amateur sleuths – Page 15 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Perfect Bind review

September 18, 2021 Tari Hann

I was super excited and grateful to #Berkley Publishing for approving me to read this second in the Beloved Book series by Dorothy St. James who wrote the Southern Chocolate Shop and White House Gardener series. I’m really loving this new series maybe even more than the chocolate shop one (even though I adore chocolate!). It’s probably because the bookroom is a secret one. The cool history part of this particular book was that long ago, the place was actually called The Bookroom. But you’re gonna need to read it and find out why!

It was a little hard to put this book down due to all the “what if someone finds out about the bookroom while investigating the murder” suspense. The town rumors, meanwhile, were um, interesting to say the least. And Mama Eddy had even more of a reason to be happy with herself later on in the book. There’re just so many reasons why you’ll want to read this book. For more complete enjoyment and getting to know the characters better, I’d recommend reading the first one first, but this one does give enough backstory without spoilers that readers should be able to figure out who the key players are.

My Goodreads review:

A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow just when you thought the secret bookroom was all safe and sound…vandals were striking, then a murder happened outside the library. Tru and her book friends had their investigating job cut out for them in trying to figure out how the vandalism and the murder could connect in with some events of the past that the victim was looking into.

I love how the whole time I’ve pretty much despised Anne for coming in and setting up the ridiculous bookless library–I seriously hope this is just the author’s imagination, and this never, ever happens anywhere! But just when you want to be mad at her, she does something actually nice. You’ll have to read and see.

I hadn’t quite seen the whodunit coming until the very end which was really exciting. I was so proud of Tru for calling Jace in for his help. But…what happens in the bookroom stays in the bookroom ’cause I don’t want to spoil even one little tidbit. This awesome mystery comes out in ten more days, but I was so grateful to Berkley for approving me to read it, that I just couldn’t wait any longer to pick up where the last book left off. I’m super happy with the good direction Jace and Tru’s relationship is going too, thanking the author for that one!

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

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One for the Hooks review

August 5, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Crochet Mysteries series by Betty Hechtman who also writes the Yarn Retreat Mysteries. I’ve read probably the last four of the Crochet Mysteries as ARCs, but I did eventually go back and read the first book to find out how all the friends got together and what Molly’s history was with Barry the police detective. Adele continues to crack me up. It seems like she’s come a long way from being jealous over Molly getting a job she thought she should have. I can’t quite think of them as actual friends, but they do at least get along. Dinah’s an awesome bestie for Molly. I love their Sherlock Holmes game when they’re talking about a case.

My Goodreads review:

One for the Hooks: A Crochet Mystery by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the cover of this book to the very end, I enjoyed it all. This book cover just cracks me up with the crazy expression on the sweet little dog’s face! That’s one thing I jadmire about Molly, the love she has for dogs (and for her kids as you’ll see in this installment). It looks like another dog joined the family eventually in this book.

Since this series only comes out once a year, it’s kinda hard to remember just when Molly started seeing Mason instead of Barry, but it’s pretty clear that Barry never got over her. I’m sure I was Team Barry when that happened, but Mason was so darn nice to her.

This was a real puzzler having a death by drone situation and trying to figure out if the person killed was really the target, and if they were, what was the reason and which of the cul-de-sac neighbors did it? Molly was again working with Barry, so sometimes she made me crazy how she’d beat around the bush to give her info to him, but I guess that’s just part of her charm. She’s got lots of other more endearing qualities though, so that’s not a make or break, lol.

The showdown was pretty creepy, but luckily Molly got things under control right before backup arrived. I gotta admit, I was happy with the way things turned out at the end.

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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The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole review

July 29, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the Chocoholic Mysteries series by JoAnna Carl, and I was honored to be asked by a rep from Berkley Publishing to read and hopefully review. I’d recently read the first book, so even though I haven’t read the others, I was still able to follow along, and everything made sense, so it’s possible to read it as a standalone. I didn’t mind learning that a couple marriages had happened in the span between the first book and this, in fact, I’m pretty sure I knew (and had hoped) they would from when I peeked at all the blurbs for the books, lol.

I love that reading the first book and now reading this didn’t seem much different. I know some series change voice over the years or read differently, but to me this one still has the awesome running theme of family and good friends. I’m definitely planning to start catching up with this series though!

