amateur sleuths – Page 11 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Dewey Decimated review

September 6, 2022September 6, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook aka Marilyn Levinson. I’ve loved this series and enjoyed it from the beginning when we first met Evelyn, the friendly library ghost who only Carrie and her little kid cousin can see.

When a body was found and Uncle Alec joined the library as a ghost, I wondered at first if Evelyn thought it was a little fun to have someone like her. She was really good to him since he was pretty depressed, and Carrie needed him to not get too excited or he’d scare everyone without meaning to. But part of me thinks Evelyn was a little relieved knowing that hopefully her charge would get to where he was destined once his murder got solved. I’m glad we’ve been getting these books more often than just once a year because I’m always eager to read the next!

#CrookedLaneBooks #AllisonBrook

My Goodreads review:

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought it was pretty awesome that the library acquired another ghost when a body was found during renovation of the building next door the library bought for expansion. It was especially cool that the ghost turned out to be Dylan’s Uncle Alec, an uncle he’d idolized as a kid but drew distant from as an adult. Anyone following this series knows that Dylan was told about Evelyn already, but was he ready to hear about his own uncle being a ghost? You might wanna read and find out! Evelyn’s job was to herd this ghost and keep track of him, but he was pretty depressed. Was he a temporary visitor or what?

Poor Alec was stuck there until Carrie could solve this. As always she was torn in every direction especially with the pesky reporter who wanted to go full-out Sherlock Holmes with Carrie as her sidekick. Carrie handled everything the best she could and I was proud of her for not letting that reporter walk all over her at one point.

The showdown brought on by the reporter was a good one and I gotta say the woman had guts to do what she did. Carrie did help too but wanted no part of the recognition. I hadn’t for sure suspected this person due to so many great red herrings.

The ending was so cute when Steve and Angie got their puppy which sort of helped nudge Carrie in the right direction to talk with Dylan about their own future (which I was happy to hear might include a couple dogs! Smokey Joe’s a cool cat, he’ll adjust great I’m sure!). I feel like she was much more peaceful in her mind and felt ready to move toward setting a wedding date soon.

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

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Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder review

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new cozy series called Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns or V.M. Burns as she’s known in her other cozy series, Mystery Bookshop and the Dog Club Mysteries. Her V.M. Burns Goodreads page gives more of a bio and her other series.

I’ve loved all the characters she’s created and knew I was gonna enjoy meeting these characters as well. I absolutely love that book cover–isn’t Baby the cutest? There were times I couldn’t read fast enough just to see what happened next, but of course, once I got to the end, I was wishing the book wasn’t finished. I really can’t wait for the next one now!

#KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this! Maddy might’ve been a spoiled daddy’s girl, but I had to hand it to her for her determination to break that mold and prove she could take over Aunt Octavia’s bakery. Once I learned who all I could trust, I was totally drawn into the key characters along with Maddy. And that sweet, slobbery dog Baby! He was such a good boy and like Maddy, I trusted him to ferret out the killer. Baby did end up playing a heroic part in the showdown too.

The Baker Street Irregulars group was too cool and it reminded me of Nana Jo’s friends’ group in the author’s Mystery Bookshop series. Miss Hannah was one of my faves! She didn’t let dementia stop her one little bit and was sharp as anything most of the time while being one of Maddy’s best advocates. It was great how Maddy’s new friends took her under their wing and tried to make her feel more at home. And Maddy sure did a nice job of promoting the shop even when they needed to be closed after the murder.

That showdown was a tense one and I wasn’t sure how Maddy was gonna get herself out of this mess! But with some friendly help, the perp definitely wouldn’t be bothering anyone again.

The ending of the book was great, and I loved how Maddy didn’t waste time in going after what she wanted! If you’ve read and love this author’s other cozy series, you’re in for another treat! I can’t wait for the next book! This one releases this coming Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

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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Witch and Famous review

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M. Sanders. I’ve loved this series from the very first book, and it just keeps getting better. That little rascal Rodney cat’s definitely a favorite character! He’s always instrumental in helping Josie with a case or warning her about danger. The books and Josie have come a long way too since the previous book, and she can do some seriously cool stuff with them. I’m always eager for the next book in this series especially now after Roz’s good news! I’m still hopeful for Josie and Sam getting together.

