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Moscow Mules & Murder
Welcome to Beach Bummers on the white quartz shores of Santa Maria Island, Florida, where the weather is always perfect, drinks are served ice cold, and the locals� secrets run deep! If you love the idea of escaping to a small beach town and sleuthing alongside quirky characters, you’ll love the Tiki Trouble series!
Zoey Zastrow needed a fresh start after her plans for a perfect life came crashing down. So she packed her bags, trading her snow boots and ice scraper in the freezing Midwest for flip flips and a waitress apron by the sunny Gulf of Mexico. She never imagined her new lifestyle would include amateur sleuthing. But there she was, killing it. Or rather, hunting down a killer.
After Zoey discovers a human skull while closing the tiki bar one night, she’s determined to unearth the mystery behind the discarded remains. Who was the woman? Was she murdered? And why is someone warning her not to get involved?
With the help of the island’s brand new police detective (who happens to be hotter than a shot of fire whiskey), the wacky tiki bar staff, and a new 3-legged sidekick, Zoey will turn the island upside down in search of answers.
Zoey Zastrow needed a fresh start after her plans for a perfect life came crashing down. So she packed her bags, trading her snow boots and ice scraper in the freezing Midwest for flip flips and a waitress apron by the sunny Gulf of Mexico. She never imagined her new lifestyle would include amateur sleuthing. But there she was, killing it. Or rather, hunting down a killer.
After Zoey discovers a human skull while closing the tiki bar one night, she’s determined to unearth the mystery behind the discarded remains. Who was the woman? Was she murdered? And why is someone warning her not to get involved?
With the help of the island’s brand new police detective (who happens to be hotter than a shot of fire whiskey), the wacky tiki bar staff, and a new 3-legged sidekick, Zoey will turn the island upside down in search of answers.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2021
22 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Quinn Avery
19Ìýbooks423ÌýfollowersWith nearly 50 captivating titles spanning various genres, Quinn Avery honed her talent for crafting intricate puzzles through her smart and quirky Bexley Squires mystery series. Her contemporary suspense thrillers, often set in her beloved locales such as Mankato and Lake Shetek, are nothing short of addictive, leaving readers spellbound with their mind-spinning twists. When Quinn and her husband aren't off on adventures (often with their adult children), they enjoy the tranquility of their Minnesota acreage and lake home.
Quinn also writes romantic suspense as Jennifer Ann and children's picture books as Jennifer Naumann.
Quinn also writes romantic suspense as Jennifer Ann and children's picture books as Jennifer Naumann.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 4, 2022
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the first book in the Tiki Trouble Cozy Mystery series. I love the characters in this book, and I love that there is a start of a romance in this book. I did find that the romance was a little weird in the way the characters just meet for the first time at the beginning of the book, and the two main character just believe and trust each other for the beginning. I also think the romance took away for the mystery part of the book. I have to say I found this book to be a very enjoyable read and I loved being with the characters in this book. I give this book four stars because of how much I did not want to put this book down. I think this series could become a great series if the author can get a better mix of romance and mystery down. I loved the writing in this book because the book had this fun cute feel even when the characters where dealing with big stuff like looking for a dead body and a killer. I won a kindle edition of this book from a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway, but this review is how I feel about this book.
April 10, 2021
There's an entertaining mystery in Moscow, Mules, and Murder. The main character, Zoey, also has an energetic, childlike nature. Which I normally find irritating; however, she enjoys solving mysteries makes her character enjoyable. The mystery was exciting, and there were many twists and turns. I liked the romance growing between Zoey and Detective Grayson. The tiki bar atmosphere with a beachy feel was fun. I hope to read more in this series.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This is a truthful review
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This is a truthful review
May 7, 2021
Moscow Mules & Murder
is the first book in a new series featuring Zoey Zastrow. Zoey has moved to the shores of Santa Maria Island, Florida. Quinn Avery's writing is smooth, the mystery flows and the pacing moves along comfortably keeping me invested in the charming story. There are plenty of twists and misdirection for bubbly and energetic Zoey and police detective Grayson Rivers to navigate through.
