Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Flat White Fatality review

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan. It’s set in Portland, Oregon in the food cart scene among all the fun and hip people who design games or have startup companies. I sure didn’t like that guy that Sage and Harley used to work for or that she was worried they hadn’t seen the last of him. He just seemed like he’d be a jerk they didn’t need in their business lives anymore. Hopefully he’ll just belly-up and go away, lol, not him literally but his business. Join Sage and all her friends in this latest installment which goes on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

Flat White Fatality by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A good and interesting murder mystery that kept me reading! It seemed like an impossible case for both the real police and Sage who was determined to find out who killed her boyfriend’s employee in Sage and Harley’s roastery. It made Harley look bad since she might’ve been the last to see the woman alive. When the clues started coming together, I had an idea of whodunit and was right, but it was fun to see how the takedown would go.

The showdown was a good one–I love when the perp incriminates themselves and someone thought to record the whole thing. The very ending was super sweet and just plain awesome as Sage, Bax and Niko celebrated Halloween in a very special way! Don’t miss this latest installment of the Ground Rules Mysteries available tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 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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Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star review

May 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Desert Flowers Mysteries by Lee Hollis, brother/sister duo Rick Copp and Holly Simason and it might be my fave so far. I always love reading about Poppy and her investigator team that’s faced by Matt, an actor when he can get a gig. The ladies were definitely coming into their own and getting a name for themselves, so much that they were approached a few times in this mystery to be hired. Don’t miss this book that releases Tuesday, May 23, 2023 because Poppy’s side mystery in it had a super sweet outcome!

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My Goodreads review:

Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With all the secrets and underhanded goings-on in the entertainment scene, I’m sure Poppy and her team were super happy to have each other knowing they could at least trust the team members. Aside from them and the police, I wasn’t sure who to trust either, but as always Poppy plowed ahead and figured things out. Iris always cracks me up because she’s just so blunt and believes in telling it like it should be, and Violet’s grandson Wyatt’s just grown into an amazing teen and still shines as their tech expert.

The staged showdown was pretty awesome. Poppy had her own little side mystery that I was really happy had an amazing outcome! Gotta admit, at times I was a bit worried what she’d find out. Don’t miss this installment, available next Tuesday, March 23, 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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Tell-Tell Bones review

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the 26th in the long-running Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I’ve loved every one that I’ve read, but admittedly, I’ve been known to skip around in this series, usually something more unheard of for me. But I’ve never felt lost whether it was the first book or the 21st book (probably saw it shiny and new at the library and just had to read it), or the 26th one here because Sarah Booth’s just a good and reliable character–and the author does a nice job of catching readers up completely without boring them over past details or giving away spoilers. Jitty (basically the house ghost) absolutely cracks me up and I love to see what person in history she’s gonna pop in as next. It’s out today, so enjoy Sarah’s Booth and Sweetie Pie’s latest adventure. Ok, Pluto too, can’t forget the kitty! 😉

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #CarolynHaines

My Goodreads review:

Tell-Tale Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the earlier books, I’d never have figured Sarah Booth and Tinkie would end up as such good friends let alone private investigator partners. And Tinkie’s a mom too, shut the front door! But she’s a really good mom and loves that baby like crazy. I liked how she always put her baby’s needs first, but she’s never a slacker in the investigation either.

This author did an amazing job of creating the most loathable character I’ve ever read about. I mean seriously, he needed a posse of good ol’ boys to just take care of him out in the north pasture. But I actually love what happened to this character eventually. Can’t really reveal a whole lot other than yup, baddies get their comeuppance in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. And sometimes that awesome hound Sweetie Pie gets to help!

What an epic showdown/takedown of the perp in this story. Don’t ya just love when a plan comes together?

