Thank you NetGalley for approving me to read this. A very good read that had me hooked, once started I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend

The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune is the first book in a cozy series by Christine McHaines. Released 3rd July 2023 by The Book Folks, it's 245 pages and is available in hardcover, 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The followup books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a lightly humorous cozy featuring a hapless, honestly unlikely and rather unlikable anti-hero. He's a bit shiftless, a huge underachiever, not terribly honest, and lazy into the bargain. His parents decamped Britain for the Antipodes (at his father's insistence) to try to force him to grow up and stand on his own two feet. He inhabits his late great aunt's house (rent free) and when he almost literally trips over a hidden treasure, his immediate response is to dip into the unexpected windfall for his own benefit. His natural antipathy to animals (especially a cat) didn't make him more appealing, either; not precisely -cruel- but not nice, either.

The mystery itself is competently plotted and the action was reasonably well paced, but the dialogue and characterisation are often hard going. The language is clean, there are a few instances of "bloody" and nothing worse. There are also a few lightly described consensual sex scenes.

Three stars.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Folks for a copy of this book.

This was an average read for me. It wasn't spectacular but it wasn't terrible either. It felt a little slow at parts, but I did finish this in less than 2 days. I wasn't particularly invested in the characters and found them a little annoying. I also figured out part of it like 25% of the way through. It was a cozy little mystery to get through the weekend with and it hit the spot good enough. I don't think I will be continuing this series though.

"Shocked? Yes Upset? No"

🔖Save this post cause The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune by Christine McHaines that came out a month ago is the perfect mystery to cozy up with this season, it's light, around 200 pages and extremely fast paced that you can finish it in one sitting.

🦉I generally don't 'read' during work, but I couldn't stop myself reading this everytime I had a break or free time.

The title is sort of nostalgic, reminds me of the
Nancy Drew mysteries from my teen years, but the plot in this is more on the realistic side, which I absolutely enjoyed. I would love to see this as a BBC show or something.

It does have a few but quick intimate scenes, which makes it great for teenagers too.

I did feel like the last couple chapters dragged out but no, it ended up so well that I DID NOT expect that tiny twist coming.

Looking forward to more of Quentin Cadbury, Magpie 🙈, and backstory on Wanda's childhood, and some "father"- son bonding with Cadbury the senior, and more on that unexpected twist please!

OVERALL RATING: 4.4/5

Extremely cozy mystery. I got off to a slow start with it but persevered as I liked the characters and ended up enjoying it.
Can’t wait to try the next one, I’d like a Christmas themed one next!

A solid cozy with a fun plot and interesting characters. I look forward to McHaines future work.

The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune

Very nice cozy mystery. I loved the characters and the pace of the book. Would love to read the next one.

Quentin doesn't make friends easily as he is still traumatized by the death of his friend at university. His father is ex-army and has a low opinion of him as he doesn't stick at a job for long. His parents both move to Australia to be near their daughter and grandkids. They need to sell their house to fund the trip but allow Quentin to move into a small house in London which was once owned by an aunt and uncle. No sooner has he moved in than there is a break in and the house is ransacked. He is then threatened by someone who thinks he has something of their's but what? A fast-paced novel, a little unbelievable at times but enjoyable.

Well plotted cosy style mystery, a little slow in places but characters held it up. Good start to a series. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A fresh, original and highly entertaining cozy mystery set in London and featuring a twenty something that must start adulting in sooner than he a thought.
A well plotted, solid, and compelling novel that kept me guessing and having fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Enjoyable, Entertaining..
Quentin is floundering. Left in charge of a house with only a stray cat for company and comfort, he is a little alone, but when a series of crimes take place he teams up with neighbour Wanda and so begins an unlikely but amicable amateur sleuthing partnership. An enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery with a well done backdrop, an engaging plot populated with a cast of nicely drawn and credible characters and with a gentle vein of humour throughout.

"The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune" by Christine McHaines is a delightful cozy mystery set in London. This is the first in the Quentin Cadbury investigations series, written in British English, and it serves as a great start for the series.

The book follows Quentin Cadbury, a 24-year-old man with no prospects and no job. He quit his law studies, much to his father's dismay. He doesn't get along with his dad who views him as lazy (he got a point there), but his mom holds him in high regard.

When Quentin's parents decide to immigrate to Australia to live near his sister and her family, they allow him to live in his deceased aunt’s house in Greenwich, London. Shortly after, he quits his current job and begins living from day to day. A past trauma taught him to appreciate life more, and he concludes that a 9-to-5 job isn't for him. He avoids responsibility at all costs, but he does adopt his deceased aunt’s cat, Magpie (a point in his favor).

The plot thickens when someone breaks into his house, searching for a hidden fortune. Things heat up when he receives threats demanding to hand over the item hidden in the house or else... Unfortunately, Quentin doesn't have a clue about what they are searching for. With the help of his new attractive neighbor, Wanda, they try to uncover the hidden item and its location.

I loved the book and quickly became wrapped up in the lives of the characters. I found Quentin a bit irritating at first with his laid-back attitude, but he grew on me. I gave him allowances for his age, but come on, grow up already. I also loved the cat, which provided comic relief throughout the book.

While there are no murders in the book, it presents an intriguing little mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. All of the characters are interesting and, for the most part, likable. The pacing of the mystery is a bit slow at times, but even so, I found the book enjoyable. It was like savoring a leisurely meal with a good friend and enjoying their antics.

This book has all the ingredients of a good cozy mystery: an intriguing plot, interesting characters, a touch of romance, and good writing. Overall, I found this to be an awesome cozy mystery and I can’t wait to delve into the second standalone book in this series, "The Mystery of the Lucky Cat". It was a sweet and fun read from start to finish, so I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a witty cozy mystery and doesn't mind a slower pace.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

When Quentin decides he would rather take a break from working and his family takes an extended visit in Australia, he moves into his late aunt and uncle's house. After some break ins, and weird interactions with his neighbor, Quentin discovers secrets about his uncle, and hidden "treasures" within the house.
The characters were good, some more elusive than others. The plot was good, but does seem a bit slow and repetitive tin the middle. Overall a good book.
I received an advance copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

Quentin works to live, which means he only works when he has to. His father disapproves of him, but his mother adores him. He has dropped out of law study, quit his current job, and is grateful that his parents let him move into his deceased aunt’s house. All is well, especially when a good-looking woman moves in next door. Soon his house is ransacked and he gets threatening messages to turn “it” over to the thugs. Quentin has no idea what they are talking about, but he and Wanda (the gorgeous woman next door) team up to fine this hidden treasure. The plot thickens and Quentin just may be straightening out his life at last. He is a likable character and the mystery is fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and The BookFolks for the ARC.

Quentin Cadbury is a 20 something do-nothing that can't keep a job and isn't willing to grow up. When his parents leave for Australia he is in charge of his aunt's home. After a series of break-ins, Quentin discovers that the thieves are searching for a treasure the question is - how did it get there...and can he keep it? A cute-ish cozy mystery that will certainly entertain you!

#TheMysteryofthehiddenfortune

This was enjoyable. It did move a bit slow for my taste but I liked the main character. The plot was good. I would read another book from the author.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****