amateur sleuth – Page 6 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Sprinkle in Time review

May 23, 2022 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 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.

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Double Shot Death review

April 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan, and I’m really liking these characters. The whole food cart thing seems like just too much fun. I even Googled some pictures and was surprised at the huge numbers of carts that lined the Portland streets. I wouldn’t mind going out there sometime to check ’em out! (Especially any coffee ones!)

#KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Double Shot Death by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sage managed to score a lucrative spot at a music festival and soon found out she had to deal with a murder on the grounds as well as her food cart neighbor staring daggers at her all weekend. That breakfast cart lady had serious issues with fear of competition, so it wasn’t like Sage in particular did anything to deserve the stares. Add a very pesky, intrusive podcaster into that mix, and I don’t think I’d be enjoying myself there very much lol.

Bax and Sage are so cute together, and he’s incredibly helpful when it comes to doing anything she needs. When he started hanging out with one of the women musicians who’d performed the score for a video game he did, Sage got a little jealous but found out later her fears were for nothing.

The showdown was pretty exciting with Sage thinking on her feet as she lured the person into false security. Once the killer was hauled away, the rest of the weekend was peaceful. Podcaster Grace got a surprise scoop, and Bax went home with a new cat. Like Sage, I’m curious as to what her future holds and am eager to read the next in series.

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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Three Shots to the Wind review

March 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mysteries by Sherry Harris who also wrote the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries. I’m really enjoying this series a lot and how the characters have developed since the first book. I honestly liked the key players from the get-go, but it’s been fun watching them grow and change. Chloe and Rip are such a cute couple, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds!

My Goodreads review:

Three Shots to the Wind by Sherry Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved catching up with Chloe and the gang and seeing how life in January is for the Emerald cove residents–and visitors. Several interesting visitors came along during the course of the book, two of which helped add some good comic relief to some of the scenes. I like Chloe and Rip as a couple, they’re so stinking cute! And I really love that Vivi’s coming around in only the way Vivi can as far as being nicer to Chloe and at one point fiercely defending her. She’s a good mama bear to have on your side, that’s for sure! I have a feeling she and Chloe might actually get to be fairly good friends in time. I know she probably intimidates the life out of Chloe as only Vivi can do. (She makes me think of Angela Channing on Falcon Crest lol).

All Chloe wanted to do was clear poor Rip of any blame in her ex-fiancé’s death. There was a huge assortment of suspects to pick from, but I sure didn’t see the whodunit coming! The showdown was exciting and a little tense but just right. I enjoyed the very ending and hope that there’ll be many more adventures for Chloe and Rip in future books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. The book releases next Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

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Batter Off Dead review

February 22, 2022February 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Country Store series that I’m happy to have read ever since its beginning. Robbie’s come a long way in all those years especially with being smarter and more careful during an investigation. But there’s always something that can’t be prevented when perps are involved, right? If you’re a fan of the series, you’re going to love meeting Buck’s dad, and I sure hope he returns for a visit soon!

My Goodreads review:

Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved meeting Buck Bird’s dad, Grant (yep, the blurb has his name wrong). He cracks me up and always refers to Buck as Buckham, but Robbie loved him the minute they met and visited him several times. He did have a valuable clue even though he couldn’t see what was going on at the murder scene. I really hope Grant stays as an occasional character, and I’d love to see him come have breakfast with his bottomless pit son–wonder if he can still eat as much as Buck? lol

This was a twisty mystery with lots of red herrings and a tie to a cold case. I found myself favoring one suspect then changing my mind to someone else. Wow what a showdown, and go Robbie! She let that perp have it, never mind that Robbie might’ve been shaking in her boots the whole time. She acted brave, and that’s what counts. I love that despite her strong exterior, she can admit that it’s nice having a husband like Abe to hug on when all was said and done. He’s been so sweet in his support of her investigating.

Alana’s call to Robbie has me wondering now if the next book’s gonna have a fun little announcement. I know Robbie wants a kid or two, so when the time comes, I imagine even Aunt Adele might curb her traveling bug to be with the little stinker! I can’t wait to see Samuel whenever Robbie and Abe have kids–he’d be over the moon. I missed those two being physically present in this 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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Put Out to Pasture review

February 17, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Amanda Flower who’s written quite a few successful cozy series. I always enjoy her characters for being unforgettable but real people. Some are quirky, hilarious and just plain amazing. Usually there’s a funny and/or cuddly animal involved (think Jethro from the Amish Candy Shop), but I know when I start one of her books, I usually get lost reading and don’t want to stop till the story’s done.

