If I understand correctly this is the first novel in a series, but I will say this could be read as a standalone, as it does wrap up the main plot. There are definitely storylines that are unfinished, but in no way would I consider this one to have a cliffhanger.

Overall this was a very well written historical mystery. I have enjoyed the authors previous historical romances, and was very pleased to pick this one up.

There is this tension and slight distain that the main characters have for each other, but as the book goes on, you can see how their relationship changes. We only get a single POV, Minnie’s, but the author shows us if different ways how Mr Dorian changes his opinion.

I do hope there are more books for this series, I would love to see the remaining storylines wrapped up!

"Living in Greece at the turn of the twentieth century, widow Minnie Harper struggles to find her place in a swiftly changing world. But when a local woman is murdered, her resolve is put to the test in a race to shed light on the truth...

The first in a new series for readers of Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, and Rhys Bowen.

Minnie Harper isn't used to putting herself first. Not after she moved away from England only to be left raising two children alone on the Greek Island of Corfu following her husband's unexpected death. But with her daughter begging to be sent to school abroad and her son grasping at his own independence, Minnie realizes she must prepare for the next stage of her life.

When famous mystery author Stephen Dorian settles into a neighboring villa to escape writer's block and hidden scandals, she is intrigued at first by the handsome Londoner - until he proves to be nothing more than a boorish grump. Determined to avoid the man as much as possible, Minnie is shocked when he offers her a well-paid job as his typist. She isn't in a position to turn down work, even from a man she has sworn to hate.

But before Minnie can fully regret her decision to take the job, she makes a horrifying discovery that changes everything. A young maid has been murdered, and local authorities aren't moving fast enough to bring justice to the terrible crime. Unwilling to allow the death to fade into obscurity like the stories of so many other women deemed unworthy by society, Minnie launches an investigation of her own - and reluctantly accepts Stephen's help. As she embarks on a dangerous search for answers that reveals another side of Corfu, unsettling questions take shape about her employer-turned-confidant and the culprit who just might do whatever it takes to strike again..."

It's The Durrells but without the insufferable Durrells! Although if the Durrells showed up eventually and were murdered, I wouldn't object.

A Death on Corfu is the first installment in a new mystery series and was an enjoyable story, with likeable characters and nice settings. The mystery wasn't very complex, though, and I easily guessed it from the start. There is no romance either, at least not in this book, but maybe in the next ones.

All in all, it was a nice start with room for improvement in the following books.

Wow, this book was a delightful surprise for me. This book is the first in a new historical cozy mystery series, I was not familiar with the author, I believe she has written some historical romance before, but this is a new endeavor. I strongly recommend Ms. Sullivan keep going. I was totally captived from the very beginning of the book. In early 1900, Corfu was a beautiful place with a good-sized English population. Our MC Minnie is the widow of an English diplomat with two growing children. She makes the aquientence of an English mystery writer, on Corfu to escape scandal and finish his book, at the home of one of her neighbors, welcome dinner, held in his honor. Since Minnie has some typing skills, another neighbor recommends that she help Stephen with his manuscript. The characters in this book are so well drawn and the setting so lovely that when a maid to one of the English families is murdered it is very jarring. When the local police take no interest in finding true justice, can Minnie and Stephen work together to find justice for the young victim? This was a wonderful story with a great mystery and compelling characters. While it comes to a very satisfying conclusion, we can see plenty of places to go in the future, and I can't wait. My thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for the opportunity to discover this new series. #ADeathonCorfu #EmilySullivan #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. The descriptions of the island and geography really allowed me to picture what was happening. The story kept my attention and moved a a good pace.

5/5 stars: This is Sullivan's Historical Mystery stand-alone set in 1898, Greece and follows a widowed British ex-pat as she finds herself working as a famous mystery author's typist and when a young maid's murdered she launches an investigation and reluctantly accepts the grumpy writer's help. Determined to find justice and unwilling to allow the death to fade into obscurity, she embarks on a dangerous search for answers that reveals darker side of Corfu, unsettling questions about her employer-turned-confidant and a culprit who just might do whatever it takes to get away with murder. With plenty of twists and turns, Sullivan has masterfully crafted a mystery that balances the suspects and deftly weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Witty and heartfelt, Sullivan's writing and character work are exceptional; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Minnie's a tough lady who's still grieving her husband Oliver's death and Stephen's got his own struggles, writer's block, a scandalous marriage and subsequent divorce. I also really liked getting to know the two of them, Minnie's children, Cleo and Tommy, the ex-pats and locals of Corfu, especially Mrs Kouris Minnie's housekeeper. I really enjoyed this and hope it's the start of a new series; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A Death on Corfu is a cozy historical mystery set in Corfu, Greece, about a widow, Minnie, and her next-door neighbour, writer Stephan Dorian.

