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Sonia Parin
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End of the Lane (A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Sonia Parin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,554 ratings
Abby Maguire’s first day in a new town and new job could be her last. Instead of writing about the weekend bake sale, she has to give a statement to the police. It seems the small town of Eden is not the idyllic place she'd imagined it to be. There's a killer on the loose but the finger of suspicion is pointed at Abby.

Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language but lots of fun, quirky dialogue & characters.
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  1. Book 1 of 8
    A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery
  2. Print length
    206 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 11, 2018
  6. File size
    766 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★I LOVE this book. The writing flowed, the story drew me in immediately and the characters were incredibly likable. Abby flies halfway around the world to start a new life as a small-town newspaper reporter in Australia. Her first assignment is supposed to be about cake, of all things, but instead she finds herself investigating the murder of her new boss. This is sincerely the perfect cozy mystery. It is fast-paced, lighthearted, fun and engaging. I will be keeping my eye out for more books by Sonia Parin. NetgalleyShelly H, Reviewer.★★★★★"End of the Lane" by Sonia Parin had me by the cover with its atmospheric illustration, a cute doggy and the phrase "cozy mystery." Loved it! 5/5 - Netgalley Literary S, Reviewer

★★★★★
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more from this series. It is well written and clean, and will keep you guessing until the end. - Netgalley Ann F, Reviewer

★★★★★This is the first book in A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery series and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! Quirky, gossipy yet loving - this is how I would describe the people of Eden. How can I not mention the Lamington's cake! That is the main attraction of the story! Abby's first assignment was the weekend's bake sale - the Lamington's cake - sponge cake dipped in chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut. Sounds delicious! There is a recipe of the same at the end of the book. The writing was informal and neat. I loved the author's writing style. The plot and the story are marvelous. The ending was unexpected and good. Abby does prove to be a good crime reporter! Each and every character in the book play an important role in the story. It goes without saying that Doyle was a cute little darling - the star of the story. Abby is the second best character in the story - her detective skills are excellent. If Abby is second best, then who is first, you ask? Doyle, of course! End of the Lane is a cute, charming and wonderful cozy mystery. - Netgalley Rekha R, Reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B078YWMY22
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 11, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 766 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 8 ‏ : ‎ A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,554 ratings

About the author

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Sonia Parin

Sonia Parin

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sonia Parin writes humorous cozy mysteries with quirky characters and entertaining dialogue. Her characters are described as realistic with a sense of fun, which is great because her aim is to provide lighthearted entertainment and pure escapism. She has a degree in Fine Arts and loves to cook and bake.

For regular updates, first chapters, & tidbits please visit http://soniaparin.com or check in on Twitter and Facebook. https://twitter.com/SoniaParin, https://www.facebook.com/SoniaParin/

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,554 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this cozy mystery book to be a refreshing quick read with an interesting storyline that keeps them guessing until the end. They appreciate the well-written characters and humor, with one customer noting the charmingly eccentric small-town setting. The book flows smoothly without feeling forced, and customers like its pacing, with one mentioning the absence of smut.

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ReadabilityPlotCharacter developmentWriting styleCharmFlowHumorPacing
42 customers mention "Readability"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book refreshing and easy to read, describing it as a quick read.

"...No profanity and sexual innuendos..just a good, clean & decent murder mystery with a nice "homey feel" to it.👍🏽😊..." Read more

"This is a wonderful quick read and beginning to a series. I really enjoyed this mystery, it has several twists and turns along the way...." Read more

"...--more about that in a moment--but the book was, nevertheless, a lot of fun...." Read more

"Sonia Parin is an author to watch. This quick, fun, clean (no bad language, not even innuendos) read is a good way to pass a sunny day at poolside..." Read more

31 customers mention "Plot"31 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a fun cozy mystery with an interesting storyline and suspenseful elements that keep readers guessing until the surprising conclusion.

"...The story moves right along with only one or two throwaway clues but the solution wasn't easy to suss out." Read more

"...No profanity and sexual innuendos..just a good, clean & decent murder mystery with a nice "homey feel" to it.👍🏽😊..." Read more

"This is a wonderful quick read and beginning to a series. I really enjoyed this mystery, it has several twists and turns along the way...." Read more

"...and the "reluctant sleuth" plot of this unusual cozy mystery, as well as the setting Down Under...." Read more

23 customers mention "Character development"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book.

