Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Case of the Bleus-review

September 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, and I’ve enjoyed this series from its beginning. I hope there’ll be more books since this book left a few things hanging that I’d hope to see eventually cleared up. But no worries, all murder-y things are explained and figured out. I enjoyed figuring out some riddles and little things along the way as well as eventually whodunit. That Baz always cracks me up! He’s so hilarious sometimes but boy did his usual hilarity come in handy at the showdown! He’s such an awesome bestie for Willa, but I’m sure they’d each like to find their happily ever after in someone else.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #Korina Moss

My Goodreads review:

Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a long and winding path to finally figure out the secret, but it was great! Max was a true prankster right up to the end. What a stinker—sounds like someone I’d probably like lol! I’d figured out little things along the way a little before Willa did along with whodunit, although I didn’t have those details right at all.

I liked the side story about Archie and Hope—he’s such an awesome boyfriend and it sure didn’t seem like she appreciated him. And I wish it’d ended on a better note for Willa and Heath, but maybe he’ll come around as long as more books are on the way. I loved what Baz did at the showdown! I just love his character who’s been one of my favorite characters since the first book. He just cracks me up all the time, sorta reminds of Deeks from NCIS: LA. I hope there’ll be more books coming!

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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Having a Fudgy Christmas Time review

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 Tari Hann

Since this is technically a novella, I’m calling it #11.5 of the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy CoCo, another fave cozy mystery author, and this book comes out next Tuesday, September 26, 2023. I loved how it’s from Carol Tunisian’s viewpoint which kinda seemed to be the fun switch the author’s always taken in her Christmas-themed books.

Anyone who’s read from the beginning, knows Carol as Mrs. Tunisian who always saw Allie with Mal and usually about the time when Mal sniffed out a body. Carol’s definitely come a long way from those times and much to Rex’s dismay, Allie’s taught Carol and the seniors on the island (aka Carol’s “book club” and yep, you say it with quotes ’cause that’s basically what it is lol) all she knows about amateur sleuthing, so let the sleuthing begin by picking up this novella when it comes out.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoco

My Goodreads review:

Having a Fudgy Christmas Time by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve really enjoyed how Carol’s character evolved over the last couple books and how really involved she was with the previous mystery, so I loved reading this novella from her viewpoint. The seniors made a great sleuthing team after one of their own was murdered at the senior center not that long before the Christmas Ball was supposed to happen.

Allie made a great mentor for Carol as Carol consulted with her a couple times. Carol really used her head when her own house was broken into, and I was glad to read the satisfying explanation that eventually came. It was a relief to know certain parties weren’t involved. And who knew Carol and her hubby were such an adorable couple? Can’t wait for 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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Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas review

September 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by one of my fave cozy authors, Vicki Delany. But as fans know, the series was let go from its former publisher, so according to what the acknowledgement page in the book says, it was those same fans who were instrumental in getting this series to make a comeback in the last three years, this time with Crooked Lane. I hope it’s headed for a nice long ride just like the author’s other series, The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy, what a bunch of drama kings and queens in the Rudolph Players group as they got ready for their annul Christmas play, a musical version of A Christmas Carol.! I wouldn’t’ve blamed a couple of the long-timers if they’d made good on their threats to quit because that new artistic director was something else. Merry’s dad’s always been my fave character and he proved that point once again at the end.

I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed Merry’s character—she’s a strong personality and doesn’t take anything from anyone including family. And it’d take a Christmas miracle to change mean old Margie in the store next to Merry, lol. 😉. I’d definitely not guessed whodunit and enjoyed the crazy showdown and arrest that followed.

I was so happy to see this series return! I know it was pretty sad when the author had said it ended but as the acknowledgement page said, it was due largely to reader support and requests that it made a welcome return. I love hearing stories like that!

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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Death by a Thousand Sips review

August 31, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Witches’ Brew Mysteries by Gretchen Rue. I really enjoyed the first one and was definitely not disappointed in this second book. Things were looking up for Phoebe, even the town meanie was being nice to her (later in the book), but first you gotta have the murder case. She had her old friend Rich to work on it with since this time she wasn’t suspecting him of murder, lol. I’m happy to see those two were getting closer together, ’cause hey, Bob the cat approves of Rich. And that’s saying a lot! This book releases September 5, 2023.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GretchenRue

My Goodreads review:

Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, this was an awesome second book and I loved that Phoebe and Rich were getting close again. Phoebe’s employees are so awesome and I just love Amy and Honey, her neighboring shop friends. Honey’s really special since she can give Phoebe witchy advice no one else can.

There was one thing in the story that made me suspect something but it went away from my brain and resurfaced later. I had absolutely no idea of whodunit and that was some exciting showdown too! Thanks to Phoebe’s quick thinking, she didn’t have to end up as fish food or worse. The side story of opening a cate adoption center was starting to be a reality and Phoebe was really hoping she could talk their favorite older customer into adopting a nice cat from the shelter. Bob the cat as usual played a great part from when he sniffed out the dead body to when he inspired cat adoption. Ginger cats are pawsome! Don’t miss this book when it releases on September 5, 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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Seams Deadly review

August 30, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Measure Twice Sewing Mysteries by Maggie Bailey and it seems promising. I was definitely interested in someone who liked to sew, although admittedly I don’t enjoy sewing people clothes or altering…anything. (Guess I need one of those tees Lydia mentioned that says “Yes I sew, no I won’t hem your pants” haha!) My sewing models are vinyl and eighteen inches tall that never complain or grow, lol.

