Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Halloween Party Murder review

August 28, 2021 Tari Hann

I always enjoy reading the set of three short Halloween stories every year by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross from three of my favorite series. The theme was a murder taking place at three different Halloween parties in three unique ways. My favorite two were the Hayley Powell and Clambake stories. The Lucy Stone series at times really doesn’t interest me as much as the older books did due to the political nature of some of the stories or side issues. I read cozy mysteries to esape that kind of stuff, lol.

My Goodreads review:

Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The stars are mainly for the second two stories in this collection. I usually like Lucy Stone stories, at least I did before they started having nothing but a bunch of politics and stuff like that. The Halloween portion of the story was great with the haunted house and fundraiser for Lucy’s favorite Hat and Mitten Fund. But it all lost my interest when the political stuff leaked into it and I honestly didn’t even care by then who the killer was or why.

Now I absolutely loved the Hayley Powell Halloween. Halloween with this bunch is always a hoot! And be sure to read those in-between the chapters columns of Hayley’s because they tell about some hilarious past Halloween events with (always) Mona at her funniest. Ha, she was dressed like a shark at the present day party, kinda fitting, no? 😉 Gotta love that crazy Mona and her growing-up kids!

I loved the quick trip to Busman’s Harbor and Julia having a mystery that involved her niece and the girl’s friends. It was an interesting case, and I liked how the state detectives figured they might as well just let Julia in on it from the get-go since she always helped anyway. I never would’ve guessed the outcome in either the Hayley or the Clambake murders, and they sure made for some fun Halloween reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. The book releases this coming Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

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Seven Year Witch review

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in a newer series called Witch Way Librarian by Angela M. Sanders whose other two series are Vintage Clothing Mysteries and Booster Club Mysteries. When I read the first book in Witch Way last year, I loved it and knew this was going to be a new favorite series (to add to my MANY favorite series lol). It was fun getting to know the characters in town even better this time, and I liked that Josie’s seems to have a good friend in Lalena. They made a good sleuthing duo, although Josie was on her own most of the time. I just wish we didn’t have to wait a whole year for the next in series!

My Goodreads review:

Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great visiting with Josie and all her new friends in Wilfred, OR again. I’d forgotten how Josie could go check things out using her mind but in her cat Rodney’s body which was so cool!

This was a mystery I definitely couldn’t figure out, so I just went along for the ride and enjoyed the process. Josie was learning a lot from her grandma’s letter she’d left her, and I was happy to see how far she’d come as far as her powers went. I’ve hoped since the first book that Josie and Sam could get together, and they might be one step closer to that by the end of the book. I loved how the whole town pulled together at the end. The showdown with the killer was scary for two different reasons-you’ll see when you read it. I really wish the next one could come out sooner instead of having to wait another year!

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Mrs. Morris and the Vampire review

August 24, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fifth in the Salem B&B series by Traci Wilton, a pen name for the writing team of of authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. I feel like they’ve really come up with a great series concept after having followed this series from its start. I hope there are lots of adventures left for Charlene, Jack and Sam. I’m just happy the books have been coming out more often than once a year!

As an added note, I thought the tunnel aspect of Salem, MA sounded pretty fascinating and found the book on Amazon that was referenced in this book! I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be brave enough to go down there even if they did do legal tours!

My Goodreads review:

Mrs. Morris and the Vampire by Traci Wilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun and spooky visit to Salem at Halloween time that started with a Halloween ball. Charlene knew her two witch friends were real, but how ’bout those self-professed vampires huh? Charlene had to juggle keeping Sam off her back for doing her usual snooping and keeping herself out of the killer’s crosshairs.

We got to learn a little more about Brandy and her daughter Serenity, since Serenity was part of the focus of the story. Charlene and Brandy had a rocky start, and I still wouldn’t call her exactly a friendly friend, but Brandy definitely came in handy at the end. Even Sam believed a dream she’d had (would’ve been pretty bad if he hadn’t!). Meanwhile, I love how Jack was learning to do more and more things in his ghostly existence. He’s really become quite the computer research wizard. If I was Charlene, I know I’d be so torn between the two men she’s crazy about! Although sometimes I lean toward Jack just because he’s so darn sweet! I’m always looking forward to the next in this awesome series!

