Read time: 3 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle | Cozy Mystery | 📃 304 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Book Blurb:
Lacey Langdon returns to her hometown, Willow Bluffs, after inheriting her mother’s printing and party supply business. A town councilman’s murder at one of her events pulls her into a maze of secrets, cryptic deliveries, and centuries-old mysteries. With help from friends and Aunt Tessa, who plays her cards close to the chest, Lacey must unravel the truth before more harm comes to the quirky town she thought she knew.
Let’s talk about the book:
Carol Floriani’s The Invitation to Murder checks all the boxes for cozy mystery fans: small-town charm, quirky characters, and just the right sprinkle of intrigue. The setting feels lived-in and comfortable, making it easy to get swept up in the community’s drama. Unfortunately, Aunt Tessa, who seems pivotal, became more frustrating as the story unfolded with her guarded communication style.
She’s one of those characters who only talks when you drag the truth out of her. And sure, she’s willing enough to answer once asked, but if you have no qualms sharing vital information, why wait to be asked? Especially when there’s a possible stalker lurking in the background? It’s one of those character choices that makes you want to reach into the book and shake someone.
The partnership with ex-classmate Derek adds cute banter, blending old tragedies with fresh kills, but the killer reveal was a letdown. Even though I added a note in the middle of the book guessing the killer correctly, the reason why did not sit well with me. Cozy elements shine in the party-planning chaos and NJ setting, but predictability dulled the edge.
It’s a breezy debut with enough small-town sleuthing and event mishaps to entertain, though the emotional family ties felt underdeveloped amid the annoyances.
Would I recommend it?
It’s a mixed bag. I liked the small-town setting, the party-planning hook, and the undercurrent of family secrets, but I wanted sharper character logic and a more earned ending. A solid debut with promise, but not one that left me wowed.
If you liked this…
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- The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
A classic cozy featuring a journalist and his highly intelligent Siamese cats solving small-town mysteries with gentle humor and warmth. - A Side of Murder by Amy Pershing
The first in a foodie cozy series set on Cape Cod. Perfect for fans of charming seaside towns, amateur sleuths, and a dash of culinary intrigue. - The Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle
Follows a barista/detective who solves crimes in New York’s coffee scene, blending urban coziness, tasty descriptions, and engaging mysteries. - Murder at the Old Curiosity Shop by Diana Pharaoh Francis
A cozy mystery with a historical twist, combining quirky town life with a well-paced murder puzzle. - Murder on the Menu by Laurien Berenson
Caterer sleuth in CT uncovers park dedication poisonings tied to old soap-opera scandals. Banter sizzles, motives click clean.
💭 Let’s talk mysteries that miss the mark
Have you ever read a book where the big reveal just didn’t land for you? What makes or breaks a good killer twist in your opinion? Tell me your thoughts below 👇
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