Dollycas's Thoughts

Hannah Solace needs a new start so she comes home to Jasper, Vermont to renovate and reopen an old Victorian hotel she owns with her sister as the Hummingbird Hollow B&B complete with pollinator gardens to draw bees, birds, and hopefully plenty of guests. She is on a tight budget and her sister Reggie has her own ideas about the B&B. She is also at odds with the landscaper working on her newest garden project. Hannah finds her eighty-year-old neighbor Ezra Grayson to be a fount of information regarding any plant, tree, or flower. Ezra can be cantankerous but she has a soft spot for him and his brown mastiff mix, Moose.

Ezra's wife, Molly, passed away a while ago and he feels her presence in the home he has lived in his entire life and 40-plus years with her. But he has not kept up the maintenance and a recent fire has made it barely inhabitable. Yet he has no plans to leave no matter how much his two nephews and niece want him to, or how much money developers offer him for the prime piece of real estate.

Then Hannah finds Ezra dead on her property. She is devastated and is determined to find out who killed her friend. Could it be his own relatives? Or was a developer sick of waiting? She starts to discover that the people of the cozy town of Jasper have secrets. Secrets that may have led to Ezra Grayson's murder.

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I enjoyed meeting Hannah Solace and I admire what she wants to do with the Hummingbird Hollow B&B and the land. Her sister Reggie came across to me as harsh but I loved her six-year-old daughter Peach. She is a little spitfire. I felt for Ezra but the man did have some secrets. His friendship with Hannah was genuine and his life was cut short before he could confide in her fully.  Hannah left Jasper 15 years ago leaving behind some complicated relationships. There was some insight into them in this story as we meet several residents of Jasper, but we have just scratched the surface of these characters.

We are also introduced to Ezra's family. They are all staying at Hannah's Bee & Bee. Maura is Ezra's niece, and Waylen and Rob are his nephews. Rob is joined by his wife Simone. They all encouraged Ezra to sell his land before his death and now believe they are his heirs. They all were complex and had their quirks and agendas making them easy to dislike.

The murders in this mystery are horrific, that and the explicit language take this story out of the cozy realm for me but that doesn't mean I didn't like the story because I did. The mystery was very well-plotted with many stellar twists and turns. Hannah takes a deep dive into Ezra's life to find the answers she needs. Then she really had to think on her feet and fight to survive. I was out of breath following along with her and all she went through. The author had one more twist though and it broke my heart.

Murder on Devil's Pond is a gripping mystery and a strong start for this series. Secrets and greed ring supreme and keep those pages flying. I am excited to return to the Hummingbird Hollow B&B. I hope we don't have to wait too long.

Great start to a new series! I enjoyed the setting and the characters (except for Hannah’s sister), especially Hannah, who is smart and savvy enough to keep herself out of trouble for the most part, and Moose, who quickly learns who he should be loyal to. This is much darker than your typical cozy and has more mature language than I’m used to in them but overall, this was a good read and I look forward to more adventures in the future.

Murder on Devil's Pond is a new village cozy(ish) series starter by Ayla Rose. Released 9th June 2024 by Crooked Lane, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a fairly standard village cozy with the requisite cast of eccentric town oddballs hiding things from one another, irascible grumpy old man (who sadly exits stage left quite quickly), a moderately large cast of suspects, and the main character, 30something Hannah, back in town to open/refurbish a Victorian B&B with her sister.

It's an enjoyable read, if trope-y (but that's why hotel/B&B cozies are such a popular niche genre). It's not at all derivative, and fans of Ellery Adams, Kate Carlisle, and Lynn Cahoon will find a lot to like here. It's marketed as a cozy, but fair warning for sensitive readers, the language is considerably stronger than the usual cozy fare, and there's a wood chipper featured in a murder (it's not graphic, but *yikes*). There are also some issues with the clues in the mystery and the local official police need to be rounded up and stripped of their authority (they share confidential info and are generally mind-blowingly incompetent). Especially surprising since the author is apparently an attorney in real life.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 53 minutes and is read by Maria Ru-Djen. She has a full, well modulated alto voice and does a good job of delineating the characters of a range of ages and both sexes. She has a sort of neutral generic eastern US accent which doesn't overpower the read. Sound and production quality are high throughout.

Three and a half stars. It will be interesting to see how the characters develop over the next few books. Recommended for cozy readers who don't especially mind rougher-than-average language and some more graphic violence than average.

