Murder Runs in the Family is the new book by Tamara Berry which will probably turn into series.

This book was an enjoyable read.
I liked the setting, a retirement home. It was presented as such a great community.
Side characters were so different and memorable, each so vibrant and unique.
Main character is fun, vivacious, determined and reletable. I liked her, she was so fun. Her relationships, both with her family and ex-boyfriend are so interesting to read about.
Mystery itself was well presented. The ending was satisfactory and well explained.
I found some of the characters evasiveness and shadiness a bit irritating. I didn't see the reason for it and it lessened my enjoyment of the book a little.
Humor was great as in all of Ms.Berry's books.
Enjoyable read.

Amber, a 31 year old aspiring private investigator decides to leave her life in Seattle behind after a professional and personal setback. She seeks refuge with her estranged grandmother, Jade McCallen, at the upscale seven ponds retirement community in Arizona. Despite their lack of prior contact, Jade and her circle of friends warmly welcome Amber into her fold.
The Community is busy with the production of a true crime podcast, "Death Comes Calling". However the sudden death of Admiral, casts a shadow over the community.
When Jade becomes the primary suspect in his death, Amber is compelled to clear her grandmother's name, unraveling a web of secrets involving a missing tortoise and a expensive family heirloom.

Amber Winslow has never met her grandmother, because she is- for some reason- secretly estranged from her mom. But Amber recently lost her career as an unlicensed (yet) private investigator and broke up with her boyfriend Bones. As a partner, Bones took credit for all of Amber’s ideas and called her a secretary.

So Amber heads to Arizona to a luxury retirement community to meet Jade McCallum, her grandmother and a successful true crime podcaster. Soon a man is dead and Jade is charged with the crime. Amber has to figure out who the murderer is before Jade is officially charged and also to find the deceased’s family heirloom, a 3 million dollar diamond.

This was a confusing and slow start for me, and I almost put it down several times. It seemed like it started in the middle of the character development, I had to check and make sure this wasn’t a part of a series that I didn’t read the first books. It is a standalone- but I would love to see more from Amber and Jade. The characterization and the story building came kind of slow for me. But I really loved the last 25% of the book for the plot and the redemption of the characters.

First 50% - 2 stars
50-75% - 3 stars
75-100% - 5 stars

There are some great quirky side characters, Tatiana the tortoise, a nice arc for Bones the ex and Amber’s mom.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. Book to be published 4/29/25.

Berry’s latest has a strong Only Murders in the Building or Thursday Murder Club vibe and it is delightful. The strength of the story is in the characters and you definitely want to see more of them in future books.
4.5 stars

Murder Runs in the Family is the kind of mystery that sneaks up on you. You think you’re in for a fun, quirky whodunit (and it is that), but then suddenly you’re deep in the weeds of family drama that actually hits kind of hard.

Tamara Berry totally nails the balance between humor and heart. The town of Seven Ponds is full of eccentric characters and laugh-out-loud moments, but underneath all the witty banter, there’s this really honest exploration of how messy and complicated family relationships can be.

It’s the first in a new series, and honestly, I’m already hooked. Berry clearly knows her way around both mystery and romance, and the way she blends the two here is just... chef’s kiss. If you're into cozy mysteries with a little emotional depth (and characters you’ll genuinely want to hang out with), this one’s definitely worth picking up.

This was pure fun! Cozy mysteries aren’t always my cup of tea, but when this was a hit! It was just long enough without feeling too long, the quirky characters were refreshing, I thought the two mysteries were fun to solve — I had one worked out pretty early on, but had absolutely nothing for the other one, just along for the ride. This is a new author to me, and as I said, cozy mystery isn’t usually my vibe, so I’m not sure I’ll rush to pick up her backlist — but when I DO get that itch, I’m sure I’ll be back … especially if it’s with Amber and company again in a sequel…!

This delightful mystery hit my humor “sweet spot”. Smart, witty dialogue and an assortment of intelligent quirky characters kept me turning pages. It was so entertaining, it made me want to grab the popcorn.

Although it isn’t listed as first in a series, the ending gave off whiffs of future possibilities. One can hope, can’t one?

5 Shiny, Chuckling Stars

Amber's life is falling apart she quit her PI job with her ex-boyfriend and ran from Washington to Arizona to find her her grandma, Jade, that she doesn't even know. When she arrives her grandma opens her arms to her and knows quite a bit about her life. Then all of a sudden one of Jade's friends is found murdered - the admiral - and Amber is in the middle of the investigation.

The characters in this book really made it happen. With so many different characters and so much going on as far as the missing tortoise, someone being murdered and questionable things happen in this private community.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

This was the most fun I’ve had reading a murder mystery in a very long time. I’ve read one book by this author’s other pen-name, but this is my first experience with her murder writing. I seriously wanted to stay up all night until I finished it because I was having so much fun! The best part about this book was all of the characters. They all had such big personalities and the way they all interacted with each other was just a blast! I had many aspects of the actual mystery figured out super early on, which I usually hate, but with this book it did not ruin the experience for me because I loved the characters so much and was just happy to be along for the ride!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

Murder Runs in the Family is a cozy, laugh out loud, murder mystery.