I read Moscow Mules & Murder with zeal and I recommend it highly. I look forward to reading book two.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I read Moscow Mules & Murder with zeal and I recommend it highly. I look forward to reading book two.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
April 2, 2021
Moscow Mules & Murder is the first book n the Tiki Trouble Cozy mystery series by Quinn Avery. This is a new to me author and it was a cute start to a new series. Zoey Zastrow is a young protagonist, at only 25 years of age. One night, while closing up after work, she finds a human skull near the garbage bin. She reports it to the police the next morning, but when she takes the new detective in town to the location, the skull is gone. As I mentioned, Zoey is young and at times she comes off as immature and naive but I did see some progress toward the end of the book. There is a budding romance with the new detective which plays a prominent role in the plot. I like the mystery and thought it was well done. It did keep me guessing but I was able to figure out the mystery. What I did appreciate was that the police detective was not automatically dismissive of Zoey's intuition and assistance. I think this series does have potential with some tweaks to Zoey's character.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
May 10, 2021
Kick off your shoes, grab a Moscow Mule of your own and join Zoey Zastrow in her quest to solve the mystery of the of the unearthed human skull!
Zoey is a waitress at Beach Bummers, who happens to be single, quirky and loves to go dancing! One night while closing up, she stumbles upon a skull, and yes, before you ask � it is a human skull. After sleeping on what to do about this discovery, she heads to the police department to let them know the “what/when/why� about finding this skull.
Enter Detective Grayson Rivers (name might sound familiar if you have read other books by Ms. Avery) who is new to the island, single and hot!
Zoey is “like a dog with a bone� trying to solve this mystery, she just will not let it go � even when there are warnings popping up all around her. With the help of Grayson and her friends/boss from Beach Bummers (Beckett, Molly, Smith, Finn and Sasha) and Lucky � there is no stone she will not turn over, or a clue that she won’t follow.
Will Zoey & Grayson solve this mystery? Will they become more than just friends?
I really enjoyed this Tiki Trouble Mystery!! The characters are a hoot, especially Teenie! She is something else. PS: I have to say that I did enjoy reading about Polly’s Pizza � it does have a nice ring to it!
Zoey is a waitress at Beach Bummers, who happens to be single, quirky and loves to go dancing! One night while closing up, she stumbles upon a skull, and yes, before you ask � it is a human skull. After sleeping on what to do about this discovery, she heads to the police department to let them know the “what/when/why� about finding this skull.
Enter Detective Grayson Rivers (name might sound familiar if you have read other books by Ms. Avery) who is new to the island, single and hot!
Zoey is “like a dog with a bone� trying to solve this mystery, she just will not let it go � even when there are warnings popping up all around her. With the help of Grayson and her friends/boss from Beach Bummers (Beckett, Molly, Smith, Finn and Sasha) and Lucky � there is no stone she will not turn over, or a clue that she won’t follow.
Will Zoey & Grayson solve this mystery? Will they become more than just friends?
I really enjoyed this Tiki Trouble Mystery!! The characters are a hoot, especially Teenie! She is something else. PS: I have to say that I did enjoy reading about Polly’s Pizza � it does have a nice ring to it!
November 13, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Zoe drives down to Florida, where she finds work in a bar. After closing, she finds a human skull by the dumpster. She freaks out, and the next day the skull is gone. However, she has met the usual hunky super cop boyfriend, and the two of them try to find the skull, and who it used to be.
Zoe tends to be pretty scattered, and behaves like an idiot, but if you can get past that, this isn't bad.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Zoe drives down to Florida, where she finds work in a bar. After closing, she finds a human skull by the dumpster. She freaks out, and the next day the skull is gone. However, she has met the usual hunky super cop boyfriend, and the two of them try to find the skull, and who it used to be.
Zoe tends to be pretty scattered, and behaves like an idiot, but if you can get past that, this isn't bad.
April 6, 2021
Was I hooked by that book? Yes. It's a mystery that is solved without too much fuss, written in a fun and engaging enough style.
