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Murder Between the Lines (Rooftop Garden Cozy Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 949 ratings

Fall is the most beautiful time of the year…
Until it turns deadly.

Blue Valley, Tennessee—a cozy town nestled snugly into the Great Smoky Mountains—buzzes with excitement every October with the return of colorful autumn leaves, chilly air, and the wave of tourists who arrive for the annual Fall Festival.

This year, Alice Maguire, owner of The Paper Owl bookshop on Main Street, is planning the festival with a little help from her best friends, Franny and Owen. All three live in tiny apartments above their shops.

The trio of friends share a charming rooftop garden, where they meet in the mornings for coffee from Franny’s coffee shop, and sweets from Owen’s bakery. When a new yoga studio, Bliss, opens up across the street, Alice reluctantly agrees to take a class to promote relaxation in her life, and it actually works, much to her relief.

A fire breaks out in town, resulting in a tragic death, and Alice’s brother, Blue Valley PD Officer Ben Maguire, and newcomer, Detective Luke Evans—who has an irritating way of making Alice blush—lead the investigation. When it is determined that the death was no accident, Alice, Franny, and Owen get pulled smack dab into investigating the case.

Will they solve it before you do?
Find out in this fun and fast-paced Cozy Mystery!

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thea Cambert is the author of the Rooftop Garden, Inn Vermont, and Hygge Hideaway cozy mystery series. Thea lives with her husband and her faithful pup in the small town where she grew up and counts herself very lucky that her grown children live nearby! She loves hot tea, long walks, and snuggling up by the fire with a good book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08CZHFCY2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Summer Prescott Books (July 14, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 14, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2771 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 949 ratings

About the author

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Thea Cambert
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Thea Cambert is the author of the Rooftop Garden, Inn Vermont, and Hygge Hideaway cozy mystery series. Thea lives with her husband and her faithful pup in the small town where she grew up and counts herself very lucky that her grown children live nearby! She loves hot tea, long walks, and snuggling up by the fire with a good book. Visit her on Facebook: @TheaCambert

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
949 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They enjoy the mystery content with its interesting plot and twists and turns. The characters are lovable and the setting is charming. Readers describe the book as an enjoyable, relaxing adventure with a great start to a series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and relaxing. They appreciate the well-written story with interesting characters. Readers mention it's a quick read and a great way to spend an afternoon.

"...It’s a short read and a great way to spend an afternoon. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series." Read more

"...I want to visit Blue Valley. This is a pretty quick read, it took me about two hours to finish it, so it is perfect for an evening or for an..." Read more

"...I highly recommend it. It's well-written and the three friends are an extra delight." Read more

"...Let’s add romance via cops and detectives, and mystery.. Great read ready to visit again soon..." Read more

18 customers mention "Mystery content"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cozy mystery in this book. They find it well-written with several twists and turns. The characters are lovable and the town is enchanting. The storyline keeps readers guessing and is an enjoyable interlude between heavier thrillers or fantasy books.

"...The storyline is fast-paced and keeps you guessing. I kept changing my mind as to who I thought was the culprit...." Read more

"This was such a fun read! I enjoyed the story...it kept me guessing ... and the characters are charming. I want to visit Blue Valley...." Read more

"...I like the bit of romance. So what's not to like? Recommended, and honestly, I have never read anything buy this author that was not a good story." Read more

"This was a good mystery with an Autumn festival and romance woven in. I highly recommend it...." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters.

"...The cast of characters are all written well, very lively and vibrant...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the story...it kept me guessing ... and the characters are charming. I want to visit Blue Valley...." Read more

"...Tight plot, fun journey to the culprit. The characters were well developed. I love the setting and the time of year...." Read more

"...has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down" Read more

13 customers mention "Enjoyment"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it relaxing and enjoyable, with a fun adventure and interesting plot. The characters are well-developed.

"...It’s a short read and a great way to spend an afternoon. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series." Read more

"This was such a fun read! I enjoyed the story...it kept me guessing ... and the characters are charming. I want to visit Blue Valley...." Read more

"I enjoyed this story. Tight plot, fun journey to the culprit. The characters were well developed. I love the setting and the time of year...." Read more

"The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down" Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing and find the setting charming and enchanting. They enjoy the rooftop gardens and the vibrant, lively town. The characters are fun and the descriptions are good, making it easy for them to picture the town.

"...I immediately fell in love with the setting. It’s a quaint tourist type town with small shops on Main Street. Each shop has a rooftop garden...." Read more

"...The characters were well developed. I love the setting and the time of year. I think it just adds to the backdrop of the murder and the story...." Read more

"Not my main cup of tea, but for a cute and cozy mystery this book fits the bill. A nice interlude between heavy duty thriller or fantasy books...." Read more

"...everything I love in a cozy - great mystery, fun characters, a charming setting, a bit of romance and humor. I can't wait to read the second book!" Read more

8 customers mention "Start"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's start. They found it a delightful and enjoyable first book in the series.

