This was a great beginning to a new series for me. I can not wait to see how the characters grow as the series continues.

What a delightful start to a new series! I love Dahlia's awkwardness/neurodivergence (?) and her first-person narrative voice. When she says the utterly wrong and inappropriate thing, I am right there with her! I love how there are things now and then, like her sister's relationship with Amal, that she's totally unaware of, even though the reader's aware.

It's so bittersweet that she and her sister were estranged for year's before her sister's death, and that tinges the whole book for me. It feels like something of a tender read, as Dahlia settles into the life that really, her sister Daisy was living (for the most part). Amal, Dahlia's niece, the neighbors...it feels like a community that I'd enjoy being part of...well, except for the murders.

And the murders are well plotted and explained. I can't wait for book 2!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Though I read the book in one sitting, I have struggled somewhat to write this review because, despite the "mystery" tag, and while there is a murder to solve and the protagonist actively helps find the truth, the main thrust of the story is how one Dahlia Vale leaves a lonely and unsatisfactory life behind, and finds family, friends, and a growing new sense of self.

Beware: death of parents and grandmother in the past; death of a sibling; cancer; grief; copaganda.

The story is narrated in first person, past tense, exclusively from Dahlia's point of view. It is fairly evident, almost from the first paragraph, that Dahlia is neurodivergent, likely on the autism spectrum, and that she often struggles with social interactions, no matter the context. She's generally quiet, requires routine, and has very few outlets for her anxiety, which makes it easier for loudmouths to steamroll her and take advantage of her at work.

Dahlia has been working as an analyst for a contractor for the Department of Defense for about a decade; her closest friend is her service dog, a chocolate Labrador she's named Taco Dog. His job is to make sure her food doesn't have any legumes, because she's deathly allergic to them, and while I'd rather hear less about his drooling, he's a source of emotional comfort for Daisy, and for far too long, the only outlet for her love.

But before her lonely life in Virginia, Dahlia had lived with her twin, Daisy, and their grandmother, in Oregon, until the latter's death. Then, one day, her sister took her half of their inheritance and her young daughter, and left--without leaving a forwarding address.

Fast forward to the present. Daisy has just died, of an aggressive form of cancer, and her lawyer contacts Dahlia to inform her that she's been named guardian of her niece, Diantha, and trustee of the child's inheritance: a thriving bed and breakfast slash inn, in a small town in the California coast near Los Angeles.

Upon arriving to Saltcliff, Dahlia struggles to reconcile Daisy's apparent fondness for her--as everyone from her niece to the inn's manager to Daisy's friends and neighbors mention things the latter told them about her--with the drastic rift between them. And that's nothing compared to trying to bond with a grief stricken twelve year old, or learn to do a job that requires constant interactions with strangers--never mind dealing with the very first honest-to-goodness murder in the community, happening just days after Dahlia's arrival, and followed soon by a second.

As the blurb indicates, Dahlia soon finds herself investigating the murders, encouraged by both her niece and Amal, the inn's manager, and, in a pleasant change from the usual run of small town cozies, by the detective in charge of the investigation.

"Are you playing a bit of detective, Ms Vale?" Maybe I had been, but of course it was silly to think I would have any intuition about this when I had none to offer about anything else. (Detective Owen Sanderson to Dahlia, chapter 6)

The investigation into the murders is cleverly rendered, even though things aren't, on the whole, terribly complicated; the real hook of the story for me are the characters, and mostly Dahlia herself, growing from feeling perennially out of place--and out of pace--with the world around her, to finding a sense of comfort and self-confidence, both at the inn and in her sister's home, and with the people around her.

Dahlia feels very well done as someone in the spectrum; the second guessing, the social awkwardness, the occasional fixation on a thing or topic while other people move on with the conversation, felt very real; ditto her awareness of her own limitations in expressing empathy and caring.

And so it's lovely to feel her relax into her new surroundings, and find a different sense of routine, surrounded by people she can learn to love and to trust to accept her as she is, as well as new outlets for both her anxieties and extra energy.

The other characters, all seen from Dahlia's unique perspective, are nonetheless three-dimensional people; as she is so very observant, there are things about them that are clear to the reader--or at least, strongly hinted at--that she may never articulate, even to herself.

