Book 15, 2026

Break-ins and Bloodshed by Danielle Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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I finished reading Break-Ins and Bloodshed last night. It’s the second book in the “Hearts Grove” series of cozy mysteries by Danielle Collins. The main character is Henrietta Hewitt, who owns H H Antiques.

Henrietta is busy with her store and getting ready for a local festival when her friend, Ralph, asks her to help him investigate a string of recent break-ins. Ralph is a licensed PI, and he values Henrietta’s keen eye for detail. When Henrietta sees a pattern, she goes to check out the neighborhood on her own, but what she finds is a dead body. While the police investigate this new situation, Henrietta and Ralph continue looking into the burglaries. As the clues and evidence come together, Henrietta realizes the culprit may be closer than she thinks.

I enjoyed the story. It was refreshing to read a cozy mystery that involved break-ins moreso than murder. Henrietta is a likable character who makes good use of her own common sense. The plot was quick, although I would have liked to see Henrietta at work and home more. Most of the narrative involved the investigation.

Favorite line: “I got free ice cream out of it, so I think it was worth it.”

Charming—four stars