Fans of Agatha Raisin will love this new mystery series from best-selling author Caroline James.A Cumbrian Village…Three suicides…A red-hot summer…Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?A funny and intriguing mystery – the first in a new series by Caroline JamesWhen … a new series by Caroline James
When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?
“A brilliant read – 5 big fat stars!” Nikki Ashton #1 Bestselling Author
“A highly enjoyable book in a brand-new series, I am loving this cast of characters – 5 stars!” Rachel’s Random Reviews
“Caroline carefully balances fun and humour with mystery and intrigue.” Goodreads review
Hattie Goes to Hollywood is the first is a new series of stand-alone books by Caroline James.
Further reading by this best-selling author:
The Best Boomerville Hotel
Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me
Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me
Coffee Tea the Chef & Me
Jungle Rock
more
Hattie moves to Hollywood and no it is not in California but across the pond. Life in a small, quiet English village is a little to quiet for the newly widowed Hattie so she decides to try her hand at running an investigation business. Her first big client is her neighbor who just lost her husband due to suicide. The trouble is that those closest to him think he was not depressed and do not believe he would kill himself.
Fans of M.C. Beaton will love this book. Hattie approaches life head on and knows how to have a good time. There is diverse cast of characters including a duck who adopted Hattie after she made the mistake of feeding him a scrap. Thanks to Publish Hub Ltd and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Very plucky and feisty heroine and a thumping good read.
I have to admit that I struggled at the beginning of the book. There was a bit of British slang that I had to look up and lots of characters to keep straight as well as backstory.
I put the book down unfinished and went back to it a month or so later and it all seemed to click. And from that point on, I enjoyed the story and thought the mystery was well done. Hattie is a bit of a character!
When following up on the next book in the series (there is a teaser setting it up at the end) I discovered that Hattie is a developed character from earlier books from the author.
I received an ARC via NetGalley however any opinion expressed is my own.
I fell in love with Caroline James’s writing when I read her novel, The Best Boomerville Hotel. Hattie Goes to Hollywood exceeded all my expectations.
Hattie arrives in the village of Hollywood after she inherits her aunt’s cottage which is in total disarray. She isn’t quite sure what to do with herself since losing her husband and retiring from working in a hotel. An old friend and handyman, Alf, convinces her to try her hand at being a private investigator. At first, she hesitates, and finally relents. Her first case involves her neighbor, Majorie’s, husband’s suicide. Was it really suicide, or was it something more sinister. She takes Marjorie’s case and finds out there wasn’t one suicide but three. She becomes determined to solve the case, and what a twisted case it turns out to be.
All while trying to solve the mystery, she might just have a love interest, and she has to contend with the mallard duck who has adopted her. I loved Drake!!!!
Hattie reminds me of Agatha Raisin, one of my favorite female sleuths. However, James makes Hattie her own unique character. I loved her as well as the other characters in the village. The mystery was good, but I also enjoyed Hattie’s burgeoning relationship with pub owner, Reggie.
James mixed just the right combination of mystery, humor, and romance to give her fans a charming, delightful read. I can’t wait to read more in the series!!!!