The basic story is enjoyable but I found the segues awkward in many place, places where an additional word (like we) would make it smoother. There is a lot of repetition in the last 2-3 chapters, like the author couldn’t figure out how to end it. #Murder,MysteryMothers #NetGalley

This was a page-turning cozy mystery with plenty of twists along the way. Tammy was very relatable as she worked to exorcise the critical voice in her head. The multi-generational group of fellow sleuths was a different touch, and I liked how each brought a unique skill set to the team. Their acceptance of Tammy into the community will go a long way towards her regaining her confidence. Locke, the stray cat, brought his own skills to the group, helping to uncover vital clues and save the day. I especially enjoyed the bonus epilogue from his point of view and hope to see more in future books. The murder mystery is wrapped up satisfyingly; however, the second cold case is only partially solved, leading to anticipation for the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

There is a good story in here, if the main characters bothered to look for it.
<blockquote> On a whim—or perhaps out of desperation—she’d picked up the phone and bought it based on the pictures alone.</blockquote>
Ah, to have the financial means that to buy a house is only a phone call away.

After being betrayled by her best friend, successful mystery author (hence the means to buy a house without having to promis your first born to the bank in exchange for a mortage) Tammy Rumbelow needs a change of scenery and moves to small town Willowcroft.

Soon, little mysteries start to present themselves: who’s vandalizing her flowerbeds? who wrote the letter she found in her attic? who was it adressed to? what was it about?

Tammy dives into the mysteries whole heartedly together with her new friends.

The story has its charms, but it is terribly overwritten and there are gaping holes in the plot.

In a 1954 newspaper Tammy reads about a murder that took place in her new home. Why did Mrs. Temperance not tell her about this? She’s lived in Willowcroft for over seventy years. Surely, she had heard about this murder at some time when growing up? An unsolved violent crime tends to linger in people’s memories.

While Tammy did a great job combing through not one but two newspapers for information about the 1954 murder, she later learns there was a bank heist three weeks earlier. That must have been pushed from the pages by the murder totally to not even get a mention in “a recent crime wave seems to have hit the town of Willowcroft”.

One of the new friends is a retired detective. But I’m not too sure he remembers how to properly interpret information. When confronted with bruises caused by a left hand, but a stab wound caused by a right hand, the team comes up with all sorts of explanations, except the most obvious one: <spoiler>the killer has two hands</spoiler>.

The sleuthing is mainly done through online and library research. Only Mrs Temperance has the good sense to talk to some old people. Sadly, they all have dementia so their statements are spotty at best.

But what most annoyed me was the eulogies Tammy and friends gave to the victim.
<blockquote> “My dear, I was a child when you left us, but I’ve come to feel a bond with you through our investigation. Your spirit has touched us all, uniting this community in ways we never imagined.”</blockquote>
That would have been so much stronger if the team had actually talked about the victim and had tried to learn about her other than a few obituary facts.

I kind of did this series back to front where I read and reviewed the second book before reading the first one. In fact, there was a lot of backstory in the second one that when I read this one, it almost felt like I had already read it. But the good news is it didn’t matter. Successful author Tammy moves to a small town from LA when her life turns into a chaotic mess. Probably the weakest link in both stories is how she was betrayed and why her world has been shattered.

But when she moves into her little blue cottage, she discovers a town filled with caring people and almost immediately forms a tight group who decide to investigate a cold case from 1954. A young woman was murdered behind a locked door. The killer has never been found and Tammy and her crew are determined to go through the old files and learn the truth. But 70 years later there is still someone determined that the secret should not be revealed. And this person is prepared to go to extremes. Tammy and her group are in danger but they persist and are able to solve the locked door murder and identify the killer. But more importantly she discovers a “family” of friends whom she can trust. And the love and devotion of a very clever cat. Four purrs and two paws up.

Thanks to Netgallery and Fran Heap for this ARC.

