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

Public Anchovy #1 review

December 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley and just as I was leaving the review on Amazon, I noticed a fourth book’s coming in October 2024, yay! This book was just the right level of creepiness that you can expect in an old mansion where the power went out and a storm was raging outside. Not to mention a murder or two…

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery mirrored the noir films Dee’s pal Sonya liked so much and what a better setting too, a spooky old house, a storm—the perfect proverbial “dark and stormy night”. Add in the murders and it was movie-worthy. Oh yeah and various other unsettling things that happened along the way. Pretty sure I would’ve just curled up in a corner and told them to tell me when it was over, lol.

The showdown was pretty awesome and Dee was actually glad her cat ended up there. Who’s a good boy, Butterball? High paw! I really loved the ending and hope there’ll be more books in the series.

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

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Irish Mocha Murder review

December 22, 2023 Tari Hann

In another fun little anthology, three fave cozy mystery writers have their St. Paddy’s Day offerings for their series. The first, Irish Milkshake Murder is #2.5 in the Home to Ireland series by Carlene O’Connor; the second, Murder Most Irish is #9.5 in the Knit and Nibble Mysteries by Peggy Ehrhart, and last but definitely not least is Mrs. Claus and the Luckless Leprechaun, #4.5 in the Mrs. Claus Mysteries by Liz Ireland. These were all really good and even though it’s Christmastime right now, it was still a super fun book.

My Goodreads review:

Irish Milkshake Murder by Carlene O’Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cool trio of St. Patrick’s Day themed mysteries from three fun series. I liked how the Irish milkshake theme was incorporated into each one, but a little different in each one. In the Christmastown offering that was third, Wobbler the reindeer was cracking me up! But he turned out not to be as big of a coward as he claimed. Now we know how elves and Santa’s people spend St. Paddy’s day! Along with two other fave cozy series.

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

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Death by Demo review

December 5, 2023 Tari Hann

This was the fun first book in the new Home Renovation Mysteries by Callie Carpenter, a new cozy mystery author, at least from what I’ve researched. Since her GR page sorta lacks info, the link for her name’s the Crooked Lane short bio. The GR page might lack info, but the book sure doesn’t want for fun, humor and plenty of excitement. I’m really eager now to read the next book!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #CallieCarpenter

My Goodreads review:

Death by Demo by Callie Carpenter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jaime definitely redeemed herself when she started being nice to and feeding the resident cat she kept meeting at the house renovation site. I loved how she and Lara were like sisters and could talk through anything that came along even though Lara’s head was all spreadsheets and finance and Jaime was tools and construction. Jaime seemed like she’d gotten the raw end of a divorce but she was determined to make it work and be a success.

That showdown and what followed was pretty exciting, and I was really proud of Jaime how she got the upper hand on the perp…and what she could’ve done to them. The very ending was just awesome and the perfect solution for Jaime’s new life. And there was someone else I’d been rooting for to get to know her better too, and I believe that might just happen. Can’t wait for the next book!

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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Snow Place for Murder review

October 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly, one of my fave cozy authors who writes a few other cozy series as well. I’ve currently enjoyed her House-Flipper and Southern Homebrew mystery series having read all three of these series from their first books. I love the characters in this book and how well Misty’s team at the lodge works together. Yeti the diva Persian cat even gets her own short chapters once in a while.

#NetGalley #St.MartinsPaperbacks @MinotaurPress #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an awesome trip to Mountain Lodge just in time for Thanksgiving, but the story lasted through Christmas and New Year’s as well. Just when you think the mystery’s never gonna be solved, Misty does it again! It’s no wonder Deputy Highcloud values her input so much—I really like that deputy! She never downplays whatever information Misty relays to her.

