The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune

This was enjoyable. It did move a bit slow for my taste but I liked the main character. The plot was good. I would read another book from the author.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Quentin works to live, which means he only works when he has to. His father disapproves of him, but his mother adores him. He has dropped out of law study, quit his current job, and is grateful that his parents let him move into his deceased aunt’s house. All is well, especially when a good-looking woman moves in next door. Soon his house is ransacked and he gets threatening messages to turn “it” over to the thugs. Quentin has no idea what they are talking about, but he and Wanda (the gorgeous woman next door) team up to fine this hidden treasure. The plot thickens and Quentin just may be straightening out his life at last. He is a likable character and the mystery is fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and The BookFolks for the ARC.

Quentin Cadbury is a 20 something do-nothing that can't keep a job and isn't willing to grow up. When his parents leave for Australia he is in charge of his aunt's home. After a series of break-ins, Quentin discovers that the thieves are searching for a treasure the question is - how did it get there...and can he keep it? A cute-ish cozy mystery that will certainly entertain you!

#TheMysteryofthehiddenfortune

"The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune" by Christine McHaines is a delightful cozy mystery set in London. This is the first in the Quentin Cadbury investigations series, written in British English, and it serves as a great start for the series.

The book follows Quentin Cadbury, a 24-year-old man with no prospects and no job. He quit his law studies, much to his father's dismay. He doesn't get along with his dad who views him as lazy (he got a point there), but his mom holds him in high regard.

When Quentin's parents decide to immigrate to Australia to live near his sister and her family, they allow him to live in his deceased aunt’s house in Greenwich, London. Shortly after, he quits his current job and begins living from day to day. A past trauma taught him to appreciate life more, and he concludes that a 9-to-5 job isn't for him. He avoids responsibility at all costs, but he does adopt his deceased aunt’s cat, Magpie (a point in his favor).

The plot thickens when someone breaks into his house, searching for a hidden fortune. Things heat up when he receives threats demanding to hand over the item hidden in the house or else... Unfortunately, Quentin doesn't have a clue about what they are searching for. With the help of his new attractive neighbor, Wanda, they try to uncover the hidden item and its location.

I loved the book and quickly became wrapped up in the lives of the characters. I found Quentin a bit irritating at first with his laid-back attitude, but he grew on me. I gave him allowances for his age, but come on, grow up already. I also loved the cat, which provided comic relief throughout the book.

While there are no murders in the book, it presents an intriguing little mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. All of the characters are interesting and, for the most part, likable. The pacing of the mystery is a bit slow at times, but even so, I found the book enjoyable. It was like savoring a leisurely meal with a good friend and enjoying their antics.

This book has all the ingredients of a good cozy mystery: an intriguing plot, interesting characters, a touch of romance, and good writing. Overall, I found this to be an awesome cozy mystery and I can’t wait to delve into the second standalone book in this series, "The Mystery of the Lucky Cat". It was a sweet and fun read from start to finish, so I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a witty cozy mystery and doesn't mind a slower pace.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable, Entertaining..
Quentin is floundering. Left in charge of a house with only a stray cat for company and comfort, he is a little alone, but when a series of crimes take place he teams up with neighbour Wanda and so begins an unlikely but amicable amateur sleuthing partnership. An enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery with a well done backdrop, an engaging plot populated with a cast of nicely drawn and credible characters and with a gentle vein of humour throughout.

A fresh, original and highly entertaining cozy mystery set in London and featuring a twenty something that must start adulting in sooner than he a thought.
A well plotted, solid, and compelling novel that kept me guessing and having fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Quentin doesn't make friends easily as he is still traumatized by the death of his friend at university. His father is ex-army and has a low opinion of him as he doesn't stick at a job for long. His parents both move to Australia to be near their daughter and grandkids. They need to sell their house to fund the trip but allow Quentin to move into a small house in London which was once owned by an aunt and uncle. No sooner has he moved in than there is a break in and the house is ransacked. He is then threatened by someone who thinks he has something of their's but what? A fast-paced novel, a little unbelievable at times but enjoyable.

Well plotted cosy style mystery, a little slow in places but characters held it up. Good start to a series. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A solid cozy with a fun plot and interesting characters. I look forward to McHaines future work.

The Mystery of the Hidden Fortune

Very nice cozy mystery. I loved the characters and the pace of the book. Would love to read the next one.