I really enjoyed A Death on Corfu! Minnie Harper is such a relatable and complex character—trying to balance the demands of motherhood, grief, and her own personal growth. Her transformation from a woman who puts everyone else first to one who takes charge of her own life was really well done. The dynamic between Minnie and Stephen Dorian was unexpected at first, with him being a grumpy, mysterious figure, but watching their relationship evolve added an interesting layer to the story.

The murder mystery was compelling, and I liked how Minnie took matters into her own hands, determined to uncover the truth despite the risks. The atmospheric setting of Corfu added a lot to the intrigue, with its beauty contrasting against the dark secrets beneath the surface. It was a solid start to a series, and while I did find some parts a bit predictable, it was still an enjoyable, fast-paced read with great characters and a satisfying mystery. Looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!

Minnie Harper is a thirty-something widow trying to raise her two kids on Corfu in accordance with her late diplomat husband’s wishes. When infamous novelist Stephen Dorian comes to the island to escape his scandalous divorce and finish his much delayed book, Minnie agrees to serve as his typist. A mutual wariness turns into an unlikely partnership when they decide to investigate the shocking murder of a young woman from their close-knit community. As they do, a friendship (and perhaps something more?) develops opening Minnie’s eyes to how small she has let her life become in her grief and raises questions about why her late husband was so adamant they not return to England.

I am a big fan of Emily Sullivan’s historical romances so I was really excited to read her debut historical mystery novel. I thought this was a really solid start of what I hope is a new series! I thoroughly enjoyed both the slightly older widow and the cynical divorcee combination—a unique spin on the unlikely lady detective and her partner—and the Greek island setting. Minnie’s character in particular really resonated with me (as a mother myself)—it is so easy to see how she poured herself into her children and keeping her family afloat after her becoming a widow and let any dreams for herself fall by the wayside. I hope we get to see more of her journey in future books and am looking to see how Minnie and Stephen’s partnership evolves (especially since it ended in a bit of an awkward place). Death on Corfu is out in May!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the e-ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own!

A new series from Emily Sullivan, A Death on Corfu takes place around 1900 with a British expat living in Corfu. Sullivan does a great job of providing the back story of Minnie and weaving it in to the mystery she faces in the community. She has a new mystery author neighbor who recruits her to type his manuscripts for publication and together they try to solve a local murder. I loved the character of Minnie and the setting, but felt the actual mystery was a little flat. I'm intirgued to read more about Minnie's life on Corfu.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC!

3.75 stars

An enjoyable series debut, set on Corfu in the early 1900s, and featuring widow Minnie Harper. This was a gentle cozy, but Minnie is a strong character. Still mourning her husband's death several years previously, and raising their two children, Minnie accepts a typing job from a mystery novelist who is staying at a neighbor's estate while trying to finish his latest book.

They clash often, but agree to cooperate when a local servant girls is murdered and the police don't seem too interested in investigating. Both Minnie and the novelist are carrying some baggage, but they make some strides during their adventure. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan is a cozy murder mystery. Multiple plot twists left me guessing and trying to solve the mystery. And, with a cliff-hanger, I am anxious to read the next in the series (I'm hoping for another since this says Book 1).

Releases Apr. 29th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely the coziest kind of cozy mystery that I adore.

Imagine...
A middle-aged mother, gardening and coffee afficionado, widowed with two children, living in a tumbledown fixer-upper in a remote island community in Greece...
A grumpy sunshine author next door (okay, just grumpy)...
And a twisty little murder to investigate...

"I typically spend my free hours in the early morning and evening hours pottering around the garden, as I had better luck growing things than fixing them. Once I finished my coffee, I fetched a small watering pot and refreshed my little plot of herbs and spring onions."

I simply adore Minnie, and can't wait to read more of her mysteries. This reads like a relaxing vacation in Greece, which is just what I need.

I went through the book real fast. Pretty engaging, liked the humour and how Minnie’s character is developed where she has comes to terms with her past and still dealing with her grief.

The book ended at a cliffhanger - which is making me itch and wish the next book in series comes real soon, more so, cause I feel invested and have little patience :p

Overall as always one enjoyable book by Emily Sullivan.

The first in a new historical cozy mystery series, this novel is a good start and is set in Corfu and the surrounding areas during the turn of the 20th century, with English and Greek characters. A period armchair travel cozy that surpassed all my expectations, this was also my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to the next installment as the story left off with a bit of a cliffhanger (but the murder mystery was solved). The character development was a slow burn with plenty of future potential. For historical mystery fans.

Net Galley Feedback

Cozy and warm setting. Perfect for the current polar vortex I'm living in. What I would give to find a dead worker at my hot neighbor's house that I'm typing away at. Mamma Mia me, baby

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Arc in exchange for a review.

This is a historical mystery series taking place in Corfu. We follow a widow with two kids living alone after her diplomat husband's death. Soon everything changes when a mystery writer moves in town and they first get off on the wrong foot and bicker. She is hired by him to type his manuscripts and later, as his partner as they investigate the death of a person in town.

Since this has not been released yet I will not spoil the story but it was, in my opinion, obvious because if you pay attention you will catch the hints.

I think this will be a good series. The writing is solid and the main character is interesting and strong. Personally, however, I was not a big fan of Stephen. But whatever.

4.5 stars
A Death on Corfu is the first book in Emily Sullivan’s Minnie Harper series.

This was such a delightful historical cozy mystery!

The book is set in 1898 in the Greek island of Corfu. Minnie is a widow with two school-age kids. The family had moved to Corfu several years before her husband died, and Minnie promised her husband she would raise the kids on the island. A handsome mystery author, Mr. Dorian, moves in next door and Minnie finds herself working for him, typing up his manuscript. A local maid is killed, and Minnie and the author aren’t happy with how the local investigation is going, so they decide to investigate themselves.