Zoey loves her job as a waitress at a tiki bar on a tropical island. Idyllic, right? But cleaning up at the end of the night is not her favorite part. Her evening took a definite turn for the worst when she discovered a human skull by the dumpster. There was no sign of the skull the next morning when the island's new detective, Grayson, came to inspect Zoey's gruesome discovery.
Zoey is very young, much younger than the hot detective, but that didn't stop her from flirting with him. She is super enthusiastic about trying to solve the mystery and she offered very valuable input. Grayson is older and more level-headed. He didn't dismiss Zoey's claims like the other police officers did and he included her in the investigation, even though he was concerned for her safety.
The story developed pretty quickly. Though it wasn't very complicated, it was a lot of fun to read. Zoey's bubbly personality and natural curiosity drive most of the plot forward. There is a lot of flirting going on between Zoey and Grayson, but that's all. I sure hope there's more to come. This is for you, if you're interested in romance and mystery, without it getting too serious or complex.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 2, 2023
Allow me to preface that when I read a cozy mystery, I am not expecting a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. However, I do want to be transported into a fun escape. I want to meet fun and quirky characters. And I want to discover a new recipe for something delicious to eat or drink based on the story I just read which is why I gravitate towards cozy mysteries that have food or drinks in the title.
I really enjoyed this easy read. It's the perfect summer vacation book due to the terrific island setting. Kuddos to Ms. Quinn because I was really craving a visit to the Beach Bummers and (the fictional?) Santa Maria Island based on her descriptions. I really felt like I was on holiday.
Also, the two main characters were likable and it was fun to follow the progress of their romance. And thankfully the romance was PG in nature and there weren't any sex scenes that required a parental warning.
And rescue dog lovers, you're going to just adore LUCKY who steals the scene whenever he's on the page.
As for the murder mystery, it was actually a surprising ending. I did not see it coming and for me - that's huge! And in keeping with the tradition of cozy mysteries, the story's murder was PG in nature and not too scary nor was it graphic.
And for those who love a recipe to go with their read, you'll find Quinn's Blueberry Moscow Mule recipe at the back of the book.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sharing a copy of Moscow Mules and Murder for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own.
Full review at:
I really enjoyed this easy read. It's the perfect summer vacation book due to the terrific island setting. Kuddos to Ms. Quinn because I was really craving a visit to the Beach Bummers and (the fictional?) Santa Maria Island based on her descriptions. I really felt like I was on holiday.
Also, the two main characters were likable and it was fun to follow the progress of their romance. And thankfully the romance was PG in nature and there weren't any sex scenes that required a parental warning.
And rescue dog lovers, you're going to just adore LUCKY who steals the scene whenever he's on the page.
As for the murder mystery, it was actually a surprising ending. I did not see it coming and for me - that's huge! And in keeping with the tradition of cozy mysteries, the story's murder was PG in nature and not too scary nor was it graphic.
And for those who love a recipe to go with their read, you'll find Quinn's Blueberry Moscow Mule recipe at the back of the book.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sharing a copy of Moscow Mules and Murder for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own.
Full review at:
April 16, 2021
The adorable cover of this novel instantly drew me in, however the rest of the book? Not so much.
One evening after work, our main character, Zoey finds a skull near a dumpster at work. However, after babbling to the hot new detective in town the next morning, the skull is no where to be found! Zoey does not let his deter her though. She's on a mission to help let this poor person finally rest in peace.
Several things bother me about this book, not to mention it switched between first and third person narratives and there were several grammatical errors, but the fact that Zoey seemed to know exactly how to "conduct an investigation" seemed a little farfetched. Zoey instantly knew the skull belonged to a woman, began asking all the "right" questions to all the "right" people, even used correct terminology / phrases. Seemed far too unbelievable to me, plus it was rather predictable. I had thought at first that this was the authors first novel, but it wasn't! I was honestly shocked at the lack of depth in this one for an established author.
I'm going to be frank with you all, I kind of skimmed this one. 3/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book for my honest review.
One evening after work, our main character, Zoey finds a skull near a dumpster at work. However, after babbling to the hot new detective in town the next morning, the skull is no where to be found! Zoey does not let his deter her though. She's on a mission to help let this poor person finally rest in peace.
