Expect the unexpected in this fun debut to, what I hope, is a new series by Tamara Berry. It offers some eccentricity, a good story line and some unexpected events, all within the traditional(ish) mystery genre.

Amber must be feeling pretty desperate. She leaves home in the middle of the night and, although well below age, escapes to a community for older adults. Probably desperate to go here and to meet up with a relative she doesn't even know. And, what about that tortoise? Add murder to the mix and the story is on its way. Lucky Amber has had some PI training.

This title is definitely worth a look and seems perfect for these lazy summer days.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

I loved Berry's romances. They weren't only quite entertaining, they are engaging. I don't know whether it's me or the cozy genre, but since she turned to writing cozy mysteries, their twee nature leaves me cold. They're competently written, but I think her talents are wasted on the genre, even while saying authors can write whatever they wish, of course. I'd have loved to have found Berry's cozies as delightful as her romances, but it's the genre and not necessarily the author. Sadly, I'll have to leave Berry behind and/or read her romance backlist...I still have some in ye olde TBR.

I was so excited to get an ARC of "Murder Runs in the Family" by Tamara Berry, and it's a mystery that immediately stands out with its fantastic setup. We have Amber, a former PI-in-training who, down on her luck, flees to Arizona to stay with her eccentric, estranged grandmother, Jade, at a retirement community. Almost as soon as she arrives, a community member known as "the Admiral" is found dead, and everyone seems quick to blame her grandmother. Amber, feeling a sense of loyalty to the woman who took her in, decides she has to clear her name.

What makes this book so much fun is the cast of characters. Amber's grandmother, Jade, is a total riot—eccentric and completely unapologetic. The other residents of the Seven Ponds retirement community are just as lively and full of personality, each with their own quirks and secrets. It's a joy to watch them interact, and they bring so much life and humor to the story. I honestly loved every single one of them. The dynamic between Amber, the reluctant detective, and her newfound friends and family is a real highlight of the book.

The mystery itself is solid, with a good number of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The motives for the Admiral's murder are surprisingly widespread, and the disappearance of his prize pet tortoise adds a wonderfully quirky detail to the puzzle. The book moves along at a good pace, and Amber's sleuthing feels both determined and believable.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot, there were a few moments where the overall story felt a little less polished than I would have liked. However, this is a minor issue in what is otherwise a charming and entertaining mystery. "Murder Runs in the Family" is a great read if you're looking for a mystery with a truly memorable and fun cast.

★★★★☆

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This was such a fun, twisty mystery! Murder Runs in the Family had just the right mix of suspense, humor, and quirky characters to keep me hooked from start to finish.

The family dynamics were messy in the best way, and the mystery kept me guessing without feeling overcomplicated. It was like watching a cozy crime show with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of charm.

If you're in the mood for something light but clever, with a side of murder and family secrets, definitely give this one a read!

3.5 stars rounded up

This was a cute mystery with a fun setup and quirky cast of characters. Amber’s life is a mess, and crashing at her eccentric grandmother’s upscale retirement community in Arizona seems like rock bottom until a resident turns up dead and her grandmother is accused of murder. What follows is a lighthearted, entertaining investigation full of colorful suspects, missing heirlooms, and one very elusive tortoise. While the big reveal was a bit underwhelming, the journey getting there was enjoyable and filled with charm. A fun pick for readers who like their mysteries with a dose of humor and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Penn Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Murder, Mayhem, and a Retirement Home Full of Secrets—This Cozy Mystery Has It All!

My love for cozy mysteries strikes again, and Murder Runs in the Family is an absolute delight! Tamara Berry delivers another clever, laugh-out-loud whodunit that’s packed with charm, quirky characters, and just the right dose of danger.

After a tough breakup with her longtime boyfriend Bones, Amber decides to skip the usual heartbreak routine and instead seeks refuge with the grandmother she’s never met—at a retirement center, no less. But what she finds there is far from peaceful. On her very first night, a resident known as “The Admiral” is found dead in the recording studio.

As it turns out, Amber’s grandmother and her spirited friends run a true crime podcast—and they’re more than a little interested in solving the case. While Amber isn’t quite ready to join the podcasting crew, she dips her toes into sleuthing by trying to track down a missing tortoise. But things escalate quickly when her grandmother is arrested for murder.

Now, with the help of her ex-boyfriend Bones, the charming Ethan, and a cast of eccentric retirees, Amber must unravel the mystery and clear her grandmother’s name before it’s too late.

