The Dartmoor Murders- Book Review

The Dartmoor Murders by Stephanie Austin

Devon Mysteries – Book 4 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 17th June 2021
Genre: Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

Juno Browne inherited Old Nick (an antique store) when the owner died (in the previous book, I guess). Now she has to find a way to run the store while recovering from injuries (from book 3) and try not to get into any more trouble.

But when she opens the wardrobe that’s a part of her latest purchase to fill the store, a body tumbles out onto the floor. Juno has no idea who the dead man is, nor does she know if the crooked seller Fred had anything to do with this.

Another death happens in succession, and Juno tries her best to not get into the mess. It’s hard when the police can’t find anything, and she’s not satisfied not knowing the truth. The dead man’s twin brother arrives, wanting Juno’s help to solve the murder. She’s Devon’s amateur sleuth, after all.

Things start to happen, and Juno is in the middle of it. Not everything is related to the murders, but it’s up to Juno to sort the mess, or so it seems. Can Juno find the killer without risking her neck in the process?

I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series but had no trouble following this one. Some characters are recurring, but it’s easy to understand the relationship between them. The book is more of a cozy mystery than a suspense thriller. The story progresses at its own pace, adding more subplots as we read. Luckily, the subplots are also tied up before the book ends.

Reviewing this book is turning out to be tough. I liked the story enough but was impressed or wowed by it. Somehow, the allure of the cover and the title (main reasons why I requested the book) seemed a bit missing in the story. That said, the book is nowhere dull. I’m going to read the previous books to get a better idea.

It is narrated by Juno, and we see her quirky humor scattered throughout. The insights into her life are entertaining as she regales them in a dry tone. Story-wise, there are no unexpected pull-the-rug moments, so that’s a plus. I did guess the killer and even the reason to an extent. It was fun to see my guess confirmed.

Overall, The Dartmoor Murders is a good book for a lazy afternoon. Pick it up when you don’t want to rush through a book. It’s not a slow read by any means, but things take time to get to the end. Remember, it’s a cozy mystery.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Allison & Busby.

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