For the Love of e-Books Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

This is another challenge being run by As Told by Tina who also runs the Print Only Challenge. Again, it’s really easy: read e-books (owned or borrowed or even ARCS).

I’m going for Phase 5 of 40+

Levels:

  • Phase 1 – 1-10
  • Phase 2 – 11-20
  • Phase 3 – 21-30
  • Phase 4- 31-40
  • Phase 5- 40+

Here’s where you sign up: For the Love of E-Books, As Told by Tina

My books:

  1. Jeopardy in January–Camilla Chafer
  2. Batter Off Dead–Maymee Bell
  3. A Charming Cure–Tonya Kappes
  4. Death and Daisies–Amanda Flower
  5. Snowy Misery–Wendy Meadows
  6. Candy Apple Killer–Chelsea Thomas
  7. How to Knit a Murder–Sally Goldenbaum
  8. A Ghost of Glaze–Melissa Monroe
  9. Decaffeinated Scandal–Tonya Kappes
  10. Peril at the Pawn Shop–Mel Faye
  11. The Body in the Attic–Judi Lynn
  12. A Tiny Bite of Murder–Constance Barker
  13. A Juicy Morsel of Jealousy–Christine Zane Thomas
  14. Deal Gone Dead–Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
  15. Treacherous Trinkets–E.Z. Pennington
  16. A Case of Syrah, Syrah–Nancy J. Parra
  17. Seven Deadly Zins–Nancy J. Parra
  18. Murder Wears a Little Black Dress–Debra Sennefelder
  19. Dead Editor File–G.G. Collins
  20. Secrets in a Bottle–Shelly West
  21. A Body on Fitzgerald’s Bluff–Anna Celeste Burke
  22. Baby Daddy Mystery–Daisy Pettles
  23. Bones Behind the Wheel–E.J. Copperman
  24. Pruning the Dead–Julia Henry
  25. Town Hall Homicide–Mel Faye
  26. Heirlooms and Homicide–Danielle Collins
  27. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake–Sarah Graves
  28. Candy, Murder & Me–Carolyn Chambers Clark
  29. Break-Ins and Bloodshed–Danielle Collins
  30. The Puppy Who Knew Too Much–V.M. Burns
  31. The St. Valentine’s Day Cookie Massacre–Elisabeth Crabtree
  32. The Long Paw of the Law 6–Laurie Anne Marie
  33. A Stab in the Dark–Shelly West
  34. Forests, Fishing & Forgery–Tonya Kappes
  35. Past Due for Murder–Victoria Gilbert
  36. Beyond Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robinson
  37. Dead and Buried–Jordaina Sydney Robinson
  38. Irish Creme Killer–Summer Prescott
  39. A Murder Moist Foul–Summer Prescott
  40. A Pinch of Murder–Summer Prescott
  41. Restaurant Weeks Are Murder–Libby Klein
  42. Drawn and Buttered–Shari Randall
  43. One Taste Too Many–Debra H. Goldstein
  44. Decluttered and Dead–Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
  45. A Catered St. Patrick’s Day–Isis Crawford
  46. A Slice of Murder–Chris Cavender
  47. Death by Dog Show–Arlene Kay
  48. This Spells Trouble–Stacey Alabaster
  49. Plantation Shudder–Ellen Byron
  50. Something Read, Something Dead–Eva Gates
  51. The Hidden Corpse–Debra Sennefelder
  52. A Little More Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robinson
  53. Deader Still–Jordaina Sydney Robinson (GR has the title incorrect, but it’s the 4th book)
  54. Confessions of a Red Herring–Dana Dratch
  55. Purebred Murder1–E.Z. Pennington
  56. Purebred Murder 2–E.Z. Pennington
  57. Berried Alive–Chelsea Thomas
  58. Plotting for Murder–Tamra Baumann
  59. Lights Out at the Lighthouse–Danielle Collins
  60. Cat Got Your Crown–Julie Chase
  61. A Pattern for Murder–Ann Yost
  62. Murder Once Removed–S.C. Perkins
  63. Murder in Tranquility Park–J.D. Griffo
  64. Murder on Silver Lake–Hugo James King
  65. Trouble on the Books–Essie Lang
  66. Basket Case–Nancy Haddock
  67. Murder at the Marina–Janet Finsilver
  68. Easter Bunny Murder–Leslie Meier
  69. Deadly Vows–Jody Holford
  70. Murder from Scratch–Leslie Karst
  71. Sweet Revenge–Morgana Best
  72. You Can Lead a Horse to Murder–Tara Meyers
  73. Paint the Town Dead–Nancy Haddock
  74. The Diva Sweetens the Pie–Krista Davis
  75. The Body in the Wetlands–Judi Lynn
  76. Utterly Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robinson
  77. If the Broom Fits–Sara Bourgeois
  78. Sifting Through Clues–Daryl Wood Gerber

