Review by Tracy Condie
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an email copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Tessa Treslow reporting for maid of honor duty and murder solving, sir. This is the fifth Hometown Mystery book, and my first time reading from this series. The story is a stand-alone cozy that takes place in the town of New Oslo, Idaho. After a successful service career, Tessa moves back home to restore vintage vehicles with her Aunt Edna (and to solve mysteries). This latest book does not involve vintage vehicles, but it does involve something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, plus a dead body or two.
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| Gemma Halliday |
Shelby, Jessie’s high school BFF frenemy, is a professional wedding planner, so why wasn’t she asked to help? Most likely because she irritates everyone every time she opens her mouth. Tessa and the other ladies have everything well in hand, but Shelby tries to steamroll Jessie, the gang, and their hard work. I half expected Shelby to be the victim because she is only slightly less repugnant than Jessie's first husband, Zane, the actual victim.
Much of my enjoyment of this book involved the back and forth between Tessa and Aunt Edna. Everyone needs an Aunt Edna to help keep them straight and to listen when needed and to give advice when they might not want it. Something that Tessa seems to need to keep her cool when dealing with Shelby, who really should not have been invited in the first place. Tessa didn’t return from duty with PTSD; she came back with a bit of anger, and Shelby does a great job of triggering it. I appreciate the authenticity Ms. Spellman incorporates into the story, from Tessa’s need to contact her therapist, to Nick’s loss of limb from his time in the service. There is some light-heartedness to balance out the real-life seriousness.
In addition, there are some really good red herrings and shifty suspects to keep you entertained and turning pages. Who is that guy that says he is a PI, and who really hired him? Both the bride and the groom are on the suspect list, but we know that they couldn’t have done it, right? One more cozy aspect to this story is that there is also a fur baby, Vince the boxer, who is a butt wiggling ball of fun.
All in all, this is a good read that has me wanting to check out the rest of the series to see how it all started.
To enter to win an ebook copy of Home Sweet Homicide, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "home sweet,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 23, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.
You can click here to purchase this book.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.
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