The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod

 

As I have earnestly, confessed in several previous blog posts, I enjoy reading a well written cozy mystery novel... And, I'm always on the look out for new to me cozy mystery authors and cozy mystery series to read. With this in mind, I decided to read The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod.

I was able to download the ebook edition of The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod from Amazon to my iPad for FREE. Below is my honest, unbiased review of this cozy mystery novel.

I thought The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod was a decent read. I liked the storyline and characters for this cozy novel. The main character, Viola Roberts, is a feisty, funny, middle-aged, historical romance novelist attending a writers conference in Florida with her best friend and fellow writer, Cheryl. 

Near the start of The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod, Viola discovers the murdered body of fellow writer, Natasha Winters, in a cabana. Natasha Winters is hugely successful as a writer, but is not beloved by other writers due to her personality. 

Both Viola and Cheryl become prime suspects along with a few other suspects. However, Viola decides to take matters into her own hands to solve this murder. She wants to clear herself and Cheryl from being falsely accused by the authorities for a murder neither of them committed. Viola is thorough in sussing out the murderer and she also seems to be a bit of a control freak/busybody, in my opinion. A lot of twists and turns occur in this novel as well as a second murder.

Overall, The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod was a good read. Not perfect by any means, but good enough to pass the time. The biggest disappointment was the ending... The murder suspect and the reasoning for the murders wasn't that complicated. So, I found it difficult to believe the police detective in charge of this case would be so inept that he couldn't solve the case on his own. Additionally, the reason for the first murder was a weak one. I'll pass on reading other novels in the 'Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries' series in the future.

Below is the summary for The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod from Goodreads:

Sassy, snarky Viola Roberts quit her boring accountant job to pursue her dream of writing novels, even if it meant eating ramen noodles every day. Now that her career has taken off, she’s headed to a writers’ conference at an exotic Florida resort complete with white sand beaches and swaying palm trees where she plans to lounge in the shade drinking frosty beverages with little umbrellas. And, of course, no sojourn to tropical climes would be complete without her boozy, wise-cracking best friend, Cheryl. When Viola discovers the diva of the author world dead (as a doornail) of unnatural causes, the police immediately consider Viola their prime suspect. But when the head detective turns a gimlet eye on Viola’s best friend, the author has had enough! Along with help from hunky fellow writer, Lucas Salvatore, Viola is determined to ascertain who killed the corpse in the cabana before she, or Cheryl, wind up in jail. Or worse.

I am giving The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!