Bunny's Reviews: Claire and the Missing Heir Review Spotlight

Who loves a cozy mystery? Then check our Claire and the Missing Heir by Amanda Nelson!

Claire and the Missing Heir is a standalone cozy mystery novel by Amanda Nelson. This cozy mystery novel is packed with drama, laughs, and some pretty odd characters and animals. It all adds to the hilarity though so it works. Let me just say this before we proceed any further - despite me not being the biggest fan of Claire, I'd love to read more books with these characters in the future. LOL! I liked them very much.

Claire works at an insurance company in a small town. But when she's pretty much the last to learn that one of the residents met a rather untimely end. Since his body was discovered at the bottom of his stairs, it's under investigation, but the bigger mystery is - who is the heir to his surprisingly large insurance policy?? In a small town where everyone knows everyone and their pet, one would think that the heir would be known. Unfortunately, that is not the case this time. So! Let the hunt begin! Well, more like let the snooping begin because that's what Claire and her best friend CC get up to.

From the beginning, this book is going to have you laughing. Claire is quick to describe her best friend's kids as "spawns of Satan." I was taking a drink of water while reading this...my nose hurt for over half an hour. Totally worth it though. It only gets more hilarious from there. Let's all agree that Amanda Nelson knows EXACTLY what she's doing when writing this book.

The deeper you delve into this story the more of a chaotic character you begin to realize that Claire is. I mean, she's LITERALLY a menace to society. Seriously, how many people has she hit or run over with her car?! How is it that she's never been charged with anything?! Was the sheriff that blase about her actions? LOL! Or was it all just not worth the effort? I mean, I figured she'd at least get a citation or a warning! Something?! LOL!

Claire's pets get in on the action of course. Please! For the love of all that is holy do not ring the doorbell!!! OMG Agatha! LOL! Benji is a mischievous little "pup" but his antics are absolutely hilarious. He'll basically bring you anything for a pet or, even better, a treat. LOL! I absolutely loved Blackbeard the cat.

CC's family is epic. They bring such a cast to the story (regardless of the fact that Claire frequently refers to them as Satan's spawn). They bring a lot of uniqueness and some relief (and sometimes the match) to Claire's antics. I mean...I like Claire one minute and then the next I want to dunk her in ice to make her chill out. LOL! Seriously, how is it okay for her to steal food from the kids, but when they (mostly Eve) steal food from her it's a crisis and a crime?! I didn't know whether to laugh or roll my eyes. Okay, I split the difference and did both. LOL!

Now, I'm not always a fan of overly dramatic characters. Claire frequently pushes me into my "I'm reaching my limit" zone. I just felt like she was dramatic to be dramatic. It felt over the top for me, and I had to take a break here and there. I know. Not every character is going to be liked by all readers, and Claire (and others similar to her) are that crux for me.

The story overall does an excellent job of keeping me engaged. The mystery isn't the main focus of the storyline all the time, but the fact remains that it's there. Piece by piece the puzzle comes together with interludes of drama between Claire and the sheriff. Man, I felt so bad for him with the office scene. I was on the floor rolling. When you see him say that Claire is "a menace to society." She really is. I think that she's a few incidents short of a warning label. LOL!

Looking for that romance? Well, it's building between Claire and the sheriff, but you get plenty of tame spice from CC and her husband, Jake. Grab a fan when they get handsy. It's a nice treat that's for sure. LOL!

This book is a collection of epic moments of hilarity, drama, and sparks. The mystery is fun to piece together and keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

I'd honestly love to read more of these characters in the future.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Amanda Nelson, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to what comes next!

Claire and the Missing Heir

Publication Date: June 19, 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery/ Romcom

When Mr. Johnson, the abrasive and crotchety bank manager who was almost universally disliked, is found dead in his house under suspicious circumstances. Best friends CC and Claire decide the new sheriff doesn’t know enough about small towns, and the people who live there, to solve the case. They begin asking questions, and generally annoying the sheriff, but one person points the finger at another until there are no answers, just more questions. With lots of reasons to want Mr. Johnson dead, what finally caused somebody to kill him? Could somebody they know really be a killer?

Claire’s inability to keep her thoughts to herself cause hurt feelings, hilarity, and bodily harm wherever she goes, but that won’t stop CC and Claire from trying to find who might be a murderer. Nor do the sheriff’s hopefully idle threats, and pointed statements, to keep out of his investigation. As far as Claire is concerned, he doesn’t have much of an investigation.

To make matters worse every time Claire and the sheriff are in the same area, he ends up injured. She didn’t mean to hit him with her car, or slap him, or hit him with a door, or feed him dog biscuits, or run over his foot, or … well you get the idea. A smart person would avoid the walking hazard that is Claire, but the sheriff keeps turning up wherever Claire goes. Is it a coincidence, or something more? The sparks and injuries fly as Claire and the new sheriff both try to solve the suspicious death of Mr. Johnson.

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About the Author

Writing has always been a hobby for Amanda Nelson. However, it was not always something she thought she could make a living with. After years of teaching elementary school, she finally sat down and wrote her first book. A cozy mystery about best friends solving a murder in their small town.

Since turning her passion into a profession she is never happier than when she sits down at her desk and puts the opening words to a new book or story on paper.

Amanda lives with her husband of over 20 years, her two grown children, and a lot of pets. When not writing she likes to spend time with family and friends, walk on the beach with her dogs, read, and take photographs.

Follow Amanda on Amazon for notifications when new books release and connect with her directly at amandanelsonauthor.com.