"...I never suspected the killer or why they did it. I love Abby’s character, how she is changing her life after heartbreak...." Read more

"I truly enjoyed all the quirky characters (a whole village of oddballs who glory in their kookiness!)..." Read more

"...light read without ugliness or disgusting langusge that has interesting characters and situations enough to keep pulling you through the story." Read more

"...The characters are relatable and the hints at backgrounds are enough to leave the reader eager to know more. This is mind candy at its best!" Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting that the situations keep readers engaged throughout the story.

"...was about a woman starting over in a small Alaskan town and was an "easy read" as I seemed to get through the chapters fast! 🙂..." Read more

"...The setting of a small town although not in America still seems very relatable to me being from a small town...." Read more

"...langusge that has interesting characters and situations enough to keep pulling you through the story." Read more

"Sonia Parin is an author to watch. This quick, fun, clean (no bad language, not even innuendos)..." Read more

8 customers mention "Charm"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the charm of the book, with one mentioning the small-town vibe and another noting the eccentric and creative town setting.

"...innuendos..just a good, clean & decent murder mystery with a nice "homey feel" to it.👍🏽😊..." Read more

"...fact that the book flowed smoothly without feeling forced, and the setting...." Read more

"...Aside from that, the characters are lovely and the town is charmingly eccentric - a winning combination!" Read more

"...A quick and satisfying read, thoroughly enjoyable and charming. I am packing up and moving to Eden cause I want to meet all the folks who live there...." Read more

8 customers mention "Flow"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book quick and easy to read, with one customer noting that it flows smoothly without feeling forced.

"...All in all this is a smoothly flowing light read without ugliness or disgusting langusge that has interesting characters and situations enough to..." Read more

"...This was a slow, but steady paced story that had mostly developed questions, and a decent story line...." Read more

"Sonia Parin is an author to watch. This quick, fun, clean (no bad language, not even innuendos) read is a good way to pass a sunny day at poolside..." Read more

"I loved all the characters and the town's acceptance of Abby. A quick and satisfying read, thoroughly enjoyable and charming...." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with one noting it's appropriate for all audiences.

"...You have murder, jealousy, and humor...all could ask for.lokki g forward to reading by this author. Receiv d my book for free." Read more

"...This story brought suspense, humor and adventure into the plot...." Read more

"Great characters, engaging plot, and satisfying ending--plus, nothing offensive! Am looking forward to reading more in this series. Highly recommend." Read more

"...It was a clean, interesting little mystery with some humor thrown in. Better editing job than many kindles." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one review noting it is well fleshed out, and another mentioning it is a good British murder mystery that avoids smut and graphic content.

"...All in all this is a smoothly flowing light read without ugliness or disgusting langusge that has interesting characters and situations enough to..." Read more

"...Nothing graphic or haunting which I appreciated. I like to read for relaxation so don't want something that makes me all uptight...." Read more

"What an excellent story! The characters were very believable and well fleshed out, the plot flowing and easy to follow, and the conclusion surprising..." Read more

"The book has the characters down to perfection.. You have murder, jealousy, and humor...all could ask for.lokki g forward to reading by this..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • happy
    5.0 out of 5 stars news
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Read the story and you love Doyle too. A small town were all keep themselves entertained and loved. A death and a relationship. Where teasing is a sign of helping and being understanding.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A new start
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Abby has had a terrible year and taken a job on a small town weekly free newspaper. In Eden, Australia, a long way from Seattle, Washington. A place to start anew.

    Before she evens meets her new boss, she finds him dead.

    A much loved gentleman who is greatly missed by the residents and Abby gets caught up in finding the murderer .

    Characters are a bit quirky and small town life is a bit strange to Abby, yet she fits in with only a few adjustments. The story moves right along with only one or two throwaway clues but the solution wasn't easy to suss out.
    Helpful
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  • Claudia Houska
    5.0 out of 5 stars read them all
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Read all of the dear abby books you'll not want to put one down until you finish them.
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  • Maria V.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read for a Cozy Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book was about a woman starting over in a small Alaskan town and was an "easy read" as I seemed to get through the chapters fast! 🙂

    Only downside: it was like every other cozy mystery I've read lately that insists on using obscure words when they could just use simple, everyday terms instead!! (..In the beginning, I thought it was going to be different..but a few chapters in..had to break out the dictionary, Google antique furniture items and clothing items too.)😔

