This is the first in a new series for Laura Bradford and I’m very intrigued. Emma Westlake is trying something new career wise but she will get more than she expected in more ways than one. Thank you to #netgalley for my arc copy

What an enjoyable 1st book in the new series, A Friend for Hire cozy series. Emma is a travel agent with no clients. Everyone books their own now with the internet and she needs a new job. When a friend suggests she hire herself out as a buddy, helper she gets several new clients and is happy with the money she's finally making. When one of her clients hires her to go with him to a poetry reading she never suspected to be the "date" of a murder victim. A good story with lots of great characters who will travel well into the next book. The idea of a friend for hire is a good one with lots of chances to solve mysteries. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A promising start to a new cozy mystery series! I enjoyed this book because the plot was a bit different than other cozies I've read recently and the characters were fun! The basics: Emma Westlake has hit a bit of a bump in her life plan and decides to regroup. She starts a new career as a paid companion. If someone needs a Plus-One, Emma's right there to help out. She starts being called on do a bit of everything....from work out partner to enthusiastic friend at an open mic night. Everything is going great....until one of her clients drops dead. Suddenly Emma has to add amateur detective to her growing list of skills. Can she find the killer before she's the number one suspect?

I definitely enjoyed this book. The mystery moved along at a nice pace with plenty of sleuthing and suspects. Laura Bradford's books are always well-written and enjoyable. I'm definitely eagerly awaiting the next book in this new series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

A Plus One for Murder is the first book in a new series, A Friend for Hire.
I really enjoyed it a lot and though I've read other books by this author I think this may be my favorite so far.
Entrepreneur Emma Westlake runs a travel agency scheduling client's dream vacations until that venture goes belly up.
Talking to her elderly lunchtime teatime companion Dottie, who is a real firecracker she laments about needing money and how business has dried up. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet Dottie suggests a plan and even sets up her first clients for her. This is how A Friend For Hire comes into being.
I really enjoyed her Client "Big Max" he's trying to impress a certain lady and just "knows" if he takes Emma around this lady that she will see what a catch he is and want to date him.
The trouble is when one of her clients drops dead at an open mic night that she is attending the trouble starts. We get clues along the way and I was sure Emma and her wonderful dog Scout had solved the case along with Super Sleuth Dottie who loves reading her cozy mysteries.
Well received mystery and I look forward to reading more in this series soon.

Pub Date 07 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Plus One For Murder
Friend For Hire Mystery, Book #1
Laura Bradford
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Entrepreneur Emma Westlake is reinventing herself as a hired friend when murder gets in the way in this exciting new mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Laura Bradford.

Emma Westlake has always wanted to be in business for herself. As a kid, she had her own successful lemonade stand and dog-walking business. And when she entered adulthood, Emma sunk all her cash into her dream job of travel planning. But as her customers became more and more internet savvy, the need for her services declined. At a loss for what to do next, she turns to an elderly friend who suggests she try to get paid for doing something she's really good at--being a paid companion. Emma thinks it's a crazy idea until requests start pouring in. Big Max from down the block wants her to act as his wingman at the local senior center's upcoming dance, nurse practitioner Stephanie needs a workout partner, and writer Brian Hill asks Emma to be his cheering section at an open mic night.

Brian will be reading from his latest work and wants to know someone will clap for him when he's done. When Emma balks at the notion that people wouldn't, he tells her the room will be filled with people he's invited--most of whom will likely want him dead by the time he's done reading. Assuming he's joking, she laughs. But when Brian steps up to the mic and clears his throat to speak, he promptly drops dead. Emma is one of the last people to see him alive, and so she becomes an immediate suspect. Now she'll have to cozy up to a killer to save her skin and her new business. (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. There is room for all the characters to grow, but the author has a good foundation.

Dottie is a woman who Emma spends time with since Dottie’s husband died. Emma was a travel agent, but the work has steadily declined. She has to figure out what she is going to do, and Dottie says that she should be a “friend for hire”. She finally decides that she will do it, but her first client is killed, which is not a good sign for her business. Emma knows she has to find the culprit because she is considered a person of interest.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions kept me engaged throughout the story. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well crafted and the author provided enough clues to sift through to try to figure out the killer.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to see what is in store for Emma next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkeley Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

A Plus One for Murder is the first book in a new cozy series, “A Friends for Hire Mystery.” I like the premise of this series, which is original and fun to imagine. Just think how nice it would be to be able to hire someone to be your companion and friend, as well as your plus one at those awkward business dinners, conventions, and so forth. Or when you are old and gray, someone who you can count on to be there once in a while to just chat.