My Goodreads review:

The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole by JoAnna Carl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The whole theme in this book was centered around an elusive mama raccoon and her six babies that Lee and Nettie wanted removed from in back of the chocolate shop. It spiraled into a lot more after that including seemingly meaningless burglaries that led to attacks and eventually a murder as well as an attempted murder.

I just love Aunt Nettie’s character! She’s one lady you really want on your side and can be sweet as a granny or well, vicious as a raccoon. Let’s just say if you’re having a showdown with a killer, it’d be a really good idea to invite Aunt Nettie along! The showdown was pretty epic, and I never really guessed the killer. I did have a basic idea of what the burglaries were all about though.

Another character I liked in the very first book, and I’m glad he’s not changed is Hogan Jones. (Admittedly, I’d only read the first book of the series so far when I was asked to read this, but with a little working knowledge of the characters from book 1, I had no trouble keeping up.) I love that Hogan’s not like the typical cozy mystery cop who’s always warning the sleuths off the case. His main interest is always catching the bad guy which means he listens to Lee (or now Nettie seeing how he’s married to her lol), and what could come off as a hair-brained scheme to other officers is at least given some thought by Hogan. He’s one of my favorite fictional lawmen.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. Look for it at your favorite book seller on August 3!

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Much Ado About Nauticaling review

July 27, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the new Whit and Whiskers series by Gabby Allan who also writes as Misty Simon, if you’re familiar with the Tallie Graver cozy mysteries. I haven’t personally read them yet, but I do own some. While I’m waiting on the next Whit and Whiskers, I hope to get to the Tallie Graver series.

I really like the dynamics of the characters in this book, especially when Whit decided to sleuth, and her pals Felix and Maribel helped. I’m a sucker for a new series, especially one with a cute animal like Whiskers on the cover!

My Goodreads review:

Much Ado about Nauticaling by Gabby Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the first of this new series featuring Whit who runs glass bottom boat tours, her brother Nick who does the same and their very cool grandparents Pops and Goldy. I just love Pops and Goldy! She’s just a hoot how she’s always out in the sun doing her tanning, but she’s totally sweet and helpful to Whit when she needs her. Pops is the voice of reason and steadiness when Whit needs that. And Whiskers is a great comfort cat who got a chance to dig her claws into someone bad!

I just had a little tickly suspicion all along that wouldn’t go away, and I was actually right for once about whodunit. I read one thing farther along that cinched it for me, and that was my guess. The showdown was a good one too.

Maybe Whit’ll figure out that Felix isn’t so bad after all. I actually felt sorry for him, because unlike most stories where the girl is wronged/left at the altar/cheated on, this poor guy to me was the one who got the short end of the deal with Whit leaving and no explanation. Hopefully there’ll be plenty more of this series books for them to get reacquainted! I loved the sleuthing dynamics of Whit, Felix and Whit’s bestie and roommate, Maribel who came in really handy since she worked at the police station

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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The Rocky Road to Ruin review

July 24, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen who I thought was a newcomer, but I was super happy to find out on Facebook that she’s none other than Shari Randall, another one of my favorite authors who wrote the Lobster Shack series which I absolutely loved. I’ve found I can always rely on her for some awesome and interesting characters no matter which persona she writes under. I felt so at home reading Rocky Road, and now I can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading about Riley’s backstory but moreso liked that she was a good friend who needed a change in her own life, so she came through when her bestie Caroline needed someone the most. I was never quite sure throughout the book whodunit and wavered among a few of the characters. Maybe this dog wasn’t all that likable, but I sure loved that little MacGillicuddy was a dachshund! Hilarious to give a German dog a Scottish name too. I really liked little Rocky the black kitty who sort of adopted Riley as his favorite human. He was awfully intuitive in other things too.

It was a good twist for once to have the bestie attracted to the detective. I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen that yet. Sometimes the bestie is already attached/married or going with the main detective, but this was a fun switch. There wasn’t quite the typical showdown. It was more of a discovery of a series of events and some crucial evidence. Everything was well-explained at the end and what a sweet surprise Caroline found hidden in an unlikely place. You’ll have to read the book and find out. Now I’m really looking forward to the next book and wondering if some new friends in this book will show up there too.

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

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Murder in a Teacup review

July 22, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second in the Tea by the Sea series, the newest by Vicki Delany who’s also known as Eva Gates, author of the Lighthouse Library series. Under Vicki Delany, she also has Year-Round Christmas and The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy mystery series. I’ve found in any of these series I’ve read (I’m up to date in Tea, Sherlock and Lighthouse) that you get lots of great characters, most being very endearing that you’d like to meet in real life. Then some are like Rose, not a huggy person but still a pretty awesome lady.

