Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: Cloche and Dagger: A fun and gripping cozy mystery (Hat Shop Mystery Book 1)

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Jax81

Yeeess!!! Yes, yes, all the yeses!!

Reviewed in the United States on 31 March 2020

Verified Purchase

A friend in one of my book clubs talked about this book one night and how cute it was and how swoony Mr. Wentworth is so I obviously immediately got a copy.

Turns out this is exactly what I needed today, and yes dear reader I read this in one afternoon!! It is a very entertaining, mystery, murder, romp that takes place is my beloved London. I’m not sure what more you could want other than some really cute and quirky side characters with a flair for comedy.

Oh and Mr. Harrison Wentworth is indeed deliciously swoon worthy!!

Irish

Delightful!

Reviewed in the United States on 31 August 2013

Verified Purchase

Cloche and Dagger is the start of what looks to be a promising new series by Jenn McKinlay. The plot is delightful and modern with wonderful characters, from the main protagonist to the dashing accountant and their new friends.

The story begins with Scarlett, the victim of a viral video, escaping to join her cousin at their co-owned hat shop in London. But her cousin is missing, leaving behind a handsome financial advisor to guide Scarlett. All too soon Scarlett discovers a murder victim wearing only one of her cousin's hats. Fortunately there is a smart intern to manage the shop while Scarlett tries to avoid paparazzi as she endeavors to discover what is going on.

McKinlay leaves the reader wondering "who did it" right up into the end. My only complaint was that the book ended too quickly. Fortunately I hear a sequel is in production. Can't wait to hear more about the cousins' adventures.

One person found this helpful

Misty609

Loved It!

Reviewed in the United States on 17 February 2015

Verified Purchase

I bought "Cloche and Dagger" because of all the good reviews I read and I am not sorry.

I loved the book, love cozies that take place in England, love hats, and get such kick when I see all those English ladies on TV (The Royal Weddings, etc) wearing their beautiful, sometimes quirky hats, just love it.

I liked all of the characters in the book, especially enjoyed "all" of Scarlett's frriendships, especially loved meeting Nick and Andre. I enjoyed her "friendship" with "Harry" and am curious where this will lead.

I just ordered the second book in the series and look forward to spending time in England with Viv and Scarlett, hope to see Nick, Andre and "Harry" again too.

Kish the Poet

A fun read

Reviewed in the United States on 8 April 2021

Verified Purchase

I haven't read a mystery in a while, but saw an interview of Jenn McKinlay, the author, and wanted to read one of her books, which has humor in it. I enjoyed it and liked the first person narrator's opinions and comments throughout, as well as the running gag about British puns vs. American puns. I'm hoping the love interest is more developed in subsequent books in this series.

Kindle Customer

Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on 6 January 2014

Verified Purchase

Really good debut book. This cozy begins with Scarlet hiding in her home from reporters after an embarrassing dust up with her married lover at his anniversary dinner. It went viral on the net making her famous. Her cousin in England sends her a ticket to come home to the hat shop she is half owner in. Well, she gets there and no cousin but customers who want their hats, a murder of a wealthy patron, a man from her past, a series of break ins, an attempted murder of her, and a mysterious cabinet. Wow, but where is her cousin? Who is trying to kill her and what do they want? And who is the murderer? And what is up with that cabinet??? Read and see. I loved it and can not wait for the next one.

Drebbles

Excellent start to new cozy mystery series

Reviewed in the United States on 14 August 2013

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Scarlett Parker has fled to England after her very public breakdown was caught on film and went viral. She is hoping to lay low in England working in the hat shop she and her cousin Viv inherited from their grandmother. Unfortunately, things in England aren't quiet - Viv is missing, Scarlett stumbles across a murder victim, and someone is targeting her and the hat shop. Scarlett is in real danger and fears that Viv is too. Can Scarlett solve both the murder and the disappearance of her cousin?

"Cloche and Dagger" is the first book in Jenn McKinlay's Hat Shop cozy mystery series and the series already looks like a winner. I love the premise and set up. Scarlett is a well-written and sympathetic character. McKinlay takes a big gamble in having Viv gone for a large part of the book (it can be hard to care about a character we haven't even met) but she pulls it off quite well. I love the descriptions of the hats - I am not a hat person but I could easily picture them and they sounded gorgeous. I also like the side characters - Harrison (he and Scarlett have great chemistry) and the (almost inevitable in a cozy mystery) gay sidekicks Andre and Nick. There is a running gag in the book involving puns that adds a lot of humor to the book without becoming annoying. But what really makes this book such a delight to read is the intricate plotting of the mystery - I was completely fooled by some of the red herrings McKinlay put in the book. This is my favorite type of mystery where, as plot twists are revealed, you find yourself flipping back and rereading certain passages in the book and realize how expertly McKinlay pulled the wool over your eyes. This couldn't have been easy to write and is extremely well done.

"Cloche and Dagger" is an excellent cozy mystery and I look forward to the next book in the series.

4 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

She has done it again!

Reviewed in the United States on 17 August 2013

Verified Purchase

Cloche and Dagger is the first in a new series and it being about a hat shop, I was hesitant at first. I am a huge fan of Ms. McKinlay's books, so I had to give it a try and I was not disappointed at all. This is a great start to a new series and I adore all of the characters. Being a fan of cozy mysteries, I like a little bit of humor thrown in and this has just the right amount. Cloche and Dagger takes place in England and while reading it, I was wanting to walk out the door and be right there on the street with them.
Great job Ms. McKinlay and the only negative thing I say about this series is that it will take too long for the next one to come out!
Bravo! Spot on!

One person found this helpful

Sharyn

Cliche and Dagger

Reviewed in the United States on 21 May 2014

Verified Purchase

I love this series by Jenn McKinlay. Her Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and Library mysteries are also favorites of mine so I guess you could say I am one of her biggest fans right now.
One of the best things about her books is you can't wait to see what is going to happen next. She is just descriptive enough and it is easy to follow the feelings between characters without a lot of unnecessary scenes or tedious or repetitive dialogue . Quick moving and fun you are kept guessing till the end. Love all of the characters that were introduced.
Definitely worth reading.

Skye

Grab a Cup of Tea, a Scone and Begin Reading

Reviewed in the United States on 13 November 2013

Verified Purchase

This was a fantastic book. I began reading and honestly, couldn't put it down except for a cup of tea and a biscuit. The characters were colorful and quite believable. And honestly, felt as though I was sitting right there in England watching this all happen right in front of my eyes...I enjoy all of Jenn McKinlay's books but I think this one could be my all time favorite. I can not wait until the next book is out! 5 stars is not enough as far as I am concerned!

Dru Love

A Great Start

Reviewed in the United States on 16 August 2013

Verified Purchase

I don't know how she does it, but Jenn McKinlay creates stories that will have you enamored with the plot and the characters. We are introduced to Scarlett whose arrival in London is met with the disappearance of her cousin Viv. When a customer is later found dead wearing nothing but her cousin's creation, Scarlett looks into her murder, if only to clear her cousin's name and what follows is a fun ride that I could not put down.

I had a great time reading this light-hearted tale where the mystery kept me glued to the pages and the dialogue and comedic antics kept me entertained from beginning to end. Boasting a lovable cast of quirkily unconventional characters, this was an enjoyable read and a welcome addition to the cozy genre and I look forward to the next book in this exciting new series.

5 people found this helpful

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