A lovely cozy mystery with an adorable tortoise! Love this story and the ensemble of characters. The meet-cute is so good, and I can't wait to read whatever Berry writes next. Thanks to NetGalley and and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy!

When Amber Winslow decides to flee town, she heads to her grandma's retirement community, even though she has never met her grandma. When she arrives, she finds that one of her glamorous grandma's friends has just die, it looks suspicious, and her grandma ends up in jail as the murder suspect. Amber must rely on her grandma's kooky cast of friends, and retirement employees to get to the bottom of the murder, and free her grandma! I loved this! Amber and Jade (grandma) are wonderful characters. I enjoyed the retirement home setting, and the turtle was adorable. I hope we see this grandma and granddaughter duo again, along with all of Jade's friends. There was also a love interest for Amber that I hope she gets to pursue!

There is a tendency with some authors to write quirky seniors as those they are either certifiable or should be locked away somewhere. It is annoying and can ruin what would otherwise be a good book. I am happy to report this book has some very quirky seniors who are anything but dangers to themselves or others. This does not mean they cannot get up to shenanigans but they do it with humour and grace.

Amber’s relationship has imploded and she has made a midnight scarper away from her demeaning boyfriend. She lands at the senior community where the grandmother she never met and had been warned about lives. Grandma Jade is a pistol. She writes a murder podcast that involves many of her friends around the complex. Think Only Murders in the Building. The morning after her arrival one of the podcast friends is found dead in the studio. There are reasons for suspicion about the cause of death but when the grasping children cannot find an heirloom, they accuse Jade of murder. Amber, with the help of her boyfriend who has tracked her down and others in the community must figure out who is responsible so she can spring grandma out of jail. Add in a 99 year old tortoise and other sundry supporting cast with a plot that has lots of great twists including the best one in how the heirloom is recovered. It is entertaining from start to finish. And no seniors were hurt in the process.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Surprise, surprise, I did NOT solve this mystery.

A cozy story full of the found family kind of love, Murder Runs in the Family had the most welcoming characters. While a few people took longer to warm up, the community there was so earned. Everyone there loved each other deeply and understood what being there meant. They were each other's biggest champions, supporting each other even if it meant making up jobs to pass the time.

Even Bones eventually grew on me—for just a bit!—but I don't know if I'd be quite as forgiving as Amber had been.

As for the mystery of it all, the ending had me in tears over the sweetest resolution possible. The constant new theories and debunking of those theories was also so fun to read because it felt like the way I'd explore the universe, although with maybe less wiles involved. It was also so cool to use the evidence as we got it, so we got to feel a lot more immersed than if there had just been a grand reveal at the end.

Then, we have the other emotional arc and that was also such a lovely tie-in to the world beyond this book. Because, after spending so much time here and connecting with her grandma, Amber learned to appreciate her family and the life she had. Now, she's just better equipped to find her direction.

If there's more to this universe, I'd love to hear how Amber manages to edit the podcast without incriminating anyone, how Ethan's life is going post-retirement home, and how Bones is handling his Tatianas.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A bit quirky, but with an abundance of affectionate friends who are a “family”. Liked the 98 year old tortoise who had a starring role and the twist at the end. Thanks to #MurderRunsInTheFamily and #NetGalley for advanced digital copy.

Murder runs in the family is what I’m assuming is the start of a new series. Amber Winslow is an amateur detective who goes to visit her grandma at her nursing home in Arizona. Amber finds more mystery than she bargained for-her grandma and her group of friends run a cold case podcast and ambers grandma is accused of murder of the admiral. Ambers grandma finds herself arrested and Amber and the podcasters must work together and follow a trail of clues and red herrings to free her grandmother.

This is a quirky and humorous start to the series. I will be honest that it did not grab my attention for some reason and I found myself drifting throughout. This was a me issue at the time of reading through so take that for what it is worth, a fun tone pervades throughout and this is definitely a nice cozy option.

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 Stars – A Quirky Start with Potential, But Not Quite a Knockout

Amber Winslow is having a rough go of it—fleeing a failed life in the middle of the night and landing smack in the middle of murder and mayhem at an Arizona retirement community that’s far from restful. Murder Runs in the Family serves up a cozy mystery with a charmingly wacky setup: eccentric retirees, a missing heirloom ring, a possibly murderous grandma, and a conspicuously vanished tortoise. What more could a mystery lover ask for? Turns out… a little more polish.

This book had all the ingredients for a standout cozy: a former PI-in-training heroine, snappy banter, a retirement community full of colorful suspects, and a mystery that manages to be both murder and treasure hunt. Amber is a likable protagonist with a big heart and a habit of leaping before she looks, and her reluctant reunion with Grandma Jade had definite heart beneath the hijinks.