Enter Emma, independent, youngish, and needing an income. Unfortunately, the travel business isn’t what it used to be, and time is slipping away. Being the paid companion and friend to an elderly woman has its moments of interest but her worry about making ends meet gets in the way sometimes. After Dottie suggests hiring herself out as a friend, Emma laughs and tries not to think about it, as she feels it’s a ridiculous idea. But shortly after her regular afternoon tea with Dottie, she starts getting calls from people who want to hire her. Taking a risk that this friend for hire idea might work out, Emma accepts a couple of clients. Unfortunately, one of her new clients dies, and she becomes a suspect in his murder.

The characters in this series are interesting. I love Dottie and Stephanie and Big Max, but to be honest, I didn’t warm up to Emma very quickly. I found her to be a little too pessimistic about most things. The good news is, she grew on me, and by the end of the book, I could see her as a friend to her clients and someone they would enjoy being around. The suspects in the murder of Emma’s client are not too difficult to believe, and their motives were laid out very well. The clues point in several directions and allow the reader to do the sleuthing alongside Emma. I liked the investigator, and I hope all of the supporting characters from this first book continue to appear in other installments.

A Plus One for Murder is a good first book in a new series. The writing is smooth, the characters interesting, and the storytelling first-rate. In the second book, I hope that we will get some background on Emma, her family and friends, and the area where she is living and working as a paid companion /friend. I think readers will like this book and want to read the next one in the series.

This was a great start to a new cozy mystery series! I really liked the main character and though I found the business idea a little silly in the beginning it made more sense as I got further into the book. A few of the character were a little over the top and a bit ridiculous which I didn't love but the rest of the book made up for it. The writing was great and the mystery was a good one. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Emma is having a bit of bad luck with her travel agency as nobody is booking. She has a small gig with an elderly lady as sort of a friend who once a week comes over and has tea and biscuts with her. Dottie tells her that she should do this for a living as there are all sorts of people who need that extra plus one for events. Emma doesn't believe her but then gets two calls right off from people Dottie knows. 

Stephanie needs a work out buddy to help keep her accountable and make going to the gym seem like less of a chore. Big Max needs a date to the seniors dance as he is trying to catch the eye of one of the ladies there and thinks having a younger woman on his arm might let her know what she is missing.  So Emma thinks maybe there could be something in this and makes a virtual flyer and gets a hit pretty quick. This guy needs her to be his plus one to an event at an open mic night as he wants someone there to clap for him. She thinks it's  strange request but after checking him out online decides to do it. He gives her a paper with  four photos on it of people he thinks wants him dead, then he drops dead as he is delivering his poem with those four in the audience. 

So she plans to just pretty much ignore what happened as she had nothing to do with it even though she has a paper with suspects on it that she didn't give the police. When Stephanie and Dottie find out they want to slueth and find out who killed him but Emma doesn't want too at least not much. 

So I really love the characters but I would say I liked the side characters more than the main character because I am not a fan of a reluctant sleuth apparently...lol. It drove me crazy how Emma just chose to ignore things even after she found out he was murdered and seemed clueless when Dottie or Stephanie talked about things. I really liked the cop in this one as he seemed very easy going and even talked to Emma about things without being mean. I am sure I will warm up to Emma as the series progresses but Dottie, Stephanie, and Big Jake really made this book so much fun!

When you are down on your luck because customers aren't using travel agents anymore, what is the next step for employment? Becoming a Plus One/friend to neighbors around town? Not something on her radar, but once Emma starts putting thought and ideas down, it just might work! Until her first client dies right in front of her and a roomful of locals, one of whom might be the murderer!

This was a fantastic start to a new series! I love the concept of hiring a friend and that it was successful for our protagonist, Emma. The mystery was fun to solve, and I loved the variety of characters and their personalities. The book was well-paced, and I loved the setting. Scout is a new favorite animal companion! I cannot wait for book 2!

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

I really enjoyed the fresh, clever set up for this book, the references to cozy mysteries, and the characters. The mystery itself was fascinating and kept me guessing to the end. I loved the dog in this and the way the dog and the main character interact. My only hesitation with this one is I am afraid the author is setting up a love triangle, and those are not at all my favorite.

I will definitely be watching for more books in this series because this one was so much fun!

A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford is the first cozy in A Friend for Hire Mystery and it was a blast and different than so many other cozies because the main character actually thinks the police should handle the investigating. But her two clients who turn into friends convince her otherwise.

