The Medusa Murders

"The Medusa Murders" is the first of Joy Ann Ribar's "Bay Browning Mystery" series. If you're a fan of modern, hint at, paranormal cozy mysteries, this is a great series for you. It also really adds another layer to the depth of the characters and story if you're familiar with ancient Greek mythological. Due to that I should have known better than to suspect who I did rather than who really was behind everything. I had a feeling it was more than I thought it was based off what I remembered but in the end was like "duh!I should have figured as much!"

I could see this series going multiple ways. I do really hope we get more of Bay and Cassandra's family. There seems to be more secrets there than what was revealed in this first book.

An interesting story, if I'm being totally honest. Thank you netgalley for this ARC. I enjoyed the book and Bay Browning is such an interesting character. I want to read the other series but this author because her writing has some cozy vibes. Also, you can't just say no to that stunning cover art.

This is a perfect cozy read for this winter. It’s a murder mystery that mixes mythology, academia, and crime-solving into one. Bay Browning is a nature-loving, at-times-cranky (relatable ... haha) university professor that gets pulled into a dangerous police-investigation of seemingly unconnected murder cases. Balancing the case, preparing for the upcoming semester, and dealing with family drama makes for this suspenseful tale that will keep you thinking through all the twists and turns! I really enjoyed Rebar's writing and will definitely check out her other cosy reads.

Bay is a professor at flourish college when her coat is mixed up in a murder she is asked to work with the police force to help as it seems the killer is very mythological . Whats Bays link to all of this maybe there is some secrets that will be revealed .This was a good book, gripping full of twists. Throughout the book I was certain I new who the culprit was and I'm not sure if the ending would have been more solid had that character been the culprit rather than the one the author chose. However ending aside this book had good pace , full of mythology which is right on the money considering the title is medusa murders. As a first book in a new series it set up really well the main character Bay and the detective she works with.

First of all - this cover?? Absolutely stunning! It caught my eye immediately and made it an immediate read.

The Medusa Murders is a mix of cozy mystery and thriller which is a winning combo in and of itself but throw in little splashes of mythology and you’ve got yourself a winner!

This story is fast paced, immersive, and altogether charming. I almost wish it were storming outside to create the perfect atmosphere. I enjoyed this one a lot!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

A mixture of cozy, suspense, myth and family secrets marks this introduction to a new series starring Bay Browning a literature professor in a Wisconsin college. A serial killed called Medusa is leaving a calling card filled with mythology references and a link directly to Bay Browning. But Bay does not know the people killed and has no idea why the killer is fixating on her. With the help of her new released ex-con sister who has shown up on her doorstep to live with her and a local police officer, Bay will have to plumb obscure art and mythology reference and deep family secrets if she isn't to be the next victim...

I enjoyed it. It is a good introduction to new characters and their relationships to each other while also being a fast-moving story filled with suspense and mystery. I look forward to more in this series.

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

Bay's (aka LL aka Lulu) ex-con sisters shows up unexpectedly. She finds out that her dry-cleaning tickets has been found at a crime scene. She's asked to help detective Downing to investigate the murders. This is such a nice story. You just want to keep reading. I can really recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

Professor Bay Browning has more snake problems than the Garden of Eden in this twisted mystery. The English Literature instructor is busy preparing for a new semester when a serial killer, known as Medusa, bites her quiet life in the behind.

This was an excellent mystery that I wish was just a little bit longer. The ending felt a little rushed, but otherwise it was great.

4/5✨

I have to start my review stating that I received an advanced reader copy through NetGalley.

Medusa Murders is book one in a new series by Joy Ann Raibar.

“Professor Bay Browning has more snake problems than the Garden of Eden in this twisted mystery. The English Literature instructor is busy preparing for a new semester when a serial killer, known as Medusa, bites her quiet life in the behind.
A wild ride ensues when Bay and her grifter sister, Cass, assist a perturbed Detective Downing with the investigation. What else can the sisters do, once they become Medusa's targets? Will the slithering trail of mythology, art history, and family secrets help them catch a killer before she turns them to stone?”

✨For me I truly enjoyed this book. I’m a big fan of a murder mystery. Toss in Greek and Egyptian mythology game on. One thing I didn’t love was the family dynamic, Bay had VERY strong rude feelings towards Cass and it was a lot. Then Bay grew to be caring and protective with little development in the feelings department, the pacing was off for me. I feel like the little hints leading up to the murderer were pretty obvious… but then there was a little twist! ✨

The Medusa Murders

Plot:
Professor L.L. Browning is spending her winter vacation preparing for the upcoming semester, balancing her winter enthusiasm with the teeming responsibilities of being the youngest Department Head.
When her ex-con sister, Cass, visits unannounced and declares her intention to stay, it brings forth a crescendo of unsettling emotions.
Before she can reconcile with this change, new trouble sprouts elsewhere. When her Lululemon raincoat brings a murder mystery and a grumpy detective to her doorstep, Bay is not ready to stay in the dark. She will do whatever it takes to solve this puzzle.

