Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Hammers and Homicide review

January 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series, Hometown Hardware (sorry, no link for the series is given on GR) by Paula Charles who seems well-acquainted with writing a cozy mystery. I really enjoyed her first book as a new cozy author, at least I haven’t been able to find that her name’s a pen name for someone already established. I loved how this book has a mother/daughter duo working together and can’t wait for the next book.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #PaulaCharles

My Goodreads review:

Hammers and Homicide by Paula Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought it was cool that Dawna could sense her late husband’s presence but it wasn’t in a creepy or scary way. Bob definitely came in handy at one point and Dawna’s special ability (that her daughter kinda sorta embraced as far as her dad was concerned) made for the sweetest scene toward the end and even helped her with a clue in the case.

I love the mother/daughter relationship these two have! Their dynamics are great and the banter was so funny sometimes especially with Dawna being such a klutz but the kind who was easily able to laugh at herself. My kinda people. 🤣

What a crazy showdown this one was! I loved how it played out and hearing Dawna and April’s future plans for the store was pretty exciting. I’m sure Bob heartily approved! Can’t wait for the next book—maybe April and JT can get together.

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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A Bean to Die For review

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Coffee Lovers Mysteries by Tara Lush, and I’ve enjoyed every one since the beginning. It’s been a fun ride with lots of laughs, mystery and intrigue. Somehow I got the feeling the series was ending even though I’ve heard nothing official (or forgot if I did hear), but if this is really the last book, the author wrapped it up nicely.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #TaraLush

My Goodreads review:

A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another exciting and sometimes really funny adventure with Lana, her dad, her bestie Erica and her sweetie, Noah. From the first book, Lana’s dad was my fave character and he’s stayed my fave through this book as well. Once the case was solved and the perp caught, there were some fun changes in store for Lana and her loved ones. I’m pretty sure Stanley pup’s really gonna like one of those changes.

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

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The Sign of Four Spirits review

January 8, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by well-known Canadian cozy author, Vicki Delany who also writes as Eva Gates (The Lighthouse Library Mysteries). I’ve loved every one of this series and always get a kick out of very precise Gemma and her methods of investigation. Was this spooky mystery even gonna rattle stoic Gemma who doesn’t believe in that stuff? You’ll have to read and find out!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

The Sign of Four Spirits by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery absolutely grabbed from the very get-go and wouldn’t let loose! It was hard to put it down at all and I couldn’t read fast enough at some points. I had a feeling I knew whodunit but of course none of the why or other details that Gemma so awesomely managed to figure out again. I just love when she always gives her rundown at the end after the perp’s been caught and some of the comments made by those listening are usually just priceless, lol.

Once I knew who could be trusted, I enjoyed a couple of new characters and as always, Donald Morris is such a hoot! He’s such a sweetie and so willing to always help. It cracked me up he let Bunny get away with calling him a nickname too. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next time!

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

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A Crust to Die For review

January 3, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio, an author who writes about awesome main characters and their pets, usually cats, so I was happy to see a little King Charles Cavalier named Cooper in addition to a gorgeous Siamese named Lily when I started reading this series. I love how those two get along so well. And I’m loving how their human’s apparently found someone she really likes too! Can’t wait to read the next book since the ending gave a slight hint as to what we might expect.

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Crust to Die For by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has had many awesome red herrings and rabbit holes to explore but I did start putting some of the items together right and solved right along with Tiff. I love that she and the detective were in a good place unlike what she’d been afraid of. I felt bad for Hilary’s poor sister being right in the middle of the murder investigation, but only Hilary’s awesome friend would even dream of trying to prove her bestie’s sister innocent.

That was some wild showdown and someone got to prove themselves useful after being thought of as not so useful. Bartell’s a sweetie and always acted grateful for Tiff helping. The ending was really sweet!

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

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Public Anchovy #1 review

December 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley and just as I was leaving the review on Amazon, I noticed a fourth book’s coming in October 2024, yay! This book was just the right level of creepiness that you can expect in an old mansion where the power went out and a storm was raging outside. Not to mention a murder or two…

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery mirrored the noir films Dee’s pal Sonya liked so much and what a better setting too, a spooky old house, a storm—the perfect proverbial “dark and stormy night”. Add in the murders and it was movie-worthy. Oh yeah and various other unsettling things that happened along the way. Pretty sure I would’ve just curled up in a corner and told them to tell me when it was over, lol.

The showdown was pretty awesome and Dee was actually glad her cat ended up there. Who’s a good boy, Butterball? High paw! I really loved the ending and hope there’ll be more books in the series.

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

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2024 NetGalley/Edelweiss Challenge

December 26, 2023December 24, 2024 Tari Hann

NetGalley Edelweiss 2024

UPDATED: December 24, 2024 to show the entire list of ARCs I read in 2024. Thanks to Yvonne for a fun challenge as always.

I’m happy to participate again in Yvonne’s 2024 NetGalley/Edelweiss Challenge as shown on her sign-up page at her Socrates Book Reviews. As of this writing, I’ve still got one more book to finish for this year, and unfortunately I’m gonna fall short of that Diamond goal I had and read in 2022. I apparently just didn’t take as many ARCs this year or there might’ve been some I asked for and didn’t get. Either way, I’ll go for Platinum, or 75 for 2024. That way if I go over, I’ll like that better, lol.

