A really cute cozy mystery with a touch of romance for those who want a bit of everything. Loved how the story wove together 'gator wranglers, cryptid hunters, social media influencers, and much more. Delightfully silly and sweet.

Swamp Princess, Book Two in the Critters & Criminals series, if a fun Florida read for those who like cozy romance mysteries. Twenty-five year old twins, Maggie and Vera, are managing a revived gator trapping business and a newly opened romance book store--in addition to each woman having their own blooming romances. The women decide to participate in a nationally recognized cryptid conference, with Maggie as speaker and Vera as bookseller. Maggie soon puts on her amateur sleuth hat when a young, famous cryptid influencer drops dead on a conference-sponsored nature tour. Tara Lush's latest novel is part Carl Hiassen, part Craig Pittman, and maybe a bit of John D. MacDonald. Recommended for readers who like to giggle at the craziness of Florida, but who also enjoy a good mystery.

These books are so fun! I loved the first one, and this second book kept the momentum flowing. I can't wait to read more from this author.

This is the second book in the Critters and Criminals series by Tara Lush, and what a fun, unique premise for a mystery novel. We follow Maggie, the Gator Queen, who has been invited to speak about the dangers of cryptid hunting in gator-infested water. Maggie begrudgingly accepts the gig, only to have a famous cryptid hunter die suddenly on a small expedition into the swamp. Together with her sister, Vera, and her love interest, Jack, Maggie investigates the mysterious death and finds out some shocking information along the way.

Swamp Princess was a bit of a step outside my comfort zone, as it's my first mystery read, but I just couldn't resist the title, setting, and cover. Everything about the initial impression of this book sucked me in, and I'm glad it did. It was a fun, quick read that made the perfect palate-cleanser after finishing up some fantasy reads. It's categorized as a cozy mystery and I think that's fitting. Despite the underlying murder mystery theme, there's also some gator-wrangling, some humor, and some romance to lighten the tone. The pace of the story is a nice medium- not too fast but not boring, and the characters are likeable. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.

Tara Lush's "Swamp Princess" lures us back into the murky waters of the Florida swamps for another delightful cozy mystery. It's the second book in the "Critters and Criminals" series, but you will be able to follow along if you haven't read the first one. Gator trapper Maggie Andrews, this time, finds herself knee-deep in another quirky murder mystery, this time at a Bigfoot convention.

The murder mystery at a Bigfoot convention is a unique setting. The Florida swamp paired with the Big Foot convention just.. fits.. Maggie's gator-trapping skills even work in her favor in this investigation.

Maggie is a strong, independent female protagonist who's easy to root for (and she tackles gators for a living!). Her blossoming relationship with Professor Jack Bianchi adds a touch of romance to the story, and their chemistry sizzles amidst the swampy backdrop. The real highlight for me was the focus on Maggie's relationship with her twin sister, Vera. It was refreshing to see Vera step out of Maggie's shadow and embark on her own journey of self-discovery. Their sisterly bond, with its blend of teasing and unwavering support, added a heartwarming layer to the narrative.

"Swamp Princess" delivers exactly what you'd expect from a cozy mystery – it's a light, fun read with endearing characters, a touch of romance, and just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. I was a little hesitant when I saw it centered around Big Foot, as I'm not into fantastical stuff like that - but it worked in this setting!

Overall, Swamp Princess is a delightful follow-up that delivers a solid 3.5-star reading experience. It's a quick, breezy escape that's perfect for a lazy afternoon. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, unique settings, strong female protagonists, and a dash of the fantastical, then this book is for you.

This book hooked me right from the start and had me laughing out loud! Maggie’s life is a whirlwind—trying to keep her family’s gator-trapping business afloat, helping her twin sister Vera run their quirky bookstore, and sorting out her relationship with criminology professor Jack Bianchi. When Maggie reluctantly agrees to lead a group of Bigfoot enthusiasts through the Florida swamps, she’s prepared for ridiculousness—but not for murder.

The Bigfoot convention setting is perfect for an offbeat mystery, and I loved following Maggie and Jack’s investigation as they navigated conspiracy theories, eccentric cryptid hunters, and a very real killer. Their chemistry is fun and flirty, and watching them balance crime-solving with romance kept me turning the pages. Maggie’s sharp humor and Jack’s steady presence make them a great team, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops.

I also really enjoyed the focus on Maggie’s bond with Vera. These sisters couldn’t be more different, and seeing them figure out how to support each other while staying true to themselves added an extra layer of depth to the story.

This book is a perfect blend of humor, mystery, and romance. I’m already looking forward to the next installment to see where Maggie’s love life and crime-solving skills take her next. If you’re looking for something quirky and laugh-out-loud funny, definitely give this one a try!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story follows Maggie Andrews - the self proclaimed “Gator Queen” who took over her family business of gator trapping after her fathers passing. She also just opened a romance bookstore along with her twin sister, Vera. On top of all that, Maggie was invited to speak at a local Big Foot Conference to shed light on the dangers of the wild. Little does she know, Big Foot is a big deal to these enthusiasts and in their world? They’re crazy for cryptids. She takes all of this in stride, finding the whole thing hilarious and amusing. For her event, she brings her group on a short nature hike and meets a loud, obnoxious and very famous influencer who winds up very dead on their hike. As if that isn’t bad enough, the whole event was live streamed, causing the believers to go crazy with their own theories. Maggie now has to work secretly with her sexy, older, hopes it’ll be more than, friend, Jack. She learns that there’s so much more to Big Foot Followers than meets the eye and uncovers all sorts of jealousy, drama and over all crazed fans. Can Maggie get to the bottom of this homicide without getting herself in trouble along the way?


This is a hilarious, cozy romance mystery set in my home state of Florida which I loved. I was not expecting this book to be so funny, quirky and fun but I am 100% here for it! Definitely recommend.

