I really need to pay attention when I request ARCs whether they are part of a series. It's going to seriously bite me in the butt some time. This is book 4 in the series and luckily it really didn't impede my enjoyment or make it tough to follow. There was enough info in the book related to previous installments that I wasn't lost or felt I was missing out (although it did make me want to read the previous books!!!) This was a very well done mystery. I don't know that it's very thriller-y, but it definitely has that what the heck is going on, who's done what to whom, and plenty of suspicious characters to go around. Time well spent with this one for sure!

Thank you Severn House for the ARC. 5 stars for DNF as I am unable to comment on the overall quality of this book. I've enjoyed her books in the past.

I really enjoyed this book. It was gripping and each and every turn kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the writing and flow of the book. If you enjoy a book that has lots of twists and turns this is definitely a good read to pick up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend this author and series.

Atmospheric, gripping and tense. It never stopped surprising me and I was satisfied by the solution
Great setting, well plotted characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Spencer Templeton is a very divisive individual who is developing the small town where Nora has settled with her dog and her cat but he's not the one who is murdered in this well done mystery. Ward Austin who has objected to a tsunami tower is the victim and Nora, who seems to have murder following her, sets out to get some answers. She's working a seventh grade teacher which is challenging enough but she can't help herself. This latest installment in the series (perfectly fine as a standalone) sees Nora engaging in a bit of romance (albeit with the memory of her rat of a dead husband) and stretching a tad. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good, atmospheric read.

The cover and concept are what initially drew me into Nora Best’s story but, thanks to NetGalley and Severn House, I was able to read a digital ARC of this before its official release date.

Despite having not read the other books in this series, I was still able to follow along with Best Be Prepared without issue. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at first, but by the end (when things finally began to unravel for both the mystery and Nora) I was itching to finish this.

Overall, this was an easy read that also peaked my interest to check out earlier books about Nora’s past adventures. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more of Gwen Florio’s future releases.

This was my first novel by Gwen Florio and I didn't realize it was part of a series before starting it. Despite that oversight on my part, Best Be Prepared proved to be a fast paced book that worked well as a stand alone story. I'll definitely pick up the rest of the series.

A Torrid Investigation..
The latest outing in the Nora Best series of mysteries finds Nora finally finding some peace in a small town which suits her perfectly. Unfortunately, things in that small town are about to change when murder most foul makes an unexpected visit. Nora is about to find herself amidst a torrid and upsetting investigation. With a convincing and atmospheric setting, a credible and well crafted cast and an intriguing mystery at heart, this is a worthy entry to the series.

I’d read the first book in this series and somehow missed the next two, but I was able to follow along with the fourth novel in the series just fine. Now Nora Best is a seventh-grade teacher in a remote peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. I don’t think I could handle such a small town that essentially shuts down with rain for nine months a year, but it also sounded kind of beautiful and romantic.

Even though Nora is trying to lead a quiet life, mysteriously, dead bodies pop up wherever she goes. This time it’s environmental crusader Ward Austin. It seems his death might be because he was protesting a tsunami tower being built by millionaire Spencer Templeton—who happens to be married to Ward’s ex-wife.

The town is divided about Spencer wanting to build things like a luxurious hotel with upscale restaurants. Yes, tourists might come, but will they use any local businesses? Once the construction is done, hotel jobs are as minimum wage as the rest of the residents’ paychecks, and they’re already working twelve-hour days struggling to get by.

Florio has a knack for writing female protagonists that aren’t some cookie cutter version of what way too many stories would have women be. Even though she’s a teacher, she’s not a mother, and is sort of awkward around kids. The fact that her new partner is a (very part-time) father has her encounter some uncomfortable scenes with the thirteen-year-old boy. She’s also hesitant to move in with said boyfriend. She’s in her fifties and while she loves Luke, she also loves her alone time with her dog and cat. I really appreciate characters like that because that’s much more my story than women who want nothing more than to become a wife and mother.

Recommend. NetGalley provided an advance copy of this mystery, which RELEASES OCTOBER 3, 2023.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

"Best Be Prepared" delivers an enthralling atmosphere and a gripping mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in a charming small town nestled in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, the story beautifully weaves themes of friendship, loyalty, activism, and closely guarded secrets.

As the plot unfolds, the author masterfully crafts an atmospheric tale that draws readers into the heart of the small peninsula town, where every page brims with intrigue and suspense. The exploration of enduring friendships and unyielding loyalty in the face of hidden truths adds emotional depth to the story.

Additionally, "Best Be Prepared" brilliantly incorporates thought-provoking themes of activism, offering readers a chance to reflect on the power of standing up for what is right and making a difference in the community.

I highly recommend "Best Be Prepared" to all mystery enthusiasts and those who appreciate compelling narratives that tackle relevant social issues. Special thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC, allowing me the opportunity to discover this captivating and thought-provoking gem.

#BestBePrepared #NetGalley

A local developer has donated the construction of a tsunami tower to the small town where teacher Nora Best has settled in her Airstream trailer, seeking peace after the death of her philandering husband. What should have been a welcome gift (the town is almost at sea level and has experiencing flooding from rogue waves) has divided the residents. The developer is Spencer Templeton and his plans to develop the small peninsula town don’t sit well with Ward’s Warriors, an environmental protection group. Then Ward Austin’s dead body is found by one of Nora’s students. Another student is Spencer’s stepson. An imaginative class project leads her deeper into local politics and threats and she sees that she is not the only one in danger. Nora is also questioning personal choices including a relationship that is progressing perhaps too quickly.

Best Be Prepared is a fast moving, atmospheric thriller with well described characters, especially Nora, Janie. Luke and Jeremiah. I look forward to the next in this series. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House and Gwen Florio for this ARC.

"Best Be Prepared" has great atmosphere and a suspenseful mystery. It takes place in a small peninsula town in the Pacific Northwest and has themes of friendship, loyalty, activism and secrets. Highly recommended for fans of Gwen Florio as well as readers who love socially relevant mysteries with strong, older female leads. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.