This is the debut novel from this author, and I really enjoyed the storyline. I liked the lead character, Pip, as I felt like she was very spunky. Pip is rich and very spoiled, and her mom has cut her off from using her credit cards and she needs income so she actually has to get a real job. She applies for a job and is hired immediately but only because of a misunderstanding. Pip is hired to find Matty, who is the son of a famous celebrity couple. She is bound and determined to complete the task of finding Matty because she really needs the money and she wants to prove that she can do it. Pips new found sleuthing skills will have you laughing out loud. She is a very lucky, likable and resourceful character and you will find yourself cheering her on. Another likable character is Pip’s three legged cat named Most. It’s a reminder that not everything is perfect but everything has a purpose. This story is full of twists and turns, and will keep you guessing until the very end.

This cozy mystery is a very enjoyable, engrossing and fun read and I recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is my first time reading the author. I’ve started to read a lot more cosy mysteries recently and was looking forward to this. I really enjoyed The Kensington Kidnap. It’s a but different than other cosy mysteries I’ve read which tend to be set in remote little villages in the middle of nowhere. This was a refreshing change. I found this book very funny at times as Pip tries to and mostly succeed in blagging her prowess as a PI. This leads to some very funny moments. This book entertained me from start to finish. I can’t wait to read Pip’s next adventure.

I am slowly by surely falling in love with the cozy mystery genre. It is perfect escapism from the real world, providing lots of entertainment and laughs at a time when it is truly needed.

I was also drawn to this one by the bright, eye catching cover and the idea of a possible kidnapping being investigated as this is not something I’ve read about in this genre before (though my experience is slightly limited).

Pip is out of work and desperate for funds to finance her lifestyle. When her mum refuses to help her out, she takes drastic action and finds herself posing as a private investigator. What could possibly go wrong?!

I have absolutely adored the character of Pip and the way she has been brought to life. She is fun, mischievous, determined and a great character to follow throughout her journey in this book.

This has been an entertaining, quick read that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Hi everyone!
I really like this cozy mystery! I didn't get really well with the character, but the plot is amazing!

I was a bit perplexed at the beginning as it seemed more a rom-com than a cozy mystery. I kept on reading and the book pace got faster as soon as the investigation started and I was hooked.
The story is a mix of rom-com and cozy mystery, we follow Pip as she investigates but we also get to know about her life, friends and family.
Pip is a quirky and funny character, she was never able to keep a job and she’s got some issues with taking responsibility for her action. This is Pip at the beginning of the book but as the investigation evolves she grows and becomes more adult. She grated on my nerves at the beginning but I liked her at the end of the book.
The characters are well thought, my favorite is Most the three legged cat.
The mystery is full of twists and turns and kept me guessing till the end.
It’s an highly entertaining and engrossing story, the excellent start for a new cozy series.
I can’t wait to read the next installment, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

These two authors, y'all, make a fantastic author team and have added a great book to the cozy mystery genre. What a great debut, Katie Gayle!!

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.
Steal a cat, you might wonder? Yup, this is just one of many crazy impulsive things Epiphany 'Pip' Bloom has done in her life. Now let's add a "three stolen/mistaken identities" stunt to it and you have yourself a fun and crazy story. By the way, she kept the cat and his name is "Most." You'll have to read the book to find out why he has that name. I'm not going to tell ya :-p

I have to admit I love morally grey characters like Pip, she is my kind of person!!! She takes you on a tightrobe journey between crazy, illegal, and downright dangerous! I didn't want to put this one down. Unfortunately, I started the book later in the night and had some major adulting to do the next day. So, I had no choice but to put it on my nightstand and finish it the next day. But this story didn't let me get a good night's sleep. I left off in a chapter that raised more questions than giving answers and my mind was going a hundred miles per hour even in my dream. I'm not kidding, folks!
Also, Pip's sister, O.M.G!!!! Felicity made me laugh out loud many times. She is a vegan blogger mom with some slight (and hilarious) vocabulary issues. She gave this book an additional little gem effect. I could totally see Pip and Feli as a funny hilarious amateur sleuth team in the next book. Katie Gayle, hint, hint!!!!! Pretty, pretty, please with a cherry on top! *batting eyelashes and puppy dog eyes*

Ladies and gents, grab this book, a great cup or glass of your favorite beverage, hide under a blanket by the fireplace and dive in!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I liked this book, liked the characters and the storyline, it was not brilliant but it was okay.