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

Murder on Devil’s Pond by Ayla Rose is the debut of A Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mysteries. This story does not fit into the cozy mystery mold. There is a small town (Jasper, Vermont) with a variety of shops and residents. The first chapter is like an information dump as we are told about various people and what they do or the shop they own (I heard the term, “just the facts, ma’am” going through my head). Hannah Solace discovering the dead body of Ezra Grayson happens in the second chapter. The descriptions are too gruesome for a cozy mystery. Some elements of the whodunit are unbelievable. There is no way a small town can get DNA results within twenty-four hours (unless you are on an hour-long television show). Hannah was focused on getting answers (mostly about a matter relating to the murder). Noah, the local police officer, would pop up at convenient times to share details with Hannah (he was Johnny on the spot). The reveal was lacking in detail (which was odd considering all the specifics in the rest of the book). I found the story to be filled with unfriendly characters who were not fleshed out. Everyone seems stern or unhappy. Even Reggie’s daughter, Peach is not a happy go lucky kid (and I do not blame Peach for not wanting to eat the food presented at mealtimes). The best characters in the story are Turnip, Hannah’s cat, and Moose, Ezra’s dog (loved Moose). I did not appreciate the foul language (even the preacher used it). The bed and breakfast seemed like an afterthought. The rooms are not cleaned on a daily basis, the sheets are not changed daily (yuck), nor are the towels restocked daily. I did not understand how a guest could stiff Hannah on the bill (she has keycards, but she did not get their credit card when they checked in). I know I ran a little long (okay, more than a little), but Murder on Devil’s Pond was not a pleasant reading experience for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ayla Rose for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder on Devil’s Pond coming out July 9, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own. .

I really love cozy mysteries, so I was excited to check out a new one. I love the idea of renovating Victorian homes. I think the inheritance plot is done a lot, but I love it. I think some of the dialogue didn’t feel very natural, a little stilted and awkward. A couple of the characters seemed like cartoon villains. But overall, I really enjoyed the story! I’m excited to check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy east coast mysteries!

I honestly couldn’t warm up to any of these characters except maybe for Peach, what a fun, silly little kid! For some of the time, the book was like a typical cozy mystery, but some parts definitely weren’t. I didn’t see a real need for the f-bomb toward the end because we’d never really gotten much of a character profile that it’d seem to fit with coming from that person. I also didn’t see a need for one of the deaths to be so disgusting. I got a much darker feel while reading parts of this mystery, something I don’t care a whole lot for when I’m expecting a cozy mystery.

The writing was done well and was very descriptive, but I remember liking the other books this author wrote as Wendy Tyson much better than this one. I doubt I’ll continue with this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Hannah Solace has returned to her small town in Vermont to help her sister run a B&B. The only person she’s really reconnect with is Ezra Grayson, the town’s eighty-year-old recluse that most people want to see sell the house he’s lived in most of his life. Then Hannah finds his dead body on the pond that borders the B&B. When she finds herself on the suspect list, Hannah begins to investigate. Is his death related to a secret from the past? Or was one of his heirs, who are staying at the B&B, too impatient to inherit?

I’ll admit, it took me a couple of chapters to fully get pulled into this new world, but once it did, I was fully hooked. The mystery is complex with a variety of motives. I figured one thing out early, but the rest, including the killer, kept me guessing. The characters, including the suspects, grew more complex as I read as well. There are some relationships I’m looking forward to seeing explored further as the series goes along. The environmental themes are well done, and the recipe at the end sounds delicious. This book is a little more on the serious side for a cozy mystery, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a new series you can dig into, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.

Murder on Devil's Pond is book one in the Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery series by Ayla Rose.
I’m so excited for this intriguing new series!
This is a wonderfully written cozy with some amazing characters.
I loved reading about Hannah and all the gang.
I found the book to be well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed, engaging, and believable.
The author plotted out a complicated mystery that an enjoyed uncovering with them.
I will be keeping my eyes open for the second title in the series!

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

First book in the Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery series.

Hannah Solace is back in her old home town, renovating the inn she owns with her sister Reggie. She develops a friendship with 8o year old Ezra and is devastated when he is found dead, probably murdered. For a few good reasons Hannah is a suspect and she has to investigate to clear her own name.

This is a very nicely written cozy with some excellent characters. Ezra's dog Moose is up there with the best of them! I enjoyed the setting and the mystery. There were lots of possible suspects and it was an intriguing path to follow to get to the real culprit. I will look out for more in the series as they appear.

Ayla Rose's debut novel, Murder on Devil's Pond, is an outstanding start to the Hummingbird Hollow B&B mysteries. The book strikes a perfect balance between character development, setting, and a gripping mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Hannah Solace is a relatable and likable protagonist, and her interactions with her overbearing sister Reggie and the reclusive Ezra Grayson add depth to the story.

