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A review by srivalli
A Deadly Affair by E.V. Hunter
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
4 Stars
One Liner: A worthy continuation of the series
After four cases, Alexi Ellis, the co-owner of Hopgood Hall wants nothing to do with murder or deaths. She and Jack are ready for a short holiday when Polly Pearson, the local gossip who ran a witch hunt against Alexi, comes running to them for help. Turns out, Polly is a prime suspect in the murder of her lover, Gerry, and she claims to be innocent.
Alexi decides to be the bigger person and investigate the case with Jack. Is Polly innocent or guilty?
The story comes in Alexi and Jack’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
The fifth installment in the series should work as a standalone read. There are enough details to get an idea about the characters’ backgrounds. However, it will be more enjoyable for those familiar with the series.
While the book is a cozy mystery, the topics are darker this time (check TW at the end). Cosmo and Tuby bring enough humor to lighten the mood. Our large black cat is a darling unless you are on the wrong side. His hisses and growls are enough to scare most criminals!
The mystery starts out as a simple case of a scorned lover (maybe) but delves deeper and expands into a larger crime with many parties involved. I did guess the direction since hints were pointing at it.
The side characters are pretty much fixed in their roles so far. They are familiar and comforting. We know what to expect, and they don’t disappoint.
The way women make fools of themselves over Gerry would have been annoying if it weren’t realistically portrayed. Such things happen in real life and are not uncommon. The story presents a sneak peek into their thought process, insecurities, and yearning for affection.
I admit the final reveal wasn’t what I expected. I zeroed in on the other person. This does make sense in a way, a twisted sort of way that aligns with that character’s arc.
It seems that Alexi and Jack’s relationship is getting a lot of nazar (evil eye) from many people. The poor couple can’t seem to get rid of their exes, intent on getting them back. However, it is heartwarming to see them put up a united front and deal with it in no-nonsense terms.
There’s a lot of drama too given the nature of the plot and the characters. Some of it gets repetitive at places but it might be useful for first-time readers of this series to get a better idea of the dynamics in the relationships.
A bit of danger and some faithful animals that become heroes bring the story to a neat ending. Not everyone faces the consequences of their actions. I know we’ll see some of those characters again, and can’t wait for them to fall into the hole they dug for others.
To summarize, A Deadly Affair is a well-plotted cozy mystery and an enjoyable read. It has a steady pace and can be a standalone read.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
One Liner: A worthy continuation of the series
After four cases, Alexi Ellis, the co-owner of Hopgood Hall wants nothing to do with murder or deaths. She and Jack are ready for a short holiday when Polly Pearson, the local gossip who ran a witch hunt against Alexi, comes running to them for help. Turns out, Polly is a prime suspect in the murder of her lover, Gerry, and she claims to be innocent.
Alexi decides to be the bigger person and investigate the case with Jack. Is Polly innocent or guilty?
The story comes in Alexi and Jack’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
The fifth installment in the series should work as a standalone read. There are enough details to get an idea about the characters’ backgrounds. However, it will be more enjoyable for those familiar with the series.
While the book is a cozy mystery, the topics are darker this time (check TW at the end). Cosmo and Tuby bring enough humor to lighten the mood. Our large black cat is a darling unless you are on the wrong side. His hisses and growls are enough to scare most criminals!
The mystery starts out as a simple case of a scorned lover (maybe) but delves deeper and expands into a larger crime with many parties involved. I did guess the direction since hints were pointing at it.
The side characters are pretty much fixed in their roles so far. They are familiar and comforting. We know what to expect, and they don’t disappoint.
The way women make fools of themselves over Gerry would have been annoying if it weren’t realistically portrayed. Such things happen in real life and are not uncommon. The story presents a sneak peek into their thought process, insecurities, and yearning for affection.
I admit the final reveal wasn’t what I expected. I zeroed in on the other person. This does make sense in a way, a twisted sort of way that aligns with that character’s arc.
It seems that Alexi and Jack’s relationship is getting a lot of nazar (evil eye) from many people. The poor couple can’t seem to get rid of their exes, intent on getting them back. However, it is heartwarming to see them put up a united front and deal with it in no-nonsense terms.
There’s a lot of drama too given the nature of the plot and the characters. Some of it gets repetitive at places but it might be useful for first-time readers of this series to get a better idea of the dynamics in the relationships.
A bit of danger and some faithful animals that become heroes bring the story to a neat ending. Not everyone faces the consequences of their actions. I know we’ll see some of those characters again, and can’t wait for them to fall into the hole they dug for others.
To summarize, A Deadly Affair is a well-plotted cozy mystery and an enjoyable read. It has a steady pace and can be a standalone read.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Violence, and Abandonment