This was a decent story line with intriguing fun moments. There was great details to areas in Elliot city MD. Great description of the characters. I’m looking forward to anything new coming from this author

Princess Fuzzypants here: Painter and PI. That is quite the combination of career choices but that is Becca. I think her idea of sticking to her art might be a good idea because that seems to be her real strength. She is almost as capricious in love as her friend Pix. Pix has opened a lingerie store that combines her antique collection with some new sexy stuff. Not everyone in town is delighted with her arrival although it seems every male within a 50 mile radius is madly in love with her. It seems every woman other than Pix is chopped liver that way they moon and swoon over her.

A national tv show comes to town to interview her and things start to go very wrong. A cameraman is killed, the man who has suffered unrequited love with whom she had finally requited is the prime suspect until someone attempts to murder him too. There is lots going on and things do get rather tangled. But if everyone listened to the Purrs- Becca’s three adorable and very perceptive kitties-, they would have twigged to the villain quickly. It takes the humans a lot longer. I have to admit the Purrs are my favourite part of the book. Now, some might say I am biased. Pfft!

There were things I liked a lot about the book. It was entertaining but not satisfying. Four purrs and one paw up.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

In "Exposed in Darkness," Becca Flynn is an artist and photographer who also works as a private investigator to make ends meet. Her close friend, Pix, runs a vintage lingerie store that has become a controversial topic in their small town. The tension between Pix and her main critic, Dolly, has even attracted the attention of a reality TV crew.

But things take a dark turn when the cameraman, Nick, is found dead after a dinner with Pix. Meanwhile, another friend of theirs, Chuck, is in the hospital after starting a romantic relationship with Pix. Becca takes it upon herself to investigate the case and find the killer before her friend becomes the next target.

The story is filled with colorful characters and the small-town atmosphere adds to the charm of the book. However, the pacing of the story can be a bit slow, and Becca's investigative skills leave much to be desired. It seems like she is quick to jump to conclusions and doesn't do much actual investigating.

Furthermore, the character of Detective DJ comes off as abrasive and unpleasant, which can be off-putting for some readers. Despite these drawbacks, the book still manages to keep readers engaged with its intriguing mystery and a sense of danger that keeps building as the story progresses.

Overall, "Exposed in Darkness" is a decent cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre. While the story may have its flaws, the likable characters and the small-town setting make it an enjoyable read.

This is the debut entry in Charles' Becca Flynn Mystery series, which is set in a historic Maryland small town. The writing is descriptive but at some points were a little too detailed and felt excessive. I thought the ghost/historical element was an interesting addition. Becca, the main character is likable enough but I found the DJ the detective a bit too abrasive and I couldn't connect with Becca's overly flirtatious friend, Pix. I do have to say there are three incredibly cute cats. While the mystery was a bit slow paced and wasn't quite as well balanced as I would have liked, this isn't a bad start for a new cozy series and I look forward to reading what comes next.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Michael Dolan, Winding Road Stories in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A fast paced and amazing read. Kept me guessing and wanting more. I really enjoyed this one. The small town feel makes this great and the shops seems so realistic and exactly what you should find in à small historical town. Loved all the diverse characters.

The MC is supposedly a PI, but her version of solving this mystery consisted of her basically assuming everyone was the murderer before she stumbles upon the truth. Not my cup of tea. Which is really too bad because the rest of the story, side characters, setting, and mystery was quite lovely.

Cute, fun and the perfect cozy mystery! I loved this book, loved the characters and loved the writing. 10/10 recommend!

Becca Flynn is an artist/photographer and does private investigating to pay the bills. Her best friend Pix owns the vintage lingerie shop in town and not everyone is happy about it. So much so that a reality tv crew is in town to film the debate over the store between Pix and her main critic, Dolly the local tea shop owner. While they are in town, the Cameraman, Nick, goes to dinner with Pix and then ends up dead and another friend, Chuck, ends up in the hospital after becoming an item with Pix. Becca is on the case to find the culprit before her friend is next.

There are colorful characters and a great small-town flavor. I did feel like the story moved a little slow. Becca needs to polish her sleuthing skills if she is going to continue running around thinking everyone is a suspect and little investigating. The detective DJ is a bit too abrasive and kind of a jerk.

It's an enjoyable read overall.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read in return for my honest opinion.

Follow the characters of this delightful book. You have Becca who is part time private eye and part time painter, Pix her best friend who owns the antique underwear shop, Chuck who owns the chocolate shop, Dolly who owns the tea shop and is against Pix’s store, woody the town historian who dresses as different characters and assumes the role, Mindy the journalist from the underwire magazine, Simon who owns the art gallery and Dailey the police detective. Last but not least are her 3 rescue cats Jasper, Caspurr and Coppurr. Someone is killing and attempting to kill everyone who is involved with Pix. Becca is on the case to protect her BFF. This is the writers first book in the series and I am very impressed with her writing. Though I figured out the villain in about the middle of the book it held my interest and keep me second guessing myself. I really enjoyed the different characters and how they interacted. The end of the book promises a book 2 and I am so looking forward to it.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley to review.

