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A Hygge House Cozy Mystery
By A. L. Jensen
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Escape to the charming small town of Lakewood in this delightful Scandinavian-inspired cozy mystery!
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When talented interior designer Minna Halonen returns to her idyllic northern hometown after decades away, she's ready for a fresh start. Recently divorced and with her daughter grown, Minna eagerly takes over Nordic Cozy, her mother Elsi's beloved home décor shop, embracing the hygge lifestyle and peaceful natural surroundings she'd forgotten she missed.
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Partnering with her lifelong friend Christie, a creative event planner with an eye for detail, Minna pours her heart into transforming an old lakeside property into Hygge House—a cozy retreat for workshops, gatherings, and the perfect blend of Scandinavian comfort and woodland charm.
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But on Grand Opening morning, Minna's dreams of a tranquil new beginning crumble when she discovers a dead body on her doorstep! With whispers spreading through Lakewood's tight-knit community and business grinding to a halt, Minna must channel her designer's eye for detail into amateur sleuthing.
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Can this middle-aged entrepreneur catch a killer and restore harmony to her picturesque hometown? Or will Minna's second chance at happiness be cut tragically short?
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The first in the delightful Hygge House Mystery series—where murder meets Scandinavian comfort in a rustic northern town.
ADVANCED REVIEWS:
"Hygge and Homicide is a delightful blend of small-town charm and sharp wit. A. L. Jensen perfectly captures the essence of hygge—warmth, comfort, and connection—while weaving a mystery that will keep you guessing until the final page. Grab a cardamom bun, wrap yourself in your favorite throw, and settle in. This is a debut that feels like coming home." ACF Bookens, author of the St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series
"There's not much better for a book lover than to get in on an excellent new mystery series! Hygge and Homicide is the just such a book, in what promises to be a wonderful new cozy mystery series by author A. L. Jensen. Set in a small town in northern Ontario, this Scandinavian-inspired cozy mystery has all of the elements that will draw cozy fans in--well-rounded and relatable characters, vividly described settings, a complex mystery, plenty of suspects, and enough red herrings to keep you turning the pages to the very end. I particularly enjoyed the insight into Finnish Canadian culture, something unique that I have not come across before in the many cozies that I have read. In particular, the core concept of hygge, which at its heart embodies coziness, is brought to life in this tale of friends and family coming together to support the main characters Minna and Christie as they work to bring their dream of Hygge House, a place for hosting events and eventually a B&B, to fruition despite the murder that mars opening day.
Jensen has written a fascinating and enjoyable book with suspense, mystery, humour, and a hint of romance that is sure to keep readers coming back for more. Thank you to the author for the ARC of this excellent book." -- Kelly Young, author of the Travel Writer Cozy Mystery Series
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"I can think of no better way to spend a winter evening than cozying up by the fire with a warm cup of chai and a compelling read, Hygge Homicide.What made this novel particularly cozy was discovering Easter eggs woven throughout: local landmarks from my town that added a personal connection to the story. The author's attention to detail in crafting these scenes brought the setting to life in unexpected ways. The Finnish elements give the book its distinctive character. From Tuuli, the aptly named bicycle, to my new favourite hair colour—Nordic Blonde—these touches offer a refreshing perspective within the genre. The mystery itself is well-constructed, keeping the culprit's identity concealed until the final pages. For readers seeking a cozy mystery with cultural depth and a satisfying puzzle, Hygge Homicide delivers." -- Holly Gutwillinger, author of North of Broken: A Furever Home
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"Hygge and Homicide is A.L. Jensen’s first installment in the Hygge House cozy mystery series. It takes place in the quaint tourist town of Lakewood. Minna has just moved back to her hometown from Toronto and is a little bit guarded, a character trait which puts the reader on edge from the beginning of the book. The plot moves along with interesting details and tidbits about Minna’s daughter, her mother, her best friend, as well as her trusty companion Hugo Dogberg. We also learn more about the town and its inhabitants including the contractor James who Minna seems to have a little crush on. We’re quickly invested in Minna and want to see her new business venture with best friend Christie do well. When the unthinkable happens the night of their open house, we see another aspect of Minna’s personality and find out that she has been an amateur sleuth since her teens. Lakewood seems like an unlikely setting for a murder but as Minna “investigates” the town’s inhabitants possible motives pop up. It takes place at her newly opened Hygge House, which is excellent motivation for her to solve the case as quickly as possible. Her upfront, polite demeanor makes it easy for the town’s folks to open up to her questions.
Even though the town’s detective is annoyed with Minna’s meddling, her curiosity and suspicions are enjoyable and thought provoking for the reader. We are pulled into the story and the clues as we also try to solve the crime. The nods to Minna’s Nordic heritage are another nice addition to the story, and provide something new to learn about and visualize as Minna and Christine renovate Hygge House. Hygge and Homicide is the perfect read for a morning, afternoon, or after dinner hygge." -- Nancy Daoust
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