I like Cozy mysteries. Angela Amalfi and her inspector boyfriend, Paavo are folks I visit frequently.

This book pulls threads of the past, bringing in Paavo’s unknown history, tied around an antique music box. This leads Paavo and Angela on a trip into the past, involving the Russian Mafia, Finnish resistors, art forgery and theft and more.

The book moves quickly, although there are times when there are too many names to keep up with. As is usual in the genre, there is a mix of more intense moments and light humor. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, if not super memorable read, and would be appropriate for teen readers as well as adults.

The Music Box Mystery is a thrilling and suspenseful read that kept me hooked from start to finish. When Angie Amalfi takes a seemingly innocent music box for repair, it sets off a chain of grisly murders that put both her and her fiancé, Homicide Inspector Paavo Smith, in grave danger. The music box turns out to be much more than a simple relic—it holds the key to uncovering dark secrets, and someone will stop at nothing to keep them buried.

The plot is fast-paced, the tension builds beautifully, and the twists are both surprising and satisfying. Angie and Paavo’s dynamic is fantastic, and the emotional depth adds an extra layer to the mystery. The connections to the past are revealed in a way that makes the story even more compelling, and the stakes feel incredibly high.

This book is a perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and emotional drama, making it a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers. I couldn't put it down!

Angie Amalfi takes a damaged music box to be fixed by an expert. The music box was a gift from her fiancé Paavo. This simple act triggers a series of events that is both dangerous and illuminating as Paavo begins to learn about his past. As one home after another is broken into and people begin to die, Angie and Paavo separately investigate the cause. This is my first book in this series that I’ve read. Great characters, enthralling mystery. Highly recommend. #NetGalley

A new Angie Amalfi mystery - what could be better! I read the series years ago and enjoyed the writing and characters very much and was very excited to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review - many thanks to the Author, publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity. I liked this book and fell right back with Angie, her sisters, Mom, and of course Paavo. It was great to see where they were and to get an idea of where they were going. As always, Angie is a bit over the top and in this book her meddling was a bit much but didn't detract too much from the storyline. Learning about Paavo's background was really touching and explains a lot about his character in this book and previous stories. I can't wait to read more in the series and follow along with all of Angie's antics and her life.

The Music Box Mystery is a delicious blend of murder, mystery, and just the right touch of romance. Angie Amalfi, with her charm and culinary dreams, stumbles into a deadly secret hidden in a deceptively innocent music box. The pacing was spot-on, and I really enjoyed how the relationship between Angie and Paavo added warmth to the suspense. I’m a sucker for mysteries with strong characters and quirky twists, and this one hit all the right notes.

When I picked this book, I couldn't help think about all the challenges that arose from the music box story line in White Collar. I told myself if it was as layered as that story, it would be worth reading. Turns out it was charting its own course with burglars and mayhem and a few family secrets. Angie and Paavo are a unique engaged couple, one some levels they fit but on others as her friend points out he is such an unknown. At times she feels a bit ditsy when she tries to become a live restaurant reviewer. Antics ensue with her best friend along for the ride. In my mind i was picturing Aurora and Sally from the Teagarden mysteries as the bestie was being pulled along on Angie's antics. That was one of the things I like about this book, with the author's descriptions and my own viewing habits, I could picture parts of the story unfolding in my mind. While Angie and Aurora a very different, she just felt natural in the scene in my head.
Of course while this book is a cozy, we need more than antics to keep the story afloat. In this case the music box which Angie innocently was having fixed led to some interesting discoveries as Paavo gets some answers to his past.
I plan to go back and check out previous books in the story to see how Angie and Paavo's story came to be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quail Hill Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Y’all, I picked this up thinking it’d be a cozy little mystery—and boom! We’ve got a haunted music box, murder, and secrets bursting out like popcorn! Angie is a whole vibe, and watching her snoop (while dreaming of soufflés) had me snort-laughing and clutching my Kindle like it was evidence. If you like your mysteries with sass, suspense, and a splash of culinary chaos—this is your jam. 🎶🔍💀💋

When I saw this title I was thrilled that Ms.Pence had written another book about Angie and Paavo. Over 10 years since I first started reading Angie's adventures and I was immediately right back into it. Full of action, romance and mystery, I was swept away by the emotional impact of this book. Reading earlier books helps with the understanding of this plot line, but I would still recommend this book and the series as I found them to be excellent. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

#TheMusicBoxMystery #NetGalley is a gripping mystery that kept me reading until the last page.
Angie and her fiancé Paavo find themselves wrapped up in a crazy investigation, when Angie innocently brings a music box in for repairs.
The music box was a gift from Paavo, and has sentimental meaning since at one time it belonged to his mother, who disappeared from his life.
When Paavo, an investigator, and Angie become someone's targets, they feel no one in their family is safe.
Paavo's step father becomes the next victim and before long, all the pieces fall into place, and Paavo finally receives the answers to all his questions.
This was such an emotional story, but Angie's antics while trying to become a live restaurant reviewer had me laughing out loud.
This is a very good story that I am happy to recommend to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.