Thanks NetGalley for approving me for this ARC. A easy good read, kept my attention throughout and enjoyed.

A Future Murder is the 5th Astrology Mystery by Linda Mather. Released 30th Aug 2022 by Joffe, it's 268 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a well written and engaging PI undercover mystery set in Gloucestershire and interestingly, the main protagonist is a former private investigator turned astrologer (?!). She's drawn into murder and industrial espionage when her former colleague asks her to go undercover to a business/networking conference.

Readers should bring a hefty suspension of disbelief, because the first thing her colleague does after darkening her door is ask for an astrology reading of the putative subject of the "suspect", and he does so without the slightest embarrassment or hesitation. The book shapes up quite well (after that) and the characters and plot are well turned and three dimensional.

Four stars. Twisty, fast paced, and satisfying. Although there are 5 books extant in the series currently, it works perfectly well as a standalone. It would also make a good choice for a series binge or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I did not realise that this is a book 5 in a series and so I was a bit confused until I looked it up on Goodreads. Oh well. I liked the mystery well enough, just wished I had read the other 4 books before.

Well paced, brilliant characterisation and an ending I didn't expect, this was a wonderful thriller. A complex, suspenseful plot with tension so thick that it felt palpable.

I liked the characters but not sure I buy into the all the astrology parts. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming. It was a great read while in bed book though.

This is a story filled with characters and lots of detail. It takes a while to read.
Joffe Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published so you can get a copy now.

Jo reads the stars and planets and sells her report to her clients. She used to be a PI but gave that up for astrology. But with people dropping dead around her, her old instincts take over.

It takes a lot of questions, fact finding and more before she gets to the answer of the killer. She's in danger, too. The killer was no one she expected. She thought the bully was a suspect. Perhaps but not the killer...

It's interesting but reads slow. The killer will surprise you!

Really messed up here - this review is for The Winter Dress, by Lauren Chater. The duel timeline of the story works well. Present-day textile historian Jo investigates the provenance of a golden silk dress recovered from an unknown Dutch wreck. 17th century Anna now makes her living as a laundress as well as looking after her dying sister; they have lost nearly everything but have kept a dress belonging to their mother. The discovery of the dress opened up modern-day academic jealousy and theft, the politics of cultural artefacts against a background of Jo's own family who came from the area in which the dress was recovered. Anna's story is one of loss, love, more loss and final survival. All are woven together beautifully making an engrossing and well-written story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

A Future Murder is an enjoyable read. Jo Hughes works now mainly as an astrologer but was once a successful PI. Her old boss asks her to go undercover for one night, oh yes that is so going to happen. The girl she's investigating has an accident, her missing friend turns up dead and the two people running the "networking event" are just dodgy - but then so is such an event to my mind. Plenty of twists and turns until the denouement, plenty of astrology about which I know little and there was the cherry Bakewell.

astrology, attempted-murder, bookseller, ex-military, friendship, greed, lies, murder, murder-investigation, private-investigators, read, rivalry, riveting, secrets, surveillance, suspense, unputdownable*****

How did I never hear of this series before?
Jo Hughes was once a PI and worked with her old boss, David Macy, who has now come to her for help with an assignment. When she left the agency, she went into business for herself as an astrologer in Southwest England and also works part-time in her friend's bookshop.
The story starts with the discovery of one murder, and then moves on to another. And so, the twisting begins, and the red herrings start to multiply. Excellent sleuthing in an unputdownable mystery story.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

3.5 stars rounded up

Private Detective Book 5

Jo Hughes has almost forgotten her career as a PI. Her astrology business id taking off and put investigating on hold. Yet, suddenly there's David Macy, her old boss, walking through the door, eating a cherry Bakewell, asking her to help on a case. Macy needs Jo to attend a networking event in Bournemouth. The target is Flora Howell, suspected of selling information to her company's bitter rivals. Jo agrees to go undercover - it's just for one night after all. But Jo can't help getting dawn in. especially when Flora tells her she's looking for a missing friend.

