Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Coconut Drop Dead review

December 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries by Olivia Matthews of the Sister Lou and Peach Coast Mysteries. I’ve only read her Peach Coast but I really believe I like this series a lot better, even though all the characters she writes about are fun and likable. Granny’s my fave in this Spice Isle series though. She cracks me up and I know she’d be someone I’d get along with great! I really hope this series continues beyond the third book.

#NetGalley #St.Martin/Minotaur #Olivia Matthews

My Goodreads review:

Coconut Drop Dead by Olivia Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a case and I’m sure Lyndsay and her family were thrilled not to be suspects this time, but she was still up for some sleuthing. I love the camaraderie of this fun-sounding section of Brooklyn and how Lyndsay’s family was ready and willing to help out even if someone was a stranger.

Dev’s little side story turned out well and that was one exciting showdown. Did Lyndsay use her kickboxing skills in this killer showdown? You’ll have to read and see! I hope there’ll be more in the series!

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

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Irish Mocha Murder review

December 22, 2023 Tari Hann

In another fun little anthology, three fave cozy mystery writers have their St. Paddy’s Day offerings for their series. The first, Irish Milkshake Murder is #2.5 in the Home to Ireland series by Carlene O’Connor; the second, Murder Most Irish is #9.5 in the Knit and Nibble Mysteries by Peggy Ehrhart, and last but definitely not least is Mrs. Claus and the Luckless Leprechaun, #4.5 in the Mrs. Claus Mysteries by Liz Ireland. These were all really good and even though it’s Christmastime right now, it was still a super fun book.

My Goodreads review:

Irish Milkshake Murder by Carlene O’Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cool trio of St. Patrick’s Day themed mysteries from three fun series. I liked how the Irish milkshake theme was incorporated into each one, but a little different in each one. In the Christmastown offering that was third, Wobbler the reindeer was cracking me up! But he turned out not to be as big of a coward as he claimed. Now we know how elves and Santa’s people spend St. Paddy’s day! Along with two other fave cozy series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of his book, and my opinions are my own.

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Deep Fried Death review

December 22, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in this long-running Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day otherwise known as Edith Maxwell. I’ve enjoyed it from the beginning and feel like Robbie, her hubby Abe and all the cast of regulars are old friends. It’s like going home again to a family reunion complete with awesome food.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay

My Goodreads review:

Deep Fried Death by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All my fave characters made an appearance in this book and Buck was on fire with his usual funny Buckisms, lol. I really enjoy his character! It was pretty cool that he, Wanda and state detective Octavia were in this book, and we finally got to meet Buck’s wife who was super nice (wouldn’t’ve expected any less) as well as another law enforcement officer who turned out being actually friendly after Robbie was worried the woman had suspected her.

Who knew it’d take being a mommy soon that’d make Robbie back off from her dangerous adventures she usually had during an investigation. I was super proud of her during the finale and loved that outcome. She’s got some of the best people on her team and they came up with just the perfect reward for the case being over.

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

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Death by Demo review

December 5, 2023 Tari Hann

This was the fun first book in the new Home Renovation Mysteries by Callie Carpenter, a new cozy mystery author, at least from what I’ve researched. Since her GR page sorta lacks info, the link for her name’s the Crooked Lane short bio. The GR page might lack info, but the book sure doesn’t want for fun, humor and plenty of excitement. I’m really eager now to read the next book!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #CallieCarpenter

My Goodreads review:

Death by Demo by Callie Carpenter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jaime definitely redeemed herself when she started being nice to and feeding the resident cat she kept meeting at the house renovation site. I loved how she and Lara were like sisters and could talk through anything that came along even though Lara’s head was all spreadsheets and finance and Jaime was tools and construction. Jaime seemed like she’d gotten the raw end of a divorce but she was determined to make it work and be a success.

That showdown and what followed was pretty exciting, and I was really proud of Jaime how she got the upper hand on the perp…and what she could’ve done to them. The very ending was just awesome and the perfect solution for Jaime’s new life. And there was someone else I’d been rooting for to get to know her better too, and I believe that might just happen. Can’t wait for the next book!

