3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed this. Ryan and his gran, Iris, tell this story in different chapters, which both gives different pov of the events and insights into their characters, which is definitely helpful with Ryan who is somewhat quiet and self-contained due to dealing with the death of his husband ten years ago which still results in him having panic attacks. Luckily he has the adorable Brecken, a support dog, and happens to be very observant which helps during the mystery. I thought the characters had depths and look forward to seeing them in future books.

The mystery was solid with plenty of suspects. The only real complaint I had about the mystery was Iris makes such a big deal about this small boat that has washed up onto the beach. She wants to know who it belongs to and believes it has something to do with the murder. But the actual explanation at the end is very minimal. It just didn't make sense to make such a big deal about it. It didn't even lead to dead end clue.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Oh wow, I really enjoyed this book especially the showdown! Gran was such a hoot and cracking me up with how she was sleuthing and eventually got the answer to whodunit. And she wasn’t shy about confronting someone, but at least it was at a public event where she could cleverly get people started talking. I felt really bad for Ryan since he seems like a lost soul wandering the world hoping he can eventually get closure for Jason’s death. It’d be awesome if Gran was the one who eventually solved that mystery, and I’ve got no doubt she’s capable! No matter what happens, Ryan’s among loved ones now he’s home.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book made available from NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

First time reading this author. I enjoyed it very much. I like the characters (and really want to know the backstory on the 1). I also liked the coastal setting. The mystery kept me guessing. I hope there are many more in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry, simply could not connect to this book. I got 58% through and found myself continually asking myself why I was still reading.

The blurb made for an interesting, light hearted cosy crime. What I got was a stodgy plot that couldn’t decide whether it was cosy like an MC Beaton or the more serious and hardened mystery- thrillers like an Ann Cleeves. The jumbled genre did not sit well.

It also often felt like I was coming in on a conversation half over. The minimal descriptive narrative made it feel like you’d understand it more if you’d been there for the whole thing. I thought I was, but sadly not. It was like the author and editor knew the storyline so well, they understood what was written, but a newbie to the book, like me, was left out.

And, lastly, and I admit this is more a personal pet peeve – the dog. Ryan had had her over ten years? His family knew how to read her body language, despite not seeing him in all that time? She would be an ancient, arthritic dog by that age. Big dogs don’t have long life spans, and due to size don’t age gently. I loved the concept of an emotional support dog, but this too was not thought out well. It really jarred with me.

All in all it came across like a younger author trying to write in a lot of life experiences that they, well, only knew of in theory, not practice. Tried to combine too many ideas into an unrealistic timeline.

Sorry, just not a book for me. Did Not Finish.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for this arc.

This is the first book of the series, but to me it read like the second. I felt like I was missing all kinds of back story on the characters. Didn't feel that they were developed really well in this one. The mystery felt forced and disconnected. The beach scene with Iris doing a play by play of the night just read off like these people have lived here for how long and we're ignorant enough to get stranded on a beach with the high tide? Solving the case came quickly and I don't feel like it gave a lot of clues to have the reader guessing the who dun it. It was a short quick read.

I adored this book and enjoyed it so much! As soon as I saw this cover, I was hooked. I needed a cosy palette cleanser, and it definitely delivered. I hope my chaotic image collage captures the vibes from the book. I needed Iris Kennedy's feisty whit and the overall whimsical humour to rinse away my worries. There was such a sense of warm small town community, pub gossip, and seniors badassery. The story also created such an atmosphere of tension and secrets, with a clever locked-island whodunit amongst all the whimsy. Secrets, serenity, whit, and whimsy. 💙 I will definitely be following this author for more murder mysteries!

Thank you to NetGalley, Mona Marple, and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for this advanced readers' copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

First in a new series! 

This is a great first start to a promising new series - Ryan is a grieving widower who goes home to his small whale watching village and discovers a murder, blackmail, and possible secret's about his husband's death. 

Ryan is a likeable character that is very reserved in this book; I hope we learn more about him and his character broadens as this series develops. I really hope we find out more to the story of his husband, Jason's death, especially since he was a famous singer and theories are never-ending about how he died, even labeling Ryan a gold-digger, which I would say he absolutely is not. 

Iris, Ryan's feisty gran is awesome and I hope she keeps up her antics and sass throughout the series. I am interested to learn more about her past as a bookstore owner in the small village and how she became the strong woman she is in this book. 

There are many supporting characters in this book, with Ryan and Iris being the tellers of alternating chapters, but flows together very nicely. I am excited to see where the rest of the series takes the minor characters, like Harlow (Ryan's sister), his mom, and other villagers who, of course, were suspects during the murder. 

This was a fun book, definitely a beach-read, and you should put it on your TBR list right away. 

4.5*

"A Whale of a Crime (A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery #1)" by Mona Marple (Katie Forrest) is a little bit different from what has become the norm for cozy mysteries but really felt like a cozy mystery by the end of it. This book is told from two different perspectives. Ryan, a younger adult man returning to Yorkshire to help his family after being in London and the passing of his rockstar husband. Iris, Ryan's grandmother, local busybody and bookstore owner.