For example, Amal is mourning Daisy, which Dahlia notices more than once; at one point, Amal braces herself to tell Dahlia something, in a sort of preemptive move when she learns the latter has been hearing gossip around town, but they are interrupted. And so, despite the narrative making it evident, Dahlia never notices or explicitly acknowledges that the two women were likely in a romantic relationship.

I particularly liked Diantha's characterization, and how the relationship between grieving child and neurodivergent aunt develops. At first, Dahlia is completely at sea; not only are they strangers, she has no experience with children of any age, none at all, and this particular child is a preteen on the cusp of puberty, dealing with all the angst and uncertainty of that age, as well as with the loss of her only parent, and the introduction of this complete unknown authority figure in her life.

"Aunt Dolly? Now that we know each other a little bit, do you think you would please call me Danny like everyone else?" "I think I can manage, if that's what you prefer." "It is. But does that mean I have to call you Aunt Dahlia, because you prefer it?" "Actually, I think maybe here in Saltcliff, I am more of a Dolly." (Danny and Dahlia, chapter 9)

The other important secondary character is Detective Sanderson. As the apparent love interest for Dahlia, his characterization is especially interesting; once again, the reader (and other secondary characters) are aware of his gentle courtship well before Dahlia is. Among other things, he goes out of his way to reassure Dahlia, and to make her feel heard and seen.

"Sometimes I take things very literally, sorry. It takes me a minute to realize when someone is kidding." "I understand" The words were simple, and something in me felt as if he really did. And there was a wealth of reassurance in that idea. Very few people did understand. (Dahlia and Owen, chapter 6)

There are a number of minor characters, from the victims to the suspects, to neighbors and fellow small business owners, and while several of those are mostly sketched in, as they appear in one or two scenes at most, there is still enough of a sense of community for the other, more important characters to exist in.

The setting, a small touristy town, is saved from implausibility by its nearness to Los Angeles, and by being a tourist destination, ergo having enough outside traffic bringing money in for all the quaint little businesses to survive, if not necessarily thrive. (I reserve the right to side-eye the pet spa, however.)

I really appreciated how grief is treated here; given that one of the characters is a child mourning her mother, the light touch used felt just right.

"I think grief is one of those things that sort of moves in to stay. It's something you learn to live with, to make room for. The longer it stays, the more you get used to it, and the less room it takes. But then there are days now and then when it wants to remind you it's still there. And those are the hard days." (Dahlia to Danny, chapter 14)

I essentially inhaled this book and look forward to reading the next in the series, as I am charmed by Dahlia's voice. My main quibble, beyond the, lets call it "simplicity", of the mystery, is that a number of questions that feature prominently in the setup of the story are never actually explained. For example, there are a few teases as to what caused Daisy to vanish from Dahlia's life, but no real answers. Same with the former's feelings about the latter, as opposed to Dahlia's own feelings about it.

Of course, it's likely that most of these issues will be explored during the life of the series, but I felt a bit frustrated by the lack of answers by the time the book ended.

Keeled Over at the Cliffside gets an 8.75 out of 10.

En bref, j'ai aimé l'ambiance de ce roman et le suspense qui nous tient en haleine jusqu'à la fin, les personnages sont sympathiques même si j'ai trouvé Dahlia un peu "froide" et j'ai apprécié la façon dont l'autrice nous décrit les lieux et les événements. Les pages se tournent facilement, on a envie d'avoir les réponses à nos questions et si l'intrigue est cousue de fil blanc dans sa construction, le final est par contre étonnant par sa conclusion. Un chouette moment en assez bonne compagnie.

When Daisy passes away, she not only leaves her sister, Dahlia, her B&B, but also gives her guardianship of her daughter. There’s much to learn and Dahlia finds out that there’s far more going on than she ever could have thought.

Can uncovering secrets and facing truths help Dahlia and Diantha move forward? Along with taco, they’ll do their best to solve the mysteries that played them.

I came for the mystery, and I would come back again for more. Especially for more of taco! You’ve got love it when a Labrador is part of the equation a great start to a new cozy mystery series.

New cozy series! New cozy series!!!
Dahlia has to leave her boring analytical job on the east coast to take guardianship of her niece and the inn she is set to inherit from her recently deceased mother, Dahlia's twin sister. As Dahlia finds her way around the small town of Saltcliff, she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. Classic cozy tropes ensue but the series also offers some unique twists in the form of a service dog, a devastated and acting out teenager, and Dahlia trying to come to terms with the missed relationship with her sister. Also, never overlook the yummy recipes at the back of the book in case you need a little treat to treat yourself with while you treat yourself to a good cozy read!