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

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No Grater Crime review

August 23, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Country Store series by Maddie Day who’s actually Edith Maxwell. She writes the Country Store and Cozy Capers Book Group under the Maddie Day name. I can’t believe Robbie and her friends have had nine adventures so far. It seems like I just started reading them, but it was actually in 2017 that I was really getting into cozy mysteries and had discovered this series. I always loved Adele’s friend Vera, and we got to have a visit from her in this book.

This book to me was so well-done that it had that first magic that drew me into the series from the beginning. I got that same warm feeling reading it that I did when I first met Robbie and crew. I enjoyed reading acknowledgements in a book to find out if some of the characters were named for real people or if real places were used. I was happy to find out there was a little of both again in this book. It’s just fun when authors do that if they happen to be friends with the people or had a great meal somewhere.

My Goodreads review:

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so pleased with this latest installment of the series! For some reason, the last couple or so hadn’t been the same to me as always, but this book was right on point and took me back to the reason I fell in love with this series in the very first book.

Wow what a wild mystery! I’d have been so mad at that darn woman opening up a food truck in front of my place if I was Robbie. She has much better control than I do, lol. Although with Robbie’s past track record, she does have to tread lightly or look like a killer. I had to giggle when she said she was trying harder not to do too-stupid-to-live moves. I do recall a few of those she’s had in the past, lol. But she’s definitely learned a lot over the past nine books! Now if only that darn phone of hers wouldn’t sprout legs and run back to her car! 😉

I had a feeling of who was behind everything, but to me the fun of the whole thing was proving it and finding out the why and who else might’ve been involved. There was one small sad moment, then there’s another moment you might want a tissue or two, but for a very happy occasion!

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

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The Secret Staircase review

August 21, 2021August 25, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the third and final book in the Victorian Village by Sheila Connolly. It was finished out by her daughter Julie Williams and is being published posthumously on August 24, 2021. I was so sad when Sheila passed last April after having read numerous blog posts by and about her. I’d just been getting started reading her other cozies once I’d read the first two Victorian Village and became a fan of her writing. Since she wrote quite a few books, I know I’ll have lots of happy reading for a long time.

Edith Maxwell, another of my favorite writers was gracious enough to let me use her quote from the Jungle Red Writers’ blog on June 10: “Sheila Connolly’s daughter, Julie Williams, did extensive edits on her mom’s last book (The Secret Staircase is out in August!), and wrote the Author’s Note. I think Sheila might have completed the first draft but it was pretty rough. I don’t think Julie expected to have to do that work, but I got to read an ARC and she did a fabulous job.”

Thanks so much for letting me use your quote, Edith! I’ve included the link for the blog post so anyone who wants to read the whole thing and other comments can do so.

My Goodreads review:

The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this final book in the series as well as the final book that author Sheila Connolly ever worked on before her death last year. I’d read that her daughter finished the book for her, but it was very seamless to me and was just as if Sheila herself was writing every word. In other words, I think her daughter did an excellent job with however much or little she found she needed to do. I would never have known had I not seen a comment on a blog about this.

I was glad to see that Kate and the town were making some good headway with the Barton mansion. The body that was found was an unexpected small delay, but later some other findings would hopefully lead to who this was and why the person was hidden there. I hadn’t guessed the killer of the present day murder, and I loved the flash forward to Christmastime for the end of the book.

I have no idea if this was truly supposed to be the last book, but Sheila and her daughter did a great job of wrapping things up and giving the characters and storyline a good closure. I’ll miss seeing anything new from Sheila Connolly, but since I’d only recently started reading her work (meaning this series is the first of her writing I ever read before I read the first Orchard and first County Cork), I have tons of great reading ahead of me!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases August 24, 2021.

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Hemlock for the Holidays review

August 19, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Fine Arts Mysteries by Paula Darnell. I really love the camaraderie that the town, neighbors and gallery vendors all have for each other. Someone apparently didn’t believe in that kind of friendship when they convolutedly poisoned a man via goodies sold at a craft fair. I’ve enjoyed watching Amanda adapt to her new town and make friends since the first book, and now I’m looking forward to the next adventure for her, Laddie and Mona Lisa!

My Goodreads review:

Hemlock for the Holidays by Paula Darnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this Christmas mystery with Amanda having settled in her new town. Belle and Dennis are such awesome neighbors and gave her the most amazing Christmas gift-she had just as nice of a gift for them too. There’s always a good mystery with this series and plenty of small town camaraderie as well.

