Tari Hann

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea review

December 3, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by cozy author Darci Hannah, another series I’ve enjoyed since it started. Lindsey’s really grown and changed a lot for the better and she’s in a good relationship with Rory, now if we could just get her pal Kennedy on board with deciding if she’s gonna stay with Tuck or not, that’d be a major accomplishment, lol. Things were actually looking positive though, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next time we tune into the Beacon Bakeshop.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DarciHannah

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what pandemonium came to the Beacon in the form of Kennedy’s family and a filming crew for a segment with Lindsey and a famous pastry chef. When there was a murder that looked a lot like Lindsey did it (if Sgt. Scary Stacy didn’t know better), Lindsey wasn’t taking this and insisted on being involved. Kennedy’s grandma was just so cute, but I wasn’t much of a fan of her mom. But her sister was a hoot when she started acting like a cowboy, lol.

The showdown and what followed was pretty exciting but once the perp was put away, Lindsey knew she was one step closer to everyone leaving the Beacon and getting her Rory back. He cracked me up with his reason for temporarily going to stay with his uncle, lol. As always, everyone put their collective efforts into the case and celebrated with food, fellowship and family afterward. Definitely a summer to remember, maybe not all in a good way though.

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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Madrigals and Mayhem review

November 30, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries by Elizabeth Penney. I’ve enjoyed this series from its start and actually I like anything I’ve read by this author. She’s just got a really nice way with her characters and situations that keep me coming back for more in this series. Christmas in Cambridge with Molly and the crew was pretty cool and magical picturing how the town looked decked out in Christmas decorations. I can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #St.Martin/Minotaur #Elizabeth Penney

My Goodreads review:

Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked new business owner Charlotte’s character a lot. She seemed to blend right in with Molly and Daisy as far as being friends went. Molly set out to prove Charlotte’s grandfather might’ve not had a natural death and one thing she did was join a local play, with Kieran of course, so she could be closer to what she believed was the source of some trouble. What happened during the play was absolutely hilarious at one point!

Once everything was solved and a super satisfying outcome occurred, Molly and her loved ones could celebrate an amazing Christmas together. With the two people having special announcements in this story, I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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A Holiday Homicide review

November 27, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the new-this-year series Secret Bookcase Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander. It’s quickly become one of my favorite cozy series but I gotta admit at the beginning I didn’t like Annie a whole lot. She’s grown so much since that first book and discovered that yeah, it’s okay to rely on other people and let your friends have your back sometimes, so I like her a lot now and have a new respect for her. I didn’t like the conflict early on with Annie and Liam, but it’s gotten a whole lot better and I love where they’re at in their new relationship.

I enjoy how the author has a continuing mystery going on and feeds us just enough about it each time but doesn’t have this horrible cliffhanger going on. There’s just enough there to entice us back for the next book after wrapping up the mystery at hand then dealing with the cold case. But hey, Ms. Ellie had me at the series title of Secret Bookcase! 😉

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Annie and her friends had another exciting case to investigate after another murder took place in her beloved bookstore workplace. Hal and Fletcher continue to be the most amazing boss and coworker anyone could ever wanna work with. And that Pri’s the best bestie a girl could ever imagine having. She always has Annie’s back. Dr. Caldwell was such an awesome mentor and we finally get to find out what Annie’s decision’s gonna be as far as working with her former criminology professor.

Last but most definitely not least, I absolutely love how Liam and Annie’s relationship did a complete turnaround for the better. I never like conflict with a couple and now they’re super cute and solid. He surprised even Annie with how she could influence his reading choices now when she actually got him interested in mysteries.

The main case was solved and Annie’s cold case concerning her old friend was getting a little bit warmer so I’m eager to see what happens next. Can’t wait to read the next installment!

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

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You Feta Watch Out review

November 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly which I’ve read since the beginning and was really glad it’s been able to continue. Christmas in Balsam Dell, Vermont sounded so awesome and picture-perfect, but Carly was out to nab a wily killer so her friend Gina wouldn’t be blamed. Yup, Carly always gets who she’s going after, with help of course from her friends and mostly her sorta pal, Det. Fred Holloway. Another amazing and mystery-filled Christmas read!

My Goodreads review:

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christmas season wouldn’t be same if Carly didn’t get involved trying to solve a murder, but when her friend Gina was a main suspect, she wasn’t about to let her be accused. I got a kick outta Don and how he was always on the trail of information for Carly. Who would’ve known she’d babysat the little twerp when he was a kid lol.

I was completely wrong about whodunit and enjoyed the lower-key showdown and how Carly handled it. She’s definitely learned a thing or two in all the cases she’s helped with. I loved the friends’ Christmas party at the end, everything a great Christmas needs was right in one room.

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

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A Corpse Among the Carolers review

November 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Food Blogger Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder and I’ve enjoyed it from the beginning. Hope’s a likable character and she’s got the best sidekick in her bestie Drew. Ethan’s incredibly patient with all her sleuthing but he always worries about her. Maybe if she got a Doberman to take with her, he’d worry less lol. Anyway, this was a fun and festive book full of the mysteries we love along with food, fellowship and family. The ending was especially good! Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hope always has a way of getting herself into danger when she’s investigating a case. It seems she and the detective at least came to an understanding and this time he wasn’t quite so harsh.
I’d guessed the killer but definitely not the plot twist regarding said killer. The showdown was exciting and let’s just say it’s a good thing Drew’s got such a sweet tooth. The ending was amazing with all Hope’s family and friends gathered for a super memorable Christmas Eve dinner.

