This cozy mystery novel totally absorbed my interest and kept me guessing throughout! When the father of a New York literary agent passes from cancer in their Southern Indiana small town, she returns home and discovers how much has changed. Ally Cobb's father owned his own literary agency, and trained her. Now she has to close the agency and make certain his authors are taken care of, while simultaneously maintaining her clientele from the New York City agency where she is employed. All this plus grieving; and then her best friend's father dies, and the friend is suspected. Ally stops at nothing to uncover the truth and to clear her friend of suspicion. I was riveted throughout.

A Literal Mess is the first book in the An Allie Cobb Mystery series.

I find that sometimes with the first book of a new series the author will weigh the reader down with an excess of backstory. But, J. C. Kenney, for me, provided just enough information on the community of Rushing Creek and it’s interesting residents.

Allie Cobb, a literary agent, has come back to Rushing Creek for her father’s funeral and to help close down her father’s literary agency.

After the funeral family and friends gathered at the Rushing Creek Public House to celebrate Mr. Cobb’s life. Allie and her best friend, Sloane, were sitting outside by a fire pit when they heard an argument. When they got in a position to see who was arguing they could see that it is Sloane’s father, Thornwell, and Suzette, a literary agent that had worked for Allie’s father and had started her own agency and was trying to get Thornwell to sign on with her. Later in the evening, Thornwell has another confrontation, this time with his research assistant, Daniel Godwin. The next morning Allie learns from her ex-brother-in-law and police chief, Matt Roberson, that Thornwell’s lifeless body in the creek running by the Community Center. Sloane, whose run-ins with her father during his drinking years becomes a person of interest. Allie, not believing that Sloane could kill her own father begins her own investigation.

In addition to looking into the arguments Thornwell had that she heard, she also sees Thornwell’s girlfriend, Charlisa Moody, and his ex-wife, Kathryn, maybe what appeared to be a reconciliation had not been going well. She also is learning more about a genealogy researcher at the local library, Brent Reynolds. Reynolds is new Rushing Creek and seems to appear out of nowhere as Allie is investigating.

I really enjoyed this new series and felt it was a well-told and plotted story with a very interesting cast of characters.

I’m eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to learn more about the quaint town of Rushing Creek and it’s interesting residents.

I'm always looking for the latest cozy series, always ready to give it a chance. This new series didn't disappoint me. Murder in the literary world and a daughter returning home to attend her beloved father's funeral and to help with his business is the basis for the story. Allie left home to move to New York to follow in her father's footsteps and become a literary agent. She has been away just long enough that returning to small town Rushing Creek, IN (population 3,216 minus one murder victim) takes some getting used to. When the body of a local author - friend and client of Allie's father and the father of Allie's best friend - is found floating under the town bridge, that's too close to her for her not to do some investigating of her own. The police have her best friend and daughter of the vicim in the top spot on their list of suspects and Allie knows that can't be allowed to continue. The real killer is out there and may be ready to add another murder. Allie has her own long list of suspects, including his ex-wife, his ex-girl friend and various other locals.
The pace was good and there wasn't an overload of setting the scene and developing the characters, something that first in series mysteries sometimes suffer from. This was well balanced and did't slow the story at all. I'll be sure to add this series to my TBR list.

A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is my first-ever cozy mystery read and it did not disappoint! A likable protagonist, an intriguing murder mystery and much talk about book publishing makes for an entertaining read. The story follows Allie Cobb who left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. When he passes away, she returns home to her southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek (population: 3,216) to attend his funeral. The body of her father’s client is suddenly found under the town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend. Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode.

There's many characters in this one plus getting to know Allie but I didn't feel that the story was bogged down by too much background information. It moves along at a good pace and the mystery kept my interest the entire time. Even though Allie is trying to solve a murder, she still has her day job to attend to and I really enjoyed the 'behind the scenes' look at a literary agent's work. Plus, Allie's attention to detail ability that serve her well as a literary agent are used to help solve the murder.

Allie is loyal and feisty, which makes for a good combination when she's trying to clear her best friend of any wrongdoing. There's a hint of a love interest to come so excited to read how that develops in the next book in the series.

When it comes to the mystery itself, it's not hard to solve. I figured it out early on and I'm sure you will, too. But like a romantic comedy movie, it's more about the journey not the destination that includes quirky characters and heartfelt moments. A good one to read.

A literal mess.
I enjoyed this first book of a new series and a New Author for me to read.
Allie returns home to attend her beloved fathers funeral.
Her father was the inspiration behind Allie to become a literary agent like him..
After the funeral a body is found he’s the father of her bestie Sloane and a author who’s literally agent was Allies dad.
Loved getting to know-all the characters and family,
A few red herrings to keep you guessing who the killer could be .
Would definitely recommend this author and he’s next book.
Many thanks to publishers and nettgalley for a advance copy to read and review this book.

