Epilogue to a Christmas Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries by awesome but no long with us author Lauren Elliott. She sadly passed away this summer and it really felt like the cozy world lost a good friend as well as a storyteller. This book was bittersweet knowing there’s probably no more coming unless there was a manuscript she was finishing up. (readers can always hope I guess!)

But I wonder if maybe she did intend this book to be the last since she titled it with the word “epilogue.” Once the book’s read, I feel like as readers, we’re an imaginative enough bunch that we can kinda figure out what’s next for Addie. I know it’s finally something happy! She’s sure due for something amazing in her life after all this!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, #11)Epilogue to a Christmas Murder by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Addie’s old friend Marc got a little taste of what an amateur sleuth goes through when he recused himself from a murder case that ended up involving his cousin. Good old “dog with a bone” as Addie had been called before wouldn’t let go this time either, and as always provided the missing clue to the puzzle when she confronted a killer.

The coolest part of all was that Noah, the British detective Addie met and solved a case with was there in the States getting in her head in person. But he’d never really left her head (or heart) since she came back from England.

Everything was mostly wrapped up and explained, although there were a couple minor things that I still had questions about, so I guess those won’t ever get cleared up. We can always use our imaginations on who that donation thief really was and I’m pretty sure Addie was finally, finally gonna get her happily ever after.

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 of a Tom Turkey review

Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries by brother/sister duo Lee Hollis (Rick Copp, Holly Simason), and the authors never fail to come through with lots of funny scenes and a great overall mystery. I always love Hayley’s sweet pup Leroy who’s still around, but in the cozy mystery world anything can happen while real-life dogs would be on Leroy Junior, Junior, Junior by now lol. He’s a good mainstay and has been from the beginning.

I was excited that my fave police chief’s Sergio-isms as I like to call them returned. Yes, I’m that nerd who actually counts how many times he says something funny when he means something else. I love the character to pieces and really missed his little additions in the last book. His delivery says it all and while I didn’t notice any Sergio-isms in the last book (Sergio was a touch boring in that book), he definitely made a comeback in this story and was better than ever!

Another thing I noticed several books ago was the articles in between chapters that Hayley writes for the Island Times have gotten better and even funnier. I gotta admit in the beginning I’d kinda skim those but these recent ones have been pretty hilarious.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Tom Turkey (A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery Book 18)Death of a Tom Turkey by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see the Sergio-isms return! Those are just so funny and had always been part of this series but the last book or two just didn’t cut it and Sergio was just plain boring. But not in this book, he was in rare form, so if he was real I’d wanna hug him lol! Mona was also in rare form as well. Of all the B characters, I think I love those two best!

What a crazy and complicated case that even included some court action but a cool plot twist toward the end took care of wrapping up the case, and it was in typical Hayley style too. What a wild Thanksgiving!

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 at Blackwood Inn review

Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Haunted Dead and Breakfast, by Penny Warner and the characters didn’t take long to work their way into my heart as some memorable and what might be some fave characters. I loved that cat Pye and how he was always showing up in different places. Come to think of it, the handyman Noah kinda did the same thing, lol.

Can’t wait for the next in this fun series–those aunts were cracking me up! I was sorta thinking of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch TV series my daughter grew up with that had Aunt Hilda and Aunt Zelda when I read this, lol. If Pye could talk, I’d totally channel Salem as that cat!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #PennyWarner

My Goodreads review:

Murder at Blackwood InnMurder at Blackwood Inn by Penny Warner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Carissa and her quirky, but sweet aunts when she moved into the B&B with them. The room themes of that place were awesome! (I’d stay in the Scooby Doo one for sure!) And what’s not to like about that mysterious Noah that Carissa took a liking to, right? He was as mysterious as the cat Pye that came and went without much sound. Carissa found herself facing off with a killer and luckily that clever orange cat was there to help out. Loved the ending but I could’ve kept reading more about these characters. I’m absolutely hoping this is the first of a series and not just a standalone.

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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Home Fries and Alibis review

Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the All-Day-Breakfast Café Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author, Lena Gregory which I’ve loved since the very first book. Every book’s shown the growth of relationships and tons of great character development, so I really think it’s best read in order to enjoy it as much as possible, just my rec. After this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LenaGregory

My Goodreads review:

Home Fries and AlibisHome Fries and Alibis by Lena Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love catching up with Gia, Savannah and all their friends and family down in Boggy Creek, FL. The neighbors in Gia’s subdivision had that neighbor that no one could stand, and when that person was murdered, no one really knew who they could trust. Gia and Savannah did their usual sleuthing around.

There were some sad, anxious then happy moments that I’ll recommend having a tissue or two on hand for. The showdown was really awesome and I absolutely loved what Gia did to that perp. The final chapter was filled with food, family and fellowship along with some happy news from some of the friends. I can’t wait to read the next book now!

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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Tails from the Crypt review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the absolutely fun and adorable Magical Menagerie series by Sarah Fox, another fave cozy author. I loved this series from the very first book and always am eager to read the next when it comes out. Twilight Cove celebrating Halloween was awesome!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #SarahFox

My Goodreads review:

Tails from the Crypt (A Magical Menagerie Mystery #3)Tails from the Crypt by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed Georgie’s character and those of her friends and family since the very first book. I just love those sweet spaniels, Flossie and Fancy as well as the cool abilities they’ve got and can do. Fancy’s so cute when she howls “a-roo” and Flossie cracks me up when she opens locks with just her paw. That’d be some crazy prints the police might find, lol!

