I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An interior designer is forced to use her skills to solve a murder in author A.L. Jensen’s “Hygge and Homicide: A Hygge House Cozy Mystery.” 

The Synopsis

She came home for a fresh start. She found a body instead.

After a divorce, an empty nest, and a life that no longer fit, interior designer Minna Halonen returns to the lakeside town she grew up in — ready to trade city stress for flickering candles, pine forests, and the quiet rhythm of Nordic living.

Taking over her mother’s beloved home décor shop and transforming a rundown lakeside property into Hygge House — a cozy retreat for workshops and gatherings — Minna is finally building something that feels like hers.

Then a body turns up on her doorstep. On opening morning.

With whispers spreading through Lakewood’s tight-knit community and her dream business under suspicion, Minna has no choice but to put her designer’s eye for detail to a very different use. Because someone in this charming little town isn’t as cozy as they appear.

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs, and anyone who loves a mystery wrapped in hygge warmth.

The Hygge House Mystery Series — where Scandinavian comfort meets small-town secrets.

The Review

This was the perfect cozy mystery read. The author did a wonderful job of leaning into and exploring Scandinavian culture, three of these characters, and the setting. The balance, the Author found in humor, heartfelt and emotional storytelling, and shocking murder mystery made this an astonishing first entry in a new series.

The heart of the narrative, of course, was in the character development, which is always essential for a good cozy mystery series. There is always a bit of fun and whimsy when readers get to see a protagonist in a specific field use their skills in a murder investigation. It is one of the reasons why I loved the show Castle for so many years. Minna is a very relatable, fun, and emotionally engaging character, not only driving the novel’s premise forward at a steady pace but also keeping the reader invested as the author builds this world around the protagonist.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, mysterious, and cozy, yet enthralling, Author A.L. Jensen’s “Hygge and Homicide” is a must-read cozy mystery novel, and a great entry in a new series. The twists and turns the story takes, the relatable and engaging cast of characters, and the inviting nature of this world the author has created made this a memorable early read of 2026. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

A. L. Jensen is a Finnish Canadian author and certified book coach. An empty nester, she lives with her husband Michael on a serene lake in the small town of Naughton in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. When she’s not writing and sipping chai lattes at her local coffeeshop, you’ll find her reading in her gazebo, or walking nearby trails with her mini Golden Doodle Emmy, while dreaming of her next travel adventure. She is inspired by her Finnish heritage and the northern landscape she calls home.

Fun fact: A. L. Jensen, Liisa Kovala’s pen name for her cozy mystery series, is derived from her first name, Anna Liisa and her husband’s last name, Jensen.

The three books in the Hygge House Nordic Cozy Mystery series will be released in 2026!

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