#KensingtonCozies #AngelaMSanders

My Goodreads review:

Witch and Famous by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this third book a lot because Josie’s come so far with her magic, and it was cool how she had the books dancing every morning before anyone came. The books could do a lot for her now just by thinking it to them. I got a kick out of the Indy 500 book, but collectively let’s just say “never underestimate the power of a good book” really came true in this book!

I didn’t like that doggone Daphne actress at all! She wouldn’t take her eyes or her hands off Sam, and despite how he’s been nice but made no romantic moves to Josie yet, I’m still confident they’ll find a way to get together. That was another way you’ll see how Josie’s grown as a witch when she has to make a more seasoned witch decision. I won’t say what she was trying to decide due to not wanting to spoil anything.

I love how the townspeople who usually spent time in Darla’s café were now hanging out in the library’s kitchen. Well I did feel sorry for Josie always having to keep order because they did sometimes get a little bit rowdy! But they were super interested in sleuthing for her and some of their info did come in handy.

I hadn’t really guessed whodunit and the whole thing got a little bit complex but it makes sense when you read it. The ending did sound more promising as far as a lot of things went, and even grumpy Roz got a happy ending!

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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Mint Chocolate Murder review

July 25, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen, probably better known as Shari Randall of the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I’m definitely liking this series as much as I did the Lobster Shack. Shari/Meri’s got a real knack for some fun characters! I really liked Maud a lot and didn’t think she was the typical diva since she was gracious enough to hire Riley and let her use her pass to jog at the castle grounds whenever she wanted.

I love how Shari was inspired by the real Gillette Castle located in Connecticut to make a castle part of this book. She told about that in one of her newsletters that you can sign up for. You can see how to sign up for said newsletter along with an outside picture of Gillette Castle on her Meri Allen Facebook page. I happened to find a picture of the interior of it at Wikimedia Commons, and I gotta say it’s pretty much the way I pictured it as I read! Can’t wait for the next book!

#St.MartinsPaperbacks #MeriAllen

My Goodreads review:

Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun spending time again in Penniman, CT with Riley and all her ice cream crew and friends. I’d forgotten what a stinker that cat of Caroline’s was, but someone in this story managed to tame the beast or at least make her more tolerable, lol. There were sure plenty of suspects, so I honestly never settled on just one but had random reasons myself for different people.

I really enjoy the Fairweather sisters’ characters! They’re both so different but I like both these ladies who’re fun and crazy in their own ways. Vye was an interesting character introduced and I did find myself hoping she’d stick around town, although you’ll have to read for yourself to see if she did!

The castle setting was so cool with all its rooms and creepiness but not super creepy since Maud was trying her best to get it looking nice again. From reading the author’s newsletter, I know there’s a castle in Connecticut she based this from and of course added some extra fun of her own to it. But it was totally picturable. Now I wouldn’t mind going to see that castle she used for inspiration!

I loved how Riley came to the answer she did and the showdown was as Flo put it, very worth of a Mission Impossible movie! The ending was just so very Riley and now I’m eager to see what happens next! This book releases tomorrow, July 26, 2022.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin’s Paperbacks via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Death a Sketch review

July 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Paint & Shine Mysteries by Cheryl Hollon, who’s also known for her cozy series, Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries. Since I enjoy this series so much, I really need to start reading the older series since I’ve actually had most of it for a while now. Just so many cozies and so little time, right? Right now, I just know I’m eager for another book in the Paint & Shine series since this one ended so sweet!

#KensingtonCozies #CherylHollon

My Goodreads reviews:

Death a Sketch by Cheryl Hollon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was good visiting with Miranda and her friends in her first corporate workshop and the last event before closing down for winter. I’m glad she and Austin were getting closer–the end was so cute!

That corporate group was run by someone who’d give JR Ewing a run for his nastiness, lol. I’m not sure which one of the execs was worse, but after a while, it was only one that mattered anyway. Most of the company’s employees seemed like okay people but I particularly liked how Carol and her team came together for those challenges. I liked Miranda’s friend Rowena, the admin assistant and kinda hoped she’d decide to ditch the crazies in this company and get a job somewhere close so she and Miranda could be besties again. If only Miranda’s business wasn’t so new and probably not able to afford her, Rowena would’ve made a great assistant!

