The Only Way is Murder

Where fake tans and fake smiles abound, a dancing queen must tango with deception to unmask a murderer before the last curtain call.

As her 50th birthday approaches, Chloe Essex prepares to unveil her exciting new business venture in the quaint village of Speckled Hill. But her perfect celebration turns into a nightmare when she discovers her best friend dead in the marquee just before the big reveal.

Accused of murder, Chloe must navigate suspicious business dealings, catfights, and tangled love affairs to clear her name and salvage her reputation.

With secrets buried deep beneath a sea of Botox, Chloe must unmask the murderer before they bring the final curtain down on her.

Join Chloe to unravel the clues in The Only Way is Murder, a laugh-out-loud British contemporary cozy mystery where Miss Marple meets Barbie. But be warned, when laughter, intrigue, and murder combine, survival depends on unlimited supplies of fake tan and a vat of builders’ tea.

Chloe Essex Cozy Mysteries, by author Lou Collins, is a funny, clean, small-town, female amateur sleuth series perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Fethering Mysteries, Stephanie Plum, Miss Fortune Mysteries, and The Neurotic Hitwoman. While each mystery is a standalone, to avoid spoilers, the series is best read in order.

Praise for this book…

“This was quite possibly the most fun cozy mystery I have ever read! Chloe Essex is a cross between Agatha Raisin and a dancer in A Chorus Line. I literally laughed out loud at all of the chaotic hi jinx. And the people in the town of Speckled Hill? I mean if this was reality tv, I would pop the popcorn and settle in for a night of binge watching! But most importantly, on top of all that, it was a really well written, juicy mystery that I just couldn’t put down. The addition of a witty narrator (think gossip girl) just put this book over the top! I can’t wait to read the next one, I’m now a fan! 5 stars obviously. Don’t miss it! – Lisa, Goodreads reviewer

 

“great fun- a real romp with lots of great characters and laugh-out-loud moments” – Early reviewer

 

“Absolutely you can’t put it down. This was a fantastic mystery! Once I started I was riveted to it! Chloe is a vibrant character who’s witty and focused in this new stage of her life.”- Carol, Goodreads reviewer

 

“The characters are so enjoyable and Chloe is so lovably fun! One of the features I loved the most was the little interjections of the narrator throughout the book. It really added to the coziness of the mystery and created a feeling of nostalgia, as if I was watching an old episode of Murder She Wrote. This was a classic whodunnit mystery, with humor reminiscent of Bridget Jones and a cozy writing style.” – Julie M, NetGalley/Goodreads reviewer