A fabulous read.
I would highly recommend to family and friends.

Many thanks to the publisher and NeyGalley for my ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

In the California coastal town of South Cove, history is one of its many tourist attractions, until it becomes deadly.
Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Thomas, the obnoxious owner of South Cove's most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim. When Thomas is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she'll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation.

*2.5 stars*

I have mixed feelings about this one - to be fair, I usually have mixed feelings about most cosy mysteries...and this one is no different.

A light, entertaining read that ticks a few of the boxes I expect from this genre: good, tight mystery; excellent locations; characters that I can relate to in some way; and a cool historical element. Add to that the small town charm - and politics - and we have the basis for a really good book.

However, as is often the case, the negatives are just as weighty as the positives. Is this truly a mystery novel - or is it a romance novel dressed up pretty like a mystery? There were so many clichés from romance novels that I started to wonder if the mystery was going to be important at all (luckily it was!) Also, lots of finicky details that just aren't necessary (I think) in a short novel like this. Do I care what kind of candle it is? Only if it is relevant to the story - which it wasn't. So much repetitive prose about stuff that just wasn't important really frustrated me. Also, some pretty ordinary typos left this feeling rather "meh!"


Paul
ARH