I enjoyed that the showdown wasn’t dangerous to Miranda herself, but someone else was pretty traumatized by it. Although the sheriff had things under control biding his time. I’d love to see a Christmas book in this setting, but since Miranda can’t run her tours in winter, I’m sure that won’t be happening. It’d be all kinds of festive up in those snowy mountains though!

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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Something Fishy This Way Comes review

July 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Whit & Whiskers Mysteries by Gabby Allan, and I sure love the island setting of this series! It might be a fun bucket list item to see Catalina Island someday. I really hope there’ll be more in this series because after this book, the characters are getting to be like old friends to visit.

#KensingtonCozies #GabbyAllan

My Goodreads review:

Something Fishy This Way Comes by Gabby Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great to travel to Catalina Island and visit with Whit and all her friends again. I’d enjoyed the first book and was really looking forward to the next one, and it didn’t disappoint. I just love Pops and Goldy’s characters! Those two crack me up. They’re the kind of older couple you just wanna be like when you’re their age. Whit and Felix were at a comfortable spot in their relationship. I liked how she was quick to rely on him and didn’t always make him feel like she wanted to go sleuthing alone. They did make a good sleuthing team. Goldy came up with a great little moneymaking idea, and Whit had to admit her grandma had what it took to run the front of the shop.

The mystery was very twisty but for some odd reason, I named someone fairly early and they ended up being the perp. It was great how Whit assembled all her suspects for a little dinner cruise on the family boat. Long ago grievances and feud reasons were aired, and those needing punished got their comeuppance.

I hope there’ll be more in this series. I’m eager to see Maribel eventually become a police officer since she’s studying for that. With one of her roadblocks out of the way, she’s sure to succeed!

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 Perilous Pal review

June 29, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the A Friend for Hire Mysteries by one of my fave authors, Laura Bradford who’s managed to incorporate now two of her older series in this particular book. I always think it’s especially cool when an author does that, and now I’m really hoping a future Friend for Hire book has that road trip in it that Emma and Kim were talking about!

And the other series written by this author that Dottie loves so much is always in the background because it’s the basis of her amateur sleuthing. I enjoy Dottie’s character so much. She’s not a huggy-huggy grandmotherly type, but she’s a fiercely loyal friend who cares about Emma a lot even though she never really comes out and says it. They make an unlikely but still well-matched pair of friends, and I sure love their banter!

You could probably still read and enjoy this without reading the first book, but why deny yourself that fun? I recommend reading it and getting to know the characters, then they’ll feel like old friends!

#BerkleyPublishing #LauraBradford

My Goodreads review:

A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought I loved the first book, but I think I like this one even better! It’s so awesome how all of Emma’s clients so far still play an active part in her life, and that she’s come to care about all of them even to the point of being besties with Stephanie. When her newest client was tossed in jail for killing her husband, it didn’t seem like the poor woman had any chance of getting out. But with Dottie and Steph’s sleuthing help, Emma finally gave way to another investigation.

I get such a kick out of sassy senior Dottie! I wanna be her when I’m eighty! I already have the “only reads cozy mysteries” part down, but I’m not real sure I’d make a very good sleuth. Although I did randomly guess whodunit! 😉 I loved the visit with John and Andy and how Emma was trying to matchmake Steph and Andy. I started suspecting something that could end up to be a sweet reunion if it was true…

And Big Max’s character is so awesome! He’s such a sweetheart, and I love that Steph got to meet him this time. Emma’s relationship with Jack was growing, and it was sweet when Scout got to visit with his son Tommy.

This was a mystery full of twists and surprises, and the only thing I was pretty sure of was that Kim wasn’t guilty despite her journal ramblings about ways to kill her husband. It was pretty clever how Emma went about proving whodunit then was safely visiting Kim while the police picked up the perp.

The very ending was just awesome! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and what might unfold in it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. If you liked the first book, don’t miss this one which releases next week on July 5.

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A Catered Doggie Wedding

June 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is book 17 in the long running Mysteries with Recipes series by Isis Crawford. Unfortunately, I can’t link the series from 17’s page because this newer listing doesn’t have the series separately clickable, but this link goes to the series page showing the first sixteen books. And my review below should take you to the page for book 17.

