***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Entrepreneur Emma Westlake's new business is booming until her latest client is arrested for murder in this new Friend for Hire Mystery by USA Today bestselling author Laura Bradford.
Emma Westlake, proprietor of A Friend for Hire, finds a heart-wrenching email from a prospective client in her inbox. The email is from Kim Felder, a woman struggling with empty-nest syndrome and an out of left field divorce. Determined to help get Kim in a better headspace, Emma suggests she draft a bucket list of things she has always wanted to do in life but has put off in favor of taking care of everyone else.
Together, they fill that list with fun baking classes, traveling, and dancing in the middle of the street for no reason. Kim also adds in some hilarious items about getting even with her ex. But all laughter ends when Kim's ex winds up dead via one of the ideas Kim proposed. Now, Kim is Deputy Jack Riordan's lone suspect in a murder Emma knows she did not commit. Emma will have to put her budding relationship with the deputy on the line to corner a cunning killer.
A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford is the second book in her popular Friend for Hire Mystery series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. This cozy mystery had everything I want in a cozy mystery to include a delightful Golden Retriever named Scout.
Emma Westlake has started her own company called A Friend for Hire. She helps lonely people by being their friend and spending time with them. When she meets a new client Kim Felder, they make a list of activities to help Kim recover from her sudden divorce. Kim makes some jokes about hurting her ex-husband, so when he turns up murdered the next day, all fingers point toward Kim. But Emma knows she couldn’t have done it, so she goes and investigates herself.
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The pacing was good, and I enjoyed the mystery. I didn’t figure it out until our sleuth, Emma did. Scout, the golden retriever really stole the show for me, and I adored Emma and Scout together. The book is full of quirky characters in a charming small town. It’s the perfect escape mystery.
I highly recommend A Perilous Pal to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Laura Bradford
Laura Bradford is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 35 novels. Her latest work includes; the women’s fiction novel, HER NEW STORY, and the newest cozy mystery, A PLUS ONE FOR MURDER. Her first women’s fiction novel, Portrait of a Sister, was a July 2018 Book Club Pick for Delilah of Delilah Radio and a Summer Book Club pick for Southern Lady Magazine.
Her mystery titles include; A Friend For Hire Mysteries, An Amish Mystery series, the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, the Tobi Tobias Mysteries, and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey). She is a former Agatha Award nominee, and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. Laura enjoys baking, playing games, spending time with her family, and being an advocate for those living with Multiple Sclerosis.
The dog on the cover would have had me picking this up without even reading the synopsis, and I’m glad Scout turned out to have a strong role. Great review Wendy. I must check this series out.
Jenny+McClinton
Great review, it sounds like a lovely cozy mystery 😊
Nice review Wendy. I have enjoyed other Laura Bradford books, so should probably try this series, there’s lots I like about this one, including a great cover.
This sounds like a great series!
This does sound like a fun cozy and I can definitely see where Scout would steal the show. Excellent review, Wendy!
I want to try this series. Great review Wendy!
This one sounds like one I would love to read! Great review!
A friend for hire…what a clever idea to base a cozy mystery series around. I’m going to have to check this book out. 🙂
I’ve never read a cozy mystery before. If I were to start, I think I’d choose this series since it includes Scout. 😀
This sounds like one I would enjoy, and the cover is so cute!
I love the cover! Anything with animals…especially dogs. The story sounds great too.
Great review! I love books with a dog as a character.
The dog on the cover would have had me picking this up without even reading the synopsis, and I’m glad Scout turned out to have a strong role. Great review Wendy. I must check this series out.
Great review, it sounds like a lovely cozy mystery 😊
I really relate to middle-aged women and this sounds like such a cozy mystery! Another book I’ve added to my TBR Wendy!
Thank you, Jodie. I think this is the start of a great cozy mystery series.
I feel like I am getting behind on my 20 books of summer…seems my list went sideways. Another great review and cute cover!!
Thank you, Cindy! 20 Books of Summer is a tough one, as there is so many things to do in the summer.
Nice review Wendy. I have enjoyed other Laura Bradford books, so should probably try this series, there’s lots I like about this one, including a great cover.
The cover is so great. It seems like it will be a good series
What a cute cover. Excellent review Wendy.🤗📚💕
Thank you, Susan!