Murder on the Books review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series shown on Amazon as A Cozy Bookshop Mystery (no series shown on GR yet and the Amazon link isn’t an affiliate), and the author’s cozy mystery writer and cat lover, T.C. LoTempio aka Toni in her newsletters. I’ve loved all the cats I’ve read about in her series, and Poe in this series was definitely not a disappointment. In fact he was a hero just like Purrday in the Urban Pet Shop mysteries. Since the incorrect author was linked on GR, I looked up Ms. LoTempio’s GR page from her other books for her link above. I’m having a GR librarian friend look into it.

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop mystery)Murder on the Books by T.C, LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this new setting and the key characters of Charley and Zane a lot. Charley was just what Zane had needed coming back to her hometown since Zane’s business partner basically ghosted her. Charley soon found out why and the hunt for a killer began. I loved that cat Poe that Charley adopted who quickly became an amazing little buddy for her, and big asset in the showdown! It’s awesome how any cat this author has in her various series is both a great buddy for the sleuth and helps tremendously with the showdown.

Charley was used to following clues but they were always clues she was in charge of writing, so this amateur sleuthing thing was pretty new for both her and Zane. She definitely held her own with the killer in the showdown, with a certain kitty’s help, of course. The ending was too fun since a certain female police officer who Zane and Charley went to school with was nearly throwing herself at the detective in charge. But he seemed to only have eyes for Charley—and the woman’s reaction was pretty funny. Can’t wait to read the next book!

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

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An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Bainbridge Island Mysteries, by a favorite cozy mystery author Lynn Cahoon. She’s well-known in cozy mystery circles especially for her long-running Tourist Trap Mysteries and some other really good series you can learn about on her Goodreads bio linked to her name above. I really fell in love with the setting of this book and as I’ve found in her other series, the key characters quickly became book friends. Can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to MurderAn Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this fun trip to Bainbridge Island so if we ever get out west again, I might have a new bucket list place to visit. I liked Meg and her friends’ characters a lot, as well as the older generation especially Aunt Melody. Her sister Felicia who was Meg’s mom was just a little too uptight and eager for Meg to go back to a previous relationship that didn’t work out. I was proud of Meg for how she finally told the guy she was done. Would’ve loved to’ve seen the look on his face when she told him what she did with the ring!

I hadn’t guessed the correct killer at all and enjoyed that the arrest took place off page but it was after tons of sleuthing by Meg, Dalton and Natasha, aka the Mystery Crew. The ending was awesome since they all celebrated at the bookshop with food and fellowship—all provided by Meg’s new boss Lilly since Meg and her friends had worked tirelessly to prove Lilly for one was innocent. Natasha was another one being looked at, but the three friends weren’t having that, lol. I’m super eager to read the next 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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A Purrfect Date review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Cat Yoga Mysteries by Alex Erickson who cozy mystery fans know as the author of the long-running Bookstore Cafe Mysteries. I like Luna, Ash’s cat much better than Christie’s disagreeable bookstore cat though, lol. Poor Ash couldn’t cut a break as far as a blind date went as she found out again in this crazy adventure. Come for the yoga…stay for the cats and comedy!

#NetGalley #AlexErickson #CatYogaMysteries

My Goodreads review:

A Purrfect Date (A Cat Yoga Mystery Book 2)A Purrfect Date by Alex Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At times I don’t like Ash so much for her extreme interfering, but she’s really hard not to like at all lol. Sierra’s an amazing friend to her and trust me, Ash needs that with the piece of work she’s got for a mother. That lady’s uptight and way too into her kids’ business. I’m sure she wasn’t happy about Ash chasing down a killer in this book, but at least she’d come to the reality that one of her daughters wasn’t gonna be working for her.

The showdown with the killer (never saw that person coming!) was tense but Ash managed to keep her wits about her. Although it’s a really good thing Sierra showed up right when she was needed the most. I love what she did to the perp! Now there’s a baby in the family for Ash to spoil so maybe she’ll be able to just run her yoga studio and love on the little one for a while.

