A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with plenty of nods to Austen... Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver (Review) #booktwitter #newbooks #cyanideandsensibility #janeaustenteasocietymystery #katieoliver #cozymystery #romcom #austenesque @katieoliver01 @BerkleyPub @penguinrandom @austenprose


Welcome to my tour stop for this cozy mystery! Read my review below...

Cyanide and Sensibility
(A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3)
By Katie Oliver
Cozy Culinary Mysteries, Armature Sleuths, Austenesque Fiction
Paperbook, Audiobook & eBook, 320 Pages
December 12, 2023 by Berkley

Summary

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

Praise for the Book

“This is the first book I have read in the Jane Austen Tea Society series, but it won’t be my last…If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is a book you will enjoy.”— Book Looks by Lisa

“The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. Highly recommend.”— Cara Putnam, author of Come What May

5 STARS— Gwendalyn’s Books

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY is one of those treasures you happen across that you might not normally have picked up on your own. Delightful small-town life and characters bring the story alive, while the mystery keeps readers entertained from beginning to end. Highly recommended to cozy mystery fans, especially those who are also Austen fans!

From the first few pages I knew this story was going to be good. Not in a serious, change-your-life way, but in just pure delight and enjoyment. As a reader you get to step into Phaeda's point of view and watch a murder play out and then try to fit all the pieces together. The author gives plenty of red herrings so that the story has enough twists and turns that you're not completely sure who wants who dead. The town is cute with a diverse group of side characters. There were a few very minor editing or character/story development issues, but nothing that distracted from the story. The mystery is cozy, but also has enough light suspense to keep things pushing forward. As a sidenote, I have not read the first two books in this series but had no issues following and enjoying this one. Also, if this book is any indicator of the first two in the series, I'll be thoroughly enjoying them as well!

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is a very fun, completely delightful cozy mystery! Definitely a book and series recommended to cozy mystery and Austen fans.

Content: Some violence pertinent to the story. Clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author


Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series.



Are you an Austen or cozy mystery fan? Does this sound like your kind of book and one you'll be picking up?

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