This is a title that can't be ignored for obvious reasons. And the cover art reminds me of that picture that made its rounds on twitter last year of the diner--where the longer you looked at it, the more wrong it became. I was thrilled to be approved and quickly gave it a read.
Theo is adjusting to life outside of England in a colorful neighborhood in San Fran where she runs a soap shop. She's made some friends and has adjusted well after some family upheaval, but her life takes a chaotic turn when a murder rocks her neighborhood. This is my first experience with a cozy mystery, and it was delightful. Theo was a quirky narrator with a lot of heart. I loved her descriptions and her reactions to the English language. You never realize how difficult and odd English is until you get an outside perspective, and her handling of, for example, coffee or java added such charm to her character. Her relationships, too, were fun. I loved Nat and his coffee shop, and their interactions felt wonderfully awkward--not cringey, but cute. The mysteries, too, are endearing and fun. Standard as far as suspect lists and scouting out suspicions, but Cox handles the structure well, and the plot reveals are well-paced and executed. Overall, this is a great summer read--the perfect blend of entertainment and action--but it would also fit right at home in front of a fire with a PSL and slippers. Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.