I actually laughed out loud a few times during this novel. The characters are so fun and entertaining especially our inn keeper who was not ready for this full time job. Such a wonderful cozy mystery with a wedding, a murder, a loveable puppy and a miserable inn keeper trying to keep everything together. Even the minor characters bring much joy to this story. Can't wait to see these beloved quirky characters again!

I did enjoy reading this book. It was relaxing and lighthearted. ( )

I liked the main subject of the story, Andy Shirley. and his grumpiness. The dog Fifi was a nice (and an important!) addition. The interaction with Charlie was good, I do like intergenerational interaction.
Please keep all this positiveness in mind, because now comes the grumpy part.
The grumpiness of Andy took too long in the book. It slowed the pace.
I noticed the existence of Fifi quite late in the book, I do think it should have come earlier.
I do not want to spoil too much, but, forgetting such an enormous important part of a Bed and Breakfast: really?
And Charlie in the last chapter: no, I do not think that was a good idea. I do not know the english translation, but in Dutch we say: 'dat wordt er met de haren bijgesleept'.

Notwithstanding my grumpiness: I liked the book and I do hope there will be a following book about this Bed and Breakfast.

A quick, enjoyable read. It does take the whole of the novel to warm up to the narrator, but by the end, you can see his character progressing. The supporting characters are well drawn and engaging. I loved the faux British mystery novel drawing room scene at the end and I love how at least one of the supporting characters does not let the narrator get away with his 'triumph'. Also, the dog is adorable and survives!

( )

Not quite as funny as it wants or needs to be, nor cute enough to be a cosy mystery, or even really much of a mystery.

A widower takes on a bed and breakfast 'inn' in northern california. His wife had intended for him to be the handyman as his retirement project, while she managed the guests and catering. A year after her untimely demise he is still contracted to the purchase and so makes the move up. He quickly realises the property needs some specialist maintenance but can't believe the prices the local tradespeople charge. On the 2nd morning one of the current guests - a very demanding wedding party - is found dead in her bed. The local sheriff is busy on a child abduction case, and so our curmudgeonly owner fecklessly tries to investigate on his own - if only to get rid of as many annoying people as possible.

I'm sure a 'heart of gold beneath the grumpy exterior' was intended, but it never really came through and was just annoying. The rest of the townspeople also fell very flat and the descriptions lacked any details of the landscapes or much of anything.

Not a series I'll be pursuing, although not actively bad as such, but there are much better cosy mysteries out there. ( )