A Dark and Twisting Path - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Dark and Twisting Path (Writer's Apprentice #3) by Julia Buckley

Rating:  Good

Source: Publisher

Description: Lena's best friend, Allison, is in a panic. On a walk in the woods by her home, Allison discovers the body of her mail carrier, an argumentative man who recently had a falling out with Allison's husband. Lena quickly realizes that Allison has nothing to worry about as the murder weapon points to a different suspect altogether: Lena's embattled boyfriend, Sam West.

Sam was cleared of his wife's murder when she was found alive, and now someone is trying to make him look guilty again. Surveillance video of a break-in at his house shows a shadowy figure trying to incriminate him by stealing the weapon from his desk. Lena and Camilla work on a suspect list, but a threatening note and a violent intrusion at Graham House prove that the devious killer has decided to write them into the plot.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been wanting to read this series since the first book came out so I couldn't resist this one.  Plus I love that there are dogs on the cover as well as the cat.

My Impression:  Usually I find that you can jump in anywhere in a cozy mystery - especially with the early books.  This isn't really the case here.  There are some seriously complicated relationships and drama here that while I wasn't confused I think I would have been more invested in caring about it all if I had started from the beginning.

That said I did enjoy this.  I loved all the bits about writing and the relationship between Camilla and Lena.  The mystery was intriguing and there is a major plot that is continuing from the previous books that was also interesting.  I really was fairly clueless about the whos and whys until the end.  Every time I'd think I'd get it figured out I'd start to question myself or a new detail would be added that would throw me off and keep me wondering.

The pacing was well done though at times the dialogue could feel a bit awkward and stilted.  As well, Lena suffers a bit from being too perfect.  Everyone loves her and admires her and despite being in the most baggage filled relationship I've ever seen everything feels a little easy for her.  This could get a bit eye-rolly at times but not so bad that it took over the book.

I enjoyed this book though I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more if I'd started from the beginning.   Buckley's voice feels very unique and I did love the community she's built in this series.  As well the mystery was solid and not too easy to solve.  If you love a little writer's workshop mixed in with your murder try this series - just start with the beginning.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would and I'm looking forward to going back to the beginning.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy lover I'd recommend this series though I'd definitely recommend starting at the beginning.  Luckily this is only book 3 so it won't add too many new books to your TBR!