A cozy mystery about Belinda Blake--a girl who specializes in exotic pet sitting.
In this story, she's caring for a snake, a python to be exact.
I liked the character. She's quirky, adventurous, and fun.
The mystery...well...let's just say in this case, her adventuresome spirit was almost too much for me.
I mean, she finds a dead body right outside her carriage house...and doesn't get scared?! :)
There's lots of suspense going on here....the author carefully shows how each of the other characters might be the culprit, and I kept on trying to figure it out as I read...
lots of twists and turns, and unexpected events. It kept me guessing until the end.
I look forward to reading the second book in the series, as soon as it's available!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

“Maybe they’re all hopelessly flawed.”

Belinda Blake, a quirky exotic pet sitter in Greenwich, Connecticut will hook you into her life and (mis)adventures from the get-go. Per usual, Heather Day Gilbert does a remarkable job striking a nice balance between character development, storyline, and mystery. She takes a slight detour from her Christian mystery series featuring Tess Spencer into the Cozy Mystery genre and readers who enjoyed that series should enjoy this one as well. My personal opinion was that although this is a cozy mystery, it didn’t feel like the typical cozy mystery I am used to. Now I don’t mean that in a bad way; it’s just that most cozy mysteries I have read tend to be very quick reads (like 1 or 2 sittings) whereas book 1 of this series will take you longer from beginning to end (though still a pretty quick read). The reason is the aforementioned character development, which is sometimes lacking in the genre. Heather Day Gilbert does a great job with setting and details, too, making better than many in the cozy mystery genre.

With that said, I enjoyed a variety of the characters we were introduced to in book 1. Not only were they great characters who were hopelessly flawed, it made for a ton of red herrings which in my opinion is what makes a cozy mystery whodunnit so enjoyable! And throw in a ball python snake that you just know will have a central plot line by the book’s ending. Speaking of the ending, I did get it half right and that is all I will say in the matter. I was definitely satisfied with the ending and reveal, especially since it didn’t come out of left field, something I hate to see in a whodunnit.

So all in all, this is a great beginning to what should be a fantastic series.

*I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.

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This is an original and entertaining cozy mystery that I couldn't help but read in one sitting! Belinda Blake is a character who is near and dear to my heart (I feel like we are very similar) and I couldn't help but relate to her! I can't wait for the next installment in the series!

Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved this book! Full of wonderful quirky characters and an interesting story line with lots of twists and turns. A wonderful cozy whodunit! I could not put this book down! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series! I love Belinda!

As strange as it may sound, if Belinda Blake were to make a list of the most interesting developments in her life, being hired to care for a ball python probably wouldn’t even make the top five. That’s because shortly after becoming a tenant to an elite family in Greenwich, Connecticut, the professional video game player/exotic pet sitter discovers a dead body in her flower bed. Immediately after that, she finds herself swept into an informal investigation with her landlord, who’s something like a modern day fairytale prince...maybe. Attempting to unmask the killer leads her into a half dozen slippery situations that make bathing a snake seem almost tame in comparison.

This story has a perplexing mystery, startling plot twists, engaging settings, and eccentric characters. But perhaps none are as eccentric as the quirky, impulsive, and charmingly naive title character. Belinda’s energy and humor make even the low-peril scenes entertaining.

Belinda and the Snake in the Grass is a fantastic series starter. Like me, I’m certain other mystery fans will be delighted with the book and equally anxious to hang out with Belinda and her crazy pets for another adventure.

Belinda Blake has started an exotic pet sitting business. Her current client is a Ball Python.
She has moved to Greenwich to have a better chance at more clients.

On her first day there she discovers the body of a young woman in the shrubbery. She, and the son of of the manner start investigating. The more she investigates, the more she realizes she can't trust anyone, including Carrington the 5th.

With two more murders already happened, Belinda wakes up to an intruder in her home. It seems like she will be the next victim.

This is a well written story with several red herrings and a surprise ending. I hope there will be more in this series.

Received from NetGalley

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2760410378

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass is the first book in Heather Day Gilbert's new series, An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery and I can not wait to read book #2. Having read several of this author's books before I knew I could expect a good book and I wasn't disappointed. Gilbert is a skilled storyteller and she has crafted a story that moves quickly with several unpredictable twists and interesting situations, drawing the reader in right from the start. The characters are great--colorful and a tad quirky, likable and realistic. I enjoyed the relationship of Belinda with her family and let's not forget her interactions with Rasputin, the ball python Belinda was pet-sitting. A little humor, a couple murders, covert interrogation missions, a little romance and an ending that says there is more to come with Belinda Blake...what more could a reader who loves cozy mysteries want!
I read a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Meet Rasputin the snake, not my favorite creature, but important to the story. Belinda Blake moves into a carriage house in a guarded estate, where surely, she will be safe. But first one, then two, dead bodies show up just outside her home in the flower bed. Belinda begins to poke around looking for clues and putting herself at risk. A real who done it mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

This is a charming addition to the cozy mystery genre with a quirky cast of characters (I loved Rasputin the snake), an interesting plot and a great setting among the mansions of Greenwich, Conn. Belinda Blake is an exotic pet sitter as well as a video game reviewer (what a great job that is!) who has lucked into renting a carriage house in Greenwich. She meets the son of the family in the mansion, Stone Carrington the fifth, when she finds the body of Stone's friend Margo Fenton in the bushes behind the carriage house. Stone was very fond of Margo and enlists Brenda's help in finding who killed her. As Brenda finds out more about who Margo was she realizes that the two of them were alike in many ways, and this makes her anxious to unmask the killer as well, I enjoyed this book very much and hope to see more of Belinda in the future.

This mystery is well-written and captivating! The story of Belinda's pet-sitting of a boa constrictor is interesting and entertaining! The characters are realistically written. I really enjoyed the book!! I left a review on Goodreads under Jeannie Huie.