Member Reviews

When Jessica Byrne and Kat Miller left their high pressure jobs, they went into partnership to run a B&B. The Pearl Bed and Breakfast in Fletcher Lake, NY was finally ready to accept quests. Jess's brother Nate and his new bride, Sarah, owned and ran Cool Vibes Cafe on the grounds of the Pearl. For the opening weekend, Jess got her ex- boyfriend and now celebrity, Lars Armstrong, to come and perform. A few of the guests were old (not so friendly) classmates , but Jess was hopeful for a great opening. But her hopes were dashed when a murder happened on the grounds and the police, led by Detective James Holloway, started to investigate. Jess decided that she also needed to find out and make sure that the culprit was caught before the guests all left and a cloud of suspicion would hang over the Pearl.
An entertaining new entry into the cozy mystery murders with a cast of characters, mostly family, that help out, even when it comes to investigating murder.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this e-galley of "Peril in Pink".

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I finished this book and it was just ok for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I feel like the interaction between the characters was very surface level and I didn't care what happened to them. The concept of the book is great but for some reason I wasn't drawn into the book. By no means is this the worst book I have ever read, but for me it wasn't very memorable.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was such a fun, quick read!! Even though this book is a thriller, it never got too heavy, and it had a great combination of mystery and humor. It was fast paced, and the characters were very entertaining. This book is perfect for a quick beach read, or if you’re looking for a light “who done it” book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

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Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for an #ARC of #PerilInPink.
The cozy mystery genre involving a B&B owner and a murder victim (or two) has been tried and tested as a successful recipie. This book is no different, a B&B on its opening weekend is thrown into disarray thanks to the death of a guest. And it seems everyone in town has a motive.
An easy read with nothing to taxing, enjoyable. Would read other work by this author. Would not recommend.

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In theory this book hit all the marks for me. I am a hospitality professional who escapes by reading thrillers. The B & B concept had me hooked from the first page, the fluffy pink feeling really had me going, but when it came to the actual thriller part this story it was lacking. By the middle of the book, I truly just wanted it to be over. The characters were not likable enough for me to cheer on. The story was very loose and didn’t really work. I truly wanted to love this story, but at the end I really ended up not caring who the killer was or why they even did it. Not the feeling you are hoping for at the end of a thriller.
I want to thank Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book for review.

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Peril in Pink is the first book in this promising new series. A guest is murdered during the grand opening of Jess Bryne's new B&B. Her ex boyfriend is the main suspect and begs for Jesses help in clearing his name. This was a fast paced light cozy with plenty of red herrings, a sexy homicide detective, and a few plot twists. I loved the family dynamics of the main characters. Spunky Jess, her loving but no-nonsense mom, her quirky aunt, her protective younger brother, and an adorable dog named Duke. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in this fun new series. My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this advanced readers copy to read and review.

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I couldn't get into the story for this book. I was really excited to read this one as I am loving the mysteries and thrillers lately. This book and I just didn't connect.

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Sadly, this was a no go for me. The entire time it felt as if the book took place during someone's high school years with all the name calling and one-upmanship. And all the women walking around saying hashtag got tedious.
There were a number of places where the author did not seem to keep track of continuity. The person who died of course deserved to die. Upon being found, Jess is stuck to the detective like a burr. It is difficult to believe that the police would even remotely allow her to follow him around. Jess seems concerned about her business but her answer is to give everybody alcohol. I kept wondering if people were passed out drunk. She kept talking about the guests and from that I counted way more than the 10 rooms that the B&B had, especially when two were occupied by Lars and Bob. The details about confession of the death were not consistent with the facts of how the body was found. The author said the B&B was in New York and then in another place said it was close to Vegas. Jess says at one point that she is trying for a Palm Springs look, but flamingos are more a Palm Beach look. I think the book could have benefited from some editing.

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'Peril in Pink' by Sydney Leigh.
It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect.
After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder.
With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled.
I mainly picked this book because it was described as Schitts Creek meets Only Murders in the Building and I love them two shows. I enjoyed the book, I did figure out quite a bit of the plot before the end, that didn't really spoil it for me. I wish the dog Duke was featured it in more, that's just me though because I love dogs. I think if you enjoy a cozy crime book then give this book a go.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the publisher and the author for letting me a read a copy in return for an honest review.

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Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building. It is a sparkling debut mystery that combines humour, intrigue, and a touch of celebrity glamour. Set in the picturesque Hudson Valley, the story centres around the grand opening of The Pearl B&B, owned by the resourceful and determined Jess Byrne.

The B&B's opening event takes an unexpected turn when Jess's ex-boyfriend, the famous reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong, arrives with his stepdad and manager, Bob. The festivities quickly sour when Bob is discovered dead, and Lars becomes the prime suspect. Jess, motivated by her desire to protect her B&B's reputation, agrees to help Lars clear his name, leading her into a web of secrets and mysteries.

As Jess delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers unexpected connections and startling revelations. With the pressure mounting and another murder occurring with Lars at the scene, Jess realizes she's in over her head. With the support of her best friend and business partner, Kat, Jess is determined to unravel the truth behind the murders and clear Lars's name.

It combines the charm of a small-town setting with the intrigue of a murder mystery. Jess's quirky personality and determination make her a relatable and engaging protagonist, while the presence of a celebrity suspect adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. The locked-door scenario and the need to keep the guests safe amidst a media frenzy create a sense of urgency and tension that keeps readers on their toes.

Overall, this debut mystery promises an engaging blend of humor, suspense, and unexpected twists. As Jess navigates the complexities of murder investigations and the challenges of running a B&B, readers are in for a delightful and captivating read that will leave them guessing until the very end.