 

 

Calendar of Crime Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

When I saw that this was another brand new challenge for 2019, I couldn’t really resist! It’s on Bev’s My Reader’s Block blog and this is where you sign up. The first link goes to her entire list of challenges she’s signed up for in 2019. All I can say is impressive! 🙂

This challenge sounds fairly easy, but it’s best if you read all the rules on Bev’s blog. Basically, to complete the challenge, you’ll read 12 mystery/crime books.

My books:

January:  Jeopardy in January (Calendar Mysteries #1) by Camilla Chafer  Jeopardy in January–Camilla Chafer
Includes: Month in title, primary action takes place in month, original publication month, title has words starting with “J”, month-related item (snow scene) on cover.

February: The St. Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree The St. Valentine’s Day Cookie Massacre–Elisabeth Crabtree
Includes: Primary action takes place this month, original publication month, Valentine’s Day

March: A Catered St. Patrick's Day by Isis Crawford A Catered St. Patrick’s Day–Isis Crawford
Includes: Primary action takes place this month, original publication month, St. Patrick’s Day; money as a theme; month-related item on cover

April: Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier Easter Bunny Murder–Leslie Meier
Includes: Primary action takes places this month, Easter, month-related item on cover

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

 

Alphabet Soup-Author Edition 2019

Tari Hann

UPDATE: 4/16/19: I only need five more letters to complete the Author Alphabet Soup, and I do have those planned.

Here’s a new spin on the usual Alphabet Soup challenge, which is always run by Lori from Escape with Dollycas blog. This is the sign-up link, Something I just realized when I was reading over her rules, you can use the first OR last name of the author you read!

If you want a fun group experience, you can join the Alphabet Soup Author Edition Facebook group.

My author list and the books:

Anna Celeste Burke—A Body on Fitzgerald’s Bluff

Bethany Blake—A Midwinter’s Tail

Camilla Chafer—Jeopardy in January

Delaney, Vicki—A Scandal in Scarlet

Ellery Adams—A Killer Plot

Flower, Amanda—Death and Daisies

G.G. Collins—The Dead Editor File

Henry, Julia—Pruning the Dead

Isis Crawford—A Catered St. Patrick’s Day

Joy Avon—In Peppermint Peril

Kappes, Tonya—A Charming Cure

Lynn, Judi—A Body in the Attic

Maymee Bell—Batter Off Dead

Nancy Parra—Seven Deadly Zins

O.

Pettles, Daisy—Baby Daddy Mystery

Q.

Ross, Barbara—Iced Under

Sally Goldenbaum—Murders on Elderberry Road

Thomas, Chelsea—Candy Apple Killer

U.

V.M Burns—The Novel Art of Murder

Wendy Meadows—Snowy Misery

X.

Yost, Ann

Z.

Print Only Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

Yep another challenge. This one is run by As Told by Tina. This is the As Told By Tina Print Only Challenge 2019 sign-up page. The picture is property of Tina and indicates I’m part of this challenge.

It’s easy and straightforward: physical books only, but they can be yours, borrowed or gifts, as long as they are a physical book.

I’m going for the 41+ Collector’s Edition, since I read quite a few over that amount in 2018–and the year isn’t finished.

Levels:

1-10 – Out Of Print
11-20 – 1st Edition
21-30 – 2nd Printing
31- 40 – Signed Edition
41+ – Collector’s Edition

My books:

