Death of a Grill Master review

Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries by brother/sister team Lee Hollis aka Holly Simason and Rick Copp. This is sadly the last book in the series which I’d had no clue was ending. I don’t spend much time looking at social media anymore (why do that when you can be reading lol) so if it was announced there, I totally missed it. It’s hard to let go of these amazing characters, but I love the sendoff they got by the authors. Well done, you guys. And I love the fact that sweet little Leroy’s been in every book.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Grill Master (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #19)Death of a Grill Master by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It didn’t take long to figure out this was the last Hayley Powell mystery but it was wrapped up in such an awesome way. There were plenty of leaky eyes moments for sure, and I was so happy to find a few good Sergio-isms included, even a mention of one too. I’m really gonna miss these characters! And Sergio was among the most awesome fictional police chiefs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. And note, this book probably requires a tissue alert in a few places, or maybe that’s just me. 😉

The mystery itself was good as always and Hayley was at her A-game sleuthing. She cracked me up how she was getting info and trying to keep it on the down low when Sgt. Earl passed her the intel, lol. There were lotsa changes going on in Hayley and her friends’ and family’s lives. But the main thing was everyone was happy and where they needed to be. I’d sure love to see a spinoff with Hayley and Bruce as PIs or something crazy like that. I’m already missing them!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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The Ghost and the Dead Librarian review

Tari Hann

This is either the tenth book if you go by Goodreads’ listing or the first in a spin-off subtly changed to A Haunted Book Shop Detective, (from Haunted Bookshop Mysteries)and now that I finished the book, I totally get the change up in series name and can’t wait for more in this series. It’d be nice if Goodreads got that message, lol.

The authors, Cleo Coyle, are the husband/wife team of Alice Alfonsi (they were formerly Alice Kimberly as the author of the first five in the regular Haunted Bookshop) and Marc Cerasini. Cozy mystery fans also know them as the authors behind the long-running (since 2003!) Coffeehouse Mysteries. I still need to catch up on a few in the original Haunted Bookshop series, but hey any time spent reading about Jack Shepard is pretty amazing, so twist my arm, right?

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #CleoCoyle

My Goodreads review:

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery)The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the murder of a woman who seemed to’ve been everyone’s friend in town, Pen and Jack were unofficially on the case again. They visited in person via Pen’s dreams while Jack showed her an old case he’d worked while subtly teaching her things she needed to know about the present day murder.

Pen was a good student because she aced the showdown with the killer—it’s always good to know a ghost who’s got your back during a killer confrontation though. Pen got an amazing opportunity so I’m excited to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.



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Countdown to Christmas Murder review

Tari Hann

This is book #32 in the very long-running Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier. Lucy’s always been a favorite cozy mom character of mine, but she seemed really sad at first in this book, kinda like Charlie Brown about Christmas. So of course she did what Lucy van Pelt told Charlie to do, get involved. It seemed to help and we all know Lucy gets very involved in anything she does, especially when there’s a murder. It was a fun and festive read with a super nice Christmasy ending.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeslieMeier

My Goodreads review:

Countdown to Christmas Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery Book 32)Countdown to Christmas Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book started at 63 days until Christmas and poor old Lucy just wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit at all. She felt burnt out at work, overworked and under-appreciated mainly because she knew her kids wouldn’t make it home for Christmas, or at least most wouldn’t.

Never one to stay gloomy, Lucy put all she had into her job that she may not’ve liked but was good at talking with people and getting her stories. When a beloved town member was murdered, it was ruled suicide, but his family and Lucy weren’t convinced. She teamed up with an old colleague but it took a fifth grader (who made me think of young Sheldon a lot) to figure it all out.

The showdown and search for said fifth grader when he disappeared was pretty exciting. It was great what Lucy did to that nasty perp! Everything ended peacefully, all calm and bright on Christmas Eve despite all the turmoil from before. For all poor Lucy went through in this book, I’d say she was pretty happy with how her Christmas turned out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies, and my opinions are my own.