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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Murder in a Cup review

November 29, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mysteries by Lauren Elliott who’s become another fave cozy author of mine. I really enjoyed the first book and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. The only thing I’d change is getting Shay and Liam together, lol, like now. But I trust this author to do what she knows is gonna work, so hopefully Gran’s wish might come true someday for those two. From the way this book ended (no worries, all main mysteries were taken care of) with its continuing thread and a new one introduced, I absolutely can’t wait for the next book! Oh and the introduction of Liam’s Gran to the series was just the best! I LOVE her character! You’ll see what I mean when you read it.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh this was so good and had so many awesome twists and possibilities. I absolutely adore Gran’s character, what a great addition to an already stellar cast. I was so happy that Shay finally and someone who could explain things to her about her abilities and actually had memories of Shay’s family.

The author cleverly created a loathable character in Tassi’s father who was trying to get custody of her. I wanted to send that guy to the moon, one way lol. But all worked out well for the sweet teen. I’d partially figured out whodunit as clues started coming together and wow, that was one heck of a showdown! I loved how Shay’s dog Spirit rushed in and helped save the day too.

There was a fun, family type ending and a continuing thread was brought back in so I’m eager to see how that plays out. And a new business to thr then showed up…was this gonna cause Shay any harm? Guess we’ll just have to be patient and wait on the next 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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A Twisted Skein review

November 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventeenth tale of four amazing friends whose love of knitting brought them together many years ago and they found they love sleuthing together as well. This long-running series is The Seaside Knitters Society Mysteries and it’s written by Sally Goldenbaum. I’m nowhere near being caught up in the series and when I saw I could read it as an ARC from NetGalley, I kinda just jumped in there but I’ve been collecting the series over the years. Everyone should have a set of friends like the knitters in this series!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SallyGoldenbaum

My Goodreads review:

A Twisted Skein by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another amazing visit to Sea Harbor and the Seaside Knitters who’re all like old friends to me by now. I felt so terrible for poor Jillian when her close friend from the high school where she was working was murdered. Her sister Rose seemed to act pretty weird about things, like she had a secret. Would Rose have killed Jillian’s good friend just to keep him away from her twin?

As always, the knitters put their brains together and came up with additional evidence for the police and the perp was taken care of. I sure hadn’t guessed that person at all! The near-ending was the food and fellowship as everyone learned the details from their detective friend. Then a project Izzy had been super nervous over was a smashing success.

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

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Murder on Tour review

November 27, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Mystery Bookshop Mysteries by V.M. Burns aka Valerie Burns, and I’ve read it from the beginning. It didn’t take but that first book to make me love these characters so much that I couldn’t wait to go back for another visit. Aside from the main characters, I think my fave of Nana Jo’s friends has to be that rascally Irma, she’s such a hoot! And I always get a kick outta when Ruby Mae comes up with yet another relative, lol. I already can’t wait to see what everyone gets into in the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

Murder on Tour by V.M. Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love getting together with Nana Jo and her pals from the retirement village when they all get together to help Sam solve a murder. It never gets old to read Irma almost saying something she shouldn’t and the group going “Irma!” I love every one of those ladies’ characters and I know Sam feels blessed to have her grandma and her awesome friends as her sleuthing buddies. Everyone’s banter keeps me chuckling off and on throughout the book and Sam’s private thoughts and commentaries are usually pretty hilarious too!

I was never really sure whodunit until the final reveal. Hints were given but there was a good little twist and just as I was sure someone did it, they either died or were proven not guilty. I loved the authors references to a couple old TV shows and also thought Sam’s publicist’s name was a pretty clever mashup homage. 😉

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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Trotting into Trouble review

November 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Horse Rescue Mysteries by Amber Camp, who’s an RN herself and definitely knows the subject she’s writing about which is horses and other animals as well as being a nurse to humans. I’ve really enjoyed these two books in the series and hope there’ll be more. A word of advice: unless you don’t plan to read book 1, you’ll be fine jumping in with this book. But if you planned on reading book 1, please read it first or you’ll find spoilers within this book.

