Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Canter With a Killer review

October 15, 2022October 15, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, A Horse Rescue Mystery by new cozy mystery author Amber Camp who as you can see from her Amazon page (which I linked because it’s way more interesting than the one GR has for her– she’s in a picture with her horse) loves horses and all kinds of creatures just like her main character and works as a nurse like Mal did as well. She’s definitely writing what she knows about and loves, which is evident when you read this book. After the very sweet ending of this book, I’m eager for the next one!

Since Biscuit the donkey was a hero of sorts, I just had to search out a cute donkey image for this post.

#CrookedLaneBooks #AmberCamp

My Goodreads review:

Canter With a Killer by Amber Camp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a fun start for a new series by a new cozy author! I loved the idea of a horse farm and rescue. I’ve never actually been around horses but I sure like them a lot (especially my niece’s awesome horse,) so to me, it’s a unique job for a main character for a little change-up. Mal was a good main character and seems to have come a long way since her divorce. I was proud of how she didn’t take any lip from one of the business owners who’d been said to be spreading rumors that she was who killed her grouchy neighbor.

I really liked Mallory’s bestie Lanie a lot, what a hoot! She and hubby Bill were two of the nicest people, and anyone would be proud to call those two friends! Bill was such a big ole teddy bear and so sweet to back Mal in her quest for doing business with someone who didn’t think she was a killer. Mal’s two college-age volunteers were just the best in what they did. I can totally see how Ashley and Tanner filled the void in Mal’s life that her daughter occupied when she was home. It’ll be interesting to see Mal and Ginny work together when Ginny completes her vet degree.

I hadn’t honestly suspected whodunit but it was a different twist for sure. What a great showdown, go Biscuit, you cute li’l bodyguard donkey! I loved the very ending and now I’m eager for more in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Crime for the Books review

October 13, 2022October 13, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Jane Doe Book Club Mysteries by Kate Young, and I especially liked this mystery since it was fun Halloween month reading. I’ve always loved Lyla’s Gran’s character! She’s such a hoot and a real force to be reckoned with. It’s so cool how she always seems to know just when Lyla needs her around. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the next book in the series!

#CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

My Goodreads review:

Crime for the Books by Kate Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was crazy good with its combo of Halloween creepy and a twisty, compelling murder mystery. At times I wasn’t sure who to trust, but there were definitely a couple people on my radar, and I was right about one of them. When it got to be over halfway through the book, I couldn’t read quick enough as the clues and theories started coming fast and furious.

I absolutely love it when a group of friends orchestrates a trap with the police, so to me, this showdown was pretty darn epic. And who doesn’t love it when a wily killer gets bested right? And busted too. 😉

The dynamics of the book club ladies and their camaraderie is just awesome. There’s really nothing these girls wouldn’t do for each other since they all feel like sisters who can discuss or do anything. From commiserating over breakups to breaking down a killer to confessing, these ladies were unstoppable! The side story of Amelia and her hubby adopting a little girl was so sweet! I liked the fast-forward at the very end to include their new addition as well as a super comprehensive wrap-up of the case. Can’t wait for the next installment!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Live and Let Grind review

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the super fun A Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush. By this third book, I’m really enjoying and getting to know these characters even better and see how Lana and her friends all connect as a team and friends. I liked the addition of a new friend in this book and hope she visits again in the upcoming books. I’m eager to read the next book when it comes out, probably in about a year.

#CrookedLaneBooks #TaraLush

My Goodreads review:

Live and Let Grind by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so good in so many ways! It’s funny to the point of hilarious at some points, then it’s just sweet in other places. The mystery was a super good one and while there was someone I hoped was guilty and someone I hoped wasn’t, I’m not sure I was ever 100% sure until the showdown. Lana and Joey zooming off on a jet ski just cracked me up! These friends were unstoppable when it came to proving their buddy Erica’s innocence. If a person ever needed to be proven innocent of something, they’d definitely want a friend like Lana!

