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Mini Meadows, a Tiny Home community in rural Central Florida, is home to Emma Wells, a downsize specialist who left her daddy’s mansion and her inheritance behind in favor of a simpler, more peaceful life in a tiny home that was once two shipping containers. But when she opens a shipping container and discovers her dead client sitting in a rocking chair, neatly wrapped and labeled, and two of her friends end up on the suspect list, Emma pitches in to help find the killer. With plenty of clues to unpack, Emma narrows down the suspect list, but as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes if she’s not careful she could end up in a box of her own.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2023

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182 people want to read

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Lena Gregory

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews.
2,974 reviews218 followers
February 26, 2023
What a fun setting for this new cozy series, a tiny home community. I love looking at tiny homes; just not 100% sure I could live in one. If I did, I would need someone like Emma to help me downsize my current home to a new one. I do love all of the suggestions in the book for hidden storage spaces built into these tiny homes; they are tips that could be used for any sized home.

Emma is surprised by the sudden appearance of her grandmother at the beginning of the book. Granny Rose has decided that she doesn't want to live by her son's rules and unilaterally decides to move in with Emma. Now if you think about it, Emma lives in a tiny house. Is there enough room for two people? Yes and no. But at the same time, Emma realizes how lonely she has been, despite her business and her friends. Granny Rose is a hoot and fits right in, mainly when she adopts a Great Dane named Buck. Adopt is a strong word. It is really a part of a small house that she wants to purchase from the murder victim's wife. 

I enjoyed the varied cast of characters. Emma has some good friends, and a few new ones are added to the mix in pursuit of the killer. There is even a potential love interest for Emma, but I think that might take another book or two to come to fruition.

The murder is engaging, and I had no idea who the killer was and was quite surprised when all was revealed. There are not many clues, or I just missed them. But it was a well-written mystery, and the answer might surprise you as much as it did me.

I think this is going to be a fun new series, and I look forward to upcoming books. We give this book 4 paws up.
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,921 reviews336 followers
March 4, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts

Tiny houses are all the rage these days and a small town in Central Florida is embracing the concept mightily. Mini Meadows is a Tiny Home community with new residents and businesses flocking to the town at a rapid pace. Emma Wells had a major disagreement with her father and she left his mansion and money behind for a tiny home in Mini-Meadows. She has also become a downsizing specialist to help people make the transition from their large houses of several thousand square feet to smaller or tiny homes in the 500 square feet range.

Her client, Mr. Aldridge was having his train-inspired mini home placed in Mini Meadows and his and his wife's belonging delivered. Mr. Aldridge has been a difficult person to work with so Emma is anxious for his move to go smoothly. When she arrives to help unload his furnishings from the trailer she sees something strange in a rocking chair wrapped in plastic. As she gets closer she sees the new homeowner's face. Broderick Aldridge no longer needed his unique tiny house and she needed to call the police.

Surprised to learn two of her friends are on the suspect list Emma decides to do a little investigating of her own. But if she's not careful she could be moving to a much smaller tiny home six feet underground.

________

Oh, I love the theme of this new cozy series! There have been many times I thought I could be happy in a tiny house. Then my family points out all the stuff I have that I just can't part with, like my books, LOL.

Ms. Gregory introduces some dynamic characters in this series' debut. Emma Wells' father disinherited her so she moved out of his huge home into her tiny one and has been quite happy. I love her energy and positive attitude. Her Granny Rose was also living with her father and missed Emma greatly after she moved out. She gave her son an ultimatum and moved out. She has now moved into Emma's tiny house too. It is a bit cramped but Emma had missed her Granny Rose as well so vowed to make it work. Granny Rose is not your typical granny. She drives a shiny red corvette and is embracing a whole new self. Wearing frayed jeans, camisoles, high-top sneakers, gold chains, and earrings, she shocks Emma. This is not the grandma she grew up with. Granny also grabs the attention of the elderly gentleman that just moved in across the street from Emma. Oh my gosh, she is a delight and a spitfire and so much fun. Emma has two close girlfriends, Jade and Chloe. Chloe runs Pocket Books and Jade owns Little Bits Consignment and Thrift Shop. We also meet Libby who owns the local diner. All great places to hear local gossip. I can't forget that Emma has an orange tabby named Ginger and it isn't long before a Great Dane named Butch joins the family. All these characters are nicely crafted and continue to evolve over the course of the story.

