Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Murder Spills the Tea review

July 31, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Tea by the Sea series by Vicki Delany who currently writes The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries as Vicki Delany and the Lighthouse Library Mysteries under the pen name of Eva Gates. I loved this Cape Cod setting from the get-go and the picturesque little town. It’s hard to believe that Lily’s Grandma Rose agreed to a reality show (that doesn’t seem like her thing at all lol), but poor Lily was railroaded into doing one thanks to Rose and her bestie Bernie. You’ll have to read it and find out what all craziness went down!

My Goodreads review:

Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy did poor Lily have a hot mess on her hands with the drama from a crew of reality show people. I’m not a reality show fan at all and wasn’t real thrilled with that theme as being part of the book, but at least it wasn’t all about the show and everything that happened on it. The drama was the main thing leading up to the murder and investigation which did take priority. Although someone needs to tell Det. Williams that retirement called and wants him lol. Amy Richmond would be so much better off investigating the case alone, but she did at least manage to get her way when she felt he was being unfair.

I do love when Rose, Bernie and Lily go sleuthing, although I always feel bad for Lily who seems to be more on the outside of an inside joke when Rose and Bernie discuss a case. I really didn’t have the person whodunit on my radar, but what an exciting showdown! It was definitely movie worthy!

I sure hope Lily and Simon can get a little closer now and maybe he won’t have to go back to England after all when fall comes. They’re awfully cute together as are Bernie and Matt, although she won’t admit she likes him. Bernie cracks me up! Can’t wait to see what these characters get into next time!

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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Witch and Famous review

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M. Sanders. I’ve loved this series from the very first book, and it just keeps getting better. That little rascal Rodney cat’s definitely a favorite character! He’s always instrumental in helping Josie with a case or warning her about danger. The books and Josie have come a long way too since the previous book, and she can do some seriously cool stuff with them. I’m always eager for the next book in this series especially now after Roz’s good news! I’m still hopeful for Josie and Sam getting together.

#KensingtonCozies #AngelaMSanders

My Goodreads review:

Witch and Famous by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this third book a lot because Josie’s come so far with her magic, and it was cool how she had the books dancing every morning before anyone came. The books could do a lot for her now just by thinking it to them. I got a kick out of the Indy 500 book, but collectively let’s just say “never underestimate the power of a good book” really came true in this book!

I didn’t like that doggone Daphne actress at all! She wouldn’t take her eyes or her hands off Sam, and despite how he’s been nice but made no romantic moves to Josie yet, I’m still confident they’ll find a way to get together. That was another way you’ll see how Josie’s grown as a witch when she has to make a more seasoned witch decision. I won’t say what she was trying to decide due to not wanting to spoil anything.

I love how the townspeople who usually spent time in Darla’s café were now hanging out in the library’s kitchen. Well I did feel sorry for Josie always having to keep order because they did sometimes get a little bit rowdy! But they were super interested in sleuthing for her and some of their info did come in handy.

I hadn’t really guessed whodunit and the whole thing got a little bit complex but it makes sense when you read it. The ending did sound more promising as far as a lot of things went, and even grumpy Roz got a happy ending!

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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No Parm No Foul review

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, a well-established cozy mystery author of a couple other series. Who doesn’t love a yummy and comforting grilled cheese sandwich? I knew I’d love this series when I first saw it and it’s not been a disappointment at all. There’re even some recipes at the end of the book for some of the cheesy sandwich goodness featured in the story.

I really loved this book and was thrilled to see I really won’t have to wait a year for the next book since Cheddar Late Than Dead releases January 31, 2023. (Be sure to click through to the Amazon page and read the synopsis–this sounds like another good one!) I know I can’t wait to catch back up with these book friends.

#PoisonedPenPress #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this Halloween time visit to Vermont and Carly’s grilled cheese eatery. I wish that place was real! I’m not much on fancy grilled cheeses, but I bet she still would make an awesome regular one! I loved sweet Evelyn’s character and how she played a part in Carly figuring out whodunit. I’m happy that in the first book Carly reconciled with Gina and now they were the best of buddies especially when it came to sharing sleuthing secrets or tossing around case ideas.

There were a lot of possible suspects and I wasn’t sure until one clue stuck out then more started coming. The showdown was pretty exciting and help came from a super unlikely source, wait’ll you read about that, it’s pretty cool.

