Tag: amateur sleuth

A Dish to Die For review

Tari Hann

This is the twelfth in the long running Key West Food Critic Mysteries series by Lucy Burdette, and it’s always a foodie’s paradise to go visit Hayley and see what she orders and writes about. You can always count on some yummy recipes as well at the back of these books! This book releases tomorrow, August 9 and would make a great beach read if you’ve still got a vacation coming up!

My Goodreads review:

A Dish to Die For (Key West Food Critic Mystery #12)A Dish to Die For by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another case for Hayley as she gets used to married life, and poor Nathan was agonizing over his dad being in town. Once we met his dad, I didn’t eventually think he was so bad. I could almost picture him as DiNozzo Sr. only less jovial or joking around. He seemed like an acquired taste, lol, but Hayley’s probably one of the easiest and nicest people to get along with, so I didn’t think he’d have any issues with her. She kinda seemed to charm him a little if that was possible.

I like how Miss Gloria got to help out a little with the sleuthing again and after successfully solving the case of “who killed the rich guy on the beach,” she got some good news at work too. Always a yummy time visiting Key West with Hayley and friends!

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

View all my reviews

In Too Steep review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Misty Bay Tearoom Mysteries by Kate Kingsbury, author of The Merry Ghost Inn and Pennyfoot Hotel cozy mystery  series. I really like Viv and her team. Their work and off hours camaraderie’s a lot of fun, and that Gracie always cracks me up! She’s always so eager to sleuth, just love that girl! Now I can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

In Too Steep (Misty Bay Tearoom #2)In Too Steep by Kate Kingsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m really enjoying this series and the fact that Vivian’s finally coming around to having a more than friendship relationship with Hal. Life’s too short to let a good someone go–now if Jenna would take that advice, she’d make Viv a happy camper!

I got a suspicion when a character was introduced that they might be the perp, and I was actually right. But wow what a twisted journey that little model of the Big Ben took! From one owner to another, how could this innocent decorative piece have gotten involved in a jewel heist? Vivian and her pals were determined to find out.

I like the side story with Hal and how this particular incident seemed to bring him and Viv even closer. And I believe there might be hope for Jenna and Tony too! That showdown was tense, but all ended up well with the right help coming along when needed. I’m eager to read more now that all three ladies seem to be in a good place with possible relationships! This book releases Tuesday, August 6, 2022.

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

I

View all my reviews

The Fragrance of Death review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Sally Solari Mysteries (this is the first 4) by Leslie Karst who was luckily able to get a new publisher to continue the series. It ended in 2019 with the previous publisher, so the link I added is to the first four books, but you can get to this one from my Goodreads review below. It was great visiting Sally, her dad, Nonna, Javier and the whole gang in Santa Cruz again. I just love Sally’s dad! He’s such an awesome character, and I love that he’s happy with Abby his girlfriend. I hope the new publisher wants to let Sally’s tales continue! Readers can help support that by buying the book or borrowing it from your library and leaving reviews too! If your library takes suggestions, you can always suggest they get the hardback or on Overdrive I know my library lets us submit suggestions for e-book buys.

#SevernHousePublishing #LeslieKarst

My Goodreads review:

The Fragrance of Death (A Sally Solari Mystery, 5)The Fragrance of Death by Leslie Karst
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was thrilled to find out that the author found another publisher and was going to continue Sally’s stories! I think any Sally fan might agree we’ve been a little starved for one of our fave cozy chef characters, so this book definitely didn’t disappoint. But poor Sally had the most horrible dilemma any chef could imagine: loss of taste and smell. It didn’t help if a dish got goofed up or something even worse happened because of said loss.

To keep her mind off her own issues, Sally was investigating again when the guy next to her at the Artichoke Contest was killed. There was a fairly long list of wannabe killers and even the police had trouble zoning in on which one offed the guy. But our Sally girl wouldn’t be deterred even with attempts on her life going on.

Meanwhile, Sally had some relationship changes going on, and I gotta say I’m not unhappy with what ended up happening and wasn’t completely surprised. The showdown was pretty exciting and I thought it was really cool how Sally caught her perp. Sally, I hope your adventures are able to continue, it’s been awesome catching back up!