  1. In Peppermint Peril–Joy Avon
  2. The Novel Art of Murder–V.M. Burns
  3. A Midwinter’s Tail–Bethany Blake
  4. A Scandal in Scarlet–Vicki Delany
  5. Iced Under–Barbara Ross
  6. Pleating for Mercy–Melissa Bourbon
  7. The Whispered Word–Ellery Adams
  8. Christmas Carol Murder–Leslie Meier
  9. Manuscript for Murder–Jessica Fletcher/Jon Land
  10. Dead as a Door Knocker–Diane Kelly
  11. Gin & Daggers–Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain
  12. Meet Your Baker–Ellie Alexander
  13. A Gift of Bones–Carolyn Haines
  14. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder–Joanne Fluke
  15. Murders and Metaphors–Amanda Flower
  16. Death by Coffee–Alex Erickson
  17. Live and Let Chai–Bree Baker
  18. No Good Tea Goes Unpunished–Bree Baker
  19. Murders on Elderberry Road–Sally Goldenbaum
  20. Glitter Bomb–Laura Childs and Terrie Farley Moran
  21. A Killer Plot–Ellery Adams
  22. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder–Joanne Fluke
  23. A Fitting End–Melissa Bourbon
  24. The Pomeranian Always Barks Twice–Alex Erickson
  25. Lending a Paw–Laurie Cass
  26. Eggs on Ice–Laura Childs
  27. Kernel of Truth–Kristi Abbott
  28. Foul Play on Words–Becky Clark
  29. Poppy Harmon Investigates–Lee Hollis
  30. With a Kiss I Die–J.A. Hennrikus
  31. Allergic to Death–Peg Cochran
  32. Them Bones–Carolyn Haines

Virtual Mount TBR Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

This is a companion challenge to Bev’s Mount TBR Challenge where you have to actually own the books you read, no library books in that challenge.

In this challenge, only borrowed books will count and there isn’t any date limit like with the other one. If you see a book in your library or on Libby/Overdrive, those count, as I’m assuming Kindle Unlimited counts–as long as you have to return it when you’re done. As far as I know, this one isn’t being tracked on Goodreads, but you can still do the challenge if you don’t have a blog.

Here’s the Virtual Mount TBR Challenge 2019 sign-up page on My Reader’s Block owned by Bev. Image is property of Bev’s blog and used here to identify this challenge.

I’ll be going for Mount Crumpit (yes ok, I do like the name ’cause it’s from the Grinch) or 24 borrowed books for 2019. Playing it safe since I read a lot of ARCs and am in a lot of Facebook book clubs.

I’m also keeping track on Goodreads in the Virtual Mount TBR group there. I’m calling it my climb to the Grinch! 😉

Challenges Levels:

Mount Rum Doodle: Read 12 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Crumpit: Read 24 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Munch: Read 36 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
White Plume Mountain: Read 48 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Stormness Head: Read 60 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Mindolluin: Read 75 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Seleya: Read 100 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Olympus: Read 150+ books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library

My books:

  1. Snowy Misery–Wendy Meadows (KU)
  2. A Ghost of Glaze–Melissa Monroe (KU)
  3. A Tiny Bite of Murder–Constance Barker (KU)
  4. Deal Gone Dead–Carolyn Ridder Aspenson (KU)
  5. Treacherous Trinkets–E.Z. Pennington (KU)
  6. A Case of Syrah, Syrah–Nancy J. Parra (Overdrive/Library)
  7. Dead Editor File–G.G. Collins (KU)
  8. A Body on Fitzgerald’s Bluff–Anna Celeste Burke (KU)
  9. Town Hall Homicide–Mel Faye (KU)
  10. Dead and Buried–Jordaina Sydney Robinson (KU)
  11. Decluttered and Dead–Carolyn Ridder Aspenson (KU)
  12. A Little More Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robsinson (KU
  13. Deader Still–Jordaina Sydney Robinson (KU) (GR has the title incorrect, but the link is to this 4th book)
  14. Plotting for Murder–Tamra Baumann (KU)
  15. Lights Out at the Lighthouse–Danielle Collins (KU)
  16. Murder on Silver Lake–Hugo James King (KU)
  17. Paint the Town Dead–Nancy Haddock (Overdrive)

 

 

 

24.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

I had seen this one done during the year by some bloggers I follow, so I thought it would be fun to start it at the beginning of a year. Bev from My Reader’s Block blog runs this. She also has it on Goodreads, so you can keep track there too. I may just link my Goodreads page here to keep typing to a minimum! 😉 Her sign-up page is My Reader’s Block Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2019.

I will be going for Mt. Ararat or 48 books from my TBR. Here’s my Goodreads link where I’ll keep track: Tari’s First Climb 2019  (I might keep track here as well, depends on time constraints.) Image is from Bev’s page as well to identify this challenge.