It was nice having Allie as a literary agent which is an unusual profession in a cosy mystery.

The characters are likeable and the plot is fun. A good cosy mystery and I look forward to the next book in the series.

This is a fairly standard cozy, but well written and with an OK plot. The characters are also good enough that we will want more.

I really enjoyed A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney. It was a cozy mystery that I just couldn't put down and finished it quite quickly. I love the main characters, especially Allie Cobb. She's very intelligent and likeable so it's very easy to root for her to be successful in the book. I also like that the author didn't really go out of their way to introduce a romance in the first book. There's a romantic interest, sure, but it's not a main plot point in this book. Sometimes it's good for the female character to stand on her own a bit before she's given a romantic partner. As for the killer, I'll admit I suspected them from the beginning, but I still really enjoyed the mystery because there were so many other characters who I also suspected. So, even though I suspected who it turned out to be, it was still a surprise when the killer was revealed. I look forward to the next book in the series to see what happens next for Allie and her family and friends.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

What a good start for a new series!
It's refreshing to read about a heroine that is neither a baker or librarian and is very dedicated to her profession.
I loved this book, it was a breath of fresh air and I was hooked since the first pages.
The setting was great, I would like to live in this small town so full of beauty and relaxing.
The cast of characters is lovely and relatable, I loved the female characters so strong and I loved the pets.
The mystery was good, it keep you guessing till the end and there's any moment of bore.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

3.5 stars

Credible debut effort featuring Allie Cobb, New York literary agent who has returned to her small-town Indiana home for her father's funeral. No sooner has Allie gotten through that ordeal and started re-connecting with family and friends than another death occurs. This time it's her best friend Sloane's famous author father - and it's murder.

The chief of police just happens to be Allie's ex-brother-in-law and he admits he's in over his head. He and Sloane convince Allie she can help with the investigation.

There are a few plot inconsistencies and implausibilities, but the characters are likeable and multi-dimensional. This book obviously sets up the series to follow and provides background for further tales. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Awesome, fun read! Very enjoyable! Hard to put down once I started reading it. Killer was a surprise. Rushing Creek reminded me of my hometown in Indiana. Loved it!

4 stars
The first book in a new series revolving around Allie Coop, a small-town girl working in NYC as a literary agent. The literary agent, publisher and client is a new one for me in the cozy mystery genre. I enjoyed it. It took me about 40 pages or so to really get into this book, but once I did, I couldn’t put the book down.

Most of the characters were well written and developed except for a few of them (such as Lance) but he was such a secondary figure, he could have been eliminated entirely and it wouldn’t have mattered.
I love books written in small towns with close family connections and this was no exception.
I cannot wait for book two in this series. The writing is fresh and fun without the obligatory cussing and sex.
I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #ALiteralMess#NetGalley #Kensington

A Literal Mess is a well written murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot and the author’s writing. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

A Literal Mess by J. C. Kenney is a good mystery and a great start of a new series.

Allie receives a dreaded call in the middle of the night telling her that her father has died. Devastated she flies back home for a funeral. Several days later one of her father's best friends, and her own best friend's father, prominent writer is found dead. It soon becomes apparent that he was murdered. When Allie's friend asks her to find out the killer she simply can't refuse. With the help of police chief, who happens to be her former brother in law, Allies starts asking question but soon finds out that someone is willing to shut her up for good.

I liked basically everything about this book. The fact that Allie and her father are literary agents, to great setting and likable characters.
At times animosity between Allie and her brother in law seemed a bit over the top. I also felt that her father's death didn't have as much impact on her as it was implied.
The setting, with all falling leaves and beautiful nature was truly inviting. The story had a steady pace with lots of red herrings to keep it interesting.
This was a very good first try and I am looking forward to reading second book in the series to see which new mysteries will she uncover and how characters will develop further as I liked them very much.

First book in a new series. I have not read this author before but look forward to more in the series. The mystery was interesting. I enjoyed the characters and the town. I look forward to mending relationships and the building of new ones. The only thing I had an issue with was why it took Allie so long to make her last decision.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. I look forward to more books in this series so I can visit this town and these characters again.

Loved it. An entertaining and engaging cozy mystery. Enjoyed being back home again in Indiana. The changes in family relationships were interesting. Granted the involvement with the police chief did stretch reality, but then, I am not looking for reality in my reading. I look forward to reading the next one in this series.

