mood music: Cheap Thrills – sia (bridgerton version)
This was such a pleasant little book, I’m so happy to have come across it in my reading journey this year. It also helped me discover a new story genre to add to my repertoire – the cozy mystery. Influenced by Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and set during the era of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this was a lighthearted introduction to what I imagine will be a series of books that I cannot wait to pick up in the future.
Beatrice Steele is a young woman living in 19th-century England with her eccentric family members in the fictional town of Swampshire. The Steeles are invited to a party by their family friends, the Ashbrooks, and they hope that during this party one of their daughters will secure an engagement that will save the family from losing their estate. It’s during this party that the most eligible (and wealthiest) bachelor, Edmund Croaksworth, suddenly drops dead in the middle of the ballroom, shocking all those in attendance. Beatrice, who has a penchant for problem-solving and an affinity for true crime, is immediately on the case with another guest, Inspector Drake, as they try to figure out what, or who caused Edmund’s demise.
I loved how kitschy this book was. There were a lot of winks and nods to the reader and a lot of goofy bits woven into what could have been a very run-of-the-mill whodunit. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to a continuation of this series, hopefully, the next one will be published sooner than later.