Cover Image: #FollowMe for Murder

#FollowMe for Murder

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I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

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The cover instantly HOOKED me!!
But I have come the realization that cozy mysteries are not for me...
Coco was not my favorite female main character...she was too self absorbed and it drove me bananas.
While it was entertaining, this genre is too "silly" for me.

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Sarah E. Burr's "#FollowMe for Murder" introduces readers to Coco Cline, a 28-year-old influencer and social media consultant who stumbles upon a murder that threatens to overshadow the grand opening of her clients' consignment shop. The novel blends the world of social media with a murder mystery, creating an intriguing premise that explores the darker side of online personas.

The strengths of the book lie in its contemporary setting and the integration of social media themes into the mystery. Coco's role as an influencer and her ability to leverage her online presence to aid the investigation provide a unique angle to the story. The pacing is generally steady, and the narrative unfolds with a mix of suspense and digital intrigue.

The character of Coco Cline is relatable, and her foray into amateur sleuthing adds a layer of charm to the storyline. The author effectively captures the dynamics of a small town with an inexperienced police force, and Coco's willingness to assist in the investigation adds to the plot's tension.

However, some readers may find certain aspects of the plot predictable, particularly if they are familiar with the conventions of cozy mysteries. The incorporation of social media elements, while a fresh take on the genre, may feel forced or overwhelming at times, especially for readers who are less immersed in online culture.

The supporting characters, including Coco's friends, contribute to the camaraderie within the narrative, but their development is limited. The resolution of the mystery, while satisfying, may lack the depth and complexity expected in the genre.

In conclusion, "#FollowMe for Murder" is a three-star cozy mystery that successfully integrates social media themes into the genre. Sarah E. Burr brings a contemporary twist to the traditional murder mystery, and Coco Cline's adventures in sleuthing provide an entertaining read. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a digital edge, this book offers an engaging blend of murder, intrigue, and online sleuthing.

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I unfortunately felt like this book was a tad cheesy. I think sometimes these types of mystery novels just aren't for me so I think it is a me problem!

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A fun read, and I really liked the supporting characters. I wasn't so keen on Coco herself, which detracted a bit from my enjoyment of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Love it when a cozy is combined with the current outgoings of society. I'm on a cozy read kick and this was another one that was enjoyable. Even though I was able to figure out what was going on, it still was a fun ride. The authors writing style was the main reason I was able to enjoy. If you want a book that doesn't require heavy gymnastics and encourages you to sit back and enjoy, this is that book.

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This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to read more from this author. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did so that was a lovely surprise.

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Title: A Riveting Thriller: #FollowMe for Murder by Sarah E. Burr

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

#FollowMe for Murder by Sarah E. Burr is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Bursting with suspense, unexpected twists, and a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

The story follows Emma, a social media influencer, who finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of life and death after receiving a chilling message from an anonymous follower. As the threat escalates and the body count rises, Emma must use her wits and digital savvy to unmask the killer before it's too late.

Burr's writing style is crisp and engaging, pulling readers into the dark underbelly of social media and its potential dangers. The author expertly weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a layered narrative that heightens the suspense and keeps the reader guessing until the final pages. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The characterization is another strong aspect of #FollowMe for Murder. Emma is a relatable and determined protagonist, navigating a world where followers and likes can have sinister consequences. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth and complexity to the story.

What sets this thriller apart is its exploration of the dark side of social media and the potential dangers lurking behind the screen. Burr cleverly highlights the blurred lines between reality and online personas, exposing the vulnerability that comes with living a digital life. It serves as a cautionary tale that will make readers question the consequences of their own online presence.

While the novel excels in building tension and delivering unexpected twists, some readers may find certain plot elements to be slightly predictable. However, the overall execution and skillful storytelling make up for any minor predictability, keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

In conclusion, #FollowMe for Murder is a thrilling and addictive read that will satisfy fans of the genre. Sarah E. Burr's skillful writing, relentless pacing, and exploration of the dark side of social media make this book a standout in the realm of psychological thrillers. If you're seeking a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end, don't miss out on #FollowMe for Murder.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of #FollowMe for Murder from the author for an honest review.

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Story was hard to follow and at times I lost interest . I ended up not finishing the book but note I did like the characters.

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#FollowMe For Murder Earns 5/5 Twitter Posts … Clever Cozy Gem!

A social media influencer. A new consulting service. A dead body. Coco Cline’s new business, Center of Attention Consulting Services, is embroiled in a mystery. Her latest client, Olivia and Sean Chen, owners of a new consignment shop called Once Used, Twice Buy, regrettably, has become the center of a murder investigation with the discovery of a dead body. It’s not an experience Coco wants to repeat, but her business is in jeopardy of being negatively linked to the murder, so she’s compelled to uncover the truth of what happened to the young woman. Clever. Engaging. Contemporary treat. Sarah E. Burr has created a unique theme around which she devises an entertaining cozy mystery: a rebranded social media influencer. She’s also created a savvy, strong female in Coco Cline who partners with a diverse set of friends and family in a realistic, yet amateur investigation. Stuck in the middle of a murder mystery, the clues are steadily revealed with some interesting details exposing secret affairs, abuse, and money issues leading to a surprise arrest. Great introduction to a clever series!

