Is this my new cozy fantasy mystery series? I think so! I devoured Dead & Breakfast. It made me laugh, smile, and shed a tear. Keep reading this book review of Dead & Breakfast for my full thoughts.
Summary
Married odd couple Arthur and Sal are totally normal. They wear sunscreen, not because the sun can kill them, but because even the undead need a skincare regimen. They eat garlic whenever they want, though it gives Sal indigestion. They can talk to creatures of the night, but only the raccoons that rifle through their garbage. Really, they don’t bite… except into delicious baked goods.
Ready to settle down and stay out of trouble, the two have opened a bed & breakfast in the idyllic, if not-so-paranormal-friendly, town of Trident Falls, Oregon. But trouble finds them when the mayor is discovered dead in their begonias with two puncture wounds in his neck. With the help of a werewolf barista, the elven town coroner, and a very human city manager, Arthur and Sal will need to prove they aren’t literally out for blood by catching a killer…
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I pretty much immediately fell in love with Dead & Breakfast. I’m so here for the entire series, sign me up thank you! This contemporary fantasy with vampires is everything I wanted. Dead & Breakfast straddles this line of contemporary and mystery with a certain cozy element to it. There’s definitely the whole murder aspect and yes there are vampires, but it also features this couple who are so supportive and the most wry and hilarious banter. I seriously laughed so much while reading Dead & Breakfast. We love to see married queer vampires who are cracking jokes, referencing historical events like no one’s business, and trying to make small talk in their bed and breakfast.
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Even more so, Dead & Breakfast tackles themes of wondering if we try to assimilate or be ourselves loudly. It asks us whether we can make a place our home despite the prejudice that surrounds us from a few people and the challenges. Is it worth it to do the work to make this into our space, to find the people who support us, and to fight for our home? Salvatore made me crack up so many times and I loved the tone and narration to not only the world of the supernatural (and the myth busting) but also to the murder investigations. The vibes are here!
If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to dive into with tons of laughs and heart, this is for you! Find Dead & Breakfast on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.