Death Takes a Bath

Cotswold Crimes Mystery, #1

by

Sharon Lynn

A feisty young archaeology student encounters mystery and murder while interning at the Roman baths.

Death Takes a Bath is the debut novel in author Sharon Lynn’s cozy series, the Cotswold Crimes Mysteries. Featuring a feisty young female protagonist in a fish-out-of-water plot, I was caught up in the story from the very start. 

The main character, Madeline “Maddie” McGuire, is fresh and engaging, and at times I forgot she’s only 19 years old (only a wee bit older than Nancy Drew). She’s spirited and must often work to control her enthusiasm and hold her tongue as she tries to fit in with her reserved, and at times obnoxious, British coworker, Simon. That doesn’t mean she lets herself be treated as a doormat; manners only go so far. There’s a great scene where she’s finally had enough and gives Simon a well-deserved piece of her mind. I really liked this girl. 

The plot involves finding a severed ear in a package delivered to her doorstep and murder, and Maddie reacts as most people would to such horrifying discoveries. After that first week, I’m sure most of us would have hightailed it back home. She keeps tabs on the police investigation by quizzing the friendly and hunky local constable, Edward Bailey. I twigged on the culprit early (for me), but that only made me turn the pages faster to see if I was actually right for once! I finished the rest in one evening and really enjoyed following Maddie’s journey to the resolution. 

The Bath setting was unique, and interesting tidbits of history and facts about the city, abbey, and Roman baths are liberally sprinkled throughout the story. I’ve toured the baths and remember thinking at the time that it was the perfect setting for a literary murder. Descriptions of other local areas and venues lend the story an added sense of authenticity. 

I recommend DEATH TAKES A BATH to cozy mystery readers looking for a new series to enjoy, especially those with a taste for historical sites or who like a fun, young Gen Z amateur sleuth. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.