Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Batter Off Dead review

February 22, 2022February 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Country Store series that I’m happy to have read ever since its beginning. Robbie’s come a long way in all those years especially with being smarter and more careful during an investigation. But there’s always something that can’t be prevented when perps are involved, right? If you’re a fan of the series, you’re going to love meeting Buck’s dad, and I sure hope he returns for a visit soon!

My Goodreads review:

Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved meeting Buck Bird’s dad, Grant (yep, the blurb has his name wrong). He cracks me up and always refers to Buck as Buckham, but Robbie loved him the minute they met and visited him several times. He did have a valuable clue even though he couldn’t see what was going on at the murder scene. I really hope Grant stays as an occasional character, and I’d love to see him come have breakfast with his bottomless pit son–wonder if he can still eat as much as Buck? lol

This was a twisty mystery with lots of red herrings and a tie to a cold case. I found myself favoring one suspect then changing my mind to someone else. Wow what a showdown, and go Robbie! She let that perp have it, never mind that Robbie might’ve been shaking in her boots the whole time. She acted brave, and that’s what counts. I love that despite her strong exterior, she can admit that it’s nice having a husband like Abe to hug on when all was said and done. He’s been so sweet in his support of her investigating.

Alana’s call to Robbie has me wondering now if the next book’s gonna have a fun little announcement. I know Robbie wants a kid or two, so when the time comes, I imagine even Aunt Adele might curb her traveling bug to be with the little stinker! I can’t wait to see Samuel whenever Robbie and Abe have kids–he’d be over the moon. I missed those two being physically present in this 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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Caramel Pecan Roll Murder review

February 21, 2022February 21, 2022 Tari Hann

This is book 28 in the very long running Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke who’s no stranger to cozy mystery fans. Moishe in reality should be 22 years old, but I’m glad he’s more of a timeless character and doesn’t seem to age. As always, there was an abundance of scrumptious-sounding dessert recipes included in the book. This one ended in such a way that I’m really hoping the next new book comes out sooner than a year!

My Goodreads review:

Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With all the recipes in this book, I was hungrier than ever for the different items, lol. Not only did the caramel pecan rolls sound yummy, but there were some lemon desserts that sounded…killer-yeah, pun intended since this is a mystery book.

The action took place mostly around the Lake Eden Inn and lake where Hannah and Andrea were filling in for Sally’s pastry/dessert chef during a fishing tournament. Andrea’s become quite the kitchen helper and was even able by now to make some simple recipes. I think it’s kinda cool how she wanted to start learning more about baking, and I really like it when the sisters sleuth together. Hannah can be very blunt with her questions or blurts, but Andrea’s the type everyone wants to talk to. Maybe they just sense she’s a real estate seller and used to talking a lot. Although, Hannah had a couple of sessions where her questioning method would’ve made Mike proud.

I was so sure I knew whodunit because of what I realize now was a clever red herring, but wasn’t super surprised at the real perp once who I thought was cleared. Hannah again had a close call, but thanks to Andrea paying attention while boating/fishing with Bill, well she got a good part in the take down. Someone dropped a real bombshell at the very end, and now I’m so curious and eager for the next book to come out! Gonna be a long year or however long it takes! I just hope the next book is just that, an actual new book and not another compilation of already published books like we’ve seen before.

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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Batten Down the Belfry review

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the House-Flipper Mysteries by Diane Kelly who has other cozy mystery series under her belt as well as a couple of new ones. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far by her even though I haven’t dipped into the older series yet. I just love the characters in the House-Flipper series and hope she continues writing it at least as long as she did Paw Enforcement. Little Sawdust is so cute on all these book covers in this series, and he even gets featured in several short chapters giving a cat’s-eye-view of what’s going on.

My Goodreads review:

Batten Down the Belfry by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It looked like Whit and Buck had scored themselves another nice property, and with all the ideas they collectively had for it, it promised to be a good profit and future moneymaker for them. Only the one little problem of the body in the bell tower needed to be addressed first. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there was another death on the property after that.

I loved the idea Collette came up with for having a cafe to go along with the theater venue building. It was cute how she and Buck were getting closer. I like where Whitney and Collin are in their relationship. He finally realized she’s useful to investigations, and it doesn’t do any good to tell her to keep away anyhow.

The showdown was crazy exciting! Sawdust got to play a part, and that old bell in the church definitely came in handy! The very ending was so sweet and now I can’t wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC provided by St. Martin’s via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book comes out March 1, 2022.

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A Fatal Glow review

February 19, 2022February 19, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Odessa Jones Mysteries by Valerie Wilson Wesley, and I like it even better than the first book. Dessa’s one of the most likable main characters I’ve met, and I just love her Aunt Phoenix, what a hoot! I thought it was sweet how Dessa let Loella’s little girl come over and bake with her. She even took the murdered guy’s teen boy under her wing for a while.

#KensingtonCozies #NetGalley

My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Glow by Valerie Wilson Wesley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Dessa’s character in the first book, and this book was even better. Dessa’s one character who’d be the most awesome friend a person could have. She’s taken the coworkers from a job she doesn’t like and turned them into her family which is probably why she feels like she can’t leave that job even though she’s not doing that great selling properties and enjoys catering much more.