Here are the various levels as copy/pasted from Bev’s page:

Challenge Levels:

Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

Basically, the books have to be yours before January 1, 2019 for them to count. Physical or e-books count. Also, if you own the physical book, but for some reason you have to borrow the audio or e-book from somewhere to be able to finish it on the go, those count as well. For full rules, here’s the sign-up link on Bev’s blog again.

  1. In Peppermint Peril–Joy Avon
  2. Jeopardy in January–Camilla Chafer
  3. Batter Off Dead–Maymee Bell
  4. A Charming Cure–Tonya Kappes
  5. The Novel Art of Murder–V.M. Burns
  6. Death and Daisies–Amanda Flower
  7. A Midwinter’s Tail–Bethany Blake
  8. Candy Apple Killer–Chelsea Thomas
  9. A Scandal in Scarlet–Vicki Delany
  10. How to Knit a Murder–Sally Goldenbaum
  11. Iced Under–Barbara Ross
  12. Pleating for Mercy–Melissa Bourbon
  13. Decaffeinated Scandal–Tonya Kappes
  14. The Body in the Attic–Judi Lynn
  15. Gin & Daggers–Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain
  16. Meet Your Baker–Ellie Alexander
  17. The St. Valentine’s Day Cookie Massacre–Elisabeth Crabtree
  18. Death by Coffee–Alex Erickson
  19. Forests, Fishing & Forgery–Tonya Kappes
  20. Beyond Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robinson
  21. Live and Let Chai–Bree Baker
  22. Irish Creme Killer–Summer Prescott
  23. A Murder Moist Foul–Summer Prescott
  24. A Pinch of Murder–Summer Prescott
  25. Murders on Elderberry Road–Sally Goldenbaum
  26. One Taste Too Many–Debra H. Goldstein
  27. A Catered St. Patrick’s Day–Isis Crawford
  28. A Killer Plot–Ellery Adams
  29. A Slice of Murder–Chris Cavender
  30. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder–Joanne Fluke
  31. A Fitting End–Melissa Bourbon
  32. A Pattern for Murder–Ann Yost
  33. Lending a Paw–Laurie Cass
  34. Kernel of Truth–Kristi Abbott
  35. Basket Case–Nancy Haddock
  36. Allergic to Death–Peg Cochran
  37. Sweet Revenge–Morgana Best
  38. You Can Lead a Horse to Murder–Tara Meyers
  39. Them Bones–Carolyn Haines

Literary Escapes Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

UPDATE: I didn’t make all the states for 2018. I still needed 5 or 6 I believe, but I am trying to plan this year’s a little better.

Lori at Escape with Dollycas blog is once again running this challenge. You can sign up on her 2019 Literary Escapes Challenge page or see the Literary Escapes Challenge Facebook group page. This is a fun challenge even if you don’t have a blog. Just keep track on the Facebook group or make yourself a Goodreads shelf for it.

Challenge members will try to read one book from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia–1 point each, but 50 points completes the challenge. Countries count too–1 bonus point for each country.  See Lori’s blog link in the first paragraph for the official rules or for any questions you might have that will probably be answered for you on that blog page. Have fun and happy armchair traveling! (or hammock, bathtub, deck–wherever you like to read!)

Alabama One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein One Taste Too Many, #1 Sarah Blair–Debra H. Goldstein

Alaska Snowy Misery (Alaska Cozy Mystery #7) Snowy Misery, #7 Alaska Mystery–Wendy Meadows

Arizona

Arkansas Basket Case by Nancy Haddock Basket Case, #1 Silver Six Crafting–Nancy Haddock

California A Case of Syrah, Syrah by Nancy J. Parra A Case of Syrah, Syrah, #1 Wine Country–Nancy J. Parra

Colorado

Connecticut Peril at the Pawn Shop by Mel Faye Peril at the Pawn Shop, #1 A Walk in the Bark–Mel Faye

Delaware Secrets in a Bottle by Shelly West Secrets in a Bottle, #1 Whodunit Antiques–Shelly West

District of Columbia

Florida Candy, Murder & Me by Carolyn Chambers Clark Candy, Murder & Me, #1 Cookie Berelli–Carolyn Chambers Clark

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas Murders on Elderberry Road by Sally Goldenbaum Murders on Elderberry Road, #1 Queen Bees Quilt Mystery–Sally Goldenbaum

