Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Steeped in Malice review

July 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries written by Vicki Delany, one of my personal fave cozy mystery authors. I’ve followed this from the beginning and while book 1 had me wondering if I could ever warm up to Rose, Lily’s grandma even though I did like her a lot right away, by this book, I’m cheering her on and feel like we’re old friends, well as friendly as a person can get with Rose. Bernie always cracks me up, so she, Lily and Rose always make for some good sleuthing adventures.

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My Goodreads review:

Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rose rocks! After someone was killed at her B&B, she did something kinda courageous and very cool to help the police catch the killer. I’ve always loved her character and knew she’d just take a little getting used to since she’d not a huggy-type grandma we usually see in cozy mysteries. But her cool level’s pretty much through the roof, lol. Bernie’s an awesome best friend and I think sometimes she figures she (Bernie) gets along better with Rose than Lily does as Rose’s granddaughter. I really enjoy it when those three go sleuthing! Rose just instinctively knows when the girls are up to something, so it’s never a good idea to actually plan to ditch Rose and works out much better if she goes along, as she proved.

I love how the ending was centered around food and friends while the detectives debriefed everyone and answered questions. I couldn’t stand that ex-boyfriend of Lily’s who had the nerve to think she’d still be interested in him, so it was awesome to see him deflated. And the very ending was pretty cute for Simon and Lily.

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 Shimmer of Red review

July 23, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Odessa Jones Mysteries by Valerie Wilson Wesley, and I’ve really enjoyed it ever since the first book. I think this might be my favorite of the series so far. Everyone needs an awesome friend like Dessa. She’s like a mom to so many even though she and her hubby were never blessed with kids, and Dessa’s about the most faithful friend anyone could know. I love how she’s helped Louella heal and how she even helped her a little more when Louella had made a startling and sudden decision in this book. I’d recommend reading this series in order so you can get to know the characters and see how they’ve grown and developed. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

A Shimmer of Red by Valerie Wilson Wesley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anyone who has Dessa as a friend should consider themselves blessed ten times over. She’s absolutely the best and most faithful friend anyone could want and always wanted to see any possible good in people. I have a feeling Edgar was a little too far gone for that though, since he was just delusional and creepy as well.

What a great reveal at the end and a super tense but really good showdown. A good takeaway is if a loved one wants to add a find a friend app and have you join it, it’s a good idea especially if you have a habit of coming into contact with crazy people and killers. But seriously, I’m really loving this series more with each book and look forward to the next one.

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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Mischief Nights are Murder review

July 21, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the fun and hilarious Poppy McAllister Mysteries by talented cozy author Libby Klein. If you read Libby’s bio on GR, you’ll see she suffers from the same gluten issues as her main character, Poppy, so you know these recipes are gonna be authentic and actually delish. This book itself was probably the funniest book to me so far. Halloween brings sooo many great hilarity opps and I believe most of those were probably used in one way or another, lol. Join Poppy and her pals by picking up this latest and festive Halloween installment when it releases next week!

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My Goodreads review:

Mischief Nights are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when I didn’t think this series could get any funnier it proved me wrong…again. I snickered in tons of places, but actually laughed out loud a lot too. I mean, who else but Poppy could get herself involved in a showdown that’s actually funny, right? A well-placed clue somewhere around maybe halfway or before made me start suspecting someone and I ended up being right.

From the Biddies’ and Ginny’s crazy shenanigans to little ‘jobs’ Amber got Poppy involved in so she could spy for her on the various ghost tours, it was at least a laugh a page or two in some places. The description of what was going on along with the funny dialogue always are my fave things to read. That scene with Gia’s momma was priceless! I could pick out so many more but why not just read it and laugh for yourself! It’s available soon, Tuesday July 25, 2023. Oh and don’t forget to read the epilogue ’cause it’s gonna have you going “I neeeeeed the next book!” And the recipes sound pretty delish as well.

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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All That Glitters Isn’t Old review

July 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Whit & Whiskers Mysteries by Gabby Allen who also writes the Tallie Graver Mysteries as Misty Simon. I’ve read and enjoyed this series from the beginning and decided Whit’s island seems like a nice place to visit. I wouldn’t mind riding a golf cart around it to see the sights but when the first dead body might drop, I’d be outta there, lol. I’m sure the real place isn’t quite like Whit’s world. 😉 Enjoy this installment when it drops next Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

All That Glitters Isn’t Old by Gabby Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

That Goldy just cracks me up! Whit was up and running as soon as the book started as far as riding herd on her outspoken grandma who’d feed me to the fishes if she heard me refer to her as a grandma lol. Pops, Whit’s grandpa’s probably my fave character. He sure loves his Goldy and despite some disagreements they had during the course of the book, all was well in their world again.