I’m really happy with where Carly and Ari are in their relationship especially at the end of the book! That makes me wish another book wasn’t a year away, but I guess I’ll appreciate it a lot more if I have to wait. I’ve really come to think of these characters as old friends now and once again I’m so happy that a main character actually has a good relationship with her mom and the mom is equally nice to her daughter. Even Carly’s stepdad’s a sweetie! Till next time, Carly and Crew!

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

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Mint Chocolate Murder review

July 25, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen, probably better known as Shari Randall of the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I’m definitely liking this series as much as I did the Lobster Shack. Shari/Meri’s got a real knack for some fun characters! I really liked Maud a lot and didn’t think she was the typical diva since she was gracious enough to hire Riley and let her use her pass to jog at the castle grounds whenever she wanted.

I love how Shari was inspired by the real Gillette Castle located in Connecticut to make a castle part of this book. She told about that in one of her newsletters that you can sign up for. You can see how to sign up for said newsletter along with an outside picture of Gillette Castle on her Meri Allen Facebook page. I happened to find a picture of the interior of it at Wikimedia Commons, and I gotta say it’s pretty much the way I pictured it as I read! Can’t wait for the next book!

#St.MartinsPaperbacks #MeriAllen

My Goodreads review:

Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun spending time again in Penniman, CT with Riley and all her ice cream crew and friends. I’d forgotten what a stinker that cat of Caroline’s was, but someone in this story managed to tame the beast or at least make her more tolerable, lol. There were sure plenty of suspects, so I honestly never settled on just one but had random reasons myself for different people.

I really enjoy the Fairweather sisters’ characters! They’re both so different but I like both these ladies who’re fun and crazy in their own ways. Vye was an interesting character introduced and I did find myself hoping she’d stick around town, although you’ll have to read for yourself to see if she did!

The castle setting was so cool with all its rooms and creepiness but not super creepy since Maud was trying her best to get it looking nice again. From reading the author’s newsletter, I know there’s a castle in Connecticut she based this from and of course added some extra fun of her own to it. But it was totally picturable. Now I wouldn’t mind going to see that castle she used for inspiration!

I loved how Riley came to the answer she did and the showdown was as Flo put it, very worth of a Mission Impossible movie! The ending was just so very Riley and now I’m eager to see what happens next! This book releases tomorrow, July 26, 2022.

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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Death a Sketch review

July 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Paint & Shine Mysteries by Cheryl Hollon, who’s also known for her cozy series, Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries. Since I enjoy this series so much, I really need to start reading the older series since I’ve actually had most of it for a while now. Just so many cozies and so little time, right? Right now, I just know I’m eager for another book in the Paint & Shine series since this one ended so sweet!

#KensingtonCozies #CherylHollon

My Goodreads reviews:

Death a Sketch by Cheryl Hollon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was good visiting with Miranda and her friends in her first corporate workshop and the last event before closing down for winter. I’m glad she and Austin were getting closer–the end was so cute!

That corporate group was run by someone who’d give JR Ewing a run for his nastiness, lol. I’m not sure which one of the execs was worse, but after a while, it was only one that mattered anyway. Most of the company’s employees seemed like okay people but I particularly liked how Carol and her team came together for those challenges. I liked Miranda’s friend Rowena, the admin assistant and kinda hoped she’d decide to ditch the crazies in this company and get a job somewhere close so she and Miranda could be besties again. If only Miranda’s business wasn’t so new and probably not able to afford her, Rowena would’ve made a great assistant!

I enjoyed that the showdown wasn’t dangerous to Miranda herself, but someone else was pretty traumatized by it. Although the sheriff had things under control biding his time. I’d love to see a Christmas book in this setting, but since Miranda can’t run her tours in winter, I’m sure that won’t be happening. It’d be all kinds of festive up in those snowy mountains though!

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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Something Fishy This Way Comes review

July 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Whit & Whiskers Mysteries by Gabby Allan, and I sure love the island setting of this series! It might be a fun bucket list item to see Catalina Island someday. I really hope there’ll be more in this series because after this book, the characters are getting to be like old friends to visit.

