Louisa Henry, reeling from the loss of her husband, moves to a charming town to start fresh, leaving behind her high-powered New York career to fulfil her dream of owning a bookstore. But her plans take a grim turn when a dead body is found behind her shop, tying her to a mystery she can’t ignore. With the opening of her store at risk and haunted by her own grief, Lou embarks on a quest to uncover the man’s identity, following the cryptic clues he left behind. Solving this mystery might save her bookstore—and give her the closure she desperately seeks. 

This cosy mystery is a delightful read, perfect for curling up with a large mug of hot chocolate on a chilly day. It introduces us to Louisa Henry, a 37-year-old widow embarking on a new chapter of her life in a quaint small town. I really appreciated having an older protagonist at the heart of the story—so many books in general lean on much younger main characters, so Lou’s perspective was a refreshing change. Her journey of rediscovering herself while running a bookshop and fostering cats was such a heart-warming escape. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to live that life?

The setting and the cast of characters were equally charming. Most of the supporting cast were lovable and had intriguing backstories that added depth to the world Lou is building around her. The mystery itself had a satisfying conclusion, with the culprit and motive tying everything together in a neat bow. It’s rare to come away from a mystery feeling entirely at peace with how it ended, but this book managed that. It was enough to make me curious about where the series might go next—I’ll definitely be continuing it.

That said, the story leaned a little too heavily into the “cosy” aspect for my liking. While the characters were endearing, the lack of any real tension, betrayal, or challenge made the mystery feel safe and predictable. I understand this might have been a deliberate choice to keep the tone light, but I couldn’t help wishing for a twist or a bit of emotional turmoil to add some excitement. The writing itself was straightforward and easy to follow, which suits the cosy mystery genre, but it didn’t push the reader to engage deeply or think critically about the unfolding events.

Another minor gripe was the sheer number of characters introduced early on, many of whom disappeared for the rest of the book. It left me feeling as though some potential storylines or conflicts were left unexplored, though I’m hopeful they’ll resurface in future instalments.

Overall, this was a light, enjoyable read that’s perfect for fans of cosy mysteries who want a low-stakes, heart-warming story. While it didn’t fully satisfy my craving for a more complex mystery, it’s a charming start to what could be an engaging series.