My Goodreads review:

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to catch up with Shiloh and her dad again especially during the fall season. Her dad’s quickly become my favorite character with Hazel being a close second. That kid is like 11 going on 19 or 20 lol. But boy is her grandma a piece of work. It’s just a shame that deliciously handsome Quinn comes with such a cantankerous mom, although Shi always got along well with Quinn’s dad, Chief Randy of the Cherry Glen PD.

Sometimes I just felt like knocking some sense into Shi with gorgeous Quinn right there who may or may not be hinting he wants more than friendship. Then another nice looking guy arrived, so she’s got a smorgasbord. In all fairness, I’ve never lost a spouse or fiance, so I can’t know the pain or how long it’d take to get to a dating point again, but for fiction’s sake, I really hope she picks one soon! And for the record I’m #TeamQuinn. He’s cute and he has a kid who’s pretty amazing too.

Poor Kristy was the suspect this time, and Shiloh was doing her best to get her bestie out of the limelight and find a real suspect. The showdown was definitely exciting and I absolutely loved what Sully did to help! Funny and awesome at the same time! I hadn’t quite seen the whodunit coming although it made total sense and I’d thought about that person at one point. Don’t miss this second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries coming out next Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

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

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Honey Roasted review

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries by author Cleo Coyle who’s actually married writing couple Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini. I also love their other series, The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.

The Coffeehouse Mysteries have been around since 2003 and are still going strong! I always enjoy the author acknowledgements that include something about buildings in New York or something else fun. It’s especially an interesting read for this book where it explains about the rooftop beekeeping aspect of the book as well as talking about the small neighborhood in New York known as The Hole.

#berkleypublishing

My Goodreads review:

Honey Roasted (Coffeehouse Mystery, #19)

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle My rating: 5 of 5 stars There wasn’t a current murder going on in this book, but there was definitely an almost-murder with a woman now in a coma, and since the woman was a friend of Madame’s, Clare made it her priority to get to the bottom of this. Meanwhile, Mike was very involved in a case of a string of dead OD/homeless bodies showing up in New York’s The Hole neighborhood. Side note: Every time I read one of this series, I learn a little more about something interesting in New York. Not that The Hole is now on my bucket list or anything, but I did Google it just to get a feel for the type of area Mike was having to deal with. Yep, saw some pics of the perfect body-dumping spots, and it’d definitely be extra creepy at night, but on the other side just bording it, things looked very normal.

Anywho, I hadn’t guessed who the main perp in all of this was at all! I was surprised at who it was when Clare confronted them in a pretty awesome showdown. For a while there, the side story of Mike getting so involved in his case and the extra animosity he was showing toward Franco (young undercover cop who’s dating Clare’s daughter), that I was a little worried about the engagement. But I trusted the authors, and they came through in a really nice way. And…I had to giggle at all the bee puns well-sprinkled through the book in the dialogue! Loved it! 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

Tailing Trouble review

January 12, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Furry Friends Mysteries by Laura Scott. I noticed some of the books showing up on the page listed for her name in GR aren’t her titles, so I’ve linked her name to her Amazon profile where you’ll see a nice picture of her and the two cozies along with the romance books she’s actually written.

I loved this book as much as the first one and hope the author and publisher have more in store for us! Gramps cracks me up and needless to say, he’s my favorite character. Roxy the Boxer took a bit of a back seat to boarding guest Standard Poodle Domino, but she should be happy Domino was there at a crucial time or her mommy might not be!

My Goodreads review:

Tailing Trouble by Laura Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I get to the end of a book and tell myself, “Oh wow, that was so good!” I know I’ve found a winner. I remember doing that same thing at the end of the first book in this series when I read it too. I absolutely just love Gramps’ character! Maybe it’s because I’ve been without my own grandpa for so long that I just devour anything that has to do with an awesome grandpa/granddaughter duo. I had to laugh at different parts when he’d make Ally pick him up, or she’d give in going somewhere knowing he’d find a way to get to wherever it was he wanted to investigate anyway. The running joke of him shouting into his cell phone might seem corny, but it makes me giggle! He should probably just get a bullhorn and stand outside to call to Ally, lol.

I get such a kick out of the widows fawning all over Gramps in a friendly competition for his attention. It’s cute how he’s got a different way he interacts with each of the ladies living at Legacy House, like playing cards with Tillie. I think if I was Ally, I’d be eating every meal I posssibly could there, lol. Harriet definitely knows how to feed her guests and seems to thrive on doing that. And Lydia’s a whiz with her knitting.