Jo Hughes is an ex-PI and now helps her friend out in their book shop and cafe. Jo is trying to build up her astrology business when her od boos asks for her help in an investigation. But as Jo and Macy start looking into Flora's involvement in the case, things quickly escalate. Flora is knocked off her bike and badly injured in a hit and run accident. Flora's friend has been found dead. There are a few twists in this steady paced read. The characters are well developed. The plotline was interesting. This book can be read as a standalone.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #LindaMather for my ARC of #AFutureMurder in exchange for an honest review.

A former PI who settled into a new life and career in Astrology. Jo’s new business ventures has been keeping her busy until the day her old boss David arrives with information on a new case. This case piques her interest and brings her back to her old career. Jo is eager to pursue this case. Jo attends an event to look into Flora, who holds secrets that can destroy the company she works for. Flora tells Jo that her friend is missing. Now there are two mysteries that need to be solved. The two seems to be connected. A suspenseful story that builds up throughout the book and comes to an exciting finish. A story about a smart and strong female sleuth!

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Entertaining and compelling like other in this series. I had fun and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A Tragic Case…
The fifth in this engaging series following private investigator and astrologer Jo Hughes. As her astrology business has taken off well, Jo has given little thought to her private investigator role but all that is soon to change. Just one case is what she agrees but it soon turns into something more tragic and convoluted than Jo could ever have imagined. With a well crafted cast of characters and an immersive storyline this is an intriguing read and a worthy addition to the series to date.

Did not realise this was in a series of books, but actually that did not detract from the reading experience. I liked this book, but I wouldn't say that anything in particular stood out to me. I felt that the writing style was a bit cold and distant at times, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters.

I really enjoy this series. So much happens in a book - all grounded in the stars. I occasionally disagree with her reading of a star sign but that's because I'm a Virgo who is strong in Earth signs and weak in Fire and that's what we do. The characters are well written and the story rounded and gripping.

Loved it. Read it in one sitting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

A Future Murder is the fifth book in this series, but the first I've read. It could be read as a stand alone. Jo Hughes is a former private investigator but changed professions and now has a promising astrology business. When her former boss asks for her to go undercover on a case, Jo agrees. Murder and mayhem soon follow. This was a very good book with a good plot and lots of twists and turns. I liked the characters and the astrology slant was an interesting twist. Thank you for the advance copy netgalley!

THE ZODIAC MYSTERIES SERIES
Book 1: FORECAST MURDER
Book 2: A SIGN FOR MURDER
Book 3: MURDER AS PREDICTED
Book 4: THE HANGED MAN
Book 5: A FUTURE MURDER

I expected an almost-cozy mystery with this book, but it was actually fairly sophisticated in its intrigue. So many people with so many motives, and secrets around every corner! And what an eclectic mix of professionals brought together. Just when you think that Jo is a little woo-woo, she fills in some puzzle pieces that you didn't imagine would fit, and you think 'genius!' There were enough twists in this mystery that you are rewarded with multiple surprises at the end. This is a great mystery that keeps you guessing, but is quite entertaining throughout! I look forward to following the characters forward!

Although the story was compelling to read, I found the astrologer angle pretty shaky and felt the author had to continually stretch the bounds of credibility to keep it from flying apart. The characters of Louis and Justin seemed to merge into one muddy bad guy and the actions of Jo (and to a lesser extent Macy) in the final page were insufficiently supported throughout the rest of the book. Why would she book travel to meet Teddy then immediately jump into sex with her ex-lover?
I will not be reviewing this book on Goodreads because I do not wish to post a less than favourable review publicly.

I never realised this was part of series so won’t be giving feedback as I have not read it I intend to read the previous books and if I like them I will buy this. Sorry I can not provide more detailed feedback my mistake for accepting the pre approval ARC. I wish the author all best for publishing

A FUTURE MURDER by Linda Mather.
Jo Hughes has almost forgotten her career as a PI. Her astrology business is showing all the signs of success, and she’s helping out in the Rivermill Bookshop. Yet, suddenly there’s David Macy, her old boss, walking through the door, eating a cherry Bakewell, asking her to help on a case. And Jo can’t resist.
Really good read. I did like Jo and Macy. Although this is my first book by this author I was able to read it. I will certainly be looking to the first books in this series. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.