There was something off about the deceased Broderick Aldridge from the start so there were clearly a couple of suspects right away but as the story continued several more were added to the list. With the many twists and turns it was almost impossible to eliminate any of them. I loved following along with Emma as she tried to unpack each clue and make it fit into the puzzle before her. The murderer was on my list but I was really iffy about the motive. An epic final twist revealed all and set up a very dramatic ending.

No Small Murder was a wonderfully entertaining read. A fresh theme, fun characters, and a rousing mystery have set this series off to a fantastic start. I am excited for this series to continue. We have just scratched the surface of what I hope will be a long-running series.
Profile Image for BookishDramas.
910 reviews36 followers
January 10, 2023
3.5 stars for me.

I thank the team of NetGalley, the author and the publishers for providing me with this ARC.

All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story.

This was my first book from this author and I was attracted by the "Mystery" and the prospect of a "murder mystery". I love thrillers and the book description seemed good enough to try out.

The story was simple and the prose more so with a lot of effort made by the author to explain and project the community which seems a idyllic place, slow rural setting where the pace of life is a far cry from the hustle bustle of cities. Lena has made a supreme effort to sell her readers the panoramic area and a small community which seems self sufficient and contained. The surrounding wilderness is more comfortable rather than foreboding. This sets this book apart from a lot of others that I read.

3.5 stars for this book.

There is an audience for these homely type of mysteries and this would fit right for them.
I would recommend this to readers who like mysteries that have a family atmosphere or in movie parlance a PG13 story with no screen violence or awkward scenes.
Profile Image for Karen Stallman .
921 reviews101 followers
February 6, 2023
"No Small Murder" the first instalment in the "Mini-Meadows" Mystery series by Lean Gregory. I loved it and what a great start to a new series set around a tiny home community!

With plenty of clues to unpack, Emma narrows down the suspect list, but as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes if she’s not careful she could end up in a box of her own.

I love the concept of a cozy set in a tiny home community, it’s actually something me and my bff have been thinking about for retirement. The story pulled me in straight away and held my attention till the very end. There were plenty of twists and turns, and enough intrigue to keep you reading throughout and per usual with one of Lena’s books I read in one sitting.

I really loved that Grandma Rose came to live with Emma as she’s a wonderful addition to the community, then enters Buck the Great Dane …

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Level Best Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kristina Anderson.
4,150 reviews82 followers
February 11, 2023
No Small Murder by Lena Gregory is the first A Mini-Meadows Mystery. The story is told from Emma’s point of view. We get to know Emma’s every thought (and she rambles). I loved Granny Rose. She is fun and lively (a hoot). Granny Rose has decided it is time to live a little. I like the tiny home community of Mini-Meadows. Everything a person could need is in the community. You can hop in your golf cart and zip around shopping, visiting friends, and attending events. The mystery is straightforward. There are a handful of suspects, a couple of clues, and misdirection. The whodunit can be solved long before the reveal. I would have liked a better wrap up at the end because I had a couple of lingering questions. No Small Murder is easy to read. The pacing was varied. There are characters who disappear along the way (they were involved and then nothing). I did not like the repetition. I got it the first time and did not need it told to be me again (and again and again). I was baffled as to why Broderick Aldridge was downsizing. It was obvious that his belongings would not fit into the small home (if the furniture from his study would not fit, how would the rest of his belongings). I had no clue how the wife and dog would fit in. There was one detail that I found odd. The author has the difficult client writing checks. I cannot remember the last time I wrote a check (who needs checks with debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, and Venmo). No Small Murder is a diminutive tale with a gregarious granny, a murdered grump, gossip galore, a money misfortune, and a curious downsizing specialist.
Profile Image for Trish.
680 reviews
March 2, 2023
Emma Wells specializes in helping people downsize from their large homes to smaller dwellings. She lives in a tiny house in Mini Meadows with her cat Ginger. Then all at once, things change when her Granny Rose comes for an extended stay, a downsizing client is murdered, and Granny Rose adopts the late client's Great Dane. Emma decides to be an amateur sleuth and work to solve the murder, with the help of her grandmother and friends.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries and am fascinated by tiny houses. The addition of a cat and dog to the book is another nice perk.

