Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Murder Most Lovely

SERIES: Lacetown Murder Mystery #1

AUTHOR: Hank Edwards & Deanna Wadsworth

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 270 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2019

BLURB:

Lacetown Murder Mysteries: Case One

A killer at a small-town literary festival. Bumbling drug dealers. A kidnapped cat. Starting a romance among all this chaos might be the death of them.
Michael Fleishman is excited to meet his favorite mystery writer, Russell Withingham, at Lacetown’s Literary Fest. He is not expecting to cross paths with sexy hairdresser Jasper “Jazz” Dilworth—or become embroiled in a real-life mystery. As Lacetown’s only mortician and the county coroner, Michael is called to his first murder scene and is shocked to recognize the victim—Russell’s young lover.
Jazz only wanted to confront his ex, Russell, over his cheating. Instead, he meets the adorably awkward Michael and becomes a murder suspect. Soon Jazz is teaming up with Michael to clear his name. Along the way, they are helped and hindered by Michael’s sassy assistant, Kitty, the grumpy Sheriff Musgrave, Russell’s creepy PR rep, Norbert, and Michael’s lothario grandfather, who likes his manhattans strong and his women saucy. And of course, Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third…

REVIEW:

I’m so ashamed. I’m going to have to have my murder mystery solving card revoked or take a 101 class, because I was WAY off on who did it in this one. So ashamed. But it’s worth it. This is one hell of a mystery. Shady characters popping up everywhere, and just when you think you may have it solved, something else shows a clue and boom. You’re off in another direction. I LOVED this book and cannot wait for the next one!

Michael just wanted to get his ten books signed by his favorite author before the rain did any damage. What he didn’t expect, was to run into the author’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Jazz. Turns out his favorite author, Russell, is really a dick in everyday life and owes Jazz some money and is being a butt about the divorce. Apparently, he has no problem flashing his latest boy toy, Dylan, with him as well. Michael gets his books signed, Jazz gets his money, after a heated argument, and Dylan ends up dead, with drugs shoved in some private places. While Michael is trying to help figure things out, he and Jazz seem to be hitting it off. But every time they have a date or get together, something ends up happening. Before you know it, Michael’s cat, Mr. Pickles is being held for ransom (*gasp* I know), and Michael and Jazz are being held up at gunpoint. The catnapper’s are arrested and everyone thinks it’s finally over, but they’re wrong. Michael and Jazz are in a fight for their lives and hoping someone will ‘save the day’, before they are next on the murder list.

With Michael being the coroner, he has first access really to everything. Or most everything. So him finding drugs in the victim’s rectum, just added to the mystery of what was going on. Especially with the way he was found, the condition and all. I really loved all the different facets to Michael. He is often quiet, shy, and a loner. The loner part is not by choice and that breaks my heart. Just because he’s a mortician, doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. It’s just a job. Even though Jazz is still technically married, it tickled me to see him with Michael. Because someone finally saw Michael. All of him. The shy, quiet man along with the fiery passionate one that rarely makes an entrance. (Unless he’s been pushed too far.) There’s so many different levels to Michael. Including intelligence. As evident in this case. Michael made this book for me.

But he’s not the only one. Jazz is a character himself. He seems so flighty at times. Queenish, maybe. But when it comes down to it, he just in with both feet and does all he can. Definitely when it comes to saving Michael and himself. He’s a good man, just blinded by the flash of someone somewhat famous. He’s been put in a bad spot he just wants out.

I think one of my other favorites is Kitty. She’s a badass assist of Michael’s. You will love her.

I may be way off, but something in this book makes me think it may be a mystery coming up. Maybe not. And someone else close to Michael seems shady to me. Something just seems off about him. Hopefully it will be resolved soon. I’m antsy lol.

A great start to what looks like a great series. A really great book.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

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