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Despite the promising allure of a thrilling cozy mystery set against the vibrant backdrop of a bed and breakfast, Sydney Leigh's "Peril in Pink" leaves much to be desired, and it really missed the mark for me.

The main character Jess often comes across as irrationally irked and judgmental. I couldn't understand why she kept taking issue with such minor details as her sister-in-law practicing yoga or her mother's fashion choices. These grievances become even harder to digest when compared to her seemingly misplaced priorities; she appears more concerned about impressing a certain "hot cop" than unraveling the murder mystery unfolding around her, while simultaneously judging others for not caring enough about the murder that took place.

Repetition is another pitfall, particularly in character descriptions. The frequent references to Kat's "silky smooth perfect jet black hair" quickly become monotonous. I didn’t really understand why only the twins' outfits consistently merit description every single time they showed up. Additionally, several decisions by Jess—such as her strange choice to hide pivotal evidence like Lars’s sweatshirt—undermine the story's credibility. This credibility is further eroded by her approach to B&B guests who are understandably concerned about being around a murderer. Her solution, which amounts to a copious supply of alcohol, reads like the whims of a 21-year-old rather than a mature adult. I mean, I like to party too, but they talk about alcohol at least once every other page, and it gets old really fast.

Ironically, while the protagonist is quick to label a girl showing interest in her brother as "desperate," she herself is depicted thirsting after two guys at once, presenting a glaring inconsistency in character judgment. And with the murder, which should have been the core of the story, relegated to almost an afterthought for Jess, I found my interest waning quickly.

The supporting characters, rather than adding depth, feel flat and indistinct. The portrayal of sibling interactions feels particularly off-kilter, with awkward exchanges peppered with 'bro' and 'sis' that hint at an author unfamiliar with genuine sibling dynamics. Jess's use of dated phrases like "puh-leeze" and "ex-squeeze me" feels contrived, detracting from the story's immersion. The law enforcement angle doesn’t help matters, especially when the detective on the case seems more obsessed with an old football rivalry than actually doing his job.

"Peril in Pink" could have been a compelling mystery. Instead, it gets bogged down by a muddled mix of misplaced priorities, inconsistent character development, and narrative choices that often feel off the mark. Those seeking a deep and gripping mystery might want to look elsewhere.

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i was so excited to read this one but it fell flat for me. i still had a lot of questions at the end, i was confused by jess’ involvement with the crime when she should’ve been sorting out her B&B and i felt the reveal didn’t explain much. not my cuppa tea :(

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Well, this book definitely made me want to leave my mainstream job and do over.
Peril in Pink was a great refresher to read. It starts with Jess who opens up her B&B and invites her ex-boyfriend to sing on opening night. However a murder puts a jam in the plans and starts shaking things up. The premise and writing of the author was feel good. Although it was a murder investigation, the book had a levity which made it fun to read.

Coming to the characters, the author did a wonderful job introducing each and every one of them. The way each character's backstory unfolded and seamlessly weaved into the larger plot was commendable.

Some of the central characters were entertaining. Like Kat, Nate and even Britt. This felt somewhere inspired by Sweet Magnolias as well. All in all, I enjoyed the book and even the ultimate reveal. That was a bit unexpected.

I'm pulling back one star on my rating because the version sent on Kindle was not aesthetic. For example: The first letter never began with the paragraph and there were a lot of formatting issues. I give this book 4 stars.

I thank NetGalley for this e-arc and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.

I just reviewed Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh. #PerilinPink #NetGalley

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Loved this book! Such a fun and cozy mystery.

Sydney’s writing immerses you well into the story and makes you feel like you’re right there solving the murder with your closest friends.

Just when you think you know who the suspect is, you’re hit with another curve ball and suspicious of someone else. The twists and turns were exciting, the jokes were funny, the pacing was great, and it had so many lovable characters.

A big thank you to NetGalley as well as Crooked Lane Books for the ARC

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I loved this book. It was quirky, it was fun and it had the right twist of who-dunnit? Jess Byrne and her best friend/ business partner open up the Pearl B&B. Grand opening weekend is happening and Jess’ ex-boyfriend/ first love is now a star in the rock and roll world. Lars has agreed to be the opening act for her opening insta worthy weekend at Pearl B&B. However, everything changes the next morning when her sister in law Sarah’s screams wake Jess up.

This was a fun book and light reading. Absolutely loved and hope there is a sequel.

Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the advance copy

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Such the perfect cozy mystery. The author did a great job setting the scene, the idyllic new B & B on opening weekend when murder strikes. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and getting to know the characters and the location. Jess played the part of amateur sleuth in solving the mystery, and saving her business. Overall, it was a nice quick and easy read, perfect for the end of summer.

Review will be shared on instagram in the coming weeks.

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This was a fun read, not the kind of mystery thriller that would keep you on edge but the kind that you'll enjoy reading because it's intriguing and sometimes funny. It's light and modern, worth checking out.

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Peril in Pink
Author: Sydney Leigh
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: N/A
This was a really cute book and would be the perfect beach read for vacation.
The story follows Jess who opens the perfectly pink, instagrammable B&B however her big opening goes awry when someone is murdered opening night! It really was a good whodunnit and sets up the a number of characters from early on as potential perpetrators. I really was kept guessing for the majority of the book. As murder mysteries go this one give really cozy vibes that I really liked.
Some of the writing was a little 'cringe' like the FMCs love of rose wine and some of the influencer style talk but thats just a personal ick of mine.
Overall it was a really cute read.
Thank you netgally and crookedlanebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

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I enjoyed this book . Fun easy read mystery. A great storyline that hooks you in with twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

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Had so much fun reading this one! It was such an enjoyable mystery that I honestly could not guess. 10/10 recommend it for my mystery lovers.

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