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Never underestimate the power of an eighty-year old, lol! At least Rose Campbell proved it over and over so far in this series, and this book was definitely not a disappointment. I just love Rose’s character and how she’s always getting out of working the breakfast at the tearoom. She loves Lily fiercely, but she just not the soft and cuddly granny we sometimes see in these books. Rose and Bernie always make for a great sleuthing team, but sometimes I feel bad for Lily who usually gets left out due to having to work the tearoom.

The families staying at the B&B this time for a so-called reunion would give the Ewings of Dallas and the Channings of Napa Valley a real run for their money in the drama department, lol. I guess I basically pictured the Ewing clan only upgraded with phones and tablets. I’m glad that Det. Redmond got to play an important part eventually. That Williams, well let’s just say the author’s done a great job creating a character no one likes! On the other hand, Simon’s such a sweetheart that I really hope Lily lets him closer into her life sometime in the future. Matt turned out to be a good person for Bernie to hang with-maybe being a writer, he’ll help her overcome some of her writing issues she always has.

That was some awesome showdown! At least part of Lily’s plan worked out. And they finally got peace from this crazy bickering family when they left. I can’t wait to see what Lily, Rose and Bernie get into in the next book!

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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A Hex for Danger review

July 10, 2021July 10, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Enchanted Bay series, one of my personal fave new series out there, and it’s by Esme Addison. I loved this series when I first read it last year, and now I can’t wait for the third book. As you’ll see in my review, I highly recommend that if you haven’t read the first book, it’s best to start with that book before moving to this book. I just love Alex’s sweet German Shepherd, Athena and wish she was in the book just a little more. What a cutie, as you can see from both this book cover and the first.

I liked that everything was well-explained for the mysteries going on in the book too. There may be a character carryover which is always why I recommend reading book one first. Thanks to Kensington Books for providing the ARC to NetGalley!

My Goodreads review:

A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to get to read this second book in the Enchanted Bay series before it comes out next Tuesday. I really enjoyed the first book, and this book was definitely not a disappointment. We got to learn even more about the key characters. I’ll caution anyone who hasn’t read the first book though: do yourself a favor and read it before reading this one, because there are a few mentions of things that happened in the first book that you may not want to know before you read said first book. This is a series that I can see will be building on each book as far as the history of the families involved, so starting from the beginning is a very good thing!

There were a couple of different cases, and it was interesting to see if they’d be related. Without giving too much away, let’s just say I didn’t guess anything all that well. Lots of surprises and secrets were kept and shared. Alex was left with the sense of family though that she’d longed for all the years she was without, and we did get to find out the particulars behind her memory being erased as she was talking about in the first book. I really enjoy Alex’s character and her amazing aunt and cousins too. This book publishes July 13, 2021.

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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Dogged by Death review

July 7, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first cozy mystery I can see in author Laura Scott’s works as well as being the first book I’ve read by her. I’m loving what I read in this new series called Furry Friends Mysteries, named after main character Ally Winter’s veterinary clinic. Ms. Scott’s written mysteries and romance books, and I think she’s done an amazing job of combining those talents and creating this cozy series. It’s got just the right elements a cozy needs along with a little bit of suspense but not the super scary kind. I just love Ally’s Gramps! He’s such a great character, and I can’t wait to read more about all these characters in the next book. Yep, I have the ARC already for the next book and might be tempted to dig in when I get a little bit better caught up on ARCs.

PS: The various little entries about Ally’s clients bringing their pets in were a lot of fun. I was especially happy that the little dachshund named Lola wasn’t one of the dogs who misbehaved, lol.

My Goodreads review:

Dogged by Death by Laura Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! It pulled me in from the first page and kept my attention until the very end. Gramps is the most awesome character, and I got such a kick out of how he managed to investigate and get information out of people, especially the women in town, since anyone over 60 was usually swept off their feet by him. Gramps wasn’t a player though and said no one would ever replace his Amelia. The three ladies in the assisted living house with him were such a hoot! They always heard the gossip almost before the police knew about it.

I loved how the story was so smooth and easy to read with natural-sounding conversations and very likable characters. That sweet Boxer Roxy had my heart from the first time she was mentioned! And she played a big part in the showdown (I love it when a pet can do that!). I actually enjoyed hearing about some of the cases Ally took care of. There were quite a few of them, and that made the story flow nicely with mixing those along with Gramps and Ally investigating.