What a crazy dysfunctional bunch of people Dessa got mixed up with when she agreed to take on a catering job as a favor to boss Tanya. But as always, she made the most of it, and with Harley and Louella’s help was able to pull it off…until the host died. I was never sure who to trust except for Dessa and her friends. I hadn’t guessed the killer but it made total sense once the reveal happened.

I really like it when Dessa can spend time with Lennox at the restaurant and can totally see those two being happy together someday. Until she’s ready though, I’m just glad she’s got someone like him to hang out with. Don’t miss this book when it releases next Tuesday, February 22.

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

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Put Out to Pasture review

February 17, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Amanda Flower who’s written quite a few successful cozy series. I always enjoy her characters for being unforgettable but real people. Some are quirky, hilarious and just plain amazing. Usually there’s a funny and/or cuddly animal involved (think Jethro from the Amish Candy Shop), but I know when I start one of her books, I usually get lost reading and don’t want to stop till the story’s done.

My Goodreads review:

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to catch up with Shiloh and her dad again especially during the fall season. Her dad’s quickly become my favorite character with Hazel being a close second. That kid is like 11 going on 19 or 20 lol. But boy is her grandma a piece of work. It’s just a shame that deliciously handsome Quinn comes with such a cantankerous mom, although Shi always got along well with Quinn’s dad, Chief Randy of the Cherry Glen PD.

Sometimes I just felt like knocking some sense into Shi with gorgeous Quinn right there who may or may not be hinting he wants more than friendship. Then another nice looking guy arrived, so she’s got a smorgasbord. In all fairness, I’ve never lost a spouse or fiance, so I can’t know the pain or how long it’d take to get to a dating point again, but for fiction’s sake, I really hope she picks one soon! And for the record I’m #TeamQuinn. He’s cute and he has a kid who’s pretty amazing too.

Poor Kristy was the suspect this time, and Shiloh was doing her best to get her bestie out of the limelight and find a real suspect. The showdown was definitely exciting and I absolutely loved what Sully did to help! Funny and awesome at the same time! I hadn’t quite seen the whodunit coming although it made total sense and I’d thought about that person at one point. Don’t miss this second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries coming out next Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

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

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Caught and Collared review

February 15, 2022April 5, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Lowcountry Dog Walker series by Jackie Layton, a series I recently rediscovered after seeing and getting this ARC on NetGalley. I already had the first book and knew I’d be able to binge through the first three before reading this. In fact, now that I’ve read all four, I strongly suggest reading from the beginning. The series is more like a serial story that has characters, relationships and even a new dog or two in each story that all build on each other. Sometimes a person or dogs are just randomly mentioned, but it’s really cool to be able to think back and know you’ve already met those or read about them. And some of the people you might not’ve thought would be important when you met them turn out to be pretty important to a book’s storyline.

I just love the series so much that if I had time and not a gazillion other books on my WTR, it’d be one of those series I could easily reread. I hope the author keeps on writing in it as I feel some of the main characters and side characters still have lots of great stories to tell!

I found a picture of a beagle that made me think of poor sweet Peanut in the story who lost his human but eventually gained a new dad to love and take care of him.

My Goodreads review:

Caught and Collared A Low County Dog Walker Mystery #4 by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love how the character and their relationships have built in this series. It’s definitely a series I’d recommend starting from the beginning. Leroy, for example actually became a pretty important character in this book, but a couple books ago, he was just that guy out there fishing. Same for Jeremiah and Frank, two veterans that I’ve liked since I met them. And Ike’s another veteran and a sweetheart, but you really need to get his backstory before reading this book, if you want full enjoyment. The series is more like a serial story without cliffhangers, if that makes any sense.

Marc and Andi have such an awesome relationship that isn’t too mooshy or unbelievable. They’ve learned mutual trust and I thought it was sweet how they had some plans for gifting that included her siblings. Andi’s whole posse of friends and family are so amazing with how they help each other out in the community. And again, it’s told in a believable way and not bigger than life and not outrageously flaunting how good they are. It’s just normal nice people doing everyday nice things for each other expecting nothing in return except the love and friendship they all enjoy.

This was one crazy mystery that had everyone puzzled until Andi’s research led her to something big. It all built up to an exciting showdown where both Marc and Andi along with two very cool veteran characters managed to survive a killer.

If Heyward Beach with its characters and places was real, I’d visit in a heartbeat and rent part of the renovated old kitchen building–or maybe I’d wanna stay on the beach. Now I’m so eager for the next book. I’d gotten and read this book as an ARC but liked it so much, I went ahead and bought the Kindle file. I just want the author to keep writing this series!

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

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Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library review

February 7, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Lakeside Library Mysteries by Holly Danvers who also wrote the Handcrafted Mysteries under the name Holly Quinn. A lakeside library makes a great setting for a cozy mystery! It’s such a cool-sounding place to vacation even in the winter!

