MURDER AMONG NEIGHBORS: 1st KATE AUSTEN MYSTERY - Jonnie Jacobs

This is one of the most refreshing cozy mysteries I have read in a very long time! I almost didn't read it as I have been meandering away from cozies lately. October can do that when I start reading pretty much only paranormal.

Then there was the sudden realization that I was falling behind on Joy's A-Z Challenge and I scurried to Mt Git'r'Read to see what was on my shelf to fulfill some of the authors and titles I was missing....and there was Jonnie Jacobs (J author) MURDER AMONG NEIGHBORS. Whew! And I quickly read it.

Kate Austen is a wife of a man who is off 'finding himself' in Europe and mother of a five year old. They live in an affluent San Francisco 'burb of Walnut Hills. She isn't among the affluent, they just got a good deal on the house. She isn't part of the set who live in the neighborhood, but she knows the moms of the toddlers who go to her daughter's pre-school. She is friends of sorts with one or two of the women. One of whom, Pepper, is found dead in her bedroom. The mystery begins.

Kate meets a dreamy detective Michael Stone in the course of the investigation. Kate finds herself helping even Detective Stone isn't overly thrilled to have her assistance.

They do find themselves drawn to each other, one unwillingly and one full steam ahead.

This does all work as a good book. I was pleasantly surprised. Most times, cozies can seem forced, but this one moved along quite naturally...

Four cozy beans...