I did like this book, it was so fun to read and entertaining! It was a great cozy mystery and I would highly recommend if you like that! Coco was such a fun character to read about, I loved her and all the other characters too!

I didn’t realize when I got the arc that this was apart of the series so this is me reading out of the blue and without context 😭. It was still very enjoyable and easy to understand, I loved how lighthearted the writing was as well!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I really enjoyed this book! The characters felt real and like they could’ve been part of my friend group. While it was not blow my mind amazing, it was a solid 4 star read.

I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it. Coco must solve this murder mystery to help her friend not be charged.

When Charlotte’s ex shows up in town and then dies from an allergic reaction to crushed peanuts, Charlotte is the main suspect. While Coco knows that Charlotte didn’t kill the man, the evidence is saying otherwise. Can Coco and the gang figure out who really had it in for the man? As an unlikely human, the options are limitless, but can they find the proof they need to clear Charlotte?

While each, and every entry contains a solid mystery that keeps you guessing to the end, the author also has developed her character so well that you’re not just coming to figure out whodunit, you’re coming to each new entry to catch up with old friends. That to me, is a series that is always going to be on my must-read list

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sarah E. Burr for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for #Throwback For Murder coming out May 6, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was intrigued by the cozy storyline. I thought the characters were really interesting. I love the title of the book. I would definitely check out more books in this series and other books by the author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

I have been enjoying Sarah E. Burr's Trending Topic Mysteries since the beginning, so I was very excited to receive an ARC of the fourth installment in the series, #Throwback for Murder. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint. In fact, this may be my favorite book in the series.

It starts out at a festival to celebrate the opening of the Central Shores Community Safety Center. The celebration is interrupted when a blast from the past falls ill and eventually dies. (I must point out here how the title of this book fits perfectly with the victim's story.) Evidence points to Charlotte, one of Coco Cline's best friends, as the one who potentially murdered the victim. Lifestyle Influencer, Coco, and her friends use a mix of modern technology and good old-fashioned sleuthing to uncover the truth and clear Charlotte's name.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Central Shores, Delaware, once again visiting with the Sleuth Squad. I loved that this book starts at a festival and the reader is fully immersed in the experience. It felt like I was there.

Having just re-listened to the first in this series, I can say that these characters have shown tremendous growth since the beginning. Relationships are evolving and there is now a cat added to the mix. This isn't Coco's cat. Miranda's human is Jasper, and I am here for it. Jasper is my favorite character in this series and I just love that he now has a cat. The scene where Miranda is first discovered nearly brought tears to my eyes. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it was going to all unfold. There is another scene later in the book that did bring tears to my eyes, but those were tears of laughter because it was so funny!

There are a lot of characters in this book, but I was okay with that. It was fairly easy to differentiate who the suspects were and who were simply members of the community. Even with that differentiation, I still could not figure out who the culprit was. It surprised me, but it came to a logical conclusion. Speaking of the conclusion, I love how this book shows that not every case is cut and dry. The lines are sometimes blurred. You will have to read the book to find out exactly what I'm talking about.

One thing I always appreciate in these books is diversity. The communities created by Sarah Burr truly are welcoming to everyone. On a personal note, in this series it's especially heart-warming to see at least one physically disabled character living life just like everyone else in the community. This character is working and could possibly be involved in a romantic relationship soon. That's the way I love to see representation. It makes me feel like I could easily fit into that community.

I also love that Coco is seeing a mental health professional. It isn't a large part of the book, but it's there to let us know that Coco isn't dealing with everything on her own. Of course she has her friends, but it's good to know she's open to professional counseling.

I really enjoyed the scenes with Coco's family. I especially loved the scenes with Coco's father. I hope to see more of her family in future installments.

Along with the mystery, there are a number of subplots that are naturally and seamlessly woven into the story. These subplots never interfere with the flow of the mystery and they give us glimpses into the characters' lives other than solving mysteries. I enjoyed seeing the natural progression of their lives and I'm even more enthusiastic about seeing them continue to grow in future installments.

There are some serious topics covered in this book, as indicated by the trigger warning in the beginning. While these topics do play a role in the overall story, they never felt overwhelming to me. Sarah Burr has a gift for lightening the mood without glossing over serious situations. It's the perfect blend of heart and humor.

I have to admit, I got a kick out of the multiple references to the Baltimore Ravens football team. They are my team! But I promise you, you don't have to be a football fan to appreciate these references. They are worked into the book in a way that works well with the story.