I got the biggest kick out of Lana’s hippie dad, but when he’s not off on one of his crazy missions or agendas, he’s an awesome dad and café worker. Lana’s done a lot of growing and maturing since the first book and since she’s such a workaholic, I was happy to see her finally come across something she enjoyed doing just for the fun of it as you’ll see at the end. I loved how everything was explained at the end. I never feel like there’s a loose thread in this series. It’s all always really well-explained. Can’t wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Kill Them with Canvas review

October 11, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Paint by Murder series by Bailee Abbott, another pen name for Kathryn Long who wrote the 2-book cozy mystery Sierra Pines B&B series along with other mysteries. I haven’t read either in that series, but I’ve liked both books in this one so far and thought this second book really made a fun Halloween time read. There was even a spooky local legend, lol. I liked the direction this book ended in so I’m eager for the next in series!

#CrookedLaneBooks #BaileeAbbott

My Goodreads review:

Kill Them With Canvas by Bailee Abbott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Halloween and its ghost tales were scary enough, but the scariest thing for Chloe and Izzie was the idea of their aunt getting hauled back to jail for murder, so the girls knew they needed to sleuth this one out just like last time. I love little Max whose sniffer comes in handy sometimes for finding evidence. He ended up with a sweet little houseguest, but since said houseguest had an owner, he had to go back eventually. But sometimes with cute dogs come handsome owners…for unattached sisters, as I could tell Chloe’s brain was working toward. It did help that Izzie seemed to be interested!

During the case itself, Chloe did seem to be getting closer to Hunter like she wanted to. She’s just kinda scared to commit but he seems like a sweetheart who’s willing to take things slow if needed–and he’s there for her a lot more than Ross had time for. I was proud of Chloe for finally telling Ross how it was gonna be now. Ross wasn’t an awful person or anything and his attorney skills definitely came in handy for Constance’s case, but Chloe already knew life with him was fairly lonely since he worked so much. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Chloe and Hunter in the next book!

There were lots of good red herrings as far as suspects went, but I kept going between two of them and I don’t think I was ever sure who I picked, so I just enjoyed the showdown and reveal. Aunt Constance was safe from any prison threat now, and Hunter was just happy Chloe was safe from any killer lurking around. A crazy case and a fun lakefront Halloween celebration made for the perfect read for this time of year.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

A Christmas Candy Killing review

October 6, 2022October 6, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Killer Chocolate Mysteries by new cozy author Christina Romeril. She’s definitely got the right idea of what a cozy mystery’s all about, and I really loved her first offering. Her descriptions really made it feel like Christmas! I was pulled in from the beginning and really enjoyed all the different characters in the town that made up the interesting village of Harriston, Montana. I can’t wait for the next book now!

#CrookedLaneBooks #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a fun Christmas read! I’m a summer fan who’s simply ready for Christmas once summer’s all over. I could ideally skip fall aka allergy season lol, and this helped put me in a good Christmas mood. I really liked these sisters who were different enough but still enjoyed sleuthing together, although it was usually Alex doing the legwork since Hanna was the chocolate maker and felt she needed to stay put. The people making up their circle of friends were just so awesome it made me wish I could be friends with them too, like Maggie and Drew, bless his li’l hypochondriac heart anyway lol. The store was so cool too with the poison-named chocolates and the bookstore selling just mysteries.

That sweet doggie Miss Watson reminded me so much of the adorable boy who looked just like a Staffordshire that we fed over Labor Day, and her adoption story was similar. (Happy ending: the dog we helped has his forever home with someone now). Watson was super gentle but boy, when Alex needed her in action, Watson made her proud!

I’d sorta suspected someone from when clues just started to click, but it was definitely before Alex had the idea. She and Watson were holding their own in the showdown, but the help from a couple friends was very appreciated too. Hopefully one of said friends might be thinking in terms of being more than friends with Alex.

And the end was a little bit funny and a little bit sad for Duncan who’d broken up with Hanna a while back but still liked hanging out with her. He realized he might not be the only guy interested in her now! And a refreshing change from the MC getting a triangle–I think I could handle it better for a secondary character. I’m definitely eager to read the next book which does have a GR title listing only, but I’m waiting until there’s a cover picture to add it to my WTR. I’m just weird like that lol. Don’t miss this awesome embodiment of all things expected in a cozy mystery when it releases October 11!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Christmas Scarf Murder

October 2, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the 2022 Kensington Cozies compilation of three short Christmas stories by three of their well-known cozy mystery authors, (in order of appearance in the book) Carlene O’Connor (Irish Village Mysteries), Maddie Day (Country Store Mysteries), and Peggy Ehrhart (The Knit & Nibble Mysteries). There’s usually three different authors every year, but I know Maddie and Carlene have done this more than once. Super enjoyable and a fun little bit of Christmas!

