed the heck out of me. More a 2.75 star than 3 star read.
I may try the second book to see if I like it 🤷🏻♀️
Just not the cozy for me. I did like Plant, but honestly, he was about the only one. I just didn’t really connect with the other characters, and some just annoyed the heck out of me. More a 2.75 star than 3 star read.
I may try the second book to see if I like it 🤷🏻♀️
March 29, 2022
Double Murder and a giant dog
The death of two people at the same spot generations apart plus one giant dog. What more could a reader ask for? This is an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next 2! I’ve preordered both.
The death of two people at the same spot generations apart plus one giant dog. What more could a reader ask for? This is an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next 2! I’ve preordered both.
June 22, 2022
This was read in one day because I just could not put it down. It has more twists than a mountain road and the characters were spot on. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good read and has an interest in history. Can't wait for the next episode.
February 10, 2023
First time reading this author and it was not bad, but the repeated use of "Odsbodikins, lowlights & highlights" was very annoying.
The story was good, but some aspects didn't make sense and were ridiculously unbelievable.
The story was good, but some aspects didn't make sense and were ridiculously unbelievable.
January 14, 2024
I am really torn about how to review this book. There were things about it I really liked, but there was one thing that really irritated me, and I'm not sure I can get past it to read more books in the series.
What I liked was the author's writing style and especially the humor she infused into all the characters. I loved the humor here - it was exactly my sort of humor and I laughed almost all the way through the book. That was excellent.
I also really liked all the supporting characters. All of them were "characters" in the best sense of the word. They were quirky and unique and all had their own kind of charm.
Unfortunately, what I did not like was main character Minerva. Look, this was a cozy mystery and I read a lot of cozies, so I fully understand that cozy MCs are always nosy busybodies who poke their noses into other people's business. I expect that and I don't even mind it. What I do mind, and what Minerva was guilty of, was being so unwilling to recognize that their nose-poking was putting other people at dangerous risk.
If Minerva had only endangered herself with her sleuthing, I'd have been fine with it, but when her actions I was literally mad at her! To be completely fair, she does acknowledge what a stupid choice it was, but still I just couldn't forgive her for that choice.
Also annoying, but I could have lived with it if not for the above factor, was Minerva's tendency to whine, feel sorry for herself, and actually blame other people for the negative consequences of the choices SHE MADE. I'm fine with a cozy MC being a buttinsky - it's almost a requirement for the genre, but usually the characters live with their consequences, so the amount of whining and blaming I saw from Minerva, especially toward the end of the book started to really grate on my nerves.
As I said, I'm really torn, because I really did like a lot about this story. I might read the second book just to see if the whining and blaming get toned down but I probably won't rush to get it.
What I liked was the author's writing style and especially the humor she infused into all the characters. I loved the humor here - it was exactly my sort of humor and I laughed almost all the way through the book. That was excellent.
I also really liked all the supporting characters. All of them were "characters" in the best sense of the word. They were quirky and unique and all had their own kind of charm.
Unfortunately, what I did not like was main character Minerva. Look, this was a cozy mystery and I read a lot of cozies, so I fully understand that cozy MCs are always nosy busybodies who poke their noses into other people's business. I expect that and I don't even mind it. What I do mind, and what Minerva was guilty of, was being so unwilling to recognize that their nose-poking was putting other people at dangerous risk.
If Minerva had only endangered herself with her sleuthing, I'd have been fine with it, but when her actions I was literally mad at her! To be completely fair, she does acknowledge what a stupid choice it was, but still I just couldn't forgive her for that choice.
Also annoying, but I could have lived with it if not for the above factor, was Minerva's tendency to whine, feel sorry for herself, and actually blame other people for the negative consequences of the choices SHE MADE. I'm fine with a cozy MC being a buttinsky - it's almost a requirement for the genre, but usually the characters live with their consequences, so the amount of whining and blaming I saw from Minerva, especially toward the end of the book started to really grate on my nerves.
As I said, I'm really torn, because I really did like a lot about this story. I might read the second book just to see if the whining and blaming get toned down but I probably won't rush to get it.
