Reading this, I start to remember why I used to think McKinlay was one of the better cozy writers today. It's not up to early standards, but it's definitely better than some of her more recent efforts in the 4 series she's written.

I had my concerns at the beginning; the first chapter read like a UK to US language tutorial that stretched on too long. Furthermore – and really, this is why I didn't rate the book higher – if I had to read about Scarlet's stupid vow of one-year of celibacy one more time... First of all, the whole thing is immature; if Scarlet was the strong, intelligent, independent protagonist she's supposed to be, she'd know that an enforced time-limit isn't going to magically cure her poor taste in men. She'd know, if she were the protagonist we deserve, that self-awareness and self-reflection were far more likely to fix her love life and if done right, wouldn't necessarily take as long. If all she's doing is marking days off a calendar, Scarlett is really only likely to shag the first man to cross her path on day 366. Also, if Scarlett reminded us of this childish vow one more time I was going to chuck the book in the blue bin.

Now, having thoroughly slagged the book off, I'll get to the good stuff: great characters; really likeable, relatively three dimensional (Scarlett's immaturity aside) characters that are all friends - no frenemies or nemesis to be found. Great London setting that makes a reader want to chuck it all and open a hat shop in Notting Hill. Finally, one of the better plot lines McKinlay has come up with in a long time. Nothing over the top, nothing (too) outrageous and requiring a suspension of common sense or logic; nothing that qualifies as TSTL. Yes, there's a bit of editorial license with police procedure but hell, at least the police were involved and respected.

McKinlay ends this, or tries to, with a cliffhanger. It's not really a cliffhanger unless you're stuck in adolescence (I'd love to know why the author decided all her books, which were all very good without them, suddenly needed love triangles and cliffhangers). I have the latest book on my Pile and I'm probably just going to dive right in to it next and see what happens. Sadly it will be less because I'm curious, and more so I can check a series off my list as "caught up with" but at least this book was good enough that I am curious. ( )

This was probably my favorite book in the Hat Shop mystery series, the third book in a fantastic series set in London. It follows Scarlett and Viv, two loveable characters that run a hat shop they inherited from their grandmother. Their newest customer, Ariana Jackson, comes in hoping to get her mother's wedding hat restored by Scarlett and Viv, since it was originally done by their grandmother. But when Scarlett goes to ask Ariana about the hat's details, she walks in on Ariana in shock, kneeling beside her boss's freshly fallen body. Scarlet and Viv fight to solve the murder before Ariana's wedding is ruined by a guilty sentence. Readers can enjoy this novel as a stand alone read, but I find the cozy series fantastic, so I recommend reading all three!

Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
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When Ariana Jackson brings in a hat she wants restored for her wedding to Mim’s Whim’s, Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont's hat shop, the two of them jump at the chance to restore it since their late beloved grandmother was the original maker of the hat. Before they can even get started working on the hat, Scarlett signs Ariana hunched over the body of her very dead boss. Many people wanted Anthony Russo dead, including Ariana who is the chief suspect. Vivian and Scarlett think Ariana is innocent and set out to find who is responsible for his death but it won't be easy.

While I have read and enjoyed all three of Jenn McKinlay’s cozy mystery series (The Library Lovers Mysteries, The Cupcake Mysteries, and the London Hat Shop Mysteries) I have always considered the London Hat Shop series to be the lightest and coziest - a bit too light at times perhaps. To my surprise and delight, “At the Drop of a Hat” is a clever mystery, full of twists and turns and a surprise ending. Yes, Scarlett is still fighting her attraction to Harrison to the point where it is becoming annoying (and yes I understand why she is reluctant to enter into another relationship but she comes across as needy at times) - for me that is the weakest part of this book/series. Otherwise there are many things I like about this series: I love the London setting (I got so hungry while reading this book!), I love the hat shop setting, I love the characters (even Scarlett). But it is the mystery and the solution to the mystery that makes this book shine. I can't say too much about it because I'd spoil it but the solution is ingenious. And the surprise at the very end of the book – wow, I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next!

“At the Drop of a Hat” is another nice cozy mystery by Jenn McKinlay. ( )

In this third book in the series, Scarlett and Viv are excited to have the chance to restore a bridal hat that was made by their beloved grandmother, Mim. But when the bride is accused of murdering her boss, the cousins will do anything to prove her innocence.

This series is great fun. Scarlett and Viv are wonderful characters as is their apprentice, Fee. And I can't forget their long suffering friend and partner, Harrison. There's a new guy, Alistair, that I hope will stick around for at least another book. I also like the little glimpses of London and life there that we get. The mystery in this one is pretty good but it's the characters make the story so much fun. Oh, and the hats. Don't forget the hats. ( )

Although I found myself displeased with Scarlett's behavior in the previous book in the Hat Shop series, I am thrilled to report that she didn't raise my blood pressure once while I read At the Drop of a Hat. As a matter of fact, this is the strongest book in the series so far, and I'm definitely looking forward to more.

Scarlett's tied up in knots over the vow of celibacy she took after her last disastrous relationship-- mostly because of the excellent replacement she's found in Harrison Wentworth. Her jealousy is still there, but since Harrison seems very content to wait for the year to be over, Scarlett can keep it under control, and as a result, my enjoyment factor skyrocketed.

From the Pun Wars the characters hold whenever they're together, to the friends like Andre and Nick that Scarlett have made, this series really feels as though it's hit its stride-- and the mystery is a darned good one, too.

As I read the opening of At the Drop of a Hat, I was struck by two things: (1) with the description of the setting being gray, gray, gray, I was reminded of the opening of Charles Dickens' Bleak House and its fog, fog, fog, and (2) that the author was inside my head because just as I thought, "Wait a second, she's in London. Everything would be grey!" here McKinlay is with "Or as the Brits like to spell it, grey."

Yes, this author's books are so much fun to read, and I look forward to finding out what's going on at Mim's Whims next! ( )