
Member Reviews

A witty, enjoyable and lighthearted (considering it's a whodunnit) read. Some great characters and well written. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“Peril in Pink” delivers a delightful blend of cosy mystery, small-town charm, and a touch of celebrity glamour. Set against the backdrop of the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in the picturesque Hudson Valley, the story unfolds with the perfect mix of humour, intrigue, and a dash of romance. The narrative kicks off with the sparkling debut of The Pearl B&B, orchestrated by the determined Jess Byrne and her best friend Kat Miller. The B&B’s opening takes an unexpected turn when Jess’s ex-boyfriend, reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong, becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. The victim? Lars’s stepfather and manager, Bob.
As Jess endeavours to clear Lars’s name and protect the reputation of her newly opened B&B, the story takes unexpected twists and turns. The author skillfully weaves a web of secrets and mysteries, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The small-town setting and the locked-door scenario add urgency and tension to the plot, creating an engaging reading experience. The characters in “Peril in Pink” are a standout feature. Jess’s quirky personality and determination make her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The interactions between the characters, particularly Jess and Lars, provide moments of humour and cringe-worthy nostalgia. The supporting cast, including Kat and Detective James, adds depth to the story, and the dynamics between them contribute to the overall charm of the narrative.
The cosy mystery genre is well-executed, offering a perfect balance of sweet and suspenseful moments. The plot unfolds with a sense of fun and lightheartedness, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre. The reveal of the murderer is well-paced, and the author keeps readers invested in the story from beginning to end. “Peril in Pink” successfully captures the essence of a cosy small-town murder mystery with its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and touches of humour. Whether you’re a seasoned cosy mystery enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this debut novel promises a satisfying and entertaining read. Leigh’s ability to blend elements of mystery and humour bodes well for future additions to the genre, leaving readers eager for more from this promising author.

This was a quick, fun, enjoyable - albeit a little unbelievable - read.
I didn’t particularly like Jess, but other than that I definitely enjoyed Peril In Pink!
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Sydney Leigh for sending me an advanced digital copy of Peril In Pink via NetGalley in exchange for review.

Although I love the concept of a murder mystery set at a small-town bed and breakfast, the execution of this book took away from the overall experience for me.
This book is full of "telling" rather than "showing". Some readers might not be bothered by this, but it makes the reading experience less immersive for me. I'm someone who likes to piece together clues by myself without being explicitly told about things, and I think this book could have benefitted from more of that.
I think this is more for readers who just want a fun time, rather than an authentic or realistic story. The way that the investigation was taken care of and even the way that James (the detective) acted took me out of the story because it wasn't realistic. However, that is just my preference!
I did think that the Pearl B&B made a great setting. I also want to note that I switched who I thought the murderer was multiple times throughout the book - many characters were set up to seem like suspects.
I would recommend this for cozy readers who do not need a realistic plot to stay engaged in the novel! I definitely think it has an audience with those who like pop culture references, quirky characters, and "amateur sleuths".
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Whizzed through this! Couldnt resist reading 'just one more chapter' to find out who did it!
Absolutely riveted by this cosy amateur sleuth mystery. So many subtle twists and suspects, it really did keep me guessing till the end. Love a mystery like this where it isn't obvious who the killer is but at the end you see the hidden clues.
Great banter between Kat and Jess as the work to solve a double murder on the opening weekend of their new B and B.
Some great characters in this book, such a mix. I'm hoping there are more books to follow. Especially with the little hint of a blossoming romance at the end and how well these two worked together to solve the case.
Definitely one I'll be wanting to read again and add to my bookshelves when it releases.

A story with an interesting premise but an execution that I personally didn't connect with. It may still be worth a try. for others!

This is a charming and fizzy cozy mystery that I found to be fun and a quick read. I thought that the mystery had the right amount of twists and turns, with some good red herrings and some viable suspects that kept me guessing for a lot of the narrative. I also liked the cast of characters, whether it's our protagonist Jess and her best friend/business partner Kat, or the eccentric cast of characters at the Pearl Bed and Breakfast. The banter was witty, the mystery was fun, and the vibes were cozy. Overall it was enjoyable and if Sydney Leigh writes more stories at the Pearl with Jess and Kat, I will definitely read them!

