This unfortunately was a dnf for me. The blur was so promising. To be honest I just got bored it felt a little slow pased for me. I didn't warm up to characters and I have to be grabbed by the first couple of chapters or I lose interest. The cover of the book is lovely.

This was a neat murder mystery that had a Greek mythology element. I had never read a novel like this before. I was interested from the beginning and overall enjoyed the novel and the writing was fabulous. Bay is a really well rounded main character and I related to her a lot. This novel has dark, moody vibes and serial killer action. It’s perfect for fans of a good “who done it” but who also love supernatural elements in a story.

This was a neat murder mystery that had a Greek mythology element. I had never read a novel like this before. I was interested from the beginning and overall enjoyed the novel and the writing was fabulous. Bay is a really well rounded main character and I related to her a lot. This novel has dark, moody vibes and serial killer action. It’s perfect for fans of a good “who done it” but who also love supernatural elements in a story.

I was lost... I did not expected that from this book... I was expecting a lot of mythology and I had more a thriller and mystery book... So that wasn't bad but not what I expected...

I really enjoyed this book!
Good action with nice character development and ensemble cast. The plot itself is really fascinating as we watch these siblings reunite to find the murderer. You never know what they're going to do next.

For the fans of Greek mythology , cozy vibes and a hint of paranormal, this is the book for you!

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
The premise of this book sounds super interesting as it mixes mythology and amateur sleuthing. However, I found this book to be one that the amateur sleuth aspect takes away from the story. I unfortunately did not like the main character. I found Bay to be very obnoxious and annoying. Additionally, I could not get over the Browning and Downing rhyming names in this book.

First I would like to thank @netgalley for a copy of this book. It was advanced when they gave it to me but I just got around to it 😂 This book started out really strong. I liked the characters, especially our main character Bay as she is a strong go-getter. I, as someone who has an interest in Greek and Egyptian mythology liked the references to them throughout this book. However, if the reader doesn’t know much about these subjects these references may be lost on them. The final scene where the killer was caught was very lack luster and over so quickly, I really wanted more from it. Being a Wisconsin native it was fun reading a book set in Wisconsin, it helped me picture the setting really well in my mind. This cover art is also absolutely stunning.

Overall Rating:
3.5/5 ⭐️

The Medusa Murders | Joy Ann Ribar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

** Thanks to @netgalley and @authorjoyribar for an e-review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

An intense mystery with a cozy vibe
A female academic sleuth
A serial killer
Family dynamics, Greek mythology and archaeology, a light romance, a hint of the paranormal!

Have I got your attention yet? Joy Ann Ribar surely got mine.

What starts out to be a cozy mystery, writen with what seems to be the bookish community in mind, soon turns out to be a gritty, thrilling and mind bending thriller.

Bay Browning is an English Lit Professor. With books, hot beverages, long walks galore and a bit of lesson planning thrown in, she seems to be living the perfect, peaceful life. Until, she becomes the target of a serial killer, Medusa, and only Browning's merit, grit and wit can help the police catch the killer.

Browning starts off as somewhat of a flat, annoying character but we see her develop through the course of the mindfully crafted 297 pages. With her peculiarities and idiosyncrasies, she sure stands out.
The storyline is intricately woven and Ribar does well to hold the readers attention till the very end.

However, some of the plot points seemed a bit convoluted and far fetched and it could have done with a bit more nuance.
That said this is only the first book in the Bay Browning series and this surely sets the tone for an exhilarating and exciting series of books from Joy Ann Ribar.
A series that am looking forward to with utmost eagerness

This book surprised me. I went into it excited to have a mythology based mystery and I enjoyed the quick read except for a few parts. Giving three stars because the mythology piece was well played out but the story itself was lacking.

SPOILERS AHEAD:


I’m not a huge fan of the use of the word “cross-dressers” when referring to drag queens/trans people. It feels derogatory in the way it’s used in the book.

Additionally, the writing style seemed to glorify cops and that just wasn’t my jam either.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how they developed over the course of the story. I am excited to see what's in store for them individually and relationship wise as the series goes on.

I found the mythology and art aspects of the story intriguing and interesting.

Patiently waiting for book 2 in 2024.

2.5 stars

This was such a disappointment after a great start.
The main character Bay, I never warmed up to her, and by the end, she felt just dumb.
The plot twist came out of nowhere, and I felt annoyed by it.
This had so much potential, and I didn't deliver for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Medusa Murders" is a story at the crossroads between cozy mystery and thriller, which can sometimes disorient the reader. I was expecting a bit more interaction between the main character and the detective, and I was sometimes puzzled by the head hopping between her and her sister. However, I let myself be carried away to the end and I enjoyed the characters of this story. However I might have enjoyed the mythological aspect to be a little more exploited.

I loved the use of mystery and mythology in this novel. I was hooked from the first page and getting to solve the mystery going on. It had a great overall feel to it and worked with the modern elements that I was hoping for. Joy Ann Ribar has a great overall feel for the genre and the writing was everything that I wanted.

I went in to this mystery expecting more suspense and fantasy elements, instead I was rewarded with a sweet, cozy, family drama mystery with a touch of romance.

I found the main female lead, Bay, to be relatable and capable. Her lifestyle of tea, books, and walks was dream like an felt like a break into the perfect cozy world, but with murder. The other side characters were down to earth and Cass in specific was one I warmed up to quickly.

