Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished–review

March 6, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Seaside Cafe series by Bree Baker, and I think I liked it even more than the first, if that’s even possible! The showdown sure was exciting, and we got to know cute detective Grady and his adorable little son Denver even better. I’m not sure it’ll be this Christmas, but if you can believe characters in a book, I’m hoping for the next book to be during Christmastime. So long for now, Charm, NC, I’ll be back!

My Goodreads review:

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished by Bree Baker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an awesome follow-up to the first book! I’m not sure when the next book is coming, but according to the characters, Christmas in Charm is pretty special, so I’m hoping for a Christmastime book.

When the groom from the wedding that Everly just catered was found floating dead down by the beach, his new bride was the first person of interest, but Everly would have no part of that, since Judy was her childhood friend. Once again, Everly’s investigation got her some threats and nearly killed, but she nailed the killer. And once again, I didn’t even guess who the killer was. It was fun to follow the clues, and the showdown was really awesome. Everly’s cowboy ex-boyfriend showed up for the Summer Splash street fair, but it seemed fairly clear to me that Everly had her mind made up as to which guy she’d choose whenever the urge hits her to date again. And he might just have a little cowboy in him as well. 😉

I’ve really enjoyed spending time during these first two books in Charm, NC and can’t wait to return!

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Live and Let Chai–review

March 4, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series that came out last year by author Bree Baker who is actually not a newcomer to the cozy scene but writes under another name. You can follow her on Facebook and probably figure it out yourself. 😉 I love the idea of this being a North Carolina beach town and all the little shops sound so cute and fun. The characters were awesome, especially Aunt Clara and Aunt Fran, Everly’s aunts who took care of her after her grandma died. I think you’ll love this book as much as I did!

My Goodreads review:

Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this first book in the series! I’ve had it since it came out, and since I’m wanting to read the second book soon, I definitely wanted to be sure I read this one.

After a local man died from having been poisoned using tea from Sun, Sand and Tea, Everly Swan was not going to take it lightly. She was nearly accused of killing the man herself, so she got busy and with the help of her good friend Amelia went sleuthing. Of course the handsome detective on the case had to warn her off multiple times, but he did come in fairly handy when she had a showdown with the killer. Everly was no slouch at defending herself though, since she’d hit the person with a hot teakettle, fairly appropriate when you think about it! I hadn’t really guessed the killer because of some good red herrings.

I fell in love with the town of Charm and Everly’s aunts! They were so quirky and could get on her nerves at times, but they fiercely loved their grandniece and made sure that her new cafe was going to be a success. The white cat Maggie was really cool and I’m glad she came around and started being friendlier to Everly who was pretty sure the kitty used to live in her house. Amelia was an amazing friend, and I really liked how she was running four Little Libraries in Charm. The side story was about how someone kept pouring sand into the libraries and messing up the books. Everly and Amelia were determined to catch the persons doing this.

I’m really happy about Grady the detective being firm but not a power-hungry jerk to Everly–he really does care about her. She was impulsive and inquisitive and clearly needed to slow down when it came to snooping into things, but he at least was patient and not getting mad at her all the time. Since I have the second book right here, I’m going to start it next or right after the next book I read.

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Past Due for Murder–review

February 25, 2019 Tari Hann

Ohhh this was a good one! This is the third book in the Blue Ridge Library series by Victoria Gilbert. I’ve read the first two and really loved them. I like any cozy that takes place in a library setting, and this one has never disappointed me. I especially loved the ending of the book. I do recommend reading the first two books, because you’ll get all the awesome backstories of the characters and be able to appreciate this book even more!

My Goodreads review:

Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be my favorite book in the series, and the ending was just awesome! I hadn’t quite guessed the killer, because the author is very good at using red herrings.

When a local college student went missing then was found near the body of her professor, the police weren’t sure what to think, since there was no weapon found. Amy had talked to the woman just a few days before that and she’d told Amy she had some dirt on a local man and also the man Amy used to date, Charles Bartos. Amy just had to investigate and was nearly killed towards the end, but she had heard a confession from the killer. I liked how it didn’t just end with solving the case. It continued to the planned May Day festival, which was what Prof. Mona had wanted to revive. And old case from the 1800s was somewhat tied in with this one, at least the existence of some gold coins and a killing were solved.