Keeled Over at the Cliffside is the first book in a new and promising cozy series that takes place in California. The author is rather good at describing characters and the setting and all the characters are likeable. It was an enjoyable read and I like reading cozy mysteries from time to time. I can’t wait to read the next one. It was a good read and I am giving it five stars and recommending it to all cozy mystery lovers.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Keeled Over at the Cliffside is the first installment in a new cozy mystery series that takes place on the sunny California coast. Dahlia moves to Saltcliff on the Sea after inheriting her late sister's bed and breakfast. Dahlia not only becomes an innkeeper overnight but also a guardian to her niece. While attempting to balance innkeeping and parenting, Dahlia is also trying to make friends (something that she is not overly good at) in her new town. The last thing Dahlia needs in her life is more drama; unfortunately, that is exactly what she gets when not one but two people are discovered murdered. Dahlia's inquisitive mind gets the best of her and she soon finds herself donning an amateur sleuthing hat.

Keeled Over at the Cliffside is a fantastic first book in a series. The author does a great job introducing the characters and the setting. There is enough backstory to understand why the characters are where they are; however, there is plenty more to be discovered in future books. Saltcliff on the Sea is the perfect setting for a cozy: small town, quirky businesses, cozy inn, beautiful gardens, etc. The characters all seem interesting, and I'll be looking forward to learning more about them. I particularly enjoyed (and related to) Dahlia's social awkwardness. I also love when food is its own character in cozies. There were quite a few well-described and delicious sounding dishes in Keeled Over at the Cliffside. I'm excited to read about what Dahlia and Taco get up to next!

Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart is the first book in the Saltcliff Mysteries. Dahlia Vale and her service dog, Taco relocate to Saltcliff on the Sea after the death of her twin, Daisy. Dahlia is going to run her late sister’s bed and breakfast as well as become her niece’s guardian. I found Keeled Over at the Cliffside to be easy to read. Dahlia is likeable. She is awkward in social situations. Dahlia does not know how to act or what to say to people at times (okay, most of the time). Dahlia has Taco, a friendly service dog, because she is allergic to legumes (she must have a severe allergy). Taco sniffs her food before she eats it to make sure there are no traces of legumes. I did find Taco’s drooling to be realistic (my Doozy was a drooler), but I would not want a drooling dog sniffing my food. A local developer dies and then a chef. Dahlia is curious about the crimes and does a little digging around. Dahlia’s keen observation skills have Owen, the detective on the case, asking her for assistance. The two follow the clues to solve the crime. The whodunit is not a head scratcher. I was left with a question or two at the end. There was a touch too much romance for me (the flirting, the blushing, the awkward encounters). I enjoyed the cozy elements with Dahlia making friends and getting to know her niece plus the friendly town (well, except for the murders), the pretty gardens, and a darling dog. Keeled Over at the Cliffside is a cute cozy with a grief-stricken teenager, a sociable service dog, a dead developer, curious clues, a dashing detective, and an uplifting future.

A well plotted cozy with a very interesting main character, varied supporting cast, and a twisty mystery. Dahlia is very literal and excellent at figuring out puzzles. While this makes her feel alienated and socially awkward, it also endears her to the other characters and to me, the reader. Dahlia and Danny grow together forming a bond lovely between aunt and niece.

Cute cozy mystery with likeable and relatable characters and a solid mystery to be solved. Kick back, relax, and just enjoy!

I received a free copy of, Keeled Over at the Cliffside, by Nancy Stewart, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. After the death of her sister Daisy, Dahlia inherits her sisters Inn, and guardianship of her niece Diantha. That would be a lot of change for anyone, but throw in a mystery, and Dahlia has a lot on her plate. This was an enjoyable, but short, cozy mystery.

My review is already up on Goodreads and says the following.

