Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Patchwork Quilt Murder review

April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the thirtieth book in the very long-running Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier. Can you believe it’s been around since 1993? Miss Tilley has to be at least 110 or more if she was in her 80s when it started, lol. She’s from strong New England stock so it’s not surprising, right?

Some parts of the book were a little bit sad, but I’m not gonna tell why. You’ll have to read that yourself. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the ending almost read like this could be the last book. If anyone’s heard differently, I’d love to know. I know it’s not too unusual for one of these books to span several months.

My Goodreads review:

Patchwork Quilt Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very twisty, winding case with a bizarre outcome, meaning bizarre for happening in a cozy mystery. But with Lucy on the case as a writer, no criminal’s ever gonna get away, especially when she teams up with the police for an epic sting operation. That was my favorite part! I definitely hadn’t guessed who the killer was, but they were definitely getting sent away for a long time. Lucy, you go, girl! The side story about Pam and Ted’s son was heartbreaking in some ways but did have a happy conclusion.

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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Brie Careful What You Wish For review

April 9, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, another series I’ve enjoyed from its beginning and since the last book was back in 2021, I was actually wondering and hoping it’d be back. I think I got my wish as did lots of other cozy mystery fans who’d liked this series. I hope in its new home the series has lots more adventures coming.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

Brie Careful What You Wish For by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see this series picked back up since I’m sure the author’s got more stories to tell about these characters. I was really pleased with the outcome of this book as far as Carly and Ari’s relationship went. As for the murder, I was totally surprised at the reveal and its why of it as well.

Carly’s got an amazing team working for her and now maybe she won’t have to worry so much when it’s time for Grant to head off for culinary school. I can’t wait to read more in the series!

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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Murder Most Owl review

April 2, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first in an awesome new series, Magical Menagerie Mysteries by another cozy fave author, Sarah Fox who cozy fans know from her Pancake House Mysteries and the Literary Pub Mysteries. I really enjoyed these characters and the critters as well and eagerly look forward to the next book!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #SarahFox

My Goodreads review:

Murder Most Owl by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was absolutely so good! I didn’t want it to end and loved how everything even the small side mysteries were nicely wrapped up and explained. I really love the dynamics that developed between Georgie and her new love interest. Olivia was an awesome character too, as I’ve found all the characters I’ve read in this author’s various series.

I loved the idea of the animals having special talents rather than the other way around. It was a fun change from the usual witch and talking familiars. Those dogs were just amazing and so lovable. I do love cats but having the dogs being the magical ones was extra fun. I’m not a fan of birds in general, but Euclid was a pretty awesome owl, and I’d sure never turn down his help in ditching bad people lol. I can’t wait for another book in this series! I sure hope the author and publisher have one or more planned!

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

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Three Fudges and a Baby review

March 26, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy CoCo and I was happy to see that it’s finally leading to what I’ve hoped would happen since the first book, which is gonna be in the next book. This and another cozy series inspired my love of Mackinac Island and a visit there in 2018.

Meanwhile, besties usually get married and have their babies before main characters, so that’s what Jenn was gearing up for in this installment, a baby. And Allie was juggling about a million things including an unexpected visit from her mom and Allie’s old high school boyfriend along with trying to prove Jenn’s doula’s innocence. Never a dull day at the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoco

My Goodreads review:

Three Fudges and a Baby by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to be one of Allie’s craziest cases yet but hey, at least she didn’t end up stuck in a tunnel or a basement far but near, lol. I actually figured out the killer fairly early on and stuck with my guess while still enjoying the red herrings presented. Glad I stuck by my first choice because I was right. I liked the short and effective showdown, and to yay Allie for getting the evidence she needed as well. After twelve books, she’s getting really good at that!

I absolutely love what happened with Allie and Rex! They’ve been through so much in this series and it really came as no surprise. Carol and her senior book club ladies helped out again, but I believe Carol was happy to stay on the researching end instead of the action end! I always love how there’s a preview chapter for the next book included at the end, so of course I always devour that. I can’t wait for the next book now!

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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Rhythm and Clues review

March 26, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Record Shop Mysteries by Olivia Blacke, and I’ve enjoyed this series as well from its beginning. I hope there’ll be more, but somehow got a weird feeling this might be it. I guess time’ll tell on that!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #OliviaBlacke

My Goodreads review:

Rhythm and Clues by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love visiting with Juni and her sisters—Juni cracks me up with her crazy sense of humor. I definitely hadn’t guessed right on the perp, that was a total surprise twist. The lengthy but interesting author note at the end made me sorta believe this could be the last book in the series. While I’d always wish for more books, it seemed to end in a good place for all the key players.