No Small Murder is a fun start to a new series. Readers will get to know Emma, her grandmother, and her friends - as well as see the beginning of a potential romance for her (and maybe even one for her grandmother as well).

I loved the Mini Meadows setting. The little adjacent town even has tiny businesses, and residents travel to and from town in golf carts! This book made me even more intrigued about the idea of spending time in a tiny house community.

The mystery aspects of the book were interesting, and there was a surprising twist to the murder.

I recommend No Small Murder for fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who has an interest in tiny houses.
Profile Image for Bentley.
698 reviews10 followers
January 10, 2023
This book is boring and predictable and was written so plainly and easily that it really is not worth it.
This was an ARC and is my honest review.
Profile Image for Tracy Wood.
1,301 reviews33 followers
January 9, 2023
For the last year Emma Wells has lived happily in a two shipping container construction in Mini Meadows, a Florida tiny homes community, while advising her clients on the art of successful downsizing . Previously, as part of a wealthy patriarchal family, she had felt frustrated and lonely but now life is good and she's more than content.

One of Emma's newest client's requirements and attitude aren't what she's become used to dealing with however, as he insists on keeping only his own belongings while sacrificing those of his wife, before their move to Mini Meadows. Her new life is further complicated by the arrival of her paternal grandmother for an extended stay and that's before she finds a body neatly wrapped and labeled inside one of the shipping containers she deals with daily. As her friends and work associates rally round to help discover the killer’s identity it becomes clear none of them are exempt from suspicion or the unexpected danger they find themselves in.

This is the beginning of a new series and so there is quite a bit of explanation about a lifestyle alien to most of us, which I found very interesting, as well as an introduction to the cast of characters who will, I hope, have more adventures very soon. I enjoyed the investigation and reveal but think the whole reading experience, although enjoyable throughout, could hit greater heights as things become more familiar to both the author and her readers alike.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a good series starter with definite potential.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book531 followers
March 6, 2023
What a fun concept for a new cozy mystery series! Emma Wells is a downsize specialist and (not coincidentally) a tiny-home resident. While I don’t think my husband and I could survive in that tiny of a house (all the books alone would need their own tiny house haha!), I’m fascinated by the concept and equally intrigued by what Emma does for a living.

Lena Gregory is so talented at setting up a new series in the first book without making it feel that this is what she’s doing, i.e. she doesn’t bog down the reader in superfluous background information disguised as narrative or dialogue. Instead, she introduces the characters and setting as a natural part of the story, drawing you in right away and holding your attention all the way through. She does the same in No Small Murder. I loved Emma, her cat Ginger, her two friends Jade & Chloe and the Mini Meadows community of supporting characters. Not to mention the hilarity added by the unexpected arrival of Emma’s saucy grandmother and the larger-than-life canine addition to Emma’s increasingly-crowded tiny home.

The mystery is solidly done, layered with many plausible suspects and some unexpected twists that kept me guessing. It’s also perhaps the most unique placement of a body I’ve read in recent memory across my cozy mystery & suspense repertoire. The murder victim certainly was not well-liked so it’s not difficult to imagine someone wanting to kill him, but the fact that several of Emma’s friends & acquaintances had run-ins with the victim made it imperative for this crime to be solved – and fast! The interactions between Emma and the detective made me smile, and I’m interested in seeing what will transpire between them in future books.

Bottom Line: I always love Lena Gregory’s cozy mysteries & No Small Murder checked all the right boxes for me. Emma is a winsome protagonist who lives in a charming community and has an intriguing career and an equally intriguing home. Her friends, her Granny Rose, her pets, and the people of Mini Meadows (residents & shop owners) are all compelling, and I was a little disappointed when the book ended, only because I wasn’t quite ready to stop spending time with them. This, of course, makes me eager for the next book. The mystery was well plotted and nicely layered, and I enjoyed the romance possibilities that may play out in future books for more than one character.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Profile Image for Kati Reads Books.
134 reviews3 followers
March 13, 2023
The first book in a new cozy mystery series was a fun read. Set in a tiny home community No Small Murder follows Emma and her Granny Rose as they try to solve a local murder. The mystery was well done and ended with a big twist.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves cozies!