This book is pure cozy mystery gold—funny, fast-paced, and full of heart. The banter is sharp, the twists are satisfying, and the characters are impossible not to love. If you’re looking for a feel-good mystery with a side of sass and suspense, this series is a must-read! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this adventure!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the complimentary e-ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amber runs away from her past life as an assistant of a PI to her grandma at a retirement community. This is her the first time meeting her eccentric grandma who turns out to be a creator of her favourite true crime podcast. The family reunion doesn’t last long as one of the podcast colleagues is found dead and Amber’s grandma is a main suspect.

This story had some vivid characters that were easy to imagine and easy to get attached to. I enjoyed that besides the main mystery there were a lot of suspicious characters with their secrets. It was an enjoyable cozy read.

This was a really good book! I liked it better than I expected. Would recommend for a next read if you’re looking for you

If you’re craving a cozy mystery that’s light on gloom but heavy on charm, Murder Runs in the Family is the perfect pick. The story kicks off with Amber, our down-on-her-luck main character, showing up at the doorstep of her estranged grandmother, Jude, hoping for a place to stay.

The murder happens within the first few chapters, so there’s no long, dragged-out wait for someone to drop dead (which I really appreciated). What really seals the deal for me, though, is the humor — it’s genuinely funny in that perfect cozy-mystery way.

And then there’s Tatiana — the real star of the show and easily my favorite character — a ninety-something pet tortoise who practically steals every scene. He’s not just comic relief either; Tatiana is cleverly woven into the plot.

Another favorite of mine is Ethan, a young resident with a hip replacement. When he was first introduced, I didn’t expect to care so much, but he completely grew on me and became one of my standouts. And I adored the podcast team — every single one of them. I loved how they immediately took Amber in and made her feel like part of their found family.

Honestly, I’d be thrilled to follow Amber, Jude, and Tatiana into another book.

Murder Runs in the Family is the definition of a fun, lighthearted cozy mystery: found family vibes, a quirky community, a hilarious tortoise sidekick, genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and just enough mystery to keep your inner armchair detective entertained. Highly recommend if you love your whodunits with a big dose of humor and heart!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tamara Berry for the opportunity to read this.

I’ve never listened to a podcast but get quite a kick out of reading about them. This is part cozy and part humor to round out the mystery.

I loved the quotes from podcast episodes between chapters.

This is the epitome of quirky characters covering quite the spectrum of ages. Both youngish adults and seniors in a nursing home. But don’t let that scare you off. It’s a ragtag group that gets into a lot of mischief and adds to the humor.

With Tatiana the hula doll and Tatiana the turtle vying for a prominent place in the story, the mystery had enough red herrings to keep me on my toes.

It’s an entertaining tale that made me smile while engaging my brain to figure out whodunnit.

“They didn’t even drain the pool after a man died in it.”

Thank you to the publisher @poisonedpenpress for the NetGalley approval. I borrowed the audio from Libby.

This was a NetGalley find. The bright colors of the cover and the title drew me in. This is my first book from this author and I definitely need to read more.

Amber is a great character. But Jade stole the show for me. I loved it when she was around. She and Amber both are too smart and savvy for their own good. That is what I loved most about them. I enjoyed the discovery of their relationship, since Amber has never met her grandmother, throughout the book. Amber’s family is complicated and I enjoyed how Amber’s knowledge about her family unfolded and both Jade knew about her.

Each chapter heading is a quote from the Death Comes Calling podcast Jade and her retirement community friends put on and I enjoyed those a lot. One of their friends is murdered and Amber takes the case, having PI experience. Amber is resourceful and smart, and suspects everyone, even as she gets closer to each of them. All of the center residents were favorites honestly. Each unique and so funny.

There is humor, red herrings, a page turning mystery and found family with the residents. I loved how they take Amber under their wings when circumstances change. Don’t forget Tatiana. That was fun!

The audio narrators were great! The epilogue was the best! Hillary Huber delivers a great performance. The variation of voices she used made for a great listen.

I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

A fun mystery romance. I wanted to keep going to figure out what was going to happen next. The grandmother was a fun character.

It’s a good enough read and I definitely didn’t see the twist coming but I wasn’t super engaged at any point.

After leaving her boyfriend, Amber turns to the only family member who hasn't lost faith in her, the grandmother she has never met. She ends up at Jade's retirement complex where a sudden death occurs and a family heirloom disappears. When Jade is suspected of murder, Amber steps in and uses her private investigation skills to try to clear her name. This was pretty good, with interesting characters, including an elderly tortoise, but not much real intrigue. 3.5 to 4 stars

With nowhere else to go, Amber shows up at her estranged grandmother’s retirement community where she is welcomed with open arms. This is the beginning of Murder Runs in the Family, a book filled with colorful, eccentric characters and great dialogue. Not to mention a slower-than-molasses-in-winter tortoise.

