Tag: book club

Murder by the Page review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Literary Dining Mysteries, a brand new series by a longtime fave cozy author, Daryl Wood Gerber. The characters were interesting and likable. I got a big kick outta Tegan, Allie’s bestie. She could be such a ball of energy and sometimes really cracked me up! It did take me a little bit to warm up to Allie and get into the story more, but once I did, I was off to the races reading.

I gotta say the only thing I didn’t like about this book was its cover, lol. Seriously, Ms. Gerber’s other books have such amazing and vibrantly done covers (meaning they look like what I’ve always felt a cozy mystery should look like), that had I not noticed her name on the cover first, I would’ve passed it right up on NetGalley and missed out on a good story.

Just my opinion here, but I feel there’re entirely too many mysteries out there right now that use similar covers to this and I usually pass those up because they just look boring, so I hope people pick this book on its author merit and knowing they like her first and foremost. Backhanded compliment maybe, but I just know what I enjoy looking at as far as book covers go.

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the PageMurder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t too crazy about this book at first since Allie, the main character was just different from most cozy mystery main characters and it took me a while to warm up to her. I did like her wicked sense of humor and how she could cleverly get in the last word with someone. Tegan was an awesome best friend.

While the Pride and Prejudice quotes and storyline were lost on me, I still enjoyed how they kinda incorporated some of the book’s ideas into figuring out the mystery. The ending was really good and I’m looking forward to seeing how Zach and Allie move forward as hopefully more than friends while another awesome partnership starts and takes off.

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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The Vanishing Type review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Mysteries by one of my all-time favorite authors, Ellery Adams who’s written a seriously large amount of cozy mystery series that you can see by clicking her name to go to her Goodreads profile. I’ve enjoyed this particular series since it first came out, so I’m always caught up by the time I read the newest ARC. Reading one of these books (or any of Ms. Adams’ books) is like visiting old friends again. 

#KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdamsBooks

My Goodreads review:

 The Vanishing Type (Secret, Book, & Scone Society, #5)The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whenever I read the latest in this series, it’s always so easy to go back and visit with these amazing book club ladies. They’re all so awesome, I can’t even pick who’d be my favorite friend because I have fave things about each one of them. And that Sheldon, I just love his character! I really liked that Nora and McCabe were getting closer and how they were able to sleuth together. Everyone always got some part of the sleuthing to do.

Hester was happy to be engaged to Jasper, but that happiness didn’t last although it wasn’t anything that Jasper did. Hester’s past came back to haunt her in a very weird way that resulted in murder.

Not gonna give away any of the secrets you’ll learn when you read this, but it was super interesting and kept my attention the whole way. I hadn’t figured out who the killer was but it definitely made sense. Wow, what a showdown that just about all the friends had a part in including McCabe who thankfully got there when needed.

It’s great how there’s always a comforting ending with the friends all gathered for the explanation while enjoying good food and each other’s company. This series always causes a great book hangover!

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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Reading Between the Crimes review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Jane Doe Book Club Mysteries that started last year. I’m really enjoying getting to know the characters, and you definitely get to know some of the characters a lot better in this book! I couldn’t help thinking the murder had a whole Clue vibe going…”Mr. Richardson in the library with the candlestick.” Except Mr. R was the one who was offed. There was a lot of intrigue and mysterious things happening. As I said in my Goodreads review, I can’t really say a whole lot for fear of spoiling something. Just read and enjoy!

My Goodreads review:

Reading Between the Crimes (Jane Doe Book Club Mystery, #2)Reading Between the Crimes by Kate Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a mystery! A lot of it was more low-key and not tons of action going on, but just when I thought it was getting quiet, pow! Lyla learned something about her mom’s past that was pretty unsettling, but it did explain quite a bit of her recent behavior. I don’t want to go into details too much, because there’s a possibility of spoiling something no matter what I mention.

I’m glad to see that Lyla was still with Brad Jones and at least Quinn her ex was treating her fairly well regarding the investigation. Lots of surprises came out, and the showdown was kind of a show stopper. Very well written with little surprises popping up here and there. I definitely can recommend this series. This book seems more geared toward not having had to read the first one, although I always recommend starting the beginning. I admit to not always having done that myself when ARCs looked tempting though! 😉

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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Booked 4 Murder–review

Tari Hann

This was such a fun book! It’s the first book in the Sophie Kimball series, written by husband and wife team of Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp aka J.C. Eaton. I just the first in their new Wine Trail series and already knew I loved their writing style. This book starts with Minnesota and Arizona in September, a super warm month yet for Arizona and Phee at times probably wondered what she was thinking when she told her mom she’d look into her book club problem for her by coming out for a visit.

I loved the idea of Phee’s mom having a little chiweenie as her companion–this is the best unlicensed picture I could come up with. I wish Phee liked little Streetman better than she currently does!

My Goodreads review:

Booked 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery, #1)Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! I was sucked in from the very beginning and could barely put it down. Phee and her mom were such great characters together, yeah maybe her mom is a tad annoying but isn’t everyone’s a little that way? The person I guessed was not the perp, and I even went for a kind of obscure person.

Sophia “Phee” Kimball got a call from her mom, frantically saying that the book their book club was reading was cursed since three people had already died after reading it. Phee tried to reason with her mom but she knew early on she’d end up down in Arizona from Minnesota. Phee’s good friend, Nate, a detective with the police department where she was in accounts receivable, encouraged her to go. He said she always did such a good job of tracking down receipts and things like that, she’d be a natural for investigating. Phee didn’t really know where to begin, but with Nate’s guidance, she soon had a lot of good information, including what her mother had written down for her before she got there.

I loved how Nate and Phee would share info and how he’d get the tech guy helping her. It was kind of refreshing not to have the main character worrying about which guy she likes, and instead have the male character she’s interacting with be 20 years older and more her mentor. That gave her time to be more concerned with finding out the answer to what ended up being a whole trail of secrets and puzzles that led to the senior ladies’ deaths. Was it murder or was someone using the supposed-curse to their advantage? Who would want to off these sweet old ladies? You’ll have to read and find out. You’ll be surprised and pleased with the ending. Phee somewhat got to Miss Marple and Poirot her findings, but that final book meeting/reveal was pretty hilarious at times.

I really like what happened at the very end of the book when she returned to her office job. You’ll know if you read book blurbs, but I don’t want to be responsible for spoiling it for someone. All I know is, book 2 here I come.

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