Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Murder at the Spelling Bee review

May 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Maya and Sandra Mysteries by another favorite cozy author, Lee Hollis, which is the brother/sister team of Holly Simason and Rick Copp. I absolutely love the Hayley Powell series, and this one’s another really fun one that’s best enjoyed starting at the beginning.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Spelling Bee by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be the first time I’ve ever been right in guessing the perp and some reasoning behind it especially in a more complex cozy mystery like this one, lol. It was lotsa fun going down the various rabbit trails and speculating, but I kept my perp in mind most of the time from one point fairly early on. I didn’t guess who wrote the note in Rocco’s locker though.

While this series doesn’t have the laugh out loud hilarious moments that the author’s Hayley Powell series has, I still love how Maya and Sandra, different as they could be had become best friends and now professional sleuthing partners. The scenes in this series are more the cool “gotcha!” moments when they figure out clues and confront killers. Or just have a revelation in a family issue. Can’t wait to see what these two soon-to-be empty nesters come up with for their next adventure!

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

View all my reviews

A Limited Edition Murder review

May 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Beyond the Page Mysteries by Lauren Elliott, and this time Addie’s in England still with her sweet pup Pippi. She’d made a bunch of new friends, and they all enjoyed hanging out together at the local pub. It sounded like a really cool little town! I just love the cover!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #Lauren Elliott

My Goodreads review:

A Limited Edition Murder by Lauren Elliott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve heard of people nursing their wounds for a long time but Addie must’ve held the record for it, lol. She did have a traumatic experience in the previous book, and some people heal differently so it’s totally possible. I guess since she’s just never been a favorite main character of mine and always seemed a little immature or sometimes unfair to others, maybe I don’t cut her enough slack or something. But it seemed like a long time and kinda hiding from reality. I’m glad she took Pippi the pup with her—that sweet dog could cheer anyone up.

But Addie was a fiercely loyal friend as it turned out and as we all know from previous books. I liked her new friends but I really missed Paige, Katherine and Serena. One character Addie always compared to Mrs. Danvers actually became a good ally for her sleuthing toward the end. I was never really sure whodunit so I just kept reading and hoped eventually Addie might decide she needed her people at home. You’ll have to read and see if she stays in England or returns to Greyborne Harbor. 😉

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

View all my reviews

A Pose Before Dying review

May 23, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the brand new Cat Yoga Mysteries (non-affiliate Amazon link there because GR doesn’t have it set up for a series yet) by Alex Erickson, a fellow Ohioan and author of the long-running Bookstore Café Mysteries and the short but fun series, Furever Pets Mysteries. This series starts with some good, strong characters and some adorable kittens as well. Sierra was an awesome bestie who worked at Snoots. And just how fun is the name of their friendly, Cheers-like hangout, Snoot’s Bar and Grill? I love it!

I really enjoyed this book a lot and can’t wait till the next one comes out. How fun to do yoga with virtual cats (real ones I’d just sneeze and get all itchy with even though I love kitties!). And for the record, I’d probably be better with chair yoga due to one bad knee and one fake one, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AlexErickson

My Goodreads review:

A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun new idea for a series! I’d definitely prefer cats in the yoga studio over goats which I’ve read about in other cozies. I enjoyed meeting these new characters and by the end I felt like I was definitely getting acquainted and even had some favorites by then.

Edna and Pavan were apartment neighbors to Ash and made me chuckle at how they were always encouraging Ash’s currently non-existent love life. But Ash loved her yoga studio job a lot along owning a business, so maybe it’s best for her to think about growing her new business. It’d be much easier without a pesky murder she was insanely curious to solve not to mention clear her brother’s name.

There was a character I suspected for most of the book because of some well-placed early clues, but I still enjoyed the rabbit hole experience of considering various suspects/motives. The showdown was pretty cool letting Ash use some of her yoga abilities for defense/protect moves. Actually her loyalty to her siblings was overall awesome anyway, so of course she’d defend one of said siblings. After finding out something at the end of this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next one. And thinking about what’s gonna happen when someone else finds out what was announced then makes me laugh about the possibilities.