My Goodreads review:

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another fun Christmas short story compilation that I’ve come to look forward to reading every year. I’m up to date on the Country Store series, have read one or two in Irish Village and read the first one or two in Knit & Nibble, so I was already familiar with characters. Although someone could read these and not be lost.

Christmas Scarf Murder was a fun reunion with Siobhan and her big Irish family. I was suspicious of someone from the get-go, so it wasn’t too far of a stretch to find they were the killer. I got a kick out of the elder home residents too and Siobhan and her hubby’s cute banter while working the case. The showdown was planned a really good. And the ending was so darn sweet!

In Scarfed Down, it wasn’t a huge surprise who the killer was even though there were several to pick from. I always enjoy a good Christmas story with Robbie and crew though and had fun reading about the investigation. Wanda and Buck always crack me up! The showdown was tense at first but no one was hurt at least. I loved this ending as well, lots of Christmas togetherness with family and good friends.

Death by Christmas Scarf took us to Arborville NJ with Pamela and her group of knitter friends. I haven’t read in the series for a while, so I was happy to read about these folks and might just need to get out my next in series soon where I left off. I really enjoyed this mystery too and liked the twist toward the end. As with all good cozies, there were some fun Christmas parties but ended with the friends gathering for the big explanation. Even Nell couldn’t get on them too much for gossiping after all this! 😉

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

View all my reviews

Gone for Gouda review

September 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss. It’s got lots of twists and fun red herrings as Willa chases down yet another wily killer, but if she’s not careful she might get herself and her pals taken out in the process. I love her friendship with Baz and how she’s always trying to help him get a girlfriend. This time his heart was set on Ginger who was dating someone else. And of course, he wasn’t having it that Ginger just might be one of the many suspects. See what happens in this newest installment that just came out yesterday.

If you’ve finished this and you’re eager for the next book, we don’t have to wait a year because the next book, Curds of Prey looks to be scheduled to release March 28, 2023. That’s the Goodreads link by the way, but you can go from that page to pre-order.

#StMartinsPaperbacks #KorinaMoss

My Goodreads review:

Gone for Gouda by Korina Moss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting with Willa and her employees/friends as they investigated the death of a visiting chef author who turned out to not exactly be what she claimed (and everyone who met her soon found out she over-praised people to get them to do stuff for her). Poor Willa was counting on the extra income and publicity she’d get from hosting the woman, but all she ended up with was a bunch of extra food and expense she’d gone to.

At times the storyline seemed to drag a bit, but then something a little more exciting happened. I guess it’s kinda like real life cases that just from reading these books anyone can learn they don’t go as fast as on TV, lol, so maybe it’s just a dose of reality when it gets a touch slow.

Willa’s got an awesome bestie in Baz (who only lets Mrs. Schultz call him Basil lol), but I honestly don’t know which I prefer for her, Roman or Heath. I guess I’m not over the moon about either guy so maybe that’s why. But we don’t have to wait super long for another book because Curds of Prey, book 3 comes out March 2023.

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

View all my reviews

Seams Like Murder review

September 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called the Sewing Studio Mysteries by Dorothy Howell who writes another cozy mystery, the Haley Randolph Mysteries. I really liked these characters and can’t wait to see what Abbey, her aunt and her new friends get into in the next book. I had a feeling when I saw that sewing was involved in this book that I’d really take to it. It was definitely lotsa fun!

#KensingtonCozies #DorothyHowell

My Goodreads review:

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On one hand, coming home to having your car accused of being used in a possible homicide was pretty awful for Abbey, but the possible friendship with Zack the handsome deputy would’ve been the saving grace, at least for me. But Abbey couldn’t bring herself to be even halfway nice to him until it was well into the book and he’d done what he could to prove to her he didn’t think she killed anyone. Poor guy having to work for that grumpy sheriff though! He was a piece o’ work for sure!

I loved how Abbey and Caitlin were able to resume the bestie friendship they’d only enjoyed for summers and how the rest of the businesses kinda pitched in to help with the investigation. Everyone had the interest of getting a killer off the streets once they started believing said killer wasn’t Abbey. There were enough cars in town that looked similar to hers it could’ve been anyone driving the car that killed the librarian. I know one person I was hoping might be the perp, but there were lots of good distractions and other possibilities too.