This was a excellent cozy mystery and I love the characters the main group being a mix of generations giving only murders in building vibe but also the cat Lockie was so cute. Also minor characters were memorable, loved seeing Tammy go through a change of allowing herself to trust the others after a betrayal back in LA and not listening to the negative mental voice of her mother. This was such fun and can't wait to read the next one.

This was a easy cozy read unoffensive but rather boring. It just didn't grab me and I could have easily put it down and not pick up again. It is a first in series so it could improve now all the character's are in place but I'm on the fence as to whether or not I would pick up the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This was a cute, fun read!
I loved the relationship between sisters, and the vibe of the town. I didn’t guess the ending, so I love a good twist.

Will check out more from this author!

Thank you netgalley for an arc

This is a cozy mystery book that follows Tammy who moved from LA to a small town.

There she finds an unsolved mystery which she decides to solve because she has nothing better to do.

I loved the way the author executed the plot twists even though some of them were obvious 🙂. The writing style is easy to understand and it can be read by everybody.

If you like cats and solving mysteries this is for you

This is a book that is a bit of fun to read, a bit quirky and a hole lot of mystery and haunting. I enjoyed reading this book and was very entertained by it. A cosy catty read that took no time at all to finish. Loved the characters and the cat. It is a book that is light and fun and cute to read yet had a bit of mystery as well. Nice mix.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A gal from California moves to a small town to get some peace and quiet only to end up in a house haunted by a women that lived there before and was murdered. This was a cute story where the town people come together and help solve the mystery. It was very enjoyable and well written with great characters. I would recommend to everyone.

Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I wanted to love this cozy mystery, but it was just ok for me. Perhaps that is my problem bc I read a lot of cozy mysteries and tjis one blended in with many others. I struggled to find something that stood out about the book. The digital ARC was very dark colored and almost impossible to read on my kindle or my phone, which likely influenced my view of the book.

Tammy has built walls around herself following a betrayal by her boyfriend and best friend and in an attempt to block out her critical mother's voice. On a win she buys a cottage in Willowcroft. I loved the mix of unlikely people that form her group of friends. The cold case mystery was a nice change. As with most first books in a series, it could use a bit of polishing. However, I enjoyed this one enough that I started on book two in the series.

I enjoyed the concept of the cold case. This charming mystery and the town have their on place in my heart. Would recommend.

I enjoyed this charming debut mystery set in a atmospheric small town with intriguing characters. The cat as a sleuth is a wonderful addition for all cozy cat lovers. The author has all the right cozy elements for a long term series.
The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion. The protagonist savvy and smart. I look forward to the next in series.
Thank you to the author, Net Galley and the publishers. My review is my own opinion.

I picked this book for its cover & the idea of what it was (a murder mystery). But, for me, it was dull & very slow. I couldn’t finish it. I found I really don’t like cozy books.

I liked the cat.

Thank you to #Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. Thank you Fran Heap for suggesting I read this book she wrote.

This was an okay story. The characters were ok. The story was sweet. I love a small town setting. Just didn't stick with me. Nothing to the story that made it pop.

A quick and easy story to follow, good plot and enjoyable murder mystery. A fun read and I hope there will be more to come

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Fran Heap for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder, Mystery & Mothers coming out May 29, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I think Tammy is a fun character. I definitely enjoy fresh start stories. The town felt quaint and cozy. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author!

A nice cozy, easy read. While the character building is sparse, I'm sure it will flesh out in future installments. I enjoy how the characters have come together in a found-family. I would love to learn more about the individual characters. I've already read the second installment and found it enjoyable. I'll be adding this series to my cozy-reads TBR.

A great start! Looking for a new start, Tammy moves from LA to Willowcroft, Michigan. The mystery she is trying to solve is a very cold case of 70 years. Tammy along with new friends and a feline sleuth are enjoyable characters. The mystery is interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks#Netgalley and #BooksGoSocial for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.