That said, the pacing occasionally meandered, with a few red herrings that felt more like detours. I found myself wanting the mystery to tighten up a bit and the cast of side characters—delightfully zany as they were—to stand out more distinctly from one another. The humor worked in places, but sometimes tried a little too hard to be quirky-cute rather than organically funny. (Though I’ll give points for the tortoise subplot. I mean, come on. A missing tortoise? That’s gold.)

Ultimately, Murder Runs in the Family is a fun series opener with a unique setting and a promising premise. I’d definitely check out book two in hopes the series finds its stride. For fans of cozy mysteries with a touch of found-family chaos, it might just be your cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy!

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Amber Winslow is an unofficial PI who visits her grandma in Arizona. While there, she is met with a murder mystery that her grandma is arrested for. Amber works to solve the mystery and hopefully free her grandma. This was a fun read! 3.5 stars.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Amber Winslow has never met her Grandma Jade, but when she decides to leave her PI boyfriend in the middle of the night with her meager belongings, she heads to her grandmother’s retirement community in Arizona. Her grandmother welcomes her with open arms, knowing a surprising amount of information about her life and her PI-in-training status.

She barely gets settled in her grandma’s guest room when she learns about a resident man’s death. George Vincent (The Admiral) was a friend of her grandmother’s and a member of a close-knit group that produces a cold case podcast. Amber also learns that the Admiral’s pet 98-year-old tortoise has been missing for a few weeks. While no one appears to be overly upset by the man’s death or the missing tortoise, several people are demanding to know what happened to a high-value Vincent family heirloom.

Then Amber gets a huge shock when her Grandma Jade is arrested for theft and murder. Even though she doesn’t know her grandmother well, she knows she needs to use her PI skills to prove her grandmother had nothing to do with the man’s death or his missing heirloom.

In this new series from Tamara Berry, we meet an eclectic cast of characters led by protagonist Amber Winslow, a 30ish woman with a dysfunctional relationship with her mother and siblings. She was training to be a private investigator, but her boss/boyfriend, Bones, wasn’t on the same page regarding her job and progress. That sent Amber off to find her maternal grandmother. A woman whom Amber’s mother had cut from all their lives. Her mother has issues, but that’s for another book.

Amber’s Grandma Jade is a hoot. She is very comfortable in her skin, just check out the portrait in the guest bedroom. She has a positive attitude about almost everything and is the force behind the Death Comes Calling podcast. She has quite a group of seniors to work with. The Admiral researched cold cases to feature. Julio works as a security guard, keeps the books for the podcast, and is the resident bookie. Raffi plays the part of the lead character on the podcast. Peggy Lee has many techy talents and spends time at the reception desk. Camille does promotion and distribution for the podcast. Lincoln works to keep all the friends fed and makes some amazing croissants. We also meet the director of the facility, Geerta Blom, and Nurse Nancy. All the characters are well-crafted for this first book in a series, with plenty of room for readers to get to know them better.

Amber solved her first solo case quickly when she found the Admiral’s tortoise, but the last thing she needed was a posse of senior citizens as she worked to free her grandma from jail. But that was just what she got. She also didn’t need her ex, but Bones showed up in Draycott, Arizona, wanting to help and win her back. What ensues are some crazy antics, twists, turns, a strange discovery, and a surprising realization.

Ms. Berry’s intriguing mystery has friendship and family themes along with a behind-the-scenes look at the Seven Ponds retirement community. It is also laced with quite a bit of sarcastic humor courtesy of our main character.

What I really loved was the prominent role of 98-year-old Tatiana the tortoise. After Amber found the pint-sized tortoise, she named him and took him everywhere. First, she walked him very slowly like a dog. Then she fashioned a sling like you would use for a baby and carried him everywhere. Sadly, he wasn’t eating, and the whole senior posse, Bones, and another resident there recovering from surgery, were concerned. The little guy touched my heart, too.

Murder Runs in the Family is a terrific start for this series. It’s an entertaining story with a Gen Z protagonist trying to find where she belongs, a fun group of senior amateur sleuths trying to live their best lives, and a lovable tortoise set in a retirement community with Nasty Nurse Nancy lurking around every corner. A lively, lighthearted read with an unexpected ending. An Enjoyable Escape! Bring on Book 2!