I really like Minnie. She’s her own woman and a great mother, while still struggling a bit to find her own way. Minnie and Dorian don’t get off to the best start, and there is some good up and down, back and forth in their relationship.

If you are a cozy mystery (and even if you aren’t), I would recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Emily Sullivan has done a superb job creating an un-put-downable period mystery. I found the choice of setting combined with the Victorian era touches to be intriguing and gratifying. The descriptions of island life and historical touches blend effortlessly to successfully set a unique mood.
The aspects of both the mystery and developing romance plots were oh-so-satisfying and had me hanging on with bated breath. This is not just your average cozy mystery. I read a lot of them and this one is still perfect to snuggle up to with a cup of tea, but is not as cliche as the average cozy.
Perfect pacing, wonderful imagery, cheeky, sweet, and moving dialogue. Everything about this book was fulfilling - I've already been recommending this to all my library friends and coworkers. 100/10 stars!

I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of this read and am eagerly anticipating a sequel -- like, ASAP PLEASE!!! I need more!!!

This is a slow paced but nice historical murder mystery. I loved it. Nice characters and background story. Some characters reminded me of the TV series The Durrels but I didn't mind that because I enjoyed that show. I like the setting (place and time). I'm already looking forward to more stories about Minnie and co.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Kensington Publishing and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the free ARC eBook.

A Death on Corfu follows Minnie Harper, a widow who is living in Greece after moving away from England. She is learning how to be on her own and who she is while raising her children when a young maid is murdered and she teams up with her Nextdoor neighbor - a grumpy English mystery writer - to solve the crime.

This was a great cozy mystery that is also historical fiction. The setting in Greece was perfect - especially as I was reading it in winter and wishing I were somewhere warm and idyllic. I've never read a book that was set in Greece so this was a great change for me. This was a great read and I highly recommend it!

I loved this book! I didn't think I would as I normally read contemporary books, and this one was set in the late 1800s. But, shock horror, the people were the same as those today, and the setting of Corfu is intriguing in an era without planes and mobiles and overcrowding.

This is the first part of the blurb to give you a taster:
Living in Greece at the turn of the twentieth century, widow Minnie Harper struggles to find her place in a swiftly changing world. But when a local woman is murdered, her resolve is put to the test in a race to shed light on the truth . . .

I loved the way Minnie thinks as it is like I myself like to think a few centuries later. Things like why can't women do that? Or things like, nobody sand above anyone else, and certainly not because they are richer than you. You might be richer in other things than money. Like Minnie is very rich if you look at the way she lives and the time she has.

The mystery is laid out well, and the suspense increases as it should. Lots of suspects to choose from, and please don't let it be so and so...

Don't worry, I am not giving anything away other than the five out of five stars. This is an excellent read that I enjoyed enormously and highly recommend.

Thank you, Kensington Books torm Publishing for providing A Death on Corfu for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved "A Death on Corfu"! The chemistry between Minnie and Mr. Dorian was wonderful, and I loved the setting. Reminded me a lot of The Durrells in Corfu on PBS. Can't wait for book 2.

Really enjoyable story in a setting that isn't as common for a cozy mystery. Really enjoyed the characters, and hope they will come back for future books.

I couldn’t help but think of The Durrells in Corfu when I started this book — youngish English widow and her children, one a precocious, nature-loving son, the other a moody teenage daughter, on the island of Corfu.

After the death of her husband Oliver, Minnie Harper keeps her word to him to raise their children in Corfu rather than returning to England. She has a handful of fellow ex-pats and Greek friends in her circle, but none are quite as intriguing as the mysterious Mr. Dorian, famous novelist recently moved in next door. Minnie takes a position as his typist, and when young housemaid Daphne is murdered and Minnie herself discovers the body she finds herself teaming up with Mr. Dorian to uncover the murderer.

Filled with cultural tidbits from the Greek islands and amusing dialogue, I enjoyed this cozy mystery. I did guess the outcome and it was a fairly slow burn, but I felt invested enough to read more in the series as they come, especially with the mild cliffhanger at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery in what I hope turns out to be a series. Minnie Harper is a young widow and mother of two living on the Greek island of Corfu in the early 1900s. Tight on funds, she takes a job as a typist for a famous mystery writer named Stephen Dorian who is on Corfu with a bad case of writer's block. When a young maid is murdered, Minnie finds the body. The local police don't seem to be taking the matter seriously, so Minnie enlists Stephen to help her find the killer.

Minnie is a charming, intrepid, and persistent heroine. She is a little bored with her day-to-day life on the small island in a time and place where women are discouraged and prevented from anything but domestic activities, and feeling unappreciated and confused by her teenage daughter. Minnie and Stephen's first meeting is inauspicious, to say the least (think Elizabeth overhearing Darcy in Pride & Prejudice), but she needs the job badly and finds real interest in Stephen's fictional detective and makes suggestions for his fiction. He is reluctant and dour, but finds that her suggestions begin to spark his creativity. The repartee is witty and sweet, as is Stephen's growing respect and attraction for Minnie.

I found the secondary characters, including Minnie's children, local Greek residents, and the community of British expatriates, well-drawn and interesting. The burgeoning attraction between Minnie and Stephen leaves me interested in reading more of their adventures, which will almost certainly explore a more personal mystery facing Minnie.

I look forward to more.

ARC provided by NetGalley, opinions my own.

An enjoyable cozy mystery. Although I guessed the murderer fairly easily, the characters kept me engaged to the end. There are many hints about mysteries yet to be solved, including some from Minnie's own past. I'll happily pick up another in the series although I won't necessarily seek it out.