Amber Winslow, the FMC, shows up out of the blue, at her estranged grandmothers retirement community, only to discover her Grandma goes by a different name than she expected, Jade McCallan. Amber really has nowhere else to turn, and hopes her Grandma will take her in. Jade is not only happy to welcome her granddaughter, but also not all that surprised to see her. Amber soon finds out that her Grandma knows more than she lets on.

That very first night Amber stays in the Seven Ponds retirement community, one of Jade's group of close friends, is found dead, suspected of being murdered. Jade is soon taken off into police custody, as the main suspect in the murder. Amber is determined, as a private investigator, to clear her Grandma's name. Amber works with Jade's friends to unveil all the clues that lead to the truth behind the Admiral's death.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery so much! There were so many moments that were just hilarious. From the Admirals mysteriously missing, over 90 years old tortoise, whom Amber stumbles upon and adopts as her own, to the fact that the group of friends actually had a bet going on whether the Admiral or the tortoise would live longer, and even collected on that bet once the Admiral had died. When Amber creates a makeshift sling to carry the male tortoise, who she names Tatiana, around with her, I can just imagine her walking around a retirement community looking for clues, with the tortoise. It gets even better when Amber's ex-boyfriend shows up, ends up helping with some of the PI activities, and is forced to carry around Tatiana in the makeshift sling! I love a pet character, and I really enjoyed how the author kept Tatiana a true part of the entire story, always mentioning him throughout. I also loved Nasty Nancy, and Ethan, and really all the characters!

The unveiling of the murderer in this one I love as well. I highly recommend this story if you love a hilarious cozy mystery with an awesome animal sidekick.

Some Fav Quotes:
"'Are you the person I should talk to if I want to flirt my way past these locked doors?'"

""Grandma, are you blackmailing me?" Her grandmother tsked. "It's not blackmail, child. It's extortion...""

"Raffi dressed for the break-in in a pinstriped suit and bow tie, his toupee whipped up into a dark froth atop his head."

"...and the fact that Tatiana was whirling around an exquisitely patterned white rug atop a Roomba vacuum."

"Tatiana settled against her chest like a baby being lulled to sleep by its mother's heartbeat."

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley, and the author for a review copy of this book!

Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry is a delightful romp of a book centred around almost-licensed private investigator Amber and the shenanigans she finds herself embroiled in when she flees a bad relationship to the home of her grandmother Jade, whom she has never met. Pressed into using her investigative skills to find the missing heirloom of a recently deceased friend of her grandmother's, which in turn will clear her of his death, Amber inserts herself in the lives of the residents of a retirement community with humour and vigour as she tries to solve the double mystery.
Amber is an absolutely wonderful character, and Jade is a more mature version of her. Jade's friends are all characters in their own rights, adding to the fun of the story. And with all of that accumulated wisdom at her disposal, Amber is sure to learn a few things a long the way.
The dialogue is dynamic and fun to read, the characters vivid and relatable, and the setting unique and fun. The book keeps you guessing as to whodunnit until the very end, and is a definite page-turner. I certainly hope to read more of the series.
I was thrilled to get the ARC of #murderrunsinthefamily from #NetGalley.

4 Stars
One Liner: Funny and entertaining

Amber Winslow leaves her former life in Seattle and goes to a retirement center in Arizona to meet her grandma, a woman she has never met! While she is still coming to terms with the easy entry into Seven Ponds (the luxury retirement community center) and meeting her eccentric and modern grandmother, Amber is shocked to hear about the death of a resident, George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral.
With the Admiral’s missing pet tortoise and the sudden disappearance of his family heirloom, the fingers point at Amber’s grandma, Jude. Amber may not know this woman, but she is determined to prove that her grandmother is innocent. Seems like it is time she used her sleuthing skills for her family.
The story comes in Amber’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’ve seen good reviews for the author’s cozy mystery series and decided to try her latest book.
The book starts with Amber down on her luck and trying to meet her estranged grandmother, someone her mother doesn’t approve of. Not having anywhere else to go, Amber decides she would try a chance with her grandma.
The death occurs fairly soon (less than 10%), so the book pretty much puts us in the mystery immediately. That said, we also get a glimpse into the backstory, the strained family relationships, the FMC’s career, and the eccentricities at the retirement center.
While this feels like a lot, it is not. Sure, there are some laugh-out-loud moments, and Grandma Jude is a sparkling and OTT personality. However, we don’t feel overwhelmed with the information we get right at the beginning. There’s more than what we see at first, obviously!
The mystery is really cozy. It’s a blend of drama and mystery, so think of something like Vera Wong (though grandma here isn’t gonna waste her time cooking).
The themes of found family, friendship, living in a community center, sense of belongingness, etc., are also explored, but without making the book heavy or overwhelming.
Humor is the highlight. Since it is subjective, if you don’t enjoy the lighthearted scenes, you may not like the book as much.
We have a pet tortoise which plays a prominent role in the plot and is carried around by quite a few. Moreover, this ninety-plus tortoise inspires protective feelings in many people!
I also like that the ex is not totally a bad guy. He has some good traits. In fact, most characters are the same. They feel realistic enough to be flawed and good.
The ending very much makes it sound like this book will be a series. I hope it is! I’d be delighted to read more books with the FMC and her grandmother.
To summarize, Murder Runs in the Family is a lighthearted and cozy read with a mystery (or two), a pet tortoise, and characters trying to make the best of their situation and be happy.
A part of it reminded me of the reports we get from Kerala Airport (IYKYK).
Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry is a charming cozy mystery. The story centers on Amber Winslow, whose life is in upheaval and sets out to reconnect with a grandmother she’s never met, Jade. She lands in Jade's lovely retirement community in Arizona. What begins as a heartfelt reunion quickly veers into intrigue following the suspicious death of a community resident.

