Review: Live and Let Diet

Live and Let Diet by Morgana Best

Sybil has moved to Little Tatterford after he soon-to-be-ex husband offers to pay for 6 months rent at a little cottage there.  Sybil decides to start a mobile pet grooming business but gets sidetracked when the body of a tenant at the boarding house next door is found dead.  She smells bitter almonds on the man’s breath, a tell-tale sign of being poisoned.  When she becomes the next target, Sybil begins  investigating to find out who’s targeting her and why.

Do they have cool names for cozy mysteries in Australia? Like Cozy-Dozies or anything? If so, that would be enough to draw me in, but if not, the plot was more than enough, with several plot twists that set up a satisfying ending that left me wanting more.

I really enjoyed this, a very promising start to a new series. I loved Sybil, she’s smart, likable and a little naive.  Mr. Buttons was by far my favorite character, he made the story for me, from “straightening” up the crime scene because the cat shed on the carpet to his bath scene when Sybil had to drag the reluctant Great Dane to his bath. The landlady, Cressida and her cat, Lord Farringdon (who talks to Cressida) were also enjoyable but not developed as much as I wanted. How, exactly, does Lord Farringdon talk to her? I’d love to know how that came about.

I really liked the Australian setting, which highlights not only the sights but also how large Australia is.  It gives the story a real sense of place, and added a little reality to the story.

There is a little bit of a paranormal element to the story, but I’m not going to give it away.  I thought her gift, and why she has it, was very original and added a lot to the story.

Overall, a quick, light read and very recommended for cozy mystery fans.

Live and Let Diet is available at book retailers or online Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Series: Australian Amateur Sleuth #1 Rating:★★★★★ 5 stars Publisher: Cozy Mysteries Books Publication Date: March 25, 2016 Language: English

Formats: Kindle/Paperback/ePub ISBN: 9781530764563 ASIN: B01DH47396 Genre: Cozy Mystery/Paranormal Reviewer: Tam (Mystereity Reviews)