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The Pumpkin Vice Café

Tari Hann

This is the 23rd installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by a fave cozy author, Ellie Alexander. It’s always a good time in Ashland with Jules and all her family and amazing friends, and this time definitely didn’t disappoint. These books are hilarious, heartwarming and just plain fun, so if you haven’t discovered the Bakeshop Mysteries why not give ’em a try soon?

#NetGalley #St. MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

 

The Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop MysteryThe Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lance always cracks me up and he definitely didn’t disappoint in this book while he and Jules sleuthed out the murder of the woman he’d been about to sign as a replacement wedding planner.

There was no shortage of suspects and it kept me guessing but I had a sneaky feeling about one of those suspects which did turn out to be the killer. Jules nearly faced off with them but she had a little advantage to start with then made sure she got law enforcement there to help. The baby shower and ending were super sweet. I’m eager to see what adventures are ahead for Jules and her family and friends.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.







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‘Tis the Season to Be Scary review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, another Vicki Delany series I absolutely love. And Halloween’s pretty cool in what’s normally a Christmas town. I loved the spooky elements, they were just perfect. 

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

 

 

'Tis the Season to Be Scary (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #9)‘Tis the Season to Be Scary by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At a Halloween gala fundraiser for the hospital, a woman was murdered but police had trouble finding a reason for her murder or worse yet, anyone who wanted her dead. The only one known to’ve had any disagreement with her was Vicky, and Merry knew it wasn’t that. Det. Diane was a fair woman though and she immediately knew Vicky couldn’t’ve done it.

Merry had a close call with Vicky’s mom and figured someone didn’t want her on this case. Once she figured everything out and found herself facing an armed killer, Merry was worried this was really the end. It was cool how help came from a seriously unexpected source. The ending chapter was food, fun and friendship with a good wrap-up for everything. What a great Halloween mystery! Side note: I’m not a fan of this cover at all. The previous ones were so well done, and this just makes it look like it doesn’t even belong to the series. I had to do a double take when I located it on NetGalley. If the previous artist wasn’t available, it would’ve been nice to least have this in their amazing style.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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Killer Donuts review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Deputy Donuts Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, and I’ve enjoyed every one of these amazing stories–along drooling over the goodies described that Emily and crew sell at the donut shop. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and anyone else who reads it will probably say the same thing!

#KensingtonCozies #NetGalley #GingerBolton

My Goodreads review:

Killer Donuts (Deputy Donut Mystery #11)Killer Donuts by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be the most that Emily’s friend Monique had ever been in a mystery. She and her dog Gigi were with Emily and Izzy while they toured different donuts shops on the annual Donut Trail. Unfortunately they were in the vicinity of a murder and hadn’t realized it at the time, so Emily and her friends went into amateur sleuthing mode.

I loved toward the end when the three friends along with two new girls they’d met and Izzy invited to her house had confronted a killer and managed to get help there in time. It was great what Emily had been able to do to that perp, pretty funny actually. The ending was all about food, friends and fellowship as the case had been closed and all were celebrating. The very ending was so darn sweet, and now I can’t wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in the new Cider Falls Orchard Mysteries by Traci Hall who cozy mystery fans know as the author of the Scottish Shire Mysteries or half of the writing team for the Salem B&B Mysteries. I really enjoyed meeting these awesome characters in Cider Falls and definitely look forward to the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #TraciHall

My Goodreads review:

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival (Cider Falls Orchard Mystery #1)Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival by Traci Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed meeting Macki and her big, crazy but amazing family. They teased, they bantered and argued but they all had genuine love for each other. Macki was home from Seattle where she’d lived with a guy who turned out to be a big jerk, and now she was trying to regain her baking confidence.

She definitely never expected to get involved in not one mystery, the murder of a pie contest baker, but a second and even third one concerning her family. Her parents were in a kayaking accident and the family really had to pull together. Macki showed some good leadership as the oldest sibling, and I loved the addition of Logan to the mix as her old friend who’d been a security guard at the condo in Seattle but was now a PI. He was a huge help in pretty much every way.

