Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Cup of Flour, a Pinch of Death review

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Baker Street Mysteries by a favorite cozy mystery author Valerie Burns, aka V.M. Burns when she’s writing the Mystery Bookshop Mysteries. I always love her characters and this series was definitely not an exception. It was awesome to read her comment on Facebook recently that she was working on book 4 of this series, yay!

I just love that big ol’ Mastiff dog, Baby! I never would’ve pegged book 1 Maddy as someone who’d grow to love a 250-lb. slobbery dog, but the two are pretty darn inseparable.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing conclusion for what was actually a story arc of related events. Maddy was finally gonna get closure on her beloved aunt’s death but not before the fight of her life. Not to mention her nemesis and ex coming to town. The book started out with a super funny scene and just kept getting better and better.

Maddy’s grown so much in these three books and I was so proud of the stuff she did in this book. Her dad the Admiral was in town too and I never thought we’d ever get to see the more human side of him, but I’ve got a new admiration for his character. And I know he approved of Maddy’s choice of a boyfriend this time, you could just tell.

That was one of the best showdowns I’ve ever read about and all I can say is that perp deserved everything anyone did to them in self-defense. In some ways, I wasn’t surprised at who it was. I’m super eager now to read book 4 that I saw on social was in the works.

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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A Very Woodsy Murder review

July 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by cozy mystery author Ellen Byron, and like her other series, it’s sure to be a hit. Having worked in TV before and actually having written comedy shows according to her bio, Ms. Byron sure had lots to pull from to create an awesome character like Dee Stern. I can’t wait for the next book! Stoney the bear absolutely cracked me up. He’s smarter than he looks 😉

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EllenByron

My Goodreads review

A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a fun start for this new series! There were so many funny moments but some heartwarming ones as well. I got the biggest kick from good old Stoney the bear and how he was named. Stoney got the last word in too, lol and you’ll see what that was when you read this.

The showdown was good but quick and effective. It was great how Dee came up with whodunit and planned her killer confrontation ahead with law enforcement at least. And what a great ending!

I didn’t think too much of Serena’s character at first but I immediately loved Elmira’s character. Although both ladies proved to be amazing friends when everything was wrapped up. Oh and I can’t forget Dee’s dad—just imagining his funny voices he liked to do cracked me up! It’ll be interesting to see what adventure Dee and Jeff get into 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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Pinned 4 Murder review

July 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries by husband and wife team Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp who write as J.C. Eaton and from what I’ve read, this couple lives in Sun City West and borrows ideas from the people there and their pets. Their own sweet chiweenie Streetboy crossed over Rainbow Bridge last year, but I’m betting he lives in on in all the antics of that adorable Streetman, Harriet’s chiweenie. What a sweet little clown!

For some odd reason, someone added another J.C. Eaton page to GR, but their actual bio page is what I linked above, trust me I’ve read a lot of their books and it’s the one I always use. I need to get a GR friend who’s a librarian there to fix this issue. And book 13 needs to be with the other books on the series page as well.

#NetGalley #Beyondthe Page #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Pinned 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, I always have the best time reading books in this series and laughing my head off at different parts. The parts which usually involve Streetman getting loose and terrorizing a village, the dog park, someone’s house…or a bowling alley. That little rascal, oh now I sound like Harriet lol. Yep, what you see on the adorable cover really happened!

The main mystery sure seemed complicated and there was a side mystery that showcased a character we didn’t usually see much, Gloria Wong, friend of the book club. Well we usually heard more about Thor her Great Dane. Poor thing was going through a cyber scam she refused to believe was real. For this and other tense but fun and hilarious moments, don’t miss this installment in the Sophie Kimball series!

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

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A Murder for the Sages review

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Sunflower Cafe Mysteries by Amy Lillard and it’s tons of fun. That little Yorkie that Sissy, the main character has is just a character himself. He’s named Duke and believes he’s a Great Dane or something that’s usually named Duke, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AmyLillard

My Goodreads review:

A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This mystery seemed very slow-going but it could’ve been that it was just building toward a really good ending that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’d never suspected the person who ended up as the killer, and honestly I couldn’t really come up with anyone as the perp. The showdown was a little tense but didn’t drag on forever which was good. I also love it when dogs or cats are the heroes of the day or to paraphrase Sissy “better than Lassie even.”

The ending was super sweet and pretty much what I’ve waited these three books to see. I haven’t heard anything about whether there’s gonna be a book four but I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to it.

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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Haunting License review

June 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third in the super fun Haunted Haven Mysteries set in Florida by Carol J. Perry who also writes the long-running Witch City Mysteries. By the third book, or sometimes even second I start really feeling like characters are old friends (even the resident ghosts), and these guys didn’t disappoint. I was happy to read in the author’s email newsletter that there’ll definitely be a book 4 and it was recently turned in at the publisher for edits. Yay!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #CarolJPerry

My Goodreads review:

Haunting License by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a pretty exciting case and I loved that Maureen actually had a sidekick to sleuth with. She and Kim got along so well, I was pulling for Kim to stay in the area and work, but you’ll have to read it and see. Those inn ghosts are too awesome especially Lorna since she’s the one who talks, a lot lol, and hangs out in Maureen’s apartment. Ghost Billy sometimes on piano always played something that went right along with what was going on, pretty cool.