The dynamic between the three sleuths is fantastic, and Bradford even had one of the characters comment on it which gave us a bit of a four wall feel, which just added to my amusement.
We get a main character, Emma and her dog, Scout (the best dog in the world and whom Emma loves so much!), which is a fairly typical main character who is going through a life change and finds herself wrapped up in a murder mystery. I think the Friend for Hire (not an escort!) angle that Brandford came up with is fantastic because we will continually meet new people throughout the series and I can even see Emma traveling to other states/countries, depending on what the person hiring her would want.
There is also Dottie, the 80 year old wealthy woman, Dottie, who is fearless and Stephanie, a self-proclaimed True Crime addict and a middle aged woman whom I feel many readers can relate to… always very busy and when she does have down time she has no motivation to do anything.
Can you tell I was blown away by the characters?!?

The reader also gets a well written mystery with some red herrings and clues that can have you guessing the killer before the three friends… if you pay attention. And lastly, a possible love interest, whom I am looking forward to knowing more about… along with his wonderful father.

Already have book two in the Friend for Hire Mysteries, A Perilous Pal, on my TBR pile and am excited for July 2022, when it comes out!

Emma Westlake is looking to start a new business and encouraged to become "a friend for hire". Emma is unsure and even less sure after her first client is murdered right before her eyes. Added by 2 friends and her dog Scout, she sets out to find a killer. The first book in a new series with great promise.

I absolutely loved this book. So much so that I read it again once I finished. I never do that.

It is different, fresh, and fun. Our main character adjusts her career from travel agent to a friend for hire. No, not an escort! She is someone you can hire to go to a function you need a partner. She can come visit you at your home if you are disabled and unable to leave the house. She can check in on a parent. This idea is genius and not one we have seen in the cozy mystery world before. I personally think it could be a fun profession. Imagine all the interesting people you could meet.

There are plenty of older characters that provide wisdom and plenty of laughs. I really hope Dottie makes a return in book two because she is my favorite character. I need a fun Dottie in my life. Max will grab your heart and not let go.

Hurry and grab your copy. A Plus One for Murder releases this Tuesday, December 7th.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

Emma Westlake needs a career. She wants to be her own boss and opens a travel agency business. Unfortunately, in this day and age, people prefer to make their own travel arrangements online. She does have a side job as a paid companion to an elderly widow, Dottie, but that’s not going to be enough to support herself. Dottie suggests she put her services out there and can be a paid companion for other people.

Between her own advertising and Dottie’s “word of mouth”, Emma’s business begins to build up. One of her first jobs is to accompany Brian Hill to an open mic night where he is going to recite one of his poems. Her job is to make sure to clap for him. He wants to be sure someone will clap since the people in the audience would prefer to see him dead. Emma doesn’t know what to think until Brian begins his poetry reading but doesn’t get to finish it as he dies in the middle.

Since Emma was the last one with him, she becomes the prime suspect.

This is the first book in Laura Bradford’s “A Friend for Hire” mystery series. It’s off to a good start. The premise is clever and has potential. It’s not your typical cozy set around a hobby or food. It’s much different and unique.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more reluctant amateur sleuth than Emma. She’d much prefer to leave the investigation to the police, but her clients, Dottie and Stephanie, have other ideas. Dottie loves cozy mystery books and Stephanie loves crime TV shows. Who would be better to investigate this murder?

Dottie and Stephanie are a delight. They are lively characters full of energy and are very entertaining. Their determination does eventually rub off on Emma. I would love to see Emma’s character developed more. It began happening in the second half of the book. Emma, also, has an adorable dog named Scout. There are a couple of possibilities for romance for Emma. I look forward to seeing how that plays out.

The storyline is captivating with many suspects. It’s a fun escape. For me, Dottie, Stephanie and Scout stole the show. I can’t wait to revisit them in the next book.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is such a fun start to a new series. Laura Bradford creates the most endearing characters and I love reading about a cozy MC who is starting out a new business venture. Something about watching them put together their new ideas and the excitement and promise of something wholly new is a joy to read about. The idea of a professional "plus one" is a great one, and as expected, I enjoyed reading about Emma becoming friends with those she meets. She is the perfect "friend for hire" because she doesn't treat anything as a business transaction and her warm heart shows in how she truly cares about them. Her rescue dog Scout is absolutely adorable and such a perfect cozy sidekick. The mystery storyline was not overly complex and I was able to put the pieces together pretty easily, but it did not take away my enjoyment of following along these very new sleuths (plus I love how Dottie reads cozy mysteries and how reverently she talks about them!) I think the trio of Emma, Dottie, and Stephanie is a hilarious and perfectly mismatched sleuthing team and I cannot wait to read more of them!

