I really enjoyed this one. It was hard to put down. It kept me wanting more. The characters are amazing! And I love the title and the story line. Such an amazing book!

I really enjoy the look at a year in the life of Mira. Each month brings a different mystery for her to solve. It is an interesting way to develop a character.

Mira on a Mission..
February arrives in this latest outing in the Murder by Month Mystery series and it’s murder on the train as a Valentine’s special turns fatal. Trapped on a train in a snowstorm with numerous suspects, Mira is on a mission - and the series takes a turn.

I absolutely love Jess Lourey's mystery thriller books. This one is more cozy then what I am used to but I really enjoyed it. Honestly the big hit were the characters. I just loved them so much. The town is just wonderful. This one is more set on a train then in the town but I would love to go back and read more books set in the actual town. The little towns people are just so great.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Mercer for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.

I think this is the best yet in the series. This was a fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster of a read. The twists were strategically placed and definitely kept me wanting to keep reading. The ending of this one got me straight in the feels, though. I honestly can't imagine any in this series topping this one! I now need to calm myself down and try to stop my tears from flowing lol

This is difficult to review a book, when it is #10 in series and you knew nothing about previous books. It is not books fault, of course. It was easy to read, with some eccentric characters, but it starts so slow for a murder mystery, the first 30% we are not even on the train and just setting up the context to step onboard.

The idea of murder by month, and glances at what was happening previously intrigued me. I am mildly interested in trying to read the series from the beginning. If I was already familiar with characters, this could read very differently!

Loved this one (as the others). I read the revised version. I love the different setting, a nice break, even though I missed some of the Battle Lake residents. Curious as to what the next book brings, as Mira's decision at the end was a little surprising ;)

Mira and Mrs. Berns off on another adventure. This time, it’s on a train. Not any train, but a Valentine’s Day themed one. Hoping to see her boyfriend and avoid her curse of one dead body a month for the last 9, she escapes Battle Lake Minnesota. However, her miss fortune follows her when a woman next to her dies in the middle of the night and her husband and child are missing. Now trapped on the love express, Mira gets dragged into the mystery.
Overall a great book. Jess writes so well that despite everything that happens, I now want to book a train trip (minus the murder and trapped in a snow storm). The book is light but still suspenseful but the ending was heart breaking. You learn more about Mira and her past as well which adds another layer to her complexion.

February Fever by Jess Lourey is the tenth book in the Murder by Month Romcom Mystery series. It’s a fun mix of cozy mystery, romance, and humor. The story follows Mira James, a librarian whose boyfriend Johnny has to leave for a month-long internship in Portland. Mira doesn’t like flying, so her friend Mrs. Berns convinces her to take a train trip to visit Johnny. They also plan to attend a private investigator conference during the trip.

But things don’t go as planned. Mrs. Berns accidentally books them on the Valentine Train, a special singles event. The trip turns exciting—and scary—when a passenger is murdered, and a snowstorm traps the train in the Rocky Mountains. Now, Mira must use her detective skills to find the killer before it’s too late.

This book is a cozy mystery with lots of funny and romantic moments. It’s a bit like the classic story Murder on the Orient Express, but with a fresh, modern twist. The characters are interesting and easy to like, and the story keeps you guessing until the end.

February Fever was first published in 2015 and is available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook. If you enjoy mysteries with strong female leads and a good mix of suspense and fun, this book is a great choice.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Jess Lourey’s February Fever delivers a delightful blend of mystery, humor, and heart in the tenth installment of her Murder-by-Month series. Set aboard the Valentine Train, a romantic getaway turned crime scene, the novel follows librarian-turned-sleuth Mira James as she navigates a snowbound train, a murder investigation, and the complexities of her personal life.

Lourey's writing shines with wit and charm, capturing the quirks of small-town Minnesota and the eccentricities of train travel. Mira's interactions with her companions, particularly the spirited Mrs. Berns, add depth and warmth to the narrative. The suspense builds steadily, keeping readers engaged as Mira unravels the mystery amidst the snowy Rockies.

Overall, February Fever is a captivating read for fans of cozy mysteries and those seeking a lighthearted yet engaging story. Lourey's adept storytelling and memorable characters make this installment a standout in the series.

Liked this book! I heart it's a series, so I can't wait to read the rest of the books! Definitely recommend this book!!

I've been reading this whole series and the books keep getting better each month. This one almost broke me, but it was still so good. I loved the change of scenery on the train for this one. Mrs. Burns was as entertaining as ever, and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. Definitely recommend this whole series!

