Sex and Death on the Beach by Elaine Viets is set at the Florodora, a historic apartment complex in Florida. Passed down to Norah by her Grandmother, she’s kept the place going and true to its roots by only allowing eccentric personalities to take up residence. Soon, the body of an adult film star is found buried next to the courtyard pool, and the police make Norah their prime suspect.

The storyline was interesting, the plot was easy to follow, and the cast of eccentric characters was a nice unique touch. Unfortunately apart from that it was just okay. I did find this to be quite underwhelming and predictable and just lacking that quality that makes me want to turn the pages. Definitely more of a cosy, low stakes read.

A fast read that you may enjoy if you like a quick ‘Whodunnit’ mystery set in sunny Florida with an eccentric cast. Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for my ARC.

I will start by saying, I absolutely LOVED this book. It started as something that just held my interest based solely on the fact the idea of the house, and the characters who lived in it amused me. It was playful, but serious. Then once it turned into a who done it? Well, then I was hooked!

This is fun, playful and a very well developed story that intertwines many characters to build a rather large and unconventional family.

Thank you NetGalley, Elaine Viets and Severn House for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions shared are my own, and I strongly recommend that you read this book.

The Florodora is a historic hotel in South Florida that has interesting unofficial rules for tenancy—almost all of its residents are a little wacky, many have minor arrest records and they embody the spirit of a true ‘Florida Man.’ Norah inherited her position of building manager from her deceased grandmother who was a dancer at the Florodora theater.

When pool repairs dig up a body, that of adult film star Sammie Lant, Norah is immediately a suspect as she had been seen yelling at Sammie and denying her desire to reside at the apartment complex. Norah takes matters in to her own name to clear her name, she will work to figure out who killed Sammie. Could she be living with a murderer?

Reading the description I thought this could be a cute little cozy mystery to enjoy. The main focus seems to be create strange yet likable characters and play up the strange goings on in Florida. The actual mystery gets less mileage than creating a weird setting. I found the writing to be very simplistic and the humor to be overly cheesy that often fell flat. This one was not my cup of tea. Two stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review! The characters in this cozy mystery are likable, unique, and quirky. I read it on a snowy day so I really liked the coastal Florida setting. All of the cheesy quotes the author constantly references from signs in the local restaurant and Mickey’s art were a little cringy (“whatever you do today, do it with the confidence of a four-year-old in a Batman t-shirt” is one example of many). Overall, it was an entertaining read.

About the reference to Ron DeSantis’ actions during COVID where the author says he “saved the day” by removing COVID restrictions in May 2020, “saved the day” is an insane way to describe that controversial decision. There are other references to things he’s done that do not glorify him, but that one really rubbed me the wrong way.

Thanks for the ARC! A fun quick read. I kind of wish I hadn't gone into it with the comparison to Carl Hiaasen, because outside of the occasional aren't-people-in-Florida-wild descriptions, it felt a lot closer to a cozy mystery to me than the Hiaasen story I went in expecting. Not anything wrong with that either, I love a good cozy mystery, just took me a while to recalibrate my expectations for what was actually happening in the story.

Honestly, I didn't love it. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I didn't find it very entertaining. However, it's a quick read and it's not hard to follow along. The simplicity of it is enjoyable and I finished it in one sitting.

Dark Doings..
Dark doings abound under a steamy Florida sun in the first outing of the Florida Beach Mystery series. When the body of an adult film star is discovered next to Norah McCarthy’s swimming pool, Norah swiftly turns suspect number one. As Norah battles to clear her name, bodily remains begin to pile up - all of which seemingly have connections to Norah. A solid start to a new series with a likeable protagonist in the feisty Norah, a frothy and pacy plot populated with a cast of colourful and eccentric characters and a well imagined setting.

Murder, secrets, and scandal in sunny South Florida—Sex and Death on the Beach is a gripping start to Elaine Viets’ new mystery series! When adult film star Sammie Lant is found dead near Norah McCarthy’s apartment complex, all signs point to her as the prime suspect. Determined to clear her name, Norah dives headfirst into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and dangerous truths.

I loved the atmospheric setting and how the mystery kept me guessing with its unexpected twists. Norah is a compelling protagonist, and the vibrant cast of eccentric characters added layers of intrigue. While some subplots felt a bit rushed, the suspense and sharp storytelling made up for it. If you love twisty, sun-drenched mysteries, this one’s a must-read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ☀️ Florida Noir | 🔎 Suspenseful Mystery | 🏝️ Beachside Intrigue

All of the wackiness associated with Florida sits right in the middle of this laugh out loud mystery.

This is a gripping, twisty mystery that combines dark secrets with a feisty protagonist. Norah McCarthy’s investigation into the murder of Sammie Lant leads her deep into a web of crime and intrigue, with a haunting connection to her past. With a captivating setting and plenty of twists, this is a must-read for fans of thrilling mysteries with a touch of humor. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I love another series by Elaine Viets so I was super excited to read this ARC! The characters are just as quirky and fun as her other series. Can’t wait to read more!

Elaine Viets kicks off a wildly entertaining new mystery series with Sex and Death on the Beach, a fast-paced, sun-drenched whodunit packed with quirky characters, sharp humor, and plenty of South Florida flavor.

When the body of former adult film star Sammie Lant is unearthed near the pool of Norah McCarthy’s apartment complex, it doesn’t take long for suspicion to land squarely on Norah. After all, she had a very public falling-out with Sammie just before she disappeared. But when more remains surface—ones tied to Norah’s own painful past—it becomes clear this case is bigger than one crime of passion. With the police closing in and secrets rising to the surface, Norah is determined to find out who’s really behind the deaths, even if it means confronting the darker side of paradise.

Viets blends breezy, beach-town charm with a noirish edge, making this mystery equal parts fun and sinister. Norah is a sharp, snarky protagonist who refuses to be a damsel in distress, and the supporting cast—filled with oddball neighbors, shady suspects, and South Florida’s signature brand of eccentricity—keeps the energy high. The result is a rompy, twist-filled ride with just the right amount of danger and dark humor.

Sex and Death on the Beach is an addictive, sun-soaked mystery that proves paradise isn’t always what it seems. If you like your thrillers with a side of scandal and a splash of humor, this is one you don’t want to miss.

#SexandDeathontheBeach #NetGalley is the first in a new series by a long time favorite author.
Norah has inherited the Floradora, an apartment complex in Florida that was previously owned by her grandmother.
During pool repairs, the plumbers discover a body buried deep into the ground and soon the community is gossiping about who it is.
It seems the body belongs to Sammie Lant, a porn star who has a questionable history.
Norah is the last person to be seen arguing with the victim and now she needs to prove her innocence.
The tenants of the Floradora are a unique bunch, and their colorful personalities bring them to life.
I really liked this book and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Norah McCarthy owns the Florodora, an apartment complex in Florida. When a wannabe tenant's body is found on the property, Norah becomes the no. 1 suspect, because she was seen arguing with the woman (an adult film star).
The description of the tenants was fun, they are a quirky lot. I also enjoyed the strange Floridian misdemeanors committed by it's citizens, quite funny.
Otherwise I found it a quick, enjoyable read.
3.5 stars