    It's a good story and keeps you guessing to the end (which I love..although I try to "solve it" before..lol). No profanity and sexual innuendos..just a good, clean & decent murder mystery with a nice "homey feel" to it.👍🏽😊
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Kim Templeton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Fun Cozy
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a wonderful quick read and beginning to a series. I really enjoyed this mystery, it has several twists and turns along the way. I never suspected the killer or why they did it. I love Abby’s character, how she is changing her life after heartbreak. I also love how she rescued the little dog. Okay, I will admit it I just love the little dog and his personality. He is probably my favorite character although Abby and other characters are very likable. The setting of a small town although not in America still seems very relatable to me being from a small town. I recommend this book to other mystery lovers.

    I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Beckett Shiona
    4.0 out of 5 stars Editing Errors, But Excellent Plot, Characters
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I truly enjoyed all the quirky characters (a whole village of oddballs who glory in their kookiness!) and the "reluctant sleuth" plot of this unusual cozy mystery, as well as the setting Down Under. A number of other reviewers have mentioned editing errors, and those were definitely noticeable--more about that in a moment--but the book was, nevertheless, a lot of fun. The editing errors threw me off a number of times, though, and since I was reading a Kindle edition, I'm uncertain why they haven't been cleaned up with an Update. I would have given the book 5 stars but for these errors. For instance, the word "pore" or "poring", as in, looking through, was misspelled as "pouring" at least twice. At one point, although the poison under discussion throughout the book was cyanide, the main character, asking a question of a suspect, suddenly refers to it as arsenic. On another page, main character Abby is suddenly referred to as Lexie. Huh?! The word "has" is used in a sentence where "have" would have been correct; the pronoun "her" where "his" was intended--these are simply careless errors that should have been caught with good editing. Although they didn't put me off the book, which I truly liked, I hope the author will take her reviews to heart and issue a clean, updated edition of this enjoyable mystery.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • ZM
    5.0 out of 5 stars End of the Lane
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Never a good sign when you show up to meet your new boss having traveled half way around the world. Moving from a city to a small town that shares your business on a fast grape vine. An abandoned dog becomes hers. A detective strikes her fancy. A long list of womenfolk want to be her friend and or enemy depending on their perceptions.
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  • catlover
    4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable and relaxing story.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'm pretty sure I got this book through Bookbub as I seldom purchase new authors. I finally read it last night and I purchased the rest of the series this morning. I really enjoyed it and look forward to continue reading about Abby and Doyle. I like the characters, the fact that the book flowed smoothly without feeling forced, and the setting. Other reviews mention the quirky characters, and they sre, but not obnoxiously so to the point of ridiculous. I did not notice a lot of editing errors, just a couple of blips but nothing to pull me out of the story. All in all this is a smoothly flowing light read without ugliness or disgusting langusge that has interesting characters and situations enough to keep pulling you through the story.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
    Reviewed in Australia on July 3, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I totally love this book. I can't wait to read more stories about Abby, Doyle and their supportive friends as they solve mysteries with flair.
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  • avid reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cozy mystery set in friendly Australia
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Plenty of humour, plenty of fun characters, lively style. Very enjoyable.
    Report
  • SH
    3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat incoherent
    Reviewed in Germany on March 20, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I don't really know what to make of this book. The small town setting is typical of cozy mysteries but Australia is a nice change from the usual settings in the UK or US. Several of the characters seem interesting; not always completely realistic but you just have to have a lot of loveable characters in that sort of book.
    What irritated me a little is the fact that the various scenes often don't hang together. Sometimes the author shifts her focus to a different scene before the previous one has really finished. That's especially annoying at the end, where you more or less have to guess what has happened, and later you learn about it from the dialogue between the protagonists, but it's left out in the actual story.
    I think with better storytelling there would have been more suspense and also more human interest. As it is, it failed to grab my attention. It's a leisurely read where you don't mind getting interrupted.
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  • Raven
    5.0 out of 5 stars End of the Lane
    Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    LOVED this book . . . main character was thoroughly likeable . . . lots of plot twists . . . highly recommend . . . 😊
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  • Sandee L
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good characters in a new environment
    Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Abby moves from the US to Australia to escape a life that had become disappointing and sad. There she encounters a murder, a town full of interesting characters and some very nice looking men. I liked this book. The situations Abby encounters are a little different than I expected but familiar enough that my expectations were met.
    Report

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