Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island (Carolina Tales) was a great read by Susan M. Boyer. Hadley Cooper is a private investigator who gets a request from a new friend to stake out her husband’s activities. She begins surveillance and her client is discovered dead on her kitchen floor. She is convinced that the husband is the culprit even though she is his alibi. She is desperate to search for clues to tie him to the crime. Hadley’s ex-boyfriend is the lead detective on the case and arrests a handy suspect. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I Ehh this book was just awful. I have read from this author before and I am just shocked by this one. The main character is just awful, selfish and boring. How much do we have to hear about her insane stupid eating habits. She complains that she never had any girlfriends and I know why. Just being around her and hearing her talk about her special clean diet is just annoying. Go eat a pizza or a hot dog. She is not even that good at her job. I don't think she is anything special and I have honestly no idea why everyone is just all over her making her feel she is the best at everything she does. I don't know, I was very sad this book turned out the way it did. I could not even finish it.

This was an interesting mystery with a few twists and a some great friendships.
I liked the characters and the interactions they had.
And the setting of the story was great.

Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island
Book #1 of Carolina Tales is my first Liz Talbot book and it definitely wouldnt be my last.
Im really looking forward to reading her other books.

Hadley Cooper is an easygoing private investigator.
When her new friend Eugenia Ladson request her to stake out her husband’s extramarital activities, she immediately begins surveillance.

This book has it all.
✔️ Secrets
✔️ Drama
✔️ Humor
✔️ Friendship
✔️ Murder
✔️ Twist
✔️ Romance

When Eugenia is discovered dead on her kitchen floor,
One name was "everyone's" lips as the killer... She is certain the cheater is the culprit, but the person has an alibi.

"Smug people make mistakes."
... Im counting on it.

There are many surprising twist and turns as the murder is being investigated by the police, and Hardley trying to prove her suspect is the actual killer.

The narrator did amazing and
I loved the charm of southern community and lifelong friendships.

I think the author should have lightened up on the whole vegan diet and what not.
It was a bit too much n tideous to listen to over n over again.

Overall this was good and I Recommend it.

Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this Audiobook.

3.5 ⭐

While Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island was by no means a bad book, I can’t say it was my thing. I expected something a bit different. I wasn’t all that invested in the case. And the characters weren’t bad, but I’d definitely need more time to start truly caring for them.

But the setting was great. I’d certainly love to spend more time in that gorgeous house on the beach. The writing also wasn’t bad, and while the mystery wasn’t my thing, I also have nothing bad to say about it.

I’m still not sure if I’ll continue with this series. If I do, I’ll make sure to get audiobooks again. I listened to this one, and I think that is the best way to consume this particular book.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with the audio ARC of Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island by Susan M. Boyer in exchange for an honest review.

I found ´Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island’ by Susan M Boyer to be an entertaining story. This is my first book by this author. I am looking forward to reading the next books in this series. I really enjoyed listening to the narrator Courtney Patterson.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio-ARC for my honest review.

#BigTroubleonSullivansIsland #NetGalley

Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island is a fun and entertaining read! It has all the components necessary for good Southern Women's Fiction - Strong women characters - with depth and dimensions - some very colorful - some with sass - A strong sense of place - Charleston, South Carolina and the Carolina Lowcountry - the importance of family and friends - a smidgen of southern society and culture with a whole lot of drama! Susan Boyer does an exceptional job - and she adds in a mystery that keeps you turning the page - also a brand new women detective, Hadley Cooper, who is relatable and witty - and Boyer throws in tad bit of romance to keep us smiling! This is the first book from Susan Boyer that I have read - it is the first of her new series - Carolina Tales - and I am impatiently waiting for the next one in this series! I have also heard good things about her first series - The Liz Talbot Mystery Series - and now have put them on my TBR list as well. Happy reading!

Sorry so behind on review, Have been ill. Enjoyed listening to this story. Well written, easy story to get hooked in to.
Enjoy it.

Big Trouble on Sullivan Island drew me in from the first few minutes, and kept my attention as I listened. I loved Hadley's interactions with her two older male friends at the unbirthday lunch at the start, and all of the characters throughout the book were well fleshed out and unique. Hadley is independent and has a strong personality which made her believable for someone in the PI business. I got slight Stephanie Plum vibes from her, especially in the beginning, but enjoyed that this story wasn't quite as predictable as the Janet Evanovich series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, though there were one or two things that occurred that were slightly unbelievable to me or that struck me as odd, but I won't share what those are due to spoilers. There was also a mention of Hadley wearing white slacks and a gingham top or something similar that made me stop and go back to be reminded of how old she was since I was picturing a senior citizen at that point.

I went back and forth on whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars, as I really enjoyed it, so the rating is probably closer to 4.5. I am glad this is a series and look forward to reading more in the future. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Courtney Patterson, did a great job. Her accent was very enjoyable to listen to, and really added to the story with the South Carolina setting. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by her and hope future books in this series feature her as the narrator as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook prior to publication.