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

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The Witless Protection Program review

March 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Catering Hall Mysteries by Maria DiRico, better known as Ellen Byron to cozy mystery fans. I’ve absolutely loved every book in this series so far. They’re fun, hilarious and sometimes even cause a little eye leakage, mostly the happy kind like you might get when reading this book.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #MariaDiRico #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

The Witless Protection Program by Maria DiRico
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this installment! It was kinda the pulling together of everything and a sorta reunion of some of the past characters Mia had met up with. Something just made me think it’s sounding like it’s the end of the series but I haven’t heard anything official. If it’s the end, everyone went out with a great ending well, maybe not everyone but the key players all seemed happy.

And only Mia Carina could have all this craziness happen before and even at her wedding, lol. Tons of fun, suspense and even more hilarity to be had, so definitely don’t miss out on this book. I totally recommend reading the series from the start to get the complete character experience.

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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Death Unfiltered review

March 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the really fun Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan. I’ve enjoyed this series since the first book and hope there’ll be more to enjoy. It did end with a little question of maybe what we can expect in the next book. The main mystery/murder’s always solved in this series though.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Death Unfiltered by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great catching up with Sage, her family and friends in this new installment. She finally had the actual shop she’d always wanted but one of the shop neighbors was a royal pain. I remembered her all too well from when Sage was set up at the music festival and couldn’t help being glad about what happened with her.

Sage’s had surprises along the line but nothing like the one that came at the showdown. I kinda hope things work out in that regard, then the very ending led to what I hope is gonna be the next book’s partial theme at least. I’m always eager to read the next in this series.

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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Murder Marks the Page review

March 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This first book in a new series was a fun spin-off from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries featuring Daisy’s daughter, Jazzi running a teashop and bookstore, hence the series name Tomes & Tea Mysteries and written by Karen Rose Smith, the author of Daisy’s series. I enjoyed meeting the new characters in this series and hope to eventually get back to Daisy’s series which I haven’t actually finished yet.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

Murder Marks the Page by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I’m not caught up with the Daisy’s Tea Garden series yet, I’ve definitely read enough to be familiar with Jazzi’s mom Daisy and her stepdad and of course, her mom’s talent for sleuthing which seems to’ve rubbed off on her daughter purely by accident, right? Jazzi must’ve paid more attention when her mom was sleuthing because she was an old pro at it except for a few times, and a crazy showdown she definitely hadn’t planned on.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit and that was definitely an exciting showdown as Jazzi took control and lit into the killer. I like these new characters in Jazzi’s life and definitely plan to read the next book. I hope a clear decision comes regarding a guy interest for her though since I’m definitely not a fan of triangles and can easily see how one could start.

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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Battered and Buried review

March 19, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries by Lena Gregory, a fave cozy author. I’ve enjoyed this series since its beginning and was over the moon to see it return. The last book that was out was book 6 in October of 2021, so I was worried it was done. I hope there’ll be more coming!

NOTE: The series link above goes to Amazon but I’m NOT an affiliate so no worries there. This book wasn’t included with the series on GR yet, so I added it so you can see all the books in this series.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LenaGregory

My Goodreads review:

Battered and Buried by Lena Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I suspected whodunit fairly early on and was happy to see that’s how it ended up. It was fun following Gia and Savannah around in their sleuthing like always. I’d really missed this series and thought it’d sure been on hiatus a while—yep since October of 2021, so it was awesome to get another book in it. I hope there’ll be more after this one.
I’ve always loved Cole’s character and he got a huge role in this book but it wasn’t fun for him to be accused of murder. Finally when it was apparent he was probably being framed, Gia and Savannah set out to do what they do best. Annoy and protect those they love, lol! Just kidding, ladies! They’re an unstoppable team but sometimes did need a little assistance from the real deal. And ending with the rest of the explanations followed the arrest along with the food and fellowship I’ve come to love about this series, along with the awesome characters.

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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Cats, Carats and Killers review

March 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio (known for her fun cat-themed cozies), and I’ve enjoyed this series since it started. I’m always happy to see the latest installment and hope there’ll be many more.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Cats, Carats and Killers by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These cats just continue to be awesome little helpers (although sometimes mischievous) when Shell’s working on a case she’s been warned off time and again, lol. A cold case tied in with the new murder and Shell found herself diving right into it. She and Gary did the sleuthing thing so well, probably from years of practice on their spy show, but he was never with her when the super exciting (or dangerous) stuff happened. That place was reserved for one of the cats (Purrday’s my fave though!).

That was some showdown! And a really good twist too although I was really happy with whodunit. I get the feeling that Shell’s mom’s idea for the next fundraiser might just be the subject of the next book. I hope so!

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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