amateur sleuths – Page 2 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Wonderful Christmas Crime review

October 23, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth in the awesome Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost aka well-known cozy mystery author Julie Anne Lindsey. I’ve read and loved this series from its very first book and was thrilled to recently find out the series is getting a book 7, yay!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #JacquelineFrost #JulieAnneLindsey

My Goodreads review:

A Wonderful Christmas Crime by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cookie always cracks me up! She’s an amazing friend to Holly and lover of all things that happen to be goats. And men with beards lol. Cookie and the rest of Holly’s friends and family sure had their hands full when Holly’s doctor warned her not to get overly stressed for her and her baby’s health now. Of course hubby Evan translated that to “no physical sleuthing.” Armchair sleuthing never was Holly’s thing or letting others do what she wanted to be out there doing. As careful as she was, she managed to end up facing off with a killer sooner than planned, and the most unlikely little thing ended up helping her outta that situation.

I just love Holly and Evan’s builder, Christopher, who gave Holly an amazing Christmas puzzle gift, well once she figured it out it was amazing. The ending was really sweet and I can’t wait for the next book. I read online that book 7 was definitely happening next year, so yay for that!

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

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Death on Dickens Island review

October 22, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series The Books on the Beach Mysteries by Allison Brook (aka Marilyn Levinson) of the Haunted Library series. I sure loved Evelyn’s ghost character in Haunted Library, but in this series, I think I’m liking Grandma just as much! All these characters were so fun and likable, well except for the ones that weren’t supposed to be liked, lol. The book pulled me in and wouldn’t let go until the end–and I really didn’t want it to let go! Can’t wait for a return visit!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #AllisonBrook

My Goodreads review:

Death on Dickens Island by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Delia and her family along with Delia’s new-but-not-new love interest. Her grandma being the ghost in the story was such a fun idea—who wouldn’t’ love talking to their late grandma again, right? Especially if you had tons of questions like Delia did. The dog that followed Delia’s son Connor home was such an awesome pup who decided that Delia and Connor were gonna be his new people.

When Delia’s uncle was being looked at suspiciously after the murder of a council member who’d been acting a little too friendly toward Uncle Brad, Delia was determined she’d get to the bottom of things. Meanwhile, her son and his buddy got involved in what Connor thought for sure sure was a real treasure map. Chaos ensued of course. The very public showdown featuring the killer of the council member was a good one that had a super satisfying outcome. I didn’t want the book to end and can’t wait for the next one!

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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Death at the Door review

October 21, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries series by Olivia Blacke, and this one was just as good maybe even better than the first one. I just wish someday Ruby could be able to actually see and hear Cordelia, but somehow they make communicating work out the best they can. Cordelia’s brother Ian visiting kinda opened a can of worms, and now I can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #OliviaBlacke

My Goodreads review:

Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love this unlikely pair of friends, Cordelia, a ghost who’s old enough to be Ruby’s mom and Ruby, a girl of twenty who’s just trying to make her living in the city and learning adulting the hard way. Cordelia’s younger brother made an appearance and might’ve accidentally stumbled on a way for Ruby to see her ghostly roommate, so now I can’t wait for the next book.

The murder mystery was a good one, and the two friends worked to figure out the killer with Cordelia working her ghostly magic to help others be able to know who the killer was as well. I loved the stuff she could do to people she didn’t like, like frying their phones or computers. Luckily Cordelia didn’t need to do that too often. After the scene with Ian at the end, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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

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O Deadly Night review

October 16, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the super fun Year-Round Christmas series by a fave cozy author, Vicki Delany. Who wouldn’t love living in Rudolph, NY? Well, I guess the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor folks wouldn’t want to, lol. Merry’s dad always cracks me up at how awesome he can be to everyone, and even was trying to keep peace between the two towns by offering to help Muddle Harbor with their lack of business. But then you wouldn’t expect anything less of good old Santa Claus, right? 😉

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mabel D’Angelo was always more of a behind-the-scenes character with mainly just greeting her tenants like Merry, Wendy and Steve, but this time she got her chance in the spotlight when she became a little too interested in what was going on over at the house across from her. It could’ve had a tragic ending for the sweet old thing, but luckily it didn’t. Someone else found in the house wasn’t as lucky though, so of course Merry’s sleuthing senses started going nuts, even at the shop’s busiest time of year.

I wasn’t too surprised at the whodunit but the showdown was awesome and Vicky got to shine there. It’ll be interesting to see who the newest neighbors are and if Mattie gets his doggie wish to meet their little white dog. Good old Mattie always cracks me up at how well he behaves for Det. Diane Simmonds, lol. See you in the next book, Rudolph and residents!

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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Flamed Out review

October 15, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth and final, book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries by Valona Jones, better known as Maggie Toussaint. I’ve read the series from the beginning and loved every minute of it. I’m sad to say goodbye to these characters, but the author did a really super job of wrapping up any loose ends about the series overall.

#NetGalley #ValonaJones #MaggieToussaint

My Goodreads review:

Flamed Out: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always a little sad to read what ends up being the last book in a really good series, but the author did an amazing job of wrapping it all up. I knew from her newsletters that this was gonna be the last book, and some of what she said came back to me as I read and I was thinking “yep she was definitely right about that!” (Meaning a comment she’d made in the newsletter.)

The showdown was a tense one but had a super satisfying outcome. Some good surprises came at the end but no matter what happened, Tabby and Sage knew they always had each other’s backs..