Minnie lives with her two children. After her friend’s suggestion, she takes work as Mr. Dorian’s assistant. One day, she discovers a dead body, prompting both her and Mr. Dorian to take matters into their own hands as they set out to catch the criminal responsible.

I liked Minnie’s character; she is a well-developed character. The dynamic between Minnie and Mr. Dorian is captivating; despite their differences, they choose to collaborate in uncovering the truth behind the murder. This journey not only revealed the truth but also brought them closer together.

This is the first time I have read a book by Emily Sullivan, and I absolutely loved it. I found the setting and the descriptions of Corfu to be particularly captivating. The suspense built throughout the book kept me engaged, and I appreciated the combination of a summery vibe with a cozy murder mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which I read through quickly. It is highly recommended if you enjoy historical cozy mysteries.

As I am heading to the Mediterranean in October and want to learn more about the region, I have sought out books from that part of the world. This book had me from its cover! Isn’t it gorgeous? What a fun setting for a MURDER! I loved the genuine main character and enjoyed the splash of romance peppered into the story. This is the first in a series, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book! Great

This is the first book I have read of Emily Sullivan, the book got my attention because corfu is a place I really like since I read Gerald Durrell's books, and I was glad this book is set in this place as well, I loved the characters and I hope I can read more in the next book.

Thank you so much for letting me read this wonderful book ahead of time.

This is a great historical fiction cozy mystery set in one of my favorite places: Corfu, Greece.

I have never read any books by Emily Sullivan, but as a recent fan of cozy mysteries, this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed Sullivan’s easy, breezy writing style. I couldn’t put the story down.

I liked Minnie, her children, and the mysterious next-door neighbor, a writer coming off a nasty divorce in an era where divorce was universally frowned upon. What I couldn’t figure out was Mr. Dorian’s backstory. There wasn’t enough reveal in this first book in the series to get me to like the character.

But Minnie and her children were well-developed characters, conveyed to readers in humorous prose, the young son into all things insects and mammals, and the young daughter beginning to question why they stayed in Corfu after their father’s death.

As the story unravels, Minnie takes work as a secretary for the mysterious writer ‘up the hill,’ and hints of romance develop, but they don’t go far when a murder is discovered in the tiny community.

In this first book of the series, Mr. Dorian is an enigma— one I am anxious to learn more about. As the murderer is uncovered and Minnie reacts to some news Mr. Dorian uncovered about her deceased husband, he abruptly quits the island, heading back to England.

Although the characters are well-developed, and I could see myself walking the streets of Corfu alongside them, I felt the plot twists could have been introduced sooner to speed up the pacing. There were a few chapters that rambled on and just didn’t seem to offer enough detail to matter.

But … I think the author began with a slow burn which will lead to a real romance between Minnie and Mr. Dorian if these two characters can simply get out of their own way.

The detailed setting, the plot, and the writer’s voice will have me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

If you are up for a cute, cozy mystery or a quick beach read, look no further than A Death in Corfu. The title intrigued me from the start, as did the cover art. Despite a few loose ends, which I am confident will be unraveled in the next book, this is a five-star book all around.

I want to thank Emily Sullivan, the publisher, and Net Galley, for the opportunity to read this adorable tale as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine alone.

I really enjoyed A Death on Corfu! Minnie Harper is such a relatable and complex character—trying to balance the demands of motherhood, grief, and her own personal growth. Her transformation from a woman who puts everyone else first to one who takes charge of her own life was really well done. The dynamic between Minnie and Stephen Dorian was unexpected at first, with him being a grumpy, mysterious figure, but watching their relationship evolve added an interesting layer to the story.

The murder mystery was compelling, and I liked how Minnie took matters into her own hands, determined to uncover the truth despite the risks. The atmospheric setting of Corfu added a lot to the intrigue, with its beauty contrasting against the dark secrets beneath the surface. It was a solid start to a series, and while I did find some parts a bit predictable, it was still an enjoyable, fast-paced read with great characters and a satisfying mystery. Looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!

