When the suspect of a new murder is a person that dislikes you but needs your help…

Synopsis

A local gossip is about to get her just desserts!

Life at Hopgood Hall is never boring, but Alexi Ellis hopes that there will be no more murders for the time being – she’s solved four already and is getting a reputation in the local area for being bad luck.

So when local gossip Polly Pearson arrives at Hopgood hall, Alexi knows this can only mean bad news. Polly has made it clear that she dislikes Alexi, and has campaigned for her to leave Hopgood Hall forever – so what could Polly want?

Then Polly reveals that her partner, Gerry has been found murdered in her B&B and that she is the main suspect! Alexi, her partner Jack and Cosmo the cat are all left speechless. More so when Polly begs Alexi for help improving her innocence.

But Alexi isn’t sure she wants to help this spiteful gossip. Is she really innocent or as deadly as the police believe her to be?

My review

After four murders at Hopgood Hall, Alexi Ellis hopes that no new murders will be taking place, or she will truly believe that she is a bad omen…
Yet Alexi is more than astonished when Polly Pearson, local gossip and number one in bad – mouthing about Alexi, needing her help. Because Polly’s partner Gerry has been murdered in her own B&B and Polly is the main suspect.
But is Alexa willing to help the worst gossip out? Together with her partner Jack and Cosmo The Cat, Alexi starts to do some digging and they are all astonished learning that nothing is as straightforward as it may seem…

Starting with this book, gave me a bit mixed feelings. Because while I loved returning to Hopgood Hall and seeing Alexi and her friends and loved ones (and Cosmo😊) again, I knew that another murder would be taken place. All while I wanted nothing more for Alexi and Jack to have the time to just enjoy each other.

I have to say, I don’t know if I would be helping out Polly, taking in account the way she behaved towards Alexi. Okay, even if being accused of murder is a serious matter, I would only point her in the right direction and then I wouldn’t be bothering about her anymore. That only shows how kind Alexi truly is…

Of course I also think it’s a matter that Alexi and Jack are also a bit curious 😊 Did Polly truly did it? And if she did, why did she do it?
And even if all the clues point towards Polly and the police is only focused on her, it can never be bad to have a fresh view on things and look at other possible suspects…

The more I got involved in this story, the more I started to see red flags just everywhere. Everyone was a suspect, everyone was a possible murderer. And while murder is never the right solution/answer, well it’s save to say that victim Gerry wasn’t holier-than-thou… He for sure used women and people in general for his own benefits…

I was a bit shocked to see Jack’s ex making an appearance, and disliked her from the first entry. Not only because she acts like she’s all that, and seems to be some kind of a threat for our power couple. Yet I was happy to see how Alexi and Jack are still as strong as before! But that doesn’t mean I kept on being wary of the ex, and I was glad to read that my gut feeling was still spot on!

There are definitely several twists and turns in this book, as the plot keeps on thickening, and more people enter the scene. Secrets are being uncovered, the suspense keeps on increasing.
But do not worry, as this book, just like previous ones in this series also keeps its lightness. There are several moments that put a smile on my face, and yes, Cosmo is the main smile – creator! He for sure is a force to be reckoned with. And it was also sweet to read how this feral cat has an attitude but also a kind cat heart!

I truly enjoyed reading this story as it was the perfect combination of lightness, suspense, but also with a bit of lovely romance!