Category: Mystery

The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield Park by Claudia Gray

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, Mystery, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield: A Novel (MR. DARCY & MISS TILNEY MYSTERY)The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield: A Novel by Claudia Gray

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery, #5

Release Date: June 16, 2026

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are positioned at the center of the story as a pair whose connection is shaped by affection, restraint, and social pressure. Jonathan is recovering physically while also navigating his family’s disapproval, and Juliet is dealing with the consequences of her damaged reputation. Around them, the supporting cast adds tension and complication, especially within the Bingley household, where old loyalties, family expectations, and more calculating personalities create a charged atmosphere.

The plot unfolds around a poisoning at Netherfield Park that draws Jonathan and Juliet back together for another investigation. As they begin looking into the death, the situation grows more complicated with additional danger, hidden motives, and the risk of greater scandal for the household. The mystery develops alongside the broader social conflicts surrounding reputation, marriage, and family duty, giving the story both an investigative thread and a strong connection to the Regency setting.

Overall, I found the book well written and engaging with its blend of mystery, romance, and Austen-inspired drama, but I also felt a bit lost at times because I had not read the previous books in the series. It was easy to tell that many of the emotional stakes and character dynamics had been building for a while, so some moments felt like I was stepping into an ongoing conversation. Even so, Juliet and Jonathan’s relationship, and the unfolding scandal kept me interested enough to appreciate this story, but not enough to go back and read the previous books. This is the fifth book in the series, and I would definitely recommend reading the series in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

A Murder at Cinnamon Falls by R.L. Killmore

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Mystery, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Murder at Cinnamon Falls (Cinnamon Falls, #1)Murder at Cinnamon Falls by R.L. Killmore

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Cinnamon Falls #1

Release Date: April 7, 2026

When a heartbroken Nia Bennett left Cinnamon Falls six years ago, she had no plans to return. But now just a couple of weeks after finishing her graduate degree and landing a coveted research position at one of Atlanta’s most prestigious law firms, her life is upended once more when she learns the man she has been dating for the last two years, the man she thought was her future is married! She doesn’t even think, she bolts and returns to her family in Cinnamon Falls. She knows going home won’t be easy, she will have to mend broken relationships and figure out how to heal the wound that caused her to leave in the first place. But before she can even come to terms with the huge changes in her life, she is dealt yet another devasting blow when a woman who was like a second mother to her is murdered just hours after they were reunited. She will do whatever she has to do to find the murderer!

Jesse Shaw was left heartbroken when Nia, the love of his life, broke up with him and left without another word. For six long years, he has tried to move on, first by serving in the military and then returning to Cinnamon Falls and working in law enforcement. His well-ordered world is rocked when Nia returns and immerses herself in the murder investigation of Rosslyn Rose AKA Rosie, the owner of the town’s popular diner and the mother of Nia’s late friend Sienna. He has barely had time to wrap his head around Nia’s return and Rosie’s death when the killer strikes again. Will he be able to find the killer before anyone else is hurt?

This small-town mystery was not exactly what I was expecting. I enjoyed the mystery and thought the author did a good job of keeping the reader in suspense for most of the story. I wanted to love this book, but there were just some things that bothered me about this story, especially Nia, I found things about her almost impossible to believe. Add to that the author’s use of some very odd phrases that pulled me out of the story. Overall, it was a well-done mystery interwoven with a low-key second-chance romance, but the writing was a bit off, so this was a book that I am glad I read, but not one I would read again.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *