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.

✨ 5 Stars | Laugh out loud | Cozy Mystery✨

This book was pure FUN from start to finish!

Tamara Berry captured everything I love about a good cozy mystery—an irresistible setting, a cast of quirky (but lovable) characters, tons of red herrings, and enough plot twists to keep me guessing right up until the end. I absolutely tore through this story and didn’t want it to end.

Amber is such a relatable and hilarious protagonist. Watching her stumble (and scheme) her way through Seven Ponds felt like catching up with your funniest, most disaster-prone friend.

Her relationship with Grandma Jade was heartwarming and funny, and the entire supporting cast of residents at Seven Ponds practically stole the show.

And let’s talk about Jade and her crew for a second—these seniors are NOT your average retirement community residents. They’re fierce, independent, and living their best lives, amateur sleuthing included. Never underestimate a group of senior citizens...especially not this bunch!

Berry perfectly balances humor and heart with a solid mystery plot. It had serious Thursday Murder Club and Finlay Donovan vibes, but still felt totally fresh and original. I especially loved the little touches: the chaotic energy of the true crime podcast crew, the missing pet tortoise subplot, and the sharp, witty dialogue.

If you love stories where older characters get to be the heroes (and outsmart everyone), you’re going to fall head over heels for Murder Runs in the Family.

Loved this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc copy of this book

It was my first book by Tamara Berry, but it won't be my last.

I absolutely adore grandma Jade! I love hysterical old ladies, and she's top tier bonkers (in a good way).

Our protagonist, Amber, on a mission to get to know her estranged grandmother becomes entangled in a murder plot that really does make you wonder, "who did it?"

Highly recommend !

I absolutely loved this cozy mystery! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book but it just sucked me in and I really enjoyed it. It was a fast, easy read with a good story line and a good mystery to solve.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 out of 5 Stars!

Amber Winslow has made an impulsive decision to leave Seattle and head to Arizona, to meet her grandmother, Jade, for the first time. But as soon as she sneaks into Seven Ponds, a retirement community, she is shocked to learn of one of her grandmother’s friends, George Vincent a.k.a. The Admiral has been murdered. Surprisingly, nobody seems to be taking his death hard. Or the fact that his prize pet tortoise is missing. All anyone cares about is the Vincent family heirloom, a priceless ring. Right away, Jade is pointed at for the murder, which confuses Amber. Should she trust her grandmother, even though they had just met?

Wow! “Murder Runs in the Family” by Tamara Berry was a comical mystery book with lots of personality and humor. This was a fast-paced book, with a shocking ending that I didn’t see coming. Not only was it a mystery, but there were other themes, including romance and new family relationships.

I really liked our main character, Amber, and her grandmother, Jade. I thought both of these characters were perfect for their roles and brought so much personality to the book. Without them, I think the book could have had a slower pace which might have lost some readers. But you were hooked on what these two were going to do next! I also really liked the backstories that Berry gave them, which again added to the uniqueness of these characters.

I thought the beginning had a LOT of information. Which, I do appreciate everything up front, but I think Berry could have pumped the brakes a little bit. I think introducing the characters could have taken a little bit more time, just to make them a little more memorable. There were so many characters introduced all at once, I had a hard time keeping everyone in order.

Overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting a comical mystery to lighten up their reading. I think it was easy to follow and understand, with a little bit of everything for everyone.

“Murder Runs in the Family” by Tamara Berry will be published on April 29th, 2025!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Tamara Berry, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really fun mystery to follow. I loved the aspect of the grandmother working with her grandchild in this way. There was humor, and a good mystery to solve, which are two of my favorite pieces of a book.

PI-in-training Amber Winslow has left her boyfriend, a detective, who would not sign off on the paperwork to make Amber a full fledged PI. She heads to Arizona’s Seven Ponds Retirement Community where a grandmother she has no relationship with lives. It turns out that Judith Webb is a true crime podcaster known as Jade McCallan that Amber is a huge fan of. Coincidentally, the same night that Amber arrives someone kills George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral, also a podcaster. There is also the question of a missing Vincent family heirloom. Oh yes, a tortoise has gone missing, Tatiana. Rumors are buzz, could Grandma Jade, the nice lady who took Amber in, without hesitation, really have killed the Admiral and stolen the heirloom? Almost PI Amber, with help from some of the characters of the retirement community, are on the case.