The showdown was pretty epic and as a seamstress I can totally laugh and say yep, that’s just what a bunch of people who sew or craft (or want a killer off the streets) might do with a wily killer! I loved how an embroidery machine was included in the story too probably because I really like using mine and it’s just fun to find something I can actually relate to in a book. This book releases tomorrow, September 27, don’t miss it! It’s pretty much everything I could want in a cozy mystery.

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

View all my reviews

A Dark and Snowy Night review

September 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the Seaside Knitting Society (formerly known as Seaside Knitters when they were with another publisher) written by Sally Goldenbaum. I’ve loved every one of these that I’ve read and I’m nowhere near being caught up, but for some reason I can’t resist getting the newest ARC when it’s available. #NetGalley This group of friends is definitely a bunch of ladies I could get along well with, especially their love of awesome food and camaraderie. I’d be worse than Cass at knitting but knowing me, I’d try it, lol.

#KensingtonCozies #SallyGoldenbaum

My Goodreads review:

A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always super enjoyable to join this group of four friends who’re basically like sisters of various ages. I love how they gather to talk about the case at hand and compare sleuthing notes while they’re knitting or talking. Their guys are pretty incredible too, and I love Cass’s description of having Ben, a retired lawyer by your side if you need to talk to the police (probably not the exact quote): “It’s like taking your favorite teddy bear to the principal’s office.”

The more I got into the book, I had a feeling I knew whodunit and was right. Toward the end with more clues coming together was when I guessed what else was going on in a couple of mixed-up people’s lives. Izzy’s a real champ at calling and getting info from people, lol.

The side story with town curmudgeon-but-brought-cookies lady Luna was really good! She was one lady you didn’t wanna cross, yet she had some incredible patience going on with new knitters or just anyone who needed her. She was one of those surprising and interesting characters that crop up in books sometimes. I wouldn’t mind her popping in again–she’s a real character!

As sideways as the showdown could’ve gone, at least it didn’t and Nell was able to calmly talk with the involved. I love how everything’s always explained over fellowship and food and the end! It’s like their supreme reward for having another killer put away. I always leave one of these books wishing I didn’t have to and with the proverbial book hangover. Don’t miss its release on September 27! When there’s not a murder in Sea Harbor, it’s pretty darn magical at Christmastime!

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

View all my reviews

Murder in a Cape Cottage review

September 20, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell who also writes the Country Store Mysteries as Maddie. I just love Mac’s super close-knit family and their interactions. She and Tim make a great couple and now that she’s wrapped her very orderly mind around marriage and subsequently having kids, Mac seems much better adjusted than she did in those first couple books. You won’t wanna miss this fun story of a mystery before the wedding!

I just had to include a note that if you’ve not read acknowledgements that authors write, you need to at least start reading the ones this author does. She’s always got something interesting or some back info included in it. This time it was a bittersweet mention of one of the characters being named after a lady’s sister. It was a charity auction with the winner getting to name a character in this book, and the lady who won chose to have the character named for her sister. I’m not gonna spoil the rest, you’ll just need to dig into those acknowledgements and find out what it was so sweet. I’ve always been a sort of acknowledgements nerd and try to always read those even if they’re short.

#KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mac sure never expected to have a mystery to solve so close to her wedding day, but one sorta just fell in her lap as she and Tim worked on gutting a closet in their cottage. I guess Mac felt a little indebted to get justice for this pathetic skeleton that’d been walled up eighty years ago since the remains were found in her and Tim’s cottage. Even though Bella the parrot was moved to Mac’s parents’ house during the renovation, we still got our bookish dose of her silliness and begging for snacks.

As Mac investigated, there was a current day someone who didn’t like her digging into a murder from long ago. The only actual murders were the cold cases but there was an attempt on someone’s life and by that time I was pretty sure who might be behind all this. The showdown was awesome with Mac herself preventing a killing, but for this cozy sleuth it’s all in a day’s work. And she lived to get married which was basically what her friends and family were all worrying about. The friends and Mac’s toast at the end was pretty sweet. This book releases a week from today, September 27.

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

View all my reviews