Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Shot Through the Book– review

May 8, 2025 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 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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Diamond in the Ruff review

May 7, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series called Wiggle Butt Manor Mysteries by Cindy Goyette. While she’s a newcomer to cozy mysteries, you’ll see from her Amazon bio that she knows what she’s talking about, being no stranger to law enforcement. And like main character Charlie, it’s clear the author loves dogs. I absolutely devoured/loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!

#NetGalley #LevelBestBooks #CindyGoyette

My Goodreads review:

Diamond in the Ruff: A Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery by Cindy Goyette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked Charlie’s character a lot especially when I found out what all she’d gone through that led her to come help at the dog hotel. That was a fresh and different spin on a cozy main character and an eye-opening reality that some things we usually equate with older people do hit younger people if it’s a hereditary thing.

Charlie didn’t seem to let her physical limitations own her and worked on other strengths. That Aunt Jo-Jo was such a hoot! I could just picture her knocking down road cones with her wheelchair at rehab lol. When Charlie and the part-time teen employee found a body, everything seemed to go sideways. I was so sure of the whodunit and was surprised at the twist that came toward the end. What a showdown, but Charlie did a good job controlling the perp. The very ending was pretty sweet and now I can’t wait for the next book!

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

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Hounding a Killer review

May 6, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Bailey the Bloodhound Mysteries by Kallie E. Benjamin, better known to her cozy mystery fans as Valerie Burns or V.M. Burns who writes two of my other fave series, Baker Street Mysteries and Mystery Bookshop Mysteries, respectively. Bailey had me at the get-go when I borrowed the first book from the library, but I was thrilled to get approved this time to read and review an ARC of this second book. My review below says it all, and I can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #BerkleyPublishing #KallieEBenjamin #ValerieBurns #VMBurns

My Goodreads review:

Hounding a Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Pris and all her friends’ characters! I really enjoyed that first book, but this one might just be even better. There was so much going on with Pris juggling a looming deadline, wanting to investigate but not let Gilbert know and being one of three adults watching over three tween-age girls, one of which was boyfriend police chief Gilbert’s own daughter. No pressure there, Pris, lol.

Bailey was at his sniffing best as he found clues and alerted when help was needed. The showdown was a good one and Pris’s pitching arm was still in great form. Everything that hadn’t been explained came out at the end as did Pris’s newest manuscript. I loved the title “The Case of the Dancing Dachshund” since I’ve got my own little dachshund who dances for food, lol. Very much hoping this series continues because I’ve definitely not read enough about Pris, Bailey and all their friends, I need more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC provided via NetGalley by Berkley Publishing, and my opinions are my own.

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Fatal Brouhaha review

April 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan, and I’ve enjoyed each one of the series and how the characters changed and developed. One character never did change and I’m just grateful the author decided to do what she did to him. 😉 I can’t wait to read the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Fatal Brouhaha by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d been waiting since the get-go to see something happen to Sage and Harley’s nemesis who was such a condescending jerk. He truly deserved what the author had in store for him, thank you Ms. Duncan! But Sage had an extra interest in sleuthing this one, to keep the police off Harley’s back since she and the victim had argued publicly.

Sage faced off with yet another killer after getting the final clue from a really unlikely source, which she rightfully credited later on. Thanks to her quick thinking and some nearby security personnel, Sage lived to see her wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see what she and her pals get into next—if they don’t get into murder and mayhem on the honeymoon lol.

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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Booked for Revenge review

April 29, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries, a spin-off from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith. Even if you haven’t finished Daisy’s series, you won’t be lost in this one, take it from me who’s been meaning to get back to Daisy but…there’s so many cozies I wanna read. Jazzi’s an awesome character on her own and once again didn’t disappoint.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book I swore I was gonna get back to the Daisy’s Tea Garden series and try to get that more caught up, but here’s the second Tomes & Tea and I’m still no closer. Although reading it did make me interested in continuing the original series. Jazzi’s a great character and definitely learned a lot from her mom who’d sleuthed when Jazzi was just a teenager.

I’m sure Daisy would’ve been proud of Jazzi during the showdown and what she did to the perp to get away from them. Jazzi and Oliver were cute together as well as Dawn and her new guy. Not sure who I prefer Jazzi with, but I know I don’t wanna see this going into a triangle. Not a fan of triangles at all.

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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Bait and Swiss review

April 28, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, and I’ve enjoyed this series as well from the beginning. Willa and her crew couldn’t really enjoy the shop’s second birthday because of the murder that happened at the newspaper office. Not to mention her ex-fiance and his girlfriend were opening a pop-up in her friend Hope’s Cakery. A feud ready to happen? Catch this latest release tomorrow, April 29 and see!

#NetGalley #KorinaMoss #TeamCheese #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Willa’s team at the cheese shop and her sleuthing buddies are like visiting old friends now. Her protégé Archie’s grown and changed so much since the first book, and now they had not one but two new employees. I remembered June from the last book and how she’d hit it off well with Archie at the dairy festival.

Willa’s worst nightmare came true when the pop-up shop going in with Hope’s Cakery was her ex-fiancé and his girlfriend, so poor Willa had a ton on her emotional plate including being a person of interest in the murder case. She and her sometimes-buddy AJ from the paper did their own sleuthing. He cracked me up going under cover dressed like some 1940s detective, lol. Willa said the same thing I was thinking: he’s gonna attract more attention that way.