My Goodreads review:

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a more enjoyable book than the first one was, and I wasn’t nearly as confused with the mystery like last time. I do like Marge and her dog a lot and wished they’d been in this book a little more. I don’t know why, but I just can’t get into the key characters. While I love how the author writes very realistically worded dialogue, I feel like these characters aren’t people in their thirties but much, much younger by some of the stuff they say to each other. Sometimes Jace doesn’t come off quite as professional-sounding as he should. Maybe it’s just me.

The mystery was good, and I didn’t quite guess whodunit. The showdown was exciting. There was a slight possibility of a new man in Rain’s life, and I hope I guessed right at the very end! #TeamJace

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. Release date is February 8, 2022 (tomorrow).

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A Dash of Death review

January 30, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Catering & Cocktails Mysteries by Michelle Hillen Klump who’s a former investigative reporter herself just like her main character Samantha Warren. I definitely can appreciate when an author writes what they know about. And I’d never heard of drink bitters, so I learned a little something new by reading this. It’ll be interesting to see how the new catering and cocktails business goes in the next book.

#crookedlanebooks

My Goodreads review:

A Dash of Death by Michelle Hillen Klump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really different hobby, soon to be a job for a main character, at least that I’ve read. It seemed interesting, although I gotta admit I’m not really interested in drink mixing and tended to skip those details, but she definitely had a lucrative thing going for her. I enjoyed her two besties characters more than I did Samantha’s at first. Maybe she’ll grow on me more in the next book, but it just seemed weird to me that she’d go crying to her ex every time something went wrong. Now I just love David and really hope they’ll end up together. He’s got his head screwed on right, lol. I started liking Sam’s character a little more after a point in the book. I won’t give that away, but you’ll know when you read it!

I’d guessed who the killer was, but I wasn’t totally sure why. The showdown was pretty exciting and ended in injuries for Samantha, but I was proud of her for her bravery. There was some good news about a new business partnership at the end, and I was happy to see that maybe Samantha and David might get a chance together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases February 8, 2022.

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Easter Bonnet Murder review

January 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the twenty-eighth book (can you believe it’s been that long?) in the long-running Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. Lucy’s sure come a long way from Zoe not even existing yet in the first book to this one where she’s headed off to Portland for her own apartment and first career job. Good old Miss Tilley gave a little scare in this book though as you’ll find out when you read it.

#kensingtonpublishing

My Goodreads review:

Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was lots more enjoyable than a few of the more recent Lucy Stone mysteries. With Miss Tilley having a big role in it, it seemed like the old sleuthing Lucy rather than some of the newer, more politically-driven mysteries. I like plain old regular mysteries the best, and Lucy definitely had one on her hands with the missing person at the retirement center and dealing with her very upset daughter. Lucy hun, you need to hang your PI shingle out once and for all! Ooo that’d be a great retirement career for Lucy down the road.

That Miss Tilley always cracks me up! I was thinking she’d realistically have to be over a hundred seeing how long ago this series started, and in those first books I’m pretty sure she was described at least in her eighties if not close to ninety. However old she might be, she’s sharp as ever and nothing gets past her. Lucy had Miss T and Miss T’s new friend Howard helping snoop out some things at the facility, but she eventually realized it might get too dangerous once she realized something more serious than double billing was going on.

The showdown was great! I loved seeing those seniors in action against a perp who’d taken out one of their own. There were a few side things going on at the retirement center that I’m sure “off camera” got taken care of since they were unfortunately the unsavory things sometimes heard about at retirement homes. Another side story that was kinda cute was Zoe hunting for the perfect apartment for her move to Portland. Everything ended nicely, and Lucy got one heckuva story out of what she’d uncovered.

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

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Honey Roasted review

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries by author Cleo Coyle who’s actually married writing couple Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini. I also love their other series, The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.

The Coffeehouse Mysteries have been around since 2003 and are still going strong! I always enjoy the author acknowledgements that include something about buildings in New York or something else fun. It’s especially an interesting read for this book where it explains about the rooftop beekeeping aspect of the book as well as talking about the small neighborhood in New York known as The Hole.

#berkleypublishing

My Goodreads review:

Honey Roasted (Coffeehouse Mystery, #19)

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle My rating: 5 of 5 stars There wasn’t a current murder going on in this book, but there was definitely an almost-murder with a woman now in a coma, and since the woman was a friend of Madame’s, Clare made it her priority to get to the bottom of this. Meanwhile, Mike was very involved in a case of a string of dead OD/homeless bodies showing up in New York’s The Hole neighborhood. Side note: Every time I read one of this series, I learn a little more about something interesting in New York. Not that The Hole is now on my bucket list or anything, but I did Google it just to get a feel for the type of area Mike was having to deal with. Yep, saw some pics of the perfect body-dumping spots, and it’d definitely be extra creepy at night, but on the other side just bording it, things looked very normal.

Anywho, I hadn’t guessed who the main perp in all of this was at all! I was surprised at who it was when Clare confronted them in a pretty awesome showdown. For a while there, the side story of Mike getting so involved in his case and the extra animosity he was showing toward Franco (young undercover cop who’s dating Clare’s daughter), that I was a little worried about the engagement. But I trusted the authors, and they came through in a really nice way. And…I had to giggle at all the bee puns well-sprinkled through the book in the dialogue! Loved it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. View all my reviews