This is the second in a series but can be read as a stand alone. I didn’t know that when I picked it and I didn’t have any issues following along & I fully plan to go back and read book 1!

I really enjoyed Swamp Princess. Yes the premise seems a bit out there but makes total sense if you’ve ever been to Florida. 😉. As a matter of fact, I watched a documentary called Hunting Bigfoot while reading and was amazed at the passion Bigfoot people have.

I love Tara Lush’s writing style and the characters that she has created. They are all a bit quirky but that also adds humour throughout. Plus there’s a little more spice than your average cozy mystery - not too much but the just right amount. I will always recommend written by Tara Lush - go to author for me!

I believe I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I will read any cozy mysteries Tara Lush writes.

I read Gator Queen earlier this summer, and I was so excited to be back in Wahoo again. Only this time, we got to hang out at a Bigfoot convention!

Lush’s premise lends itself to an incredibly fun ride. It can be slightly absurd at times, but I’ve no problem suspending my disbelief.

Maggie and Vera’s relationship was one of my favorite parts of Gator Queen, so I was a little bummed that there seemed to be so much tension between them here. However, the source of this tension is eventually revealed and by the end, we do see that even though there may be some unresolved issues, these sisters will always be there for each other, no matter what.

I also enjoyed getting a bit more about Jack’s past and watching his relationship with Vera develop.

All in all, this was a really fun trip back to Wahoo and hopefully not the last we hear from the Gator Queen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

Tara Lush never disappoints! This is such a fun series, and I absolutely love the way she writes mysteries! I did find this to be a little slower than Gator Queen, but I still really enjoyed it and will continue to read anything she writes!

I feel so terrible that I missed the release date. Life has not been simple the last two months. However, this book will certainly give you some laughs! I love seeing Alex and Jack make an appearance in this book as well! Vera still annoys me but it doesn't take away from the book. The writing is sometimes strange. Sometimes the conversations are stilted. Also, how many times do we need to mention how much Alex is into Vera or that something else is attractive when it comes to Jack?? That's really why I just couldn't do 5 stars. The repetitiveness was just too much. However, I do look forward to the next book in the series!

Gators do not stand a chance when Maggie is around. Nor do murders when Maggie’s talents are enlisted for a Sasquatch convention. Her first job is a nature walk that is hijacked by a celebrity podcaster who is acting dangerously and erratically just before she drops dead. It doesn’t take long to learn she was poisoned but the big question is by whom. The deceased was gorgeous and used her looks to scam and manipulate as she clawed her way to the top. She left a heap of steaming animosity in her wake. Maggie’s natural curiosity has her wondering what happened but when gossip starts to build that she might have played a part, she becomes determined to find the killer.

Once again she has a partner in crime, and other things, in writer Jack. The two investigate together and apart and they are a team that can get into a whole lot of trouble. Her twin, Vera, plays straight woman trying to convinced Maggie to stop snooping. Maggie and Jack are convinced they know who committed the murder but need a way to get the villain to confess. They come up with a hairball scheme that, naturally, goes awry. In the wake of it, there is a very exciting but funny “take down”

The series is batting two for two with five purrs and two paws up.

✨🐊✨ Swamp Princess ✨🐊✨

A Bigfoot convention!?! Are you freaking kidding me?? This is my dream! I love this series so darn much. It’s full of laughter, wildlife conservation, all things Florida, an adorable kitty named Catsy Cline (I love a good pun!!), mysterious whodunnits, a romance bookstore and badass gator rescues!!

🐊 Gator Wrangling
🌴 Florida
🦶 Bigfoot Convention
🔍 Cozy Mystery
💖 Swoon Worthy
😹 Hoot & a Half
📚 Romance Bookstore
✌️ 2nd in the Series
🐾 Catsy Cline
🫶 Family

The Critters & Criminals Cozy Mystery series is so much fun and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

🔎 Brb going to go plan a trip to a cryptid convention! 🔍

Thank you so much 8th Note Press & Tara Lush for sending me a copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This book was super fun and addicting. I think Tara Lush knows how to write a really captivating novel. This book in some ways reminded me of Clarissa Comes out of Her Shell that I read earlier this year and loved.

I highly recommend this book. It was a delight to read and I laughed many times.



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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book 2 of Critters and Criminals is just as entertaining as the first installment. No sophomore slump here. Can't wait for Book 3.

Thank you to 8th Note Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC for a honest review.

Swamp Princess by Tara Lush

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always love a good cozy mystery and the Criminals & Critters series is one of my favorites! The blend of romance, action, adventure, and mystery all packaged in an interesting setting makes for a book that you won’t be able to put down!

The characters are all so wonderfully written and the storyline progresses exceptionally smoothly throughout. I had so much fun reading this one and I recommend it to all fans of cozy mystery/romance. You won’t be disappointed!

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

I just read the most fun romance book. Swamp Princess was such an amazing book. It kept me turning pages until the very end.

I am not a big mystery reader, but I love this series (helps that is is set in Florida and has gators)!

I was instantly interested in this book when I saw it involved Bigfoot and I also was excited to dive back into Maggie's story!

This book was super good and I was very invested. I couldn't wait to figure out who did it.
The romance aspect is great but doesn't overpower the mystery aspect of the book which is super nice.

I really hope we get a few more books in this series!

Definitely would recommend this series to mystery readers!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loooved that this book takes place in Florida and you really can feel the Florida atmosphere in this book. This book was so fun with it being about twin sisters, one works for the family wildlife trapping business and the other owns a romance only bookstore. The Bigfoot convention was an amazing touch and the mystery itself in the book, was great. This book also has an influencer in it, it really has everything. There was never a dull moment. I can’t wait to read more in this series!