Member Reviews

Story line was boring. There was several parts where it was hard to keep interested and I ended up not finishing the story. May try the next in the series if there is one

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Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

I was entertained with this book! It was a good read and I would absolutely recommend reading it to my friends. Quick easy read for me.

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#TagMe for Murder Earns 5/5/ Hashtags … Engaging Entertaining Gem!

Coco’s latest graduate of her Center of Attention Consulting Services is opening a new wine bar to an eager crowd, but Coco and her friend Jasper disappointed to see their newest neighbors of Sunny Shores neighborhood. Larry and Rosalynn Dunmer recently moved and neither wasted any time before starting a barrage of nuisance complaints, spewing rude comments, being way too forward, and making wild accusations. The Dunmers are only renting until Larry’s city audit assignment concludes, but they would have challenged even Mr. Rogers’ neighborly manner. The greeting spirals into chaos with verbal attacks, demeaning retorts, and vicious threats to ruin Coco and Jasper, so who gets the last word? Karma does! Coco, but especially Jasper, still have a lot to explain when the police receive a “1054” … possible dead body!

Sarah E. Burr’s second book in her Trending Topic Mystery is an engaging read with karma serving up just desserts to Larry, neighbor from hell, but Jasper is the prime suspect, of course, due to his argument with the victim, early departure from the party, and a link to the murder weapon. Case closed, right? No. Sarah Burr may use the traditional cozy formula (I enjoy), revealing the crime early and putting the investigation at center stage, but it is a well-written journey with Coco’s realistic snooping, tech-savvy skills, enlistment of close friends and family, and collaboration with law enforcement, exposing a wide range of suspects with perfect rationales for murder. Whew! What a final twist!

Coco is a delightful young woman, smart and clever, a whiz with social media, and one with whom many “millennials” can identify. Her personal life has some interesting dilemmas she tries to handle from Hudson’s popularity as a handsome, television figure often overshadowing her own once popular image and a work-related incident cause lots of discord, yet an interesting wrap up was provided including a few surprising gigs for Coco, Hudson, and Jasper. Burr’s characters are realistically portrayed through their skills and personality, and add well as compadres or confidants. There were several fascinating peripheral events happening to engage the reader, too: Coco’s clientele, local businesses, and several town events. All in all smart writing!

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This is book two of the series and can be read as a standalone. It was an interesting plot and the characters were entertaining. The mystery keeps you guessing. The writing style was a bit too young and hip for me though.

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3.0 stars - First, I did not realize this was book 2 of a series until I started reading, but that was okay because it did not feel like I missed too much to get into this book. The author did a recap of the 1st book throughout the book. Cordelia "Coco" Cline is a social media influencer and works with the police station on their PR. Her annoying neighbor is found dead, and she finds herself in the middle of it. I enjoyed the book and the storyline. It was hard for me to predict the killer at the end. The thing that annoyed me the most was the text messages; a lot of abbreviations were used: "l8" for "later," "2" for "to," and "4" for "for." I do not think anyone messages this way nowadays.

Thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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A fun, enjoyable cozy mystery read! Not having read the first book in the series, I was still fully immersed in Coco Cline’s world of social media influencing and amateur sleuthing.

In a small coastal town, the townspeople enjoy a pleasant life with their neighbors until auditor Larry Dunmer and his wife Roz move in to disrupt their friendly little community. Coco and her friends find their summer in danger of being ruined when Larry’s overt sexual harassment repulses female citizens, and his threat to cut town council budgets makes enemies. When he ends up the murder victim, it’s hard to feel sorry for him or to want justice served. What drives the murder story is Coco’s determination to clear her bestie, Jasper, who becomes the primary suspect when evidence points to him as the killer.

Added to the main storyline is Coco’s boyfriend’s personal trauma as he deals with sexual advances from a co-worker. Author Sarah E. Burr delivers a much needed expose of the issue of abusive behavior in our society as it affects both males and females, and the reluctance of men to report themselves as victims.

#TagMe for Murder blends modern technology and media with murder, sure to attract younger readers to the cozy mystery genre. A great book to take to the beach!

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This was a cute cozy mystery and fun beach read set in the small coastal town of Central Shores, Delaware. This is the second book in the Tending Topic mysteries. Coco is a social media influencer who keeps finding herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She has a fun group of friends that keeps the story entertaining.

This book also addresses the issue of sexual harassment from both the male and female perspectives. This book just wasn’t quite for me, a little too much focus on social media for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Dnf I just couldn’t get into it and I just really didn’t like the writing style.
Thanks to netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy - all opinions are my own.

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This book was great.

I loved the relatable characters, the cozy mystery feel and the plot.

This is an easy read to get anyone out of a reading slump.

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I feel it's only fair if I start this review with a full disclosure. First, I did not read the first book in this series. To be honest, I didn't even realize it was part of a series when I requested it, so I probably should read more closely. Second, I'm not a huge cozy mystery fan. That is not to say I do not enjoy them, usually, but rather I don't typically seek them out, they are not my first choice of a book to read. Now, onto my review.

