A Bane in the Neck

Veronica Swift Mysteries #1

by Ember Mae

Join Roni and Doodle, her sassy Westie, as they explore who killed Kourtney Blake, before Roni goes down for the murder herself. Veronica (Roni) Swfit just wants to make shoes and run her custom- made shoe shop, but no one told her non-peak season at Last Resort and Spa in in Crescent Valley, Vermont would be so dead. She’s struggling to make ends meet and too stubborn to accept help, which means she’s stuck working with the ever unpleasant Kourtney Blake—her brother’s ex-fiance— in an upcoming St. Paddy’s Day event for the resort. The partnership is not going well and becomes much harder to manage when Doodle discovers Kourtney’s body under the ski lift. Detective Graham Parker is on the case, working closely with Roni’s best friend—Angela (Angie) Stewart— who happens to be the head of resort security. Sparks fly between Detective Parker and Angie, but tensions rise when Roni is considered the prime suspect by the chief of police. Roni’s recently found family at the resort rally around her as they help her triumph over injustice. The only question what is it going to cost her? If you love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, or Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series, you’ll adore this oddball group of characters and entertained by a twisty murder to solve.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2022

Reviews

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy mystery by a new author. The main character runs a struggling shoe boutique and has a client cancel on her. She's forced to work an event with said person, and later becomes a suspect in the woman's murder.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy to read. I love cozies because the main character always gets themselves into more than one prediciment but always finds a way out but the good ones make it so believable. And this one did make it believable. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more from this author.

[Jennifer Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic cast of characters!

Great way to start a series. Side characters as fun and memorable as main characters. Witty, cute and clean. No foul language or sex. Definitely recommend this fun who-dunnit!

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting cozy mystery. It is not my favorite, but was a good read. The mystery elements were fairly easy to guess but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

[Terri McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder mystery that takes place in an upscale resort. The author has given the main character a career that's different from ones you usually read about. Not only that, but she gives Roni an attitude that is down to earth and very refreshing to read. The other characters she introduces us to, are all molded after real type people that you might run into. Not a princess or a prince amoung them. Loved them all.
It's a decent sized read, something to curl up with to pass a few hours. This is the first book in which I hope will become a long series. I also believe this is her debut novel. If that's the case you know she will become a stronger writer with experience. Quirky, cute, clean mystery with the cutest westie I've met, Doodle. If you loved Murder She Wrote, you will love this book.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Veronica Swift cozy mystery series and I’m hooked! The characters, including Roni, are all so down to earth and believable, and the plot moves right along with a few surprises thrown in. Roni has been drafted/commanded to work with Kourtney by the Board of Directors at Last Resort and Spa to plan a St Paddy’s Day event. Definitely not friends since Kourtney cancelled the wedding to Roni’s brother, Teddy, and cheated on him, this is a match made in hell, but wanting to keep her shop, Sole Mates, Roni decides to make it happen. But when Kourtney turns up dead, guess who is suspect number one? A fun an twisty murder case when Roni decides to investigate. I have to admit my favorite character is Doodle, Roni’s pup! I received a free copy of this book from the author and write this review voluntarily.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a brand new series. Ms. Mae has done a great job of setting the scene for this and future books in the series. She makes you want to join the community of vendors at the Last Resort and Spa and join in the festivities. The characters are appealing with believable personalities. But my favorite has to be Doodle, of course. The plot is well developed and moves along smoothly. The murderer was predictable....until the final twist that leaves you shaking your head and saying, "Wow, I didn't see that coming." I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the last and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Cozy Mystery Fan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title’s play on words preludes how in the story Kourtney is an insufferable person, so much so that, when she’s murdered, there are just too many suspects. Veronica, an accomplished shoe maker, eventually finds the culprit(s), while trying to save her beautiful shop.

The characters are fun and likable, and the MC has good friends that help her along the way. The story has a couple of twists and red herrings, and a sweet, little dog named Doodle (who should never eat chocolate!). I would have liked a little more depth to the motivations of the characters, it felt a bit flat, but it was a fun read.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Javon50]

Roni, owner of Sole Mates, a shoe boutique is still angry with Kourtney Blake who cancelled her wedding after cheating on her brother. When she is forced to work with Kourtney on a special event, Roni knows she must agree or take the chance of losing her shop. But when Kourtney she is found dead, Roni becomes the prime suspect. Not only must she complete the promised event she also begins investigating on her own in hopes of clearing her name. What an entertaining first book. I look forward to the next book in the series. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing cozey mystery with murder and mayhem that you'll fall right into and not come up for breath until you've reached its intriguing and exciting end .The eclectic and charming characters will draw you in with their delightful antics well except of course that deadly schemer behind the scenes enticing you further with intrigue and murder the plot flows down through the snowy hills and between hidden lies, secrets and more. It's so well written, aquire " A Bane in the Neck " so that you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. Kat

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice fun book to read, Roni has a shoe store in a Ski resort in Vermont. Roni's brother Teddy is a local police officer and was once engaged to Kourtney the resorts nurse. Kourtney is a spoiled brat and always has to get her way. Kourtney ends up dead and Roni becomes the main suspect. Finding the true murderer makes for a cute fun mystery.

[Karen Hrdlicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read cozy mysteries but I really enjoyed this first of a series. Lots of fun and great characters, there will be a lot to look forward to in the future. An an unusual murder and the list of possible perps is long.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story with some interesting twists. I would actually give it 3 1/2 stars but couldn't figure that part out.

[Kadijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! Impressive plot, engaging storyline and great characters. Highly recommend.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Kourtney Blake and why??? Blackmail??? Roni will figure things out though, won't she??? I enjoyed this story, bumpy as it was and recommended the book.