March 26, 2025
This felt like a sequel because there were hints at Minerva being shot by an angry mom earlier which was why she was no longer a teacher. Later it came up again like she might have PTSD or something. This same thing happened with the book I finished yesterday, too. It’s very frustrating
I really liked Minerva. She was quirky and funny and broke the fourth wall on occasion, talking directly to the reader. She loved her dog and I could really relate to her about that. She also loves to do research which I adore too.
She did delve into investigating the mystery a lot. She did some excellent sleuthing and putting together clues. I’m just not sure why/how the cases fit together in her mind. That seemed really far-fetched.
The evidence was minuscule and circumstantial. They didn’t have enough to make an arrest let alone prosecution. And a murder case wouldn’t start a couple of months after the initial arrest. He hadn’t even been interrogated. He was wealthy and would have had amazing lawyers. And they never push up a murder trial. There would be so many motions it would take forever to even start. There hadn’t been even a grand jury which has to happen first. There’s artistic license and there’s just ridiculousness. To put a time thing on it she could have had them about to arrest him and send off to jail with other murderers and he would never survive. Also silly but not nearly as bad.
At one point this turned into a horror story, at least for me and any dog owner who’s close to their dog. No the dog doesn’t die or anything, it worked out fine of course, but I was close to tears myself.
I liked this enough that when I was done, I went to borrow the next one right away. But unfortunately all copies were in use and I had to put a hold on it.
I really liked the reader, Amy Talmadge. She had a lot of different voices and a nice narration voice as well.
I really liked Minerva. She was quirky and funny and broke the fourth wall on occasion, talking directly to the reader. She loved her dog and I could really relate to her about that. She also loves to do research which I adore too.
She did delve into investigating the mystery a lot. She did some excellent sleuthing and putting together clues. I’m just not sure why/how the cases fit together in her mind. That seemed really far-fetched.
The evidence was minuscule and circumstantial. They didn’t have enough to make an arrest let alone prosecution. And a murder case wouldn’t start a couple of months after the initial arrest. He hadn’t even been interrogated. He was wealthy and would have had amazing lawyers. And they never push up a murder trial. There would be so many motions it would take forever to even start. There hadn’t been even a grand jury which has to happen first. There’s artistic license and there’s just ridiculousness. To put a time thing on it she could have had them about to arrest him and send off to jail with other murderers and he would never survive. Also silly but not nearly as bad.
At one point this turned into a horror story, at least for me and any dog owner who’s close to their dog. No the dog doesn’t die or anything, it worked out fine of course, but I was close to tears myself.
I liked this enough that when I was done, I went to borrow the next one right away. But unfortunately all copies were in use and I had to put a hold on it.
I really liked the reader, Amy Talmadge. She had a lot of different voices and a nice narration voice as well.
May 31, 2025
I enjoyed this book. This was a fun cozy mystery with all the usual an amateur sleuths who finds trouble without even trying, an adorable pet in this case a mischievous but well trained dog, a cute guy, a police detective that doesn't want any help and a body or two. Then let the chuckles unfold, the drama begin and the secrets uncovered. I think the motive was pretty obvious but being hidden in the diary was a fun twist and I hadn't quiet worked out who was responsible. I liked the characters. I am not sure how old Minerva is meant to be (and can't remember if we were told) but she seemed older than the usual ditzy amateur to me, which worked well for the story and the setting. I have got to admit Snicks (the butler I guess you might call him) was my favourite character, with his snide helpful comments and hope he becomes more of a sidekick in the next book.
After Minerva turns her back on teaching and her old life, all she takes with her to start her new job is her dog and love of history. Living and being a personal assistant to an old family with a lot of history is a dream job for her. Until she mets her boss and nearly gets fired on her first day, even worse her boss disappears not long after. His body is found where his grandfather also met a tragic end. Could the two be related like Minerva thinks or an accident like everybody else does? Minerva can't let it go but when the evidence she uncovers have the police making an arrest, Minerva keeps investigating because not only have they made a mistake but there is something more going on than meets the eye.
