BOOK REVIEW: Murder Likes it Hot by Tracy Weber @TracyWeberTypes @midnightinkbook #downwarddogmystery #cozymystery #bookreview

It’s a cozy Friday here on the blog and I couldn’t be happier about it! I finished reading the 6^th installment in Tracy Weber’s downward dog mystery series, Murder Likes it Hot, and it was the perfect book for me this week! I was in the mood for something compulsively readable and with some intrigue and a touch of edge, and Weber delivered. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again each time!

About the Book

Yogini and amateur sleuth Kate Davidson will need more than Warrior Pose to solve a murder and help homeless teens

Newly married yoga instructor Kate Davidson feels stuck in low-energy limbo, despite her high-energy life. She’s trying to conceive a child, keep her studio afloat now that the ultra-cheap Some Like It Hot Yoga studio has opened across the street, and start a yoga program at a local resource center for homeless youth.

When a center employee is found dead, Kate sets aside her fertility and financial woes to delve into the world of teenage homelessness. While digging for clues with her German shepherd Bella, Kate discovers that family can be formed by bonds stronger than shared DNA, and she must defend it at all costs.

Reflection

I’m a big fan of cozy mysteries, and I like them in all forms—witty, silly, dark, intellectual…I love them all! I can’t speak for the entire downward dog mystery series, because this is my first, but I can say that Tracy Weber’s Murder Likes it Hot falls much more on the cozy with a deeper, contemporary look at real human issues and a darker edge to the mystery. I really enjoyed it and I felt incredibly invested in the outcome!

When we begin this book, Kate is a year into marriage and struggling with fertility issues. She’s discovered that she has a very low chance of becoming pregnant naturally, and it’s impacting her life, friendships, and marriage. As Kate is learning to communicate about her problems with those closest to her, she knows that she may need more money if they want to have options to conceive. Enter the teen center for homeless youth and the opportunity to teach yoga classes there on the side.

But as Kate struggles to connect with the teens, and to keep her business afloat in the wake of a new yoga studio opening on the same block as hers, she finds herself intrigued by a certain teen in particular—sixteen year-old Rainbow. Not only does Rainbow have incredible gift as an artists, but she also seems different than the other teens at the center.

When a dead body shows up and it begins to look like Rainbow might be the number one suspect, Kate knows she needs to put her personal issues aside and try to help Rainbow any way she can. I loved seeing the story develop between Kate and Rainbow. Despite the sadness in Rainbow’s life, this felt very authentic. Rainbow doesn’t trust Kate, and Kate also isn’t sure if she can trust Rainbow. But at some point they are able to find a way to break down defenses and Kate’s good heart and authenticity really pull Rainbow in.

Cozy mysteries can get a little bit directionless, especially ones that fall later in a series. There is such a delicate balance between the mystery taking front and center, but also allowing the character and their life to shine through. Cozies are at their worst for me personally when the character and their story overtakes the mystery, because it throws the whole focus of the book off. This one executed the balance perfectly! The mystery was key and maintained momentum, but I also got to know Kate and what was happening in her life outside of the mystery. Everything wove together!

The ending to this book was surprising but really good. Not only did I not guess the murderer, but I also didn’t guess what would happen next with Kate’s story. A top notch cozy mystery! I plan to continue reading the rest of this series, because Kate has completely charmed me!

Thank you to Hailey at Midnight Ink for my copy! I got this book in a swap with other Chicago bookstagrammers and I’m so happy it is mine!