View all my reviews

The Diva Goes Overboard review

May 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the 17th book in the long-running Domestic Diva Mysteries by fave cozy mystery writer, Krista Davis. (I love her Wagtail series too!) Sophie and her sorta-friend (maybe frenemy?) Natasha are going strong after all these years. Natasha’s sorta toned it down where Sophie’s concerned since she’s got all kinds of other people to insult LOL! The series is definitely like visiting old friends!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KristaDavis

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great having a visit to Old Town Alexandria with Sophie and her friends again and of course seeing what newest craze Natasha came up with this time for her business. She’s like a pesky relative who doesn’t really mean any harm, but everything she does is always about her lol. Sometimes she’s a real train wreck waiting to happen 😂. I’m not lying, wait’ll you read the scene that has to do with water.

Sophie and her pals had one heckuva of a mystery to solve this time and nothing was adding up…until it did and Sophie was able to figure out what happened. Orson was a smart man to leave her what he did and make that request he made. There was definitely plenty of suspects and a pretty cool twist was discovered toward the end.

The usual explanation session I’ve come to love about this series (along with them brainstorming along the way) was with Sophie and her close friends which always means including Wolf and his update of the case at hand. And Sophie’s always right in her element when she had a party for everyone and gets to take care of their food needs. She might not have actual kids of her own but over these seventeen books she’s definitely taken on a mom role more than once.

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

View all my reviews

Lights, Camera, Bones review

May 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the 27th book in the long-running Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines, and each one gets a little more exciting and funnier since Sarah and her bestie ran a detective agency. Tinkie always cracks me up! She’s an awesome sidekick for Sarah Booth. And Jitty was top of her game this time too, lol.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #CarolynHaines

My Goodreads review:

Lights, Camera, Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wouldja believe there’s a shark loose in the Mississippi? Didn’t think so, but when Sarah Booth’s on a case, I’ve gotten used to expecting the unexpected. I was completely surprised about the overall whodunit even though I’d wondered about that person earlier.

Jitty was at the top of her ghostly game taking on crazy shapes like she always does while giving cryptic clues. To me, her best one was a very cool nod to one of my all-time favorite skits from the 70s on that famous late show from Saturday night. And it was perfect for the theme of the book. 😉

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

View all my reviews

Knot Dead Again review

May 14, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the tenth in the long-running Yarn Retreat Mysteries by Betty Hechtman who also writes the Crochet Mysteries which have also been around quite some time. There’s just something fun about reading about people who enjoy yarn crafts together.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #BettyHechtman

My Goodreads review:

Knot Dead Again by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I was pretty mad at Casey for assuming the worst about her and Dane’s relationship when she saw him with his high school girlfriend. I kept wondering how had it taken her ten books to not tell him how she felt before this, and now she’s jumping to conclusions. But by the time the book was ending, I forgave her for being close-minded and unwilling to talk with Dane. And maybe she realized that a guy who gives your spoiled cat the stinky old fish the cat likes seems like a real keeper to me lol.

That murder mystery had me guessing the entire time, the just when I was sure I knew… let’s just say the author’s a master of manipulation and I do mean that in a really good way. I really have more fun when I guess wrong and go “WOW!” when I read the reveal, which is just what happened with this book. The conclusion to the weekend was amazing and I have to believe that since weather was the reason the weekend was messed up and improvs had to be made, Casey’s fellow guests helped her come to a good decision. I was super happy with the very ending.

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

View all my reviews

Easier Dead Than Drawn review

May 7, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the long-awaited third book (as opposed to book 1 as shown on the big book site) in the Paint by Murder Mysteries which Goodreads now correctly lists as part of the series. Yay for some GR librarian who fixed that! The author’s Bailee Abbott who also writes cozies under the name Kathryn Long. I was really glad to see this series coming back and happy for the author that she’d found it a new publisher home.