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

View all my reviews

No Parm No Foul review

Tari Hann

This is the second in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, a well-established cozy mystery author of a couple other series. Who doesn’t love a yummy and comforting grilled cheese sandwich? I knew I’d love this series when I first saw it and it’s not been a disappointment at all. There’re even some recipes at the end of the book for some of the cheesy sandwich goodness featured in the story.

I really loved this book and was thrilled to see I really won’t have to wait a year for the next book since Cheddar Late Than Dead releases January 31, 2023. (Be sure to click through to the Amazon page and read the synopsis–this sounds like another good one!) I know I can’t wait to catch back up with these book friends.

#PoisonedPenPress #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

 No Parm No Foul (Grilled Cheese Mysteries #2)No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this Halloween time visit to Vermont and Carly’s grilled cheese eatery. I wish that place was real! I’m not much on fancy grilled cheeses, but I bet she still would make an awesome regular one! I loved sweet Evelyn’s character and how she played a part in Carly figuring out whodunit. I’m happy that in the first book Carly reconciled with Gina and now they were the best of buddies especially when it came to sharing sleuthing secrets or tossing around case ideas.

There were a lot of possible suspects and I wasn’t sure until one clue stuck out then more started coming. The showdown was pretty exciting and help came from a super unlikely source, wait’ll you read about that, it’s pretty cool.

I’m really happy with where Carly and Ari are in their relationship especially at the end of the book! That makes me wish another book wasn’t a year away, but I guess I’ll appreciate it a lot more if I have to wait. I’ve really come to think of these characters as old friends now and once again I’m so happy that a main character actually has a good relationship with her mom and the mom is equally nice to her daughter. Even Carly’s stepdad’s a sweetie! Till next time, Carly and Crew!

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

View all my reviews

Death of an Ice Cream Scooper review

Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Spirits series by brother and sister duo, Lee Hollis. I love how the characters have grown and changed since the first book but yet they’re familiarly the same and so much fun to feel like you’re coming home to Bar Harbor and hanging out with these people.

I’m just crazy about the little dachshund on the cover! Sprinkles might not have a huge role in the book, but just being a buddy to Leroy while Hayley and Sprinkles’ doggie mom Lynette walked them was super cute. I love how it was described that Sprinkles brought out the puppy in Leroy.

#KensingtonCozies #LeePowell

My Goodreads review:

Death of an Ice Cream Scooper (Hayley Powell Mystery Book 15)Death of an Ice Cream Scooper by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 15 and Hayley’s going strong! I love the characters and town as much as when I first picked up the debut book. And just as I was wondering if we were getting any of his famous Sergio-isms, he didn’t disappoint!

There was a lot going on this time. Dustin’s as grown of a man as he could possibly be now while Gemma was roasting away in a New York summer as she was telling her mom. Three of Hayley’s friends had new boyfriends, Liddy was getting an expensive mansion as a listing and all through this, Hayley was trying to figure out who killed the ice cream scooper.

I loved the mention of the ice cream shop owner’s little dachshund, Sprinkles! He sounded adorable and good old Leroy, Hayley’s beloved Shih-Tzu was still plugging along and finding his second wind when Sprinkles was around. Which to the dachshund lover (me) wasn’t quite enough, but I’ll take whatever I can get of a dachsie in the story! I’m always grateful when one shows up!

In true Hayley fashion, she found herself in quite a predicament but managed to slip out of it only to confront a killer not long after. But all went well, ending in the familiar family get-together that I always love about this series. I’m sure it won’t take Hayley long to transition into her new role! I’m being purposely vague and leaving out anything I personally would’ve thought was a spoiler before reading this book. You can get the whole scoop (ice cream pun intended) on July 26 when it releases!

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

View all my reviews

Five Belles Too Many review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Sarah Blair Mysteries by Debra H. Goldstein. While the story being a reality show set wasn’t a favorite of mine, I did like the very last part probably best of all the books. I’ve followed the series from the beginning, and Sarah’s definitely come a long way, and she’s even respected enough by Officer Robinson that he had her helping out a little when the murder happened. I just wish she’d see the great guy right in front of her instead of needing a diversion (who thankfully wasn’t in the book lol.)