"...book in the Rooftop Garden Cozy Mystery series and it’s off to a delightful start. I immediately fell in love with the setting...." Read more

"What a great job by the author in beginning this series. I loved the premise of the rooftop gardens and how much fun the friends had up there...." Read more

"I am enjoying the series I stumbled across so glad I did. Fabulous characters to hold your attention. Can not wait to start the second book" Read more

"...Luckily, this is an excellent start to a new series. The author gives us a great setting and interesting characters...." Read more

5 customers mention "Cozy setting"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cozy setting. They find it perfect and great.

"...All the perfect cozy settings! I love how their sleuthing planning sessions take place in their connected gardens...." Read more

"...The author gives us a great setting and interesting characters. The mystery was well plotted and quite simply entertaining. Bring on book 2!" Read more

"cute and cozy..." Read more

"light and cozy..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
    The small town of Blue Valley, Tennessee is getting ready for their annual Fall Festival and Alice Maguire is in charge. Alice owns the local bookshop on Main Street. This year she is asked to organize the festival. She recruits her two best friends, fellow Main Street shop owners, to lend a helping hand. They have their work cut out for them.

    Then, tragedy strikes. One of the Main Street shops is on fire, and it results in a death. When the police declare this is murder, Alice is the main suspect. Alice, along with her friends Franny and Owen, investigate. They are determined to prove her innocence.

    This is the first book in the Rooftop Garden Cozy Mystery series and it’s off to a delightful start. I immediately fell in love with the setting. It’s a quaint tourist type town with small shops on Main Street. Each shop has a rooftop garden. It’s the perfect place for a cup of tea, a good book and a cozy mystery.

    The cast of characters are all written well, very lively and vibrant. Sometimes first books are stiff as we are introduced to the cast, but not this one. I thought the author did very well in bringing the characters to life.

    The storyline is fast-paced and keeps you guessing. I kept changing my mind as to who I thought was the culprit. There are several different possibilities, and I had my suspicions about all of them. There’s even a little romance thrown into the mix.

    It’s a short read and a great way to spend an afternoon. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
    This was such a fun read! I enjoyed the story...it kept me guessing ... and the characters are charming. I want to visit Blue Valley. This is a pretty quick read, it took me about two hours to finish it, so it is perfect for an evening or for an afternoon on the porch. And there are six more in the series!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2024
    I enjoyed this story. Tight plot, fun journey to the culprit. The characters were well developed. I love the setting and the time of year. I think it just adds to the backdrop of the murder and the story. I like the bit of romance. So what's not to like? Recommended, and honestly, I have never read anything buy this author that was not a good story.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
    This was a good mystery with an Autumn festival and romance woven in. I highly recommend it. It's well-written and the three friends are an extra delight.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    Not my main cup of tea, but for a cute and cozy mystery this book fits the bill. A nice interlude between heavy duty thriller or fantasy books. Like having a little coffee break.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024
    The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
    Blue Valley will never be the same when friends Alice, Franny and Owen decide to solve a mysterious death of a yoga studio owner in their small town.

    I loved the cozy setting and the rooftop gardens were charming! The mystery kept me reading and guessing. Each of the characters owns a business - Alice a bookstore, Franny a coffee shop and Owen owns a bakery. All the perfect cozy settings! I love how their sleuthing planning sessions take place in their connected gardens.

    The book has everything I love in a cozy - great mystery, fun characters, a charming setting, a bit of romance and humor. I can't wait to read the second book!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2020
    This my first time reading this author and i can't wait to read the next book in this series.
    I love the characters in this book, i felt like i was right there with them. I am a sucker for bookshops, coffee cafes, and pastries. Especially rooftop gardens overlooking great views.
    What a twisted mess Alice, Franny and Owen got into. Alice's brother Ben on the police force and a new homicide detective Luke Evans.
    It started going to a yoga class to help a friend out expanding her business, got caught in a tangled web of deceitful people.
    You have to read this book, you will really enjoy it!!!!

Top reviews from other countries

  • Nikkib
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable cozy mystery series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 5, 2022
    A new to me cozy mystery series by an author I've not read before.

    Set in Blue Valley, Tennessee, this is a series of cozy mysteries based around major events in the quaint little town. Everyone knows everyone else, families live there for generations.

    The series centres around the Rooftop Garden of 3 adjoining business's on Main Street. The building is owned by Alice's Grandmother, and Alice runs The Paper Owl, a bookshop which is the middle shop. Franny, Alice's friend since childhood runs Joe's coffee shop on one side, which has an opening into Alice's shop. Owen, a very good friend, runs Sourdough, the bakery on the other side. All 3 are firm friends, they each live above their shops and share the Rooftop space outside their small apartments.

    Other main characters are Ben, Alice's brother and local police officer who lives out by the lake a ten minute bike ride away. Luke, a newcomer to the town is the only Police Detective. Bea and Martin, Alice's parents. Then there are the various other shop owners.

    Each book is easily read in a couple of hours and each book is a standalone mystery. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I've already downloaded the next book in the series. At the time of writing, the books are available on kindle unlimited.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rooftop
    Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2020
    Really enjoy your book loved all the characters and the town , looking forward to many more of your

    books
  • 73tm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reading between the lines.....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2020
    Reading between the lines I think I'm going to enjoy the Rooftop Garden cozy mysterys.
    It was a stroke of luck coming across the Rooftop Garden series of books. Won't give anything away other than I recommend you read it. Downloading book 2 as I type. 5 stars

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