I spent a month reading this, and finally made it to 53% and decided I could not bring myself to finish it. Not because it's a bad book, or because the story line isn't enjoyable, but I could not bring myself to care who did it. I felt like we kept going around in circles and were never getting any closer to solving the mystery. Clearly the main character, CoCo, does not care about following rules and comes off as very self absorbed to me and very much everyone's idea of a social influencer. All of that made her a very unlikable character for me, which made it very hard to care considering she is the main character.

I do think this book has the potential to be very enjoyed by someone who enjoys cozies and I would actually recommend this to anyone asking me for a cozy mystery rec, despite the fact that I myself did not finish it. I thank the publisher and the author for giving me the chance to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. While I do not anticipate finishing this book in the future if I decide to do so I will update my full review at that time.

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I can say I was entertained with this book so give it a read! It was a good read and I would absolutely recommend reading it to a friend

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As far as murder mysteries go, this book had everything. It was entertaining with a modern twist. I thought the plot was good and I didn't have a clue who was the killer. Great pace story and easy to keep up with.
I will have to read the 1st book to see how it all began.

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With a glimmer of anticipation, I delved into the pages of this book, eager to experience the world of social media influencer Cordelia "Coco" Cline. And oh, how I fell in love with the fierce and fabulous FMC! This captivating tale had me both laughing and intrigued, creating a delightful reading experience.

The plot unfolded with a delightful twist as murder encroached upon Coco's seemingly normal life. Surrounded by her devoted boyfriend and two best friends, she reveled in her thriving online presence. However, the arrival of the dubious Larry and Rosalynn Dunmer as her new neighbors set off a chain of events that would challenge Coco's summer plans. A chance encounter at a wine bar escalated into a web of threats, putting her and her best friend, Jasper, in jeopardy.

Just as Coco's world teetered on the edge, an unexpected request from the police thrust her into the heart of the investigation. Utilizing her PR skills, she was tasked with maintaining order as a body washed ashore. Shockingly, it was Larry Dunmer, lifeless with a corkscrew protruding from his neck. The stakes escalated further as Jasper found himself at the top of the suspect list. Fueled by determination, Coco embarked on a tech-savvy sleuthing adventure to clear her friend's name, unearthing a multitude of enemies who held grudges against the ill-fated Larry.

The narrative painted a vivid picture of Central Shores, inviting readers to return to its sandy beaches. Coco's squad rallied together, their bond strengthening as they pursued the elusive killer. The race against time to prevent permanent cancellation wove a thread of suspense throughout the story, leaving me eager to uncover the truth.




As I immersed myself deeper into the pages of this enthralling book, I found myself captivated not only by the engaging plot and dynamic characters but also by the masterful narration and compelling writing style that brought the story to life. The author's skillful storytelling prowess truly shone through, creating an experience that was both immersive and delightful.

The narration skillfully balanced humor and intrigue, effortlessly drawing out laughter and keeping me thoroughly engaged in the unfolding events. The author's wit and clever wordplay injected moments of levity into even the most tense situations, allowing the story to flow seamlessly between light-hearted banter and heart-pounding suspense. It was a true testament to the author's ability to craft a narrative that kept me eagerly turning the pages, eager to uncover the next twist and turn.

The writing style itself was a treat to behold, adorned with vivid descriptions and evocative imagery that transported me straight into the heart of Central Shores. From the sun-drenched beaches to the buzzing wine bar, each setting was brought to life with such clarity that I could practically feel the sand between my toes and taste the tang of a crisp ocean breeze. The author's attention to detail painted a rich tapestry that served as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery, enveloping me in a world that was as visually stunning as it was emotionally compelling.

Moreover, the author's seamless integration of technology and social media into the narrative added an extra layer of authenticity to the story. Coco's role as a social media influencer was expertly woven into the plot, providing unique insights into her investigative journey and adding a contemporary touch that resonated with the digital age in which we live. The incorporation of hashtags, viral trends, and Coco's tech-savvy sleuthing skills further deepened the connection between the story and the modern reader, making it all the more relatable and engrossing.

In the end, it was the masterful narration and impeccable writing style that elevated this book to new heights. The author's ability to seamlessly blend humor and intrigue, coupled with their evocative descriptions and skillful incorporation of technology, created a reading experience that was truly memorable.

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Coco Cline uses her social media and snooping skills to solve another murder.

The who gets killed and how is very obvious from the moment the victim is met. As is the first/main suspect.

Because the man seems to have two main activities: accosting women and threatening men, it’s actually a surprise he’s lasted this long in life. He must have always looked both ways before he crossed the street.

Because one of her best friends is questioned in this murder investigation, Coco decides to ask some questions here and there too. It seems the man has made quite a few people upset because every time he didn’t get what he wanted he made threats of cutting budgets.

Which seems rather an empty threat. He’s doing an audit. That means he checks whether people in charge of spending the budget can account for how they spent it. As an auditor he’s not in charge of determining how a budget is distributed. He doesn’t even get to advise on that matter.