After a tense and crazy showdown at Hope’s Cakery, the perp was going away for a long time and peace reigned in Yarrow Glen once more. Willa and her friends celebrated my favorite way with food and fellowship. And Willa had a special moment with her detective who finally wanted to give their relationship an official label. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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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Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin review

April 27, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Death by Chocolate Mysteries that I’ve been enjoying since the first book. It’s by cozy mystery author Sarah Graves who first wrote about Jake Tiptree in her Home Repair is Homicide series, but I still haven’t gotten around to starting that one–I just looked at the series on GR and wasn’t aware it had so many books!

Even newish Eastport police chief Lizzie Snow had a 2-book series way prior to this series, but I’m not a fan of thrillers and their dark subject matter, so I probably am gonna pass on that one. It’s still cool she was a character before coming to Jake’s neck of the woods in Eastport, ME. I really enjoy her and Dylan’s characters a lot in the Death by Chocolate series.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SarahGraves

My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every adventure of Jake and her pal Ellie’s seems to be even more intense and full of mystery than the previous one. This book definitely fit that bill and had me on the edge of the seat at times and laughing at other times. Jake’s first person narrative is always good for some giggles along the way. That woman’s life is seriously chaotic at home but I don’t think she’d have it any other way.

The most epic adventure of this book came toward the end and was definitely nail-biting as Jake (who even rescued a dog in the process), Ellie and Dylan fought for their lives and a teen friend of Lee’s. Of course the good guys came out the winners and the baddies were dealt with. At the end, some friends had a fun thing happen for them, something that surprised everyone. Life’s sure never dull around Jake and Ellie!

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

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Murder by the Hook review

April 8, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the Crochet Mysteries by Betty Hechtman. I always love reading about this group of crochet ladies of all ages and interests. Boy was their friendship tested in a big way when they all decided to go on a weekend crochet getaway using a house that Molly’s boss at the bookstore arranged for them. With Adele along, who knows what’s gonna happen, right?

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #BettyHechtman

My Goodreads review:

Murder by the Hook by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Molly was torn in a million directions when she agreed to work a case for Mason that happened to be where the crochet getaway was that weekend. Oh boy, Adele was in rare form and I felt sorry for those crocheters having to put up with her 24/7 instead of just their get-together at the bookstore.

Molly’s case was a crazy one and may or may not’ve included aliens and a spaceship, some definite kleptomania (her main reason for working the case) and a man’s death that appeared to be deliberate but couldn’t be proved. No worries, we know when Molly’s on the case, nothing goes unturned…and it didn’t. I’m sure everyone was glad by the time this weekend was over!

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

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Fudge and Marriage review

April 2, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth full-length novel in the Candy-Coated series by Nancy CoCo and it’s been a fave series of mine that I’ve followed from the beginning. I even got to go to Mackinac Island seven years ago and took the latest at that time book in the series with me to read there, it was too cool. I loved the Island Bookstore and got to see the library that was part of the scenes in this book. I can’t wait to go back someday!

Technically, Amazon’s calling the book of previously released Christmas novellas book 13 and labeling this as #14. Goodreads has the book of novellas as #12.5 so whichever numbering floats your boat, there you go, lol.

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My Goodreads review:

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Allie’s mom and relatives showed up too early for Allie and Rex’s wedding, I was ready to have a word with the woman myself, lol. But Jenn as bestie and wedding planner went to bat for Allie more than once, and I was proud of Allie herself for finally standing up to the ridiculousness her mom insisted on with some things.

And of course it wouldn’t be our Allie without her getting involved in a murder investigation. I’ve been to the Mackinac Library and thought it was really cool that some of the scenes were in there—such an awesome place! Unfortunately outside was where the murder scene ended up and this time I hadn’t guessed whodunit at all.

Allie and Rex are always gonna always remember their wedding day, that’s for sure! What a crazy showdown and Allie had a cool sleuthing buddy in the form of the only non-uppity aunt she had. I’d love to see Aunt Ginny visit again sometime, she was pretty awesome. Thanks to her good island friends and sweet Rex, Allie and he got their happily ever after as planned. I didn’t want this book to end but as always, the excerpt of the next book at the end kinda serves as a little bridge to make the Mackinac magic last just a little longer. I 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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Dead Post Society review

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the House-Flippers Mysteries by Diane Kelly which I’ve loved ever since I started reading it at book 1. This one was especially cool since Buck and Whitney were working for his dad on a huge project. Buck was a new daddy himself and it seemed kinda unspoken they wouldn’t do any house flipping until the baby was a little older. But this job led to an amazing house they decided to buy and flip. Don’t miss this one, especially if you’ve followed the series from the beginning!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be my favorite of the books so far, but I might’ve said that about others as well lol. While working for Buck’s dad on a huge project, Whitney stumbled onto their next flip project which sounded pretty amazing from the descriptions. It was easy to picture how it might’ve looked once renovated.

The downside was the murder-suicide that happened there, but Whitney wasn’t really convinced that was the case and started digging. And for anyone who’s followed this series since book 1, we know where that gets her sometimes. Usually in the crosshairs of a killer, but she had a little help this time plus the fact she’s a contractor. They have all sorts of stuff up their sleeves, so this perp never knew what hit them. Little Sawdust kitty might’ve had a paw in it as well!

I loved the wrap-up and ending and now I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Whitney and everyone!

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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