As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery, but I recommend starting with book 1, #FollowMe for Murder, so you can see the growth of the characters. If you've been reading each installment, then this is certainly not one you'll want to miss. #Throwback for Murder is a strong addition to a modern and entertaining series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and Sarah E. Burr for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Social media influencer Coco Cline and her Sleuth Squad are back to solve another murder. Her best friend Charlotte is suspected of slipping peanuts into her highly allergic ex boyfriend's latte. As they investigate the ex boyfriend's connections, it becomes increasingly clear that he was not a good person.
This is the 4th book in the Trending Topic series, and while I have not read the first 3, I didn't feel like I was trying to play catch up on who everyone was and what their connections to each other were. The story was well paced with enough suspects to keep you guessing until the end. The often use of "hashtags!" as a curse word got old very quick for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ebook.

This book is poorly written. Additionally, the excessive use of hashtags distrusted my reading. While I know this is a indie author and I want to be supportive, but this is bad.

The synopsis was promising but the book is so poorly written that it was a chore to finish it. I do not recommend it.

#Throwback for Murder, Sarah E Burr

Social media influencer, Coco Cline, is back with a new mystery to solve alongside her buddies in her Sleuth Squad.
Coco’s trying to stay away from getting involved in the latest death to hit Central Shores in Delaware, but when one of her own is targeted as the possible killer, Coco has to step in.
The victim in this case is not a nice guy and there are a lot of layers to the crime. Coco works through the layers with the help of the Sleuth Squad. Even her dad makes an appearance and helps out.
Ms. Burr skillfully lays out the plot, allowing clues to slip into the story.
I loved this latest installment and the changes Coco is contemplating in her work life as well.
A well-written mystery that kept me guessing until the ending.
I recommend this series and this book!

⭐️: 2.5
🌶️: 0

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book. I really did. I grew up on Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, Harriet The Spy and the like. After a crazy week, a cozy murder mystery ala Jessica Fletcher/Miss Marple vibes felt like exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, this books wasn’t it.

Was there a murder mystery storyline? Yes. Did it have a decent little twist in the who done-it? Yup. Was the FMC a plucky detective who inserted herself into the case much the exasperation albeit appreciation of a beleaguered police chief? Definitely.

That’s where the comparisons end.

Now I will note that apparently this is the fourth book in a series. I read this while on a plane that unfortunately didn’t have working wifi so I was unable to look this up myself. And I don’t remember seeing that detail on NG but I will go back and check once I have the internet again. That might allow some excuses for a few of my complaints as many of these characters were probably introduced in previous installments.

Look. I’m a millennial. Who is chronically online. But the amount of TikTok speak peppered throughout this book had even me cringing. The author didn’t use a single curse word (which is totally fine!) but instead of using other alternatives, middle school level phrases were inserted instead? But the phrase that made me literally want to chuck my kindle into the next row was "Holy Hilary Duff." And that was after I barely restrained myself from DNFing it completely after reading “My heart plummeted to my butt. How in the name of Travis Kelce had…” which was at 15%.

There were SO many side characters that I had a hard time keeping track of all of them. Mainly because most of them were only introduced to advance a meaningless detail and then never to be heard from again? It also felt a bit like Collum from Derry Girls when it came to a lot of the details. Just excessive explanations about food preparation or street names or steps in a process that didn’t add to the plot but mainly pulled me out of the story.

Lastly, I really struggled with the dialogue. It felt very jilted and stiff? Almost a bit robotic in places. I didn’t feel chemistry within a lot of the friend group and their conversations didn’t feel very connected. I can’t put my finger on exactly the problem but I just didn’t find it believable?

Overall, I appreciated the premise but I definitely will not be continuing this journey with Coco and her friends.

I love love love this series!! The sleuth squad is so fun and I love the authors writing! The characters are great and the books are so modern. I would highly recommend picking up this series!

#Throwback For Murder is the next book in the Trending Topic Mystery series. When Charlotte's abusive ex shows up in Central Shores, Charlotte needs all the support from her friends that she can get. Then, when her ex dies under suspicious circumstances, Charlotte becomes the prime suspect in his murder investigation. Coco will NOT let Charlotte take the blame for her ex's death. In order to solve this mystery, Coco will need the help of her entire Sleuth Squad. Hudson, Jasper, Charlotte, Deacon, and new member Miranda all quickly dive into the case.