A fun lighthearted easy read.

An original idea for a story thats quirky and funny. A mystery with some fun and humour.

Great characters a quick read

The Kensington Kidnap the first book in a new cozy mystery series from the writing team known as Katie Gayle. It features Epiphany "Pip" Bloom, a twenty-something trying to find her niche in life. It looks like she might have found it when she accidentally impersonates a private investigator.

I wasn't immediately taken with Pip as the book starts with her whining that Mummy has cut off her allowance. And it seemed like she felt entitled to her mother continuing to support her even though Pip is a twenty-something living in her own apartment. It's a real pet peeve of mine. Then she starts complaining about the reasons she hasn't been able to keep a job weren't her fault. Another pet peeve of mine. We don't know enough about some of the "accidents" that happened to know if the reasons she was fired were her fault or not. The avalanche probably wasn't, stealing a cat from the vet's office was.

I did like the cat and she probably was justified in taking the cat, but she probably could have done something rather than grab and dash. It isn't evident that she tried talking to the vet to see if they could work something out. If she didn't, then her lack of problem-solving skills didn't really bode well for her PI imitation.

I started liking Pip more wants she started investigating the missing person case. She didn't whine so much and with the help of her roommate, sister, and new friends she started figuring out how to solve a problem, and maybe she figured out what she is good at.

I liked that the story was about a missing person. So many cozy mysteries (at least the ones I read) involve murder or at least death. It was a nice change for me. I figured out who the "bad guys" were but I didn't guess completely how they were all involved.

I liked the secondary characters of Tim, her roommate, and Jimmy, the owner of a boxing gym whom she meets while investigating the case. I foresee a love triangle in future books.

I'm on the fence about her sister Felicity. I liked how she was there for her sister and willing to help her out, but what I'm sure was supposed to be a quirky trait was just annoying. She mixes up words or gets idioms wrong. It was kind of funny the first few times but sometimes it felt more like she was ditzy and not in a quirky way. I'm hoping that these character traits were just emphasized in this book to establish the characters' personalities and will be much more in the background in future books.

I'm also hoping that Charlotte continues to make appearances as she is a smart, quirky (in a fun way) character, but I think she was too connected to this case to randomly show up in future books. But it did seem that Pip hit it off with her and it does appear that Pip is lacking in female friendships so perhaps we will see Charlotte in the future.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and definitely will try the next one.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday, Dec. 3 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2020/12/entertaining-new-cozy-mystery-from.html

First, I want to thank Katie Gayle, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may provide you with this book.

The Kensington Kidnap by Katie Gayle is unlike any criminal investigating into a missing person case you have ever read. Oh no! It is quite refreshing actually! It is comical, will put a smile on your face, and overall a fun read.

Anyone who knows me knows I love all things pop culture, true crime or missing person cases. This book combined my love for pop culture and missing person cases.

Now, it pays to stay up on your celebrity gossip. Pip applied for a temp job and because of her vast knowledge of this one celebrity who was missing got the job. She got the job-however it was not meant for her. I could not stop cracking up laughing.

I loved how Ben was a writer and wrote some novels.

The storyline gets more and more interesting as the book goes on. I loved the tv celeb vegan chef storyline.

The Kensington Kidnap was filled with secrets galore, twists, turns, comical moments that will make you laugh, and shocking accusations make up this great read!

Katie brings awareness to numerous activism causes in this book.

Camilia was too cute and just melted my heart! She loved her Aunty Pip!

Hold on to your seats because this ending is one wild ride!

Fun fact Katie Gayle is actually two authors in one Katie and Gail. I thought that was pretty cool!

Pip at first appears to be an accident-prone, scattered, spoiled rich kid who’s set adrift when her mother cuts off all her credit cards. Instead of looking for the job that she desperate needs, she spends her days reading gossip magazines and daydreaming about her cute flatmate. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this mystery considering the main character didn’t start off being very likeable, but Pip definitely grew on me.