I liked the narrator. She made it easy to imagine the characters
After Minerva turns her back on teaching and her old life, all she takes with her to start her new job is her dog and love of history. Living and being a personal assistant to an old family with a lot of history is a dream job for her. Until she mets her boss and nearly gets fired on her first day, even worse her boss disappears not long after. His body is found where his grandfather also met a tragic end. Could the two be related like Minerva thinks or an accident like everybody else does? Minerva can't let it go but when the evidence she uncovers have the police making an arrest, Minerva keeps investigating because not only have they made a mistake but there is something more going on than meets the eye.
I liked the narrator. She made it easy to imagine the characters
April 7, 2022
Minerva Biggs is hoping for a fresh start with a move and a new job as a PA in a historic old home with an old money family the Bairds. Her first day is off to a rocky start when she has a run in quite literally with her new boss and things don’t improve much from there. The head of the family Clifford disappears the next day and is found later at the edge of a cliff. Minerva history buff that she is recalls later that the family founder was found dead many years before in the exact same spot. As no one like Clifford due to his boorishness Minerva is suspicious that this might not be an accident after all.
Wow Minerva has quite the shocking revelation in her background as to why she no longer teaches. If I’d had to deal with a parent like that I’d have run away for a fresh start too. Her fresh start turns sour when after some sleuthing the clues she turns up help to get the favorite son arrested. Now she’s lost her job and is a pariah in town but Minerva is determined to find the real culprit. In this case she’s sure the past incident hold the keys to solving the present crime.
Danger, an old family steeped in history and secrets, murder and a persistent ex- schoolteacher turned PA determined to find the answers. A funny, intriguing, beguiling mystery that keeps you guessing. Definitely a stand out in the cozy genre!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow Minerva has quite the shocking revelation in her background as to why she no longer teaches. If I’d had to deal with a parent like that I’d have run away for a fresh start too. Her fresh start turns sour when after some sleuthing the clues she turns up help to get the favorite son arrested. Now she’s lost her job and is a pariah in town but Minerva is determined to find the real culprit. In this case she’s sure the past incident hold the keys to solving the present crime.
Danger, an old family steeped in history and secrets, murder and a persistent ex- schoolteacher turned PA determined to find the answers. A funny, intriguing, beguiling mystery that keeps you guessing. Definitely a stand out in the cozy genre!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 13, 2023
New author for me and I enjoyed this first book in the series. Different plot and interesting characters. Planning on reading the next book right away!
Amazon synopsis:
Delighted by the promise of living and working in a glittering Gilded Age mansion, Minerva Biggs moves to idyllic Bryd Hollow, North Carolina with her dog Plantagenet. She’s looking for a new beginning; what she finds is five quite possibly deranged people, four French bulldogs, two distracting dimples attached to one inconvenient man … and one murder.
Nope, make that two murders. When Minerva makes a connection between her new employer’s fatal fall and the death of his celebrated great-grandfather in the same spot more than a century before, she doubts that either was an accident. Delving into old secrets and new grudges, she begins to unravel the twisted threads that bind past to present. Right up until she tangles them around the wrong guy. Oops.
With a trial looming, a scandal raging, and her job prospects dwindling, Minerva races to solve both crimes. Preferably before her new beginning comes to an unfortunate end.
Amazon synopsis:
Delighted by the promise of living and working in a glittering Gilded Age mansion, Minerva Biggs moves to idyllic Bryd Hollow, North Carolina with her dog Plantagenet. She’s looking for a new beginning; what she finds is five quite possibly deranged people, four French bulldogs, two distracting dimples attached to one inconvenient man … and one murder.
Nope, make that two murders. When Minerva makes a connection between her new employer’s fatal fall and the death of his celebrated great-grandfather in the same spot more than a century before, she doubts that either was an accident. Delving into old secrets and new grudges, she begins to unravel the twisted threads that bind past to present. Right up until she tangles them around the wrong guy. Oops.