4/5 stars! This books are cute and silly and not too in-depth. Which if you're looking for a cozy mystery story, I highly recommend. Personally, I have enjoyed them as palate cleansers between heavier books. This was had a great deal of humor and I liked it.

Loved this updated version of the series! Don’t start reading at bedtime, because you won’t want to put it down. Truly one of the best books I’ve read recently. This book is skillfully written with a tight plot and great characters. There are multiple story lines within this cozy mystery, all tied up at the end. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

Perfect for people who enjoy just a casual read with a hint of drama.

It does have a cosy-mystery vibe to it, unfortunately we weren't on the same wave length.

I felt there was just a bit too much ' trying to be funny', 'trying to be quirky' with out the actual being of funny, quirky and what have you.


Thank you netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

I thought this was a very funny and also quite romantic cozy mystery. The characters are eccentric and somewhat crazy. The story was well written and intriguing. Its definitely a worthwhile read.

Is there such a thing as a cozy thriller? I'm book nerd enough to know that it's a silly question. But that's how this book felt. Familiar characters that we know and love taken out of their normal element and our main character's past comes to the forefront of this exciting train ride. Literally. A train ride! Mira has almost made it a full month without discovering a body. (Jessica Fletcher would laugh at this point.) And just as she's more content in life and her surroundings, she finds out Johnny, her spicy boyfriend, has an internship states away from her and he's leaving now for it. Mira won't stand in his way but she's regressing back to sadness when Mrs. Berns steps in and plows her over and then wraps her up and throws her on a train to go see Johnny and attend a PI conference. Jess Lourey did a great job describing the train, something that I think many of us have never experienced other than in old movies. Mira can never rest though as her stress hits high levels when her subconscious brings forth a memory of a missing friend from her past; giving a hint of what's to come. Your in Mira's mind as she relives the moment, you can feel her confusion and fear and then right back to the excitement of boarding a train, then right back into confusion and fear as the bodies pile up, and people are missing on a trapped train. Although my cortisol levels went up reading this book, there was some comic relief at the right moments and a whole lot of love and friendship. WHAT A GREAT READ!

Can this be read as a standalone. Yes, I think it can. But I do recommend picking up at least one of the books before hand to get yourself set in Mira's world. And quite frankly, I recommend just reading the series. I'm really enjoying it. A little bit of crazy comedy, murder, & spicy love.

And just a little side note, if the romcom description of this book is a turn off for you, ignore it. I don't consider myself a romcom reader, and although there is comedy and romance, there's mystery and murder and small town fun through out the whole series so I think anyone outside of historical fiction or nonfiction readers would like this series.

Thank you, #Thomas&Mercer and #Netgalley for the kindle edition of this book.

📖 Genre: Cozy Mystery, Humorous Fiction ⭐ Rating: 4/5

📚 Overview
February Fever is the 10th installment in Jess Lourey's "Murder-by-Month" series, featuring librarian and amateur sleuth Mira James. In this adventure, Mira embarks on a train journey to Oregon with her friends to attend a private investigator conference and reunite with her boyfriend, Johnny. However, the trip takes a perilous turn when a fellow passenger is murdered, propelling Mira into a high-stakes investigation aboard the Valentine Train.
GOODREADS

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Engaging Protagonist: Mira James continues to be a relatable and witty heroine, whose growth throughout the series adds depth to her character.

✔ Clever Plot: The confined setting of a train during a winter storm creates a classic "locked-room" mystery atmosphere, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's work.

✔ Humor and Suspense: Lourey skillfully balances comedic elements with tension, keeping readers both amused and on edge.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Pacing Issues: Some sections, particularly in the middle, may feel slower, potentially affecting reader engagement.

🔹 Character Depth: While the main characters are well-developed, some secondary characters could benefit from more fleshing out to enhance the story's richness.

✨ Final Thoughts
February Fever is a delightful addition to the "Murder-by-Month" series, offering a blend of mystery, humor, and charm. Mira's latest escapade aboard the Valentine Train is sure to entertain both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

📌 Would I recommend it? Yes, especially for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a humorous twist.

Overall I did enjoy this cozy locked room style mystery. The idea of a Valentine's themed train ride sounds fun, though without the unalived body lol. It took me awhile to get into the story, mostly because of starting out at book 10 in a series without reading the rest (obviously my own fault, not the author). Mira James apparently has mystery cases fall into her lap frequently so her friend convinces her to attend a PI conference. They take the holiday themed train ride which then gets snowed-in in the Rockies. The woman in the next cabin is found unalived, her husband and child missing. Mira must find the culprit before she becomes the next victim. I did enjoy the humor mixed in when the story becomes too serious, but the sudden ending was a bit jarring.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.