#KensingtonCozies #GabbyAllan

My Goodreads review:

Something Fishy This Way Comes by Gabby Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great to travel to Catalina Island and visit with Whit and all her friends again. I’d enjoyed the first book and was really looking forward to the next one, and it didn’t disappoint. I just love Pops and Goldy’s characters! Those two crack me up. They’re the kind of older couple you just wanna be like when you’re their age. Whit and Felix were at a comfortable spot in their relationship. I liked how she was quick to rely on him and didn’t always make him feel like she wanted to go sleuthing alone. They did make a good sleuthing team. Goldy came up with a great little moneymaking idea, and Whit had to admit her grandma had what it took to run the front of the shop.

The mystery was very twisty but for some odd reason, I named someone fairly early and they ended up being the perp. It was great how Whit assembled all her suspects for a little dinner cruise on the family boat. Long ago grievances and feud reasons were aired, and those needing punished got their comeuppance.

I hope there’ll be more in this series. I’m eager to see Maribel eventually become a police officer since she’s studying for that. With one of her roadblocks out of the way, she’s sure to succeed!

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 an Ice Cream Scooper review

July 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Spirits series by brother and sister duo, Lee Hollis. I love how the characters have grown and changed since the first book but yet they’re familiarly the same and so much fun to feel like you’re coming home to Bar Harbor and hanging out with these people.

I’m just crazy about the little dachshund on the cover! Sprinkles might not have a huge role in the book, but just being a buddy to Leroy while Hayley and Sprinkles’ doggie mom Lynette walked them was super cute. I love how it was described that Sprinkles brought out the puppy in Leroy.

#KensingtonCozies #LeePowell

My Goodreads review:

Death of an Ice Cream Scooper by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 15 and Hayley’s going strong! I love the characters and town as much as when I first picked up the debut book. And just as I was wondering if we were getting any of his famous Sergio-isms, he didn’t disappoint!

There was a lot going on this time. Dustin’s as grown of a man as he could possibly be now while Gemma was roasting away in a New York summer as she was telling her mom. Three of Hayley’s friends had new boyfriends, Liddy was getting an expensive mansion as a listing and all through this, Hayley was trying to figure out who killed the ice cream scooper.

I loved the mention of the ice cream shop owner’s little dachshund, Sprinkles! He sounded adorable and good old Leroy, Hayley’s beloved Shih-Tzu was still plugging along and finding his second wind when Sprinkles was around. Which to the dachshund lover (me) wasn’t quite enough, but I’ll take whatever I can get of a dachsie in the story! I’m always grateful when one shows up!

In true Hayley fashion, she found herself in quite a predicament but managed to slip out of it only to confront a killer not long after. But all went well, ending in the familiar family get-together that I always love about this series. I’m sure it won’t take Hayley long to transition into her new role! I’m being purposely vague and leaving out anything I personally would’ve thought was a spoiler before reading this book. You can get the whole scoop (ice cream pun intended) on July 26 when it releases!

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 the Blueberry Festival review

July 19, 2022July 19, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah, and the character development just gets better and better. Everyone’s in a good place as far as their relationships go, and the murder wasn’t an easy one to solve. I loved the funny moments that usually included the goat or Welly…or both. It’s just such a fun bunch of characters that I always look forward to catching up with in their next story.

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blueberry Festival time was going on, and someone must’ve thought it’d be hilarious to play some pranks that weren’t really funny except to one individual who laughed louder than anyone at all of the events. Lindsey and her band of amateur sleuths eventually had to find out why a fairly beloved citizen was killed in such a weird way.

It was a hoot to read about Kennedy taking care of a goat and turning her into a little glam-goat. I loved that Lindsey and Rory were in a great place in their relationship as were Kennedy and her sweetie, Tuck who’s on the police force. I do like Sgt. Murdock pretty well. She came off as super tough, but since Lindsey was so easy to tease, the woman couldn’t resist sometimes. I really like Lindsey’s dad so much, and he seemed to be becoming a good fishing buddy of Rory’s. Even Lindsey’s mom’s become such a neat character that I think I’ll miss her if a book ever takes place while they’re being snowbirds in Florida. Ellie and Betty are the sleuthing pals in their age bracket, lol. Betty and Doc crack me up in their relationship, just too cute!

Rory’s little side story had him a bit lost for a while as far as what he wanted to do now that he wasn’t in law enforcement. I think he came up with the perfect solution as you’ll read at the very end of the book.