She heads to an interview at a private investigations firm, where she’s mistaken for someone else. To be fair, her arrogant ‘boss’ doesn’t really give her a chance to correct him so she ends up working for them under her ‘assumed’ identity. Her case is a big one – she needs to find Matty, teenage son of a famous actress, Madison Price.

But, as luck has it, Pip has a natural talent for investigating (and she really needs the money). So she takes on her new job with enthusiasm. Along the way, Pip has some of hilarious adventures, takes on several different personas and relies on what she’s learned from TV to become a full-fledged amateur detective in her own right. Her inner monologue made her more likeable and relatable as the book goes on and I found the ending quite satisfying.

This is a terrific start to a fun, new cozy mystery series. There’s lots of humour, solid secondary characters (I particularly like Pip’s sister Felicity and Pip’s adorable 3-legged cat, Most) and a good set-up for future adventures. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

*** Thank you to Bookouture, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Kensington kidnap by Katie Gayle.
I really enjoyed this book. Pip was a klutz. I loved that about her. Also liked Jimmy Tim and her sister Flis. This was like fresh air it was different. I couldn't put it down. 5*

The Kensington Kidnap by Katie Gayle is a very entertaining cozy that doesn't include a murder, well only a peripheral one. It is a kidnapping, of sorts, she is investigating. Mattie Price is missing. His parents are a famous actress and her author husband. Epiphany Bloom, Pip, is an unemployed-Jill-of-all-trades, none of them successful. She is about to be evicted so she desperately calls a temp agency she has worked for in the past, not successfully. She is sent to a firm of private investigators to be a file clerk but accidentally is misidentified as a successful child psychologist and handed a file and an envelope full of money. What could go wrong?

Pip has lots of issues but she is lucky, it is one of her redeeming qualities. She is likable, empathetic, and resourceful. She is also quirky, but Gayle pulls it off. She is just quirky enough to be cute, if a bit of a disaster. She falls into some of her investigative successes by dumb luck and others of them by knowing people who can help her. It is a good mystery: enjoyable to read; easy to believe; and just curious enough to hold the interest of the reader. The story included extensive use of technology and social media, which keeps it relevant, although may date it in the long run. All in all, it is worth the read. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Kensington Kidnap by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thekensingtonkidnap

Pip is a character I would normally despise, anyone who calls their mother mummy after the age of eight and lives via their funding is not someone I can relate to in any way. But…. there is something so irrepressible about her you just can’t help but chuckle at her antics. She has just the right amount of quirk and anyone who steals a cat to save them from being put to sleep is okay in my book.

Being behind on the rent and cut off from her mothers funding she needs a job and fast. Getting a last minute job, from Temp Agency Sharon at Boston Investigations as a filing clerk, she arrives only to be mistaken for an expert in adolescent psychology and propelled into the missing persons case of a celebrity couple’s son.

What then follows is a rollicking romp full of misadventures as she uses her expertise gained from watching television shows and follows the clues. A protagonist with a heart that is definitely in the right place even if she is normally in the wrong one. This was a lot of fun to read and a perfect escape.

I normally split my reading between crime/thrillers and romcoms for when I need a bit of lightness. So imagine getting a book that is a combination of both it must be Christmas!

Thank you to Sarah Hardy at Bookouture for my invitation to the tour and for my copy of the book via Net Galley in return for a fair and honest review.

Pip is out of work and an unfortunate incident in her last temp job has not made her very employable so when she is sent to Boston Investigations there is a case of mistaken identity and she ends up being hired to help find a missing child of two celebrities. Pip loves her celebrity magazines and she decides that she needs to find him.

She manages to head off the expert Ms du Bois,who Pip’s new boss thinks she is and also manages to get some information from her about missing children.

She is very resourceful and she has something to prove to her mother and she needs to feed Most her lovely cat and she is being paid a lot. So she arranges to meet Matty’s parents Madison Price and his father Ben. They have moved from the states to London and Madison is filming a new film as a Young Agatha Christie so Pip decides to embrace her inner Miss Marple to try and find out what has happened to Matty. Has he run away or has he been taken away and will Pip save the day?

