3.5 stars (rounded down)

After a disappointing October offering, Jess Lourey returns to form with ‘November Hunt’ which opens with an intriguing premise – Clive’s accidental shooting of his hunting buddy, and employer, Tom Kicker.
I took a little break from these after October, as I had a few in a row and was starting to wane a bit on them.
But right from the off, this one feels like a return to form: from the aforementioned hunting scene to Mira’s woes when it comes to driving in winter. One of my favourite things about these novels is how Battle Lake is almost a character within them – that element was lost a little in the previous novel but is back in force here.
One thing that is not back in so much force is Mrs Berns, who is outsourced to Sedona from early on, but not before bullying Mira into looking into the shooting as a way of chalking up some hours for her PI licence. There are suspicions afoot that the shooting was not an accident, and given that Mira moved to the murder capital of the northern states, it’s a safe bet that the suspicions are right.
What follows is a solid mystery that offers us a reasonable line of suspects, unearths new twists and turns, and a few side quests along the way. In fact, some of the sidelines were almost too much – there was a particular twist, late on in the novel, that I felt could have made a good mystery of its own.
There’s the usual zaniness with Kennie, the swooning brooding with Johnny, an out-of-leftfield development with local cop Gary Wohnt, and bookending it all, some Mrs Berns to play us in and out of this instalment of the monthly murder mystery series.
The mysteries have been getting progressively darker, and in the case of one or two, a little bit out there. This one keeps its feet on the ground, so to speak. There are no speculative sciences or murderous cults – the story is very human, very local, and really feeds into the ‘secrets of a small town’ notion that so many other novels do.
I can’t help thinking that a quick phone call to Mrs Berns about three-quarters of the way through might have answered a lot of questions but I think the whole point was that Mira needed to take this one on, on her own.
As I say, a solid return to fun form and I look forward to the next one after a buffer break of one or two other, different book in between.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I love the Murder by Month series! Mira James has an uncanny ability of being in the wrong place at the right time. I missed Mrs. Berns in this one. I swear she could have her own spinoff. It was fun to see Mira interact with new characters though. Kennie shlepping vitamins that caused bog burps, neon coloring, and uncontrollable hair growth was memorable!! 🤭🤣

I don't know, I think I'm losing the thread here. I was really hooked on this series for awhile, but by this point, it got weird. Like the thing with the writer's blocked church lady and the fistfuls of stinky hair vitamins... idk. I'll keep going because I've come this far and I do enjoy Mira's storyline, but it's flagging.

I have a very similar review for every one of her month books. To me they get boring because they are the exact same and I just wished they changes up some at least.

I love a good cozy crime book as a palette cleanser between more serious reads and Jess Lourey's Murder by Month series always delivers on that. "November" is a solid mystery and the banter between the characters is as delightful as ever. If you're into cozy mysteries, you're going to like this one!

Another great addition to the murder by month series by Jess Lourey. This series is a quick read, but should be read in order in my opinion despite the author saying otherwise.

I think this is the last one i needed to review. Thank you so much for gifting me this entire series!!! I loved every single book. Thank you!

This is the 7th book in Jess Lourey's Murder by Month cozy mystery series about Mira James, a part time reporter and librarian in Battle Lake, Minnesota. I'm really enjoying seeing how the characters' lives progress each month, as well as the murder mystery part of the stories.

This month Mira decides to take her sleuthing skills to the next level by becoming a professional PI, and her first case is to look into a hunting accident that she doesn't believe was accidental. She's still looking for unique local recipes and even mentions beavertails, which are a Canadian specialty. She's also getting closer to Johnny Leeson, and Mrs. Bern and Kennie Rogers are both up to more crazy antics. This was my favorite of the series so far, I had a few theories about what might have happened and there were a few unexpected twists.

Definitely recommend!

The protagonist is a nightmare. She's seriously just so strange. And taking fistfuls of vitamins?!? I'm sorry, but I would hope an adult would know that's a bad idea and would not end with cutesy consequences. That bugged me, like, a lot. Overall, the story was good, minus Mira.

**Book Review: *November Hunt* by Jess Lourey**

Jess Lourey's *November Hunt* is a frosty, thrilling addition to the Mira James Mysteries, blending humor, intrigue, and a chilling setting into an irresistible package. From the moment Battle Lake local Tom Kicker's "hunting accident" turns deadly, the plot hooks you with its compelling mix of small-town secrets and personal vendettas.

Mira James, the protagonist with a sharp wit and a growing knack for sleuthing, is as endearing as ever. Her journey toward earning her PI license adds a layer of vulnerability and determination that makes her relatable and admirable. Lourey expertly balances Mira's sharp instincts with her softer side, especially in her romantic connection with Johnny Leeson. Their chemistry provides warmth amidst the frigid Minnesota backdrop and the darker themes of the story.