I enjoyed Tamara Berry’s new book. it’s a cozy mystery but with much more depth and believability than many other books in the same genre. The tortoise is a fun addition and isn’t overly used to the point of being obnoxious. The characters are quite realistic and I enjoyed their various personalities. So, overall, Murder Runs in the Family was a good read. My only complaint was that the ending seemed a little jumbled and the resolution a bit murky. Is this a start to a new series? I certainly hope so. This was 3.5 stars for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

maybe 3.5⭐ I'm not new to cozies (even cozies set in a retirement home) and i only really need one thing for me to enjoy them: to care about the (main) characters. and i didn't care much about these people... (already forgot their names)

Tamara Berry's Murder Runs in the Family introduces Amber Winslow, a former PI-in-training whose life takes an unexpected turn when she flees in the dead of night to the last place she ever expected: her estranged and eccentric Grandma Jade's retirement community in sunny Arizona. Amber, down on her luck and seeking refuge, sneaks into Seven Ponds, a luxury community she definitely can't afford and technically doesn't qualify for.

No sooner does she arrive than she's plunged into a baffling mystery. George Vincent, known as "the Admiral," is found dead the very night of her arrival. What's even stranger is the community's nonchalant reaction to his death and the disappearance of his prized pet tortoise. Instead, the focus is on a missing Vincent family heirloom, and fingers are quickly pointed at Grandma Jade for both the Admiral's murder and the theft of the priceless ring.

Amber, despite having just met her grandmother, refuses to believe the woman who so readily accepted her could be a killer. Determined to clear Jade's name, no matter the cost, Amber throws herself into the investigation. Murder Runs in the Family promises a delightful blend of humor, quirky characters, and a compelling whodunit, perfect for readers who enjoy their mysteries with a side of unexpected family bonds and a dash of senior-community intrigue.

Murder Runs In The Family by Tamara Berry is exactly the kind of cozy mystery that hits all the right notes. From the moment Amber arrives at the desert retirement community in Arizona, fresh off a breakup with her PI boyfriend, Bones, you know you’re in for a ride. She’s on a mission to find her estranged grandmother Judith/Jade, but before she can unpack, someone drops dead, and a tortoise has gone missing. Cue the super sleuth squad banding together to untangle the chaos. Here’s why this book is a must-read:

Vibe Check

Picture scorching-hot Arizona desert vistas, complete with tumbleweeds and “rocks” that may or may not be hiding tortoise Tatianna.
-Family and found-family hijinks
-One-liners and banter

Why You’ll Love It
Missing-tortoise confusion instantly establishes the tone...quirky, slightly absurd, and utterly charming. It also gives you a sense that nothing about this crew's investigative style will be conventional.

Amber’s Mission: Fresh off a breakup with her PI boyfriend, Bones, Amber rolls into a retirement community on a mission to locate her estranged grandmother, Judith. Instead, she winds up scrambling to find Tatianna first and then solve a sudden death that leaves everyone baffled.

Tatianna the Tortoise: Slow and steady, Tatianna may look like a desert rock, but is she?
Family & Found Family Dynamics

Clever Dialogue: Tamara Berry’s knack for zippy one-liners and perfectly timed sarcasm keeps the pages turning.

Emotional Stakes: Under the laughter is Amber’s genuine struggle: reconnecting with Grandma Jade after years of silence, figuring out what acceptance looks like, and realizing that found family can be just as loyal as blood.

Would I Recommend This Book?
Absolutely, 100%. If you crave a cozy mystery that threads family drama, belly laughs, and a genuinely twisty whodunit, you need Murder Runs In The Family on your shelf. Grab this one and buckle up—your next favorite sleuth squad awaits.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I loved it.

Murder in a retirement home? Sign me up. This was such a fun cozy mystery. I love Tamara Berry's books and this was no different. Amber was a great character and I loved the connection she created with her grandmother. The idea that her grandmother and all her friends were behind a famous murder podcast was also super fun. I loved the quotes from the podcast at the beginning of each chapter. It gave more of a behind the scenes look at things. Let's be honest I hated Bones but lovedddd Ethan! And Tatiana?? So cute. I loved watching Amber build her attachment to the tortoise. The ultimate solution to the mystery was a bit of a bummer to me but I did like how it continued with the concept between Jade and her friends. I would love to read another book with these characters.

I have read another series by this author and loved it so I jumped at the chance to read this one. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work as well for me as the other did. There is the same humor that can be found in the other one but the characters in this one came off as unlikeable and flat. Amber’s obsession with her ex-boss/ex-boyfriend was annoying and it seemed like this was trying too hard to be funnier and slapstick than mystery-centric. The family dynamic was frustrating and made enjoyment of the story difficult and the solution to the murder was disappointing. This one just wasn’t for me.