A Date To Die For by E V Hunter is a contemporary cosy crime that I read in just one sitting.
The characters were all well drawn, likable and realistic. The leading pair made quite a crime-busting duo – the private investigator and the journalist, accompanied by a very savvy cat called Cosmo! Cosmo has a nose that sniffs out the good and the bad. He turns from a purring fluffball to a hissy, bitey machine in an instant. Cosmo’s presence brings warmth and realism to the tale. The human pair also have noses for a crime, knowing just what questions to ask and where to look, and the tenacity to keep going.
Unfortunately, we witness generational patterns of behaviour that seem doomed to repeat. Those in positions of power and responsibility abuse it.
Friends are important. They look out for, and help, each other.
A Date To Die For would make a fabulous early evening television series. I really enjoyed it and look forward to much more from E V Hunter.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A Date To Die For is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by E.V. Hunter. This novel is an entertaining start for Hunter's fans. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The female protagonist, Alexi Ellis, has a good back story. She is paired with Jack Maddox, a private investigator. They are thrust together to solve a missing person case, and discover that they are good partners. The focus on a bit of romance adds to the crime aspect, softening it.

Obviously I enjoyed A Date To Die For. There are some red herrings and the simple missing person, has layers of history that complicates the search. As is the case for cozy mysteries, this is a cat, Cosmo, who has a starring role as a detective who knows good guys from bad. Although readers know that the missing women, Natalie, has been murdered, the identity of who murdered her and the fact that she is dead, are two aspects of the case that will need to be solved.

I want to thank the author and publisher for providing me with this ARC to read and review. My review above is my honest opinion. Thank you also to NetGalley for listing this novel.

What a fantastic cozy series debut! Evie Hunter, please write more of this series ASAP. I won't take a NO for an answer.

First things first, this didn't feel like a series debut. With just the right amount of character introduction, scene-setting and series-plot setting, we readers are taken right into the heart of a mystery - a mis-pers case.

So, Natalie's gone missing and it might have something to do with her being financially good enough. Maybe one of her dates kidnapped her on the pretext of a romantic getaway. Or, she might have gone on a romantic getaway with 'The One.' That doesn't explain why all her gadgets are missing from her home, right? Soon, Alexi and Jack learn something about Natalie - something to do with her past.

I was hooked on to the story and could not put it down until the end. I loved every bit of this story - characters, scene, plot, mystery and the cat-dog camaraderie. No story is complete without a blast from the past. Not saying much but this has something to with Alexi's ex.

Things get murky in the second half when Alexi and Jack find themselves knee-deep in the investigation. The local police aren't interested in finding Natalie but Alexi and Jack are now sure that Natalie's not disappeared on her own.

A shocking discovery leads Alexi and Jack to the doorstep of a main suspect. But the suspect denies any involvement. Clues are all there, though. Then comes a shocking twist - which leads Alexi right into the hands of the perpetrator. Oh-oh!

The identity of the perp was shocking and unexpected. I loved the ending - unexpected developments, yes. But it made me say "All's well that ends well." *sighs in relief*

A Date to Die For by E.V. Hunter is a super entertaining and super engrossing cozy mystery. A perfect series debut and I cannot wait to read Alexi and Jack's next sleuthing adventure.

A Date To Die For is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. In it, we are introduced to Alexi, an investigative journalist, who has had some recent setbacks at work. She has left London and is staying with her close friends at their country hotel. Upon arrival, Alexi discovers that a local woman is missing and she decides to investigate the case. In so doing, she meets Jack, a private investigator, and the two team up. A Date To Die For has everything you would want in a cozy mystery - relatable characters, a charming setting, a feisty feline, and an intriguing mystery. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more in this series.

I really try not to get involved in detective and specific mystery series because I'm always scared that the main character will not end up with the character I want them to. But I just couldn't resist this book after I read the description. I really tried to resist, but it pulled me right in. And from the moment I started on the first page, I knew I was in it for the long haul. And I really hope that no one else comes along in regard to Alexi because I love the way she and Jack are together. The love he has for her is so clear and he also loves her cat, Cosmo, as much as she does. And I think Cosmo has given his stamp of approval to Jack so the cat has spoken.

Alexi is an investigative journalist, which is one of my favorite careers for the main character to have! And Alexi is a complete badass. When her friends are concerned about another friend of theirs missing, Alexi doesn't hesitate to jump into action and start investigating. And she makes it clear right from the jump that she isn't a woman who backs down from something once her mind has been made up. Just another reason I found myself loving the character. And then Jack got added to the mix. He's a private investigator and also used to be a police detective. Ding, ding, ding! Yet another one of my favorite careers for a character to have.

And when Jack and Alexi started investigating together? Well, I was already sold and hooked but that really had me into this book. These characters were so much fun and I loved that Cosmo was such a little character himself. Who knew a cat could be so central to a book? And this made for such an easy and entertaining read. I allotted some time where I could just sit and be absorbed in the story, and I'm so glad I did. This one had me laughing out loud along with trying to figure out the mystery right there with Jack and Alexi. It also had its fair share of danger and suspense. And I was not able to figure out the culprit until right before it was revealed.

If you're into mysteries, are a cat lover, love romance, and want to have something that's easy to read but provides you with enough to keep you engaged and into what's happening, look no further. This is definitely a book that should be added to your TBR list!

A Date to Die For by E.V. Hunt is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. In it, we are introduced to investigative journalist Alexi, her crazy cat, Cosmo, and former cop/private investigator Jack. After some setbacks at work, Alexi travels to Hopgood Hall, a charming hotel run by her friends, Cheryl and Drew. While there, she gets sucked into the investigation of the disappearance of one of the Hopgoods's friends, Natalie. P.I. Jack also gets swept up in the investigation in an effort to protect his sister's online dating business. While Alexi and Jack make for odd allies, and Cosmo is more than a handful at times, the two band together to solve the mystery before even worse things befall Hopgood Hall.

I found this book to be very charming and look forward to more antics of Alexi and Jack in the future. Cozy mysteries are supposed to be like popcorn, tasty, and easy to digest. And A Date to Die For certainly meets those requirements. The characters are fun, the setting is, well, cozy, and the mystery keeps you going without overwhelming you. This book isn't groundbreaking by any means and it won't change the face of the genre. But it was fun and that's all I asked of it.

This story is about a new friend who goes missing, and the couple who know her ask an old friend to look for her…friendship and family… mystery and intrigue. This novel moves quickly and is entertaining. The characters are likable and realistic. Cozy up in a comfy chair and spend an afternoon enjoying this cozy mystery. The author is talented at writing a cannot put down story. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review.

Gritty Edge…
The first in The Hopgood Hall Murder Mystery series and the reader is introduced to investigative journalist Alexi Ellis - presently running off to Hopgood Hall in search of a friendly shoulder to cry on - along with cat in a million Cosmo. Things are not going so well for her but, at the Hall, Alexi is about to find way more to occupy her ever ticking mind. A cosy style mystery but with a gritty and disturbing edge, well defined characters and a pacy plot. A promising start to a new series.

Alexi visit her friend in Hopgood Hall to kind of relax holidayish then get interesting case. Jack investigate the same case and wry to Alexi because she is a journalist. This case was disturbing, bad childhood affect adulthood, repeating cycle, revenge, blackmailing.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

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