The Cost of Living is an intriguing murder mystery with a unique set-up and two engaging teenage protagonists. It's refreshing to see amateur sleuths in an everyday setting like a supermarket, and Rachel Ward captures the small details of ordinary life very well. The friendship between Jo and Bea is a real strength, giving the story warmth and relatability.

The pacing felt a little uneven in places, and while the mystery itself had some clever turns, it didn’t always feel as gripping as it could have been. That said, the concept is original and there’s a lot of potential in the series going forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A strange and quirky take on the classic murder mystery that was surprisingly enjoyable.
A good read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery: it's engrossing and highly entertaining.
I liked the unusual setting, the fleshed out characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Oh, this was lovely! A believable cast of characters in an everyday setting, who find themselves under threat after a colleague is found dead. Bea is charming, Ant is a bit more of a diamond in the rough, but they work very well as a pair. It's unusual to see a working class whodunnit, so I was so pleased to read this. I kept guessing who the killer was - incorrectly as it turned out! I can't wait for the next one.