Isabel Puddles Abroad by M. V. Byrne

Available November 29, 2022

Rating: 5 Hobnobs

I want to start off by saying that there are very few male cozy writers out there (or male writers of any genre) who can write an authentic female main character. M. V. Byrne is one of the few. Even if I didn't like the books in this series I would give them respect for that alone. But it just so happens I also really like these books.

Isabel is at a bit of a crossroads. She's decided to give up her criminal justice studies and her private investigator business is at a bit of a standstill. Instead of lollygagging about, Isabel heads out to visit her new friend Teddy in Cornwall. We see a bit of her life changes in the beginning, some of her trip planning, her voyage and arrival. The mystery itself doesn't get started until we're about halfway through the book. Normally I would complain about that, but it works here. There's so much going on and there's a bit of suspense as you wait for the body count to start.

I've really enjoyed this series. It's not typical of a cozy series, the main character is going through some pretty major life changes and each book is a completely different setting and premise and Isabel herself is a very different person as she is finding her way in life. I think that's really refreshing considering that Isabel is a "senior sleuth" (though not elderly by any means she's over the age of 60 and at the stage in life where she's semi-retired and her children are grown) and yet her approach to life is what you might expect from someone in their early 20's, starting out and trying to find their way.

Though this series isn't typical of cozies in general, it's not so different that it's not enjoyable as a cozy. I've really enjoyed all three book and I had the privilege of attending a webinar where M. V. Byrne spoke and he seems like he's a super nice guy (he was there along with Rick Copp - aka Lee Hollis, another author who writes a fantastic female main character - and I think the two of them are friends). I would highly recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.