Emma Westlake has been talked into trying a new business as a paid companion for those who might need one. One of her first clients is Brian Hill, a local writer and conspiracy theorist. He wants Emma to be his cheering section at a local open mike night. When he dies not too long after starting his poem, Emma realizes he comments about there being people in the audience who wanted to kill him weren’t jokes. Feeling a sense of loyalty to Brian, Emma tries to figure out what happened to him. Can she do it?

As the first in a new series, this book has to balance setting up the premise of the series with giving us a good mystery. It does a good job of doing just that, and I was engaged the entire time. Naturally, the plot gets stronger the further we go into the book until we reach the logical climax. I did find one of the characters a little overbearing, but that was my only complaint. On the whole, I am already falling in love with the characters in the book, and it made me reflect on the friendships I have in my life. I also enjoyed the humor throughout the book. I laughed several times along the way. A new series from Laura Bradford is always reasons to rejoice, and this book proves why once again.

A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford has Emma Westlake starting A Friend for Hire after her travel agency dies a slow death. She is hired by Brian Hill to be in the audience when he reads a poem at open mic night and clap when he is done. Emma learns that Brian is not well-liked in the community, and he invited four of his nemeses to the event. Brian tells Emma that each one of them would like him dead. Brian is in the middle of reading his poem when he collapses on the stage. Brian will not be able to finish reading his poem because he is dead. Emma is shocked and quickly heads home. When Brian’s death is ruled a homicide, Emma is convinced to look into his death by two of her clients. Can Emma along with Dottie and Stephanie find Brian’s killer? A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford is the debut of A Friend for Hire Mystery series. I thought the premise of being a friend for hire was unique for cozy mysteries. Emma Westlake is an okay character. I thought that Dottie and Stephanie overshadowed her along with her dog, Scout. I also thought she was underdeveloped. Details on Emma’s life were lacking. Personally, I thought Dottie would have been better as the protagonist. She is a hoot. Dottie is an intelligent woman who has clever ideas. She loves to read cozy mysteries which is why she encourages Emma to do a little sleuthing (with her guidance, of course). Scout is a cutie. He is a sweet and smart dog. The mystery was straightforward. It was very obvious what killed the victim. I was surprised at Emma for leaving the scene without speaking to police and for withholding pertinent information. There are four suspects in the murder. Emma reluctantly investigates at the urging of Stephanie and Dottie. Emma’s two sidekicks end up being the predominant sleuths. Emma eventually jumps on the sleuthing bandwagon and becomes involved in searching for Brian’s killer. There is misdirection to keep readers distracted and good clues to help with solving the crime. I did not find it challenging to identify the guilty party. There are two potential love interests for Emma. I am hoping that Emma will pick one, so we do not end up with a lingering love triangle. With a little fine tuning to Emma’s characters, A Friend for Hire Mystery series will delight cozy mystery readers. There is a preview of A Perilous Pal at the end of the book. A Plus One for Murder is a cute cozy mystery with a cuddly canine, a departed poet, a dashing detective, creative clients, shady suspects, a greenhouse overflowing with flowers, and an unenthusiastic sleuth.

I was excited to see that Laura Bradford was doing another cozy series and even more excited to be approved to read an ARC of it! The book definitely didn't disappoint. What a cool and different kind of job for main character Emma, being a paid friend to people. I got such a kick out of her clients too especially Big Max, a sweet senior man who was trying to impress a lady by having Emma take him places. I loved how Emma's friendship with Dottie had grown from what was the start for her new business-except at that time she didn't realize it. Then eventually, Emma, Stephanie, another client and Dottie made quite the sleuthing trio! And Emma's sweet dog, Scout always seemed to be pointing out clues to her. I love it when a pet's just a bit more than a simple pet.

There was a nice assortment of suspects, and I wasn't expecting the perp to be who it was. The showdown was a good one, and the three sleuths were happy with their work. Deputy Jack, well I don't think he was too thrilled with their sleuthing, but I could tell he really liked Emma from the beginning especially from his line at the very end. ;)

It was well-written mystery that I've always come to expect and know from this author, and now I can't wait to read more about the characters in the next book! Don't miss this book which releases Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, an my opinions are my own.

Plot: This cozy series debut had a good set up with lots of potential for future stories! I liked the twists and turns the mystery took. I also liked the references to other cozy books!

Characters: I liked Emma as the MC! The supporting characters were all good, with Dottie being my favorite!

The Cover: It's good! I like the little details that reference things from the book.

Overall: This was a great beginning to a new cozy mystery series, and I look forward to reading the next book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.