Review: Doing It at the Dixie Dew: A Mystery (Dixie Dew Bed & Breakfast #1) by Ruth Moose

Doing It at the Dixie Dew: A Mystery (Dixie Dew Bed & Breakfast #1) by Ruth Moose 

Published May 6th 2014 by Minotaur Books

Paperback, 256 pages

Series: Dixie Dew Bed & Breakfast

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source:  I got a copy of this book from the publisher  in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads

Winner of the Malice Domestic Competition for Best First Traditional Mystery Novel, a delightful Southern cozy from an award-winning author

Beth McKenzie's attempt to turn an old Southern mansion into a Bed and Breakfast called The Dixie Dew is thwarted when her first guest is found dead in bed. Murdered, it turns out. Three days later a young priest is found strangled in his chapel. The whole town of Littleboro is abuzz, and Ossie Delbardo, the town cop whose job heretofore mainly involved  controlling football traffic on Friday nights, is not cut out to solve the murders.

With her barely opened B&B in danger of failing, and aided by her friend from high school and trusty handyman, Beth sets out to discover the truth of the murders. Littleboro has its share of characters, some of which are helpful and others misleading. There's Crazy Reba who lives in a tree, bathes in any bathtub she finds empty, and dumpster dives; Verna, the town know-it-all and affectionate owner of Robert Redford, a huge white rabbit; and Miss Tempie Merritt, music teacher and organist who always wears hat, gloves, and lace-trimmed white socks. When Beth herself is attacked, there's no more time for baking muffins and stencilling pineapples on the porch. She's in a race to uncover her neighbors' secrets before her hometown becomes her burial ground.

Doing it at the Dixie Dew is a charming and delightful debut boasting distinctly Southern personalities and a fine mystery.

Beth McKenzie makes her move back home after a bad incident with her grandmother that leaves her an old Southern mansion. Sure the house is falling apart, but Beth has always wanted to make it into a Bed and Breakfast, even if the local residents of Littleboro don't see the need for it there. Unfortunately for Beth her opening night is less than stellar when one of her guests turns up dead - murdered. A few days later, a young priest is also found strangled in his chapel with a pair of women's undergarments. If the two murders are connected, the town cop Ossie Delbardo has no qualms of pointing fingers at poor Beth.

With the business in dangers of failing, Beth finds herself in a bit of a pickle. With no help from the local authorities, she enlists the help of her friend from high school and a handy man to put a nail on this case.

Cute story. A solid beginning to a new mystery series from a new to me author. I found the town of Littleboro and Beth's B & B quiet quaint. I absolutely love small town mysteries, and one that takes place surrounding a Bed and Breakfast felt oh so cozy and original. Since I haven't yet read one in this kind of setting I couldn't wait to dig in.

Beth is a charming southern girl who has one dream and that's to hopefully make her Bed and Breakfast work even if it seems quiet impossible. With the help of Scott, she is slowly getting there - despite financial issues. So when a woman ends up murdered and Beth is found to blame, she finds herself on the look out for the real killer. Especially since she herself get's attacked in the process.

I was almost angry at Ossie for acting the way he did, thought not uncommon in cozy mysteries. I did not like the way he acted towards her. The lack of faith in the local authority for Beth was almost disheartening. Especially when it felt like he wanted to be paid off and only seemed to be in it for the money. In the end, I he did end up growing on me just slightly. His character was not very prominent in the book and ends up being mentioned more in an offhand way, like sort of in the background.

Beth's and Scott's relationship is cute. Thought I couldn't feel the spark between them until the end of the book, even then it was minimal. I loved the way he came to her rescue, and was glad that Beth did have someone looking out for her, someone she could trust.

I did really enjoy this new series, and am looking to see more from Ruth Moose in the future especially where she will take Beth and her new project!