Thanks NetGalley and Level Best Books for the eARC!
Profile Image for Rahel Charikar.
466 reviews5 followers
January 14, 2024
"No Small Murder: A Mini-Meadows Mystery" by Lena Gregory is a four-star cozy mystery that unfolds in the charming setting of Mini Meadows, a Tiny Home community in rural Central Florida. Lena Gregory weaves a tale of mystery and intrigue, featuring Emma Wells, a downsize specialist, who finds herself entangled in a murder investigation within the close-knit community she calls home.

The novel's strength lies in its unique premise of a Tiny Home community, offering readers a refreshing and cozy backdrop for the unfolding mystery. Emma Wells, a protagonist who left behind a life of privilege for simplicity, adds depth to the story with her relatable character and strong sense of justice.

The discovery of a dead client in a neatly labeled shipping container sets the stage for a captivating whodunit. Gregory skillfully crafts a plot with plenty of clues to unpack, engaging readers in the unraveling mystery. The inclusion of two friends on the suspect list adds layers to the narrative, keeping readers guessing and invested in the outcome.

The cozy mystery genre often relies on a balance of suspense and charm, and "No Small Murder" succeeds in delivering both. The author introduces readers to a cast of characters living in the Tiny Home community, each with their quirks and secrets. The interactions within Mini Meadows contribute to the warm and inviting atmosphere, characteristic of cozy mysteries.

The pacing of the novel is well-managed, allowing for a steady buildup of tension as Emma delves deeper into the investigation. The gradual narrowing down of the suspect list adds an element of anticipation, and the author keeps readers engaged with each new revelation.

While the book offers an enjoyable and well-crafted mystery, some readers may find the resolution to be somewhat predictable. Cozy mysteries often adhere to certain genre conventions, and those familiar with the formula may guess the outcome before the final reveal.

In conclusion, "No Small Murder" is a four-star cozy mystery that transports readers to the unique world of Mini Meadows. Lena Gregory's storytelling prowess shines in this engaging whodunit, featuring a relatable protagonist, a charming setting, and a murder mystery with plenty of clues to unravel. Fans of cozy mysteries will find themselves delightfully immersed in the twists and turns of this Mini-Meadows mystery.
Profile Image for Mary Brown.
1,300 reviews74 followers
March 7, 2023
No Small Murder
A Mini-Meadows Mystery, Book #1
ena Gregory
5 Stars


Synopsis:

Mini Meadows, a Tiny Home community in rural Central Florida, is home to Emma Wells, a downsize specialist who left her daddy’s mansion and her inheritance behind in favor of a simpler, more peaceful life in a tiny home that was once two shipping containers. But when she opens a shipping container and discovers her dead client sitting in a rocking chair, neatly wrapped and labeled, and two of her friends end up on the suspect list, Emma pitches in to help find the killer. With plenty of clues to unpack, Emma narrows down the suspect list, but as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes if she’s not careful she could end up in a box of her own.

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Emma is happy helping people downsize . She had to downsize herself when she moved into her tiny home and she decided to make a living doing it. When she finds her client dead in a shipping container, she will have to find the killer because a couple of her friends are persons of interest. So that is what she does.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and there were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through. I did not know who the killer was until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Level Best Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.



Profile Image for April Stephens.
20 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2023
This was a delightful book to read. The characters are so full of life. Emma has her hands full with Granny Rose. I am sure Granny Rose is going to be adding a lot of action to future books. Emma needs to find a way to get Granny Rose some classes with using her gun before she hurts someone or even herself.
Granny Rose is a busy matchmaker for her granddaughter Emma. Has she actually found a match for her?
The murders had everyone questioning who could of done them and even suspecting each other.
Granny Rose seems to be an easy target because of her determination and lack of fear. This woman grabs life and lives it. Matching her up with a big dog, Butch, and living in a tiny house is really hilarious.
Merlin is a wonderful hacker but it makes you wonder what else he is doing. This man can find all kinds of information and it is questionable if he is doing it legally.
Emma's friends are going to have their hands full helping her keep track of Granny Rose. Now that Granny Rose is working for Jade (one of Emma's friends) things can only get more entertaining. Granny Rose is not use to working for a living or living life in a small house. Living in a caboose is going to be very interesting especially with Butch.
The discovery of the murderer is surprising, the ending is full of action and some laughter.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for some laughter and suspense tied together. If you can figure out the murderer I will be surprised.
Profile Image for Katreader.
973 reviews52 followers
February 25, 2023
NO SMALL MURDER by Lena Gregory
The First Mini-Meadows Mystery

