Kirkus says that Rhythm and Clues is “A well-paced probe into a messy death highlights the rewards of joining ingenuity with persistence.” Read the entire review here.
Crime Reads includes Rhythm and Clues in “7 Modern Cozies to Look Forward to Reading in 2024” by Sydney Leigh 4/4/24
In “Mysteries and Spring Flowers“, Kings River Life interviews Daphne Silver (Crime and Parchment), Jess Dylan (Death in Bloom) & Olivia Blacke (Rhythm and Clues ) about our flowery cozy mysteries.
The Wickeds hosted me for “The Power of Distractions in the Writing Process” – 4/2/24
Woman’s World Book Club names Rhythm and Clues one of the books of the week! “5 New Reads You Won’t Be Able to Put Down,” (4/8/2024 print edition) includes Rhythm and Clues: “A cute and curious whodunit plays out in this tale following a trio of sisters—Juni, Tansy and Maggie Jessup—and their vinyl records shop and coffee nook, Sip & Spin Records. When the financier for their investors is killed outside the shop during a thunderstorm that floods all the roads, the sisters are trapped in town with a killer. They must team up with Detective Beau Russell to catch the culprit before they’re next!
Check it out! “On Writing Rhythm and Clues” is live at Women Writers, Women(‘s) Books, 3/19/2024
To celebrate the release of Rhythm and Clues today, Fresh Fiction hosted me (and Juni!) Check out “Welcome to Cedar River, Texas!” 03/26/2024
Rhythm and Clues is featured in Dear Reader, March 19, 2024
“As always, Blacke … does a fabulous job of keeping several balls in the air, from romances to murder, from seeking likely perpetrators to fighting off a pair of predatory investors… The characters are wonderful, with Juni’s voice and sense of humor especially fresh, and the storyline is completely absorbing. A real treat for cozy fans.”—Brian Kenney for First Clue Review, 12/21/2023
Criminal Element names Rhythm and Clues one of “Our Most Anticipated Reads“! Feb 28, 2024
So excited to be included in Murder & Mayhem’s Riddles, Rom-Cozies, and Crimes: Hottest Mystery Books Highlights of 2023! By Elisa Shoenberger, Dec 20, 2023
Book Riot includes Rhythm and Clues in its “The Most Anticipated Cozy Mysteries of 2024” by CJ Connor, Jan 29, 2024
Rhythm and Clues is included in dru’s book musings “New Releases Coming Soon ~ March 2024” Feb 25, 2024
The music of Vinyl Resting Place, A Fatal Groove, and Rhythm and Clues are featured in Criminal Element’s “The Soundtrack to the Record Shop Mysteries” Feb 27, 2024
GoodReads, NetGalley, and Book Bub early reviews:
“I found myself loving this book, the mystery was really good and I was shocked when the actual perpetrator was revealed. I love the record shop vibe in the series, I remember my own excitement when a new record was released and the joy of browsing through the stores.” – GoodReads reviewer
“If you like cozy mysteries with a lot of humour, music and punny drink names, this series is for you. Highly recommended.” – NetGalley reviewer
“Olivia Blacke’s latest addition to The Record Shop Mysteries, Rhythm and Clues, strikes a perfect chord of suspense, humor, and small-town charm. Set against the backdrop of Cedar River, Texas, this novel takes readers on a bumpy rider through the quirky world of the Jessup sisters and their vinyl records shop/coffee nook, Sip & Spin Records…
Juni Jessup, the protagonist, is a tenacious and determined investigator, adding a refreshing twist to the amateur sleuth trope. The dynamics among the sisters bring warmth and humor to the story, creating a delightful blend of familial bonds amid the chaos of a murder investigation. The atmospheric setting of Cedar River, with its washed-out roads and tight-knit community, adds an extra layer of suspense. Blacke’s vivid descriptions paint a picture of the small town, making readers feel the intensity of the storm and the claustrophobia of being trapped with a killer on the loose.
One of the novel’s standout features is the unexpected surprises thrown Juni’s way, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Rhythm and Clues seamlessly blends the love for music with the thrill of a murder mystery, creating a unique and engaging narrative. Olivia Blacke’s writing style is immersive, and her ability to balance suspense and humor makes this installment a standout in …making this book a must-read for mystery enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted tale of intrigue and sisterly bonds.” – GoodReads reviewer
“Rhythm and Clues is the delightful third in The Record Shop Mysteries series. When Juni finds another dead body no one is surprised. But finding the killer is going to take some doing. I kept guessing wrong but had a lot of fun along the way. I adored the punny drink names and quirky characters. Highly recommend.” – GoodReads reviewer
“This is one of the nicest cozies out there. Combining my love for vinyl and coffee! ” – NetGalley reviewer
“Olivia Blacke hit another home run with this quirky, cozy, and fun mystery. If you are a fun of puns and music, you will find some gems within the pages of this one. I continue to love the characters and the plots of these books. I cannot wait to see what the next one has in store.” – GoodReads reviewer
“It was a delight being back in Cedar River, Texas! This is the third book in the series. The mystery is self-contained and can be read as a stand-alone but the relationships evolve since book 1 and I’d recommend them all. I hope there are many more books to come in the Record Shop Mystery series!” – NetGalley reviewer
“Leave it to Juni to be securing Sip & Spin Records during a torrential storm and come face-to-face with a dead body. Juni and her old boyfriend Beau (it’s complicated) just went to a hockey game with Zack and his partner Savannah, who are trying to buy a stake in the record store/coffee business. But when someone throws a brick through Zack’s car window, well, he won’t be making any more deals. Maybe Juni should make a Cup of Murder one of the daily coffee specials?…
This is the third book in the Record Shop Mystery series and as usual there’s a lot of mayhem, some delicious coffee, some good food, some unique characters and of course, the love between three sisters. It was an enjoyable read, and I did not figure out who the killer was. I’m already looking forward to the next book.” – NetGalley reviewer
“I love the Record Shop Mystery Series by Olivia Blacke and in her latest book, Rhythm and Clues, Juni Jessup and her sisters are once again in the middle of a murder investigation… Juni, Tansy and Maggie worked together to piece together the clues, with help from the worried residents of Cedar River, so that their town will be safe once again, or until Juni stumbles upon another mystery to solve. I love this series for many reasons, but most importantly, the pairing of good music and a delicious cup of coffee or tea. The idea of a record store/coffee shop, such as Sip and Spin records, is so much fun, as are the creative names Juni comes up with for her daily specials. I love Juni’s eclectic collection of vintage band tees that she proudly wears every day, which reflect her carefree and sunny personality. She strives to bring people together with the perfect song, a new melody and the right drink to start your day!! ” – BookBub reviewer