Several things bother me about this book, not to mention it switched between first and third person narratives and there were several grammatical errors, but the fact that Zoey seemed to know exactly how to "conduct an investigation" seemed a little farfetched. Zoey instantly knew the skull belonged to a woman, began asking all the "right" questions to all the "right" people, even used correct terminology / phrases. Seemed far too unbelievable to me, plus it was rather predictable. I had thought at first that this was the authors first novel, but it wasn't! I was honestly shocked at the lack of depth in this one for an established author.
I'm going to be frank with you all, I kind of skimmed this one. 3/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book for my honest review.
April 10, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Quinn Avery and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the digital copy of Moscow Mules & Murder. This is my personal review.
Moscow Mules & Murder is the first in the new series A Tiki Trouble Cozy Mystery.
Zoey is a waitress at a tiki bar in Florida. She is trying to put her life back together and this sounded like a perfect place and job to do that.
Everything is going good for her until the night she finds a skull when she is taking out the trash.
The book is an easy fun read with a few twists and turns in the mystery to keep a person guessing.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Moscow Mules & Murder is the first in the new series A Tiki Trouble Cozy Mystery.
Zoey is a waitress at a tiki bar in Florida. She is trying to put her life back together and this sounded like a perfect place and job to do that.
Everything is going good for her until the night she finds a skull when she is taking out the trash.
The book is an easy fun read with a few twists and turns in the mystery to keep a person guessing.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 14, 2021
I won this on a goodreads giveaway.
Escaping from a break up, Zoe moves to an island and becomes a tiki bar waitress. One night she stumbles across a skull and curiosity along with help from the new local detective sends them follow clues to solve the mystery.
This was a night leisure read. It wasn’t an addictive read but it was entertaining.
There was cute humor but at times turned a bit awkward.
Outside of this, it was overall enjoyable.
Escaping from a break up, Zoe moves to an island and becomes a tiki bar waitress. One night she stumbles across a skull and curiosity along with help from the new local detective sends them follow clues to solve the mystery.
This was a night leisure read. It wasn’t an addictive read but it was entertaining.
There was cute humor but at times turned a bit awkward.
Outside of this, it was overall enjoyable.
April 30, 2021
A delightful bit of fluff. A charming and engaging cozy mystery. A cute romance and a variety of interesting characters. I look forward to reading more by this author. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
April 20, 2021
This is the first book in Quinn's new series and it's a great way to start. I LOVE when authors have characters cross over from previous books, so the fact that Grayson Rivers is now a character in this new series I am so excited to see what's in store for him! If you haven't read her previous series, no need to read those first, this one is a complete standalone, but may be a bit of a spoiler for the previous series, but nothing huge. Quinn's writing is smooth and the mystery flows and keeps moving at just the right speed to keep you interested in the story. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way for Zoey and Grayson to find their way through. Every time I read a new book by Quinn I'm a little more excited than the previous book as her writing keeps getting better and I can't wait to try and solve the mystery before the characters.
April 5, 2021
This is my first book by this author, and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I may have been in the mood for a beachy, fast-read murder mystery, but this book definitely satisfied that craving. I'm glad I requested it and I'm looking forward to the next installment in this new series.
Overall the plot was good - nothing too crazy with lots of twists and turns, but it kept me guessing for a little while. While Zoe definitely has some immaturity issues, she has a big heart and a LOT of curiosity and even some bravery. I loved that detective Grayson Rivers took Zoey seriously when she said she found a skull behind the dumpster at her place of work - which happens to be a beach bar called Beach Bummers. The budding romance between the two also added some spice to the story.
After finishing the book I had the thought that this book felt like an episode of a TV show like Death in Paradise - beautiful scenery, a bit of mystery, a zany protagonist, a 3-legged companion, and of course a skeleton, and all wrapped up in a very manageable amount of time. There is a lot of room for the author to grow her characters and create some more complicated mysteries, but for me this was a good start.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to review this book!