4.5| Overall, this was a delightful book. I could not put it down and finished it in less than a day. The cozy town of Saltciff is beautifully described, which adds to the reading experience. I loved the charm of the town and the townspeople. Seeing Dahila's internal turmoil with her late estranged sister was interesting as she navigated her new life and her relationship with her niece. I loved how much personality Dahila has; it is nice to see a character with quirks. While awkward at times, many of Dahlia's conversations seemed realistic and fit the character very well. I loved Taco Dog and how realistic his behavior and mannerisms are to a Labrador. Taco being so emotionally in tune is very accurate to the breed, and it's nice to see how much Dahila relies on Taco. This book is a great first book in the series; I can tell many things are set up to unfold in the next book, and I am interested to see where it leads. One thing I wish I did get to hear more about is Daisy and Amales relationship. While I'm assuming it will be elaborated more throughout the series, I was really waiting for more context and backstory to be given. The murder mystery aspect was enjoyable and had me guessing who it was til the end, which is always nice. The romance was a little bit heavy but comes with the naivety of the character. The recipes at the end are a fun addition that I really enjoyed. This book was an easy and fun read with very likable characters I'd be interested to see more of in the future.

"Keeled Over at the Cliffside (Saltcliff Mysteries #1)" by Nancy Stewart is the first book in a new series. Dahlia leaves the East Coast for the West Coast when her estranged twin sister dies from cancer. She doesn't technically inherit anything but rather is granted custody of her tween niece and the care of her sister's inn that will go to her niece when she's an adult. Personally, I get the sense that Dahlia is neurodivergent in some way. Which is nice to see that representation, as an autistic female myself. Dahlia also has a pretty severe allergic to legumes (peanuts and similar plants) which means we get Taco Dog, the service Labrador.

The mystery doesn't have anything to do with her sister beyond her sister's interest in plants. Taco Dog gets to use his special skills to help out as well. Between trying to make new friends, despite her difficulty with social skills, and connecting with her tween age niece, Dahlia gets asked to officially be a second set of eyes on the case of a couple of poisonings by a very attractive police detective. It ends up being a case of murder and karma.

One of my favorite genres is cozy mysteries. This book is a great example of that type of book. The characters are interesting and the plot line well done with some clues but by no means an easy guess. Just enough romance to keep things moving along nicely. I would recommend this book for any fan of mysteries, especially the cozy kind. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

#KeeledOverattheCliffside #NetGalley is an enjoyable cozy mystery that invites the reader to meet new characters and explore the seaside town of Saltcliff on the Sea.
Dahlia has become the guardian of her niece Diantha after the death of her mother, as well as caretaker for her sister's bed and breakfast.
Dahlia's dog Taco, a nut sniffing pooch brings love and charm to this book.
When Dahlia becomes involved in a murder investigation, the story becomes quite addictive and I couldn't put it down.
I can't wait to read more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

A fun and cozy mystery story with a really atmospheric setting and a cute dog! I really liked the characters in this, especially introverted Dahlia, they felt very messy and real and they were very endearing

In the charming seaside town of Saltcliff on the Sea, Dahlia Vale's life is about to take a dramatic twist. Leaving behind her monotonous job as a defense contractor, Dahlia inherits her late sister Daisy’s cozy inn and a new role as guardian to her spirited niece, Diantha. But Saltcliff holds more than just new beginnings; it hides whispers of past loves, local feuds, and a string of suspicious deaths that soon draw Dahlia into their depths.

Navigating her new life with the loyal Taco, her service dog, at her side, Dahlia stumbles upon secrets that Daisy left behind. The quaint Saltcliff Bed & Breakfast becomes center stage for these mysteries as Dahlia uncovers links between a controversial local chef's death and her sister’s secretive gardening habits. As Dahlia delves deeper, aided by the astute Detective Owen Sanderson, she finds herself untangling a web of betrayal, blackmail, and hidden motives—all under the guise of serving the perfect morning scones to her guests.

With each chapter, Dahlia transitions from an outsider to a beloved figure in the community, piecing together clues with a charm only a true amateur sleuth could possess. Amidst the culinary delights and scenic walks on the beach, *Keeled Over at the Cliffside* crafts a tapestry of intrigue and murder, testing Dahlia's wit and pulling her further into the heart of Saltcliff's darkest secrets. Will Dahlia serve justice as adeptly as she serves her guests?

Step into the pages of this culinary cozy mystery, where every character has a story, and the truth is as layered as a well-baked pastry. Perfect for fans of a good puzzle and a great plate of food (or those who just love a loyal Labrador), this book promises to be a delicious read from start to finish.

Join Dahlia, Diantha, and Taco as they discover that even the most picturesque towns can hide the most sinister secrets.