Cozy mysteries are some of my favorite reads specially when it’s gray and rainy outside. This is book 4 in a series but can be read as a standalone since you can understand the characters and the relations between them perfectly.

The story is set in Kingsleigh and the focus is on the supermarket where the main characters (Bea, Ant, and Dot) work. While getting ready for a royal visit of the current Queen and King and finding the missing red carpet another incident occurs. The town troublemaker Harley, a sixteen-year-old boy who was spotted shoplifting, is found dead. The main suspect is Evan, the new security of the shop is the prime suspect, so that’s when Bea and Ant try to clear Evan and start investigating the murder.

This story will be full of suspense, detective work and you’ll be getting an unexpected twist. I adored the setting and the relationships between the characters, the drama behind the royal visit and the British humor.

It’s an amazing story for everyone who enjoy cozy mysteries with a little bit of drama and some surprises that I’ll have you hooked until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

A quirky crew of supermarket workers are caught up in discovering the murder of a sixteen-year-old boy, at the same time getting the store ready for a royal visit. Bea and her friends work hard to clear the name of the security guard who has been charged with the murder at the same time dealing with the drama of a royal visit.

This was the first book in the series that I read but I didn't find that to be a problem. There is enough about the characters, their relationships to one another, and some of what happened to them in the previous books to get me up to speed so that I could jump right in. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and thought there were just the right amount of humor to keep the story from getting too dark. I loved Bea and Ant as a team - I will definitely need to go back and read the previous books to find out why these two are only friends. I also want to learn a little more about Neville - even though he is a bit much most of the time, I did feel so bad for him when he had his breakdown. That part also showed what a good guy Ant was. I was definitely kept on my toes when it came to solving the mystery part of the story. And I will say that when the murderer was found out it was someone I hadn't even considered until they made their appearance in the scene. I am going to be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series because I am officially hooked!

"The Missing Red Carpet Mystery" by Rachel Ward is a quirky murder mystery set in the sleepy town of Kingsleigh. The story revolves around the workers of Kingsleigh Costsave, including Bea, a math whizz with a heart of gold, Ant, a hapless high-school drop-out, and Dot, a wisecracking woman in her late fifties always beautifully coiffed.

As the town prepares for a royal visit, the workers discover that the red carpet is missing. This leads them on a quest to find the carpet, unraveling a mystery that dates back to the grand opening of the deli counter in 2001. Meanwhile, a more serious incident occurs when a young lad is found dead. The lad is identified as sixteen-year-old local troublemaker Harley, who was earlier spotted shoplifting. Evan, the new security guard, claims to have let Harley go after tackling him in the park, raising questions about how he ended up dead.

Bea and the Supermarket Sleuths find themselves in the midst of both the missing red carpet mystery and the murder investigation. The story promises a blend of humor, amateur sleuthing, and small-town intrigue as the characters work to catch a killer and clear an innocent man's name.

When the security guard at an English supermarket is suspected of killing a young shoplifter, two store employees set out to find answers. Their quest is complicated by the strong public feelings in support of the victims and the upcoming visit of the King & Queen to the shop. It's a thoroughly satisfying mystery.

The story promises a mix of suspense, detective work, and heartfelt moments as the characters navigate the complexities of the case. With the introduction of a shoplifting incident and the subsequent death of the young tearaway, Harley, the stakes are raised, adding an extra layer of urgency and tension to the plot.

Bea's unwavering belief in Evan's innocence, despite the suspicions surrounding him, sets the stage for a compelling character dynamic. The Supermarket Sleuths will need to work together, relying on their individual strengths and unique perspectives, to catch the real killer and exonerate Evan.

The small-town setting of Kingsleigh adds charm and relatability to the story, as readers will likely connect with the close-knit community and be invested in seeing justice served. Furthermore, the exploration of themes such as trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, this book is an engaging and multi-layered mystery novel that combines the hunt for a missing red carpet with a murder investigation!

THANK YOU Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!

Very good cosy with an unexpected murderer. Loved the supermarket setting and the relationships between the main characters. As I have recently become a reading coach, I was very interested in Ant’s journey. It takes a lot of courage to admit to not being able to read which the author covers beautifully. Will look out for this series as I definitely want to read more.