Overall the plot was good - nothing too crazy with lots of twists and turns, but it kept me guessing for a little while. While Zoe definitely has some immaturity issues, she has a big heart and a LOT of curiosity and even some bravery. I loved that detective Grayson Rivers took Zoey seriously when she said she found a skull behind the dumpster at her place of work - which happens to be a beach bar called Beach Bummers. The budding romance between the two also added some spice to the story.
After finishing the book I had the thought that this book felt like an episode of a TV show like Death in Paradise - beautiful scenery, a bit of mystery, a zany protagonist, a 3-legged companion, and of course a skeleton, and all wrapped up in a very manageable amount of time. There is a lot of room for the author to grow her characters and create some more complicated mysteries, but for me this was a good start.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to review this book!
April 7, 2021
This book was super cute. I love cozy mysteries. The main character, Zoey, is sassy, spunky, easily likable, and relatable. The writing is light and fun, just what you would expect from a cozy mystery. My favorite part in right at the beginning, “Have you seen the dating pool for my age bracket (20-30’s)? � That water is tainted. It’s full of mommas� boys who spend their days gaming in their parents� basements. I may as well date a hobbit.� I laughed out loud, because that is exactly how I feel!! From then on Zoey became one of my good friends.
Zoey moved to the shores of Santa Maria Island, Florida to get away from her perfect life crashing down. She works as a waitress at the Beach Bummer’s tiki bar, and as she is taking out the trash one night, she discovers a skull. The next day when she goes to report it to the police, she meets the drop dead gorgeous new detective, Grayson Rivers. Sign me up for a hot detective any day.
This book is a short and sweet cozy mysteries, no real brain power needed, but enjoyable all the same. Now to look for myself a handsome detective. :)
Zoey moved to the shores of Santa Maria Island, Florida to get away from her perfect life crashing down. She works as a waitress at the Beach Bummer’s tiki bar, and as she is taking out the trash one night, she discovers a skull. The next day when she goes to report it to the police, she meets the drop dead gorgeous new detective, Grayson Rivers. Sign me up for a hot detective any day.
This book is a short and sweet cozy mysteries, no real brain power needed, but enjoyable all the same. Now to look for myself a handsome detective. :)
April 12, 2021
I loved this book! It’s so much fun and reminded me a little of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. The island setting is glorious to read about and makes you feel like you’re on holiday! I’m hoping this might be the start of a series, as I’d love to read more about these quirky characters.
April 26, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book - all opinions are my own.
If you are looking for a very lighthearted murder mystery, you have come to the right place. This book was the exact rebound book I needed after a really difficult book, and I was able to binge read it in a day. This isn't too long, but it isn't so short that you feel the story is rushed. It is the perfect cozy book when you want to forget where you are and live vicariously through some people on a tropical beach, but also throw in some murder & suspense.
The story follows Zoey, a young 24 year old who uncovers a human head and proceeds to unravel a mystery that shakes their tiny town. Along with the very attractive Detective Grayson, they sleuthed out what could have happened to the rest of the body, as well as who this mystery person is. There are hijinks and "will they wont they" chemistry, all culminating in a nice resolution. Apparently this is the start of a series and if they all are like this it will very easy to continue to pick up and read these books. It is hard to find such an enjoyable, easy-to-read, lighthearted mystery.
I will say that this book was quite easy for me to power through, but sometimes that is exactly what you are looking for. So, if you are just wanting something to enjoy for a few hours, I would suggest this book. If you are looking for something very cerebral - look elsewhere.
If you are looking for a very lighthearted murder mystery, you have come to the right place. This book was the exact rebound book I needed after a really difficult book, and I was able to binge read it in a day. This isn't too long, but it isn't so short that you feel the story is rushed. It is the perfect cozy book when you want to forget where you are and live vicariously through some people on a tropical beach, but also throw in some murder & suspense.
The story follows Zoey, a young 24 year old who uncovers a human head and proceeds to unravel a mystery that shakes their tiny town. Along with the very attractive Detective Grayson, they sleuthed out what could have happened to the rest of the body, as well as who this mystery person is. There are hijinks and "will they wont they" chemistry, all culminating in a nice resolution. Apparently this is the start of a series and if they all are like this it will very easy to continue to pick up and read these books. It is hard to find such an enjoyable, easy-to-read, lighthearted mystery.