But it’s fun to have a main character who’s immersed in sewing for something wearable and who’s got like-minded friends. If it hadn’t been for the murder that took recently place, Lydia’s class would’ve been more fun I’m sure! But at the end, I loved how her friends showed her how much they cared for her. And of course everyone needs a harmless, creepy but happy neighbor who I couldn’t help thinking of as Howard from Big Bang, with Sheldon’s obsession of model trains.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane

My Goodreads review:

Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series definitely has lots of potential and I liked the key players aka Lydia’s new friends in town and Fran, of course, her good friend who’d taken her in. But someone in town appeared to have it in for Lydia after framing her for two murders, so like any good cozy sleuth, she knew it was gonna be up to her to get her name cleared for good. Fran was really an awesome friend, not super warm or anything which definitely isn’t a Southern trait, lol. But later when I found out why she’d been uptight, I figured she deserved a break. Cynde was actually my fave of Lydia’s new friends. She had every reason to be a little bitter, but she was warm and welcoming.

I was never sure whodunit until the reveal which was super tense and I kept wondering how Lydia was gonna get out from under this mess. But never underestimate a rescue cat named Baby Lobster because she was definitely named that for a good reason! Once her name was cleared and Lydia got a little time away, she was back and ready to go. Toward the end was my fave way to wrap up a cozy with food, friends and fellowship when the crew as Lydia called her friends gathered at the donut shop to show Lydia that they honestly did care about her even if she felt she wasn’t too loved. And she got to take care of any loose threads of the case or questions they had. I really liked what happened at the very end and now I’m eager to read the next book. This book releases September 5, 2023.

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 at a Cape Bookstore review

August 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day, author of the Country Store Mysteries as well under this writing name and also known as Edith Maxwell. I’ve read this series from the beginning and liked how it has a different job for a main character and a really different pet in Belle the African gray parrot. I’m not a fan of birds in real life, but fiction ones especially ones with Belle’s crazy and fun personality I can handle just fine. I love the Cape Cod setting and hope to go there someday.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay

Murder at a Cape Bookstore by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mac’s sure come a very long way from how she was in the first book. It looks like she’s learned not to obsess too much when she can’t have complete order or at least to accept help from people. Good old Belle the parrot’s still spouting off phrases she learns from conversations and continued to entertain the book club when they met at Mac’s house. I just love Grandma Reba, she’s such an awesome character and we got to meet a friend of hers who learned that anyone truly can get a bike from Mac’s Bikes and be comfortable riding it. That was a cool little side story.

Norland was the secondary character who was in the spotlight this time since he did some research on an old case he thought might have something to do with the current murder of their Chamber of Commerce director—an he’d been minding the shop when the director was killed in the bookstore. The guy had tons of secrets as did lots of other people but there’s usually only one killer, and Mac wasn’t stopping until she found her perp…or as it turned out, they found her. But Mac’s pretty darn kick butt when she needs to be and got the situation under control. I think she had some extra motivation knowing this perp was also after her pal Norland.

Food, friends and fellowship followed once everyone was okay again giving the kind of ending that’s just so fun with everyone hanging out and wrapping up the case. In light of Mac’s future plans and what she noticed about frenemy police officer Victoria, the next book should be pretty interesting!

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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Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman review

August 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Traci Wilton, a pen name for authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. I’ve been reading it from the beginning and loved it ever since. Jack’s one of the absolute best ghost characters and one of my cozy faves. He’s sure learned a lot in seven books since he’s super proficient at online research. You can just tell the poor guy wishes he could still practice as a doctor and help people, just from how he was so interested in a couple of the characters’ conditions. Now if Avery could just see or hear him, to me that’d be perfect. She’s no stranger to ghosts since her boyfriend Seth’s mom says they have a little girl ghost at their house, so I know the personal side of Avery would be open. Although the future police officer side maybe not so much.

Can’t wait for the next in series that comes out in February, Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid. Amazon’s got it listed as book 3, but someone needs to correct that to book 8. It’s actually correctly listed on Goodreads though and you can see details for it by going to the series link above.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay

My Goodreads review:

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

This definitely would make a great Halloween read even though it takes place in June. It was cool how a couple of the guest characters’ lives seemed to take on characteristics of the wolfman kinda mirroring the movie that’d been shown at the newly reopened theater.

Avery’s come such a long way in the short two years she’s been working for Charlene and I know going to college is gonna be hard for both of them. Luckily she’s going in state. Avery’s boyfriend was too cute and they made an adorable couple. I really like Seth’s mom, Dani, and I feel she and Charlene are gonna be close friends.

There was a great twist toward the end that I never saw coming! What a showdown full of excitement and some sadness too. I can’t wait to see how things are going for our fave characters when the book 8 comes out in February. (It’s mistakenly listed as book 3 on Amazon.)