Here’s a list of the book ARCs I finished in 2024:

January—7
1 A Crust to Die For—T.C. LoTempio
2 The Sign of Four Spirits—Vicki Delany
3 A Bean to Die For—Tara Lush
4 Hammers and Homicide—Paula Charles
5 Deadly to the Core—Joyce Tremel
6 Easter Basket Murder—Meier, Hollis and Ross
7 Murder at the Blarney Bash—Darci Hannah

February—13, 20 total
1 A Killer Romance—Maggie Blackburn
2 A Pie to Die For—Gretchen Rue
3 The Last Word—Gerri Lewis
4 Double Grudge Donuts—Ginger Bolton
5 A Catered Quilting Bee—Isis Crawford
6 A Smoking Bun—Ellie Alexander
7 A Suspicious Breed—Jackie Layton
8 Revved Up 4 Murder—J.C. Eaton
9 Five Furry Familiars—Lynn Cahoon
10 Gone with the Witch—Angela M. Sanders
11 Crime and Cherry Pits—Amanda Flower
12 Ill-Fated Fortune—Jennifer J. Chow
13 Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid—Traci Wilton

March—8
1 A Midnight Puzzle—Gigi Pandian
2. Cats, Carats & Killers—TC LoTempio
3. Battered and Buried—Lena Gregory
4. Murder Marks the Page—Karen Rose Smith
5. Death Unfiltered—Emmaline Duncan
6. The Witless Protection Program—Maria DiRico
7. Rhythm and Clues—Olivia Blacke
8. Three Fudges and a Baby—Nancy Coco

April—6—34 total NetGalley to date
1. Murder Most Owl—Sarah Fox
2. Brie Careful What You Wish For—Linda Reilly
3. Patchwork Quilt Murder—Leslie Meier
4. A Twinkle of Trouble—Daryl Wood Gerber
5. Four-Alarm Homicide—Diane Kelly
6. Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone—Sarah Graves

May—7, 41 total NG to date
1. Easier Dead Than Drawn—Bailee Abbott
2. Knot Dead Again—Betty Hechtman
3. Lights, Camera, Bones—Carolyn Haines
4. The Diva Goes Overboard—Krista Davis
5. A Pose Before Dying—Alex Erickson
6. A Limited Edition Murder—Lauren Elliott
7. Murder at the Spelling Bee—Lee Hollis

June—7 48 NG to date
1. The Stranger in the Library—Eva Gates
2. Kill or Bee Killed—Jennie Marts
3. Olive You to Death—Lynn Cahoon
4. The Body in the Bookstore—Ellie Alexander
5. A Murder at the Movies—Ellie Alexander
6. Haunting License—Carol J. Perry
7. A Murder for the Sages—Amy Lillard

July—7 55 NG to date
1. Murder on Devil’s Pond—Ayla Rose
2. Pinned 4 Murder—J.C. Eaton
3. A Very Woodsy Murder—Ellen Byron
4. A Cup of Flour, a Pinch of Death—Valerie Burns
5. Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop—Emmaline Duncan
6. Trouble Is Brewing—Vicki Delany
7. A Poisonous Palate—Lucy Burdette

August—8, 63 to date
1. Booked on Murder—Allison Brook
2 Shock and Paw—Cate Conte
3 Sticks & Scones—Ellie Alexander
4 The Jig Is Up—Lisa Q. Mathews
5 In the Event of Murder—Cynthia Kuhn
6 Quilty As Charged—Maggie Bailey
7 A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor—Darcy Hannah
8 French Quarter Fright Night—Ellen Byron

September—7, 70 to date
1 The Grim Steeper—Gretchen Rue
2 A Slay Ride Together with You—Vicki Delany
3 Silent Nights Are Murder—Libby Klein
4 Shear Terror—Dorothy Howell
5 Six Stunning Sirens—Lynn Cahoon
6 Death of a Gingerbread Man—Lee Hollis
7 Death at the Dinner Party—Ellie Alexander

October—6, 76 to date
1 A Corpse at the Witching Hour—Debra Sennefelder
2 Blue Christmas Bones—Carolyn Haines
3 Fondue or Die—Korina Moss
4 Murder on the Page—Daryl Wood Gerber
5 In the Blink of a Pie—Catherine Bruns
6 The Little Lost Library—Ellery Adams

November—6, 82 to date
1 I’ll be Home for Mischief—Jacqueline Frost
2 A Corpse Among the Carolers—Debra Sennefelder
3 You Feta Watch Out—Linda Reilly
4 The Tell-Tale Homicide—Daphne Silver
5 A Holiday Homicide—Ellie Alexander
6. Madrigals and Mayhem—Elizabeth Penney

December—7 for the month, 90 FOR THE YEAR
1 Murder at the Lemonberry Tea—Darci Hannah
2 The Herringbone Harbor Mystery—Sally Goldenbaum
3 The Witch Is Back—Angela M. Sanders
4 Blame the Beignets—Ginger Bolton
5 Booked for Murder—PJ Nelson
6 Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine—Traci Wilton
7 Irish Soda Bread Murder—Carlene O’Connor, Peggy Ehrhart, Liz Ireland

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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