Murder In Nettleton Top by Anna Mara is the first book in the Mrs. Pidgeon Cozy Mysteries series. Nettie Pidgeon, senior citizen extraordinaire, and society columnist, can handle most situations, even when a fight breaks out during a birthday party planning session. When a murder occurs at the birthday party, Nettie and her granddaughter, Libbie, who runs her grandmother’s café, step in to try to solve it. The victim is a toy baron and he had so many enemies, the list of suspects is endless. Can Nettie find the murderer before an innocent person is jailed? Will she put herself and her granddaughter in danger with her questions? Nettie is a stickler for law and order and will stop at nothing to get the clues she needs.

Murder in Nettleton Top by Anna Mara is a promising start to a new series. It’s fun to read and full of puzzling twists and turns that leave you scratching your head. The main character, Nettie Pidgeon, reminds me very much of a combination of Miss Marple and Murder She Wrote’s Jessica Fletcher, always showing up when least expected and picking up on things even seasoned detectives miss! The characters are well-developed and are real people you can relate to – you may even see members of your own family in this story. As the story progresses, we learn more about the characters and what makes them who they are and, although it isn’t a high-action story, it is steady and flows well. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with plenty of puzzling clues, you’ll enjoy this one.

Murder in Nettleton Top by Anna Mara is a short whodunit mystery novel that will not cease to keep readers guessing. A small-town coffee shop owner, Mrs. Nettie Pidgeon, cannot resist a little independent investigation when the sudden murder of Nettleton Top’s toy company mogul gets the town buzzing. What kind of character would kill a man at his very own birthday celebration? Mrs. Pidgeon boldly begins interrogating and spying on the town suspects, gradually uncovering clues, despite her granddaughter's protests. Her head is turned this way and that as her inklings, observations, and local gossip lead her to different discoveries. Mrs. Pidgeon’s undying curiosity and desire for justice may just lead her to the right path.

I enjoyed this read and thought there were a few things about Murder at Nettleton Top that were very smart and intriguing. Anna Mara filled the book with so many suspects that have a motive to commit murder that it made it difficult to figure out who the murderer was. The incorporation of aspects like the doll eye theme was really clever. Anna Mara has the remarkable ability to keep you on your toes by pointing you in so many different directions. And like any good mystery, it is hard to figure out who the killer is. Just when you think there is a solid lead, another one pops up in a completely different direction. The pace of Murder in Nettleton Top was quite quick and thoroughly entertaining. It is the perfect book for an afternoon read.

In Murder in Nettleton Top by Anna Mara, Nanette Pidgeon proves to be a top-class sleuth. Josh Newberry despised his stepmother, Sierra, who had to duck and dive his attack after Josh was fired from his father John’s company. A young beauty, Sierra had successfully nabbed the wealthiest man in Nettleton Top. Nanette Pidgeon was witness to the attack, trying to reason with Josh. Dr. Brandon Gerrit owed John a substantial amount of money and Eddie Knox had sold the wrong painting to John who refused to return it. John’s brother Michael was intimidated by John and worked in John’s toy factory. Vina MacKay, executive secretary to John, had a long-time affair with him. When John is found dead, Police Chief Daniel Moore investigates the murder and everyone who had reason to kill John – with a little help from Nanette.

Murder in Nettleton Top is an intriguing, suspenseful story. Author Anna Mara has penned a wonderful novel that includes all the makings of a good sleuth story and more. The interesting array of characters is well-defined, including the victim and suspects, each with their own unique personality. There are interesting twists, turns, and surprises uncovered by Nanette Pidgeon, an inquisitive and determined journalist. I especially enjoyed Anna’s writing style – smooth flowing, succinct, and comfortable to read. The scenes and locations around Nettleton Top are all beautifully described, creating the perfect place for a murder mystery. All-round, a fantastic novel highly recommended to readers of all ages. I look forward to reading more of Anna Mara’s novels in the future.