Cryptid conference? Bigfoot enthusiasts? Yes please! Maggie Andrews finds herself in the wackiest situations and Tara Lush writes the best quirky characters and over-the-top shenanigans. This has all the Florida-man types - from Bigfoot hunters to social media influencers - coming together in an action-packed cozy mystery that will keep you guessing and giggling.

I love the dynamic between twins Maggie and Vera. Their respective love interests and supporting characters make this series fun and bingeable.

You will love the spunky Maggie Andrews in ALL the Critters And Criminals books. In Swamp Princess, the Gator Queen is on the hunt for crimes... at a Bigfoot convention! Believe it or not, it's all very relatable. At least for this NYC to FL transplant. Love the slow burn romance and the fun twists.

4/5 Stars

Tara Lush ramps up the fun and chaos in Swamp Princess, the second installment in her Critters and Criminals series. Set against the quirky backdrop of a Bigfoot convention, this cozy mystery/romcom follows Maggie and her twin sister, Vera, as they navigate cryptid conspiracies, romance, and yet another murder.

When a famous Bigfoot hunter dies—literally at Maggie’s feet—it’s up to her and her new boyfriend, Jack, to uncover the truth amidst a whirlwind of social media scandals, gator wrangling, and eccentric conference attendees. The mystery is engaging, and the evolving dynamics between Maggie, Jack, Vera, and the detective add depth to the humor and action.

With its wacky premise, lovable characters, and a touch of romance, this series is quickly becoming a standout in the cozy mystery genre. Fans of Gator Queen will love this next adventure and, like me, will be eagerly awaiting book three!

I liked the first book in the series so I was looking forward to this book. I liked it a lot, I thought it was a good continuation. I loved the Bigfoot Convention setting.

This was a fun quick read! I love Maggie as a character and learning more about gator trapping. This mystery also includes a lot of humor.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is the second book in a series that follows Maggie, an alligator trapper who keeps finding herself in sticky situations. Her twin sister owns a bookstore and is invited to sell her books at a Bigfoot convention. Maggie is invited to give talks about Florida wildlife, on one of those walks someone drops dead and Maggie has to solve the murder.

I really enjoy this series! We have a lot of fun and humor sprinkled throughout. Maggie is a fun character to follow and I like the other characters throughout too. I love alligators so I love the gator stories throughout the book.

The mystery kept me interested as well. I called the killer early but that’s ok, I was still interested.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

Swamp Princess by Tara Lush is Book 2 of Critters and Criminals, a romantic mystery series centered around a gator trapper. I enjoyed the first book more. Whilst this was quite funny, it was also quite slow for me. The romantic development was also slow. I liked how the book was resolved though. Thank you, Netgalley and 8th Note Press, for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Swamp Princess is the second book in Luch's Critter's and Criminals series. Maggie gets herself wrapped up into yet another murder investigation with Jack by her side and this time with a bunch of Bigfoot lovers. I really enjoy Maggie's character, her outgoing and just a bit whack-a-doodle situations she gets herself into. We get a little bit more of Maggie's twin sister, Vera and her budding romance with detective Alex. This was just a fun read.

I loved the next installment in this series. Maggie and the whole cast of characters are funny. Swamp Princess is a great cozy story that feels like a family you know. I really hope there are more in this series because I am here for more Maggie and Vera.

"Swamp Princess" by Tara Lush is a blend of mystery and quirky charm! Maggie, who runs her family's gator trapping business, teams up with the handsome Professor Jack Bianchi in a captivating adventure that unfolds at a Bigfoot conference. The unexpected twist of a cryptozoology influencer turning up dead adds an intriguing layer of suspense. Lush’s lively writing brings the vibrant setting to life, while the chemistry between Maggie and Jack keeps the story engaging and fun. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) This delightful read is a fantastic escape filled with humor, mystery, and a touch of southern charm—perfect for any cozy mystery lover!

Thank you to Netgalley & Tara for the eARC of Swamp Princess. All opinions are my own.

4 stars ⭐️

I truly enjoyed the second installment in this cozy kooky murder mystery series. This book was fast paced and funny with a splash of romance. We also got some insight on previous characters from Gator Queen!


Tropes
🐊 Closed Door Romance

🐊Small town

🐊Interconnected standalone


Spice Level - Closed door, some on-page mentions of adult activity

Gators and Bigfoot in one book? Add a murder and some romance? What else could you want in a book? I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in the wilds of Florida! I didn't read book one and didn't feel too lost, but now I want to go back and check it out! Great start to what I hope will be a long series!

This isn't something I thought I would like but upon diving into it: WOW!
I was absolutely hooked from the start. This was everything I didn't know I could have wanted in a book. It had me laughing out loud! Maggie’s life is such a whirlwind.

The story centers on Maggie Andrews, the self-proclaimed "Gator Queen," who took over her family's gator-trapping business after her father's passing. Alongside her twin sister Vera, she recently opened a romance bookstore. On top of juggling these responsibilities, Maggie has been invited to speak at a local Bigfoot Conference to discuss the dangers of the wild. Unbeknownst to her, Bigfoot is a major obsession for these enthusiasts, and in their world, cryptid mania runs wild.

Maggie approaches it all with humor, finding the entire scene amusing. For the event, she leads a group on a short nature hike, where things take a dark turn after a loud, obnoxious, and very famous influencer is found dead during the outing. To make matters worse, the entire incident was live-streamed, sparking wild theories from Bigfoot believers.

Now, Maggie must navigate the chaos with the help of her attractive, older friend Jack—who she hopes could become something more. As she digs deeper into the world of Bigfoot fanatics, she uncovers layers of jealousy, drama, and fanaticism. Can Maggie solve the mystery of the influencer's death without getting herself into deeper trouble?

Reading this was a breath of fresh air. I also did not know there was a book 1?? HELLO!! omg I need to read it stat!

I cant wait to read more in this cozy mystery series!

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this.

This book was AMAZING! So fun and the ambiance of the Bigfoot convention was a hoot! The characters are so well written and enjoyable! I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and romance!

interestingly written thriller with awesome vibes set in Florida, with a fun and unique protagonist and cast of characters. The idea of a Bigfoot convention being the scene is an A+ idea.

A really cute cozy mystery with a touch of romance for those who want a bit of everything. Loved how the story wove together 'gator wranglers, cryptid hunters, social media influencers, and much more. Delightfully silly and sweet.

Swamp Princess, Book Two in the Critters & Criminals series, if a fun Florida read for those who like cozy romance mysteries. Twenty-five year old twins, Maggie and Vera, are managing a revived gator trapping business and a newly opened romance book store--in addition to each woman having their own blooming romances. The women decide to participate in a nationally recognized cryptid conference, with Maggie as speaker and Vera as bookseller. Maggie soon puts on her amateur sleuth hat when a young, famous cryptid influencer drops dead on a conference-sponsored nature tour. Tara Lush's latest novel is part Carl Hiassen, part Craig Pittman, and maybe a bit of John D. MacDonald. Recommended for readers who like to giggle at the craziness of Florida, but who also enjoy a good mystery.

These books are so fun! I loved the first one, and this second book kept the momentum flowing. I can't wait to read more from this author.

This is the second book in the Critters and Criminals series by Tara Lush, and what a fun, unique premise for a mystery novel. We follow Maggie, the Gator Queen, who has been invited to speak about the dangers of cryptid hunting in gator-infested water. Maggie begrudgingly accepts the gig, only to have a famous cryptid hunter die suddenly on a small expedition into the swamp. Together with her sister, Vera, and her love interest, Jack, Maggie investigates the mysterious death and finds out some shocking information along the way.

Swamp Princess was a bit of a step outside my comfort zone, as it's my first mystery read, but I just couldn't resist the title, setting, and cover. Everything about the initial impression of this book sucked me in, and I'm glad it did. It was a fun, quick read that made the perfect palate-cleanser after finishing up some fantasy reads. It's categorized as a cozy mystery and I think that's fitting. Despite the underlying murder mystery theme, there's also some gator-wrangling, some humor, and some romance to lighten the tone. The pace of the story is a nice medium- not too fast but not boring, and the characters are likeable. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.

Tara Lush's "Swamp Princess" lures us back into the murky waters of the Florida swamps for another delightful cozy mystery. It's the second book in the "Critters and Criminals" series, but you will be able to follow along if you haven't read the first one. Gator trapper Maggie Andrews, this time, finds herself knee-deep in another quirky murder mystery, this time at a Bigfoot convention.

The murder mystery at a Bigfoot convention is a unique setting. The Florida swamp paired with the Big Foot convention just.. fits.. Maggie's gator-trapping skills even work in her favor in this investigation.

Maggie is a strong, independent female protagonist who's easy to root for (and she tackles gators for a living!). Her blossoming relationship with Professor Jack Bianchi adds a touch of romance to the story, and their chemistry sizzles amidst the swampy backdrop. The real highlight for me was the focus on Maggie's relationship with her twin sister, Vera. It was refreshing to see Vera step out of Maggie's shadow and embark on her own journey of self-discovery. Their sisterly bond, with its blend of teasing and unwavering support, added a heartwarming layer to the narrative.

"Swamp Princess" delivers exactly what you'd expect from a cozy mystery – it's a light, fun read with endearing characters, a touch of romance, and just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. I was a little hesitant when I saw it centered around Big Foot, as I'm not into fantastical stuff like that - but it worked in this setting!

Overall, Swamp Princess is a delightful follow-up that delivers a solid 3.5-star reading experience. It's a quick, breezy escape that's perfect for a lazy afternoon. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, unique settings, strong female protagonists, and a dash of the fantastical, then this book is for you.