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Epilogue to a Christmas Murder review

September 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries by awesome but no long with us author Lauren Elliott. She sadly passed away this summer and it really felt like the cozy world lost a good friend as well as a storyteller. This book was bittersweet knowing there’s probably no more coming unless there was a manuscript she was finishing up. (readers can always hope I guess!)

But I wonder if maybe she did intend this book to be the last since she titled it with the word “epilogue.” Once the book’s read, I feel like as readers, we’re an imaginative enough bunch that we can kinda figure out what’s next for Addie. I know it’s finally something happy! She’s sure due for something amazing in her life after all this!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Addie’s old friend Marc got a little taste of what an amateur sleuth goes through when he recused himself from a murder case that ended up involving his cousin. Good old “dog with a bone” as Addie had been called before wouldn’t let go this time either, and as always provided the missing clue to the puzzle when she confronted a killer.

The coolest part of all was that Noah, the British detective Addie met and solved a case with was there in the States getting in her head in person. But he’d never really left her head (or heart) since she came back from England.

Everything was mostly wrapped up and explained, although there were a couple minor things that I still had questions about, so I guess those won’t ever get cleared up. We can always use our imaginations on who that donation thief really was and I’m pretty sure Addie was finally, finally gonna get her happily ever after.

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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Death of a Tom Turkey review

September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries by brother/sister duo Lee Hollis (Rick Copp, Holly Simason), and the authors never fail to come through with lots of funny scenes and a great overall mystery. I always love Hayley’s sweet pup Leroy who’s still around, but in the cozy mystery world anything can happen while real-life dogs would be on Leroy Junior, Junior, Junior by now lol. He’s a good mainstay and has been from the beginning.

I was excited that my fave police chief’s Sergio-isms as I like to call them returned. Yes, I’m that nerd who actually counts how many times he says something funny when he means something else. I love the character to pieces and really missed his little additions in the last book. His delivery says it all and while I didn’t notice any Sergio-isms in the last book (Sergio was a touch boring in that book), he definitely made a comeback in this story and was better than ever!

Another thing I noticed several books ago was the articles in between chapters that Hayley writes for the Island Times have gotten better and even funnier. I gotta admit in the beginning I’d kinda skim those but these recent ones have been pretty hilarious.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Tom Turkey by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see the Sergio-isms return! Those are just so funny and had always been part of this series but the last book or two just didn’t cut it and Sergio was just plain boring. But not in this book, he was in rare form, so if he was real I’d wanna hug him lol! Mona was also in rare form as well. Of all the B characters, I think I love those two best!

What a crazy and complicated case that even included some court action but a cool plot twist toward the end took care of wrapping up the case, and it was in typical Hayley style too. What a wild Thanksgiving!

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

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Home Fries and Alibis review

September 23, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the All-Day-Breakfast Café Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author, Lena Gregory which I’ve loved since the very first book. Every book’s shown the growth of relationships and tons of great character development, so I really think it’s best read in order to enjoy it as much as possible, just my rec. After this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LenaGregory

My Goodreads review:

Home Fries and Alibis by Lena Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love catching up with Gia, Savannah and all their friends and family down in Boggy Creek, FL. The neighbors in Gia’s subdivision had that neighbor that no one could stand, and when that person was murdered, no one really knew who they could trust. Gia and Savannah did their usual sleuthing around.

There were some sad, anxious then happy moments that I’ll recommend having a tissue or two on hand for. The showdown was really awesome and I absolutely loved what Gia did to that perp. The final chapter was filled with food, family and fellowship along with some happy news from some of the friends. I can’t wait to read the next book now!

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

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Tails from the Crypt review

September 10, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the absolutely fun and adorable Magical Menagerie series by Sarah Fox, another fave cozy author. I loved this series from the very first book and always am eager to read the next when it comes out. Twilight Cove celebrating Halloween was awesome!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #SarahFox

My Goodreads review:

Tails from the Crypt by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed Georgie’s character and those of her friends and family since the very first book. I just love those sweet spaniels, Flossie and Fancy as well as the cool abilities they’ve got and can do. Fancy’s so cute when she howls “a-roo” and Flossie cracks me up when she opens locks with just her paw. That’d be some crazy prints the police might find, lol!

The mystery was fun since it was set around Halloween, and I was never really sure whodunit until the actual reveal which was a good surprise. And of course the sweet doggos had a part in making that showdown happen and causing the perp to have to stick around. Can’t wait to read the next book!

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

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Murder Pays a Call review

September 9, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first in what I imagine from the cover is gonna be called the Keri Armstrong series by a familiar cozy mystery author Nancy J. Cohen who also writes The Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring MC Marla who got a shoutout in this book. Keri’s an awesome main character with some fun, quirky friends/coworkers and I can’t wait to see another book in this series!

#NetGalley #NancyJCohen #OrangeGrovePress

My Goodreads review:

Murder Pays a Call by Nancy J. Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Keri and her office colleagues at her personal concierge agency. Purdy cracked me up always juggling his dates with different women. It was sad that a really nice person was the victim, although according to some, she wasn’t the nicest person. And that meant there were more suspects than anyone knew what to do with. Keri’s bestie Lora was also part of the cast and I was glad to see she was working out as the graphic artist Keri needed.

I enjoyed the twist at the end and the reveal which was really exciting as both Keri and her new friend Diane took on the killer. I’m definitely wanting to read the next book and see what Keri and her friends get into next!

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

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