There is a great supporting cast in the retirement community with a host of eccentric and diverse characters, each with their own agendas. This lively ensemble not only adds depth of the story but provided lots of avenues to investigate as the story progresses. When Grandma Jade is unexpectedly accused of murder, Amber takes on the role of private investigator.

I also appreciated how Berry seamlessly balances suspense with light-hearted elements. The community’s familial atmosphere is comforting which makes the unraveling mystery all the more engaging. Quirky touches, such as a tortoise named Tatiana and the reappearance of Amber’s ex, known as Bones, inject moments of levity and added depth. The unexpected ending was satisfying, tying together the plot threads in the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was a fun, cute book that's probably classified as a cozy mystery. A definite palate cleanser after reading something more serious. Amber works for her boyfriend in Seattle as a PI, and is enjoying the investigative life, while applying for her PI license. After having a fight with her boyfriend, about him using her as his glorified secretary and not taking her seriously, she takes off for Florida to stay with her grandmother she's never met before--UNANNOUNCED!! So a bit crazy, but the heartwarming and stylish grandmother welcomes her with open arms, until a body shows up and she's arrested for murder. Of course Amber's PI skills kick into gear and she decides she's on the case, which might include a young resident recovering from a hip replacement. Everyone is a suspect, and many of them have a motive to kill the Admiral, plus there is a missing $3 million dollar ring. She's enjoying her newfound freedom until the ex-boyfriend shows up and she has to chose between him and a potential new romantic interest. Of course the residents at the retirement community run a true crime podcast so that comes into play as well. Well written and light, I think the backstory of why the grandmother had a falling out with Amber's mother would have been interesting. They go into some detail, but not a lot. And the ending seemed a bit rushed without a real payoff. I can see a series being made her out of Amber's exploits as she sets up a new agency in Fl. A fun, fluffy read.

3.5 rounded up. Such a fun read! I so enjoyed hanging out with PI Amber and her grandma and friends at their posh retirement community. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, the story moved along quickly. The mystery was engaging, and I especially enjoyed the unexpected ending—it definitely caught me by surprise!

Grandma was easily the standout character, adding charm and personality to the story. The FMC, however, fell a bit flat for me. Without much backstory or depth, I found it hard to connect with her. The late introduction of a potential love interest also felt abrupt, as if it was just thrown in at the last minute.

Despite these points, I still enjoyed the read overall. It had its moments of intrigue, and the pacing picked up as the story progressed. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with some fun characters, this one might be worth a try!

This book was super cute! It was a nice break from the books I normally read. I flew through this book and found it so entertaining. I would highly recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries or just mysteries in general. Definitely more of a light hearted mystery. I hope there is another book!

I really enjoyed this book. The pace was great. The characters were quirky and fun. It was a really good cozy mystery that I gobbled up.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry.

This is a cute, funny, cozy mystery. It's like A Thursday Murder Club but lighter and more American, with a granddaughter serving as the true lead/narrator vs one of the older characters.

I took off a star because I figured out the ring theft / murder fairly early on, but while the mystery itself wasn't too difficult, the interactions between the characters and the information we slowly learn about the retirement community and its retirees was a lot of fun and really made the story. My mom has a weekly dinner with an older group of ladies (late 70s/80s), and the stories they tell can be downright ridiculous or raunchy, and I feel like Seven Ponds gives that kind of energy. It shows that the older characters still have a lot of life left in them, and they may as well live it up, no matter where their life circumstances have led them or if Seven Ponds is the last place on their life journey.

I liked the relationship between Jade and Amber and how Amber identified with her as opposed to her mother and siblings., while also recognizing the pitfalls of hers and her grandma's personality types. I think a lot of people may feel that way about aspects of their family life and it's easy to relate to.

I also liked the interactions between Amber, Bones, Tatiana and Ethan. Tatiana was truly the star of the book, but I liked seeing Amber recover from her relationship with Bones (while still getting to laugh at him in all of his scenes), and to see that there might be more stability down the road for her with Ethan (or maybe more adventures with random animals).

I will definitely be reading any sequels in this series.

A fun take on a cozy mystery that had more spunk and feisty spirit than you typically expect with this genre!