I will say that this book was quite easy for me to power through, but sometimes that is exactly what you are looking for. So, if you are just wanting something to enjoy for a few hours, I would suggest this book. If you are looking for something very cerebral - look elsewhere.
May 17, 2021
Moscow Mules & Murder is the first book in the Tiki Trouble Cozy mystery series by Quinn Avery. Quinn Avery is a new author to me. I found it to be a fast read and the characters had potential for growth. I was confused at times as to if the protagonist Zoey Zastrow or detective Grayson Rivers. I found the plot entertaining enough to keep me interested in the book.
I received a digital advanced reader copy from by the publisher through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I received a digital advanced reader copy from by the publisher through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
April 3, 2021
This was a quick read. The whodunit was rather well done and I love Lucky, but there could have been a little better background story weaving on some of the characters. The series has potential to grow and develop the characters and relationships. Sometimes a first book in a new series doesn't gel as well for me, so I am not hanging this one up to dry, I'll check out the next one and see how things go.
April 6, 2021
Moscow Mules & Murder by Quinn Avery is a cute, but shallow cozy mystery, which takes place on the beach in Santa Maria Island, Florida, often at a tiki bar. Zoey is emptying the trash one night after her shift when she comes upon a skull. She squeals and is off, frightened by her find. By the next morning she realizes what an error she has made and rushes to police headquarters to report it. The detective in charge (new and gorgeous), returns to the dumpster to find ... nothing. They search. He convinces the chief to send some guys out and they dig. Nothing. Grayson, the detective, believes her, but they get involved with other things, like rescuing a dog that needs one of its legs amputated; Zoey painting the inside of Grayson's house, despite the fact she has no idea how to; and becoming friends, as she was too much younger than he to be anything else. Then things start happening. Threats are made. Clues are discovered.
Zoey was an engaging character but the novel had no depth: clues appeared from nowhere; people were always the first place they looked, or the first person they questioned. It was not terrible for a first effort, but it was no a first effort. For a novel that could have been quite good, it missed the mark. Things moved to fast or too slow. Pacing was a problem. The mystery itself was far-fetched. To paraphrase: We were in love. I told her to leave and never come back. She never did. Very corny and simplistic. Sorry. You can do better. One interesting thing: Grayson's ex- appears to be the protagonist in another series by this author. Different.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Moscow Mules & Murder by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #moscowmules&murder
Zoey was an engaging character but the novel had no depth: clues appeared from nowhere; people were always the first place they looked, or the first person they questioned. It was not terrible for a first effort, but it was no a first effort. For a novel that could have been quite good, it missed the mark. Things moved to fast or too slow. Pacing was a problem. The mystery itself was far-fetched. To paraphrase: We were in love. I told her to leave and never come back. She never did. Very corny and simplistic. Sorry. You can do better. One interesting thing: Grayson's ex- appears to be the protagonist in another series by this author. Different.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Moscow Mules & Murder by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #moscowmules&murder
April 26, 2021
Zoey Zastrow is a young woman starting fresh in Santa Maria Island, FL. Late one night as she is closing down Beach Bummers, the tiki bar where she works, she discovers a human skull. Early the next morning, Zoey arrives at the police station to report the remains. Cue the hot new detective in town, Grayson. With his help, Zoey doesn’t stop until she finds out who the remains belong to and what exactly happened.
Cozy mysteries are great when you’re in need of something light and that’s simply what this is. It was a pretty straightforward story. There isn’t much depth and the mystery wasn’t super complex, yet it was a fun, quick read.
Zoey is a likeable, yet naive character who I felt had some growth over the course of the book. I wasn’t sold on she and Graysons relationship from the get go because I didn’t like the way he spoke to and treated her. This left me feeling less than invested in their relationship.
Overall, it was just ok in my opinion.