Amber runs to her grandmother’s home after leaving her boyfriend behind. Once there she meets her grandmother’s quirky friends and find out they do a cold case murder podcast. Her first evening there, one of the friends dies. Amber was training to become a PI, so she takes on the cases of the missing turtle, the case of the missing ring and was it murder or natural causes.
Goodreads

Amber is the family screw-up, a wannabe PI whose ex-boyfriend wouldn't sign her training paperwork. She runs away to the one place she could think of: her estranged grandmother's retirement community. When her grandmother's friend dies suspiciously, Amber jumps into action. Add into the mix her burly ex, a 98-year-old turtle named Tatiana, a handsome but grumpy post-surgical patient, and a handful of feisty retirees looking for excitement in their lives.

I enjoyed Amber and Jade (grandma!) and the characterization there. I was glad for Amber that she found someone who will care about her without aggressive expectations.

The storyline was well plotted. I had a guess that the end would shake it the way out did, but the ride was a lot of fun. If you've enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club books, or Killers of a Certain Age, or An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good, this is a great option for you. This was a lot of fun, and the cast of characters is a lot of fun, even Nasty Nancy.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

After a breakup and a stalled career, Amber heads to Arizona to meet the grandmother she’s never known—who just so happens to live in a retirement community. Always feeling like the odd one out in her own family, Amber instantly connects with her quirky grandma, Jade. Turns out, Jade runs a true crime podcast with her misfit retiree friends, and when an actual murder rocks the community and Jade is accused, Amber finds herself right in the middle of a real-life mystery.

With the help of Jade’s podcast crew, Amber’s PI ex-boyfriend Bones, a missing ring, a judgmental turtle, and Ethan—a guy who’s way too young for the community but recovering from a hip replacement—this wild, funny, and unpredictable whodunnit kicks into gear.

I had a blast reading this one! It’s fast-paced, full of laughs, and the twists kept me guessing the whole time. If you’re into cozy mysteries with a quirky cast and a heartwarming family thread, definitely give it a try.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy—I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

"Murder Runs in the Family" is a sharp cozy mystery (fingers crossed this becomes a series). Typical of the genre, we meet Amber who has broken up with her boyfriend and decided to start her life anew. She ends up at her grandmother's place, and it doesn't take long before she has a murder to investigate.

The characters in this book are sassy, strong women (and some cool men) who know what they want and aren't afraid to go for it! I loved them! Tamara Berry has crafted a well-plotted story with a murder case that turns out to be an intricate labyrinth with many twists and turns along the way. The dialogue between the characters is snarky and to-the-point, giving the book a delightful sense of humor.

And the setting in the grandmother's retirement community is absolutely wonderful! I loved the banter and neighborly squabbles over social media - just delightful. If you enjoy funny books with suspense, drama, and quick dialogue, this is the book for you.

This book had a little bit of everything: a long lost relative, a giant tortoise, a suspicious death, an alleged theft, failed romance, potential new romance, a widely successful true crime podcast, and most importantly, a magnificent cast of characters at a retirement community and more (some details left out to avoid spoilers). The protagonist's relationship with her newfound grandmother functions as the main thread throughout the book and this works well as multiple levels of mystery unfold and the protagonist goes through theories and suspects.

I found it fun to read and hope it will be a series as I'd love to spend more time with the characters.

I had so much fun reading this book! Murder Runs in the Family has that perfect cosy mystery vibe, but with a hilarious, chaotic energy that made it feel fresh and different.

Amber Winslow is such a lovable mess, I loved following her as she shows up in Arizona with basically nothing to her name, only to meet her eccentric grandmother who (plot twist!) happens to run her favorite true crime podcast. Their relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book, it’s funny, sweet, and sometimes a little chaotic in the best way.

Also, I know the story is set in a retirement community, but please don’t let that turn you off! The residents of Seven Ponds are absolutely hilarious, full of life, and honestly more entertaining than most characters half their age. I loved the setting so much, it made everything even funnier and added so much personality to the story.

The mystery itself was really well done too. There’s a murder, a missing tortoise, a stolen heirloom, and somehow it all weaves together in a way that kept me guessing (and laughing) the whole time. It’s light, it’s clever, and it’s just the kind of book that makes you happy while you read it.

If you love cosy mysteries with some family drama, small-town gossip, and lots of heart, this book needs to be on your TBR.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Mur d*r Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry was an unexpected mystery with a twist among a group of lively folks in a retirement home, a tortoise, and granddaughter Amber Winslow.