The main plot was a murder mystery that the author crafted very well and did a good job keeping the reader attached to it and making it feel like we were seeing clues while leaving me shocked by the end. The finial resolution was a great twist while fitting all the clues and leaving us open for the next novel but not on a cliff hanger. This is a well done mystery that I would recommend to those who enjoy mysteries that are set in the modern, real world, with leads that like settling into their cozy life and are slightly disgruntled to be removed from it for the reason of crime.

I received an ARC of this book at no cost/for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publishing company for giving me an advanced Arc of this book.

Over the last week I have been reading this book and I have enjoyed it, a mix of thriller and Greek mythos.... the concept sounds great because I love both in their own ways (history nerd 🤓 hehe). This book was a fast read that pulls yiu in hoping for the best out of this situation where a killer now has you as their next victim.... for me the writing was nicely done, the story was paced nicely and was a pleasant read.

The Medusa Murders — Joy Ann Ribar
Overall rating: 3

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

The Medusa Murders follows Professor LL Browning (Bay) in a world of mythology, mystery, and murder. From the onset of the novel, Bay is thrown off the deep end—forced into a life with her ex-con sister, Cass, stoic, yet sweet Detective Downing, and brain twisting suspense and murder. The intertwining of a modern setting with an intriguing, ancient mythology, archaeology, and art creates a dynamic adventure!


Honestly, I’m conflicted.

I really wanted to love this book. From the description to the beautiful cover, I was immediately drawn in. I will say that 1. I don’t tend to read mystery books, and this is actually one of my firsts and 2. I didn’t go into the book blind, which may have influenced my perception of the novel.

Things I liked
Bay’s character development. At the beginning of the book, I honestly didn’t like her much. She struck me as a character with a superiority complex, and it felt as if she thought she was better than Cass because Cass is an ex-con. However, Bay’s closed off nature and outward resentment at the beginning allowed for a LOT of character development, and seeing the relationship between the sisters was definitely rewarding.
The characters! Usually I hate seeing too many characters in one novel, but here, they all felt necessary. It was interesting to see how each character contributed to knowledge about the murders. At any given point, I was accusing a different character of murder, which made it really fun to be kept on my toes.
Things that didn’t work for me
The biggest issue for me was the book’s pacing. In my opinion, the book was slow, and some parts felt like they really dragged, which made it hard for me to read through consistently. Some content seemed trivial, and didn’t add to the story. There was a tendency to over explain everyday activities—such as when Bay spent an entire paragraph about the process of her picking up her coffee pods and making coffee. Of course, with this being a mystery book, the author might’ve wanted the highlight to focus on minute details to build up the story. Some parts—like making coffee—seemed to drag, and didn’t add to the actual storyline.

For mystery readers: this book is definitely for you. It’s a lighthearted, yet interesting and engaging story. The additional context with art and mythology adds an extra layer of mystery, and leaves readers questioning the truth and the serial murderer.
* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Medusa Murders

Plot:
Professor L.L. Browning is spending her winter vacation preparing for the upcoming semester, balancing her winter enthusiasm with the teeming responsibilities of being the youngest Department Head.
When her ex-con sister, Cass, visits unannounced and declares her intention to stay, it brings forth a crescendo of unsettling emotions.
Before she can reconcile with this change, new trouble sprouts elsewhere. When her Lululemon raincoat brings a murder mystery and a grumpy detective to her doorstep, Bay is not ready to stay in the dark. She will do whatever it takes to solve this puzzle.

Thoughts :

The characters didn't look like they existed for the story. Real people in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. From character introduction, development, and chemistry to the detailed setting descriptions, the book conveyed impressive ease. Instead of passive descriptions, the characters get thrown into tricky situations right off the bat, allowing them to show their persona. A quick and energetic start.

The book is a wholesome read with vivid imagery. I loved the Academia and Greek-Egyptian mythology references littered throughout the book. Instead of being pretentious by dropping hints, the book leisurely explained the references, like a guided tour into a cozy, detail-rich world.
The Charming Women's mysticism, the herbal apothecary, and the supernatural intuitions give a feeling that there was much more where that came from.

Sharing Bay's love for winter, books, and all things academia, the most endearing part was the vocabulary. Excreta! Hilarious, it made me laugh. Asserting academic dominance: checked.
Even though the ending felt anti-climactic, it made sense within the context of the book. Rather than forcing an outlandish twist, the book managed to keep it believable.
An in-depth and palpable portrayal of family dynamics and human relationships was a surprise.
My only complaint is that Downing felt like an afterthought, sorely underdeveloped for a main lead.
For the fans of hint-at-paranormal cozy mysteries, winter reads, slow-burn chemistry, and a blend of mythology + puzzle-solving + family secrets + academia. Read this book!
I am so looking forward to reading the next book. ASAP.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, the author- Joy-Ann Ribar, and BooksGoSocial for this Advanced Readers Copy, but more importantly, for the amazing time I had reading it.

The Medusa Murders was a fast paced dark academia mystery with mythological elements.

It took me a while to warm to the protagonist, Bay. Her complicated feelings towards her family made her more believable as a character but there were times when I just wanted her to show some kindness and love towards her sister.

I appreciated that the mystery kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved all the references to mythology, art, and literature.

The storytelling could be awkward at times and there were a few plot holes that could have been handled differently.

Overall this was a fun and satisfying read and was engaging enough for me to want to read the next book in the series.