Murder Two Doors Down is a light-hearted mystery set in a fictional suburb of Atlanta, where an out-of-control HOA presides over a neighborhood of malcontents and busy-bodies. When one of the chief malcontented busy-bodies is found murdered, the HOA’s compulsively detail oriented secretary, Brad Hanson, becomes the prime suspect. What ensues is a domestic incarnation of the game Clue, where Brad must use the sleuthing skills he’s honed as an insurance investigator to prove his own innocence and catch the actual killer.
The story is exceptionally well written. It flowed well and kept me amused with many laugh-out-loud moments. Anyone who has found themselves at the mercy of people and organizations that seem to derive great satisfaction and meaning from unquestioningly enforcing rules, and who amongst us hasn’t, will identify with Brad’s travails, if not Brad himself.
I enjoyed the story immensely and thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy.

A fun book that looks at how you don’t always know what your neighbors are getting into. Definitely would recommend to a friend who likes quick mysteries

📖 Mini Blurb:
When a shocking murder rocks a quiet suburban neighborhood, amateur sleuthing takes center stage. As secrets unravel behind white picket fences, unexpected alliances form, old flames resurface, and nothing is quite what it seems. Will the truth come out before another body drops two doors down?

💫 Book Tropes:
• Cozy mystery vibes
• Small-town secrets
• Amateur sleuth
• Second-chance romance
• Nosy neighbors & hidden pasts

📝 My Review:
I absolutely loved this cosy mystery romance! The setting was brilliantly described — I could see the neighborhood and feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. It’s fast-paced, full of secrets, and packed with twists I didn’t see coming. The characters were so well-written and easy to connect with.

✨Tension ✔️
✨Secrets ✔️
✨Twists ✔️
✨Relatable characters ✔️

A compelling, twisty read that’s perfect for fans of mysteries with a romantic edge. I highly recommend adding this to your fall TBR! 🍂🔍❤️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me access this book!

This was a rather chaotic murder mystery with detectives that were caricatures of the worst investigators you could imagine. There were many red flags that the main character missed/ignored, seemingly due to limited insight into social cues/norms. The main character/narrator was clearly meant to be on the Autism Spectrum and while some elements of the characterization were realistic, there were also some things that felt very cliched. It also felt like the author was poking fun at the character at times by making him seem incompetent and the negative way he viewed himself. While having social difficulties is common for people on the spectrum, most people having reached adulthood will have learned strategies or created rules for social interactions that make things more easily understandable and leave less gray area to navigate, but the main character was written as if they’d never had to adjust their actions/responses to people (other than his wife). Based on his own narrative, he’s researched heavily how to raise children and how to successfully accomplish things, so to believe that he wouldn’t be able to read some social cues feels disingenuous.

Other than my frustrations with the portrayal of a neurodivergent individual (and if he’s not supposed to have Autism, I don’t know what the author was trying to do), the mystery itself was funny and had some good comedic moments that just felt overshadowed by the frustrations.

Brad Hanson, INTJ on the Meyers-Briggs scale, insurance investigator who zones out to end conversations, murder suspect turned amateur Sherlock Holmes.
I found the humour relatable and witty, and as someone who hears the Law & Order 'Dun Dun' when the doors close at my work, I enjoyed this whodunit.

