Most people probably don’t want to do book reviews/book tours on their birthday – but since this is one of my favorite series and authors in my absolute favorite genres, I consider it an honor. If I can help spread some joy on my birthday, that’s a special experience.
About the Book
Local sleuth, Tanya Bowe, attends the long-awaited opening of the Surfusion restaurant. The unexpected arrival of a famous food critic raises the stakes for the owners and increases the buzz of excitement. The evening takes a dark turn when he collapses into his coffee, hours after a scathing review goes live on his blog. The owners are prime suspects for his murder, but Tanya is convinced of their innocence and vows to clear their names.
As Tanya digs deeper, what at first seems like an open-and-shut case unravels into a web of intrigue. Is the famous critic even the intended victim of the crime? Tanya Bowe has her work cut out for her as hidden motives lead to simmering tensions among her friends.
With time running out and Surfusion’s future on the line, can Tanya unmask the culprit before it’s too late?
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, this gripping tale of deception, friendship, and culinary intrigue will keep you guessing until the very end.
My Thoughts
We are six books in, and I don’t feel like we’re losing any momentum, which sometimes happens in long series. Mouse and Harry are still my favorites, but I also love Tanya. She is a fantastic, cozy lead – whip-smart, independent, and basically the center of the town. Like so many cozy heroines, she’s better at solving crimes than the cops, but they still try to keep her out of it. However, at this point, they mostly try to keep her from doing dangerous things instead of completely off the case.
One thing I love about this one is there is some actual diversity built into the story, even though the book is set in a small town, just like most cozy mysteries. There are LGBTQplus characters, as well as multiple cultures and non-traditional family structures. I also love the mental health representation present, especially in the main character, with Tanya’s depression. I don’t like that her husband left her because of it, but that’s another sign of how real this one gets – everything isn’t cute and cozy. Real, bad things do happen.
This isn’t just a cutesy cozy; it offers diversity and some reality, and it still offers my favorite aspect of cozies – a cast of characters that will keep you coming back for more. As soon as I turn the last page, I always want to read more!
This go-around is so intriguing, with so many layers to peel back and so many twists and turns. And the brilliant ending that Tanya pulls off is fantastic! I love her so much!
I’m so please that the author and Love Books Tours continue to include me on these tours!
Who’s It For?
If you love cozy mysteries full of loveable characters, murder that seems almost beside the point, low-stakes love triangles, and strong female leads, this is the series for you. I’d start with the first book, which is Deadly Returns. You could theoretically read them as a standalones, but I think you would lose a lot of context reading them that way, but others don’t agree. I’m an old-school completionist who hates to read out of order! But Skinner provides plenty of context. I do think you miss out on some of the loveable character backgrounds and settings, though.
Content Warnings: Death, Religious Ideology, Alcohol Abuse, Mention of Divorce, Murder, Violence, Adult Language, Racism, Homophobia, Domestic Strife
About the Author
PJ Skinner is a geologist who has spent thirty years roaming the planet and collecting tall tales and real-life experiences. Most of her postings were in remote and dangerous sites which provide background settings for her novels. She now writes fact-based novels from the relative safety of London. She still travels worldwide collecting material for the series and having her own adventures.
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/d62hVoa
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6OLRCbT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213435002-last-orders
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.