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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I’ll Be Home for Mischief review

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost better known to cozy mystery fans as Julie Anne Lindsey (also Bree Baker). I’ve loved this series from the first time I laid eyes on the very first book and it’s never disappointed. It’s really best enjoyed in order so you can see the character and relationship developments better. I hope this series continues!

My Goodreads review:

I’ll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always a special treat to visit with Holly, Evan, her parents and all their friend and loved ones in Mistletoe, Maine every year. The folks in the town sound like an awesome bunch, well aside from an occasional killer popping up. Holly always had lots on her plate this time of year but she always had time to investigate when murder came to town.

The showdown with the killer was possibly the most danger Holly ever found herself in and it seemed like it’d take a Christmas miracle to get outta this one alive. But no worries, Holly lived to investigate another day and enjoy Christmas with the ones she loves most. There were some fun announcements at the end and good changes coming for some of those loved ones. Can’t wait till the next book comes around next year!

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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A New Lease on Death review

October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new paranormal cozy by Olivia Blacke whose Record Shop series I’ve enjoyed. The new series is called Supernatural Mysteries and I look forward to lots more adventures with Ruby and Cordelia. Those two crack me up and make for one of the best ghost/human friendships I’ve read about so far. Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this was so much fun! A ghost woman who died at around forty years old and a human girl of twenty couldn’t’ve been more unlikely friends let alone sleuthing buddies, but Ruby and Cordelia made it work.

I loved these two characters and really got a kick outta Cordelia and some of her comments she made even though she knew Ruby couldn’t hear her. I enjoyed how the chapters took turns being first person told by one of the two main characters. It was easy to keep track of who was telling since the chapters were labeled either Ruby or Cordelia.

I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book because of how this one ended. No worries though, the current murder was wrapped up nice and neat but there’s always been a question in my mind and Ruby addressed that. We’ll have to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Gingerbread Danger review

October 28, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in another favorite cozy mystery series, Amish Candy Shop Mysteries by well-known cozy author, Amanda Flower. I’m hoping for a book 10 and can’t quite remember if I read that she’s currently working on it or what. I get tons of author newsletters so yeah, it’s a little hard to keep the info sorted sometimes, lol. Jethro the adorable spotted pig was at his mischievous best, actually he hit the ground running on the mischief factor as soon the book started. Fun, festive and full of surprises!

My Goodreads review:

Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

That little pig Jethro was once again the star of the show as he started off the book having gotten into something already, lol. He just cracks me up but by now, I’m pretty sure Bailey loves that little stinker as much as she loves her rabbit, Puff. He was definitely a little stinker at the end but it caused a perp to get caught so in a way, Jethro was a hero.

It was so cool that Bailey was finally realizing her dream of the candy factory coming true, but with a murder to solve it kinda took a back seat at times. That showdown and what followed was a real comedy of errors but the killer was caught and the solution to the robberies was found too. Can’t wait for the next book which I hope is gonna have a wedding in it with a certain pig as ring bearer! 😉

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Sleep in Heavenly Pizza review

October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the super fun Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley which I’ve read and enjoyed from the beginning. The characters really changed and developed quite a bit, for good of course and I’ve enjoyed spending time time in Geneva Bay, WI with them. If you read this book while hungry, you might just start craving pizza, just sayin’.

My Goodreads review:

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow Auntie Biz sure went through a nice transformation during the Christmas season. She was actually nice lol and didn’t even complain about Butterball the cat. There were so many secrets and little side stories but they all sorta contributed or were related to the main murder case.

In a surprising reveal of some of those secrets, a satisfying showdown followed. Now Delilah and her team could gather in their favorite thing to do: feed people and be with those they loved on Christmas Day which was an awesome gathering of family, friends and of course, great food.

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

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The Little Lost Library review

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in The Secret, Book & Scone Society series by Ellery Adams, and I’ve enjoyed it from the very start. I honestly recommend reading this series in order to get the full appreciation for the growth and development of all the characters and friends in the storyline. It’s so awesome to see how each of these amazing women has changed (in good ways!) from how she was at the beginning of the series, particularly Nora, the main character.

My Goodreads review:

The Little Lost Library by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was lots of great intrigue and a little creepy factor in there too when Nora hunted through an old house belonging to a book client who’d been murdered. She’s a lot braver than I’d be especially because of the flesh and blood ghosts that might be hanging around there. Past the middle of the book was a great twist I sure hadn’t seen coming!

A little danger was there too, but Nora’s not one to back down from a challenge or what she believes to be the right thing. Which is probably why all her friends and Grant McCabe are so crazy about her. Nora does still need to work on accepting help and even charity without guilt, but first things always are first and I think she’s getting there. I love how Nora and her friends take care of the people in the community. She’s sure come a long way since that first 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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