It's time for an annual whale watching festival on the Yorkshire English Coast. Some weird stuff is going on with the fundraiser money and people involved with the festival and people are turning up dead. Ryan and Iris get involved because some of it may be too close to home for Ryan and the death of his husband.

I do have to say that i appreciated that each of the chapters were titled with whose perspective it was in. It was clear once the chapter got going but it can be difficult to transition between perspectives without a clear way of separating them. I appreciate keeping them chapter confined.

This was an interesting read. I like the locked room type mystery as well as the small village politics. I will read the next one to learn more about Ryan and Jason’s story.

This was incredibly cute which is not a common word to describe a murder mystery. But this is definitely a cute murder mystery and I adore all of the characters, especially Bracken she is my absolute favorite. While I think the storyline itself was vaguely predictable it was handled in a great way and its way less of a thing for a cozy mystery to be slightly predictable. I hope to read more of these characters soon

A Whale of a Crime is the first book in a brand-new cozy mystery series by Mona Marple.

The setting is in Flamborough on the Yorkshire Coast.

Ryan is home in Flamborough for the first time in ten years to visit his Gran.

There is a party, and a guest is found dead, and Gran is a suspect.

I really enjoyed this mystery. The characters are fantastic and well developed.

The setting is so fantastic, I love seaside settings in a small town.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Ryan has come back home to Yorkshire, still mourning the death of his husband several years before. His first night back, he goes to an invitation only beach gathering and a murder occurs. One of them is the murderer, but who? There are rumors of embezzlement, shady deals, and even blackmail. Ryan’s grandmother owns the local bookshop and is a real character. Ryan’s family is there to support him and each other and the town comes together when another death occurs. There is a tie-in to a charity event Ryan’s husband (who was a musician) was involved in just before his death. Is there a deeper connection to be uncovered later?
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was super cute! I love a cozy mystery, and this book had it in spades. I’m frankly astounded by how much plot was able to be fit into such a short read. It read like the first part in a two part season opener of what is sure to be my new favorite mystery TV show.

Usually books I read in this genre have female protagonists - this time, we have a snappy, hilarious older lady, and her adorable, just-moved-back-to-his-hometown grandson! And what’s more, the family is so loving! I loved their relationship to each other.

This book was so close to 4 stars. Because it was so short, the characters, and the plot weren’t as developed as I felt they deserved. However, the premise hooked me and I can’t wait to tune into the next one to see the next mystery being solved!

I was thrilled to see this available as an ARC on Netgalley, I really enjoy Mona's stories! This one didn't disappoint. A murder at an invite-only beach picnic, a tangled web of secrets and blackmail. Absolutely brilliant! Ryan returns home to his gran's bookshop only to get caught up in the Whale Watching Festival and a lot of drama. He's been struggling with grief since his husband died 10 years ago. Iris, his gran, is such a character, a real tough, feisty Yorkshire woman who takes no nonsense! Together, they put the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the crime. Fun, intriguing, awesome charaters, and plenty of twists. I can't wait for the next book!
Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Mona Marple for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

#AWhaleofaCrime #NetGalley is the first in a new series by a new to me author.
Ryan is an interesting character, and while I haven't read too many cozies with a male protagonist., I found this story, the mystery, and the supporting characters to be quite unique.
I did enjoy the story being told in a dual POV. Gran/Iris has the potential to be a funny lady, but I hope she continues to be a pip and loses some of her harsher personality.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next in this new series,
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Welcome to Flamborough on the Yorkshire Coast the setting of a new Katie Forrest/Mona Marple series. For those who read The Midnight Flowerpot Fiasco this is where Holly and Nick Claus spent their honeymoon.

Ryan Kennedy has come to town to visit his Gran. He hasn’t been home in 10 years and is surprised by the changes. The town is buzzing with an upcoming fete. Gran’s neighbors go down the cliff to investigate a boat which has washed up on the beach and to celebrate. Unfortunately, one of the party is found dead in the thick fog and few have an alibi. Ryan begins to investigate as Gran is a suspect.

I really enjoyed this murder mystery and look forward to the next in this series. Oh and by the way, Ryan has a totally awesome dog. #Netgalley

Ok this book is adorable. Please know this is coming from a thriller and horror fan, so this is definitely still a mystery book with a murder in it! I found myself giggling, wanting to find out what happened next, enjoying the dialogue and banter, and there’s a dog, so you have my heart. I really loved that this book was shorter too, as it held my attention, kept me going, and it did not feel overwritten. It was perfectly paced and the cover is just too dang cute. I need to buy this once it comes out because this was such a cute read.

I heavily recommend this one! Thank you for the free eARC! I am leaving my honest feedback voluntarily.

Ryan Kennedy left his seaside village years ago never believing he would return. But when his sister informs him that their Gran might need his help he returns to find secrets around every village corner.
I realized as I began that I have not read many cozy mysteries with a male POV. I found Ryan an enjoyable character to get to know as we try to solve one mystery with him as well as one mystery about him.
I loved the family banter for the most part, but on a few occasions found that Gran/Iris came across a bit harsh.
The ending has me ready to go straight into the next one in the series. But alas, I have to wait to carry on with the unraveling of secrets