A fun, pink mystery with lots of red herrings and a good, believable female friendship at the heart.

Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh is a charming cozy mystery set in the picturesque Hudson Valley. When Jess Byrne's B&B grand opening takes a deadly turn, she and her best friend Kat dive into an amateur sleuthing adventure filled with humor, suspense, and a touch of romance. With engaging characters, a lively pace, and an endearing small-town setting, this delightful debut offers an enjoyable, lighthearted read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries.

Pink doors and unlimited rosé? I’m in. Coincidentally, my nails are painted pink as we speak 💅🏼.

This book took me a hot minute to get into, but once I was back to reading it, I was hooked. Everything from the setting, the world-building, and characters were simple to understand but they were well-developed. Jess was such a fun character and it was cool to see her try to solve a mystery that she has a deep personal connection to, which is something I don’t see a lot of in cozy mystery books.

I usually have a distaste for pop culture references, but I quite enjoyed them here (probably cause they were pop culture things I liked).

I’m still giving Canadian points for this one. Iykyk.

Overall, I enjoyed this cozy mystery a lot and would definitely continue the series as it gets published.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

This was a cozy mystery! I really enjoyed it! Thank you for proving me with a copy to review and read!

I was approved for this book late so I haven’t gotten the chance to test yet., but I will review when I do.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

This was a cute cozy mystery with a lot going on! It worked well and gave plenty of suspense, suspects and fun!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read a nothing cozy mystery about a girlypop defending her scumbag American idol ex-boyfriend?

Pre-reading:
Well, Betty is emotionally devastating me so let me pick this up while I’m at work so I don’t cry at the front desk. I love a pink cover.

Thick of it:
My immediate guess is that someone’s gonna get poisoned. (Negative.)

Stay sexy and don't get murdered. (I don't know what constitutes pop culture fair use, but this book was real heavy-handed.)

Bears always bears

Only a bullshit cozy thinks it’s believable that a bakery also rents out bicycles.

That’s mentioned on TV all the time.

My friend and I were just discussing how we want dishy to come back as an adjective for men.

He has a vanity license plate. He is not a decent person.

Twins murdering with the rose bottles. (I mean basically.)

Literally so predictable but it’s a nothing cozy mystery so-

Post-reading:
There's nothing Schitt’s Creek about this. It's a typical cozy mystery. The characters are over the top and immature and don't feel like real people. There's an animal companion that gets too much page time. There's an unnecessary love triangle between two dudes that blatantly suck. There's a meddling mother and a bestie. It's a predictable, nothing read. And if that's what your brain needs, like mine did when I picked this up, you can plow through this without a single critical thought. It's not good. It is a waste of your time, but sometimes we all need some book junk food. That's not gonna stop me from scoring it appropriately though. You can read bad books! You can like bad things! Just like use that self-awareness, alright?

Who should read this:
Cozy mystery fans

Do I want to reread this:
No

Similar books:
* She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge-classic crime procedural cozy mystery
* The Perfect Marriage by Geneva Rose-generic revenge thriller
* Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson-the gold standard for camp cozy mysteries
* How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman-generic revenge thriller
* The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden-generic revenge thriller, domestic
* None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell-generic revenge thriller
* The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman-cozy mystery
* You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti-cozy mystery, romance subplot
* The Frame Up by Gwenda Bond-magical realism, cozy thriller
* The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh-generic revenge thriller
* A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon-generic revenge thriller
* The Guest List by Lucy Foley-generic revenge thriller

Cozy Mystery at Hudson Valley B&B

Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh is the first book in the Hudson Valley B&B Mystery series. The story revolves around Jess Byrne, an innkeeper who, along with her best friend Kat, opens The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley. Their grand opening weekend takes a dark turn when a murder occurs, putting their new business in jeopardy. Determined to clear the name of Lars, a guest who becomes a prime suspect, Jess dives into the investigation, uncovering secrets and navigating a web of intrigue.

Peril in Pink is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Its strengths lie in its charming setting, well-developed characters, and the author's witty writing style. However, some readers might find the resolution less impactful than anticipated. Despite this, the book's engaging narrative and the chemistry between Jess and Kat make it a must-read for fans of light-hearted mysteries.