The killer came as a complete surprise to me, and the showdown was awesome thanks to Mona Lisa kitty. She got to dig into the killer just in time! Once the murder was solved, Amanda and Emma could finally settle into a good winter break, and Amanda managed to finally get a good sale once she branched out a bit. I always enjoy catching up with Amanda and her gallery friends as well as her sweet neighbors.

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

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Danger at the Cove review

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Island Sisters series by Hannah Dennison who also wrote the Honeychurch Hall mysteries. I’m enjoying getting to know the variety of characters from the Scilly Islands and Tregarrick Rock Hotel. I think Patty, the detective inspector is one of my favorites along with Dennis who’s in charge of the main desk. Patty cracks me up when she shows up for an investigation and stages it like a tea party. She’s tough but fair and has an off-the-wall but effective method of getting info from people. I love that Mister Tig, the hotel’s cat is a big part of the promotion of the place. Now that the hotel’s in business, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of mystery and mayhem happen in the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Danger at the Cove: A Mystery by Hannah Dennison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a real rollercoaster ride of a murder mystery with lots of twists and unexpected happenings. I was never sure who to trust, but there was one person from the start that I definitely didn’t trust. I didn’t guess whodunit, but I enjoyed finding the path to finding out.

I’m liking Margot a little bit better toward the end than I did to start with. Kim was a fun new character with her mad hashtag skills, and once again I got a big kick out of Patty the detective inspector and how she was able to worm information out of people. You just can’t not like this lady, lol. After all the murder and madness, the Tregarrick Rock hotel was able to do its grand opening, and I know if I was in Evie’s shoes, I’d have been breathing a huge sigh of relief!

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

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Cajun Kiss of Death review

August 8, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the seventh and sadly the final book in the Cajun Country series by Ellen Byron that’s been a real favorite of mine since the very beginning. But I think the author did a really amazing job of giving all my favorite friends aka characters the sendoff most fitting. I kinda like to compare it to reading the epilogue in Harry Potter. I got some leaky eyes but found myself smiling at everything as I read. It was perfect, and I just need to say, thank you Ellen Byron for doing such an awesome job with all the books and giving the characters the best closure possible!

When a favorite TV show goes off the air, I’m always the one who thinks, “Oooo reunion movie!” or “Spin off!” Who knows, maybe Ms. Byron will do something like that! I do like her Catering Hall series, but it’d never surprise me if she has some good surprises up her sleeve along the way that might include friends from Pelican, Louisiana.

My Goodreads review:

Cajun Kiss of Death: A Cajun Country Mystery by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weddings, murder and beyond that, oh my! This book was really bittersweet especially when it came to the ending. I loved the three weddings we got to celebrate in the beginning with more things being celebrated at the end. Everything was just wrapped up really well.

I had no idea who the killer was and thought Maggie’s idea for the reveal was pretty clever. Bo must have too, because it worked out. I have to say I guessed one of the little secrets that came out at the end! 😉

Since some of the other reviews have mentioned the epilogue, I guess it’s fair game to say the series is ending with this book. I was really sad to read that last chapter and see that there’s an epilogue. But I honestly loved the epilogue as much as I did the one in Harry Potter. The author did a great job of showing us our favorites from this series and what they’d be up to twenty years down the road. Again, very bittersweet, but I’m still smiling despite having leaky eyes from reading!

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

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One for the Hooks review

August 5, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Crochet Mysteries series by Betty Hechtman who also writes the Yarn Retreat Mysteries. I’ve read probably the last four of the Crochet Mysteries as ARCs, but I did eventually go back and read the first book to find out how all the friends got together and what Molly’s history was with Barry the police detective. Adele continues to crack me up. It seems like she’s come a long way from being jealous over Molly getting a job she thought she should have. I can’t quite think of them as actual friends, but they do at least get along. Dinah’s an awesome bestie for Molly. I love their Sherlock Holmes game when they’re talking about a case.

My Goodreads review:

One for the Hooks: A Crochet Mystery by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the cover of this book to the very end, I enjoyed it all. This book cover just cracks me up with the crazy expression on the sweet little dog’s face! That’s one thing I jadmire about Molly, the love she has for dogs (and for her kids as you’ll see in this installment). It looks like another dog joined the family eventually in this book.

Since this series only comes out once a year, it’s kinda hard to remember just when Molly started seeing Mason instead of Barry, but it’s pretty clear that Barry never got over her. I’m sure I was Team Barry when that happened, but Mason was so darn nice to her.

