Wow! Finding a body in your flower bed! This ladies troubles are just beginning as she tries to figure out who would have done it. The killer was a real surprise! I was gifted a copy, my review is voluntary.

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is the debut of the Exotic Pet-Sitter series set in Greenwich, CT and featuring video game reviewer and exotic pet sitter, Belinda Blake. Having left Manhattan for a cozy carriage house on the grounds of the Carrington mansion in Greenwich, Belinda finds herself pet sitting Rasputin, a massive ball python whose owner is insistent that he be given regular baths and taken for walks. It's during one of their walks with Belinda dealing with the slithery snake wrapping himself around her neck that she stumbles into Stone Carrington the fifth, the heir to the family fortune. It's quickly apparent that Stone isn't going to be able to extricate Belinda from the snake's grasp and in fact they both are in danger of being bitten - fortunately the groundskeeper, Jacques steps up and uses his childhood experience handling snakes to rescue the pair.

Deciding that she needs to relax after her near fatal walk, Belinda sets out to weed her flower beds only to discover a stylish Louboutin in the boxwood hedge, unfortunately it's still attached to a woman's body. Margo Fenton was a family friend and rumored to be Stone's girlfriend, and now after a night of billiards she'd somehow ended up strangled in the bushes.

Even though she didn't know Margo, Belinda finds herself drawn into the hunt for her killer. Detective Hugh Watson has named several suspects include Stone, the alcoholic Stone the fourth, the various Carrington employees and Stone's eccentric artist friend, Dietrich Myers who had a somewhat creepy obsession with the young woman.

A fast paced plot that takes the reader from Greenwich to Manhattan and to Belinda's family home in upstate New York. If you are like me, a very vocal snake hater, Belinda's interactions with Rasputin might make you a little squeamish, but the snake's role in capturing the killer left me cheering for him (just a little). I'll be looking forward to the next installment in the series with fingers crossed that Belinda's next charge won't be slimy or slithery and that the author doesn't pursue the dreaded love triangle that she seems to be staging.

I received an advanced copy of Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

When exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake moves into a carriage house in tony Greenwich, Connecticut, she’s hoping to find some new clients. Instead she discovers a corpse in the garden—and a knack for solving murders . . .

Pet-sitter Belinda Blake doesn’t rattle easily, but move-in day has been eventful, to say the least. The python in her care tried to slither to freedom—just as she met Stone Carrington V, her landlords’ disarmingly handsome son. With the constrictor back in its cage, she heads out to the garden, only to discover a designer shoe poking out of the boxwood hedge—attached to a woman’s dead body.

The victim, Margo Fenton, was a Carrington family friend, and no one in their circle seems above suspicion. Between client trips to Manhattan and visits to her family in upstate New York, Belinda begins to put the pieces together. But though she’s falling for Stone’s numerous charms, Belinda wonders if she’s cozying up to a killer. And soon, daily contact with a deadly reptile might be the least dangerous part of her life . . .

This was a fun start to a new series and I can't wait to see what else Belinda Blake has in store!

Belinda Blake is a pet sitter with a difference, she looks after exotic pets, and she is currently looking after a ball python in her new residence. She has just moved into the carriage house attached to a McMansion belonging to the Carrington’s, when things take a deadly turn. The body of a woman turn up dead in her flowerbeds!

Soon she becomes involved with helping Stone Carrington V to help him discover why the woman was killed – they connected really well despite being from two different worlds (money wise) and part of me did wonder if he did have something to do with the murder but when yet an other body turn up, in Belinda’s flowerbed again no less, I had my doubts and began to really ponder who it could have been.

This was a great start to this series and it was a good clean and times lighthearted read despite the murders! I have to admit the twist and turns kept me on my toes and I really did not see the actual culprit coming!

I look forward to reading from our exotic pet sitter!

Cosy mysteries have never been a go-to read for me. I much prefer the faster pace and thrilling edge to a suspense novel, but as I know Heather Day Gilbert’s talent as a writer, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to try the first book in her Exotic Pet Sitter Mysteries. For starters the cover is super fun, the series title unique, and the premise holds lots of appeal, and having turned the last page, I’m delighted to say it has endeared me a little more to the cosy mystery genre. Gilbert’s writing style is warm, witty, and layered, and the mystery remains a mystery until the closing stages of the story which, of course, is essential to all the armchair sleuths. Belinda is a fun character, charming yet not without backbone, determined to forge her independence with her two businesses – exotic pets and gaming reviews. Add in a cast of characters, all of whom could be complicit in the murder, some hints of attraction and romance, and you have a story – and series – worth investing in! Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is sure to please cosy mystery lovers everywhere!