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 Body at the Book Fair review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth and final book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander, best known for her Bakeshop Mysteries. Although I really liked her Sloane Kraus Mysteries too and the Pacific Northwest Mysteries she wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. Word around her newsletter says she’ll be reviving that series soon! You can find her social links and her website links on her Goodreads page shown above. 

Back to the Secret Bookcase series, while it’s ending with book six, it’ll be continuing as Novel Detectives Mysteries and I’m super excited to read that. I highly recommend reading Secret Bookcase Mysteries in order to get the whole experience of how the characters changed and developed. I’m so glad these amazing characters get to continue on! 

#NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StormPublishing #SecretBookcaseMysteries

My Goodreads review:

A Body at the Book Fair (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6)A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved these characters and was so sad at first that this was scheduled to be the last book in the series. But doing a little Nancy Drew digging of my own especially after reading what Annie and Fletcher’s plans were, I asked the author (replying to one of her newsletters) telling her how much I enjoyed the series and guessing/hoping there’d be a spin-off. Which she graciously told me I was right, then the most recent newsletter confirmed the new series was with our fave characters with a new series name. And I can’t wait to dig into it!

Annie had a book convention to go to, but she and her friends had an ulterior motive of that final step it was gonna take to bring justice to her friend Scarlet after ten long years. Justice was totally sweet in an epic showdown with the killer. I loved the side coffee tasing trip that Pri and Liam did. She’s come a long way from being so snarky to him to actually being a good pal now, and I’m sure Annie’s glad she’s got her bestie’s approval of her man. Pri was a hoot after having all that caffeine though as she rambled on and on, a little comic relief during the murder investigation and leading up to the showdown. I’m so glad that instead of goodbye, we just have to tell these characters ‘see ya real soon!”

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

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Grave Words review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines mysteries by Gerri Lewis which I started reading last year when the first book came out. I’ve enjoyed meeting obit writer Winter and her friends over the last two books, and I absolutely love her uncle Richard and Horace who’s a sorta surrogate uncle to her. Can’t wait to see what happens next! 

#NetGalley #GerriLewis #CrookedLane

My Goodreads review:

Grave Words (Deadly Deadlines, #2)Grave Words by Gerri Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Richard and Horace’s characters! Richard, her uncle, raised Winter and her sister, and Horace was like another uncle to her. Horace was always good for some comic relief but Carla and Winter did a pretty good job of that themselves while hiding from a possible killer at the funeral home. They never planned on a showdown with the actual killer, but to save their own lives their ingenuity kicked in plus they had a little help from a friend.

Food and friendship was enjoyed by all at the cottage while Kip filled everyone in on what they didn’t already know. I love that he and Winter are getting closer, but they both seem to have a little problem in the trust department, so maybe next time they can work that 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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The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg-review

Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Domestic Diva Mysteries by beloved cozy mystery author Krista Davis. I love her Paws & Claws Mysteries too–fans of that series are gonna have a fun little surprise in this book.

#NetGalley #KristaDavis #DomesticDivaMysteries

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #18)The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wild and tangled bunch of secrets and family drama Sophie stumbled into when an interior designer asked her to help find who killed her business partner. It’s always fun when Sophie sleuths with her friends either all together or usually just her and Nina or Sophie, Mars and Bernie.

When another body turned up along with a surprise found at a wealthy family home, Sophie and her pals had their work cut out for them. In true Sophie style, she quite literally beat the killer in the showdown. The story ended with all the explanations and everyone having a good time sharing food and fellowship.

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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Bodies and Battlements review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Ravensea Castle Mysteries, released today by cozy mystery author Elizabeth Penney. I’ve always really enjoyed anything I’ve read by this author and this book definitely makes my “loved it” list. The key characters were awesome and I loved how close Nora and her sister Tamsyn were. Definitely not one to miss!