I love how Amy and Richard’s relationship has grown, and aside from a small side mystery, they didn’t keep anything from each other. It was interesting to see the two sets of parents interact. I definitely didn’t like Richard’s parents–and I don’t think he likes them very much either. The end of the book was just perfect! I can’t wait for the next one to come out!

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Forests, Fishing and Forgery–review

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 Tari Hann

I just loved this third book in the Campers and Criminals series by well-known cozy author, Tonya Kappes. I love her casual and down home dialogue and stories, it’s just so much fun. And the characters always become someone you’d want to be friends with. The Laundry Club ladies are great examples of some would-be good friends.

I would really recommend reading the other two books in this series first. Not because of any spoilers, but I think you just need to get to know the characters and Mae’s love life status or lack thereof to fully appreciate the outcome of this book. Enjoy! There’s a FB book club discussion on this book later in the week, and now I’m ready!

My Goodreads review:

Forests, Fishing, & Forgery by Tonya Kappes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this is my favorite in the series so far! Mae’s heart has finally come to a decision on her love life, her adopted poodle had some puppies, not to mention another great mystery was solved.

Mae had her hands full on Labor Day weekend. There was possibly a drought going on, and if the park was closed, that meant financial trouble for her and all her fellow small businesses. One of her campers, the groom from a rowdy bachelor party group, went missing, then someone was murdered, or was it accidental? As the bodies continued to pile up, Mae was wondering how these cases were all connected, but in the end the case was solved and life was good again.

I just love the Laundry Club member Queenie! She’s a longtime member of Normal and seems to know just about everyone and all their business too. I loved the outcome of the whole story, as well as the birth of the puppies, so sweet! After you finish the books, there are three RV hacks/tips and three campground recipes to enjoy. We don’t camp, but I’m sure we can figure out a way to enjoy the recipes anyway.

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Mentioning this for 18 Cinema Lane…

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Tari Hann

Aside from loving cozy mystery books, I like a good movie, but I find myself mostly liking Hallmark movies, and especially this time of year, I love the mysteries! If you haven’t checked out 18 Cinema Lane’s blog yet, and you love Hallmark movies, you should get in on this voting. Here’s the link for Round 2 of the Gold Sally Awards.

I’m a big fan of When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Channel and just found this cool link on the blog, Sunset Over Hope Valley The blog author is going to do recaps for this whole season which should be very cool! Since the first episode actually has already aired on Christmas Day 2018, you can read all about it there, although if you’re not to Season 5 yet, you might want to hold off, because this episode contains spoilers you may not have seen yet. With social media, it’s seriously hard not to know what’s going on, even if you’re still on Season 3, but I just wanted to let you know you should be caught up if you want to read about Season 5, episode 1.

Scroll around 18 Cinema Lane’s blog and maybe you’ll want to follow it too! There are other movies mentioned besides Hallmark, I’m just a big fan of the big H Channel.

When Calls the Heart starts Season 5 this coming Sunday! Who’s excited? Me!

Death by Coffee–review

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Tari Hann

I’d been hoping this first book in the Bookstore Cafe series by Alex Erickson would make it to one of the online book discussion groups I’m in as an excuse to try it. Book clubs are great for that! Books that have sat around or lived awhile in my Kindle account finally get read. Win-win! And hey, who doesn’t like the idea of a bookstore cafe, ya know? Another fun thing for me about this series is that it takes place in Ohio, since the author is from here. I have all these in paperback from when B&N ran a Kensington special–except I think I preordered the next release as a Kindle book.

This cat picture I found on Google (under licensed for reuse) reminded me of Trouble, the bookshop cat.

My Goodreads review:

Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had been wanting to read this for some time now, and was glad when one of the online book clubs I’m in decided to use it for this month’s discussion, which is next week. Krissy was a hoot! She was pushy, persistent and sometimes a bit childlike in her outbursts, but she got the job done in the end, and she tracked down the killer. What a twist toward the end! I sure never saw it coming, and I didn’t guess the killer until some clues planted led to them. I loved the cats getting into mischief as the sort of comic relief, although it wasn’t too funny when Trouble was causing huge trouble for Allergy Man at the bookshop, but it could be said that the man overreacted and the cat just did what cats do naturally. (Heck, if I liked a bookshop that had a cat in it, I’d just take some allergy meds before I shopped lol) I really enjoyed Paul and Krissy’s budding friendship and hopefully romance. I’m definitely continuing this series!