Minnie Harper is a thirty-something widow trying to raise her two kids on Corfu in accordance with her late diplomat husband’s wishes. When infamous novelist Stephen Dorian comes to the island to escape his scandalous divorce and finish his much delayed book, Minnie agrees to serve as his typist. A mutual wariness turns into an unlikely partnership when they decide to investigate the shocking murder of a young woman from their close-knit community. As they do, a friendship (and perhaps something more?) develops opening Minnie’s eyes to how small she has let her life become in her grief and raises questions about why her late husband was so adamant they not return to England.

I am a big fan of Emily Sullivan’s historical romances so I was really excited to read her debut historical mystery novel. I thought this was a really solid start of what I hope is a new series! I thoroughly enjoyed both the slightly older widow and the cynical divorcee combination—a unique spin on the unlikely lady detective and her partner—and the Greek island setting. Minnie’s character in particular really resonated with me (as a mother myself)—it is so easy to see how she poured herself into her children and keeping her family afloat after her becoming a widow and let any dreams for herself fall by the wayside. I hope we get to see more of her journey in future books and am looking to see how Minnie and Stephen’s partnership evolves (especially since it ended in a bit of an awkward place). Death on Corfu is out in May!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the e-ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own!

A new series from Emily Sullivan, A Death on Corfu takes place around 1900 with a British expat living in Corfu. Sullivan does a great job of providing the back story of Minnie and weaving it in to the mystery she faces in the community. She has a new mystery author neighbor who recruits her to type his manuscripts for publication and together they try to solve a local murder. I loved the character of Minnie and the setting, but felt the actual mystery was a little flat. I'm intirgued to read more about Minnie's life on Corfu.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC!

3.75 stars

An enjoyable series debut, set on Corfu in the early 1900s, and featuring widow Minnie Harper. This was a gentle cozy, but Minnie is a strong character. Still mourning her husband's death several years previously, and raising their two children, Minnie accepts a typing job from a mystery novelist who is staying at a neighbor's estate while trying to finish his latest book.

They clash often, but agree to cooperate when a local servant girls is murdered and the police don't seem too interested in investigating. Both Minnie and the novelist are carrying some baggage, but they make some strides during their adventure. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan is a cozy murder mystery. Multiple plot twists left me guessing and trying to solve the mystery. And, with a cliff-hanger, I am anxious to read the next in the series (I'm hoping for another since this says Book 1).

Releases Apr. 29th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely the coziest kind of cozy mystery that I adore.

Imagine...
A middle-aged mother, gardening and coffee afficionado, widowed with two children, living in a tumbledown fixer-upper in a remote island community in Greece...
A grumpy sunshine author next door (okay, just grumpy)...
And a twisty little murder to investigate...

"I typically spend my free hours in the early morning and evening hours pottering around the garden, as I had better luck growing things than fixing them. Once I finished my coffee, I fetched a small watering pot and refreshed my little plot of herbs and spring onions."

I simply adore Minnie, and can't wait to read more of her mysteries. This reads like a relaxing vacation in Greece, which is just what I need.

I went through the book real fast. Pretty engaging, liked the humour and how Minnie’s character is developed where she has comes to terms with her past and still dealing with her grief.

The book ended at a cliffhanger - which is making me itch and wish the next book in series comes real soon, more so, cause I feel invested and have little patience :p

Overall as always one enjoyable book by Emily Sullivan.

The first in a new historical cozy mystery series, this novel is a good start and is set in Corfu and the surrounding areas during the turn of the 20th century, with English and Greek characters. A period armchair travel cozy that surpassed all my expectations, this was also my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to the next installment as the story left off with a bit of a cliffhanger (but the murder mystery was solved). The character development was a slow burn with plenty of future potential. For historical mystery fans.

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Cozy and warm setting. Perfect for the current polar vortex I'm living in. What I would give to find a dead worker at my hot neighbor's house that I'm typing away at. Mamma Mia me, baby

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Arc in exchange for a review.

This is a historical mystery series taking place in Corfu. We follow a widow with two kids living alone after her diplomat husband's death. Soon everything changes when a mystery writer moves in town and they first get off on the wrong foot and bicker. She is hired by him to type his manuscripts and later, as his partner as they investigate the death of a person in town.

Since this has not been released yet I will not spoil the story but it was, in my opinion, obvious because if you pay attention you will catch the hints.

I think this will be a good series. The writing is solid and the main character is interesting and strong. Personally, however, I was not a big fan of Stephen. But whatever.