Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

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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In the Blink of a Pie review

October 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries by another fave cozy author, Catherine Bruns. She’s got several cozy series and I’ve read something from all of those series. I always really enjoy what she’s written. This series just pulled me in from the beginning and now I’m hoping for more in it after reading this book. Isn’t little Toast the cat adorable on that cover? He sure didn’t know that that point how helpful he’d end up being!

My Goodreads review:

In the Blink of a Pie by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who knew a pie contest could turn into someone getting poisoned who wasn’t even advertised as being a judge? Leila and Heather set out to prove the maple farm was innocent of any responsibility in this as well as catch a wily killer. Little Emma’s side story was so super cute and really adorable when it was resolved.

When Leila came into the crosshairs of a crazed killer once more, the most unlikely (but super cute) little team came to the rescue by summoning the authorities. And what an awesome Thanksgiving Leila and her family had. I absolutely loved the ending of this book and can’t wait for more in the series!

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Murder by the Page review

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Literary Dining Mysteries, a brand new series by a longtime fave cozy author, Daryl Wood Gerber. The characters were interesting and likable. I got a big kick outta Tegan, Allie’s bestie. She could be such a ball of energy and sometimes really cracked me up! It did take me a little bit to warm up to Allie and get into the story more, but once I did, I was off to the races reading.

I gotta say the only thing I didn’t like about this book was its cover, lol. Seriously, Ms. Gerber’s other books have such amazing and vibrantly done covers (meaning they look like what I’ve always felt a cozy mystery should look like), that had I not noticed her name on the cover first, I would’ve passed it right up on NetGalley and missed out on a good story.

Just my opinion here, but I feel there’re entirely too many mysteries out there right now that use similar covers to this and I usually pass those up because they just look boring, so I hope people pick this book on its author merit and knowing they like her first and foremost. Backhanded compliment maybe, but I just know what I enjoy looking at as far as book covers go.

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t too crazy about this book at first since Allie, the main character was just different from most cozy mystery main characters and it took me a while to warm up to her. I did like her wicked sense of humor and how she could cleverly get in the last word with someone. Tegan was an awesome best friend.

While the Pride and Prejudice quotes and storyline were lost on me, I still enjoyed how they kinda incorporated some of the book’s ideas into figuring out the mystery. The ending was really good and I’m looking forward to seeing how Zach and Allie move forward as hopefully more than friends while another awesome partnership starts and takes off.

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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Fondue or Die review

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, a series I’ve really enjoyed since it started. I was happy to see book 6’s slated to publish next April, Bait and Swiss. The link goes to the Amazon page, but it’s not an affiliate link since I’m not an Amazon affiliate. There’s no cover yet but the name sounds cool anyway.

The fifth book dealt with the Dairy Festival and pageant drama, need I say more? LOL. Still, who knew it’d lead to murder, right? If you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll enjoy this latest offering. My personal recommendation is to read from the beginning so relationships make more sense and to avoid any accidental spoilers. I have no idea if there really are any, but that’s one reason I like reading in order.

My Goodreads review:

Fondue or Die by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Willa had her hands full at the annual Dairy Festival with running a booth there as well as trying to figure out who murdered the pageant director. With no shortage of suspect, Willa and Team Cheese definitely had a challenging case. And Willa was really happy to spend it investigating with an unexpected guest member of the sleuths, especially when that town’s police were pointing the finger at Willa’s beloved employee. Plenty of pageant and overall festival drama with an exciting showdown.

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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Blue Christmas Bones review

October 15, 2024October 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the 28th book in the long-running Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I’ve enjoyed seeing how the characters evolved and grew in their various relationships. And there’s always a good time to be had when Sarah, Tinkie, Molly and Cece hit the town! Watch out, Elvis impersonator festival, you’re in for a wild Christmas! I loved how Jitty made several appearances as she’s always known to do and they were all somehow associated with music or show biz. Jitty always cracks me up!

My Goodreads review:

Blue Christmas Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, Sarah Booth and Tinkie were at it again on a girls’ trip with their other pals Millie and Cece. Toss in a bunch of Elvis impersonators at a Christmas festival along with a paid case for Delaney Detective Agency and you’ve got hilarity, suspense and just a very fun Christmas read.

Tinkie absolutely cracks me up when she interrogates someone. There’s the best scene later in the book. When she and Sarah Booth both get the questions flying, I pity the perp lol. It was awesome how all their loved ones were able to join them in Tupelo, then of course everyone from Zinnia ended up at Harold’s for his annual Christmas party which had some interesting entertainment this year.

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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Death at the Dinner Party review

September 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in a new series, Secret Bookcase Mysteries by a favorite cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I’ve read all three so far as ARCs and the stories do build on each other as far as Annie’s backstory and her growing relationships with people (one handsome guy in particular!). Which means I highly recommend reading in order for the most enjoyment possible.

I can’t wait for the next book, A Holiday Homicide which publishes November 30, and it’s already up for pre-order as well as on Goodreads. The link to that book takes you to its Goodreads page for a little sneak peek. From the Goodreads page, you can go to your favorite bookstore and pre-order.

My Goodreads review:

Death at the Dinner Party by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It sounded like a super fun adventure to Annie as far as helping her friend’s girlfriend throw a murder mystery dinner party at her old farmhouse as a fundraiser. But like all good mysteries, there had to be a storm trapping everyone inside and of course a murder. It was a good thing Annie had a criminology background or she probably would’ve fallen apart like her pal Pri almost did. I knew her mentor was gonna be really proud of her once the police made it there.

I’m loving how things have changed for the better between Annie and Liam and I’ll be eager to see things progress. And I just love that sweet Hal! What a great guy who runs the bookshop but he’s more like a grandpa to Annie and Fletcher than a boss. Annie’s really blessed to have such a great work family. The showdown was a little scary, in a human way of course but with a little help and some perseverance, Annie and Pri lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait to read the next book which is Christmas themed!

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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