It’s always a guaranteed good time with the Simmons sisters, their boyfriends they chill at RJ’s with and of course, Dad and his police buddy, Clyde. Libby and Bernie’s employee Googie (aka George) and his girlfriend were featured in this book. The dog wedding idea sounded super cute, but someone in town (like the scrooge in the shop next door) didn’t want it to happen, but would she resort to murder? Grab this from wherever you buy books or your library and find out!

#KensingtonCozies #IsisCrawford

My Goodreads review:

A Catered Doggie Wedding by Isis Crawford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fun and lots of the time funny adventure with Libby and Bernie! Those two never disappoint in how they just crack me up with their crazy banter, and the banter among other characters is always priceless and sometimes great comic relief! I just love their dad and I get such a kick out of Clyde, his police friend who slips them info sometimes in exchange for food and yummy baked items his wife won’t let him have, lol.

This was one twisty mystery with more suspects and red herrings as it progressed, not to mention more bodies. What started the whole things was kinda cool as Libby and Bernie found out later…but meeting up with a killer wasn’t so cool. Reinforcements came just in time though, and the dog wedding was saved from being scrapped. I was happy that everyone who wasn’t a killer but might’ve done something they’d regret ended up having to account for that.

Everything was wrapped up and explained at the end and of course, one of the goldens, Bertha or Ernie or maybe one of the doggie guests stole the last funny scene.

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 Fatal Booking review

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the A Book Lover’s Mysteries series by Victoria Gilbert, who also writes another fave series, The Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. I love how her characters are smart and likable yet realistic. She’s great making you love the good guys and very good at hiding who the baddies are! In either series, I feel like I’m visiting old friends, and I can’t wait for the Book Lover’s series to continue!

#CrookedLaneBooks #VictoriaGilbert

My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seems like the third book of any newer series, at least to me, is the magical number of after having read the first two books, you really feel a strong connection to the characters because their roles and sometimes secrets are already established. I just felt like this was the book where I was going back to visit some old friends. I absolutely love Ellen’s character and now with Gavin as a possible dating interest for Charlotte, the three seemed unstoppable as far as murder investigations. I really like Amber Johnson too, the detective who’s learned to take things that Charlotte and Ellen tell her very seriously. She’s respectful of them, has a decent appreciation of joking and is never purposely mean. Bookstore owner Julie makes a great bestie for Charlotte since she hears all the good gossip when there’s a case.

With a houseful of suspects and no clear leads, Charlotte was getting as tired as the police were of nothing turning up. Gavin did help a lot once he was back since he had resources he could tap into from his agent’s job. I hadn’t actually suspected the one whodunit, and the showdown was a real nail biter especially for Charlotte and Ellen!

The ending party as they’d done in previous books was fun and wrapped up the case along with a few cool announcements. I can’t wait to read the next book!

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

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Peril at Pennington Manor review

June 9, 2022June 9, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Avery Ayers Antique Mysteries by Tracy Gardner who also wrote the Shepherd Sisters Mysteries. I devoured the first book last year and eagerly waited for this one to come up on NetGalley as well. It didn’t disappoint, and I loved how Art and Avery were working together again and coming to a new friendship. It was too cute when she started calling him “cat dad”, but you’ll just have to read it and see what led up to that!

#CrookedLaneBooks #TracyGardner

My Goodreads review:

Peril at Pennington Manor by Tracy Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome installment in this new series! I fell in love with the key characters in the first book and just had to see what they were up to this time. That Aunt Midge sure has her connections with getting Avery and her crew an appraisal job for royalty. Something hinky was going on at the Duke’s manor though. Things did seem a tad slower than the first book because that one obviously had the constant suspense of the “is he alive or not?” question.

But boy when this one picked up some speed toward the end, I just couldn’t read fast enough! The events leading up to catching the perp were pretty suspenseful with Art and Avery sleuthing together. I was never totally sure about whodunit although it wasn’t who I originally suspected. But there were definitely some exciting moments going on.

I loved that Avery and Art were getting closer and opening up about themselves, especially Art. The whole cat dad thing was so funny too! And super sweet. Avery got to achieve something she’d always dreamed about, had closure about something else, and her future with Art was definitely looking brighter!

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

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