Skip to main content

Member Reviews

What a fun, cozy read! This is actually the first Trending Topic Mystery I've read. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Burr and when I saw her newest book available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance! The main character, Coco, and her loveable, quirky group of friends known as the "Sleuth Squad" were all fun to get to know and I love that their unique personalities and connections had them all working together throughout the story. The author does a wonderful job of creating an engaging mystery filled with humor. I also enjoy the use of social media in solving the crime. It's a fresh twist to crime solving and adds a modern touch to sleuthing. I'm #hooked on this series. I can't wait to go back and read the first few as well as wait for the next installment. Thank you to #NetGalley and #LevelBest Books for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

Was this review helpful?

Sarah E. Burr's "#Throwback For Murder" is a charming and entertaining cozy mystery, the fourth in the Trending Topic Mysteries series. Social media influencer Coco Cline is again at the center of a murder inquiry when the past comes back to haunt her friend. Burr seamlessly entwines an intriguing plot with a colorful cast of wacky and believable characters, making it simple to cheer for Coco and her "Sleuth Squad."
The novel is an excellent blend of suspense and humor, with witty repartee and engaging small-town relationships. The retro theme provides a layer of nostalgia, and the author has you guessing until the gratifying reveal. If you like cozy mysteries with a contemporary twist and a healthy dose of friendship, "#Throwback For Murder" is a strongly recommended read.

Was this review helpful?

I love this whole series. The characters are so great, I love every single one of them. I figured out who it was early but that didn't take away from what a fun read it was!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun series! Very 'trendy' and current with lots of up to date references. While there is some death, none of it is gruesome or on the page which makes this a light read. I can't wait to see where the series goes next!

Was this review helpful?

"#Throwback for Murder (A Trending Topics Mystery #4)" by Sarah E. Burr has Coco questioning her influencer career drive and diving into yet another mysterious death. Coco's friend has an ex turn up suddenly and just as suddenly he is permanently out of the picture. The police may be looking at her friend as a possible suspect but there seems to be plenty of people who weren't to fond of him.

Coco keeps telling people she's not investigating and none of them really believe her. Well, at least she's knowingly lying when she's saying this, nothing more frustrating than an amateur sleuth that keeps insisting they're not investigating and tries to make themselves believe. So thank you for the main character being honest with themself.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, it was such a cosy murder mystery read that I couldn’t put down. The characters were strong and the plot was well paced.

When Coco’s best friend becomes the number one suspect to her ex-boyfriends death she immediately jumps on the case to prove her friends innocence. Can she unravel the mystery in time to save her friend, and what else will she discover through her investigation?

The author kept me guessing who the murderer was until the very end and I am happy to say I didn’t see it coming.

If you love a cosy mystery this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I enjoyed the mystery that unfolded. A guy collapsing at a festival and dies from a peanut allergy. But how did peanuts get in his coffee cup. Coco Cline is on the case with her sleuth crew. This book was a nice cozy murder mystery. Bonus points for the adorable white kitty, Coco’s bestie Jasper adopts 😍

Was this review helpful?

I did not realize this was the fourth book in this series! I will check out the author's other books first at the library.

Thank you for allowing me to sample this eARC. I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Coco is busy covering the Central Shores Police Department's festival, for the dedication of their new center, as part of her job as social media manager for the department when she gets a frantic text from her best friend Charlotte. Coco rushes to her aid to find Charlotte confronting a massive man who turns out to be her abusive ex-boyfriend. When the brusier returns ten minutes later, while Coco covers the booth so Charlotte can get some air, she realizes he is struggling and seems to be having a reaction to something. When he collapses, Coco looks for an epi-pen but can't find one before the EMTs take over. When the man, who is from out of town, dies, Charlotte immediately becomes a suspect as she is one of few locals who knew him and was aware of his allergies. Coco immediately calls together the Central Shores Sleuth Squad so everyone can figure out how to get Charlotte off the hook. There are several things I really enjoy about this series. First are the friendships and how well the group works together, each with their own areas of expertise. Second, I enjoy the various uses of social media to get clues and answer questions, I always learn something new. Finally, I enjoy that the characters are real, not perfect, but willing to grow and learn and change direction. I am totally invested in this group and can't wait for their next challenge.

Was this review helpful?

I really hoped to like this book, but it didn't happen.
I think the story was okay, but I did6like the characters.
The constant oh my hashtags drove me crazy, so I am kindly leaving a 3 star review, because the mystery and story wasn't bad.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book, it is the fourth one in a the Trending Topic Mystery series which I have not read but you don't really need to to really enjoy the book.
If you read about the plot alone, you would think it is all over the place but the story kept me laughing and really entertained. I found all the characters quite real and not perfect which sometimes in books tends to happen, and I am thinking about picking up the first three books!

Was this review helpful?

this book hooked me from the very beginning - the opening was super strong and the character descriptions were spot on. you really get a feel for who they are, and that made the story more intense. there were a few moments where I felt a bit lost, but not in a bad way- more like what is going on and I need to know more.
if you're into drama, Mystery, and characters with messy Parts, this book is definitely worth a read.

Was this review helpful?