Danielle Collins

The series name captured my attention as I've always wanted to visit the Florida Keys and although I've only stayed at a bed and breakfast for an overnight visit, it was an absolutely luxurious experience. I was also intrigued by the title as I don't recall reading any previous cozy where the book club read novels in only one genre. Add to that the parrot on the book cover and I couldn't resist this selection.

Eva Stewart is the proprietress of the Key's Bed and Breakfast. Eva decorates the show more guest rooms with a different color palette that helps her identify the rooms for guests and in conversations with her maid, Elena and housekeeper, Benita. Adding a separate cottage at the back of the property gives Eva privacy but still allows her on-site overview. I delighted that the parrot was not merely a cute accent for the book cover but identifies Poirot, parrot-in-residence at the B&B and quite the charmer. As Eva loves to read murder mysteries she hosts a "Murder Mystery Book Club" or "MMBC" for short. The book club is a group of friends living in the Keys that meets every Friday night. As the group is quite adept at deciphering clues in novels it becomes no surprise when they decide to investigate a local murder that has ties to the B&B.

It was such a fun cozy to read from beginning to end although the author appears to be setting up a romantic triangle between the main amateur sleuth, the contractor and the new detective in town. Addition of the law enforcement officer to the romantic trio is becoming banal. Regardless, I look forward to further investigations with the "MMBC" as I think they've only just begun their sleuthing together. show less

As someone who grew up in Key West, this series is hilariously bad. The cozy murder mystery aspect is actually pretty good, and the characters are fun, but hoo boy. I'd put money on this: this author has been to Key West once, for a long weekend, in winter, stayed in a B&B like the one in the book, and that's it. So many things are wrong. Like, not... the worst wrong, but it's very, very clear that she has only a passing familiarity with the location. The setting is like... beachy Houston show more with sand dollars (Key West does not have sand dollars, btw). As the series goes on she goes further afield from reality (the main setting of the third book she clearly got by looking at a map and doing no further research... which is refreshing because the setting of the second book clearly did not involve looking at a map). It's a fun read. I only kept reading because the inaccuracies were funny to me, though. Why set something in such a specific location if you know nothing about it? show less

Eva Stewart runs a B&B in the Florida Keys and hosts a murder mystery book club. When a man's body is found in the alley behind her house, Eva and the rest of the club find themselves investigating a real mystery.

Eva has a "secret past" and an interest in crimes and mysteries. She independently wealthy and owns and runs the B&B for something to fill her days. She knows that she should turn over all the evidence she finds to the new detective in town but he puts her back up and seems show more dismissive of what she has to tell him.

Also new in town is the flamboyant medical examiner Dr. Vicky Clem who is also interested in mysteries and seems like someone who could become a good friend. Vicky is willing to pass on some of the information she learns to Eva.

This is the first in a new cozy series which looks like it has potential. I liked Eva and the other characters in her book club which includes a couple of dog groomers, an eccentric artist, and a women-of-a-certain age.

There is a potential for a romance between Eva and the new detective if only Eva's contractor would get out of the way. He wants romance but Eva is only interested in him as a contractor. show less

I love vacationing in Key West and have enjoyed reading cozy mysteries, so I was eager to try the Florida Keys Bed and Breakfast Cozy Mystery series by Danielle Collins. The first book in the series is Murder Mystery Book Club. When I intentionally start a series, I prefer to start with the first book, even though it’s not always necessary. I like to read a series in publication order.

Eva Stewart owns and operates a bed and breakfast in Key West, with her pet parrot. She loves to read show more murder mystery novels and organizes a book club with other locals. Her book club is reading an Agatha Christie novel, so there are a lot of Christie references throughout the story. A murder occurs in an alley near the bed and breakfast, which has Eva a bit rattled. She has a guest who seems unfriendly and unfamiliar with the typical welcoming atmosphere of a B&B. Due to Eva’s inquisitive nature, she inserts herself into the murder investigation through a friendship with the new coroner. With the help of her book club, she gathers information to relay to the investigating detective; however, her efforts are not necessarily appreciated.

I loved the setting of Key West. Great memories came to mind when places I’m familiar with were mentioned in the story. The murder mystery was good, and the characters were likable. I appreciate that the story didn’t have the cheesy, immature tone like some cozy mysteries. The relationships that developed between characters were mature. At less than five hours on audio, it’s a pretty quick read. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. I’m on the fence if I will continue to read the series. I haven’t thrown it out the window. I put it on the ‘maybe I will read the next one’ shelf when I want to read about Key West. The setting is the main attraction of this series. So loyal followers, I guess we’ll have to see.

I borrowed the audiobook of Murder Mystery Book Club from my local library with the Libby app. Narration by Aida Reluzco made for a pleasant listening experience.

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog show less