A Literal Mess is the first book in the new Allie Cobb Mystery series. In this series debut, Allie returns home to Rushing Creek, IN following the death of her father. Coming back to Indiana after living in New York is a bit of culture shock for her, but Allie is determined to help her mother close out her father's literary agency. Turns out someone else is interested in closing out her dad's former clients. Author Thornwell Winchester is found floating face down in the water under a bridge soon after Allie arrives in town. When her BFF and also the murdered author's daughter is declared a main suspect in the case, Allie is determined to prove that Sloane is innocent. Someone brave enough to be a literary agent in New York can ferret out a killer...right?

I will definitely be reading more of this new series. I like the concept, the literary agency background theme, the characters....it was just a pleasant cozy experience. I read a lot of cozies because they are my go-to for brain palate cleansing in between heavier horror, thriller/suspense or action fiction. I love it when I find a new series that is a bit different from all the other cozies I have read. This is the first cozy series I've read with a literary agent background theme. I like it!

The mystery moves along at a nice pace. Even though this is the first book in a new series, the plot isn't slowed down by too much character introduction and development. The story flows nicely and doesn't bog itself down, while still introducing the characters and setting. I like Allie as a main character. She is intelligent with just the right amount of feisty.

All in all, a great start to a new cozy mystery series! This is Author J.C. Kenney's debut novel! I'm definitely in line for his next book! It won't be a long wait. Book 2 in this series, A Genuine Fix, will be released in July 2019.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Coming back home is never easy, but when your best friend becomes a person of interest, what else is there do to, but help set the record straight.

Who wanted Mr. Winchester dead? It’s a bevy of people with stronger motives and I love how the author weaves in and out of suspects keeping me entrenched in all aspects. The clues were done in a manner that had me putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle, but it was those directional challenges, aka red herrings, that enhanced how well this story was being told. The tone was comfortable and the pacing was made it easy to follow along the path that the author has staged. Allie is a great character and it was fun getting to know more about her and her family dynamics. The secondary characters rounded out the great cast of characters from Sloane to Luke to Matt to Ursi, okay she’s a cat, but adorable, and to all those who interacted with Allie. I enjoyed my visit to Rushing Creek, Indiana and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Allie and her friends in this delightfully charming series.

Literary agent Allie Cobb is wrapping up the last details of her late father’s business when his biggest client, Thornwell Winchester, is found murdered. Winchester is also the father of Allie’s best friend, Sloane Winchester, initially a suspect in her father’s death.

Sloane is extremely upset at her father’s death since he had quit drinking for the last year and was reconciling with her and his ex-wife. Sloane persuades Allie to investigate her dad’s murder which coincides with Allie’s attempts to find the “secret” project her father and Winchester were working on, according to her father’s records.

A few other suspects include Charissa Moody, Winchester’s girlfriend; Suzette, trained as a literary agent by Allie’s dad; and Daniel Godwin, Winchester’s research assistant.

Keeping the mystery interesting is the fact that the police chief, Matt Roberson, is Allie’s ex-brother in law and there hasn’t been a murder in Rushing Creek, IN, since he joined the force. The family dynamics of the Cobbs makes a fascinating backdrop for Allie’s sleuthing as well. Her mother is a family practice physician, her sister Rachel owns the Rushing Creek Public House, and her brother Luke works for the city and is Sloane’s alibi for the night her dad was murdered.

Complex and multi-layered, A Literal Mess, is an engaging read that augers promise of more intriguing adventures for Allie. J. C. Kenny populates Rushing Creek with warm, authentic characters and realistic relationships. On a final note, Allie’s tortoiseshell cat Ursula (aka Ursi) adds a touch of charm as she wanders through the pages keeping Allie company.

I have a weakness for mysteries with main characters who have jobs working with books in some capacity. Since this story had a main character who is a literary agent and others who are authors, this was definitely at the top of my to-be-read pile.

The characterization in this story is well done with lots of little details that were added about the lives of the characters; however, at times I felt the story could have contained a bit more action because the immense amount of narration made the book drag in places. The main character, Allie, also did some things that were a bit over the top. One instance is when she went to the winery to call out a woman who said she was the girlfriend of the deceased. Allie’s comments seemed unnecessarily mean since she didn’t have anything to go on except rumors, but then again, that did seem to be an aspect of her personality that fortunately didn’t come up too often. The other thing I found puzzling was when the police chief tells Allie that he would like her to work with him on the investigation, giving her all the information and access to interviews he has so far. I know this is fiction, but that was over the top; I doubt if there is a police chief anywhere who would involve a citizen in an active investigation.

After the half way point, the pace picked up and I enjoyed the book more. Overall, I thought it was ok and worthy of a four star rating.