Amber flees to the luxurious Seven Ponds Retirement home after a breakup from her P.I. boyfriend Bones, to meet her grandmother Jade whom she has never met. Instantly Jade knows it’s her granddaughter and welcomes her in right away. Amber’s mom has warned her to stay away from her grandmother and has written her out of her life, but Amber wants to meet this woman with nowhere else to turn. Jade hosts a true crime podcast with some of the other residents of the retirement home, and on the night of Amber’s arrival she finds out one of their own has died, only it appears to not be an accident or natural causes. A three million dollar ring is missing along with a tortoise that belong to the victim. Amber having P.I. experience from shadowing her boyfriend for the last three years, takes on the case of the missing tortoise, and also clearing her grandmother’s name who has become suspect number one.

This was a fun mystery. The group of retirees are a funny, loyal group, that you can’t help but like everyone and want to also clear their name as everyone becomes a suspect. I thought I had this one figured out, but had a twist in the end that got me. The ex boyfriend being a P.I. also shows up, so there’s a whole cast of characters that make this mystery interesting.

⭐️ 5/5
Third person POV
Linear timeline
Setting: retirement community in Arizona
FMC: Amber

Amber, a young PI-in-training, teams up with her feisty, podcast-savvy grandma to solve a murder in this sharp, hilarious mystery. This story blends quirky characters, a twisty plot, and just the right dose of chaos. The mystery kept me guessing, but what really stood out was the lighthearted tone balanced by a layered plot and strong character development.

I really enjoyed the retirement community setting…it turns into a chaotic yet tight-knit support system that adds so much warmth and humor. And the theme of finding your purpose and self-worth really resonated with me.


I can’t wait to read what Tamara Berry writes next in this genre!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing me an ARC of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed her are my own.

This is a FUN read! The characters are colorful and a bit over the top. It's well-plotted and paced, with a satifying ending.

"Amber Winslow's life has taken a serious turn for the worse. When an impulsive decision forces her to flee her former life carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, she heads to the sunny state of Arizona and the luxury accommodations of her grandmother's retirement community. Never mind that Amber's never actually met her estranged and eccentric grandmother.

As soon as she sneaks her things into Seven Ponds (a place she technically doesn't qualify for and definitely can't afford), she's shocked to learn that George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral, was found dead the very night of her arrival. Much to Amber's dismay, no one seems particularly distraught over the news of the Admiral's death or the disappearance of his prize pet tortoise. All anyone can talk about is a missing Vincent family heirloom, and they're quick to blame Jade for both the Admiral's murder and the theft of the priceless ring.

Amber doesn't want to admit the woman she's just met—and who accepted her without question—could be a villain, and she's determined to clear her grandmother's name no matter the cost."

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

In need of a fast escape from her current life, Amber heads to her grandmother’s luxury retirement community in Arizona – despite the fact that she’s never so much as met the woman. When one of the residents is found dead the next morning and a family heirloom goes missing, Amber is the obvious suspect. Determined to clear her name and that of her grandmother – and to learn why no one seems upset about the murder – Amber uses her skills as an almost-P.I. to learn what is going on.

I’ve read and enjoyed this author’s By the Book series, so I had high expectations for this book, and I was not disappointed. I like Amber, a woman who stands firm in what she believes in, and her grandmother, Jade, who is harder to figure out but still a woman I can admire – at least by the end of the book. Jade’s friends are an eclectic group of people that I’d like to have on my side when things don’t go according to plan.

The victim was found early in the story, so we didn’t get to know much about him and it was hard to find potential suspects. There were plenty of red herrings to lead readers down the wrong paths, and I fell for a few of them, but not all. I was surprised when the solution to the crime was explained, but I should have considered that possibility.

There’s no indication that this is the first book of a new series, and I’m not really sure where the story could go from here, but I would enjoy reading another book featuring Amber, Jade, and their friends.

Amber takes off to Arizona to connect with her estranged grandmother who lives in a retirement community.
Upon arrival, Amber meets her Grandmother, Jade, and discovers that although they have not met before Jade seems to know about Amber. Now it’s Amber’s turn to find out all about Jade and her group of friends! 🐢

Ambers first night in the retirement community end with one of Jades friends being found dead and Jade is later taken into police custody, suspected of murder 🚔

Can Amber use her PI skills to help clear her Grandmothers name?

This was a fun, cozy mystery with great characters and banter. It’s really a who dun it wrapped in a mystery with a side of a missing tortoise! It was sweet to see Amber five head first into the investigation and do everything she could for Jade. I was absolutely invested in finding out what happened.

Each chapter starts with a quote from a Death Comes Calling podcast episode which was a great way to incorporate the podcast into the story without being overbearing. PIs and sleuthing podcasters unite!! And this cover, come on how fun is the incorporation of the friend group and Tatiana!!!

Thank you to author, Tamara Berry, Publisher Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and am leaving my review voluntarily.