I don’t know that I ever liked Darren’s character mainly because I felt I couldn’t trust him, which was just how Whit felt too. But I definitely didn’t like Elsie since she wouldn’t leave poor Darren alone and be what he really was, not what she wanted him to be. The showdown was really cool and backup was there just when it was needed. Whit was getting a nice surprise from all this as well. This book releases next week on July 25, 2023.

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 Fatal Groove review

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the fun newer series, Record Shop Mysteries by Olivia Blacke. I enjoyed the first one a lot and this one didn’t disappoint either. The characters are quirky, crazy (the fun kind) and I love that even though Juni and her sisters could fight like cats and dogs, at the end of the day, they’re each other’s best friends. Don’t miss this installment when it releases July 25, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Groove by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Juni continued to crack me up as I thought about her compared to other main characters around her age. But Juni wasn’t really annoying because her personality was so over the top fun. She even makes a usually loathsome love triangle not such a big deal. Not saying I changed how I don’t like love triangles and the fact I’m still Team Beau lol. Teddy’s adorable but he seems more like a brother type friend. These sisters are all so different but when push came to shove, they had each other. Even though Juni’s definitely young enough to be my daughter, she’s the one I’d choose of the sisters as the most fun to hang out with.

I had someone in mind for the whodunit but was completely wrong about it. I loved how Juni just blurted out what she was thinking about whodunit, and since there were tons of people around, there wasn’t any danger from the killer. I loved how her mom stood up for her too. Bea’s always hit me as either complaining about Juni not doing something or having a guy yet, so I was happy to see she can be a momma bear when she wants.

Even the bank robbery mystery got some closure after the killer was caught and waiting for trial. I thought it was pretty cool that the bank robbery date mentioned just happened to be the exact day my parents got married, except not in Texas. I noticed the next book’s coming out in March and I know I’ll be reading it too. This book releases next Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

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

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Take the Honey and Run review

July 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the new Bee Keeping Mysteries by Jennie Marts and I had such a good time laughing at the various antics. And sheriff cutie Sawyer who I think Bailey’s still crushing on ever since high school was incredibly patient with Bailey and Evie when they sleuthed and got in his way.

Unrealistic? Sure it is, this is fiction, lol. And it makes for so much better reading than having the sleuth and sheriff always at each other’s throats at least. I’d much rather have these guys getting along than Sawyer threatening to toss the girls in jail every other page. I think he secretly liked them helping but officially couldn’t say so, haha! Evie got the clearance from her grandma to sleuth and be away from their shop because I know Rosa was just as curious as the girls were (if not more) to find out what was going on with the various suspects. I honestly didn’t see the whodunit coming (until it was obvious) and was surprised at who it was. This releases this coming Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this was just so good and so funny in places. I was giggling while picturing Evie and Bailey out on their sleuthing missions, especially the one Sawyer referred to as a Lucy and Ethel scheme. And yep, they were basically a modern-day Lucy and Ethel but either one would probably take a bullet for the other. You couldn’t ask for better friends!

Granny and the Hive book club ladies cracked me up! She and her sisters were something else and it was pretty funny to see them gross out Evie and Bailey when they told about their romance lives.

I never knew whodunit until the reveal. The showdown was the quiet and non-dangerous type which after what Bailey had been through, she needed non-dangerous. Lots of secrets were held by tons of people so I wonder if we’ll ever hear anything more in a future book…like maybe who Daisy’s father was? Lots and lots of recipes at the end that didn’t look terribly complicated. Granny’s cakes sounded amazing.

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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Every Dog Has His Day review

July 1, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Gone to the Dogs cozy mystery/sweet romance series, and this installment’s by Janice Thompson who’s taken turns with Kathleen Y’Barbo writing every other one. I gotta say this one’s my fave so far, and yes I’ll admit it’s mostly because the dog star in it’s none other than a mini red rascally dachshund. Ginger’s very much like my own Mia who you see on the blog’s logo, so I had an extra good time reading it. But there was really so much going on that was awesome, that’s another reason it’s a fave.

If you’ve enjoyed the others, you’ll definitely love this. I’ll say each book could be enjoyed alone, but for the most enjoyment, I recommend reading in order so you get to know the characters and their relationships along with how they grow and change. It’s cool how each book so far was written from a different character’s first person viewpoint. In book 5, it was Lone Star Clinic groomer, Isabel Fuentes.

Book 6 for the series is coming October 1, 2023 and it’ll be by Kathleen Y’Barbo.

My Goodreads review:

Every Dog Has His Day by Janice Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was just so darn cute. Of course it had me with the adorable dachshund on the cover and in the story. Ginger was such a stinker but what a cutie! I love the humor, family moment and the close friendship the clinic employees have. They might work together, but they choose to hang out on their own time whether it’s helping Mari move her stuff from her cottage to her and Parker’s new house or working together at the animal shelter.