Can’t wait for another book in the series because now I’m feeling like these characters are old friends as are the critters like Biscuit the donkey. I just love Tanner, the farm hand who’s like a son to Mallory. Mallory’s dad’s pretty special too and I wish he’d just agree to move in at the rescue.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #AmberCamp

My Goodreads review:

Trotting into Trouble by Amber Camp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this installment and the characters started to feel like old friends. I just love Mal’s dad and it’d be awesome if he ever agreed to stay there with her.

I do think I should point out that if anyone hasn’t read the first book, and you want all the details, read it first if you don’t want spoilers because this book does name the killer from the first book quite a few times. This could work as a standalone if you had no intention of reading the first book though. Just a friendly tip there.

I sure hadn’t suspected whodunit until it became obvious, and wow what an exciting showdown running from a crazed killer! But Mal came out not unscathed but as Grady pointed out, she was at least alive. I really hope there’ll be more books in the series since the ending to this book was so sweet!

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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Murder Checks Out review

November 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert, and I’ve followed it from the very beginning. I saw on the author’s website that there’ll be one more book coming in Spring 2025. I’d love to see the series get renewed for more books, but I can’t remember if 9 truly is supposed to be the last book.

As far as anyone who might not be caught up or read any of this series, reading from book one’s the best way to go since you’ll get to follow Amy and Richard’s relationship as it progressed. If you’ve read all the books up to here, no you didn’t miss any. It’s written this way on purpose, and with that I’ll let you explore the book on your own now! But it’s no big secret it does start five years after book 7 left off. I personally loved that about it.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #VictoriaGilbert

My Goodreads review:

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow this was another exciting adventure for Amy and her family/friends. I thought it was such a cool idea to time-jump five years ahead to when Amy’s kids were in kindergarten basically skipping the years where you wouldn’t have much of a story anyway when the twins were babies and smaller. Now they were little kids and sometimes more like five going on fifteen as they followed in Richard’s dancing footsteps by being part of the modern dance Nutcracker he and Karla were presenting.

Every Grinch there ever was has had a change of heart, and it was no different for Amy’s mother-in-law, Fiona. She actually turned out to be a really nice person and since I don’t wanna spill the reason why she’s so nice now, you’ll just have to read that part for yourself! She truly loved the little kids though which was pretty awesome in itself. I’d never have thought of Fiona from the earlier books wanting anything to do with grandkids until they were over the messy stage.

That was some showdown! And since Amy and Fiona had sleuthed together, they were in on this showdown together too. And they handled it like troopers until reinforcements came. Christmas at the Muir house was noisy, fun and amazing! I saw on the author’s website that the next Books’s scheduled for spring 2025 and was happy to remember this series still gets book 9. I’d sure miss that wolfish rascal Kurt! 😉

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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Spoon to Be Dead review

November 5, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third and final installment in the very enjoyable Shake Shop series by Dana Mentink. I was a little sad it was coming to an end, but you can definitely tell by the ending that it’s wrapping up, so it shouldn’t be a shocker. And the author’s little message afterward was super sweet. I thought she did an amazing job of giving everyone a good ending, including Noodles the Lab and Scooter the parrot Trinidad adopted.

#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #DanaMentink

My Goodreads review:

Spoon to be Dead by Dana Mentink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was definitely the adventure to end all since it did officially end this series of three books. There’s a really nice note from the author at the end of the book. Even if it wasn’t the last, I believe it’d still be my favorite. Secrets came out, but new friends were made as were apologies and new chances were given to those who might be needing them.

The showdown was really something and if you love dogs and how they can be heroes, you’ll have happy leaky eyeballs for a little bit while reading about sweet Noodles and his heroic act—and the cuddles he got afterward too. I really enjoyed this series a lot and while it’s bittersweet for it to end, it ended in the best possible way with some characters making amends where they were needed as well as some characters enjoying their happily ever after.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book provided by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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