Emma Wells is an expert in downsizing; she should be after leaving her father's grand house to live in a tiny home. Now she has her own business helping others downsize and is content in her cozy house with good friends nearby. A demanding new client has her grinding her teeth, however. Not only is he arrogant and rude to Emma and her business associates, he also appears to be selfish and uncaring to his family. But the shocks are just beginning for Emma when her Granny Rose stops by and declares she's moving in! And when she prepares for Mr. Aldridge's arrival in her own tiny community, she finds him dead and her friends suspects. With her insatiable curiosity, Emma isn't about to sit by doing nothing. Will she be able to find a killer? Or will a killer find her?

While I could never live in a tiny house myself, I find them fascinating and I especially like the idea of a little community of tiny homes and businesses. I admit that I wouldn't mind tooling around the neighborhood in a golf cart! Although I'm a bit like an ancient Egyptian pharaoh wanting to take all my stuff with me, I like how Emma shows people how to downsize, and laugh at how so many underestimate how much stuff they actually have. The whole concept makes for a fresh and unique mystery series.

One of the things I like best about Lena Gregory's mysteries is the close relationship between her characters and we find that in the first Mini-Meadows Mystery. Emma and her friends, Granny Rose, even Butch and Ginger, they all help create an environment you want to be a part of, even with murders! I found the mystery captivating, even if I did have an inkling of who was behind everything. There were still plenty of twists and turns with a variety of suspects and motives.

Great characters and an intriguing mystery make NO SMALL MURDER a delightful start to a new series.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,561 reviews19 followers
February 20, 2023
Lena Gregory has written thirteen previous mysteries in two cozy series. When I saw that she had a new series I was certain that I would enjoy it and I was right. To start with, the concept of downsizing into a tiny home and its community appealed to me. Emma has turned her back on the family mansion and set out to live a simple life in a tiny home constructed from two shipping containers. I've seen pictures of such dwellings and they are lovely. She helps people set up their new tiny homes and has to deal with some, shall we say, interesting? people. One in particular really posed a challenge but finding him dead, packaged and even labeled in the van was a shock. Due to the fact that he was not a pleasant person, the list of suspects isn't thin. Was it his wife? Another relative? Someone else who disliked him? Emma sets out to find the killer.
If that wasn't enough of a surprise, her Grandmother Rose decides to leave the family mansion, too and arrives on Emma's doorstep, ready to move in with her. Grandmother Rose needs to have a prime role in all future Mini Meadows mysteries. She is a real hoot.
In the best cozy tradition this new series checks all of the boxes. As it is the first in a new series it takes time to lay the groundwork for the recurring characters and their stories. The next book has a spot on my TBR list. It has good potential.
My thanks to the publisher Level Best Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Laura Salas.
Author 124 books165 followers
March 15, 2023
Hmmm...I like the set-up. An organizer living in a tiny home, overwhelmed when her grandmother (and then an enormous dog) move in with her. All complicated by murder.

And I like Emma fairly well, and Granny--once we get past her over-the-top caricature as a woman on the hunt.

The mystery's okay, but a couple of things sort of ruined the book for me.
1) The idea that Emma could live in a tiny home and function for weeks with Granny and a huge dog unexpectedly moving in with her, without her life being total chaos, is pretty ridiculous. Emma gets sore from sleeping on the couch, but that's about it. The unreality of that made everything else feel that much more ungrounded and unbelievable.
2) Granny pointing a loaded gun across the table at an acquaintance and saying, "Go ahead, make my day"--as a joke! When she's never fired a gun. Doesn't know how to use one. Honestly, at that point, I just thought, "Well, Granny's a total moron. And so is Emma for barely giving her a slap on the wrist."

Lots about this book works fine, but there are so many cozies to compete against, and this one just feels okay by the end.

Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
2,309 reviews32 followers
March 19, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: Downsizing from a big house to a tiny home is never easy. That is why Emma is building a good business helping people sort through the detritus of their lives and drill down to the basics. Her latest client is making the process even harder. And when he is murdered, it puts both Emma and Granny, who has crammed into her tiny home with a huge dog, in danger. The man truly was an unpleasant piece of work and neither his wife nor son seem bereft at his death.

Is it possible that one or both of them might be the villains. If that is the case, especially when a second murder occurs, it may prevent Granny from purchasing the tiny home that the victim had just bought. What is worse, the killer seems to think that Emma is getting too close to the truth. She takes the various threats seriously but it still does not prevent her from walking into a trap that when it closes surprises both her and the reader.

With a cast of interesting characters and an unusual setting, this series has a lot of potential. Just don’t expect me to downsize any time soon. Four purrs and two paws up.
Profile Image for Stacey.
226 reviews6 followers
February 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a tiny home community. Emma is a downsizing specialist who lives in her own tiny home with her cat Ginger after leaving her fathers mansion to live on her own. He Granny Rose leaves her sons house as well and shows up at Emma’s tiny home and moves with her. Her most recent client, Broderick Aldridge, who is far from a nice person is to be moving into his own tiny home. On the morning he and his wife Mildred are to be moving in, his body is found in the back of the moving van. There are many suspects, his son Phillip, wife Mildred, and many others. Will Emma find the murderer before something happens to her or Granny Rose? Will Granny and Butch be moving into their own tiny home?

As I said earlier, I really enjoyed this book. The characters are written well and are likable. I didn’t figure out the killer early on and loved the ending. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Maggie.
2,046 reviews64 followers
March 9, 2023
Emma Wells has left her wealthy family home & for the last few years has lived happily in a Tiny Home made from two shipping containers. She has built up a successful business advising & organising people who are downsizing. A new client has not endeared himself to her by his attitude & by the fact he is wanting to keep all his belongings & ditching his soon to be ex-wife! She may not have liked him but finding his body in his removal van wasn't something she wished on him! In the midst of this Granny Rose decides she has had enough of living with Rose's overbearing father & has decided to move in with her. Granny is a force to be reckoned with & the mystery of the murder soon leads her, along with Emma & her friends into danger.

This was an entertaining cosy mystery. I loved the setting & the characters & look forward to meeting them again soon. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,819 reviews105 followers
April 9, 2023
Oh that Granny Rose! I just love that character! Every time I read a book by this author, I've always gotten taken in on the first page or two, so this book definitely followed that same expectation. I loved Emma's group of friends and now that her Granny was living there, they had an additional sleuth...and someone to keep an eye on since Emma wasn't super thrilled over her matchmaking lol. The Great Dane pictured on the cover's name is Butch, and he's a sweetie!

The mystery was a good one that I definitely didn't figure out, and that showdown was absolutely priceless! Not gonna spoil anything, but it was epic. I sure hope there's another book in the series 'cause by the end, I was so glad for everyone's turnout that I just needed more time with these characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Profile Image for L.M..
Author 4 books26 followers
January 9, 2023
Emma Wells has struck out on her own. She's left her father's house and the man he chose for her to marry and has made her home and new career in a tiny house village where she helps others right-size their belongings to fit into tiny house life. Unfortunately her most recent customer met a perhaps not-so-tragic end right in the middle of her tiny haven.

The setting of this book was great. I'm a bit obsessed with tiny houses and it was fun to read about an entire community of them, especially one with its own stores and restaurant. The mystery was interesting, lots of good suspects and the I thought the ending was particularly clever how it tied everything together.

This was my first book by Gregory and it will certainly not be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Profile Image for Jan.
6,532 reviews99 followers
February 9, 2023
Probably a 4.5 but I want to encourage the author to keep the series and write more of them.
Emma Wells had set off away from her smothering father to start a new business for herself in the tiny home community of Mini Meadows. She has a lot of interesting friends who all have jobs related to that community. Then comes a very obnoxious man who does seem a bit conflicted about moving in. But before long he is found murdered. Meanwhile her Granny Rose comes to live WITH Emma and her pet cat in Emma's tiny house. That is goofy enough, but then Granny adopts the man's Great Dane! The sleuthing is good, the characters certainly are, the imagery is well done, the plot is twisty with red herrings, and plenty of suspense. Loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Level Best Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) via NetGalley. Thank you!
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,294 reviews60 followers
August 21, 2023
No Small Murder is a fun first book in a new series by one of my favorite authors, Lena Gregory. I've been a fan since I laid my eyes on Death at First Sight. I devour everything she writes.