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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Kensington CozyClub Mini-Con: East

May 9, 2023 Tari Hann

I just got the news from Larissa at Kensington that this year’s CozyClub Mini-Con is June 11, 2023 and it’s gonna be held in Pennsylvania. Here’s the flyer for the whole awesome scoop! I can’t go, but I hope lots of other cozy mystery fans are able to go and meet the Kensington team and the amazing authors! Be sure to RSVP for this free event by June 6!

#KensingtonCozyClub #KensingtonMini-ConEast

Poaching Is Puzzling review

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the super fun Cookbook Nook Mysteries by one of my fave cozy authors, Daryl Wood Gerber. Unfortunately, the Goodreads page was made without a link to the series name, but you can look at the author’s page to see the others. Jenna’s sleuthing abilities have really grown over the twelve books, and she’s actually pretty useful to the police. And of course, she digs in and sleuths regardless of what Cinnamon says, lol.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery #12 by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Aunt Vera! When a crossword expert was killed, he happened to be an old friend of hers, but the worst part was being a suspect for his murder. Jenna was more invested than ever to figure this out. Cinnamon always cracks me up at how stern she comes off and warns Jenna, then she turns around and admits there’s just something about our Jenna girl that people like and love to talk to. Hey she’s got charisma, lol. But Jenna and Cinnamon have been getting along lately, at least tons better than in the early books, and Jenna does do her best to make sure she keeps that friendship. Even prickly Pepper, Cinnamon’s mom isn’t quite as bad as she was once.

Rhett and Jenna are the cutest married couple! It hasn’t changed a thing (unlike how some fave sleuth couples that got married on TV and the show got cancelled shortly after) between them, and while Rhett worries about her, he’s not about to squelch her curiosity. Jenna had another life-threatening showdown but she had a trick up her sleeve too, so all was well in Crystal Cove once the perp (who I hadn’t guessed this time) was hauled away. Vera and Marlon were another super cute couple even though the poor guy couldn’t work the case for most of the book. Can’t wait to see what our fave cove dwellers get into in the next book!

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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Cinnamon Twisted review

April 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh in the Deputy Donuts Mysteries by Ginger Bolton (aka Janet Bolin), and I’ve devoured every single book since they first came out. I absolutely love these characters and that adorable kitty, Dep aka Deputy Donut. She’s just the sweetest little thing and always helps find a clue or maybe even attack a killer! I was super excited to learn that books 8, 9 and 10 are in the works! Check out Ginger Bolton’s website!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton

My Goodreads review:

Cinnamon Twisted by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Brent was away and the new police chief seemed determined to pin a murder or any crime on Emily, I was so glad to see Brent was instrumental in getting the cavalry to come in the form of Agent Rex Clobar. I’d enjoyed his character before since he reminds me of a certain agent Gibbs! At least Emily felt more protected from a possibly bad lawman when Rex was in town. I wish Rex could stay and replace that new police chief!

Misty and Scott’s wedding went off like a charm, but after that was when the murder happened. Emily had a new sleuthing buddy but wasn’t sure if she could trust him or not. There was a pretty awesome showdown followed by Brent’s homecoming when he was done teaching the police course. I absolutely loved the very ending! Slight tissue warning, but happy tears, no worries! And Dep’s soooo darn cute! You’ll see what I mean when you read it. Don’t miss this when it releases Tuesday, April 25, 2023 (tomorrow).

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 by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie review

April 21, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Death by Chocolate Mysteries by Sarah Graves, and I’ve enjoyed it since its beginning as well as drooling over the yummy chocolate concoctions that Ellie and Jake came up with. The title represents a special pie Jake was working on despite her extreme dislike of marshmallows. That’s a seriously good friend!

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My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was worried there wasn’t gonna be another book in this series, so I was really happy to see this when it came to NetGalley. I’ve followed this series since its beginning and was glad to read more of Jake and Ellie’s crazy adventures and narrow escapes. Life with those two is never, ever boring!

