Tag: close family

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, and I’ve had the pleasure of reading it from the very beginning. Which is something I highly recommend to get to know the characters better and for maximum enjoyment. After the last book, I’d been hoping for another book in the series and was thrilled to be able to get this from NetGalley.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mysteries #7)Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun visit to Balsam Dell and Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery along with all her friends and family. Carly’s hubby Ari found out what it was like to be the prime suspect in a murder this time when the contractor he was working with was killed on the job. Carly made a good friend in the older lady who owned the house getting renovated and soon found herself facing off with a killer in that house. I’d sorta suspected that person but wasn’t sure why, so I was on the fence the entire time about it. The showdown could’ve gone seriously sideways but thanks to another new friend, Carly lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait for the next book!

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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Two Purloined Pillows review

Tari Hann

This is the second in the latest series, Nimble Needle, by Allie Pleiter whose other cozy mystery series was also fiber crafts related, Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. I’ve always wanted to get to that series so maybe I should do that while waiting on the next book in this series which I’m super eager for now. Check out her biography page on Goodreads (linked above to her name) if you’re interested in her other non-mystery series.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AlliePleiter

My Goodreads review:

 

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery, #2)Two Purloined Pillows by Allie Pleiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed returning to Gwen Lake and hanging out with Shelby, her mom and the NYAG ladies (Not Your Average Grannies) who remind me a lot of the Golden Girls, lol. When one of the needlepoint artists for the festival was murdered, Shelby took it personally and set out to find the killer. She had a little help from her pals Deb and Jake (with Jake, I hope she becomes a lot more than pals eventually!).

I enjoyed the side story of Shelby’s sweet nephew who just wanted to be an artist and not mess around trying to play sports. I loved what she did for him using the help of one of the festival artists. Meanwhile that wily killer had totally fooled everyone. I never even had a suspicion! I can’t wait for the next book now that some fun changes are coming to the Nimble Needle’s needlepoint groups.

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 Blue Ribbon Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop series by cat-loving cozy mystery author, Toni T.C. LoTempio. Just a note, the incorrect author page and no series page were given for this book’s listing on Goodreads. The author page I linked is the one with Ms. Toni’s picture of her with Rocco which is the only official GR page for her that I know of and the same one I’ve always used for blog links. The series link leads to the Amazon page, but I’m not an affiliate, so click without worry.

As always, the Urban Tails Pet Shop mystery never lets me down as far as a good and intriguing mystery along with plenty of kitties to pretend I can pet and love on, especially sweet Purrday! Such is the life of someone with cat allergies lol. Purrday usually gets to be the hero but he’s always been a hero in  my book! Sorry Purrday, I couldn’t find a picture online of a noble one-eyed cat so we’ll just say this was you before whatever happened. 

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 6)A Blue Ribbon Murder by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shell and her former TV co-star Gary were at their sleuthing best again and it was kinda like they never left their show. Except for this was real life with real perps and weapons. Gary always cracks me up with his sometimes-goofiness, but he’s a true friend and I love how he can remain a good pal to Shell but be a boyfriend to Shell’s bestie, Olivia.

Pet shows can always be a hotbed of drama and mystery, at least in cozy mysteries lol, so this cat show was no exception when the director of the show was murdered. Any number of people could’ve wanted the woman dead, so Shell and Gary put on their A-game of sleuthing again, and once more sweet Purrday was the hero. He probably liked sleuthing a lot better than having to compete in the show anyway! A one-eyed cat might not be show worthy, but Purrday always gets his perp!

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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If Books Could Kill review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith, an awesome spin-off of her Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries with the MC Jazzi being none other than Daisy’s now-grown daughter. Of course Jazzi practically grew up with her mom amateur sleuthing, so this li’l apple doesn’t fall far from her momma’s tree! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

 

If Books Could Kill (Tomes & Tea Mysteries #3)If Books Could Kill by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve really enjoyed this spin-off series from Daisy’s Tea Garden and was happy to see a very special guest as a brief part of this book. Jazzi had her work cut out for her both at the bookstore and trying to find who killed her librarian friend. She managed to make a new friend in the process and help said new friend find someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. After a scary showdown with a killer where Jazzi definitely held her own, I’m sure she’s totally ready to take a nice long vacation.

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 Bark Before the Dawn review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Magical Menagerie mystery series by Sarah Fox whose Pancake House series is one of her other cozy mystery series. I’ve loved this series from its beginning and it’s gotten only better with each addition. I highly recommend reading the series in order for the best and most fun experience.

#NetGalley #SarahFox #SevernHouse

My Goodreads review:

The Bark Before the Dawn (A Magical Menagerie Mystery, 4)The Bark Before the Dawn by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Something about the ending almost made it sound like the final book, but I sure hope that’s not the case. If it really is, it was wrapped up just perfectly, although I think Georgie and Callum along with two amazing spaniels still have lotsa mysteries to solve.