This is a fun debut! I am looking forward to revisiting this cast of characters. The book started out a little slow, but did pick up the pace. The story is light hearted, but touches on family and the sometimes complex relationships. Although the author gives a conclusion to this case, she has opened the door to another.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for an ARC. The review is my own.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading this book. I must say that I really enjoyed it and became invested with the characters. Amber and her grandmother Jade were such interesting characters. I feel like Amber really grew over the course of the story. All of the senior citizens and Ethan and Tatiana the tortoise were fun additions to the story. Highly recommended. I hope this begins a series.

Amber Winslow is getting over a bad break-up. Therefore,  she decides to go look for her grandmother whom she has never met before. Her grandmother lives in Seven Ponds Retirement Community  in Arizona. Judith Webb, aka grandmother, aka Jade McCallan, 76 years-old runs the Death Comes Calling true crime podcast. And when Amber arrives, a death occurs at the retirement home. Amber needs to help get her grandmother cleared of the crime before she gets sentenced for theft and murder.

What a delightful, cozy mystery! I loved Jade’s irreverent character, the the retirees and their little intrigues, the betting pool that they run on almost everything, and the closed-room crime plot line. Highly recommended!

This was one of the best cozy mysteries I've read. At first, I was a little worried because the writing was trying a little hard to be witty and charming, but this book found its groove and it was extremely enjoyable.

I loved the writing, how all the characters were developed, and how complex the relationships were. My favourite relationship was between Jade and Amber and how that developed so organically. The plot kept me immersed in the story and I thought the retirement community was such a great setting for the story and the mystery. It was self-contained but still exciting and there were a lot of fun twists that I didn't expect.

I think this would be the great start to a series and I hope it does become one.

Murder Runs in the Family is a fast, fun, and very entertaining. From start to finish, I was sucked in and didn't want to put it down, reading it in one sitting.
I love the humor and the banter! I had such a great time following along with Amber and Tatianna as they try and prove her Gram's innocence in the death of the Admiral. All the characters are so unique, and I loved getting to know them all.

Everyone is acting shifty, and any one of them could be considered a good suspect. I had no idea how it was going to end or who the killer was going to be, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and laughing out loud.

I had a great time with this one, and I can't wait to read the next one!!!

4.5 stars
Amber Winslow, an aspiring PI, leaves Seattle and tracks down a grandmother she has never met. Amber shows up unannounced at the Seven Ponds Retirement Community in Draycott, Arizona where Judith Webb, who now goes by Jade McCallan, is living. Amber has a difficult relationship with her mother, but instantly connects with her grandmother and is barely unpacked before Jade has her involved in a couple different investigations as well as doing research for the true crime podcast that Jade and her friends run. Things really get complicated when Jade is accused of killing a close friend and it's up to Amber to prove her innocence.

This book is delightful! Neither Amber nor Jade are perfect, but I liked both of their characters from the beginning. Together they are even better. Jade gives Amber confidence in herself and that comes in handy when she is investigating the crime and making life decisions. I love that we see character growth for Amber as the story progresses. There are a couple of characters that you're not supposed to like and I didn't, but they are also three-dimensional characters who aren't completely bad. The ending really surprised me and was nothing like I expected. I hope there are more books with Amber, Jade, and Jade's fellow podcasters. There are certainly more stories to tell with these interesting characters.

I received an advance copy of this ebook for review consideration from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

Murder Runs in the Family is a wonderful, laugh-out-loud mystery, that mixes family, found family, murder and getting older gracefully. I loved following Amber along as she met her spunky grandmother for the first time, is introduced to the most wacky and coolest senior retirement community in Arizona, and how they all bond to solve a murder. Oh, and let’s not forget the best guest, the tortoise!

Another hit as far as I am concerned. Tamara Berry sure knows how to write a cozy murder mystery with that humorous twist!