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert is the first book in the new cozy Exotic Pet-Sitter mystery series. I really enjoyed this cozy with a different quirky take on the world of pet sitting and caring for exotic animals. .It is a refreshing cozy that is fast paced with likable charcters. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own. This is a fun cozy that is a fast read.

When she finds a dead body on her property she has her hands full trying to solve the mystery and taking care of a rambunctious python. I found this a charming read and I look forward to the next in series. I like the charcter of Belinda and the author left much opportunity for growth and solving more mysteries in the future in series.

This was a great book and I look for reading a series with the characters. Despite that, some things make me not easily relate with the characters. I don’t think you should babysit an animal without make sure you have enough safe space for it and I felt Belinda was not quite a great person to leave their pets with. I also didn’t like how the characters just trust each other, like they know each other for a long time but they actually where just introduced to each other.

I am a big fan of Heather Day Gilbert’s mysteries. Her Murder in The Mountains series is one of my all-time favorites in the genre. Her newest endeavor is sure to become another fan favorite. Belinda Blake And The Snake in The Grass, book 1 in the Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery series, introduces the reader to a wonderful character who manages to insert herself into all the murderous goings-on around her. Belinda is a fun character, independent, with a unique style, who has chosen unconventional pathways to a career. She freelances reviews of video games while being the go-to caretaker for very unusual pets. In this first novel, she is pet-sitting a python — clearly not a cuddly creature — which takes some stamina and grit to attend to. Belinda’s earnest and sometimes naive view on the world is endearing. I loved Belinda’s first person insights of the wealthy of Greenwich, Connecticut. She is mostly spot on in her estimation of the other characters. But, she can be fooled! The mystery takes off from the start as Belinda finds a body in her flower bed and continues as she joins the heir of the manor in finding out whodunit. When Belinda finds herself all on her own, the reader discovers the depths of her intuition and ingenuity. I didn’t quite have the mystery solved; Gilbert managed to surprise me with several twists and turns. I loved that! The mystery is resolved in the first book, but there is much more to come for Belinda, including a possible love interest or two. I am looking forward to joining Belinda on more adventures.

If you are looking for a great cozy mystery, get in on the ground floor of the Belinda Blake series. A fun puzzler, Belinda Blake And The Snake in The Grass gets a recommended rating from me.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

"There was a body lying in my flowerbed."

Thinking that she has scored the deal of a lifetime, locating a lovely carriage house to rent in upscale Greenwich, Connecticut, pet-sitter Belinda Blake is horrified to discover the body of a young woman carefully deposited behind the hedges of her minuscule section of the finely landscaped yard. It turns out that the the victim was a friend of her landlord's son; Margo Fenton had been at the Carrington home as a guest of Stone Carrington,V on the evening of her demise. And now the charming Stone Carrington has commandeered Belinda's help to find out exactly what may have happened to his friend.

It turns out that there are a lot of suspects and no clues. Or was it that there were a lot of clues and no suspects? Either way, Belinda has just agreed to do some amateur sleuthing in addition to caring for a rather intimidating ball python; since that's actually her bill-paying job.

Once again Heather Day Gilbert has crafted a slightly quirky, but immensely lovable character; expect a lot of readers to be clamoring for the next episode of Belinda Blake.

I received a digital copy of this book on NetGalley, but also purchased a print copy to review. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Belinda Blake has left Manhattan for a quieter life in Greenwich, an idea that is quickly discarded after a woman is found dead in her new flowerbed.

The heir to the property Belinda is renting the carriage house of, gets her tangled up in the mystery. All the while she is also pet sitting a snake and reviewing video games.

Gilbert is a great writer who explores character well. But there were a few places where the plot went in a particular direction with little reason other than that it was where the author wanted it to go.

If you enjoy quirky characters and a twist on the convention cozy mystery, you’ll love this book.

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is a lighthearted cozy mystery. Belinda Blake earns her living minding exotic animals (no dog or cats for her) while their owners are out of town and writing video game review articles. She wanted to expand her pet sitting business and thought Greenwich would be the perfect locale. Belinda was looking forward to a quieter life and getting her hands dirty in the gardens surrounding her cottage. While doing a little weeding, Belinda finds a body. She is suddenly dashing around town with the charming Stone Carrington V. Belinda is an introvert with a quirky wardrobe who likes to read Agatha Christie, play video games, and gardening. I like that Belinda actively investigates Margo’s murder by questioning various suspects and searching for clues. There are multiple suspects, pointed clues and a red herring or two. Might even be a twist to shock you. For those who have an aversion to slithery creatures, you might find the details regarding the Rasputin a little hard to read. There are details on Rasputin’s food, his daily habits, giving the creature a bath, transporting him to Manhattan and back, and taking him for a walk (gives me the shivers). There are a couple of romantic interests for Belinda including Stone V and a dairy farmer. I felt that information on Belinda was lacking (needed more details). It was nice to get to know her family while Belinda spent Thanksgiving at home. The family farm is charming, and I found the mother humorous (makes me wish the book was set in Larches Corner). I appreciated the wrap up at the end. There is a preview of the Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is an upbeat cozy mystery with Louboutin heels, chauffeured cars, a debonair gentleman, a massive mansion, a quirky amateur sleuth, and a slithering serpent named Rasputin.