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A fun and easy read, perfect for lightening my mood on a bad day. I recommend reading this during summer!

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#FollowMe for Murder is a cozy mystery by Sarah E. Burr that introduces Coco Cline, a social media influencer who moonlights as a murder consultant. When Coco finds her client's assistant dead in the back room of their second-hand cooking ware store, she sets out to clear her clients' names and solve the murder.
Coco is a likable and relatable protagonist. She's smart, resourceful, and has a great sense of humor. She's also flawed, which makes her feel more like a real person. The supporting characters are also well-developed, and the plot is engaging and suspenseful.
The setting is Central Shores is a charming seaside town with a lot of character. The author does a great job of bringing the town to life, and it's easy to imagine Coco and her friends living there.
Overall, this was cute and fun

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A wonderful funny and misterious book. If you like light and engaging books this one is for you.
The primary character is very smart and funny it's extremely likeable. I love it

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Not for me personally. I found the writing style disjointed and the ending was predictable. However, could be great for someone else.

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Due to a massive reading slump I've had this entire year, it took me 8 months to read this arc and am massively late in posting a review, which I apologize to NetGalley and the publisher for.

#FollowMe for Murder is reportedly the first book in a new series, called the Trending Topic Mysteries, by Sarah E. Burr. The book follows Coco Cline, an internet-famous blogger and social media/PR consultant. She's currently working on helping a couple (the Chens?) open a small business in her town when she finds the store's assistant dead in the store two weeks before opening. Shaken by the murder and trying to salvage the store's opening, Coco ends up working to find out who would murder the assistant, using skills she's used in her blogging and social media expertise.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a great premise and in general did enjoy the mystery. The final 30-40% of the book I was pretty invested in, and I was surprised by the twist ending, which I had not predicted, and I love that it was able to surprised me like that. However, the writing itself wasn't great - it wasn't bad, either - and there was a lot of unnecessary elaboration on her clothes and on dressing up and her blog and her car and her town and what an amazing job she's always doing. I think maybe there was too much exposition? It was hard to fully pin down why I think there were issues with the book.

However, if you like cozy mysteries, or stories involving social media, #FollowMe for Murder might be a good cozy mystery for you to read, and it's a decent start to the series.

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This was a fun and easy read. Perfect for the summer. But it dragged a bit for me. The characters were interesting enough to read from.

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*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A very interesting read with interesting characters. It had me wondering what sort of trouble Coco was going to get herself and her friends into trying to find out who killed Stacy. I had a hunch about the killer because of certain things that were discovered. A good ending. Would recommend.

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#FollowMe for Murder is Sarah E. Burr's introductory book in the Trending Topic Mystery series. The protagonist in this series is Coco Cline, who is a social media influencer turned PR specialist. Coco comes across the body of an employee of one of her clients and proceeds to investigate to try to focus the police away from her client and toward other people the employee was involved with in her private life.

Although the author did a good job of creating a cast of characters for this book much of the story focuses strictly on the protagonist, her past conflicts with other people in town, her insecurities with her current relationship status and her realization that her boyfriend is passing her up in terms of public recognition and popularity in his job as a news anchor with very little focus on the actual crime and murder. I felt that this book was extremely slow to build any kind of real plot and the final revelation of motive and culprit was somewhat of a letdown and became more of a way to make a social statement than a truly well-developed mystery and resolution. In future installments of this series, I would like to see more focus on the plot development for each mystery a stronger protagonist.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Level Best Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Overall, this was a fun book and an easy read. I felt that the plot was clever, and there were sufficient clues planted throughout the book so that when the murderer was revealed, it made sense.
My biggest issues with the book came with the brand-name dropping and the expensive lifestyle references. I just don’t care about those things and it just didn’t feel like it was important to the story to know that a secondary character drives a Porsche.
The book is clearly a set-up for a series of books and I do think I would read a follow-up to see if the mystery premise is strong and if the superficial aspects are toned down.

I did receive an eARC of the book from NetGalley months ago, before the book was published. But life got in the way and I didn’t get to read the book until this past week. Opinion is entirely my own.

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This book was definitely out of the range of what I normally read but the description sounded really interesting and I was excited to start it! While the main character was off putting for me, I enjoyed watching her try to solve the mystery at hand and meeting all her entertaining friends. While I don’t think I’ll find myself rereading this book, the ending had me invested and I never would have guessed how it ended.

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