I’m sure Noah and Ally will become lots more than friends eventually, but it’s sweet to see them reconnecting, and he only teased her a couple of times about her old high school nickname, lol. I really was happy about how Ally’s vet practice grew just from a few things she did herself like followup calls. It’ll be interesting to see if Lydia ever gets to work as receptionist in the next book. And I can’t wait to see what Gramps gets into with the next case.

The showdown was awesome, short and effective. I enjoy it a lot more when help or reinforcements come quickly! (less nerve-wracking haha) I’d started suspecting whodunit after the clues started falling in place, so it was just a matter of time as to when Ally had the same person in mind.

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

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Death of an Italian Chef review

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021 Tari Hann

Can you believe this is the fourteenth book in the Hayley Powell series? I hope it goes on for a long time because I’m having such a good time reading it. I’m keeping up with new releases via ARCs from NetGalley while still having some of the previous books to read. With this fun series, I’m surprisingly okay with that though. This clever series is the brainchild of brother/sister writing team Lee Hollis aka Rick Copp and Holly Simason. Guys, please keep writing about Hayley! Just a weird thought I had. I wonder if some of the awesome Hayley/Randy or Gemma/Dustin moments came from things they remembered doing as kids.

This book was just as hilarious as I’ve come to expect from some of my most favorite cozy mystery characters. The guy who died was in the book just long enough that I actually felt bad about someone killing him. I guess I was picturing him as a favorite old Italian comic actor. I’m sure most everyone is too young to remember Dom DeLuise, but Chef Romeo made me think of him which was why I hated to see the chef get murdered. But there were tons of secrets that a lot of people had, including the chef, so you’ll just have to dig into this book when it’s published next week and find out what was up with all those great side stories in the book as well as the main mystery. You won’t be disappointed! And if you like Italian food, you’re going to be hungry for that too.

My Goodreads review:

Death of an Italian Chef by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy, the trouble a brother and sister can get into when their loved ones are out of town, lol. Hayley and Randy were on their own, and since crazy stuff always follows our awesome Hayley, she found herself involved in a murder investigation of a chef who she’d been helping with his restaurant while he was in the hospital. The worst part was that Sergio was in Brazil, and a no-nonsense skeptical-of- anything-Hayley-told-her sergeant was in charge.

One hilarious part was Donnie and Earl following her around like lovesick puppies. Bruce was on a story in New York, but he still helped with the investigation by researching for Hayley, while she saw herself coming and going with the restaurant and a very demanding Randy recovering from surgery. That led to another funny scene when Mona babysat him. Mona was also a hoot as a waitress at the Italian restaurant, kind of a similar performance to when she subbed in a play last Christmas.

I love this series so much because we’re always presented with a fun rollercoaster of an investigation with so many madcap situations Hayley and crew find themselves in. From wild side stories about the mob and someone’s affair to the actual heart and reason of the murder, I know I’m always guaranteed a good exciting showdown. And there was a pretty awesome twist to this one which led to a great ending and new adventure coming for Hayley and her friends and family. Don’t miss this when it comes out next Tuesday!

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

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Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer review

April 14, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the third (and I think best) in the Desert Flowers series written by one of my favorite authors Lee Hollis, who is actually brother/sister writing team of Rick Copp and Holly Simason. I just love their Hayley Powell series, and this one is quickly becoming a favorite series as well. In this third book, it’s like the characters just clicked into place for me. I liked them all to begin with, but by this book, I’d really wanted to visit more with them after the book was done.

My Goodreads review:

Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best book in the series yet! The characters are now like old friends to me, and I love that Poppy and Sam were becoming closer. I never thought in the first book that Matt would become a favorite character, but I just love the guy! He’s amazing and so good to Poppy and her friends. It was cool that Wyatt had an even bigger part in this book doing online investigating

What a wild mystery with tons of secrets! I liked that there was a tie-in to a series of murders that Poppy remembered when she was acting in the 80s. It was interesting to read the flashbacks and hear some of my favorite shows mentioned too. After reading this book, I desperately wish I could open YouTube and find Jack Colt reruns lol! It sounds like just the kind of show I would have watched back then.

I absolutely loved the showdown and rescue that followed, it was epic! Everything was explained, and there was a very sweet ending that makes me really anxious now for the next book!

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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