This was a real puzzler having a death by drone situation and trying to figure out if the person killed was really the target, and if they were, what was the reason and which of the cul-de-sac neighbors did it? Molly was again working with Barry, so sometimes she made me crazy how she’d beat around the bush to give her info to him, but I guess that’s just part of her charm. She’s got lots of other more endearing qualities though, so that’s not a make or break, lol.

The showdown was pretty creepy, but luckily Molly got things under control right before backup arrived. I gotta admit, I was happy with the way things turned out at the end.

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

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Breaking News: KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. ANNOUNCES NEW IMPRINT FOR COZY MYSTERY GENRE

August 2, 2021 Tari Hann

Here’s the very cool announcement I just got in email: (You can go to the KensingtonCozies.com portion of their site and download a 2021 catalog):

“NEW YORK, NY – August 2^nd, 2021

Kensington Publishing Corp. announces the creation of Kensington Cozies, a new imprint dedicated to the cozy mystery genre.

“Kensington has long been a leader in the genre, and it’s time the roughly 60 contemporary cozy mysteries we publish each year had their own imprint,” said President and CEO Steven Zacharius.

Beginning with titles going on sale December 28, 2021, contemporary mysteries fitting the cozy criteria across all print formats will be published under the Kensington Cozies imprint, and backlist titles with the same criteria will also be folded into the imprint over time so that series titles are all within the same imprint. Features of the genre include having little-to-no violence, profanity, or sex; likeable amateur sleuths; tight-knit communities; and series arcs that allow the protagonists to grow in their professions and relationships.

All Kensington editors will acquire for the imprint, which includes hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market max releases from established authors like Joanne Fluke, Carlene O’Connor, Ellery Adams, Leslie Meier, and Lee Hollis, as well as new voices such as Emmeline Duncan, Frank Anthony Polito, Gabby Allan, and Christin Brecher. Digital first cozies will remain in Kensington’s e-original imprint, Lyrical Underground.

The Kensington Cozies brand will be overseen by Communications Manager Larissa Ackerman, who has spearheaded many of the company’s major initiatives to expand the visibility of the genre as a whole in recent years. “We’re excited to continue building awareness of everything cozy mysteries have to offer, growing their presence on readers’ and retailers’ bookshelves, and bringing more diversity to the genre – both in the authors whose stories we publish and the readers who love them,” she commented. Ackerman is responsible for conceiving and developing the Cozy Club Card, a loyalty card program available through participating libraries and bookstores that allows readers to earn free cozy mystery ARCs. She oversees partnerships such as “The Cozy Corner” with Tea Time Magazine, and she will continue to build programs such as Kensington’s Cozy Cons, a series of annual, multi-author reader parties taking place across the United States since 2018 in rotating bookstores and cities within the Northeast, South, West and Midwest.

Kensington Publishing has had a strong presence in the genre since publishing its first cozy mystery in 1993, and fully committing to the genre in 1995 with Laurien Berenson’s first Melanie Travis Mystery, A Pedigree to Die For. In 2000, the house launched New York Times bestselling author Joanne Fluke’s long-running and popular Hannah Swensen Mystery Series, which has gone on to land twenty of its twenty-seven (and counting!) installments on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list and six Hallmark Movies & Mysteries® original television movies starring Alison Sweeney as Hannah. Now home to many of the genre’s most beloved authors and rising stars alike, Kensington Publishing sells an average of approximately 2.5 million cozy mysteries per year.

For upcoming cozy mystery releases, authors, events, and more, visit www.KensingtonCozies.com.

ABOUT KENSINGTON PUBLISHING:

Founded in 1974, Kensington Publishing Corp. is an independent, family-owned book publisher known for the diversity of the authors and books it publishes. The company releases over 500 fiction and non-fiction titles each year, providing readers with a range of popular genres such as thrillers, romance, historical fiction, cozy mysteries and non-fiction, as well as true crime, western, and commercial fiction titles. The house of New York Times bestselling authors including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, William W. Johnstone, Joanne Fluke, Mary Monroe, John Gilstrap, and many others, Kensington is based in New York City and its imprints include Kensington Books, Dafina, Zebra, Pinnacle, Kensington Cozies, Citadel Press and Lyrical Press.

Visit KensingtonBooks.com.”

#Kensington Publishing #Kensington Cozies