The small-town dynamics and the intricacies of family relationships are portrayed with skill, making the plot all the more engaging. The twists and turns, especially regarding the true heir to Ezra's estate, are expertly handled and kept me hooked. I also appreciated the gardening tidbits, which added a charming touch to the narrative.

Overall, Murder on Devil's Pond is an engrossing read that I highly recommend to fans of cozy mysteries. I look forward to the next installment in the series.

This book sounded good but didn't live up to my hopes. While I did read it completely through I didn't connect with any of the characters. They were all difficult to find anything to like. Even the main character. I almost didn't finish the book but decided to continue to see how it was solved. But I wasn't super excited about the conclusion either. Felt rather rushed.

And it was never really mentioned that the town or B&B were vegan or vegetarian but all the food mentioned is in that style and it felt pretentious.

Why do I always get so attached to the murdered victim?! Murder on Devil's Pond had me eagerly flipping pages to find out who would dare kill off the character that was only in one chapter and yet stole mh heart anyway. The story follows Inn owner Hannah as she tries to find out who killed her elderly friend and neighbor, cantankerous Ezra.
Murder on Devil's Pond is Knives Out: Cozy Mystery edition and I adored it! It has the intrigue and drama associated with inheritances, but done in a way different from any I've read before. The atmosphere of the small town was well done and while there were many characters, all of them were fleshed out enough to seem realistic! I was intrigued by the story and surprised that I didn't guess the ending until just before it was revealed!
While I would be satisfied with it being a stand alone, I can totally see Ayla Rose setting more mysteries in Jasper with Hannah!

Murder on Devil's Pond is book #1 in the A Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery series by Ayla Rose.

I enjoyed this new series. I like Hannah and what she is doing with her B&B. Her sister Reggie comes on a bit strong. There was quite a twist regarding her friend’s death. Most of the characters were not very likable which made me feel bad for the victim. It was interesting how Hannah’s investigation led to all kinds of secrets being revealed, including some about her own family. It was well-written and edited and very easy to read.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Murder on Devil’s Pond, Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery #1 by Ayla Rose from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.

…a solid well-written, intriguing mystery with an interesting plot, a touch of romance and a quirky cast of characters. I highly recommend!

When Hannah Solace returns to Jasper, Vermont after leaving her toxic marriage she settles down with her cat Turnip to run an Eco-Friendly B & B she co-owns with her sister Reggie.

Much to the disbelief of her community she befriends the reclusive curmudgeon, and town pariah, Ezra Grayson. 80-year-old, Ezra who still mourns the death of his wife lives alone in a dilapidated home that is falling apart around him with his loyal dog Moose. When he is harassed by almost everyone from Reggie’s ex-husband to Ezra’s distant relatives, all pushing him to sell the valuable property that has been in his family for generations he turns to Hannah, the only person who has been his faithful friend. A former botanist, Ezra and Hannah bonded over their love of the environment and Ezra acted as a mentor while she began the process of rewilding the B & B’s vast property. When Hannah stumbles upon Ezra’s dead body on her property she is devastated. A protective Moose guards Ezra’s body not letting police near him, familiar with the poor pup Hannah manages to get him away from Ezra and takes him in.

As the case proceeds it appears all the evidence points to Hannah, and when she learns that she is the sole heir to Ezra’s estate she realizes she is now prime suspect in the eyes of the police. With Ezra’s vulture-like relatives staying at the B & B, the same relatives who still believe they are Ezra’s heirs Hannah must quietly get to the bottom of Ezra’s death to clear her name. When someone learns Hannah is the sole heir she becomes a target for the real murderer and must watch her back as she searches for the truth. The more Hanna digs the more she uncovers uncomfortable truths about Ezra that include her family, bad business dealings, and shameful secrets from the past which all set Ezra on his devastating path.

I thoroughly enjoy this series debut, although slow in certain parts it’s a solid well-written, intriguing mystery with an interesting plot, a touch of romance, and a quirky cast of characters. I highly recommend!

Murder on Devil’s Pond seems to be about people not being what you expect. Hannah has a past as a rebellious young woman on the wrong side of the law….maybe. I was never clear on whether that was the case or if it just had to do with not coming home when her mother was dying.
Reggie is her big sister and is purported to be interfering in Hannah's changes to the inn, but she seemed far more involved in her real estate business and raising her daughter, Peach. Most the interfering she did with Hannah was to try to convince her to stop investigating.
Ezra is the murder victim and Hannah’s friend, but had a past no one really expected.
Ezra’s relatives don’t turn out to be what they presented themselves as either.
As you can see I know much about the characters, but I didn’t really connect with them or with the setting. The mystery is interesting and has multiple components spanning past and present.
The narrator of the audiobook did a good job. I liked the book okay but it didn’t wow me or leave me curious about future books.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read this book.