#NetGalley #BaileeAbbott

My Goodreads review:

Easier Dead Than Drawn: A Paint by Murder Mystery by Bailee Abbott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The last book which was the second one was published in October of 2022, so I was glad to see the return of this series. This is book three for anyone reading as a standalone, since it’s not listed that way on the two book platforms I use. I’d very much recommend reading the first two books so you can get to know the characters and their stories. I’m happy I’d started the series from the beginning. Now that the series has a new home, I hope there’ll be more books.

Chloe had her hands full after a woman she recommended for a mural painting job was murdered. Not only did she need to clear her own name but now Whisper Cove had another killer loose. I never knew how to take that new detective since he could be hard core one minute and friendly the next. Maybe he was his own one-man good cop/bad cop act.

The showdown was a bit different since the perp wasn’t the one holding the weapon, but all worked out. I’m pretty happy with where Chloe and Hunter are in their relationship and hope that continues so there’ll be more books.

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

View all my reviews

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone review

April 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the super fun Death by Chocolate Mysteries by Sarah Graves. To me, this one was the most excitement Jake and Ellie ever had. The books always start with some type adventure where they escape from being found out by the skin of their teeth. There were just a lot more times in this book, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SarahGraves

My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has got to be Jake and Ellie’s most epic adventure ever! One word: shark. You can use your imagination or better yet, grab this book and read all about it. To me, this is the most exciting installment of this series. I absolutely enjoyed every single minute and couldn’t read fast enough in some places. It just played out like a non-stop adventure, comedy movie that was cozy mystery based. Kinda like Jaws if it was a comedy and not gory, lol.

And knowing it was such a twisting, turning plot with several characters caught in crime, I really appreciated the extensive explanation at the end over my fave thing of food, family, friends and fellowship. I enjoyed the addition of two new characters a lot too. New police chief Lizzie was an absolute hoot! I know she’ll be around for future books, but I hope her boyfriend stays too. They both went above and beyond protecting and serving, so I hope Dylan sticks around as well. Those two kinda complete each other, like Castle and Beckett (if Castle was a cop lol).

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

View all my reviews

A Twinkle of Trouble review

April 23, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Fairy Garden Mysteries (this is a non-affiliate Amazon link because GR doesn’t have the fifth book listed as part of the series) by Daryl Wood Gerber, and like the others before it, it was so much fun! Fiona really got her chance to shine while she mentored her younger sister. It was just too cute, and the mystery was a good one, of course.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was happy that Fiona’s time away was spent off-story because I sure would’ve missed her a lot too, she always cracks me up! I wasn’t sure what to think about her sister at first and wondered if she was planning to get Fiona in trouble with the fairy queen or something. But Eveleen was just being a crazy little younger sister. With so many twists and secrets people had, I was never really sure of whodunit, so I just went along for the ride and let Courtney take the wheel.

That was some wild showdown worthy of a tennis match and was just another reason why I love Fiona’s character so much! Some main characters have dogs or cats that help but who else can say they’ve got a fairy running defense on their side, right? The food, fellowship, fairies and fun party at the end was awesome. It was somewhat bittersweet for Fiona, but as a mentor she knew it’d been coming. Now I’d just love for Brady to finally see the sweet fairy that lives at Hideaway Café, maybe next time!

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

View all my reviews

Four-Alarm Homicide review

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the House-Flipper Mysteries by Diane Kelly which I’ve loved ever since the very first book. This one’s probably my fave so far and I hope there’s many more planned!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

Four-Alarm Homicide by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whitney and Buck had quite the adventure going on with two house flips after they ended up with two places to remodel that were neighboring. They met an assortment of neighbors in the process. I liked Gideon’s character a lot and thought it was pretty cool how he and Joanna had both had major loved one losses and started their friendship around that. I never guessed whodunit and my first choice ended up wrong for sure

The showdown was calm and more of a confession—can’t really say much more without giving away details. The books in this series sometimes span a few months and this one did the same. I absolutely loved the ending!

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

View all my reviews