The mystery was fun since it was set around Halloween, and I was never really sure whodunit until the actual reveal which was a good surprise. And of course the sweet doggos had a part in making that showdown happen and causing the perp to have to stick around. Can’t wait to read the next book!

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

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A Brew for Chaos review

Tari Hann

This is the third and long-awaited book in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series by Esme Addison, and I absolutely loved it! It took a little while to get reacquainted with everyone, but it didn’t take super long for me to remember what I liked about each character. I’d love to see more books in the series!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #EsmeAddison

My Goodreads review:

A Brew for Chaos (Enchanted Bay Mysteries Book 3)A Brew for Chaos by Esme Addison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the first two books in this series, then it took a hiatus, but since I get the author’s newsletter, I knew it was gonna return at some point. This book was bigger than the first two combined with shocking revelations and secrets, but there was plenty of family love, support and togetherness going on as well. There were so many different things happening, it was hard to trust anyone except for the main players meaning Alex and her immediate family. Her boyfriend Jack had a secret, his mother had one she didn’t realize she had, there was a murder and a friend of Alex’s was looking into an old cold case. But there was an epic showdown, and help came for Alex from a really unexpected but super welcome source. After the very ending, I’m so eager now to read the next book!

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

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Murder Pays a Call review

Tari Hann

This is the first in what I imagine from the cover is gonna be called the Keri Armstrong series by a familiar cozy mystery author Nancy J. Cohen who also writes The Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring MC Marla who got a shoutout in this book. Keri’s an awesome main character with some fun, quirky friends/coworkers and I can’t wait to see another book in this series!

#NetGalley #NancyJCohen #OrangeGrovePress

My Goodreads review:

Murder Pays a CallMurder Pays a Call by Nancy J. Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Keri and her office colleagues at her personal concierge agency. Purdy cracked me up always juggling his dates with different women. It was sad that a really nice person was the victim, although according to some, she wasn’t the nicest person. And that meant there were more suspects than anyone knew what to do with. Keri’s bestie Lora was also part of the cast and I was glad to see she was working out as the graphic artist Keri needed.

I enjoyed the twist at the end and the reveal which was really exciting as both Keri and her new friend Diane took on the killer. I’m definitely wanting to read the next book and see what Keri and her friends get into next!

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

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Mrs. Morris & the Day of the Dead review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth and sadly the final book in the Salem B&B mysteries by Traci Wilton, the talented writing team consisting of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. This final book was bittersweet and I’m really gonna miss this series a lot, but the authors sure did a nice job of wrapping it up.

#NetGalley #TraciWilton #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead (Salem B&B, #10)Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead by Traci Wilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always sad to say goodbye to a favorite series, especially one I’ve read since the very first book. But I thought it was really fitting that the first book and this last one should take place on Halloween, the heart and soul season of Salem. It showed a lot how the characters grew and developed and was basically an emotional rollercoaster for this reader. There were still plenty of funny Jack and Avery moments now that she could see and talk to the ghost. It was hilarious how he could still get her to almost answer him in front of people.

Without giving away any spoilers, just trust me that if you’ve followed this series, you’ll want to read this, although I give this a strong tissue alert. I absolutely loved it. If you’re just starting with this book, I actually recommend not doing that and reading this series from the beginning. You’ll be very glad you did!

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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Laying Down the Latte review

Tari Hann

This is the 21st book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it’s definitely  a good one featuring a trip to Costa Rica that Jules and Carlos wanted to make sure Andy got to go on with them. Poor guy had no idea what was in store, but neither did they as murder and mayhem was afoot.

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

Laying Down the Latte (A Bakeshop Mystery, #21)Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun reading about Jules, Carlos and Andy being in Costa Rica and even cooler when I read Ellie Alexander’s newsletter the same day telling how she’d gone there last year. I figured she must’ve been there at some point since the coffee facts and everything was described like someone who’d actually seen all this firsthand. Obviously except for the murder, lol.

Jules found herself investigating a murder even while on vacation and getting a little help/encouragement from back home from her mom and Lance. Lance was a hoot without even being there while he was energetically searching for a wedding venue for him and Arlo, and bouncing ideas off Jules probably the same way he was bouncing on caffeine.

My final guess for the killer was right (after a couple fails and my suspects didn’t pan out), and it was awesome what Jules did to said killer. The ending was filled with food and fellowship as everyone was now at home celebrated Andy’s trip to Costa Rica with Jules and Carlos and their safe return. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

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

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Claws Out review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the very sweet Cat Cafe Mysteries by Cate Conte also known as Liz Mugavero of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. Maddie James is an awesome main character and I just love her Grandpa Leo! As a former police detective, he’s always in the thick of things when there’s a murder to be solved, at home or away as we find our Daybreak Harbor pals at an event in Provincetown.

#NetGalley #CateConte #St. Martin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

Claws Out: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Cat Cafe Mystery Series Book 9)Claws Out: A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Grandpa Leo’s character—he’s probably been my fave throughout the series, and this book was definitely no exception. He was probably in his police glory helping local police when one of the cat literary event authors was murdered. Plenty of people loved the author, but there were some that would’ve had a good motive to want her gone.

The planned showdown that Grandpa orchestrated using Maddie’s suggestion was great and got the results they hoped for. Now to take care of a family-sized surprise!

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

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