Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

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.

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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?

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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!

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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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One Sharp Stitch review

March 28, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called the Nimble Needle by Allie Pleiter, an author whose name I recognized from her Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. I still need to read those especially now that I really enjoyed this book in her new series. She’s definitely got a talent for creating likable and memorable characters as I saw in this book. Can’t wait till the next book comes out!

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My Goodreads review:

One Sharp Stitch by Allie Pleiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Shelby and her new friends in town along with her family when she came to take care of her mom’s needlepoint shop so Mom and Dad could go on a nice long road trip. She sure had no idea she’d be dealing with a murder soon after her parents left, although at first that’s not what it was being called. But Shelby persisted and even got Jessica somewhat involved.

On the shop front, Shelby managed to combine sleuthing with coming up with a needlepoint prize for a rotation all the shops took every few months. I liked the group she got together to help her do the stitching since they all talked about the case while they worked. The showdown and reveal were good—I’d definitely never suspected that person. Shelby and Jessica grew a lot closer as sisters after that which was gonna make the reveal during the epilogue a lot easier for both, lol. I sure can’t wait for that next book now!

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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Essence of Foul Play review

March 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the brand new Aroma Wellness Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber and readers like me are gonna be thrilled to see a couple characters from her Fairy Garden Mysteries featured prominently in this series. Some others pop in and out which was kinda fun since I felt right at home with the setting after having read all five of the Fairy Garden series. This should be a really fun series too!

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My Goodreads review:

Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I felt right at home reading this series since it has the same setting and some same characters from the author’s Fairy Garden Mysteries. I absolutely loved that series and now this companion series is gonna be so much fun! Emma was a great main character and I loved her grandma, someone readers will recognize as Ms. Reade the librarian except in this series she’s Nana Lissa or just Nana, a really amazing lady. Emma’s spa employes/friends were awesome too and that Meryl was such a hoot!

The showdown was a good one, exciting and tense but Emma had things under control by the time the police arrived. I think the good detective’s finding he’s got another one on his hands a lot like Courtney Kelly as far as wanting to solve investigations. The ending of the book was just too sweet and special! I can’t wait for the next book now!

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 Spirited Blend review

March 24, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mysteries by Lauren Elliott, another fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. I really like Ms. Elliott’s other series too, Beyond the Page Bookshop Mysteries. Shay and her sister Jen have an awesome dynamic as sisters along with being business partners. It’s always a fun trip to Bray Harbor to catch up with these characters. Pssst, Gran’s my fave secondary character!

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My Goodreads review:

A Spirited Blend by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve come to think of these characters as old friends now especially Liam’s crazy fun Gran, she’s such a hoot! She’s always after Shay and Liam to get together since her fairies predicted it, so I guess it’ll remain to be seen if Gran gets her wish soon or not lol. This was a mystery with a couple sides thrown in that weren’t gonna be solved immediately, but the main murder was solved so that’s what matters. There’s always a storyline waiting on the sidelines in this series which makes readers eager for 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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Scone Cold Dead review

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell, a fave series of mine that I’ve enjoyed since it started. It’s been fun following Robbie’s story while seeing relationships grow and change over the years.

One good constant everyone can rely on is that police chief Buck Bird’s gonna come in the restaurant and say he’s hungrier than…something. The fun part’s finding out just what and how many things he’s hungrier than in the course of a book, lol. I really enjoy all these characters and feel that Robbie’s very blessed to have people in her life like these locals and her awesome hubby Abe and stepson Sean. Hoping the series continues with more sleuthing but maybe the less dangerous for momma Robbie kind. 😉

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My Goodreads review:

Scone Cold Dead by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just love good old Buck Bird in this series which I’ve enjoyed since its beginning! He’s got about as many colorful, colloquial sayings as a certain campground manager in another of my fave series. Buck always cracks me up how he can put away so much food, lol. Adele’s a pretty cool character but for a while, she was having a hard time when the death of someone happened that she knew but wouldn’t admit to knowing.

Robbie had her sleuthing cut out for her but at least she wasn’t chasing down anyone. It was kinda cool how she and Lou got one last before-baby hurrah when they did a little snooping together. Lou’s an awesome friend and really came through when Robbie and the restaurant needed her. It’ll be interesting to see what directions Robbie’s investigations go now that her baby’s here. There were others who got some good news as well and one who had some bittersweet news, but even with baby on the brain, Robbie came up with a darn good solution.

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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The Library Game review

March 18, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries that I’ve had the pleasure of reading and enjoying as ARCs from the get-go, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint at all. The author, Gigi Pandian had such a sweet article in her latest newsletter about how the series came to be and how she made Grandpa Ash’s character be modeled after her own dad. The picture of them together was just too adorable!

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My Goodreads review:

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tempest and her friends/family are like old friend to me by now since I’ve read this series from the beginning. I’ve enjoyed the character developments and relationships growing. Poor Sanjay, he’s such a hoot normally but he was a worried man this time since he was a suspect. The showdown was tense and I really loved what someone did to the perp! The outcome was a satisfying one, and as all the friends were taking another friend to the airport, I can only wonder what the next book might bring!

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

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Puzzled 4 Murder review

February 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton better known as Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. It’s always a fun time with Phee riding herd on her mom Harriet and Harriet’s friends, not to mention Streetman, the mischievous chiweenie! I just love Phee’s hilarious first person narrative with her own comments in italics LOL!

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My Goodreads review:

Puzzled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The silly little chiweenie definitely caused his fair share of trouble but he did end up doing something pretty cool at the end. That little dog’s a Houdini when it comes to escaping his carrier. Poor Phee felt like she was herding cats once again trying to keep her mom and the book club ladies from getting into danger or trouble, whichever came first.

I always laugh a lot when reading in this series and this book was no exception, those book club ladies crack me up! After a crazy murder mystery that somehow tied into Nate and Marshall’s cold case they were looking into, the showdown was a good one and the ending was super satisfying. Maybe poor Phee’ll get a break—at least until the weather gets cooler lol.

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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