Jess Lea’s A Curious Visit is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre, offering a fresh sapphic twist that is both charming and engaging. With a cast of quirky, fun characters and a well-constructed plot, the novel strikes a fine balance between lighthearted humor and compelling intrigue.

At its core, this is a mystery-driven story, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Lea skillfully crafts a narrative that remains true to its sleuthing roots while incorporating moments of romantic tension and spice. These elements are seamlessly woven into the story, adding depth to the relationships without overshadowing the central mystery.

The characters are a highlight, brimming with personality and wit. Each one brings something unique to the story, creating a dynamic and entertaining ensemble. Their interactions are lively and often humorous, adding to the cozy atmosphere that defines the genre.

While the spicy moments add a touch of heat, they are thoughtfully placed, ensuring the focus remains on unraveling the mystery. The plot is well-paced and engaging, offering just the right amount of suspense to keep readers hooked while maintaining the book’s cozy and lighthearted tone.

A Curious Visit is a perfect pick for readers looking for a cozy mystery with a sapphic romance twist. Jess Lea has crafted a story that is as heartwarming as it is intriguing, making it a standout in the genre. Fans of fun characters, clever plotting, and a dash of spice will find much to love in this charming read.

More shenanigans with an unconventional couple
If you've read A Curious Woman and are already familiar with main characters Bess and Margaret, this is more shenanigans, adventure and mystery with the odd couple. This is a sequel but it could be read on its own as the mystery and other happenings are not carry overs from the previous book. I liked this book more than its predecessor and am not sure if it's due to familiarity with the characters or if my mindset and mood were more conducive to them this time around. Bess and Margaret are unconventional individuals and together make for an unusual mix but they provide lots of hilarity while getting involved in some very strange stuff. Set in Tasmania this time with its penal colony past it's a good reading option if you're wanting something different from typical lesfic. The mystery is only one plot thread in the book along with the romance and drama. I guessed a few of the reveals ahead of time but was surprised by the end of the book when all the mysteries were solved. I had fun reading this one and recommend it for those looking for some variety in their lesfic reading, outside of the norm when it comes to the characters, where they spent their time, and what they get up to.
(Reviewed March 28, 2023)