#KensingtonCozies #DebraHGoldstein

My Goodreads review:

Five Belles Too ManyFive Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even though I wasn’t crazy about the reality show theme of this book, it was a still a good mystery with all the usual Jane drama and Maybelle thrown in for a little comic relief. I’m just not a reality show fan, so this won’t be up there as a favorite from the series or anything.

I did enjoy the idea of Cliff being in the book and not Glenn. I’ve been Team Cliff since the beginning and sometimes I’d like to pound a little sense into Sarah for pulling away from him. But maybe the author might surprise us and get them back together, at least I hope so! They had some good scenes together, so that made me a little hopeful! The author did a great job of making readers miss Sarah’s cute pets as much as Sarah herself did since they weren’t allowed to be anywhere near the show set.

I wasn’t really sure whodunit and followed along until I had some suspicions as more information was available. The showdown was tense, but the cavalry came through. And the ending was just the sweetest ever! I absolutely loved what happened.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Killers of a Feather review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio who also wrote the Nick and Nora Mysteries and Cat Rescue Mysteries. I really enjoyed the Cat Rescue Mysteries but haven’t yet read in Nick and Nora (although I have some of them.) I’m really liking this new series which was actually rebranded and renamed from the original version of the first book. Beyond the Page Publishing is who the author’s using now for Urban Tails, and I love the book covers!

#BeyondThePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Killers of a Feather (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 2)Killers of a Feather by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like it was sooo long since I got to visit with Shell and friends at her shop in Connecticut, but according to my reading record, it looks like it was around a year ago. I absolutely love Aunt Tillie’s cat, Purrday that she left to Shell. It’s almost like Purrday knows Aunt Tillie probably wanted him to keep that good eye of his on Shell and keep her safe. ‘Cause he sure does a good job of that! Who’s a good boy? Purrday’s a good boy!

This was a super twisty mystery that kept me guessing the whole way. I love how Shell and Gary sleuth together. He cracks me up and reminds me of Castle from TV with his bouncy goofiness and enthusiasm for solving cases–and being ruggedly handsome helps him get info sometimes. I like that he’s dating Olivia though. I’m not sure I’d want him and Shell as a couple, but there’s definitely a different kind of chemistry with him from acting together than Shell has with Josh. She and Josh seem cute together although we don’t get to really see as much of Josh interacting with Shell as we do Gary. It was so hilarious to read his reaction when Shell’s mom came to stay for a while, but I think deep down he was loving the attention as much as her mom was!

There were some tense moments in the showdown, but thanks to a certain adorable one-eyed Persian, Shell lived to see another day. I was laughing at the very ending and now I can’t wait to see what kind of hilarity takes places in the next book! Just wish we didn’t have to wait a year!

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

View all my reviews

Murder Is no Picnic review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the fun and deliciously food-centered Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries by Amy Pershing. I love her descriptions of the area and had decided after reading the first book that Cape Cod was definitely gonna be somewhere I’d like to visit. This series has some good humor, good food and of course the all-important thing…good friends.

#BerkleyPublishing #AmyPershing

My Goodreads review:

Murder Is No PicnicMurder Is No Picnic by Amy Pershing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summer at Cape Cod sounds really awesome, and the author’s descriptions of the scenery and food almost make me feel like I’m right there with Sam and her friends. I loved how Jillian organized a sleuthing team and everyone did a little something toward figuring out why their local famous chef was killed in a fire when she clearly wouldn’t have been so careless with her stove and food.

Diogi continues to crack me up in this series! What a sweet, goofy dog who wuvs Helene and boat rides. I always giggle when I see what he wuvs, so funny! It was weird with Jason being on a job out in California although he did pop back home a few times. I could tell Sam missed him like crazy. I thought it was kinda cool that Vivvie the detective was treating Sam more like a peer now and not being snarky. Seems the good detective was a natural at sailing and loved taking lessons from Sam. It definitely came in handy for apprehending a killer!