Jake was worried her checkered past had come back to bite her with the latest murder, then when the bodies started piling up, things got clearer. I loved the little side stories in this book and now I feel totally satisfied after reading this book and all the many loose ends that got neatly packaged up, one of which was a little bittersweet. If for some reason the series does end here, I think I’m good with it. Sure, I’d love to read more about these amazing characters, who wouldn’t? But just in case it ends, I felt like everything was in a super place! Don’t miss this latest installment available this coming Tuesday, April 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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Mother of the Bride Murder review

April 19, 2023 Tari Hann

Can you believe it? This is the 29th book in the long-running Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier. We’ve seen her kids grow and get careers and even move to another country for said career. Now Lucy’s oldest daughter was planning to get married in France…hold onto your chapeaux! It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #Leslie Meier

My Goodreads review:

Mother of the Bride Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wild and crazy adventure that only Lucy and her family could manage to have in France trying to attend her daughter’s wedding. Lots of crazy stuff happened, secrets were found out and just as Lucy wondered if this wedding was ever gonna get off the ground, something else happened to rock their world…

I can’t tell about too much or it’d give everything away, but it was pretty exciting in parts and actually fun to see the whole family back together…and the adult kids sometimes bickering just like when they were little kids, lol. Some things never change, but the love they all have for each other was the most important thing that never changed. This latest installment comes out next Tuesday, April 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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Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust review

April 14, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, and the characters quickly became some of my fave cozy characters. I hope the series continues because Dee and her friends seem to have a bunch more stories to tell. One character I got the biggest kick out of was Molly aka Mac who was Delilah’s hostess’s cousin. That girl was so hilarious and charismatic (she got Auntie Biz to smile!)–what’s even more fun is at the end where you find the recipes, you’ll see the first one written in the voice of Mac herself. Auntie Biz’s recipe was pretty funny too!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another visit to Geneva Bay around Labor Day was pretty exciting and not just because of the festival and local vendor food tasting contest. The place was rich in mobster history, and Delilah worried that maybe one was back to find something he lost while in prison. Auntie Biz was a little grouchier than usual and it turned out she had a good reason.

Delilah’s a great main character and I admire her strength but dang it, girl, can’t you just let people be nice and do stuff for you? LOL, she might be working on that. Lots of little side mysteries were going on but everything wrapped up nicely at the end. For a while though I was worried there was one part that wasn’t gonna be solved, but no worries! The ending was a little odd but I’m betting Delilah did the best thing for everyone concerned. Can’t let out too much, you’ll just have to grab this when it goes on sale Tuesday, April 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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Paper Cuts review

April 10, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Mysteries by Ellery Adams, another favorite cozy mystery writer. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read of hers, and I haven’t even made it all the way through her backlist of older books. I’ve read this series since the very beginning and love how it always draws me in and makes me wanna settle in and stay in Miracle Springs for a while.

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My Goodreads review:

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series always brings such a satisfying read! It’s like hanging out with old friends when I read about Nora and her friends. Her girlfriends are amazing and employee-now-friend Sheldon’s just awesome! I love that Nora and Grant were close and he was able to assure her through the whole ordeal of her being a suspect. A new friend joined the cast of regulars and I’m eager to see what future books hold for that person. And someone’s getting a sweet surprise of our regular friends.

A woman who just needed forgiveness and was sick with cancer was murdered which was super sad especially because of her son she left. I had to hand it to Kirk and Val though. They were genuine troopers as they tried to come through for their grieving little nephew, a sweet boy with Asperger’s. It was great how that whole topic was handled. I’ve heard of it from online friends but never knew of a child with it, but I had a feeling the Walsh family was gonna be fine after they met a helpful child psychologist.

There was one really exciting part and poor Nora’s arm took the brunt of that showdown, but all ended well. And comeuppance did come to everyone who deserved it–I can at least say that without spoiling anything. The very ending was slightly different but a really good one. Can’t wait for the next book! Don’t miss this sixth installment available April 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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