This was a very cute, lighthearted & cozy mystery! The plot twists didn't really shock me as much as some other mysteries but it was still fun! This would definitely be great for someone just getting into the mystery/thriller genre or younger adults. There were a lot of pop culture references which I did feel took away from the story on occasion.

This was an easy, quick, cozy mystery read. It kept my attention throughout the entire book. The plot was great, characters were likeable and had great dialogue. The author did a fantastic job combining the charm of small town setting with the intrigue of a murder mystery. Over all this debut book promises an engaging blend of humor, unexpected twist and suspense.

I’ve always dreamed of renovating a historic home and turning it into a B&B, but after reading this book, I’m having serious second thoughts! 😂

This is a charming, cozy murder mystery. It’s funny how “charming” and “murder” don’t seem like they belong together, but that’s exactly what this book delivers! With a cast of unique characters, plenty of secrets and intrigue, numerous red herrings, a touch of romance, and a murder to solve, all set within a locked room scenario, it keeps you hooked.

I didn’t guess the murderer, which was a delightful surprise. The ending tied everything up nicely!

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, lockdown settings, or amateur sleuths, you’ll find this quirky and fun book a great read.

Thank you @netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I needed a change of pace and this book was perfect. This locked key bed and breakfast mystery kept me guessing with its interesting characters and enjoyable story. It is an entertaining light cozy mystery that is a great start to a series. And it has a cute side kick dog!!

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

Thank you so much to the publisher for this copy of Peril in Pink! This was a fun start to a new cozy series. I can't wait to read more, hoping for more of a backstory of the main character.

An amazing cozy mystery book. I loved the descriptions of the B&B. I loved Jesse as a snarky sleuth. I was so suprised by the ending. Definitely had a great time reading this book.

Peril in Pink is the first book in Sydney Leigh's Hudson Valley B&B Mystery series. It is the opening weekend for The Pearl, an Instagram-ready inn, owned by Jess and Kat. Lars Armstrong, who recently gained fame by winning a national singing competition, has agreed to perform several acoustic sets for the opening. What Jess and Kat weren't expecting was for Lars to bring his stepfather/manager and an assistant. The stepfather is not well-liked in town since he caused several investors to lose their retirement funds. The stepfather is found dead the next morning. Jess and Kat get involved with the case because who wants to stay at an inn where there is an unsolved murder?

The only thing I didn’t like about the mystery was that there isn't a second Hudson Valley B&B Mystery for me to start reading. I love the setting and characters. The Pearl is a former boarding house run by Jess’s grandmother. The breakfast portion of the B&B is provided by the Cool Vibes Cafe, owned by Nate, Jess' brother, and Sarah, his wife. Sarah also teaches yoga classes at The Pearl. Jess' mom is a member of the Momfia, a group of moms who, if you want something done, you talk to one of them. I got a kick out of the fact that Jess and Kat are fans of the podcast My Favorite Murder. It’s nice how they worked real life into a cozy mystery.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

at times I felt this book was a bit boring and lacking depth in terms of the storyline and the characters.
others I was LOL at the funny situations and quirky aunt.
And others I was annoyed at the singer (I forgot his name) and the ex boyfriend.
But all in all, it was an enjoyable beach read, I finished it rather quickly, had a murder mystery but nothing gruesome, it was pretty straightforward, clean, and almost tquirky like small town stories usually are.
I would recommend to people who are looking for an easy quick read and as an intro to murder mysteries if you're not into grizzly details and gore.
All in all, 3.5/5

Thanks NetGalley and Pubishers for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I needed a change of pace and this book was perfect. This locked key bed and breakfast mystery kept me guessing with its interesting characters and enjoyable story. It is an entertaining light cozy mystery that is a great start to a series. And it has a cute side kick dog!!

I want to thank NetGalley, Sydney Leigh and Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

This book is a charming and engaging debut mystery that will captivate fans of the genre. Jess Byrne, the innkeeper of The Pearl B&B, is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her determination to clear Lars' name and save her B&B's reputation is admirable, and her wit and sass make her a lovable character.

The author masterfully weaves together a complex plot, filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. The writing is descriptive and immersive, transporting readers to the picturesque Hudson Valley setting.

The supporting cast is well-developed, with Kat being a standout character. The chemistry between Jess and Lars is palpable, and the romance adds a delightful layer to the story.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy stories set in charming B&Bs. With its sparkling debut, witty dialogue, and deadly plot, this tale will leave readers eager for more.