#NetGalley #ElizabethPenney #MinotaurBooks #StMartinPaperbacks

My Goodreads review:

Bodies and Battlements (The Ravensea Castle Series Book 1)Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never met any characters by this author that I haven’t really liked in the very first pages of the book, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed all the key players from the get-go and Nora’s dad cracked me up with his stories and just blatant innocent honesty when it came to different things.

There was quite a bit more to the murder than anyone first thought then when another one happened, things started to be revealed. I loved that Nora and DI Cole were getting closer. His dog sounded so darn cute and Rolf became good buddies with her. Tamsyn seemed to’ve found herself a guy as well. The showdown was tense but quick and a satisfying ending was enjoyed by all.

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

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Doggone Bones review

Tari Hann

This is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I haven’t actually read this series from the entire beginning, but I did read the first two books and at least can appreciate a little of how the characters changed. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to get ARCs of the last maybe five or six books so at least I know what’s currently going on in Sarah Booth’s life, lol.

I love how dogs play such a huge part in her life, so this is one book where you get to cheer on the doggos and they win! And not to downplay Pluto, he’s a great watch cat! And that silly, wise Jitty, I just love her character and how she’s a good constant for Sarah Booth. She appears as just the person Sarah Booth needs her to. But sometimes having her just being Jitty’s what Sarah Booth needs most.

#NetGalley #CarolynHaines #SarahBoothDelaney #MinotaurBooks #StMartinPaperbacks

My Goodreads review:

Doggone Bones (A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery, #29)Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! 😉

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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The Spirit Moves review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Haunted Haven Mysteries by Carol J. Perry who cozy readers know for her Witch City Mysteries. I’ve read a few in the original series but since this was a new set of characters, I started Haunted Haven when it first came out and I’ve loved every book so far. This one’s probably been my fave so far! Can’t wait to see what else Maureen and her friends get into!

#NetGalley #CarolJPerry #StMartin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

The Spirit Moves (A Haunted Haven Mystery Book 4)The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love those four seniors Gert, Molly, George and Sam who live at the Haven House Inn and help out there as well. They’re the most awesome people and I know Maureen wouldn’t know what to do without them. I was happy that the thing I’d been rooting for between Maureen and Ted finally happened and all during a murder investigation too.

I’m crazy about Lorna and Reggie’s ghosts—those two crack me up! Actually Reggie got more of a part in this book than he’s ever had. Mostly it’s Maureen reminding him he’s not supposed to smoke in the building, but this time he was actually advising her on the case. I was as surprised as she was to find out he was actually qualified for that when he was alive, lol. And the piano player ghost Billy Bedoggoned always knows just the tune to play and how to make it sound like it’s just another player piano song.

Maureen got into a tense showdown with the killer but she used her head and kept them talking all while finding something to use against them. Good thinking on her part and now the town could have some relief, and the inn was able to enjoy some new prosperity as well. Can’t wait to read the next 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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Shot Through the Book– review

Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, better known to cozy mystery fans as Vicki Delany, author of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Year-Round Christmas Mysteries and Tea by the Sea Mysteries, all of which quickly became fave series to me. The author has the awesome talent of creating characters you won’t forget and that you’d really wanna be friends with. It’s like coming home to old friends whenever I read another Lighthouse Library or any of the others.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany #EvaGates

My Goodreads review:

Shot Through the Book (A Lighthouse Library Mystery 12)Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never thought I’d see the day when Louise Jane’s character actually didn’t get on my nerves. In some ways, she’s pretty helpful and fiercely loyal to Lucy and the library. I guess all it took was Lucy getting married so Louise Jane could live in the lighthouse apartment and work there.

One of the characters who’s always been on the sidelines with a few mentions actually got a bigger part in this book during the showdown that Lucy never saw coming. Someone else did a good job controlling the perp and was gonna have one crazy story to tell friends after it was over. There’d been a little side thing going on all along which I totally guessed. A few things happened toward the end of the book that really makes me eager to read the next book!

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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