Title: Promises and Politics, Another Murder

Author: Christa Nardi

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Why I read it: A free Reedsy Discovery Advanced Review Copy

Publish Date: May 26, 2025

Read on Reedsy Discovery

At the engagement party of his daughter, Senator Marcus Thornton suddenly falls to the ground, and the guests quickly realize he has been murdered. First on the scene is amateur sleuth Dr. Sheridan Hendley and her detective husband, Brett, who are determined to get to the bottom of this cozy mystery shrouded in deception, politics, and broken promises. 

Promises & Politics follows Sheridan as she works to untangle the web of this small town’s most elite society. In the process, she identifies a record number of suspects with an array of motives that would have even the most accomplished detective’s head spinning. As a reader, attempting to keep track of the characters and their place in the story made it difficult at times to focus on the right details and keep the story straight. At one point, it is mentioned that Sheridan arrives at the home of Mrs. Thornton, and several aunts, cousins, and other family members are in attendance. They all introduce themselves, and in a flash, they leave, never to be mentioned again, leaving the reader wondering why they were mentioned in the first place.

Another challenge is the repetitiveness of scenes and conversations that did not advance the plot. It is mentioned so many times what the characters are eating and Sheridan’s efforts to cook and serve dinner to her husband and his partner, yet other key plot points are glossed over. This gives the impression that the story is unpolished and perhaps the author wasn’t sure how to have the characters interact.

The lack of emotional buildup at key turning points in the story that do advance the plot robs the reader of emotional connection to the characters. There is more time dedicated to detailing minutiae than showcasing the monumental importance of the threats she faces while solving this case. This is a missed opportunity and is such a shame, as this plot is so interesting! In the same vein, barely any time is spent at the end to explain the connection of the murderer to the rest of the story, leaving the reader (and me) feeling that the ending is a bit too convenient. When the grand reveal is made, it falls flat instead of creating the sense of accomplishment that I was hoping for.

All in all, for fans of cozy mysteries, this fits the bill – with just enough suspense and intrigue to keep the story progressing but without unnecessary violence, Promises & Politics delivers on that front. Despite the noted flaws, Sheridan is a lovable character, and the plot is unique and interesting, making for an appealing story to dive into for a quick, easy read. Although this novel is the 11th installment in the Sheridan Hendley mystery series, this book is easily understandable as a standalone story.