I'm a huge fan of Susan M. Boyer's Liz Talbot series, so I approached this first book in her new series with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. I was afraid I'd be disappointed - but happily I was wrong, wrong, wrong!
First books in a series can be tricky - the author is introducing new characters, establishing relationships and settings, and generally setting the tone for the series. Boyer has done a wonderful job with all elements here. The characters are likeable and quirky, the setting is fabulous (as always - then again I'm a sucker for anything set at the beach, especially a SC beach!). The mystery itself is set up and thought out well. In short, I'm a fan, and can't wait for the next one to come out. I did listen to this one, and the narration was excellent. I'm not sure I've listened to anything narrated by Courtney Patterson before, but I was impressed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I have enjoyed several of the Liz Talbot books by Susan M. Boyer. So when I saw a new book in a different series was available, I jumped on the chance to read it. And I was not disappointed. Hadley Cooper, the main character, is quirky, a strong southern soman, and has you hooked on the book from the beginning. There are great characters, delightful low country charm, and a wonderful mystery. You’ll close the book with a smile on your face. I can’t wait for the next book the author gifts us with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Stella Maris Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Narrator: Courtney Patterson
Published: 04/11/23

There is no need to mince words -- I loved this. Big Trouble is the first in a new series for the author. This is my first time reading Boyer.

The main character is 40, and she acts 40. She has personal issues and familial problems like so many people I know, and I could relate. I didn't find the dialogue, issues or problems cringe worthy. I was impressed that the author gave the main character, Hadley, classy traits. In a review sense, I could have been her model. There was no profanity, and I love how Boyer handled the population that does swear. She worked, had friends who she respected for who they were/are. Her dating was good and bad.

Now the story -- it was fun and whimsical, but not cheesy. There was a fractured personal problem that appeared to go from cast to bandaid in the end, and it comes about in a manner that left me satisfied with this book and intrigued by the bandaid removal to patiently tap my foot waiting for book two.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island, A Carolina Tale.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review. Having read some of her other books I was interested in reading this one and it did not disappoint! I can't wait to continue reading this new series from a really great author!

Love a good story set in the south. Narrator really added to the overall feel of the book with the accent. Enjoyed the characters.

Everyone knows that something that is too good to be true generally is. Although they also say never to look a gift horse in the mouth – except that the Trojans really should have when that big, fancy wooden horse was wheeled up to their gates.

I do know that the cliche about the horse doesn’t actually refer to the infamous historical incident, but the combination of cliches absolutely does apply when Charleston private investigator Hadley Cooper is asked whether she is willing to house sit her dream house on the beach of Sullivan’s Island, just across the Ben Sawyer Bridge from Charleston.

As the story begins, before the titular ‘big trouble’ visits the island, Hadley Cooper is busily NOT celebrating her 40th birthday, as her birthday is also the anniversary of her mother’s death. She’s certainly not expecting to have either a beautiful friendship, a gorgeous house or a puzzling and heartbreaking case to drop into her lap, all on that day.

But that’s what happens.

First, there’s the house. She knows the offer is too good to be true – but she can’t resist. She’s been mooning over that house all through its construction, as she regularly includes Sullivan’s Island on her morning bike ride. She investigates the client as thoroughly as she can – which is very – but can’t find a catch in the offer. So she takes it and tries desperately not to fall in love with this temporary arrangement that seems to have been built just for her.

She also finds a circle of friends that draws her right in, led by the charismatic, dynamic Eugenia Ladson, a woman just tailor-made to step into the aching place in Hadley’s heart where her mother’s ghost still lingers. It seems like kismet.

At least it does until her new, dear friend is murdered, and Hadley realizes that she, herself, doing her job to investigate Eugenia’s estranged husband to find evidence of his infidelity, is the bastard’s alibi for the murder of his wife. A situation which can’t possibly be allowed to stand no matter how much the logic of the situation gets in Hadley’s way.

Escape Rating A-: I picked this up because I love the author’s Liz Talbot mysteries (start with Lowcountry Boil) and I was hoping for more of the same. To the point where I kept looking for Liz to turn up in the background somewhere. Liz doesn’t, and shouldn’t, but the two series do have a similar tone and feel of small town, tight knit coziness, so if you like one you’ll like the other.

But Hadley’s doesn’t get any assistance from any family ghosts. Instead, as this is the first book in a series, we see her put together her own ‘Scooby gang’, which includes her mentors – a retired cop and a retired PI, her new friends on Sullivan’s Island, and quite possibly her ex-boyfriend (he’s ex at the moment, at least) who just so happens to be the lead investigator on Eugenia’s death for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

This case is a too-many-cooks affair, with the police arresting the wrong – but easy – suspect, Eugenia’s friends taking the investigation into their own hands more than they should, and Hadley trying to herd a whole bunch of cats who really don’t want to be herded. The comedy of errors and misdirection make the story every bit as quirky as the Stephanie Plum series without going nearly so far over the top.