Kentucky Batter Off Dead (A Southern Cake Baker Mystery, #2) Batter Off Dead, #2 Southern Cake Baker–Maymee Bell

Louisiana A Murder Moist Foul by Carol Durand A Murder Moist Foul, #1 Frosted Love–Summer Prescott

Maine In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon In Peppermint Peril, #1 Book Teashop–Joy Avon

Maryland

Massachusetts A Scandal in Scarlet (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, #4) A Scandal in Scarlet, #4 Sherlock Holmes–Vicki Delany

Michigan The Novel Art of Murder (Mystery Bookshop, #3) The Novel Art of Murder, #3 Mystery Bookshop–V.M. Burns

Minnesota Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, #24 Hannah Swenson–Joanne Fluke

Mississippi A Gift of Bones by Carolyn Haines A Gift of Bones, #19 Sarah Booth Delaney–Carolyn Haines

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada A Pinch of Murder by Carol Durand A Pinch of Murder, #2 Frosted Love–Summer Prescott (based in Louisiana, but most of the book takes place in Las Vegas)

New Hampshire

New Jersey Bones Behind the Wheel by E.J. Copperman Bones Behind the Wheel, #10 Haunted Guesthouse–E.J. Copperman

New Mexico Dead Editor File by G.G. Collins Dead Editor File, #1 Taylor Browning–G.G. Collins

New York Candy Apple Killer Candy Apple Killer, #3 Apple Orchard–Chelsea Thomas

North Carolina The Whispered Word (Secret, Book, & Scone Society, #2) The Whispered Word, #2 The Secret, Book & Scone Society–Ellery Adams

North Dakota

Ohio Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson Death by Coffee, #1 Bookstore Cafe–Alex Erickson

Oklahoma

Oregon Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander Meet Your Baker, #1 Bakeshop Mysteries–Ellie Alexander

Pennsylvania A Midwinter's Tail A Midwinter’s Tail, #4 Lucky Paws Petsitting–Bethany Blake

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas Pleating for Mercy (A Magical Dressmaking Mystery, #1) Pleating for Mercy, #1 Magical Dressmaking–Melissa Bourbon

Utah

Vermont

Virginia Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert Past Due for Murder, #3 Blue Ridge Library–Victoria Gilbert

Washington Heirlooms and Homicide by Danielle Collins Heirlooms and Homicide, #1 Heart’s Grove–Danielle Collins

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

COUNTRIES:

Scotland Death and Daisies (A Magic Garden Mystery #2) Death and Daisies, #2 Magic Garden–Amanda Flower

England Gin & Daggers by Jessica Fletcher Gin & Daggers, #1 Murder, She Wrote–Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain

Australia This Spells Trouble by Stacey Alabaster This Spells Trouble, #1 Private Eye Witch–Stacey Alabaster

 

 

 

 

 

Alphabet Soup Challenge 2019

Tari Hann

UPDATE: 4/16/19: I only need seven more letters to complete the Alphabet Challenge for titles.

Lori at Escape with Dollycas blog is heading up the Alphabet Soup Challenge 2019. If you follow the link above, you’ll land on her blog page where you too can sign up. You don’t need a blog to join in the fun. I keep my list on my blog and I also report it in the Alphabet Reading Challenge Facebook group.

For all the rules and if you have any questions Lori can answer, just go to the Alphabet Soup Challenge 2019 link in the first paragraph, or you can join the Facebook group (link in first paragraph as well) and ask her there. Have fun! (As of this writing, I still have 5 letters to go, eek! Need to do some strategic cozy mystery reading!)

Image above is property of Escape with Dollycas blog–bloggers are encouraged to grab the image from the Dollycas blog to help identify your challenge page.

Allergic to Death–Peg Cochran

Batter Off Dead—Maymee Bell

C (A) Charming Cure—Tonya Kappes

Death and Daisies—Amanda Flower

Eggs on Ice—Laura Childs

Forests, Fishing and Forgery—Tonya Kappes

G (A) Ghost of Glaze—Melissa Monroe

How to Knit a Murder—Sally Goldenbaum

In Peppermint Peril—Joy Avon

Jeopardy in January—Camilla Chafer

K A) Killer Plot—Ellery Adams

Long Paw of the Law 6—Laurie Anne Marie

M (A) Midwinter’s Tail—Bethany Blake

N (The) Novel Art of Murder—V.M. Burns

One Taste Too Many—Debra H. Goldstein

Pleating for Murder—Melissa Bourbon

Q.