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Murders and Metaphors–review

February 18, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the long-awaited third book in the Magical Bookshop series by Amanda Flower, and it’s one book I didn’t want to come to an end. I follow the author on Facebook, and I’m sure I saw her post about the fourth book being in the works, but it’s going to seem like a long time! I’m just happy that the series has a new home, thanks to her awesome agent as I read in the book’s acknowledgements.

My Goodreads review:

Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a book that was a long time in the making, well it seemed like it was lol, and it definitely did not disappoint! I’m so happy this series found a new home and is able to continue.

Violet’s cat Emerson found the body of a famous sommelier and wine author in the Morton Vineyards where they were holding their annual ice wine grape cutting. Violet’s friend Lacey who owned the local cafe with her French-Canadian husband was the woman’s estranged sister, and since a huge blow-up between them had happened earlier, Lacey was the main suspect. David Rainwater, police chief and Violet’s good friend knew he couldn’t stop her from investigating, but he always told her to be careful. After an attempt on Violet’s life, she was more determined than ever to find the killer.

The showdown was great! I hadn’t even suspected that particular person at all. I loved that David and Violet were growing closer and that Grandma Daisy had found something to do to make her feel more useful. Faulkner the crow and Emerson always crack me up and add just the perfect touch of comic relief to the stories that I’ve followed since the first book. Violet had finally been able to talk to her grandma about something that had been bothering her, as well as she was able to give herself permission to make the right choice in a love interest. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

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The Puppy Who Knew Too Much–review

February 17, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second book in Valerie (V.M) Burns’ newer series, Dog Club Mysteries. I absolutely love this series and wouldn’t change a thing about it. It has everything I have come to love in a cozy mystery! This definitely works as a standalone, but I really recommend treating yourself by reading the first one first. You’ll appreciate this one even more!

My Goodreads review:

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V.M. Burns

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew I loved this new series when I read the first book, but after reading this one, I am beyond in love with it! It’s the perfect cozy mystery with a great twist!

Lilly Echosby had made her move to Chattanooga TN and no sooner had she moved into a house she was going to rent, when she found a body in the woods nearby. It was identified as her landlord that she’d never met. After another body turned up and Lilly was told by the local officer that she was a person of interest, the TBI officer that had befriended her family took over the case. He hadn’t known Lilly that long, but he realized it was futile to ban her from investigating. And as usual, she and her friends came together at the end to solve the murders. The twist was great and I definitely never saw that coming.

I loved how Lilly’s daughter Stephanie immediately bonded with the Golden Retriever that they’d found cowering under the deck at the house. She got him medical help and he truly proved himself to be a loyal friend. Little Aggie was coming along with her obedience training and also had a fairly important part in taking down a killer. I am over the moon about Lilly and her new friend Red! I can’t wait to read the next book!

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Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake–review

February 11, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Death by Chocolate series by Sarah Graves. I really enjoyed this one, especially since it had been awhile ago that I read the first book. The goodies that Jake and Ellie are always working on at The Chocolate Moose always sound so yummy! There’s a recipe in the back for one of the items.

My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seems like it’s been a year or the better part of a year since I read the first book in the series, so I was glad to be able to get an ARC of this one from NetGalley. It was just as good a mystery and roller-coaster ride as I remember describing the first book.

This book doesn’t need a romantic interest for main character Jake, she’s already married to a great guy named Wade, and the same for her business partner at the Chocolate Moose, Ellie. Ellie is married to George, a construction worker who is gone a lot–but he and Ellie were very happy and had a daughter. It was sad that the girls were thinking of closing their shop, which had always been their dream, but if they couldn’t get more business, it seemed inevitable. Of course, just as they were getting a nice-paying wedding cake job, there was a murder to investigate–and the bride and grooms were both in jail now. Bob Arnold, the local police chief was always incredibly patient with their snooping. He never threatened to toss them in jail, but he seemed genuinely concerned for their well-being.

I loved that some of the action was true edge-of-your seat type action! The showdown with the killer was great. I had never suspected this person at all! Jake’s dad cracks me up. He’s an aging hippie who has just bought a brand new truck and has recovered from a heart attack. He isn’t happy about being babied, so he drives around town, but always stays within the law. Dad came in handy during the showdown, that’s for sure.

I really appreciate the in-depth explanation the author gives for her mysteries. In this book, it took place a week later in the form of Bob and Jake talking, then Jake’s dad had some pretty awesome news for her. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!

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