Emma is fantastic and enjoyable. Her character, along with the rest, was well-written. I was fascinated by the tiny home concept. I have way too many possessions to downsize. And by possessions, I mean a library's worth of books alone. I'd have to have a second tiny home just for them. :)

No Small Murder is a great book. The story grabbed my attention and kept me engaged. The story was fun, exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. There is plenty of character development and I loved getting to know these new characters.

Fun characters with a fantastic whodunit made this cozy mystery top-notch. It checked all my cozy boxes!
Profile Image for Amy .
17 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2023
First off I would like to say thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

No Small Murder is the first in a new series by author Lena Gregory which sees Emma, Granny rose and her friends trying to piece together the clues to find a murderer.

This was a very easy read murder mystery book for me. I did find the ending a little bit predictable, however I still enjoyed reading it and the build up to the who done it.

I loved the setting of a small tiny home community and the build up of the characters, with Granny Rose being a favourite. I did notice that a couple of characters who were involved in the progression just suddenly disappeared which I didn’t really understand, so that was a shame.

Overall I would give this 3.5 stars as I did find it an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for April.
3,256 reviews14 followers
March 1, 2023
I’ve been intrigued with the idea of tiny homes for a while, so when I saw the description of No Small Murder I immediately wanted to see how a tiny home community would play out in a cozy mystery.
I like the characters - Emma, Granny Rose, Jade, Chloe, Max, Tiny and Eric. Emma’s business of helping people to downsize is interesting. I really like Mini-Meadows and the variety of tiny homes found there. I wish it was something encouraged where I live.
I didn’t see the murder resolution wrapping up the way it did. We’re left with two dead and the motive was greed.
I will happily recommend No Small Murder and look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
288 reviews5 followers
October 4, 2025
No Small Murder is the first book in Lena Gregory’s charming Mini-Meadows Mystery Series. Emma Wells is starting over with a fresh move into her new tiny home, but life quickly becomes anything but simple. Before she can settle in, her outspoken grandmother, Granny Rose, unexpectedly moves in—along with a dog whose previous owner Emma finds dead in a shipping container.

This cozy mystery pulls you in right from the start and keeps the pages turning. The dynamic between Emma and Granny Rose is both heartwarming and hilarious, adding a delightful layer of humor and family tension to the plot.

My only disappointment is that there hasn’t been a second book released yet. This series has so much potential, and I’m eager to see where Emma’s sleuthing adventures go next.
Profile Image for Margie.
1,714 reviews26 followers
January 4, 2023
No Small Murder by Lena Gregory is the first book in the Mini-Meadows Mystery series. Emma Wells is a downsize specialist concentrating mostly on helping the people who want to live in Mini-Meadows, Florida, a tiny home community. When Gemma discovers one of her client's dead body and her friends become suspects in the murder Emma starts sleuthing. I really like the characters in this story. They are well-developed and very likable. Grandma Rose is a real hoot! I am looking forward to Gemma's next case and hope we find out soon just who exactly Jacob Bennett is and why he is in Mini Meadows.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Amary Chapman.
1,671 reviews28 followers
December 29, 2022
A tiny house community cozy
Ms. Gregory creates an intriguing cozy with a look inside the logistics of moving into a tiny house. She gives us a hint of what’s involved and a mystery with a variety of characters. A close friend group, a shady character or two and greed propel the plot. Her community of mixed aged residents and small businesses sounds like Utopia, until the murders occur.
Well plotted out with twists, it is an enjoyable read.
I requested and received a Netgalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
Profile Image for Delaney Clark.
1 review
January 1, 2023
Overall I do not regret this read and I gave it 3.5 stars. There were some parts that I did not see coming but a lot of the story I guessed along the way. The story did not feel too long or too short. The story wrapped up, in my opinion, very quickly and seemed sort of rushed to me. I found myself wondering why certain characters were introduced to only serve a purpose for a small period of time. I did like Emma and Granny Rose and their relationship felt authentic as well as the friendships in the story. The story ended on a good note for the second book!
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