I do think it would be a good binge read on a beach vacation.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book
Cozy mysteries are great when you’re in need of something light and that’s simply what this is. It was a pretty straightforward story. There isn’t much depth and the mystery wasn’t super complex, yet it was a fun, quick read.
Zoey is a likeable, yet naive character who I felt had some growth over the course of the book. I wasn’t sold on she and Graysons relationship from the get go because I didn’t like the way he spoke to and treated her. This left me feeling less than invested in their relationship.
Overall, it was just ok in my opinion.
I do think it would be a good binge read on a beach vacation.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book
April 3, 2021
Zoey Zastrow works as a waitress in Beach Bummers tiki bar. One night after cleaning the bar she takes the garbage to the dumpster when she discovers a human skull by the dumpster.
The next day Zoey heads to the police station to report what she saw the previous night. There she meets a cute detective named Grayson Rivers who recently moved from California. She also shows him a security card from Beach Bummers she found underneath the skull.
So they both head to the dumpster where she found the skull but realize it’s missing. When they show the security card to her boss Smith, he recognizes it as belonging to one of his staff who suddenly quit six years ago.
Soon after Zoey starts receiving threatening notes warning her to back off from snooping.
Recipes at the end of this book include Quinn's Blueberry Moscow Mule. Overall an interesting cozy mystery.
Thank you to Quinn Avery, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
The next day Zoey heads to the police station to report what she saw the previous night. There she meets a cute detective named Grayson Rivers who recently moved from California. She also shows him a security card from Beach Bummers she found underneath the skull.
So they both head to the dumpster where she found the skull but realize it’s missing. When they show the security card to her boss Smith, he recognizes it as belonging to one of his staff who suddenly quit six years ago.
Soon after Zoey starts receiving threatening notes warning her to back off from snooping.
Recipes at the end of this book include Quinn's Blueberry Moscow Mule. Overall an interesting cozy mystery.
Thank you to Quinn Avery, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
May 2, 2021
If you're looking for a quick beach/holiday read then this is perfect reading material.
The main character, Zoey, is likeable and the mystery element keeps you guessing mostly to the end with a few twists. The budding romance between Zoey and the new-to-town 'hot' detective (Grayson) was a bit clichéd at times but was also kept clean so a good novel for younger teens to pick up too.
I liked how Grayson believed in Zoey and supported her in her desire to find the woman who had been murdered (no graphic descriptions) so that she could be put to rest , and it was definitely Zoey's passion for discovering the whereabouts of Ginny that helped progress the storyline.
I wasn't a big fan of some of the other characters although Teenie had a bit of gumption about her. I did really like the recipe for Moscow Mule at the back of the book!
Overall a quick, easy and light-hearted read.
I read this as an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #MoscowMulesMurder
The main character, Zoey, is likeable and the mystery element keeps you guessing mostly to the end with a few twists. The budding romance between Zoey and the new-to-town 'hot' detective (Grayson) was a bit clichéd at times but was also kept clean so a good novel for younger teens to pick up too.
I liked how Grayson believed in Zoey and supported her in her desire to find the woman who had been murdered (no graphic descriptions) so that she could be put to rest , and it was definitely Zoey's passion for discovering the whereabouts of Ginny that helped progress the storyline.
I wasn't a big fan of some of the other characters although Teenie had a bit of gumption about her. I did really like the recipe for Moscow Mule at the back of the book!
Overall a quick, easy and light-hearted read.
I read this as an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #MoscowMulesMurder
April 15, 2021
Moscow Mules & Murder is an enjoyable, cozy mystery - I was able to read it over 6 hours. If you like a thriller, then I would suggest this would not be for you. However, it's an entertaining novel that you don't need to focus too hard on when you're reading, ideal for by the pool or beach.
The first in a series of books, it focuses on Zoey who finds a skull and her determination to find out who it belonged to. She works alongside a detective and there is a mutual attraction which begins to develop more as the novel progresses and will no doubt, continue in the rest of the series.
The majority of characters serve a purpose and the story progresses well, though I did work out who the body was quite quickly. I would read future books in the series to see how the characters develop.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
The first in a series of books, it focuses on Zoey who finds a skull and her determination to find out who it belonged to. She works alongside a detective and there is a mutual attraction which begins to develop more as the novel progresses and will no doubt, continue in the rest of the series.