Suburban life in Atlanta, Georgia, was never meant to be exciting. In fact, very little about insurance fraud investigator Brad Hanson’s life could be described as anything other than dull. He is, however, the secretary of his local homeowners association board, which, to be fair, is pretty exciting! Dealing with arguments and complaints is part of the job but murder? Two deaths, at least one of which can absolutely be linked to him, mean someone has to clear his name, and no one knows him as well as he does! Unfortunately, his involvement doesn't seem to stop the body count from rising, and that isn't good for him or his future prospects?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I did struggle a little with this book, but there was a lot going on and, of course, a lot of background information to include. I think the next instalment should be a little tighter. Overall, it was an interesting take on cosy crime, which I would happily visit again.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the opportunity to read Chuck Storla's delightful debut whodunnit, Murder Two Doors Down. The protagonist, Brad Hanson, made me think of a male version of Finlay Donovan.
The story is told in first person from Brad's POV. Brad is a middle-aged insurance fraud investigator leading an ordinary, somewhat boring life in an Atlanta suburb. He has a wife who more or less ignores him, two grown children who have left for college, an anti-social dog, and very few friends.
Brad also serves as Secretary on the board of the HOA for his subdivision, the Estates at Chestnut Lake. All the streets in the neighborhood are named some variation of Chestnut, which is kind of an inside joke for Atlanta residents who moan about all the streets being named Peachtree.
Life abruptly changes for the Estates at Chestnut when Inga Oskarsdotter, a neighbor who is constantly complaining to the HOA board about one thing after another, is found shot to death. Then two FBI agents make the rounds of the neighborhood, interviewing possible witnesses, and after they find a gun in Brad's garage that matches the murder weapon, Brad becomes the number one suspect. The only one, it seems. And as the body count increases, the police want to pin those deaths on Brad, too, despite having no evidence. Brad launches his own investigation into the murders to prove his innocence and enlists his New Jersey transplant neighbor, Tony, as his Watson. When things continue to worsen, Brad hires a lawyer who puts her investigator, theatre major Dix, on the case.
I figured out whodunnit fairly early, but still enjoyed the ride. The author really nailed the pettiness of the HOA issues, the gossipy suburban neighborhood, and the bullying on the NextDoor-like app. The deadpan humor and witty observations kept me laughing. What a fun read!

Chuck Storla's Murder Two Doors Down: An HOA Homicide Mystery offers a refreshing and thoroughly entertaining take on the cozy mystery genre, setting its stage in the seemingly idyllic yet surprisingly cutthroat world of a suburban Homeowners Association. Storla masterfully blends humor, intriguing characters, and a genuinely puzzling whodunit into a narrative that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

The premise itself is delightfully unique: a murder occurring within the confines of an HOA, where petty grievances, neighborhood gossip, and strict bylaws suddenly take on a much darker, deadlier significance. Storla leverages this setting to its full potential, crafting a cast of characters who are instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever lived under the watchful eye of an HOA board. From the overly zealous president to the perpetually complaining neighbor, each character feels authentic and contributes to the rich tapestry of the community.

Our protagonist, who stumbles into the role of amateur sleuth, is relatable and engaging. Their journey through the labyrinthine rules and unspoken social hierarchies of the HOA, while trying to uncover a killer, provides ample opportunity for both comedic moments and genuine suspense. Storla's writing style is crisp, witty, and flows effortlessly, making for a very quick and enjoyable read.

What truly sets Murder Two Doors Down apart is its clever plot construction. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with plenty of red herrings and twists that will keep even seasoned mystery readers on their toes. The clues are subtly woven into the fabric of the story, encouraging readers to play along and try to solve the puzzle themselves. Beyond the immediate murder, Storla cleverly highlights the inherent absurdities and underlying tensions that can fester within an HOA, turning a mundane setting into a hotbed of potential motives.

While the book is undeniably lighthearted and fun, it doesn't shy away from exploring the deeper implications of community living and the hidden lives of those around us. It's a testament to Storla's skill that he can deliver both laughs and a compelling mystery simultaneously.

In conclusion, Murder Two Doors Down: An HOA Homicide Mystery is a highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, appreciates a good laugh, and has perhaps a love-hate relationship with their own HOA. It's a charming, clever, and thoroughly satisfying debut that promises great things from Chuck Storla.

This has been a very fun read. I like the HOA mystery because we all have trouble with our HOAs. It’s funny how I can read about the characters and try to pin who they would be in my neighborhood.

I was hooked in the beginning but about 50-60% of the way through it seemed to drag on. I would still read more of Brads adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for the ARC!

Whimsical and Witty…
There is more to the Estates at Chestnut Lakes than meets the eye - murder, for one. In a seemingly perfect and idyllic place, strange things begin to happen as Brad Hanson’s life takes a turns in a direction that he could never have anticipated. For whilst he may imagine committing a murder (the neighbours can be very trying) he really never would - so, becoming a prime suspect in one may really tip him over the edge. Whimsical and witty take on murder in suburbia with a well drawn cast populating a frothy plot. Most entertaining.