The murder was resolved and the perp revealed, but the other two mysteries seem like they’ll be unraveled hopefully in the next book. It’s almost certain whodunit as far as those went, but it’ll be fun seeing that perp taken down. It almost seems like there could be one of those dreaded love triangles for Macki. While both guys are nice, I’m definitely Team Logan all the way!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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Danger Looms review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the long-running Yarn Retreat Mysteries by Betty Hechtman, and I definitely hope there’s more to come. I did find that sometimes a book in the series ends on a question like this one did, but I was still a little disappointed in the very ending. I gotta say I agree with the statement made about Casey by someone at the end, so maybe she’ll think about it and act on it. I can’t say more without spoiling, but you’ll know when you read it what I’m talking about. 😉 I’m optimistic that the personal issue Casey’s having works out in the next book, hopefully the way I’m hoping. 

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #BettyHechtman

My Goodreads review:

Danger LoomsDanger Looms by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Casey sure had her hands full at this retreat since another group, a bunch of writers was apparently given the run of the resort and allowed to pop in on her sessions whenever they wanted. She did seem to get the least worst of the resort. When their leader was killed, Casey couldn’t help wanting to sleuth it out and help keep her yarn retreat from being known once more as a place where someone died.

She faced off with the killer and it was pretty cool what she did to get rid of them. I liked who came along as reinforcements too. There was a pretty funny moment when an unlikely person actually turned up in the final night’s entertainment show. After the case was done and settled, I wasn’t too thrilled with the very ending which wasn’t how I wanted to see things go. Casey had a personal dilemma going on, so I was disappointed in that ending. But I’m hopeful it’ll go a good direction in the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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Casting Call 4 Murder-review

Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the long-running Sophie Kimball Mysteries by J.C. Eaton. There’re still a few books in the middle of the series I haven’t read yet, shame on me right? I started getting the ARCs which is how I kinda got behind, oops. But I’ve loved every one of these books I’ve read and especially enjoy the adorable book covers featuring Streetman, Phee’s mom’s cute little troublemaker. He was in rare form in this book as you’ll see when you read it!

Note: The Goodreads author listing is wrong so I’ve included the real link for J.C. Eaton’s author page where you can see Ann Goldfarb with her beloved late husband Jim Clapp who both wrote this series. The page shown with this particular book doesn’t even have all the JC Eaton series listed, so make sure you use the link I’ve got above for the series. Also Goodreads doesn’t show all the books on the series page so I included the link for the Amazon page which does show all 16 books. (Not an affiliate link).

Apparently Jim left enough notes for a few more books after he’d passed, according to what I read in the Facebook group where Ann posts. That was one of the saddest author passings for the cozy mystery world that year.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Casting Call 4 MurderCasting Call 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isn’t that the most adorable book cover with little Streetman holding that fish? There’s a hilarious story behind it too you’ll learn when you read this book. Phee was doing her usual herding of cats, er book club ladies when Harriet and the gang were gifted with a murder mystery weekend. The funniest part was that Harriet, Myrna and Ina were gonna be extras and got to improv their roles—oh boy did they! 🤣

More hilarity happened when Streetman who was being dog-sat by Paul went on an outing with him. Nope I won’t spoil it but it was super funny. Phee of course figured out the killer and faced off with them but held her own until the cavalry arrived. What a fun book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.



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Death on the Books review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth and final installment in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert which I’ve enjoyed since that very first book. Even though I knew it was the last book, it still didn’t make it any easier to have to say goodbye to Amy and her family/friends. Although because of the author’s newest series, Campus Sleuth, it won’t be a total goodbye since it’s set at Clarion College where Richard Muir teaches.

Death on the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #10)Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew this was planned to be the final book, but it was bittersweet saying goodbye to these amazing characters I’d come to think of as old friends whenever a new book came out. I’ll definitely miss that wolfish smile of Kurt’s and the banter between him and Amy. He’s come a long way from the first book, in a really good way too.

I loved the final adventure Amy and Kurt had together—he did a really fabulous job of ridding his house of some perps. Everyone had a nice party at the end which this group always loved to do anyway. I know the author’s newest series is in roughly the same setting with Clarion College so I know we’ll run into our old friends there from time to time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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