The mystery itself is tightly woven, unraveling at a satisfying pace as Mira digs into the decades-old secrets that the town's "good old boys" have buried. Lourey’s knack for creating colorful, well-drawn characters shines here, from the earnest Tom Kicker’s daughter to the suspicious Clive. The revelations are both surprising and plausible, with each clue building toward an explosive conclusion that ties the threads together.

What sets *November Hunt* apart is Lourey’s ability to blend genres seamlessly. The humor lightens the story’s more somber moments, while the budding romance offers a comforting counterbalance to the darker mystery. The frigid setting is vividly described, making the cold almost a character in itself—a chilling reminder of both the physical and emotional stakes Mira faces.

Lourey’s editorial revisions in this edition sharpen the narrative, making the story brisk and immersive. Fans of cozy mysteries with a twist of rom-com and those new to Mira James alike will find much to enjoy here.

*November Hunt* is a page-turner that keeps you guessing until the very end. With its clever plot, endearing characters, and just the right dose of humor and heart, it’s a briskly entertaining read that will leave you eager to join Mira on her next adventure. Highly recommended for mystery lovers looking for a story with depth, charm, and bite.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5

Great boook, it is part of a series but I started with this one and didn't feel like I missed anything a little of the main character back story but overall a great story .

This is such a fun series and November Hunt brings another month/season of chaos in Battle Lake, and of course, murder. Jess Lourey really did such a phenomenal job writing these books because they're just pure fun.

November in Battle Lake, Minnesota, is cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table. lt's also deer hunting season. When Tom Kicker is killed in a hunting accident, Mira James is hired to investigate--a job that brings her closer to a P.I. license. Braving subzero temps and shrieking blizzards, Mira uncovers a decades-old scandal that has never quite died, unlike the cold stiffs who are piling up in the town morgue. As she pieces together the clues, Mira discovers that Battle Lake's good-old boys have been up to some bad business. But with threats and enemies around every icy corner, she may not live long enough to expose the truth.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

When a local business owner is accidentally killed while hunting with a friend, Mira is asked to investigate by the victim's daughter. At the same time, Mira is struggling to take it slow with her new romantic interest, Johnny Leeson. Her elderly spitfire friend Mrs. Berns is not as involved in this particular story, and she was missed! Having grown up about 20 miles away from Battle Lake, I'm always amazed at how accurately the author portrays the culture of small towns in Lakes Country. Very little is artistic license!

As always, this book was fun to read. I'm not a huge fan of hunting, but grew up with it, so it really wasn't that offensive to read about it here. Keep 'em coming, Jess! This series is one of my all time favorites!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this book. My opinions are my own!

I really enjoyed this addition to the Murder by Month Mystery series. I feel like you can tell how Jess Lourey is developing in her writing as the series goes on! Mira’s choices confuse me sometimes, but I’m starting to really like her finally. Mrs. Berns is still my favorite character though! I didn’t like Gary, the cop, until this book. I’m wondering if him and Mira will end up together. I’m not sure how I feel about that! I like Johnny!

A cosy crime mystery and part of a series set in a small Minnesota town. I was on the back foot with the characters having not read any of the other installments. The author has well written characters and knows the setting well, but the novel was not for me.

Another stellar book from Jess. After reading several other murder by month books from her, this is by far my favorite! The plot flows nicely, the characters have a good dynamic that contribute to the overall development of the story. The length is perfect for a quick afternoon or night read.

Thank you Jess for approving me!

Love all of Lourey's books, but especially the murder by month series! Mira James is a character, and she's surrounded by a colorful cast of neighbors and friends that bring these books to life in such a fun way. Definitely recommend!

Even though this is the seventh book in the series, it is the first one I have read. However, I had no problem getting caught up!

I enjoyed the characters, Mira the MC is working in a library and trying to get her PI licence. Even though she doesn't have her license yet Mrs. Berns (a real character, who made me chuckle) refers Mira her first case.

I enjoyed the setting. Battle Creek, Minnesota is a quirky small town.

I also felt the book was well plotted, and kept me entertained.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

A cozy mystery set in Battle Lake, MN. Right out the gate you know that a prominent townsman, Tom has been shot and killed by his best friend, Clive, during hunting season. Tom’s grieving daughter, Hallie, thinks there’s more to her dad’s death than meets the eye.

Mrs. Berns, the 90 year old town busy body, gets Mira (FMC) to take on Hallie’s concern as a PI case. I loved Mrs. Berns and wished she had been in town for the duration of the book, she was my favorite character!

The book was a fast read, with shocking twists that lead you to the why and what of the past has lead to the demise of Tom. Leaving you with a bit of a moral quandary on how you feel about some of the players, the overall small town hidden secrets and those that kept the past in the past.

I enjoyed Mira’s fumbling investigative skills and look forward to my next Monthly Murder book!