Nothing wrong with a cozy mystery. Wrap it up in pink and it’s even better.
This was an easy mystery with no major twists and turns. Jess needs to solve a murder to save her B&B and her ex who happens to be the prime suspect.
This book was cute if not a little silly. I wasn’t mad about it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Peril in pink is a cozy small town murder mystery and a real page turner with a cute pink barbie aesthetic. c'mon just tell me what's there to not like? Out of the two people that died one was a lying stealing creepo and other was a homicidal board certified asshole so i truly didn't care about these victims anyway. in fact i might've rejoiced a little along with the townspeople. I mean this Pearl B&B in Fletcher lake in New York was giving dragonfly Inn in Stars hollow in Connecticut and i was living for the nostalgia of it all. You even have Jess and Kat just like Lorelai and Sookie albeit a bit boring. tbh Kat seemed more interesting than Jess. Although I will admit, Lars was way too annoying that what I'd expect of a man in his late twenties who is also a celeb. But Whatever. As if I'm the one to talk about annoying high school first loves lol. Also I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who felt the sparks fly between the ex-lovers, guess the sparks didn't land at the right place because instead we're going on a date with this detective who pretty much did nothing besides the interrogation??? thank god he's pretty. That reminds Duke, the little baby, the sweet dog solved more of the case single-handedly than all these characters did combined. The ending wasn't something I didn't see coming because I found them shady from the very beginning but given its a cozy mystery thats alright.
(Can you believe this is second time I'm writing this review and it's just so damn annoying because Netgalley couldn't just save it the first time around and now i don't even have my footnotes like wtf man!)
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND SYDNEY LEIGH FOR THE E-ARC

I enjoyed the book and laughed out loud quite a bit! A new author for me and I am so happy I liked it! It was sweet and banter was unmatched!

This was such a cute, cozy mystery! I loved Kat & Jess! They were awesome friends and co-owners of the B&B. I could see myself being friends with them in real life. Sydney did a great job writing all the characters, but Kat & Jess were my favorites. I totally could relate to Jess with her love of lists! I loved Auntie M as well. I was worried about her with her odd behavior. But, I got my answer at the end of the book. The reason in the book was much better than what I thought in my brain.
I enjoyed the entire book. It was a cute book that gave me a few giggles.This book ends neatly and with a HEA! What more could you want? The answer is nothing, friends. Nothing!
The synopsis on GR says Schitt's Creek meets Only Murders in the building. This is 100% spot on. I loved both of those shows!
Read this Book If:
You want a HEA
You want to giggle when reading
You want characters you can relate to or want to be friends with in real life
You want a cute, cozy mystery on your TBR

When all was said and done, this was a fun and charming whodunit that I could not put down, quickly becoming a page-turner. All the pieces were there, the protagonist or two who decided to help the police investigate the murder; a B&B full of potential suspects, a mother who has friends in high places that can help gather clues, and the killer who was hiding in plain sight doing everything possible to keep their misdeed from being discovered. I liked how the author staged this with visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, and a cast of characters, where a few had pivotal roles in how well this story was being told. There were a few surprises tossed in to keep me guessing throughout until the killer’s identity was revealed. Overall, this was a delightfully entertaining debut, and I can’t wait for more adventures with Jess and her friends.

Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building
It was a pretty good cozy mystery with a not so predictable ending.
Definitely a murder mystery with humor, I kept snorting throughout the entire book.
Also seeing my name mentioned in the story has been pretty nice, that's a first for me.

Holy cannoli! A quick, easy read that was peppered with giggle-worthy humor, Peril in Pink was just that the doctor ordered—especially in between some harder hitting thrillers. A delightful mix of cozy mystery with just a dash of crime fiction, it still brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
The biggest winner to this slam dunk success, however, were easily the characters. One hundred percent genuine and true-to-life, their relationships were heartwarming and hit just the right chord. On top of that, the dialogue flowed easily and made for scenes that felt like they came straight out a well-written movie.
The plot was simply a boatload of fun. Filled with plenty of humor and wit, the slowly unwinding puzzle of who could have been behind the murderous plot felt natural to this mystery snob. Quite frankly, it had definite Agatha Christie-esque vibes that made the whole book a total home run.
All said and done, I can’t recommend this knockout debut strongly enough. The perfect kind of palate cleanser for this thriller addict, Leigh has, without a doubt, made a memorable splash to the world of mystery books. There’s only one thing left bugging me just a bit—my utmost desire to see this as just the first book in what’s sure to be a bestselling series. So if you’re looking for the ultimate vacation from all things stressful, grab a copy of this brilliant dive into all things cozy. You definitely won’t regret it. Rating of 5 stars.