It was fun to have Misty’s sons JJ and Mitch there working since Brynn was on vacation. They had a pal to hang out with on the slopes since Rocky’s youngest daughter came after her finals too. I sure wouldn’t’ve guessed whodunit, but Misty probably never thought something in her mail would help her solve the case. At a fairly remorseful showdown, everything was revealed about the murder and wrapped up nicely. And that left Rocky, Misty and their families free to enjoy the next two holidays.

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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The Fatal Folio

October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in The Cambridge Bookshop series by Elizabeth Penney, a series I’ve enjoyed since the first book. The books could be enjoyed as standalones, but for more enjoyment I recommend reading from the first book to get to know Molly, her aunt, mom and of course her sweetie, Kieran, along with Daisy and Tim too! Some really good, solid characters that I liked from the get-go. My intro to this author was her Apron Shop Mysteries which I really enjoyed too, so I hope this series continues.

#NetGalley #St.Martin’sPaperbacks @MinotaurPress #ElizabethPenney

My Goodreads review:

The Fatal Folio by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great getting back to Cambridge, England to sleuth out some more bookish mysteries and murder with Molly and her friends. I enjoyed how Molly and Kieran sleuthed together (along with his cousin this time) and sometimes Molly had Daisy with her especially when Daisy didn’t want Molly doing something alone. At one point, I started suspecting someone but was never completely sure due to some great red herrings.

I just love Sir Jon’s character and was glad to see him back in action, this time on assignment from Scotland Yard. He wasn’t in the book a whole lot, but he did get to stop in and see Aunt Violet. I like where Molly and Kieran are in their relationship. They’re a great couple and so are Daisy and Tim. Who wouldn’t love a set of friends like that to hang out with?

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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Nutcracker Nightmare review

October 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries by Christina Romeril, and I’ve really enjoyed both the first book and this one. It’d probably be helpful to read the first book before reading this or at least I think it makes for the most enjoyment to already know the characters and townspeople by the time the second book rolls around. It was so easy to fall right back in love with this Christmas movie of a town, but cute as it looked there were tons of secrets to be had. Someone was willing to kill to keep their secrets–and what’s up with the mysterious blogger who seemed to know everyone’s business? Were they gonna get caught as well? You’ll need to read to find out!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During a reunion event and dinner, a bunch of high school drama was still still affecting people who were definitely old enough not to act that way or care about old grudges etc. When one murder followed fairly soon by another rocked the peacefulness of the village’s Christmas season, Alex wasn’t about to listen to the sheriff and stay out.

Despite a couple scary things happening to her as well as wondering who the mysterious gossip blogger was who eerily knew things before the police informed people, and wondering what was up with Tom, Alex managed to crack the case and lived to sleuth another day thanks to a clever gift from a friend. I’m happy with how things ended between the twins and their guys and can’t wait to see what happens in next year’s book!

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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Murder by the Seashore review

October 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the very first book in a brand new series, the California Bookshop Mysteries by new cozy author, Samara Yew who also has a cozy mystery out under the name Holly Yew. I thought it was a really strong first book and enjoyed Scarlett’s character and the other key players a lot. My Goodreads review pretty much says it all. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #SamaraYew

My Goodreads review:

Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I probably wouldn’t’ve believed it if I didn’t already know this was only the author’s second cozy mystery—she has one out as Holly Yew. This book pulled me in from the very first few pages and didn’t let go until, well I didn’t really wanna have it let go, but at least there was a cool epilogue to move the timeline along a bit.

I really loved Scarlett as a main character. She was strong, mature acting without being overly that way, and she was a loyal friend. Her friend Lucia was such a hoot, I really loved her character too! And I enjoyed how the author wrote certain characters causing reasonable doubt in people’s minds, or definitely making us either like or outright dislike other characters. All the red herrings were super, and wow what a great twist at the end! Kind of a fun rollercoaster ride of surprises and secrets. I’ve read a couple blog posts featuring the author and was really happy to hear she’s working on book two of this series.

