The Secret, Book & Scone Society

I loved this book! However, I think it's important to point out that I personally would not call it a cozy mystery.

A lot of cozy elements are there: small town, cute business, great friends. Because I knew nothing else about this book when I picked it up, I was a little taken aback by the darkness in the story. Don't get me wrong, darkness has its place – I did give the book 5 stars, after all! – but if you are looking for a cozy escape, this isn't the book for you. The narrator's outlook on the world is extremely mistrustful (with reason) and [slight spoiler ahead] the investigation includes sexual assault and some unsettlingly violent moments. In the end, it came together for me, but I still don't think it's entirely fair to ambush a reader with those elements if what they need is a lighter tale.