This was a nice cozy read! If you are a fan of small village quirky characters and BBC mysteries this is a perfect fit. No high stakes here but you become invested in the main characters journey to connect with her mother. 3.5 overall!

When I started this book, I wasn't sure how I felt about the protagonist but I can to really, really like her and this take on a non-traditional cozy that pays a wonderful homage to all of us who love the British cozy genre. Cath's absentee Mom dies and, while finally going through her mom's boxes, Cath discovers an all expenses paid trip for two to a small English town for their first annual Murder Mystery week. Encouraged by her co-worker and neighbor, Cath takes her first vacation in four years and goes on Murder Week. To say this is a huge change for her is an understatement about her personality.
Cath is roomed with Wyatt and Amity in Wisteria Cottage. Wyatt's husband sent him on this trip and Amity is a romance writer who's post-divorce. The three of them bond over the Murder Mystery as well as trying to solve mysteries in Cath's life, related to her mother. There's also the handsome Dev, a former Londoner turned artisanal gin distiller, who's moved to the small town to care for his mother as she deals with dementia.
The cast of characters are great - both those pretending for the Murder Mystery week, as well as Cath, Wyatt, Amity, Dev and Cath's deceased mother. Just a really lovely book!

The coziest of cozy books, because there is no real murder, just a staged live murder mystery! Our protagonist flies to England to solve a mystery and learn more about her mom. A very enjoyable read!

I love this book. It is fun from start to finish. It's a light mystery with a lot of heart. The characters quickly feel like old friends ( friends you wished you had in real life!) and seeing how they support each other as they try to find their way around an " olde English village" is delight. There is humor and compassion. Fans of classic English mysteries will find a lot that's familiar and lovers of romance and family stories will be happy as well. Highly recommended!!