This is a great escapism read, funny, entertaining and easy to read. It reminded me of younger Agatha Raisin who I love and Pip is a genuinely warm and comical character. She has a way of being able to talk to people and this helps her in her quest, this is a great fun I loved it !

WHAT A HOOT!

I absolutely loved this story and I cannot wait to read the next book.

Witty, quirky and Wackalicious, The Kensington Kidnap is an absolute laughter riot. Don't get me started on our protagonist, Pip. She's failed (miserably) at every temp job she's had so far. She goes to Boston Investigations as a temp for filing but ends up being Ms du Bois, a PI. Her job is to find a missing teen.

As Pip starts to investigate, she learns a thing or two about the teen and his friends. From saving the forests to going vegan to mysterious cult, Pip saves the day. Oh wait, that didn't sound right. Pip saves the...um?

Well portrayed characters, well-paced and very written mystery.
Highly recommended!

My Thoughts: right from the start this book made me laugh, poor Pip was so ditzy, nothing seemed to go right for her but she’s also the type of character you instantly fall in love with.

She’s feeling down and forgotten because Mummy has cut her off, so she’s on her own with no Job and no way of paying the overdue rent that her housemate is covering, but when he tells her he can no longer afford to do so she finds herself in a bit of a pickle – she swallows her pride and gets in touch with the lady from the recruitment agency hoping she will give her just one last chance after the unfortunate incident at the vets last time 😂

She does find herself a job, but bit doing what she thought she was there to do, she’s somehow stolen someone else’s job as a private investigator… nothing else can go wrong, right?

I found this to be one of those books that although it’s relatively short and could easily be read in 1 sitting – I kept putting it down and finding something else to do just to make it last.

The serious bits were very well done & for a cozy mystery there was lots of drama and suspense that just left me wanting more and more.

I need the next instalment, I need to know what happens with the budding romance that the book was hinting towards, I need more of Most and his needy ways!

But more than anything I’d like Epiphany Bloom to be my best friend… I honestly can’t wait to see what trouble she lands herself in next time!

🐧❤️

I’ve recently discovered a wonderful genre called ‘cosy mystery’ and The Kensington Kidnap fits the bill wonderfully.

Epiphany Bloom, known as Pip, has had her allowance stopped by her mother so she really needs to find a job – and quickly. She’s had loads of jobs in the past which have all ended due to her making mistakes of one sort or another. Pip arrives at a temp job for a detective agency but is mistaken for someone else and doesn’t get the chance to put the boss right. Off she goes, looking for Matty, the son of a pair of A-list celebs, who’s gone missing.

Pip finds herself in danger more than once, but she manages to find Matty and return him to his parents. She loves this job and, with her success, can she make it into her new career?

This is the first book in a series, and I can’t wait to read more about Pip. The story had me hooked right from the beginning, and had lots of fun and light-heartedness in amongst the danger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This was a good read and the perfect set up for a series. Pip is the central character and I’ll be honest and say that my first impressions of her weren’t great but she definitely grew on me as the story progressed. She is so desperate for a job that when she is mistaken for a missing persons expert she doesn’t correct the error, deciding it’s a job she can do. What follows is a slightly madcap story of teach yourself private investigating. As the first book in a series the test is whether I’d like to read more and in this case it’s a definite yes. Light hearted and cozy and a welcome treat at this time of year.

The Kensington Kidnap is a crazy, action-packed detective story bursting with wit and hilarity. The authors, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel, must have had great fun writing it.

It’s an entertaining gallop through a slice of Epiphany (Pip) Bloom’s life. Pip is an underachiever of note, prone to horrible misfortunes and saddled with Mummy, who controls the purse strings. Poor girl – she seems to suffer continuous mishaps and humiliations, mostly of her own doing. And yet I couldn’t help but warm to her, despite her many cringe-worthy decisions.

This is an entertaining romp of a book; a fun, farcical tale about a mistaken identity that leads Pip to discover that she is actually quite good at something (even if only by default). Along the way she meets not one but two gorgeous men, both of whom are at her beck and call. It’s laugh-out-loud – from the ringtone that signifies Mummy, to sister Felicity’s malapropisms to the unique mission that drives the baddies.

Give it a go if you’re in need of great fun, pure escapism and a cosy mystery.