With a trial looming, a scandal raging, and her job prospects dwindling, Minerva races to solve both crimes. Preferably before her new beginning comes to an unfortunate end.
May 30, 2025
“Mystery Repeats Itself” is an Agatha Christie clone set in a mansion and estate in North Carolina.
Minerva Biggs, a former history schoolteacher, arrives as PA (or general dogsbody) just before the annual extravagant ball.
She soon finds out that the family is far from perfect - the father, Clifford Baird, nearly breaks her nose and does kick her dog Plantagenet at their first encounter.
He dies shortly afterwards!
Oddly, his death is an exact match to that of one of his forebears.
Fearing that her job may be on the line Minerva determines, in best cosy fashion, to stick her nose into the investigation.
The writing style is peculiar and, perhaps, is deliberately used to highlight her passion for history
I've read a lot over the decades so I was not surprised to see 'odsbodikins' used (a variant spelling) but 'carriwitchet' had me scratching around for a definition.
It's an interesting mystery but it doesn't have the spark needed it to turn it into a great one.
3 Stars.
Minerva Biggs, a former history schoolteacher, arrives as PA (or general dogsbody) just before the annual extravagant ball.
She soon finds out that the family is far from perfect - the father, Clifford Baird, nearly breaks her nose and does kick her dog Plantagenet at their first encounter.
He dies shortly afterwards!
Oddly, his death is an exact match to that of one of his forebears.
Fearing that her job may be on the line Minerva determines, in best cosy fashion, to stick her nose into the investigation.
The writing style is peculiar and, perhaps, is deliberately used to highlight her passion for history
I've read a lot over the decades so I was not surprised to see 'odsbodikins' used (a variant spelling) but 'carriwitchet' had me scratching around for a definition.
It's an interesting mystery but it doesn't have the spark needed it to turn it into a great one.
3 Stars.
December 11, 2024
I enjoyed reading the first book in the Minerva Biggs mystery series. Twenty-eight year old Minnie Biggs "could not be more steeped in hope if you'd stuck her in a teabag and tossed her in an ocean of it." She got a job working as a personal assistant to the Baird family in their Gilded Age Mansion in North Carolina. Along for the ride is her dog Plantagenet, affectionately known as Plant. Unfortunately not long after taking the job, her boss Clifford Baird is found at the bottom of a cliff! She is determined to find out who murdered him. I liked the Minerraisms in the book including odsbodikins (an expression of irritation) and ratbag (a jerk). The book has a hint of a romance with one of Clifford's sons, quirky characters, and future books should be a lot of fun.
March 2, 2025
Unfortunately this was a book without any redeeming characters, with the exception of the dog. From the MC, with her extremely irritating and unnecessary Olde English slang, to the weird 'not a butler', to the unpleasant boss and his very peppy wife (I could have lived without all the italics and exclamation marks in her speech, it just made it hard to read). The MC herself blundered through things (which isn't uncommon in the genre), but misses the obvious clue early on around what Clifford was up to. I also wasn't a fan of how she put her dog through a night in the pound because of her stupid choices.
Still, the progress through the story wasn't awful, so if you can put up with the characters, it's not a bad tale.
Still, the progress through the story wasn't awful, so if you can put up with the characters, it's not a bad tale.
December 21, 2022
It Took Two Starts, but I Enjoyed It
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I liked it, so I read something else. Then I went back to this book and realized it is very intriguing. I loved Minerva, even though she is a bit flighty and impulsive. I don't remember liking the other characters, except for Percy and Ruby once you get past that cop attitude. The mysteries are amazing and were not easy to figure out, but Minerva's a great sleuth and very dedicated to her dog, Plant. I'm looking forward to reading more about her experiences and how she works her next case.
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I liked it, so I read something else. Then I went back to this book and realized it is very intriguing. I loved Minerva, even though she is a bit flighty and impulsive. I don't remember liking the other characters, except for Percy and Ruby once you get past that cop attitude. The mysteries are amazing and were not easy to figure out, but Minerva's a great sleuth and very dedicated to her dog, Plant. I'm looking forward to reading more about her experiences and how she works her next case.