I got out of this book what I expected. A cute cozy mystery, nothing too mind boggling. I feel as though the author could have "killed her darlings" a little more, as the descriptions throughout the book were a little lengthy. The end was a bit obvious, however with a cozy mystery I'm looking for vibes and I definitely got that from this book. I would recommend, just don't expect to be surprised by a jaw-dropping twist.

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

Okay, Becca wasn’t impressive as a PI. She made too many blunders by guessing instead of investigating. Now, Treasure was an addict, a flirt addict. In this cozy murder mystery, the investigators blundered their way through with surprising results. This book was intriguing, exciting, and very entertaining.

Becca Flynn, an artist-turned private investigator, never dreamed underwear could cause an uproar. But that’s what happens when her best friend, Pix, opens a lingerie boutique in quaint Bayleys Landing. The too-hot-for Main Street undies infuriate the staid residents, and making matters worse, a tabloid TV show invades the town to cover the controversy. Shockwaves rumble along the quiet lanes when one of the Hollywood team is murdered. But when Pix’s life is threatened, Becca begins to draw abstract clues into a portrait of a killer lurking in plain sight. She will have to work fast to put the case to rest--before Pix becomes the town's next unsuspecting victim.
I really enjoyed this story is was different and fun. Becca was a quirky character, sassy, and smart.
#Murder in Plein Air#Netgalley

I wasn't a fan of this book. The dialogue was awkward and not very smooth. And I just couldn't get interested in the mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

Murder in Plein Air by Karen Leigh Charles is the first in the series, I assume, of Becca Flynn. She is an artist turned Private Eye when her best friend Pix (aka Treasure) opens up a vintage lingerie boutique on Main Street which in the immortal words of The Black Crowes, this proves “Too Hot to Handle,” for the residents of Bayleys Landing. The town is furious, and this brings a TV show to come in and cover the story. Pix has a dinner date with the attractive cameraman, who later is found to be dead. Pix, of course, ends up on the suspect list, and Becca has to find a way to save her friend and find the true killer. This, I am sure is supposed to be a cozy, but I found the language off putting for a cozy, and I thought some of the situations were problematic. I also found that I knew the killer way too soon, and that was disappointing. I think this had the makings of a good book, but it was not to my tastes.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

I think there's a lot of potential in this series as the concept is original and the characters are interesting.
Unfortunately the mystery took the back seat and the slow paced didn't keep my attention
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The original concept and setting of this book is what drew me to it. I was a bit taken aback by the way some characters spoke, more straight forward and less polished than in other books of the genre. Yet I could have easily gone along with that different refreshing style if the plot had grasped my attention. Unfortunately I didn't feel invested enough in what was going on.

Murder in Plein Air by Karen Leigh Charles is the debut of A Becca Flynn Mysteries. Becca Flynn is a private investigator, photographer, and artist. Her best friend, Treasure aka Pix has opened a lingerie boutique in Bayleys Landing which has turned out to be controversial. Lingerie Exposed has come to town to shoot an episode featuring Pix’s shop, Treasure’s Trove of Lingerie. Pix has dinner with the handsome cameraman, Nick Rizzo who ends up dead the next day. Pix ends up n the suspect list as well as her admirer, Chuck. Pix asks Becca to use her PI skills to uncover the truth. I had mixed feelings about Murder in Plein Air. I found it easy to read with good pacing. The dialogue could be a bit much at times. The author is a descriptive writer which allows readers to visualize the scenes, but I felt that there were times when the descriptions were a little too detailed. The mystery was straightforward. There was a limited suspect pool. It is easy to identify the killer (might as well be a neon arrow pointing at the person). It is a cinch to deduce why the person committed the crime. It was mentioned quite a few times. I was not a fan of Detective Daniel James Daily with his inappropriate comments. The excuse provided for them is not acceptable. I had mixed feelings about Pix. I enjoyed her enthusiasm for vintage lingerie (some of them are exquisite with handmade lace and embroidery). She sees nothing wrong with flirting with every male near her age. There is mild foul language. I was not sure what to think about the ghost element. Becca’s cats were adorable. I can tell the author is a cat lover. I enjoyed the descriptions of Bayleys Landing with its charming Victorian buildings. Murder in Plein Air is a colorful cozy with pretty paintings, enflaming lingerie, a killed cameraman, contented cats, a gentle ghost, and a prying PI.

There was nothing in this book that grabbed my attention. I struggled to like the characters and it was difficult to finish. I skimmed through at least half hoping something would intrigue me.