ARC Review: Peril In Pink by Sydney Leigh

Peril in Pink
Author: Sydney Leigh
Series: Hudson Valley B&Bs Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (March 19, 2024)

Description: Everything is coming up rosé for innkeeper Jess Byrne until a murder on opening weekend gives her B&B’s killer vibe a whole new meaning.

Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building in this sparkling debut mystery.

It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect.

After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder.

With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled.

My Thoughts: Jess Byrne has moved from California back to her hometown in New York to open a B&B with her best friend Kat. The opening is set and totally instagram worthy. She has even convinced her ex-boyfriend and rising music star Lars Armstrong to perform. Unfortunately, he is accompanied by his stepfather/manager Bob who is an object of hatred in the town. 

When Bob is found murdered, it looks like The Pearl's grand opening is going to be a failure. In order to save her business and save her ex from being arrested for the murder, Jess will have to become a sleuth. She has a large number of suspects since many of the guests at the opening had reasons to want Bob dead. 

Things get even worse when a second murder occurs and Lars is found standing over the body,

This was an entertaining start to a new cozy mystery series. Jess is an engaging character and is surrounded by a cast of interesting people from her retired high school principal mother to her Deadhead Aunt and her bartender brother and new wife yoga guru. There is even a potential love interest in the police detective assigned to the case.

Fans of cozies will enjoy this one. 

Favorite Quote:

He snorted. "The Momfia strikes again, huh? Impressive." The Momfia was the nickname we'd given my mom and her circle of friends, who seemed capable of accomplishing anything they put their minds to, from convincing a professor to expand his class for a few needy students to barring the building of a well-known hotel chain in our charming little town."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.