I was very intrigued by this one that I found on NetGalley because it looked promising as a light murder mystery, which it was. However, I think it’s very hard to write with sarcasm and ignorance and still make it funny. A few times I was asking myself, “was this a joke or was it sarcastic?” because there weren’t many context clues to help me decide. The last 3rd of the book was really good though and I feel like it redeemed my earlier questions. Thanks NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun mystery novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I was provided this ARC by the author, publisher and Net Galley for an honest review. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The character development was great, the storyline kept me intrigued. The twists kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time making the book very enjoyable (I always love twists). I loved the cozy feel to the story line and the element of whodunit aspect. Overall a very enjoyable read. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

This novel is a light read, characterized by its witty repartee. While it is advertised as reminiscent of "Only Murders in the Building," I found it to be even more so, to an exaggerated degree, which I personally considered a drawback.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

A very good read filled with interesting characters. Would recommend

Thank you to Chuck Storla, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun!!!! This is my first “cozy” mystery and I had a great time!

The main character was so spectacularly awkward, it was truly comical to see how he interacted with everyone. And all of the crazy characters around the neighborhood were so funny and made me feel like I was watching a hilarious neighborhood sitcom.

As far as the mystery part goes, I actually had so many moments where I thought I knew what was going to happen but then was steered a different direction. And the ending I totally did not see coming!!

Overall, this was a fun, easy read and I highly recommend checking this out!

I may be an outlier here. I liked (didn't love) this cozy mystery with its quirky, meticulous sleuth.

Dastardly deeds have gone down in this HOA community and all signals seem to be pointing at Brad. He's an insurance investigator, which I actually thought was neat as it's something I don't come across often (once in a British mystery and also in an old radio show called Johnny Dollar). He's married and his children are off at college. I don't want to give this away but I was able to suss out who did the killing and another major plot thread fairly early on, and that took a lot of the momentum out of the story for me. This may not be a flaw of the story, as I do read a lot of mysteries. YMMV.

As the momentum was lost, I then had to rely on the "getting there" being all the more fun and worth the ride. And, it was mostly mid with occasional peaks of very good. What began as wry stretched out into trite and then overlong. Much like sitting through an HOA meeting, I suppose. Most of the characters are pretty forgettable but I will not forget the mention of pizza delivery with a side of grits (srsly, I'd eat that and I hope that's a thing in the real world!). By the end, I was glad for the resolution and for Brad's prospects should this be a series, so that has to count to the good. I've read plenty of first-in-a-series-books like this and it doesn't deter me from another. Also, I don't come across a lot of men as cozy sleuths, so this was refreshing and I would welcome more.

This didn't feel like OMITB to me (sorry blurb) or even the Everyone series but Brad did make me think of Molly of Molly the Maid series.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers' Copy.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It was refreshing (my first time reading a comedy murder thriller), and I loved it. There were so many dad jokes and humorous moments, and I really liked the main character. He came off as intelligent and witty, though he often got ahead of himself by blurting out whatever came to mind. He didn’t seem to have an off-switch, but strangely, it worked for him. His silliness made it hard for others to take him seriously, which kind of helped make him look incapable of committing any serious crime.

He reminded me a bit of Adam Sandler in movies, annoying, but not really annoying. Just that quirky, oddball humor with a heart. It was endearing, and it made reading from his perspective so enjoyable.

This was a murder mystery, and although the mystery wasn’t unraveled until near the end, I stayed gripped the whole time. There were layers, suspense, buildup, it was exciting! Each chapter had me wondering: Will this be it? Will we find the killer? That anticipation made it hard to put the book down.

The author also did a fantastic job fleshing out some of the characters in the book. And, I didn’t see the ending coming at all. There was one character I started suspecting toward the end, but I didn’t peg them from the beginning, and the actual reveal of the killer? Mind-blowing.

That said, the way the mystery was unraveled felt a bit underwhelming. After all that suspense and buildup, I was expecting a dramatic or intense climax. But it was calm, too calm. And given the tension and direction from the plot, I hoped for more flair. Interestingly, the main character acknowledged how anticlimactic the reveal felt, which validated how I was feeling too.

Still, this was a really good book. It was different, funny, and suspenseful. I’d absolutely recommend it, especially if you’re in the mood for something outside the traditional murder mystery format. Kudos to the author for delivering such an enjoyable read!

I read the ARC on Netgalley. Thank you Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

This is an outrageously hilarious cozy murder mystery. I swear, when I first started reading the book, I stopped and googled the author. There is no way someone who wrote such a hilarious book is a debut author, right? Right?

Wrong! Chuck is a debut author and he is hilarious in all the ways.

The book follows Bradley who was such a funny character that I thought of him more as a friend than a character in the book I was reading.

The story is great, narration is hilarious and I literally laughed more than once. Would love to be friends with the author, to hear what his dad jokes would be like