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert is the first book in the new cozy Exotic Pet-Sitter mystery series. As with most cozy mysteries readers will get a fully solved mystery within each book with only a bit of character building carrying over to the next.

Belinda Blake has taken up a rather unusual job in pet sitting, but not only the average dog or cat, Belinda specializes in exotic pets so that she can expand her business. Along with her business Belinda has just rented a new home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The house is actually a carriage home on the estate owned by the Carringtons.

While Belinda is out of her home with her latest pet in her care, a python, the snake gives her a bit of trouble which leads to a run in with her new landlord’s son, Stone Carrington V. Belinda didn’t expect to find the man so sexy but she is quickly distracted from his good looks when she finds a body in the garden outside her new home.

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert is another opener to a cozy series that I think has a lot of potential but wasn’t quite all the way there yet. This one is fairly short so I would look forward to learning a lot more about Belinda and those around her as there wasn’t a ton of depth with also solving a mystery in such a short time.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Another hit read. I can't find anything major not to like! This had a pet snake that is being baby-sat, and a fascinating amateur sleuth that I totally loved. The romance was just right and this book is a clean read. Nothing that is upsetting to read, no foul language, nothing on the "set" that I don't want to "see". Instead, it's just a great story with fun and quirky characters and exotic pets, plus a super good mystery that makes you want more.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and this review is left of my own free will.

Belinda Blake is quite excited to get her new exotic pet-sitting business off the ground. Her first client is a python, of all things. She sets the python up in her new Connecticut home in a carriage house on the Carrington’s estate. As Belinda checks out her new garden, she discovers a dead body.

Belinda decides to investigate on her own and discovers the victim had quite a few enemies. Even her landlords seem to have a reason to want the young woman dead. When Belinda receives threats and another dead body turns up, she is determined to find out what is going on.

This is a brand new cozy mystery series and it’s off to a wonderful start. The book grabs you right from page one. It’s fast-paced with humor sprinkled throughout the book.

The cast of characters are quirky and interesting. I loved Belinda immediately. She’s a strong, fun character. I couldn’t help but care about her and root for her. The resolution of the mystery took me totally be surprise. I didn't see that coming - it makes it even more fun.

I read the preview for the next book and I’m looking forward to that one as well. Belinda’s next job involves wolves! I have already added this series to my “must read” cozy mystery list.

This was a fabulous beginning to a brand new series!

Belinda Blake, an exotic pet-sitter, has recently relocated to Greenwich, Connecticut to develop her business looking after peoples’ exotic pets in their absence. On her first day in her new rented accommodation, a carriage house located in the grounds of a mansion belonging to the Carrington family, she discovers a corpse – the body of a young woman who is still wearing one of her Louboutins. Can Belinda and the detective on the case find the killer before the murderer strikes again?

I loved this fascinating mystery! Heather Day Gilbert’s descriptions of the setting were impressive and the pacing was spot on. There was always plenty going on and there was certainly never a dull moment!

The author’s characterisation was brilliant. I loved the feisty and fearless Belinda and Stone Carrington the fifth, who was charming, suave and handsome. All of the characters had a great part to play, whether or not they were likeable and all had plenty of audacity and spirit.

The plot was brilliantly executed and I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next. The combination of description and dialogue was great and I had plenty of opportunities to play armchair detective as the story progressed, although, like Belinda, I didn’t figure out who the murderer was until the exciting reveal. The ending definitely took me by surprise.

Although not as humorous as many of the cozy mysteries I’ve read, I highly recommend “Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass”.

I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A well deserved five stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Great Escapes Tours & Kensington Books via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

The description of this story drew me right in—a young lady who pet-sits exotic pets! This occupation actually seems to fit Belinda Blake perfectly as she pretty much takes life in stride. Heather Day Gilbert lets her whimsical side show in this cozy mystery. The characters are colorful and quirky, and the plot moves along well throughout the story. Well-written and well-edited, this tale kept me guessing to the end. What a great start to a new series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own

I really wanted to like this book. It starts out a little bit rough though. Just about as soon as the book begins, Belinda finds the dead body and then we are off and running. I don’t mind finding the body fast, but it feels like the book just zipped through plot point to plot point way too fast and never gave us much of a chance to really feel invested or engaged in what was going on in Belinda’s life.