Restaurant Weeks are Murder—Debra Sennefelder

Snowy Misery—Wendy Meadows

T (A) Tiny Bite of Murder—Constance Barker

Utterly Dead–Jordaina Sydney Robinson

V.

W (The) Whispered Word—Ellery Adams

X.

Y.

Z.

Purls and Poison–review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Black Sheep Knitting series by Anne Canadeo, or to get a little technical, it’s the second one in the renamed series, Black Sheep & Company, which is now with Kensington Publishing. I’d only read books 1 and 2, but I felt like I knew the characters well enough to read this when the chance came up to get it from NetGalley.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

My Goodreads review:

Purls and Poison (Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries, #10)Purls and Poison by Anne Canadeo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time because of one of the knitters herself being accused of murdering her co-worker. As the story unfolded, it just seemed like poor Suzanne couldn’t catch a break, because the police were uncovering yet more reasons why they thought she killed Liza.

Liza Devereaux was a major thorn in Suzanne Cavanaugh’s side. She’d always been overly competitive in the real estate market, but stealing a $2 million dollar deal right out from Suzanne’s nose made Suzanne really angry. Not angry enough to kill her, but who did and decided that it would be all fun and games if they framed Suzanne? That’s what her knitter friends were going to find out, because clearly to them the police had no one else in their radar except their good friend. Even though Maggie’s boyfriend was one of the detectives, Maggie didn’t let that stop her from being fiercely loyal to Suzanne. How was Charles going to react to that?

I thought the book ended really great! It had an exciting showdown in which Suzanne showed a lot of bravery. I had one person in mind for the killer the whole time until the reveal. There were plenty of suspects and some red herrings along the way as well.

I haven’t read all the books in the series before this one, but I have read the first two and was very quickly swept into their friendship and knitting circle. By the second book, they were old friends to me, so it was great to go back even though quite a few books had passed, and catch up with them. I do still intend to read all the books in between, but I couldn’t resist requesting this one from NetGalley.

Disclaimer: I read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Deadly News–review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called Britton Bay by contemporary romance author, Jody Holford. I kind of wondered what a cozy mystery would be like when written by someone who has only written romance. Well, I was happily surprised that I really liked it! It had just the perfect atmosphere and a really good murder mystery! I could picture this unfolding on Hallmark or maybe Lifetime.

My Goodreads review:

Deadly News (A Britton Bay Mystery Book 1)Deadly News by Jody Holford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an incredibly sweet cozy mystery! It was a different touch to have an experienced contemporary romance writer writing a cozy mystery, but I loved the whole atmosphere that gave the book! Kind of like a Hallmark movie. I’ve only read cozies so far by cozy mystery writers or ones who have written some suspense as well. Maybe the biggest difference for me (and this was definitely a good thing) was that Molly and Sam didn’t bicker with each other like the main sleuth sometimes does with the man she’s falling for but somehow doesn’t think she should or doesn’t think she deserves a guy like that. I like that Molly didn’t want to play the martyr and swear off men for good, even though when she first moved there she said she was going to just work. She realized Sam was nice and way different from her ex. This was a fun treat and I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

Molly Owens was just settling into her new town and sweet little rental home when her grumpy reporter turned up dead–she was the one that found him in his home when he didn’t report to work for the second day in a row. Molly felt responsible for sending the man to interview a local woman from the founding family in town. She thought maybe Vernon had stumbled onto something that got him killed, and she wasn’t going to be satisfied till the real killer was caught.

I absolutely loved the main characters in this book. Alan is just the nicest boss, Elizabeth turned out to be a very sweet co-worker, Sam of course is awesome and Cali is such a character! I wasn’t real impressed with Clay, but I don’t think readers were supposed to be impressed with him. Since Molly had no typical best-friend-of-the-main-character, I loved that Sam was such a good sounding board. Although Bella may prove to be a good friend in future books when Molly needs a friend who’s a girl. The little dog Tigger sounded so adorable too!

This book had all the elements I love in a cozy of great characters, sweet small town, an adorable pet, cops who weren’t grumpy–and a more unique job for the guy interest–Sam is a mechanic, not a cop! 😉 I don’t dislike cop boyfriends, they can come in very handy, but sometimes it’s fun to switch it up.

View all my reviews