Lots of successes happened for the inn with this third book. I just love Trent and Pierre’s characters! Their energy is off the charts and they’re just so much fun to read about while working their design and carpentry magic. It wasn’t really a surprise as to whodunit, it was the thrill of the chase in this book and more how the perp was caught. I can’t wait for Book 4 which I know for sure is on its way eventually.

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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A Murder at the Movies review

June 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it releases the same day as the first book, June 19, 2026. Hope book three comes soon! I’m really getting to be friends with these characters.

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d love to visit this bookstore if it was real! It sounds like the coolest bookstore ever and yeah, I’d probably be heading for the replica office of Jessica Fletcher that was one of the rooms. This was another amazing mystery which I never really committed a guess on. I loved how Liam was slowly changing in a good way and becoming someone Annie could be interested in. Will Pri finally get to say “I told you so”? Annie and Liam made an awfully good sleuthing team!

The main mystery was all wrapped up nicely at the end, but another thread of the Scarlet murder mystery continued at the very end. Now I’m really hoping that third book comes out soon! It was awesome for the first two books to be published on the same day. I’m finding myself wishing the third one had as well.

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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The Body in the Bookstore review

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called A Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I absolutely loved this and can’t wait for everyone else to be able to read it when it comes out next week on the 19th. The second book in the series also releases that day, so I’ll be reviewing it soon.

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isn’t Secret Bookcase just the coolest name for a mystery bookshop? Just like this author’s other cozy mysteries, this one pulled me in with some awesome characters and wouldn’t let go as the mystery unfolded and suspects pretty much lined the walls. Pri made such an amazing bestie for Annie who’d lost her college bestie eight years ago and had driven herself crazy since the case went cold, so I have a feeling that’ll be the side mystery thread that’s ongoing for however long.

But the main murder was all solved and wrapped up nicely at the end. I loved how Annie and Pri made a good sleuthing team. We met a character that I absolutely couldn’t stand in the beginning but toward the end maybe there’s a heart underneath all that snark. It’ll be interesting to find out. Luckily I’ve got the second book as an ARC to start now since both books release the same day.

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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Olive You to Death review

June 6, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth in the long-running Tourist Trap Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon. She’s another author where you just can’t go wrong with anything she’s written. I love it all!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun visit to South Cove and a murder plus a side mystery were keeping Jill’s plates spinning as she worked to finalize her MBA along with other various things going on in her life. When Josh first came to South Cove, I remember not liking him too well at all. I still can’t really say he’s even at the bottom of my fave characters, lol, but he’s definitely come a long way from back then. He seemed like such a curmudgeon that I always thought he was lots older.

Aunt Jackie had good news, or bad if you looked at it from Jill’s standpoint, but like everything else, it all came together. Jill had the most unlikely showdown partner but they got the best of the perp and Jill lived to sleuth another day. Or watch her two friends get married. It’ll be interesting to see what the next book deals with. Will it be yet another one before Jill and Greg get married? Or is it gonna be closer to the wedding and a big old mystery comes up Jill just has to solve before getting married? I guess we’ll find out eventually!

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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Kill or Bee Killed review

June 5, 2024June 5, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Bee Keeping Mysteries by Jennie Marts, and I absolutely loved it! I sure can’t wait for the next book! There’re just so many great characters, and funny ones too like the great-aunts, lol. Daisy’s one of the best kid characters I’ve ever met in a cozy, and I was proud of her wisdom at times. I can’t say enough good things about the ending either!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #JennieMarts

My Goodreads review:

Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, if you love a good book hangover, this is the book that can provide it! It’s got funny moments, tense moments, sweet romantic moments, well it’s got all those moments I love in the mysteries I read. I couldn’t’ve hoped for a better ending! And the very ending was something I never saw coming. Now I really can’t wait for the next book!

I really enjoy all these key characters! Those great-aunts and Granny crack me up and how hilarious and fun when the two aunties decided to enter the festival pageant. Evie’s probably one of the best besties a girl could ever have, and Daisy’s just about the best kid anyone could want. Bailey’s lucky to have both these ladies in her life, and her handsome Sawyer! I love how Evie and Griff kinda got together. She’s been so good for him because he’s really different (in a good way) from before. Wishing the next book could come sooner than a year from now!

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

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The Stranger in the Library review

June 4, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, a pen name for beloved cozy author, Vicki Delany who writes the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Tea by the Sea Mysteries and Year-Round Christmas Mysteries. You just can’t go wrong with anything this talented lady writes!

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My Goodreads review:

The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I’m not an art fan at all and the talk of it and history are slightly boring to me, I still enjoyed the mystery behind this book and seeing Lucy in action sleuthing again. I never would’ve thought I’d actually kinda like Louise Jane’s character, ever, but now even though she’s still snarky and everything, she’s a fixture I’d miss, lol. She’s always good for a laugh whether she meant to be funny or not 😉 Will good old LJ really find the love she’s been hoping for with someone from this book? Or…maybe she loves the lighthouse apartment too much to really fall for someone. I guess only time’ll tell on that!

Lucy and Louise Jane were together during the showdown and what led up to it as well as what followed. They did honestly work well together sleuthing and of course, LJ’s always got a trick or two up her sleeve. I’m eager to see what happens in the next book—will it be about what Louise Jane found out she’ll be doing soon?

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

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