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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Caught on the Book review

October 3, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Antique Bookshop Mysteries by Laura Gail Black, and I’ve enjoyed each one since the series started, but I especially liked this one. There’s everything a good cozy needs in this series like a strong main character, a sweet and patient boyfriend, the world’s best bestie as well as various good friends and business neighbors. And no one can forget sweet little Eddy the furry pup Jenna inherited from her Uncle Paul along with the store. Who knew she’d ever be such a good doggie mom? I’m always hopeful for more books in a series, but if this one were to end here, I really think the author did a great job of giving the characters an amazing place to be in their lives.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #LauraGailBlack

My Goodreads review:

Caught on the Book by Laura Gail Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite of the series so far! Despite the murder that happened and trying to help a former nemesis, Jenna had a lot of great stuff going on in her life especially where Keith was concerned. There were some good red herrings in the case as well as some threats, but Jenna’s never been known to back down from a case, so she wasn’t gonna start lol. I do think she stumbled a little blindly into the showdown though, but she lived to solve another murder at least.

The ending was so sweet in not just one way. Jenna made peace with the former nemesis and came up with a plan that was pretty darn brilliant. I hope there’ll be more in the series, but if there’s not, I’m pretty happy with this ending!

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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Killer Hooks review

September 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the long-running Crochet Mysteries by Betty Hechtman. It looks like the series found a new home at Beyond the Page, and I gotta say I love the new cover look! That little dog’s just precious! It’s not like I didn’t like the more cartoony dog of previous covers which was funny and had great eye expressions, but there’s just something so cute about this one. Maybe it’s ’cause this dog reminds me of Wishbone from the old kids’ PBS series from the 90s.

Either way it was great catching up with Molly and all her friends. She cracks me up how she’s always got a houseful of people and cute pets, and that was even before her little granddaughter came to live there. Oh and Molly even added another cat, adopted from a murder victim. Don’t miss this newest release since it came out today. Another thing about the new publishing company, the price might make it easier for more readers to grab the book. (It’s 4.99).

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #BettyHechtman

My Goodreads review:

Killer Hooks by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like forever since I’d read in this series last, but apparently it was only about a year ago. It was great catching up with Molly and her friends. Adele had taken me a long while to get used to, but she’s actually pretty funny sometimes, and now who knew Molly’d ever agree to working together with her on something?

Taking her granddaughter to a high-profile Hollywood mommy group sure added unneeded drama to Molly’s life and nearly got her killed in the showdown, but luck happened to be on her side for both a case she was on for her son Peter and the current murder cases. I hated that nothing had come of Molly and Mason’s relationship previously, but maybe they can remain friends and even colleagues. And Molly seems to keep herself so busy I doubt she’d ever have time for another romantic interest, lol. It’ll be interesting to see what the next book brings!

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

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Case of the Bleus-review

September 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, and I’ve enjoyed this series from its beginning. I hope there’ll be more books since this book left a few things hanging that I’d hope to see eventually cleared up. But no worries, all murder-y things are explained and figured out. I enjoyed figuring out some riddles and little things along the way as well as eventually whodunit. That Baz always cracks me up! He’s so hilarious sometimes but boy did his usual hilarity come in handy at the showdown! He’s such an awesome bestie for Willa, but I’m sure they’d each like to find their happily ever after in someone else.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #Korina Moss

My Goodreads review:

Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a long and winding path to finally figure out the secret, but it was great! Max was a true prankster right up to the end. What a stinker—sounds like someone I’d probably like lol! I’d figured out little things along the way a little before Willa did along with whodunit, although I didn’t have those details right at all.

I liked the side story about Archie and Hope—he’s such an awesome boyfriend and it sure didn’t seem like she appreciated him. And I wish it’d ended on a better note for Willa and Heath, but maybe he’ll come around as long as more books are on the way. I loved what Baz did at the showdown! I just love his character who’s been one of my favorite characters since the first book. He just cracks me up all the time, sorta reminds of Deeks from NCIS: LA. I hope there’ll be more books coming!

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

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