Hannah Solace had befriended Ezra Grayson in the two years since she'd returned to her hometown to run the inn with her sister Reggie; Ezra was eighty, Hannah thirty three, but they grew close, more a father/daughter relationship than anything. Ezra was a grumpy old fellow, always talking about "the vultures" who wanted him to sell his rundown old home because of the land value. So many wanted to turn it into apartments - Ezra was determined not to sell. But when Hannah discovered Ezra's body in the pond on her property, she was shattered. And with Noah leading the local police, and Hannah a suspect, she decided it was up to her to find the answers to Ezra's death.

A niece and two nephews of Ezra's were staying at Hannah's inn and she didn't feel comfortable around them. As Hannah began her deep dig into Ezra's past she found some unsettling facts; her conjecture about what happened was making her nervous. While Noah was insisting she leave it alone, Ezra's lawyer told her something that shocked her to her core. Would Hannah unearth the secrets of Ezra's past and find his killer? Was it all connected in some way?

Murder on Devil's Pond is the first in the Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery series by Ayla Rose and I enjoyed it very much! Hannah is a wonderful character and her niece, Peach, is a delight. I also loved Moose, Ezra's dog and Turnip the cat! A great start to a series, I'll be looking for #2 when it is released. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️

Ever since returning to her hometown, Hannah Solace had been trying to fix up the old Victorian hotel in town. It was a difficult job with many hold ups, including financial issues, unreliable contractors, and Hannah's own reputation from when she left town fifteen years ago. Her main friend in the town turned out to be an 80 year old recluse named Ezra that lived nearby. The old man was spry which was why she was surprised to find Ezra dead on her property one afternoon. It turned out that Ezra had been murdered and with Ezra's property being prime real estate for many business in town there were many suspects who had a reason to want Ezra dead. Hannah included.

This was a nice cute and cozy mystery that. I judge basically all cozy mysteries against Murder, She Wrote and this met those expectations. I loved Hannah returning to town for a second chance, even though most of the towns people knew her as a wild child. It really showed how small towns can be both supportive but also super judgey. I loved the friendship between her and Ezra and especially loved Ezra's dog, Moose. Ezra was such a cranky old man, but the more Hannah dug into the mystery of his death, the more we got to see the sweeter side of him that he kept hidden. I also liked learning about Ezra's relationship with Luis and how grief and grudges effect a person differently.

My biggest issue with this was the timeline. This is supposed to be the first book in a series but there was a lot of discussion about things that happened off paper that it felt like the author expected us to know. A lot of it was based around Hannah's family history, like her relationship with her father and the downfall of her sister's former relationship. Both of those things were important, but they were so nonchalantly thrown into the story like a reminder that these things happened that just made things hard to follow. I also have an issue with any story that has a character being friends with a cop and then is offended when they clearly have a motive and their cop friend does their job. Hannah was so offended that her cop friend was investigating her even though she had one of the biggest motives and if anything she made herself more suspicious.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC to me!

"Murder on Devil's Pond," written by Ayla Rose, is a captivating mystery. The author crafts a clever and intricate plot filled with unexpected twists and turns that held my interest throughout.

One of the standout features of this audiobook is the natural and engaging dialogue. The author's ability to write conversations that feel authentic and meaningful adds depth to the characters and enhances the overall listening experience. Each character, from the protagonists to the suspects, is well-developed and brought to life.

"Murder on Devil's Pond" is more than just a whodunit; it's a masterclass in mystery storytelling. Ayla Rose's intricate plotting and natural dialogue will captivate readers from start to finish. (I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.) Whether you're a fan of mysteries or simply enjoy a well-told tale, this book needs to be added to your to-be-read list.

A nice start to a new series that sees Hannah working with her sister Reggie at their B&B and trying to solve the murder of Ezra, an older man who many disliked but Hannah had bonded with. This is the set up for the series so know that things might not seem entirely fleshed out but also that it's an easy read. There's good dynamics between Hannah and Reggie (well, they're opposites and the banter tilts toward argument at times), a nice (except for that murder thing) small town vibe, a dog, a possible love interest in Detective Noah Booker, and a sufficiently twisty case to keep you guessing. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

Hannah's friend Ezra dies. Murder. Is his family behind this? Hannah tries to find out who the culprit is.
It's an enjoyable story with quite real characters and I had a nice time reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.