I had a feeling of whodunit as far as the possible dog theft went, and that ending was just the absolute sweetest ever! For a few sad tears (just a few I promise) and lots of happy tears, don’t miss this installment of the series, my personal fave so far.

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Death Steals the Spotlight review

June 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is actually the third book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries –but you won’t see this book on that page because it wasn’t correctly set up. The author’s T.C. LoTempio of the Nick and Nora and Cat Rescue Mysteries, Nick and Nora being the longer-running series. I’m linking to her original author page which shows her and her sweet cat. (I’ve got no clue why someone made another author page for her for this book, but I could probably have a GR librarian friend look into it.) I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and was happy to learn it’s getting a fourth book!

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My Goodreads review:

Death Steals the Spotlight by T C Lotempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shell’s mom was trying to save the local play by using her connections and getting in a director and some cast members to replace some locals who’d quit. When the director was murdered, Shell and Gary started sleuthing again. While I do like her with Josh for a boyfriend, I love the sleuthing chemistry Shell and Gary have. Kinda like Castle and Beckett!

Meanwhile, Purrday was in love with a gorgeous Maine Coon he’d found and Shell rescued from a tangled vine. I felt sorry for poor Kahlua who was probably wondering why her brother was acting so loony. And she didn’t seem fond of the houseguest who’s probably gonna be a fixture from now, lol.

The showdown was really exciting but as always Shell used her brain as well as her awesome cats once more showing Gary and Josh where to find her and the perp. She had things under control by the time they arrived, but it’s cool how the kitties always know where to find their mom! I’m pretty sure I saw in the author’s newsletter that there’s definitely a book 4 coming!

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

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Fatal Fudge Swirl review

June 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen who most cozy mystery readers also know is Shari Randall who wrote the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I really love the key characters in this series. The sisters who work at the ice cream shop, Flo and Gerri, always crack me up with how different they are from each other. Riley’s got some good people working with her and bestie Caroline comes home for the weekends from Boston. Penniman sounds like a fun place and if you get the author’s newsletter you get little tidbits about what she’s writing and areas in Connecticut she’s based it on.

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My Goodreads review:

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who wouldn’t love to visit Penniman at Halloween? It sounded pretty awesome with all the decorations and cool pumpkin carvings. Riley had her hands full with having to wrangle Sprinkles, the very-much-not-an-angel cat onto a film set because she was wanted for filming. Too hilarious how the cat from you know where took a liking to the lead actor but sure didn’t like the main actress, lol. And she had to keep up that America’s sweetheart image too, now that was pretty funny! Good ole Sprinkles can always produce a laugh from somewhere! But she couldn’t prevent murder.

The ending had a search going on for a young girl who might’ve witnessed the murder or heard something, so luckily she was found and the perp was named. Lots of family and friends time was enjoyed in the book as well. I thought Riley’s dad and stepmom were just too cute how they ran that bookstore together and now were part of the movie being made. Nice nod to one of everyone’s favorite cute romance/mystery channels too! The book releases on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 and I hope you’ll find like I did it’s nice little escape.

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

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A Murder of Aspic Proportions review

June 23, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Sunflower Café Mysteries by Amy Lillard who also wrote the fairly recent cozy mystery Main Street Book Club Mysteries. These are the only two series of hers that I’m familiar with, but I’m interested in reading her Amish Mysteries as well. I’d really enjoyed the book club series and its characters, and I’m finding this series lotsa fun too as I’m getting more familiar with the various characters. Sissy’s little dog Rocky cracks me up! He’s tiny (Bethel also cracks me up calling him a rat dog but I can tell she means it fondly) but like all small dogs, he seems to believe he’s a giant and needs to live up to his name lol.

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My Goodreads review:

A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sissy had a super unlikely sleuthing buddy in this case where her Amish cousin had confessed to a murder everyone knew she didn’t commit. She and Aunt Bethel set out to find the real killer knowing there’s no way Emma did this. Bethel surprised me by initiating trips to either visit Emma in jail or talking to possible suspects. And that little stinker Bethel’s secretly a fan of Agent Gibbs, who knew? I’m betting there’s lots of secrets we don’t know about this mysterious little woman who I’m pretty sure Sissy wishes was a teeny bit more loving.

The showdown was almost funny in parts, you’ll see when you read it. Sissy had a side story going on concerning a new hot guy in town, but I’m pretty sure nothing’s gonna come of that. She’s not even sure if she thinks of Gavin in that way. At least he’s a good friend to her which is what she needed still being fairly new to the town. I think it’s pretty cool though how Sissy found all these people she’s related to and really took to them and enjoyed their get-togethers. I’m definitely hoping another book comes out! It’s available Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

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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