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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Halloween Cupcake Murder review

August 23, 2023 Tari Hann

In this year’s annual Halloween mystery anthology, Kensington’s put together some more of their authors, and they just happened to be ones I’ve not read lately, so it was extra fun for me to catch up in these series. Being a series order nerd, I just had to number each story, so here goes:

Halloween Cupcake Murder-Carlene O’Connor, #2.5 Home to Ireland Mysteries-even though Goodreads is showing this as Irish Village #9.5, I beg to differ because it’s from her newer series, Home to Ireland. Tara Meehan’s the main character here and her boyfriend’s Danny. Tara moved there from New York City, so I’d be calling this one #2.5 in Home to Ireland Mysteries. But oddly enough, in the listing for the upcoming March anthology, this author’s book’s being called #2.5 there. Looks like I’ll need to grab a librarian friend at Goodreads to fix this.

Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper-Liz Ireland, #3.5 Mrs. Claus Mysteries-this was a super fun Halloween visit to Christmastown. See how the Christmas folks celebrate Halloween, something they didn’t know about until April came there. Cute and funny at times!

A Triple Layer Halloween Murder-Carol J. Perry, #12.5 Witch City Mysteries-this one kept me reading as a missing guy turned into a murdered guy. When the clues started coming together, I couldn’t read fast enough as Lee and Pete were getting their answers.

Have fun reading and don’t get too hungry with the awesome food and Halloween goodies the characters all enjoy!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #CarleneOConnor #LizIreland #CarolJPerry

My Goodreads review:

Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O’Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed each of these author’s takes on a Halloween cupcake murder, and it was fun to read stories from some series I hadn’t visited lately. It made me want to go read their latest book or the one I left off with. I quickly did remember who was who, so no worries if anyone’s not read any of these series. The authors did a great job of identifying characters but not giving away surprises from the regular series.

The whodunit in each one was a surprise for me and I loved how even though these were short stories, they had plenty of mystery and details to flesh it out. Always a pleasure reading the Halloween collection from this publisher!

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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Catch Me If You Candy review

August 23, 2023August 23, 2023 Tari Hann

This is book 17 in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander who also writes the Sloan Krause Mysteries. Bakeshop Mysteries are set in Ashland, a place she’s very familiar with as you might know if you happen to get the author’s newsletter. She’s also written the Pacific Northwest Mysteries and Rose City Mysteries as Kate Dyer-Seeley. With this author, you’re always guaranteed some great characters and fast friendships as well as a compelling mystery and adventure!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hadn’t read in this series for a really long time, but it didn’t take me long to catch back up. The author has a really nice way of catching readers up without spoiling anything (like the whodunit) from past books. This was an extra cool time of year to be in Ashland for all the Halloween festivities, but it wasn’t cool for the poor guy who got killed. Of course, Lance was all for sleuthing again with his buddy Jules, so she went along with it since she’s curious like that anyway.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit until the clues started pointing that way, and the showdown was safely conducted with Jules and Carlos in their car and the police taking charge. There was a little side mystery I don’t think we’ll get an answer for until next book concerning Lance who Jules had spotted a few times visiting Richard Lord’s hotel. Then Lance was talking in almost riddles toward the end but left Jules hanging. Ok Lance, you need to tell her what you were about to tell her by the time the next book’s out, lol. This series makes me think it’d be fun to visit Ashland pretty much any time of the year!

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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Nine Lives and Alibis review

August 22, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Cat Café Mysteries by Cate Conte who writes the Full Moon Mysteries and as her alter ego, Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries as you can see from her website bio page that I linked to her name up above. Anything I’ve read by Cate/Liz is always a fun read with some great characters and cute pets. In this book, JJ the cat’s actually quite helpful when it comes to finding a missing cat. This is such a super cute series with the most adorable book covers!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #CateConte

My Goodreads review:

Nine Lives and Alibis: A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’d been way too long since I read in this series and even though I’m not totally caught up with the rest of the series, I couldn’t resist requesting this from NetGalley. I quickly remembered who was who and didn’t feel lost. Maddie’s grandpa’s still my fave character and that little JJ couldn’t be cuter! Check out his Sherlock Holmes outfit on the book cover, isn’t that sweet?

This twisty mystery was filled with secret passageways, an old haunted inn, red herrings and as always, some great characters. It’s a shame the guy who was killed was such a nice person. I’d really come to like his character, but from the blurb I knew not to get too close! 😉 Not only was the current murder solved, but a couple cold cases got answers as well and all took place with a very cool Halloween season event and even a cat costume parade. The showdown was exciting and the most unlikely person saved the day with a kick butt move.

I really loved how Violet and Sydney from the author’s newer Full Moon Mysteries came as vendors for the Halloween event, and Maddie actually liked Violet—she usually wasn’t into paranormal and crystals and stuff. But when she discovered what a crystal could do for her, maybe to her sister Sam’s delight she’d be open to even more. Naw, probably not, lol. If Full Moon would ever happen not to continue, I’d love to see more visits from Violet and Syd!

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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