The showdown was actually pretty sad, so you might need to grab a tissue or two. It wasn’t dangerous for Lindsey but very soul baring for someone else. Good thing Lindsey’s got a heart of gold and loves to listen to anyone who needs it. I can’t say a whole lot or I’m afraid I might give away some fun secrets of the book that’re best revealed when you first read it. Hope you have as much fun as I did catching up with Lindsey and her whole work team, family and awesome friends! There’s not much longer to wait because the book releases July 26, 2022.

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 Poisonous Page review

July 12, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Sweet Fiction Bookshop Mysteries by Kitt Crowe, the pen name of Marie Harte who looks to be a romance author under that name. I’m glad she started writing cozies or I’d have never gotten to know her sense of humor and what fun characters she weaves. I absolutely love Uncle Jimmy and Uncle Elvis! They always crack me up and now that Elvis joined the Macaroons Murder Club, er I mean, Book Club, he’s having to actually do some reading. Well maybe not regular books, but they did accept his suggestion of a comic surprisingly well!

A Poisonous Page by Kitt Crowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’d been a year since I read the first in this series, but it didn’t take long to catch up with all the hilarious antics and snarky comments/zingers these characters exchange on a regular basis. I love the author’s sense of humor, and that sweet Cookie dog! OMG I just wanted to hug her like crazy. Chad even sorta made friends with her by letting her be involved in a kids’ police safety event.

Boy this was one involved mystery! It was sometimes hard to keep track of who was with what person and when, but I got the general idea. I really didn’t zero in on one specific person but holy cow, at the end I was telling Lexi NOT to go somewhere! I’m totally Team Chad for her and hopefully she’ll realize he’s not really the jerk she thinks he is. Sometimes Lexi herself could be a real jerk to him too, so I felt bad for the guy. Cat and Teri crack me up wanting all the crazy details as every good bestie would, lol. And sweet Abe’s a heck of a lot nice neighbor to Lexi than his grumpy dad who got offed in the first book.

I loved that the whole book club got involved trying to solve the case and it was too funny how they hurried to hide their murder board whenever Chad came around. That showdown was wild, hilarious and super tense! All was explained in the end though, and now I’m eager to see what all these fun and crazy characters find themselves involved in by the time the next book comes out!

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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A Perilous Pal review

June 29, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the A Friend for Hire Mysteries by one of my fave authors, Laura Bradford who’s managed to incorporate now two of her older series in this particular book. I always think it’s especially cool when an author does that, and now I’m really hoping a future Friend for Hire book has that road trip in it that Emma and Kim were talking about!

And the other series written by this author that Dottie loves so much is always in the background because it’s the basis of her amateur sleuthing. I enjoy Dottie’s character so much. She’s not a huggy-huggy grandmotherly type, but she’s a fiercely loyal friend who cares about Emma a lot even though she never really comes out and says it. They make an unlikely but still well-matched pair of friends, and I sure love their banter!

You could probably still read and enjoy this without reading the first book, but why deny yourself that fun? I recommend reading it and getting to know the characters, then they’ll feel like old friends!

#BerkleyPublishing #LauraBradford

My Goodreads review:

A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought I loved the first book, but I think I like this one even better! It’s so awesome how all of Emma’s clients so far still play an active part in her life, and that she’s come to care about all of them even to the point of being besties with Stephanie. When her newest client was tossed in jail for killing her husband, it didn’t seem like the poor woman had any chance of getting out. But with Dottie and Steph’s sleuthing help, Emma finally gave way to another investigation.

I get such a kick out of sassy senior Dottie! I wanna be her when I’m eighty! I already have the “only reads cozy mysteries” part down, but I’m not real sure I’d make a very good sleuth. Although I did randomly guess whodunit! 😉 I loved the visit with John and Andy and how Emma was trying to matchmake Steph and Andy. I started suspecting something that could end up to be a sweet reunion if it was true…

And Big Max’s character is so awesome! He’s such a sweetheart, and I love that Steph got to meet him this time. Emma’s relationship with Jack was growing, and it was sweet when Scout got to visit with his son Tommy.

This was a mystery full of twists and surprises, and the only thing I was pretty sure of was that Kim wasn’t guilty despite her journal ramblings about ways to kill her husband. It was pretty clever how Emma went about proving whodunit then was safely visiting Kim while the police picked up the perp.

The very ending was just awesome! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and what might unfold in it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. If you liked the first book, don’t miss this one which releases next week on July 5.

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