Bury The Lead by Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Thank you @tandemcollectiveglobal and @houseofanansi for allowing me to participate in the Bury the Lead Readalong!

This was an entertaining, well-written cozy mystery. In the small town of Port Ellis, Cat Conway finds herself trying to rebuild her career as a journalist. She’s tasked with writing profiles on the actors in the new production of ‘Inherit the Wind’ at the local theatre. On opening night, the lead, Eliot Fraser, unexpectedly dies and the police suspect foul play. Due to Eliot Fraser’s popularity, reporters from all over the world come to the sleepy town of Port Ellis to get the scoop. Cat finds getting information with other journalists in the area is tough, but she is no stranger to investigating. 

Renzetti and Hilton create a story with clever and enriched prose with pacing that keeps you turning the page. There are quite a few mystery tropes, such as red herrings, villainous victim, and amateur sleuths. It was also a novel where everyone had the motive and opportunity to commit the crime, but who actually did? All of this was so well done, it added richness to the story. Some other themes that were touched upon included life after divorce, being a working mother, #MeToo, and white privilege. I highly recommend reading Bury the Lead! It will definitely be a fun, spring read!

This is the first installment in the Quill and Packet series. To see what else Cat is up to in Port Ellis pick up Widows and Orphans, Book 2, on May 1, 2025.