It’s a good mystery, and I’m happy the police were not portrayed as incompetent. Though I find it hard to believe the police would stall a murder investigation for two days because they can’t find next of kin. But perhaps that was the perspective of Coco and were the police in actual fact hard at work.

I’m getting fed up with the “don’t leave town” malarkey. Detective Forester says it to Jasper and he then thinks he can’t even go to work because that is in the next town over. What’s wrong with having competent police officers say: “Please, remain available for questioning”?

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What a fun, cozy read! I loved that I could just dive into this series without even reading the first book. In fact, one of the things that stood out to me most was how much the author clearly loves the world she's created. The whole story is full of lovely details about what the town and its residents are like. It really made starting on book two a walk on the beach (sans any dead bodies!), because the characters and settings are written in such rich detail.

Second, I really loved Hudson's arc in this book. While he mostly plays the part of loving boyfriend to our awesome leading lady, it was so interesting to see the pressure he was under as a man being sexually harassed by a woman in the workplace. His anxiety over people believing him, getting concrete proof, and even not being believed because he was a man was so heartfelt and added genuine emotion to the overall story.

Third, I just really enjoyed the mystery itself. Coco and her friends were all funny and likable, while the towns people felt real and interesting. The murder victim being such a truly terrible person made for a great mystery, because who WOULDN'T want to kill this guy? The reveal at the end felt properly set up without being predictable and let to a very satisfying conclusion.

All in all, this was a very fun cozy mystery set in a bubbly modern world. Definitely an uplifting read that I think most cozy mystery readers who enjoy.

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Simply Outstanding.

Loved this cozy mystery. Funny dialogue throughout, relatable characters, straight forward plot.

Nice, quick, easy read!

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This series is proving to be a modernized take on the cozy mystery genre by giving readers what they expect from a cozy murder (murder, not much gore, community, clever clues, some red herrings) but with modern twists (current lingo, social media).

I read the first book in the series when it came out and I admit I wasn't the biggest fan. I thought there was too much emphasis on dropping luxury brand names, which came across as braggy/product placement. I liked the second book a lot more and I will definitely read the next book in the series.

While the series is centred around Cordelia "Coco" Cline who is a national (maybe internationally?) known social media personality who has settled into a content life in a small seaside town, living with her boyfriend, Hudson, who is a local news anchor, and a few other friends. Coco now works as a PR/Social media consultant for small businesses but it seems that on the side, she solves murders. In this book, the victim is a distasteful lech of an auditor whom nobody except his wife seemed to like. But when one of Coco's best friends appears to have been framed for the murder, she jumps into action, determined to prove him innocent and identify the real killer.

What I liked about the book is the loyalty Coco has to her friends and her utter determination to uncover the truth. This loyalty results in her being willing to do things that she knows she shouldn't do (e.g., misrepresenting herself as a representative of the police, sneaking into offices, etc) in order to uncover information and clues.

I also like how the subplots are developed through the book, from Coco's self-consciousness and uncertainty about not being as famous as she used to be, as compared to her boyfriend's growing fame; figuring out how to manage her growing business and hiring an assistant; navigating her relationship with her family.

On the mystery front, I think the author did.a great job of dropping clues into the story so that once we reach the end and the killer is revealed, it makes sense. Alongside the clues are good red herrings and I honestly had no idea who the killer was until close to the end. And then the reveal itself takes advantage of Coco's social media expertise and 'celebrity' status, which is a fun approach to take.

I still think there was a bit too much brand name dropping but that could just be me. I just don't care about that stuff, but maybe other readers do?

All in all, a fun book. I'll be back for more!

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Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book. The plot was great and intriguing. It is a cozy mystery and a great summer beach read. That being said, the more I read, the more I couldn't stand the main character, Coco. I could understand her personality if she was the villain and most people disliked her. But she was made to be adored and loved by her friends. Every page, Coco was gloating about herself and who she was and her work. It became pretty cringy. That being said, it's still a great read. It kept me wanting to read even though I did not like the main character.

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#TagMe for Murder is the second book in the Trending Topic Mystery series. I highly recommend reading this series in order. #TagMe for Murder is a cozy mystery that lovers of the genre will be sure to enjoy.

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Coco Cline is a social media influencer and accidental murder detective. After cracking her first case (in the first book in the series) she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation after her rude neighbor is found with a corkscrew in his neck. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect but I wasn't prepared going in how YA this would be. I think that's what threw me off a bit. There's a lot of pop culture references and immature communication between the friends, especially for characters in their late 20s (in my opinion.) For example, "Okay, what the name of Gaga is going on?" I think if you have YA mentality going on you may enjoy it more so keep that in mind.

I didn't realize this book was #2 in a series but it worked fine as a standalone. The author does a great job at giving us background and personalities of the characters so they felt well-rounded to me. Overall I recommend if you enjoy cozy mysteries. It would be the perfect beach or poolside read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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