Downward Death

Happy Tuesday, fellow readers! Can you believe that we are almost at the end of another month? The nights are getting cooler here in Pennsylvania reminding me that Fall will be here soon. This, of course, puts me in the mood for spooky books, mysteries, and coziness. So, this week's recommendation hits all of the spots. Please join me in checking out the cozy murder mystery called "Downward Death" by Stella Bixby.

First, the trigger warnings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Clean

Trigger Warnings:

Death/Murder

Mentions of child abandonment

Mentions of fostercare

Mentions of dating a minor

I don't think that these should scare off too many readers, which is the great thing about a cozy. This one brings a super interesting and different female main character (FMC). Ellie Vanderwick has a tragic history but is the absolute poster woman for perseverance. She's a bit of a nomad who calls her VW microbus, Mona, home. Along with her pet pig, Penelope, and the temperamental Mona, Ellie is such a wonderful character. I adore her. Oh, and wait until you learn about her hair! You'll have to read the book to find out about that.

The setting was a big hit for me, too. I love a small town setting for a murder mystery, and Stella Bixby rocks that out with the tiny town of Cliff Haven. I can practically see the town square, the small shops, and all of the corn farms. The details are fabulous, and I love Cliff Haven.

The characters are great. I especially love that Stella included a character list at the beginning to help you keep track. I love how intertwined everyone is as it really leans into that small town feel. In the beginning, there are some characters who welcome Ellie and others who are stand offish, which is spot on for a newcomer to a small town even if the family is established there. The temperature of how the townspeople feel about Ellie is evident throughout the book, which is such a smart choice by the author.

The mystery! Oh my. "Downward Death" kept me guessing from beginning to end and that's hard to do with me. I often figure out a mystery pretty early on, and I absolutely love that I couldn’t figure this one out immediately.

Here is my official review:

What a whirlwind of a book!

"Downward Death" is a complete whirlwind from beginning to end. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I love the small town setting, and I love Ellie. Her tragic backstory and her inner strength combined with her quirky personality and her unique hair make her such an interesting character. I absolutely loved the introduction to this series.

If you'd like to cozy up and solve a murder with Ellie and Penelope, you can get "Downward Death" here: https://a.co/d/4nnC4eC

That does it for me for this week, dear readers. Please join me again next week for another wonderful recommendation. Until then, curl up with a good book.