I liked that the showdown wasn’t necessarily life-threatening this time, although what happened right before was pretty exciting. The festive Fourth of July clambake and ending was the perfect thing to top off the mystery as families and friends gathered to have some fun. Jason and Sam just enjoyed the time together.

I’m so eager now to read the next book, but I don’t think I better spill why, lol. You’ll know when you read it, but I was just happy that Jason and Samantha at the end felt like they were comfortable in their relationship. Sam’s grown quite a bit from the very first book and she’s actually starting to behave more like an adult…but still have fun! 😉

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases June 7, 2022.

View all my reviews

The Proof Is in the Poison review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Southern Homebrew Mysteries by Diane Kelly who’s written several other cozy series as well. I recently read the first book and was very eager to get my hands on the second book and definitely wasn’t disappointed. I can’t say I’m a model railroad fan, but I can appreciate the level of enthusiasm people have for that particular hobby since I’ve always been some sort of collector. I can’t say I was ever as diehard a fan of my hobby as ole Bert was though! Find out what happens in this fun installment available on June 7, 2022.

#BerkleyPublishing #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

The Proof Is in the Poison (Southern Homebrew Mystery, #2)The Proof Is in the Poison by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun adventure with Hattie and Granddaddy! I recently read the first book and enjoyed it so much, I was happy to be able to get hold of this ARC for this book releasing next Tuesday. I get such a kick out of Granddaddy and his enthusiasm for pretty much everything. I could just picture him zipping around that model train show on his scooter. And the whole idea of a model train convention, let’s just say Sheldon would be in paradise. (actually so would my husband lol).

I was definitely wrong in my guessing whodunit and didn’t really think about this person much until Hattie started suspecting them. I love how ideas just come to her no matter where she’s at, even on horseback with her boyfriend Marlon. Although what a great guy to have around when she got a case idea, right? I really like Det. Ace now and how she included Hattie in the investigation–although her reasoning for letting Hattie help was totally spot-on, I still had to giggle at it and thinking yep, perfect reason for strong-willed Hattie.

When the three besties got together, we met little Colton who was probably cutting his teeth on solving a mystery with his auntie Hattie. I like that Kate didn’t let being a mom slow her down in wanting to be with her buddies and sleuth a little. It was just pack the kiddo and take off. And I just thought, a baby in a stroller makes a great cover. Who’d suspect a baby of being a little sleuth?

There was a pretty exciting chase before the actual showdown which was pretty peaceful, the showdown not the chase, lol. Hattie and Marlon’s date at the end took them past some posters that highlighted the next event that I look forward to reading about in the next book!

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

View all my reviews

A Sprinkle in Time review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Shake Shop Mysteries series by Dana Mentink, and I’m really liking these characters the more I get to know them. I always get a kick out of Trinidad’s grandpa, Papa. Poor guy found a dead body in his beloved car’s trunk this time! Pick up a copy this week and see how this unfolds! 

My Goodreads review:

A Sprinkle in Time (Shake Shop Mystery, #2)A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had a nice review written the day I finished this, but apparently Goodreads cyber gremlins ate it. Hopefully I can recreate it here. And no, I didn’t read this twice as GR seems to want to think I did, but I can’t figure out how to fix that.

This was a fun fall festival until a body was dumped in Papa’s car. Trinidad went into full-on sleuth mode without trying to be too conspicuous about it. I loved that her new unlikely friends or sisters as she calls them are none other than her ex’s other exes. But that’s better than feeling like scratching out their eyes, right? Trini even loves Bonnie’s sweet little daughter Felice aka Fee like she’s her own niece.

Quinn had a side mystery going on but eventually came clean on it with Trinidad having not even told his brother Doug this particular secret. I like that they’re growing closer and realizing they shouldn’t have secrets from each other.

The showdown was peaceful yet a nail biter if that makes sense since it was kinda planned. With another successful case solved, everyone gathered at the end for explanations, food and fellowship. Finally Trinidad felt at home!

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

View all my reviews