Thoughts :

The characters didn't look like they existed for the story. Real people in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. From character introduction, development, and chemistry to the detailed setting descriptions, the book conveyed impressive ease. Instead of passive descriptions, the characters get thrown into tricky situations right off the bat, allowing them to show their persona. A quick and energetic start.

The book is a wholesome read with vivid imagery. I loved the Academia and Greek-Egyptian mythology references littered throughout the book. Instead of being pretentious by dropping hints, the book leisurely explained the references, like a guided tour into a cozy, detail-rich world.
The Charming Women's mysticism, the herbal apothecary, and the supernatural intuitions give a feeling that there was much more where that came from.

Sharing Bay's love for winter, books, and all things academia, the most endearing part was the vocabulary. Excreta! Hilarious, it made me laugh. Asserting academic dominance: checked.
Even though the ending felt anti-climactic, it made sense within the context of the book. Rather than forcing an outlandish twist, the book managed to keep it believable.
An in-depth and palpable portrayal of family dynamics and human relationships was a surprise.
My only complaint is that Downing felt like an afterthought, sorely underdeveloped for a main lead.
For the fans of hint-at-paranormal cozy mysteries, winter reads, slow-burn chemistry, and a blend of mythology + puzzle-solving + family secrets + academia. Read this book!
I am so looking forward to reading the next book. ASAP.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, the author- Joy-Ann Ribar, and BooksGoSocial for this Advanced Readers Copy, but more importantly, for the amazing time I had reading it.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I went in to this mystery expecting more suspense and fantasy elements, instead I was rewarded with a sweet, cozy, family drama mystery with a touch of romance.

I found the main female lead, Bay, to be relatable and capable. Her lifestyle of tea, books, and walks was dream like an felt like a break into the perfect cozy world, but with murder. The other side characters were down to earth and Cass in specific was one I warmed up to quickly.

The main plot was a murder mystery that the author crafted very well and did a good job keeping the reader attached to it and making it feel like we were seeing clues while leaving me shocked by the end. The finial resolution was a great twist while fitting all the clues and leaving us open for the next novel but not on a cliff hanger. This is a well done mystery that I would recommend to those who enjoy mysteries that are set in the modern, real world, with leads that like settling into their cozy life and are slightly disgruntled to be removed from it for the reason of crime.

I received an ARC of this book at no cost/for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased

I loved the use of mystery and mythology in this novel. I was hooked from the first page and getting to solve the mystery going on. It had a great overall feel to it and worked with the modern elements that I was hoping for. Joy Ann Ribar has a great overall feel for the genre and the writing was everything that I wanted.

The Medusa Murders | Joy Ann Ribar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

** Thanks to @netgalley and @authorjoyribar for an e-review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

An intense mystery with a cozy vibe
A female academic sleuth
A serial killer
Family dynamics, Greek mythology and archaeology, a light romance, a hint of the paranormal!

Have I got your attention yet? Joy Ann Ribar surely got mine.

What starts out to be a cozy mystery, writen with what seems to be the bookish community in mind, soon turns out to be a gritty, thrilling and mind bending thriller.

Bay Browning is an English Lit Professor. With books, hot beverages, long walks galore and a bit of lesson planning thrown in, she seems to be living the perfect, peaceful life. Until, she becomes the target of a serial killer, Medusa, and only Browning's merit, grit and wit can help the police catch the killer.

Browning starts off as somewhat of a flat, annoying character but we see her develop through the course of the mindfully crafted 297 pages. With her peculiarities and idiosyncrasies, she sure stands out.
The storyline is intricately woven and Ribar does well to hold the readers attention till the very end.

However, some of the plot points seemed a bit convoluted and far fetched and it could have done with a bit more nuance.
That said this is only the first book in the Bay Browning series and this surely sets the tone for an exhilarating and exciting series of books from Joy Ann Ribar.
A series that am looking forward to with utmost eagerness

I really enjoyed this book!
Good action with nice character development and ensemble cast. The plot itself is really fascinating as we watch these siblings reunite to find the murderer. You never know what they're going to do next.

For the fans of Greek mythology , cozy vibes and a hint of paranormal, this is the book for you!

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.