The majority of characters serve a purpose and the story progresses well, though I did work out who the body was quite quickly. I would read future books in the series to see how the characters develop.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
April 18, 2021
A big thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co Op for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This book is the beginning of a new series. It is a cozy mystery. A relatively quick, easy read. Not to much brain power needed to solve the mystery. It is a fun read. I did find Zoey a bit annoying-why is she so clumsy? I mean really? Also how in the world did she know the things she knew? How does a waitress know from just lookin at a skull that the person was a female? Many trained people can't tell this without an examine of the skull. She seemed to know how to investigate without any training. I still found it an ok read. 3 stars. This would be a great beach read.
May 1, 2021
I was given a Arc of the book for a honest review, thanks to the publisher for allowing me to enjoy her work.
To put it simply this is a cozy mystery. Perfect for those cup of tea, reading by the fire or out on the beach under the sun simple read moments.
It takes place on the beach in Santa Maria Island, Florida, often at a tiki bar, where a waitress named Zoey discovers a skull when cleaning up after her shift. The story continues from there with things like rescuing a dog, painting a house and maybe falling in love with a much older man.
All in all, it was definitely a cute story that could have been nailed down a bit more. That being said I will still read more cozy mysteries by this author when I want a quick, funny, cozy book to help pass the time.
To put it simply this is a cozy mystery. Perfect for those cup of tea, reading by the fire or out on the beach under the sun simple read moments.
It takes place on the beach in Santa Maria Island, Florida, often at a tiki bar, where a waitress named Zoey discovers a skull when cleaning up after her shift. The story continues from there with things like rescuing a dog, painting a house and maybe falling in love with a much older man.
All in all, it was definitely a cute story that could have been nailed down a bit more. That being said I will still read more cozy mysteries by this author when I want a quick, funny, cozy book to help pass the time.
April 7, 2021
I love a cozy mystery, they are so easy to read and normally can be read in a single sitting. For the first in a series this didn’t disappoint. Zoey and Grayson are likeable characters and Lucky is the loyal sidekick.
I would say the first half and second half of the book felt slightly disjointed from each other as the investigation moved through different stages and Zoey’s role changes but I think this is more just setting up for future instalments. I will definitely read any further books to see how the relationships develop.
I would say the first half and second half of the book felt slightly disjointed from each other as the investigation moved through different stages and Zoey’s role changes but I think this is more just setting up for future instalments. I will definitely read any further books to see how the relationships develop.
April 14, 2021
Moscow Mules and Murder was a short and sweet romantic mystery.
The characters were quirky and fun but Lucky the dog was my personal favorite.
My biggest complaint was Zoey seemed to come off as a bit immature. This was the first book I have read by this author so I am curious as to whether Zoey will continue to grow and develop as the series continues.
The mystery was the best part of the book and though I kept trying to guess what would happen, I was wrong until the very end!
This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters were quirky and fun but Lucky the dog was my personal favorite.
My biggest complaint was Zoey seemed to come off as a bit immature. This was the first book I have read by this author so I am curious as to whether Zoey will continue to grow and develop as the series continues.
The mystery was the best part of the book and though I kept trying to guess what would happen, I was wrong until the very end!
This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 21, 2021
it was a fast, entertaining read. it was more of a criminal comedy than a thriller but i still enjoyed it. the main character, zoey, did act immature and irresponsible at times (though stupidly is probably more fitting word) but somehow she was still likable and i wasn’t really annoyed with her. i think it’s just a beginning of her story and her development will continue in the future books. romance was okay, i wasn’t really that much invested in it but i think it has potential. what i did like was friendships and lucky the dog! they were real scene-stealers. 2.5 stars.
June 19, 2021
I enjoy cozy mysteries when I’ve have a crazy day as a way to mentally unwind without turning to TV. This book is a perfect beach read - interesting characters, simple universe, a mystery without too much at stake. Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I would absolutely read the next book in the series to find out what develops next for the characters.
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