Hadley is a very competent investigator, and not nearly so much of a trouble magnet as Plum. That this is a case where someone has used Hadley’s competence against her and the investigation is part of what makes the whole thing so hard to solve.

But it’s still a whole lot of fun to watch as this band of friends, brothers and very quirky sisters comes together to bring justice for the woman who got them all together. And it’s just that little bit more delightful in the audiobook, as the reader gets the feeling of not just being inside Hadley’s head but following along as she investigates and bonds with a fantastic group of women who I hope will become permanent figures in the series.

As much fun as I had with the mystery, there was always that sense of waiting for the other shoe to drop in regards to that ‘gift horse’ of a house. The way that it both was, and wasn’t, too good to be true and the way that Hadley learned that terrible, wonderful truth, turned out to be the perfect ending for this excellent blend of cozy mystery, women’s fiction, and Southern charm. And also made it the perfect book to read, or listen to, this Mother’s Day weekend.

A surprise that I will leave for you to discover, in the hope that it will bring the same smile to your face as it did to mine.

A wonderful immersion in to a mystery that enthralls and excites throughout. The suspense continues with twists and turns along the way creating a dark smoke screen - pick it up and you won't put it down

Hadley Cooper is a private investigator who develops a new friendship with Eugenia Ladson after saving a her dog. Eugenia hires Hadley to prove her husband is cheating on her, and then Eugenia is found murdered. Hadley is determined to find the murderer and digs up a lot of buried secrets along the way.

I am a big Susan M. Boyer fan. I love her Liz Talbot mysteries, so when I saw this new book, I had to read it! I love Southern women’s fiction, and Boyer’s latest mystery did not disappoint. The book was engaging from the begging to end, and the characters were all well written; you could feel the sense of southern community and lifelong friendships. The book has it all, family drama, an old love, and scandals. I listened to the audio version of the book and Courtney Patterson did a phenomenal job with all of the characters. Read this one if you love Southern charm, cozy mysteries, and Mary Kay Andrews books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this book!

It is beach reading season and here is a great one to start it off! Did I read the full description? Nope! I knew that this was on a beach and there was some kind of mystery. If I would have my little heart wouldn't have been so sad when the murder happened. *sigh* It's always the good ones that get stabbed to death.

We have a few elements going on in this story, obviously we have the murder mystery, we have Hadley our 40-year-old P.I. running around Charleston trying to discover who killed her client, which leads to uncovering other dark secrets that she is also trying to uncover to solve the current case. That was a long sentence.... this case takes Hadley up close and personal with well her personal life that she's been trying to avoid. She has the suspect board, the breaking and entering, the trunk of disguises, the whole shebang.

Then we have the romance aspect. Hadley broke up with her hot cop boyfriend a few months back and is still sad about it. Her friends are sad about it, everyone is sad. Hadley was dating some other boring guy who broke up with her very publicly and now Hadley is all by herself (that is in song form in my head). Hadley has an interesting meeting with a Brad Pittesque Cardiac Doctor and she is trying to figure out her love life and the feelings she still has for her ex Cade.

Then we have the family dynamics. Hadley was raised by her mom until her mom died when she was 16. This was when she discovered who her, very wealthy, father was and that she had a half brother only 2 days younger than her. She has spend this entire time resenting her dad for not taking care of her mother but everyone seems to be trying to get her and her dad on the straight and narrow. This aspect is very interesting to me and I think Hadley learning where she comes from was probably the best part of the story. Discovering what her mom never told her and what she had been in denial over all these years.

So we have 3 stories in one that are all entangled and the digger Hadley digs in her murder mystery the more all these ropes tangle up. Hadley's life is an interesting mess and I love it. I will say I wish my life were like Hadley's has so much luck on her side it's ridiculous! I love all the side characters they are so over the top and crazy that it is amazing. The only thing I didn't like was the constant talking about Hadley's diet which is pant based with no oil.

If you are looking for a cozy mystery, beach read, with a sprinkle of romance and some crazy family dynamics, this is for you.

I very much enjoyed this story. Susan has me keep reading and reading. I cannot wait to look for me booms by her.

This book brought back wonderful memories of exploring Charleston and the Low Country. The vivid descriptions of Sullivan’s Island in the narrator’s evocative Southern drawl really brought the story to life. I loved the focus on female friendships and the way the mystery of Eugenia’s death was gradually unveiled. There were a lot of references to Harley’s vegan diet which seemed superfluous to the plot, but other than that I really enjoyed the experience of listening to this story.