This was a stumper of a mystery and seemed multi-layered in some ways. There were definitely plenty of suspects to pick from but only one had killed someone, and as always, the spaniels along with awesome Euclid got to help with the takedown. I absolutely loved the ending and really, really hope there’s more books being planned!

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


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The Whisking Hour review

Tari Hann

This is the 22nd book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, a fave cozy author of many and author of other cozy mystery series I’ve read and loved as well. When there’s a murder in Ashland, you better believe Jules and crew (meaning actually Lance recruiting Jules to sleuth) are gonna be sleuthing it out. What could possibly go wrong?

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

The Whisking Hour (Bakeshop Mystery #22)The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Lance sure had his hands full with the cast and crew members of the latest show. The director was causing all kinds of chaos among the cast, but who was upset enough to snap and kill someone? There were plenty of suspects. I hadn’t really decided on one, but I definitely was leaning toward the one who ended up as the killer. Jules doesn’t have long until baby time, so now I’m eager to read the next book and see if it’s happening then.

I loved the nod toward the end to one of the author’s other series. It was pretty hilarious and so appropriate how a character from that was connected to one in this series.

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


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Murder from A to Z review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Mystery Bookshop series by V.M. (Valerie) Burns, a long-running series I’ve enjoyed from the very beginning. I just love Sam, Nana Jo and all the ladies from Shady Acres…and the two adorable poodles Oreo and Snickers are always the stars of every book cover! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns #VMBurns

My Goodreads review:

Murder from A to Z (Mystery Bookshop #11)Murder from A to Z by V.M. Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never get tired of Nana Jo’s friends from Shady Acres especially the incorrigible Irma and always get a huge laugh going when she starts to say something raunchy and everyone goes “Irma!” There were so many good ones in this book, loved ‘em all! Irma might be a little questionable in her actions, but she managed to get some good info for the case as they all did.

After two bodies, I still hadn’t guessed whodunit or let’s just say I was wrong. The showdown was awesome and super satisfying as to what happened to that nasty perp. But someone nice got a good ending which the lady who died would’ve been happy about. Oh and I loved the nod to New Bison, the other Michigan city in another of the author’s current series.

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 Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Food & Spirits Mysteries by Darci Hannah, and it’s a great way to get a trip in to Scotland without ever leaving the comforts of your home. I like that some of the characters that’d been in a book in the Beacon Bakeshop series were spun off into this new series. Giff has to be my fave, he’s such an awesome character! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DarciHannah

My Goodreads review;

A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle (A Food and Spirits Mystery Book 2)A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think my favorite Food & Spirits host is good old Giff himself. That guy’s such a hoot and has some of the best lines, not to mention the role of the ‘medium’ in the show. It’s cute how Bunny and Brett seem to’ve gotten closer, then they ended up facing off with a killer. Which gave them an extra incentive to stay alive and get that person into police custody.

Bunny mentioned England was their next stop, an island which definitely sounds cozy spooky just like this book was. My favorite way to travel, by Kindle!

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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Tell-Tale Treats review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Magical Fortune Cookies mysteries by Jennifer J. Chow, another cozy series I’ve had the pleasure of reading from the first book. These characters are now like old friends and I just love that sweet little Whiskers, Felicity’s bunny who’s got a real nose for clues and evidence.

#NetGalley #StMartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #JenniferJChow

My Goodreads review:

Tell-Tale Treats: A Magical Fortune Cookie NovelTell-Tale Treats: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed these key characters since the very first book, so it was like meeting up with old friends to read about them again in this new adventure. Felicity’s pet bunny Whiskers was at his sleuthing best again as Felicity and Kelvin were hired by the B&B owner to have flowers and snacks for her wealthy guests every day. But one of said wealthy guests might’ve offed another one, and it wasn’t just human sleuths who helped figure it out. I wonder what these friends are gonna get into next time.

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


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The Devil in the Details review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by beloved cozy mystery author Vicki Delany. I’ve had the pleasure of reading this series since its very beginning, and I’ve fallen in love with the character developments, the awesome mysteries and the relationship progress. Can’t wait to see what’ll be next on Gemma’s plate!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

 

The Devil in the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, #11)The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gemma’s elusive Uncle Arthur had just been in town for Christmas, but since he was invited to Jayne and Andy’s wedding, were we actually gonna get some page time with him? You’ll have to read and see, but there was plenty of other action going on. Poor Andy had his hands full with a couple employees who were always sniping at each other. He had no idea how bad things would get before he and Jayne got married though.

Luckily Gemma was on the case and as Det. Estrada reluctantly agreed, she knew what she was doing and always came up with something useful for the police. Toward the end something so typically Gemma happened, but everything turned out okay when a perp was put away for the murder. Just another week in amateur sleuth Gemma’s crazy life that I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t trade for anything else.

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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