Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

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!

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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.

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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.

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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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A Midnight Puzzle review

March 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries by Gigi Pandian. I’ve enjoyed this series since its beginning and hope it continues! It’s always so fun to imagine the staircase creations Tempest and her dad’s company come up with. Although I’d much rather explore said staircase creations in broad daylight!

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My Goodreads review:

A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was so much that happened in this book and lots of action that kept me turning the Kindle pages and reading like crazy. What a wild series of twists at the end! That showdown was frenzied and while it had a sad ending to it, the mystery still ended well with a satisfying catching of the perp.

At the very end, is Tempest being asked to solve yet another mystery? I guess we’ll find out in the next book! She’s definitely good at it and it was great to see Blackburn in the picture as a PI now. Don’t miss this book’s release on March 19.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book and my opinions are my own.

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Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid review

February 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Salem B&B Mysteries by Traci Wilton, the writing team of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. I’ve read it from the beginning and fell in love with Charlene’s B&B ghost, the awesome Dr. Jack Strathmore. In the last few books, he’s been a real help to Charlene during cases since he’s learned the internet really well and became an ace at research. I like that he’s not this sad ghost sitting around playing computer games all day, lol. His character’s really grown a lot since Charlene discovered him too. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

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My Goodreads review:

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid by Traci Wilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so emotional in some parts and really bittersweet, but I absolutely enjoyed this installment of the series. I’d never guessed whodunit at all, what a surprise and and real nail biter of a showdown as well as some ingenuity on Charlene’s part. I was so happy about a decision that’d really been weighing on Sam and Charlene as well, but now they’re still in a good place and someone else might just benefit from having done a good job too.

It was sweet that Avery was able to come home for a few days, I’m sure she’s really missing her work there but that girl was so interested in justice that she’ll make a great cop or whatever she decides in that field someday. A fun ending to a crazy case was had with food, fellowship and some real barbecue fun.

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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Ill-Fated Fortune review

February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries by new-to-me author Jennifer J. Chow. From what I’ve read, I really enjoyed the key characters a lot, and I’m ready for more adventures. Kelvin should get a best friend award or something, he’s just an amazing friend to Felicity.

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My Goodreads review:

Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Felicity, her mom and Kelvin and loved the close relationship she had with her mom. Their type of magic added happiness to their baked goods was pretty cool and even though Kelvin wasn’t magical, he was in on the secret. He was such an awesome friend to Felicity and a great sleuthing buddy.

Eventually I started suspecting someone in the murder and was right about it. That was a really unique method for offing the guy though. The showdown was exciting and Felicity was definitely holding her own and using her brains to get out in one piece. Everything turned out pretty nicely for Felicity and her mom’s bakery. I’m eager to see what adventure they get into next.

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

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