Sometimes I liked Belinda and sometimes I didn’t. For the most part, she was pretty cool. A fellow introvert gamer who loved animals. She was kind and seemed like a nice person to get to know. BUT. Sometimes she drove me nuts. Ok, so, she just meets this guy for the first time, and starts paling around with him trying to solve the murder. She has literally only known him for a couple of days. She starts getting super pissy pants that he “lied” to her because he didn’t tell her all the deeper, embarrassing things he was going through. Uh, hello, he JUST met you. Of course he isn’t going to just come out and tell you every little thing about him! Especially if he finds it humiliating! And, Belinda is keeping things from him as well, so she was being pissy and a hypocrite. -.- Thankfully she only acted like this only a few times and it didn’t ruin the book or the character.

From about the half way point to the end, Snake in the Grass begins to redeem itself and turns in to an entertaining read. Just when you think you have the killer pegged, a nice little twist is there to show you how wrong you are. I enjoyed the snake’s role in the novel. He was a very fun character. 🙂 By the end of the book, I was enjoying myself and happy with the conclusion. I wouldn’t mind at all picking up the next book in the series and seeing what Belinda does next.

This book had a nice message about being brave enough to be independent and do things your own way instead of leaning on anyone else. While there was a little bit of love interest, it was not a huge part of the story. I liked that in the end Belinda was standing strong on her own, not with a guy, not with her family, but on her own two feet, doing things her way. I hope Belinda continues on like that and has less hot guy and less family interference.

Even though Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass started off a little rough, it really came through in the end. No need to rush through the plot without giving plot points enough time to hook you. Turned in to an enjoyable read with a nice twist at the end. This series has a lot of potential and I’m looking forward to seeing how Belinda does in book 2.

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert is the 1st book in the Exotic Pet-sitter mystery series, and it is off to a great start. Belinda Blake has recently moved to a carriage house in Greenwich, Connecticut and is hoping to find new pets to watch. While walking a python at her new home, she runs into her landlord's handsome son, Stone Carrington the 5th. After getting the snake settled in his cage, Belinda heads outside to garden, when she discovers a body wearing designer shoes, the adventures begin. I enjoyed this fun book, with it's crazy laugh-out-loud moments. Who agrees to walk a snake? Belinda has no idea who to trust, and who not to trust. I can not wait for Belinda's next adventure with Wolves, coming out in October. I highly recommend this book, if you enjoy funny cozy mysteries.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Great start to a new cozy mystery series! Centered around a pet sitter, there should be lots of cuddly animals to come but this one features a snake. It made for several humorous scenes, The characters were well written and definitely fleshed out so that it did not feel like a new book but returning to old friends. The story had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing right up until the end. I would definitely recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

What a way to start a new series - red herrings galore, hidden killers, and mysterious motives.  All of these lead to an unexpected ending.

Exotic pet sitter - someone has to do it and Belinda is up to the task.  While we learn a little bit about her past, she seems quite happy not being stuck in a traditional type job and is building up a pet sitting business for those pets that traditional pet sitters may not want to take on, like a ball python snake.  I can't even imagine taking care of  snake, but I suppose it helps that Belinda's father is a veterinarian and she probably grew up around various types of animals.

Belinda has just moved into a cottage on a larger estate in Greenwich and she is barely there a day when she discovers a dead body.  Most people would probably move out faster than the Energizer Bunny, but she takes it all in stride and starts to investigate alongside Stone the Fifth, the son of the manor.  I was surprised at how quickly Stone and Belinda seemed to connect to start investigating the murder, it seemed like that part of the story was rushed.  That said, Stone and Belinda make a great team and play well off of each other around potential suspects and witnesses.

Speaking of suspects....I think I briefly suspected the killer but not long enough for this character to stay in the "guilty box".  In fact, I strongly suspected another character and was taken by surprise when the ending came about and the killer was revealed.  The author does a great job of throwing multiple characters under the bus as suspects and hiding the true one.

There is a little bit of potential romance between Belinda and Stone, but there is also another character, Jonas, that might come into play as well.  However, Jonas lives by her parents in upstate New York so not sure how that might work out considering the distance...but guess we will find out in the next book!

Overall we enjoyed this book and look forward to the second in this series.  We give this 4 paws up.