June 8, 2024
🎧 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down. This was a fun, quick murder mystery. I stumbled upon it on Libby and was interested because of the dog. Well, the dog continued being my favorite character in the book. His name is Plant, and I love it so much 😂 After reading long, detail-heavy murder mysteries, it was refreshing to listen to something that was quick. There was just enough detail to keep you hooked. I wasn’t really trying to figure out the ending, but I was surprised and enjoyed the ending. (I feel like an appropriate spoiler is to share that Plant lives, for all my dog-loving reading friends who don’t want to read a book about a dog dying.)
February 4, 2025
Delightful cozy from an author who has heretofore not been known to me. This book was the 2nd one starring Minerva Biggs and was the monthly freebie from the Cozy Mysteries Book Club in February. Minerva is a self described nitwit who has a great brain and an especial talent for using her strong history bent to figure out current murder mysteries.
Minerva has a very large dog named Plantagenant or just Plant that she envisions as Watson to her Holmes.
I recommend this book, interesting historical tie in, humor, hint of a possible future romance, and a murder mystery that I didn't solve till Minerva explained it.
Minerva has a very large dog named Plantagenant or just Plant that she envisions as Watson to her Holmes.
I recommend this book, interesting historical tie in, humor, hint of a possible future romance, and a murder mystery that I didn't solve till Minerva explained it.
September 25, 2024
Well, this was all kinds of fun! I picked it on a whim out of my audible wishlist and am ready to pick up the next book in the series asap. Loved Minerva's 'voice' -- her mildly sarcastic take on everyone and everything around her was so engaging. And when she pulls a TSTL move, she acknowledges it in real time even as she goes ahead anyway because she is that doggedly determined. A compelling, layered mystery surrounding a household of unique (understatement) characters. Highly entertaining! Amy Tallmadge's excellent narration added to my overall enjoyment.
December 6, 2024
This is the first in the series. The main character is Minerva . Minerva goes to work as a PA and on her second day he boss just seems to disappear. Minerva gets everyone working on finding him and then when they do, everyone thinks it must be an accident but Minerva thinks it must be murder. She seems to get herself in more trouble without it seeming to figure out what happened. Then because of something she said they arrest the oldest son. Now she is sure he didn't do it but realizes she has to prove it. But can she figure it out before the case goes to trial?
November 13, 2025
twas cute i think it was a little slow paced like i wanted more action rather than just her finding things and not getting anything out of it yk but it was cute i loved percy KY BABY i love him so much i knew he was perfect from the beginning my baby but yes it was cute and a simple little mystery book a simple read for not big thinkers yk not like intricate details also i wish i could give it a 3.5 instead but bc i loved percy and minerva i give it a 3 instead of 4 bc goodreads doesn’t do half stars
March 5, 2023
I enjoyed the historical angle and it was a pretty well-written cozy mystery. I found the main character a bit annoying and she made some inexplicably stupid decisions that didn't seem to mesh with her character or her character's life history and some parts of the plot were too obvious. It read like a first novel, which I think it is, but it had good elements and I can see Rook's potential as an author.
December 13, 2023
A goofy dog and two murders!
A modern, but rather old-fashioned, double murder mystery. One murder happened a long time ago and one more recently, but in oddly similar circumstances. A new family PA, Minerva, and her large and goofy dog Plantagenet (yes, really! But Plant for short) delve into the murders. A fun read, which I received for free and write this review voluntarily.
A modern, but rather old-fashioned, double murder mystery. One murder happened a long time ago and one more recently, but in oddly similar circumstances. A new family PA, Minerva, and her large and goofy dog Plantagenet (yes, really! But Plant for short) delve into the murders. A fun read, which I received for free and write this review voluntarily.
March 4, 2024
I struggled with the author’s writing style. Sentences that overused commas and should have been 2 or more sentences, or chopped short sentences (I questioned if some of them could even be considered sentences). I suspect the author was illustrating the quirky character by this style, but I could never get into it. Nothing kept me intrigued enough to not put the book down. This one just wasn’t for me.
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