This book was different from most cozies in that the heroine didn't have a happy family life or the tight knit family. In most cozies, and in Brun's others that seems to be the case but not here with Carrie and that was refreshing in and of itself. Stastically someone had to have an unhappy family life in one of these so reading about it was different.

I will try not to give too many spoilers about this story but I will say I was surprised at who did it. Maybe not the why but the why was an endless laundry list since the victim was an asshat; it was very sorry to feel sorry for him dying as there was nothing endearing about this guy. But the unfolding of who did it and why was interesting since it was a red herring that ended up not being one. There I said enough about the plot; moving on to the characters.

Carrie had spunk and an optimistic attitude despite her terrible family and boyfriend. She had Broadway dreams even if she didn't have the singing voice to back it up. And she had a backbone. In too many of these cozies the female is too wishy-washy. Don't get me wrong she her moments of /facepalm but others were you were cheering her on. I think the author did well to give us enough information on the background characters without getting us too invested since we were not sure who the killer would be, and now we have something to look forward to in the others. Plus Carrie's new relationship.

I would have gotten to know a bit more about the other characters but again I know why they weren't fleshed out more. That is something I will look forward to. All in all an enjoyable read and one I enjoyed leaps and bounds over the previous one I read. Would recommend.