I really wanted to at least enjoy this book, even if I couldn’t like it, but it was so overwhelmingly cutesy. Also, overwhelmingly 2016 Buzzfeed Millennial. It just didn’t do it for me, but I am genuinely sure it will be a great read for people who don’t mind that as much.

Grab your magnifying glass and a glass of rosé because "Peril in Pink" by Sydney Leigh is a sparkling debut mystery that's a perfect blend of Schitt's Creek charm and Only Murders in the Building intrigue!
Picture this: The grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, complete with mimosas and the swoon-worthy performance of reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong. But wait for the twist - the morning after this dazzling event, things take a dark turn when Lars' stepdad-turned-manager, Bob, is found dead, and Lars himself becomes the prime suspect.
Enter our fearless innkeeper, Jess Byrne, who's not just a genius at creating Insta-worthy welcomes but also at solving mysteries. She couldn't resist helping Lars clear his name, especially when the reputation of her B&B hangs in the balance. But the deeper she digs, the cloudier the waters get. Is Lars truly innocent? Another murder on the scene makes things even murkier.
With guests under lockdown, the B&B making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and a mysterious killer on the loose, Jess and her best friend Kat are in for a rollercoaster of twists, turns, and surprise suspects. "Peril in Pink" keeps you guessing until the very end.
Sydney Leigh's writing is as effervescent as the finest rosé, making this cozy mystery impossible to put down. You'll find yourself immersed in a world where quirky characters, humor, and suspense blend seamlessly. Whether you're a fan of murder mysteries or just looking for a fun read to curl up with, "Peril in Pink" is a delightful choice.
So, don't wait! Grab a copy, sip some rosé, and join Jess on a journey that'll keep you guessing and giggling until the final page. This book is a true gem, perfect for cozy nights in or sharing with friends.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a good first book by the author.
It is about Innkeeper Jess trying to have a Grand Opening for her B&B Inn that she is starting with her best friend, brother and sister in law.
An ex boyfriend Lars volunteers to be the entertainment for her opening which sounds great on paper. He’s a cute famous singer coming back to their hometown to help a friend out..or is it to help himself??
Lars is found under suspicious circumstances with two dead bodies and he convinces Jess to help proof his innocence for old times sake.
Last but not least we have a cute detective who so happens to have s grudge against Lars that goes back to their High School days.
It was a well plotted who done it. I felt my age when reading some of the sayings in this book lol.
‘WITWWVBD’ this means what in the world would Victoria Beckham Do. Who knew that was a thing lol. I think the book would have been without these type of cliches.
All and all a good quick read. Hopefully there will be a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
#PerilinPink #NetGalley#Cozyread

Sadly this one is going to have to be a DNF for me due to the electronic formatting.
If I sent it to Kindle and it was extremely choppy. Going to the next line mid sentence, having one word and then going to the next line, etc. it made it completely unreadable. It was reading like the book Million Little Pieces.
I tried to read it on my phone in the met galley app and there wasn't a comfortable way to zoom in to read the words and then go to the next page.
I don't feel like this is to the fault of the author or the story, but I cannot get into the book with the formatting issues.

I so badly wanted to book a stay at the Pearl after reading this book! The perfect mix of Only Murders in the Building and Schitt’s Creek! I couldn’t put the book down! I loved the characters, the writing is superb, the plot is wonderful. I truly haven’t felt this way about a book in a long time! A super fun easy read!

Sadly, I found myself having to DNF. While the book premise was interesting, this was not the right book for me. After a couple of tries, I just found myself unable to get into the story. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books
for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.