The stories about Ally’s clients and their pets are always entertaining, and I found out it pays to read carefully and not just skim these as not being related to the mystery. Sometimes someone who’s a client might end up being someone to pay attention to in the mystery–or a client knows a key player in the mystery. Now Gramps, he just seems to know everyone! 😉

The showdown was really exciting and I loved how Ally got the upperhand, and sweet Domino ended up being a hero. I nearly expected Ally to end up with three dogs by the time this was over, but everything worked out great. As to whether she’ll get to enjoy a nice date with “her detective” as Gramps was so fond of calling him, well I’m just hoping the next book will address all that and he doesn’t get called away!

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

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How to Book a Murder review

December 19, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series by well-established cozy author Cynthia Kuhn. It’s called Starlit Bookshop Mysteries and I gotta say I love the play on the family name Starrs + Lit = Starlit, pretty clever name. And it was a bookshop that was well-known and loved around the town, so it was natural for the daughters Laura and Emma to run it. I really liked their aunt Nora. She was gutsy and wouldn’t let herself get walked on, but she had the biggest heart when it came to her family. No wonder she’d stayed in the family home, and the three of them were now a family.

My Goodreads review:

How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow I really enjoyed this author’s writing! I know she’s pretty well-known in the cozy world, but I just hadn’t had the pleasure of reading any of her works until I found this on NetGalley. I’m so glad I did, because I got right into the story from the start. I really liked Emma and Laura, the two sisters who ran their family’s bookstore. I enjoyed the interaction of Emma with a guy she went to school with who was now a detective along with the leader of a writers’ critique group she’d joined. The author did an amazing job of creating a character I absolutely loathed! I think you’ll know who I mean once you read the book and probably agree.

Aunt Nora was having some internal issues at the college where she taught, so that was an interesting side story that was wrapped up well but still showed that college professors weren’t exempt from workplace drama.

I was completely surprised by the whodunit, and the showdown was pretty epic. I was proud of Emma for thinking to do something she did. I think she and Jake might just have a future friendship and maybe beyond now that they were getting along. I can’t wait to see what the girls come up with next for their bookstore that thanks to a successful author event seemed to be doing well now.

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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Cold Brew Corpse review

December 18, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the newer series called Coffee Lovers Mysteries by Tara Lush, and I’m really enjoying getting to know these characters. I found myself giggling at what was going on more than once! Great humor and dialogue among the characters is what I really appreciate about a good cozy. I can’t wait to read the next one!

My Goodreads review:

Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book even better than the first one! It just had more of a regular cozy vibe which I remember not getting as much with the first book. I can’t really explain it, but I just liked this book so much better. The two main characters of Lana and Noah seemed a little more mature and comfortable together. I loved that they were at least on a “we need to date” basis, but it was mainly his crazy hours that kept them from it. That and another case. Lana was awesome as a first person narrator, and I enjoyed the author’s sense of humor coming out in her–and some of the other characters. The dialogue was just so good, and I love how natural-sounding it is!

I’m pretty sure Peter Lewis aka Dad was my fave character in the first book, and that’s definitely not changed. And Erica’s the best bestie a girl could ask for. There was a little side mystery of the cold brew batch going wonky on them. I had my suspicions, and you might too once you read the book!

I was completely surprised by the whodunit, and the showdown was a good one. Lana didn’t get by unscathed though, but by the time she was okay, she was ready to hit the workplace once more. I’m eager to read more in this fun series! That little Stanley pup has stolen my heart!

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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Beauty and the Deceased review

December 14, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Resale Boutique Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder who also writes the Food Blogger Mysteries. I really enjoy both these series with two differently-aged main characters but each having her own lovable charms. I’m especially eager for the next Resale Boutique to come out due to an ongoing storyline that got ramped up in this book.

The cat photo made me think of what Howard might look like if his nap was interrupted.

My Goodreads review:

Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder hit a little closer to home this time for Kelly, so she was beyond determined to figure out whodunit even despite a couple of threats. If that wasn’t enough, a secret that was eating at Kelly came to light, and she had to deal with those repercussions. On a bright note, she met a couple of cute guys she didn’t appear opposed to getting to know better. (Keeping fingers crossed this won’t be a triangle, lol).

Pepper’s always been my favorite character, and she came through especially well this time around as a mom figure. Kelly really needs a dedicated snooping partner although she seems to prefer being a loner. Liv’s great as a bestie and support system, but she’s kinda-sorta dating Gabe the police chief, so of course, she’s going to discourage Kelly’s investigating. Kelly just needs a sidekick of some kind, and Howard the cat doesn’t quite fit that bill. He’s great for her as a sounding board when she’s home.

I’m super eager now to read the next book with how an ongoing side story turned out. I’d purposely gotten caught up in the series prior to reading this installment which is out today, so if you’re a fan, don’t miss this one which releases today! The usual advice of reading in order stands with this series. I can’t really think of exact spoilers, but part of the storyline is progressive and some things are mentioned that make me think it’s best to go in order with this series.

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

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