The Trending Topic Mystery series is a contemporary, trendy, fun cozy series that also takes on some harder topics (domestic abuse, miscarriages, bullying, etc). The author does a great job balancing the challenging subjects with the lightheartedness of a good cozy mystery. The characters in this series are fantastic. I absolutely love Jasper. And, in this installment in particular, Jasper is amazing. I loved when he met Miranda!!! I did think this mystery was a bit predictable; however, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I can't wait to see what the Sleuth Squad gets up to next.

#Throwback for Murder is the fourth installment in the Trending Topic Mysteries series, but it was my first introduction to social media influencer-turned-sleuth Coco Cline and what a fun and cozy read it was! Lighthearted, modern, and filled with charm, this mystery delivers a delightful escape to Central Shores, Delaware.

Just as crime in town seems to be settling down, Coco is ready to archive her sleuthing days, until a suspicious death linked to her friend Charlotte pulls her back into action. With the police eyeing Charlotte as their main suspect, Coco and her trusty Sleuth Squad must uncover the truth before Charlotte’s reputation (and freedom) are canceled for good.

Even though I hadn’t read the previous books, I had no trouble jumping into the story. Burr creates a warm and engaging world, and Coco’s voice is sharp, clever and so fun. The blend of digital-age clues and cozy mystery elements felt fresh and fun.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#Throwback for Murder is the 4th book in Sarah E. Burr’s Trending Topic series. Coco Cline is an influencer and consultant. She is dating Hudson who is a TV journalist. Coco’s best friends are Charlotte and Jasper. There is a festival in town. Coco is there working and Charlotte has a coffee stand. An old boyfriend of Charlotte’s shows up but then he has an allergic attack and dies. Charlotte is a suspect and The friends need to figure out who wanted him dead. They have to sort through secrets and lies to get to the truth. Coco has some decisions to make regarding Trending Topic’s future. The characters and friendships make this book and series so enjoyable. The cozy mystery kept me guessing and brought up the topics of domestic abuse and miscarriage. Both were handled respectfully. It seems like the books going forward are taking a little different path as is hinted at with Coco’s decisions regarding Trending Topic’s future. This continues to be an enjoyable cozy mystery series. #ThrowbackForMurder #TrendingTopicMystery #NetGalley #LevelBestBooks
#SarahEBure

It’s been a quiet nine months for Coco Cline and her friends. In that time, the new government office building in Central Shores has been finished, and the city is holding a festival to celebrate. However, Coco’s friend, Charlotte, is shocked when her ex shows up during the festival. She came to town to get away from him. A few minutes after a tense standoff ends, he dies under the suspicious circumstances. With all the evidence pointing to Charolette, can Coco clear her friend?

Once again, Coco is surrounded by a good group of friends, and I enjoyed spending time with them and watching their relationships grow. There isn’t too much with her family this time. The plot started quickly and the pacing never lagged, with several sub-plots to keep us engaged. I did have a couple of niggles with the ending, but they are minor. There are a few laughs as well. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up today.

What a fun, cozy read! This is actually the first Trending Topic Mystery I've read. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Burr and when I saw her newest book available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance! The main character, Coco, and her loveable, quirky group of friends known as the "Sleuth Squad" were all fun to get to know and I love that their unique personalities and connections had them all working together throughout the story. The author does a wonderful job of creating an engaging mystery filled with humor. I also enjoy the use of social media in solving the crime. It's a fresh twist to crime solving and adds a modern touch to sleuthing. I'm #hooked on this series. I can't wait to go back and read the first few as well as wait for the next installment. Thank you to #NetGalley and #LevelBest Books for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

Sarah E. Burr's "#Throwback For Murder" is a charming and entertaining cozy mystery, the fourth in the Trending Topic Mysteries series. Social media influencer Coco Cline is again at the center of a murder inquiry when the past comes back to haunt her friend. Burr seamlessly entwines an intriguing plot with a colorful cast of wacky and believable characters, making it simple to cheer for Coco and her "Sleuth Squad."
The novel is an excellent blend of suspense and humor, with witty repartee and engaging small-town relationships. The retro theme provides a layer of nostalgia, and the author has you guessing until the gratifying reveal. If you like cozy mysteries with a contemporary twist and a healthy dose of friendship, "#Throwback For Murder" is a strongly recommended read.

I love this whole series. The characters are so great, I love every single one of them. I figured out who it was early but that didn't take away from what a fun read it was!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun series! Very 'trendy' and current with lots of up to date references. While there is some death, none of it is gruesome or on the page which makes this a light read. I can't wait to see where the series goes next!